Chapter 3
"Firestar," whispered Tawnypelt softly, poking her head into the leader's den. "Yes?" he yawned. "May I stay here for the night? The warriors den is very crowded," she muttered, blushing slightly.
"Of course..." Firestar mumbled, his face growing hot as the she-cat padded in.
"If you don't mind, that is," added Tawnypelt, stepping back a bit. "No, no, it's alright," mewed Firestar quickly. "But there's only one nest. We'll have to share, I suppose," the tom muttered.
Tawnypelt resisted a grin. "That's too bad, but it'll be better than the cramped warriors den," she meowed, curling up beside Firestar. Firestar shuddered as their pelts brushed. "I can leave," Tawnypelt softly meowed. "No, I told you, it's okay," Firestar stated, closing his eyes.
Tawnypelt moved away a bit, frowning as she did so. Firestar shifted his paws nervously and also nudged himself away. The rest of the night was silent, and the two nervous cats barely got any sleep.
"Who will lead the Dawn Pa-" Rowanclaw stopped, noticing Tawnypelt licking Firestar's ear. The she-cat stared at Rowanclaw and her face grew as red as a cherry. "Stumpytail," Firestar said quickly, rising up from the nest.
"He's sick, Runningnose is treating him," meowed Rowanclaw, whiskers twitching, possibly in anger or amusement. "Then Wetfoot." Rowanclaw dipped his head as a reply and backed out of the den, flashing a hurt glance at Tawnypelt.
The she-cat stood up. "I'm on the Dawn Patrol," she mewed, swiftly dashing out of the den, leaving an embarrassed Firestar behind.
Firestar gaped, watching as Russetpaw blushed, talking to Blackfoot. Blackfoot meowed something to her then padded away, leaving behind a sorrowful Russetpaw.
The deputy, Tawnypelt, organized a hunting patrol as soon as she was back from the Dawn Patrol. "Blackfoot, Russetpaw, Jaggedpaw, and..." Tawnypelt seemed unsure. "I can go," suggested Firestar, yawning and rising to his paws. "Okay," mewed Tawnypelt, dipping her head. Firestar led the three other cats out of camp to hunt.
"Raise your left front paw," instructed Firestar, staring at Jaggedpaw, eying his posture. The tom slowly lifted his paw. "Now, pretend you're facing an enemy, and push your paw forward with all of your strength," meowed Firestar. Jaggedpaw nodded, then shoved forward. Firestar grimaced as the apprentice tumbled forward into a roll.
"Try it again, but pretend you're kind of... swiping the enemy," commanded Firestar. Jaggedpaw sighed and got back into position. "Space out your paws!" warned the leader. Jaggedpaw grunted and shifted his paws slightly.
"Good..." muttered Firestar, eyes scanning over his apprentice. Jaggedpaw raised his paw again. Firestar nodded. "Now try it again." His apprentice pushed his paw forward, and stumbled a little. "At least you didn't fall," remarked Firestar with a chuckle.
Jaggedpaw glared at him. "Are we done yet?" he pleaded. "Okay, fine," Firestar sighed, giving in. "We can have a practice fight." Jaggedpaw practically flew into the air, a grin spreading across his face.
Firestar flattened his ears. He flicked his tail once, and Jaggedpaw tensed. Twice... The apprentice was looking at his shoulder. Firestar flicked his tail once more, and the battle began.
Jaggedpaw leaped for Firestar's shoulder, but the tom had seen it coming. He dodged to the right and Jaggedpaw slid on the ground, letting out an indignant grunt. Firestar watched the apprentices eyes, predicting where he'd aim. Jaggedpaw's gaze was trained on his back.
Firestar leaped to the right, but Jaggedpaw didn't go for the leader's back. With a huff, the apprentice pinned Firestar on the the ground by his belly. The leader panted, staring up at Jaggedpaw. "Very good!" he meowed. Jaggedpaw gleamed, and slid off of Firestar.
"Ah!" Jaggedpaw yelped as he was tackled to the ground. "Always watch your opponent," said Firestar, chuckling. Jaggedpaw heaved the ginger tom-cat off, and twitched his ear. "What next?" he inquired.
"Next is lunch," meowed Firestar, already heading towards camp.
What do you think happened with Blackfoot and Russetpaw? What character is your favorite? Firestar, Tawnypelt, Stumpytail, Wetfoot, Russetpaw, Jaggedpaw, Blackfoot, or poor Rowanclaw maybe? Does anyone feel bad for Rowanclaw? Review, please!