It as if, when both a fire-orange tom and a white and silver she-cat, everyone and everything stopped moving. All eyes were on the two cats who walked through the thorn-barrier together. Side-by-side. Not touching but not a whole distance away. No hissing, no scratching, no secret evil glares. Nada.
"What are you all looking at?" Firepaw snapped, fed up with all the staring.
Just like that, everyone got back to business and minded their own business... or so Firepaw thought.
He and Windpaw walked over to the freshkill pile, deposited their freshkill, and picked through it for something tasty. Windpaw chose a vole while Firepaw was looking.
"Firepaw?"
Firepaw twitched his ear, it was Sandpaw.
"I thought you said you were going to catch a mouse...?"
Firepaw grabbed a fat bird and straitened up, "I didn't."
"Yes you did," She insisted, no longer asking a question.
Graypaw, Ravenpaw, Dustpaw, and Airpaw looked up from where they were sharing tongues or eating. Interested, they pricked their ears. Goldenflower watched with interest from beside her mate, Tigerclaw who just rolled his eyes and turned to talk to Longtail and Darkstripe.
He twitched his tail, "No. I didn't catch one."
"I can see that," she said bitterly.
Firepaw looked at her. Sandpaw was glaring daggers at Windpaw who was glarring right on back. Firepaw sighed and frowned, "Sandpaw? Relax, okay. I can go get another mouse."
Sandpaw looked at him in disbelief... Does he really not... she stopped herself and shook her head, Whatever. If he wants to hang with her, fine by me, "Nope. It's fine." She started to walk away to the apprentices den, aware of his gaze on her pelt. Then, thought better of it. She crossed the clearing and entered the medicine cat's den. She needed to speak with Spottedleaf.
Firepaw watched her go in confusion. When her pale ginger pelt disappeared from sight, he looked at Windpaw. She shrugged. He didn't like her response so he walked over to the guys who were pretending to be busy. As if they hadn't just been listening in.
"OH! Hey Firepaw!" Ravenpaw gave them away. And they all knew it. Ravenpaw had this weird thing with his voice that made it pitch high when he was nervous.
"Save it, Ravenpaw," Firepaw sat down.
"So..." Graypaw started casually, "How's life going?"
"Sandpaw's mad at me."
"Why?" As if Airpaw didn't know. He was just trying to be friendly.
Firepaw acted as if he'd never spoken.
"Why?" Dustpaw mewed.
Firepaw answered, "I don't know. Who understands she-cats?"
You, they all thought in amusement. Though, none put it to words. Firepaw would brain them if they tried... or maybe just insult them and walk away. He'd brain Airpaw.
Suddenly, a big, dark shape loomed up behind Firepaw sending his fur on end as a deep, strong voice spoke to his friends and the Kittypet, "Please excuse us, apprentices."
They quickly dipped their heads and disappeared into the apprentices den to chat or gossip or whatever else they did. Firepaw took a deep breath and turned to face the muscular tom behind him. "Tigerclaw."
"Firepaw."
"What do you want?" Firepaw asked rudely.
"You'll never become a warrior if you let emotions and other she-cat stuff mess with your brain," He started off roughly, "She-cats only make you weak and hurt your head to the point that they're always in your head until you get used to it. Do you know what that means?"
Firepaw rolled his eyes and sat down, "Gee, I don't know. I don't suppose you'd want to help me out here."
Tigerclaw dug his claws into the ground to keep from swinging them across his son's muzzle, "No concentration. No goal. No idea. No protection. And then, of course, no success."
"Well, don't worry, Daddy," Firepaw sneered, "I'm not up for the takes."
Firepaw strode away to the dens without another word. Not up for eating after all.
CHETAHLUV: SRRY... not as long as it normally is
FIREPAW: Hmmm... IDU wht just happened...
SANDPAW: ... -_-
FIREPAW: Whats wrong with u?
SANDPAW: ...
DUSTPAW: U rlly dont know... do u?
FIREPAW: know what?
GRAYPAW: TSK. Shame.
FIREPAW: ?
WINDPAW: LOL
AIRPAW: Heh. DUMMY.
FIREPAW: SHUT UP, KITTYPET.
RAVENPAW: lol... Thnx for the ideas! PLEASE REVIEW! Wht do u think Spottedleaf should say to Sandpaw? REVIEW and tell please!