A couple of days later...

Sandpaw, Dustpaw, Airpaw, and Windpaw were in the training hollow together. Sandpaw and Airpaw were paired up as were Dustpaw and Windpaw. Redtail, Whitestorm, Longtail, and Mousefur had split up to critique the apprentices that weren't theirs. Whitestorm and Mousefur were with Dustpaw and Windpaw. Redtail and Longtail were with Airpaw and Sandpaw. They were practicing their fighting moves and learning how to turn better, move faster, and be slicker. Firepaw and Graypaw went out hunting... they didn't really need the practice all that much.

"Good job, Sandpaw," Redtail was meowing with a nod in her direction, "But try to keep your arms stiff as you go to pounce on your opponent. You wouldn't want any floundering limbs to get grabbed by the enemy."

Longtail huffed, "Try it again." Before turning his back to talk to the Deputy and Dustpaw's mentor as they walked off into the woods.

She nodded and her and Airpaw faced off again. They locked eyes, each totally focused on each other, but before either one of them could make a move, their move was made for them.

Windpaw, who'd jumped for Dustpaw a little too late, was tossed into the pale ginger she-cat's side and toppled them both to the ground in a heap. Sandpaw, surprised by the sudden assault, lashed out an unsheathed claw and caught the silver and white she-cat on her cheek. Four long trails of blood dripped. Hissing in surprise, she jumped back from Sandpaw.

"Ouch!" she mewed and tried to look at her cut, "You scratched me!"

Sandpaw got to her paws and shook out her short fur, "Sorry. You tackled me."

"It was an accident!" Windpaw hissed.

"You surprised me," Sandpaw pointed out reasonably as she faced down Windpaw's brother, Airpaw, "Again?"

Windpaw growled and lashed her tail, "Don't act like we're not talking here!"

Sandpaw twitched an ear, "We are? Me and your brother are practicing."

Sandpaw got ready to jump when a silver and white blur of fur rammed into her side, knocking her off guard.

"What was that for?" the light ginger she-cat picked herself up off the ground slowly, keeping her eyes locked on the blue eyes of Windpaw, "You trying to start something?"

Dustpaw walked over and stood by the baffled looking Airpaw, "Sandpaw, relax."

Sandpaw unsheathed her sharp white claws, "No, I think little miss kitty cat wants a fight."

The tabby tom stepped forward and rested his paw on Sandpaw's shoulder, "Come on, Sandpaw. You don't have to fight her, even if that's what needs to happen."

The light orange cat shrugged him off, "No, Dustpaw. She's been asking for this fight. Now she's gonna get it."

Suddenly, Sandpaw was airborne and tackling the other she-cat to the ground. Windpaw hesistated a second too long, and Sandpaw grabbed her scruff in her neck and tossed her up into the air. Tail twisting so she could land right, Windpaw landed on Sandpaw's back and bit down. Unable to grab a leg, the ginger she-cat flipped over and squished the white and silver rival into the ground. Spinning on her heel, before Windpaw could catch her breath, Sandpaw raked her claws across Windpaw's cheek and down her back. Howling in outrage, Windpaw threw herself at the ginger wild cat and bit down on her ear and raked claws over her flank. Just as Sandpaw was about to launch another attack, a red blaze and a gray streak flashed by and intercepted their fight.

Sandpaw found herself staring up into the disappointed ember-green eyes of Firepaw and Windpaw looked to Graypaw.

"Cut it out, mouse brains." Firepaw snapped, "You're scaring away all of the prey from here to four trees."

The she-cats hung their heads while the toms looked on with amusement. Only Firepaw could bring them both to shame, and yet not notice.

"Sorry..." Windpaw dropped her head lower.

Sandpaw swished her tail over the ground, "It was her fault..."

Firepaw snorted, "I don't care who started what. If you're going to fight, do it quietly. Some cats actually have to bring in prey."

Firepaw was disgusted. Sandpaw was the main one talking about getting along, and now here she is fighting. The worst role model ever. He'd expect more from her as a wild cat. She didn't fight other cats. That was his doing. He didn't like this new cat his light ginger she-cat was turning into.

"Says the one who was always fighting me," Airpaw muttered to Dustpaw.

Dustpaw stiffled a knowing laugh, but when he caught Firepaw's narrowed gaze, he went silent and looked to the ground. Firepaw had gotten better. That much was true. He simply ignored the kittypet. No fights. No names. No teasing. No taunts. Nothing. It was as if the black and white tom wasn't even alive.

"Well, I'm sorry your little kittypet can't stay on her paws and fight like a real wild cat, Firepaw."

Firepaw frowned at her, "My what?"

Everyone went silent. "It must be hard on you."

"Wait, what are you talking about, Sandpaw?"

"Don't worry. One day she'll be able to fight as well as me." Sandpaw said, turning away.

"Hey!" Windpaw took offense to that.

Firepaw's ears flattened as he creased his brows, "Hold on. What are we talking about?"

"Nothing. If you don't know. Then you'll never know." Withthat, she bounded into the bushes and disappeared from sight.

"huh?" Firepaw looked back at them, "What just... what's she talking about?"

They looked at each other and silently shook their heads. Windpaw looked at Firepaw with sympathy... but said nothing. Graypaw frowned up too. Firepaw, realising he wasn't getting any answers, gave up and, together with Graypaw, went back to hunting.

"Nice work, Windpaw," Dustpaw mewed shaking his head.

She sniffed and tried to look indignant, "I didn't do anything."

"Sure you didn't." the tabby stretched his muscles, "Let's get back to training."

She agreed.

Stopping for a quick second though, Airpaw looked to the bushes where Sandpaw had been. I'm sorrry, Sandpaw... he'll realise how awesome you are some day...

FIREPAW: So... tlk 2 me cats. Wht am i missing?

SANDPAW: ...

FIREPAW: Huh?

WINDPAW:...!...

FIREPAW: Wht?

RAVENPAW: I wasn't there... srry Firepaw

FIREPAW: Thts ok. u r a medicine cat.

DUSTPAW: Hmmm... u'll understand whn u'll older

FIREPAW: I'm older than u, Dusty.

DUSTPAW: Says who, Rusty?

FIREPAW: ur mama.

DUSTPAW: Ohhh, u stooped low...

FIREPAW: Lol

AIRPAW: ha

FIREPAW: ...

GRAYPAW: idk whts going on here... CHETAHLUV Says please Review and she hopes u loved it!