CHAPTER THIRTY TWO

"Very good, Smokepaw." Russetstar purred in triumph as Smokepaw completed another lesson he'd just taught her. While Briarheart taught her the more basic moves, Russetstar took her out separately and trained her on more advanced moves. Now she was capable of taking an enemy down that was twice her size in a fight. What was even better was the fact that soon he would teach her how to kill without giving her position away. "You've done very well so far, Smokepaw. I am quite certain that one day, you will rule over all of the Clans as is your destiny."

Smokepaw was ready to burst with pride at those words. She knew it was her destiny to rule the Clans. Russetstar wasn't the first cat she had heard this from. But it was reassuring enough to hear those words from her leader.

Her attitude had changed over the last few moons. Snowpaw, who was now known as Snowstorm, had noticed the change and distanced herself between Smokepaw. It wasn't that she minded losing a friend. She'd never really considered Snowstorm her friend to begin with.

Honestly, if it wasn't for her mother dropping her off, she would have never become as strong as she was. So, in a way, she did have her to thank for this. Yet she was still angry that her mother had given her up so willingly.

"Tomorrow we are going to work on something very different," Russetstar meowed as they returned to camp. "I want you to have as much energy as needed for this to happen."

She nodded at that, relieved to be back in camp after a hard day of training. Camp itself was busy as Ravenpaw went in to check on Poppyfur's kits. Russetstar had said that it wouldn't take long for them to become apprentices. More apprentices meant more warriors for the Clan, something they definitely needed.

I wish I was a warrior now, Smokepaw thought as she observed Poppyfur's kits playing outside the nursery. They were perfectly happy with themselves, oblivious to what the cruel world had to offer. Smokepaw was almost envious of them. She missed the days when life was carefree and there was nothing to worry about.

"I think Bramblekit is going to be the strongest," Talonclaw purred as he watched his kits tussle over each other. "Though Newtkit also shows great promise. Surely I hope Russetstar chooses wise mentors for them."

"I'm sure he will," Poppyfur reassured him. "Besides, Longkit and Marshkit were already the strongest of the litter. I'm sure Marshkit could be the next leader if she had the proper training." Smokepaw only rolled her eyes at that, watching with keen interest as Marshkit managed to tackle both Bramblekit and Newtkit to the ground.

Smokepaw was surprised by how fast and powerful the little kit was already. She really did show promise. With a shake of her head, Smokepaw padded over to the fresh-kill pile and gabbed a mouse before returning to her spot by the apprentice's den. Since Snowstorm had become a warrior, she had it to herself. It got lonely every now and than, but Smokepaw welcomed it. She had to admit that she loved having a den to herself.

As she chewed she thought of all the trials she was put through over the last few moons. She managed to fully recover from the wounds that rogue had given her. The Clan leader was now training her in ways that most cats wouldn't even know about. Soon Smokepaw would be the strongest cat in the Clan once she had finished her training. But she didn't want to stop there. A new sense of determination had washed over Smokepaw as she gave it more thought. She was going to rule over the Clans, one day. Russetstar had no idea what he was bringing upon himself.

...

Silvery moonlight illuminated the night's sky as Smokepaw followed the path Russetstar led her on. It was cooler that night as a breeze picked up. Ferns and leaves rustled against each other. In the distance, Smokepaw heard an owl screech followed by the loud squeak of a mouse. She shuddered at the thought of being taken out by such a huge bird of prey. Frost used to tell her stories about huge birds that would fly over the mountains and take cats almost as big as them.

"Now we are going to try something a little more difficult," Russetstar meowed as he stopped by what looked like a Twoleg nest. Smokepaw narrowed her eyes when she saw the harsh light shining through an invisible barrier. "Kittypets won't be too difficult of a target, but they can still put up a good fight. I want you to deliver a death blow. These particular kittypets have been stopping us from hunting in what they claim is their territory, when in reality, it is our territory. So, you know what to do now."

Smokepaw narrowed her eyes at the thought of actually going through with this. While she had never actually killed anyone, she knew it was a possibility. As a rogue born kit, she had that kind of blood on her claws. With that thought in mind, Smokepaw crept through the undergrowth as she saw the den open up. Heartbeats seemed to drag on as a plump looking tabby cat emerged from the nest. His back was arched as he stretched out before scratching his left ear. Then his eyes narrowed when he picked up a scent in the air.

"Stupid Clan cats... always thinking they own everything," he grumbled until nearly bumping into Smokepaw. His eyes widened for a moment before he relaxed upon noticing how much smaller Smokepaw was compared to the average ShadowClan cat. "And let me guess, you're here to defend your Clan honor and all of that nonsense?" he asked with a smirk.

She didn't answer. Smokepaw's fur bristled with outrage as she suddenly leaped at the tom. He was unprepared for the random attack as she bowled into him. Time felt as if it had slowed down as her claws dragged down his shoulder, ripping at his thick fur. The tabby let out a wail of pain as she relentlessly attacked him, using the tactics Russetstar had taught her. One minute she was on top of him, the next she was dashing into the shadows to avoid getting clawed herself.

"Come out here and fight like a real warrior!" he shouted through what sounded like gritted teeth. Smokepaw wasted no time in rushing out of her hiding place. Only this time he was ready for her. With quick and precise movement, the tabby was able to grab hold of her shoulder with his teeth. Smokepaw let out a cry of shock when she realized he had opened an old wound. "Not so high and mighty now, are we?" the tabby sneered as he held one paw over her.

I won't let you take advantage of me! Smokepaw let herself relax as the tom held her, than his grip slackened when he thought she was immobilized. Heartbeats later and Smokepaw suddenly unleashed her fury on the tabby kittypet, who was caught off guard. With one leap she was able to get onto his back and dug her claws deep to inflict more damage before delivering the final blow. The tabby let out a final howl of pain as blood rushed into her mouth, and than a deathly silence followed as his body fell under her claws. Smokepaw let out a purr of satisfaction when she realized it was over.

"I won't let you hurt ShadowClan any longer," she spat out blood after jumping off his back, wincing in pain from the blow he'd delivered on her shoulder. Russetstar emerged from his hiding place heartbeats later once it was over.

"Well done," he purred. "You could have killed him a little faster, but in time that will not be a problem. Tomorrow we will move on to bigger prey."

Smokepaw beamed with excitement at the prospect. She could still remember a time when such a thing would have left her reeling with fear. Now that she was stronger and bigger, she knew what she was capable of. Russetstar was teaching her new ways of fighting for survival.

She limped back to camp and tried to ignore the stinging pain on her shoulder. Russetstar had told her that pain was just a sign of weakness. If she wanted to prove to him that she was strong, she would have to ignore it.

With that thought in mind, Smokepaw was tempted to return to her nest and sleep off the pain. But she knew that with her old injury opening up, it could easily get infected. Scorchheart had warned her that any wrong movement could open up the wound and make it worse. She held back a sigh of frustration and limped towards the medicine cat's den. Ravenpaw was fast asleep, curled up on one side of the den while Scorchheart was still wide awake, even though it was close to moonhigh.

"Smokepaw, your wound opened up again," the medicine cat growled in an accusing tone without turning to look at her. Smokepaw was unnerved by the fact that he could sense her injury without looking at it. "I have to wonder why Russetstar would take you out so late, and you return with new injuries along with him."

"I-I needed to go make dirt," Smokepaw explained in a shaky voice. "And a fox was wandering through the undergrowth. Russetstar saw it and managed to shake it off before the fox could cause too much damage." She knew it was a lame excuse, and Scorchheart would see right through it. Luckily he didn't say anything as he went to his store of herbs, gathering dried leaves with bitter-tasting scents.

"If there's fox in the forest, than we should send a patrol to chase it out," he growled after applying a poultice to wound.

Relief washed over Smokepaw's shoulders after the first initial sting. By now she had gotten used to the feeling after the rogue had attacked her. That felt like moons ago. Yet Smokepaw was all too aware that she was old enough to be a warrior, just like Snowstorm. Hopefully sometime soon Smokepaw would become a warrior after gaining Russetstar's respect.

"Thank you," she murmured once Scorchheart was finished. "That fox won't be showing it's face around anytime soon. Russetstar took care of it."

The medicine cat didn't answer. Instead he returned to his supply of herbs and kept nosing through it like he was looking for something important. Smokepaw rolled her eyes at the sight. Some things never got old, especially when it came to medicine cats. She chose that moment to slip away before he could ask further questions.

I can't wait to see what Russetstar teaches me tomorrow! she thought after reaching her nest. Whatever task he threw at her, Smokepaw would always be ready. She knew now that no matter what happened, she would be the one on top.

AN: Sorry for the shorter chapter... next one will definitely be longer. Thanks joysong for reviewing again! They're greatly appreciated :D