Chapter 2: The Decision The next day, Moonpaw saw Nightpaw again. She ran over but the remembered what Leafstrike had said. She turned back, and Nightpaw saw her. “Hey… Sorry for ignoring you yesterday. But I’m becoming a warrior soon! Isn’t that great?” Nightpaw beamed. Moonpaw looked away. “I guess. Well, I should probably get back to Leafstrike…” “THAT’S RIGHT! COME HERE YOU LITTLE—” screeched Leafstrike. “LEAFSTRIKE!” scolded Wavecrash. “No swearing in front of apprentices.” “I wasn’t going to,” Leafstrike muttered. “Anyway, today we’ll be battle training,” said Wavecrash to Moonpaw and Streampaw. “Sound good?” “Ooh, fun!” exclaimed Streampaw. “So first thing you should know – this is a training session, so keep your claws sheathed and try not to hurt the other cat,” Wavecrash said. “But come on, how will they learn how to use their claws?” argued Leafstrike. “They’ll find out when they’re sent into battle,” said Wavecrash calmly. “Moonpaw, try attacking Streampaw.” Moonpaw thought for a moment. Then she jumped at her sister, who dodged out of the way. “Nice try. You try now, Streampaw,” suggested Leafstrike. Streampaw crouched, ready to attack her sister when something caught Moonpaw’s eye. Something was moving in the bushes! Streampaw landed on her back agilely. “Nice try, Moonpaw, but too slow,” sneered the voice in the bushes. Hawkpaw! “You! You distracted me!” snarled Moonpaw. “A good warrior never gets distracted,” Leafstrike growled. “Come on, it was her first time,” soothed Wavecrash. “SHUT UP! Streampaw did it, so I can do it!” yowled Moonpaw. The two mentors exchanged glances. Then Wavecrash nodded. “Second chance for Moonpaw. Streampaw, you’re up.” Streampaw launched herself at her sister. This time Moonpaw was ready and prepared a counter attack, flinging Streampaw across the clearing. Streampaw was silent. Moonpaw called, “Streampaw?” She ran over to her. “Ow,” Streampaw moaned. “Streampaw!” gasped Moonpaw. Streampaw’s leg was injured. “It looks like she’s broken her leg,” observed Wavecrash. “I told you not to injure the opponent!” Leafstrike glared at Moonpaw. “To the elders until I relieve you.” “It’s not her—” began Wavecrash, but broke off when Leafstrike turned her icy gaze to him. He hung his head in reluctance. Moonpaw left to the elders’ den where Sandyfoot met her. “Hello! Come to do my ticks?” she croaked. “Mm-hmm…” muttered Moonpaw. “Leafstrike thinks I did it on purpose.” “What did you do?” asked Raggedtuft. “I was battle training and I accidentally broke Streampaw’s leg,” Moonpaw answered. “Ow. Is she okay?” “Depends on what you call ‘okay’.” Moonpaw began to look for ticks and fleas in the elders’ fur. She put the mouse bile into their fur. “Do you want to hear a story?” asked Sandyfoot. “Yes, please,” said Moonpaw politely. “Well, when your mentors were young… Wavecrash was Leafstrike’s brother. And your mother, who was Icepaw at the time, led the kits out of the camp. They were caught by a patrol and got into huge trouble,” purred Sandyfoot. “What happened to them?” asked Moonpaw, her eyes lit up. “Well, they were in trouble. Leafstrike and Wavecrash’s apprentice ceremonies were delayed a moon and Icepaw had to look after us elders for a moon,” laughed Sandyfoot. “They were naughty little cats!” Just then, Streampaw limped into the den. “Hello,” she said. “Poppywhisker looked at my leg and she decided it was just sprained.” “Good,” Raggedtuft said, “Okay, where are you gonna go now, Moonpaw?” “Hmm…” Moonpaw said. “Maybe the herbal grounds. I mean… I want to become a medicine cat…” “THAT’S YOUR WISH?????” Leafstrike screamed. “YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO BE A WARRIOR!!!!! NOT A MEDICINE CAT!!!!!!!!!!” Moonpaw backed up. “Shut up!” She growled. Everyone in the den froze. Moonpaw was being mean to her own mentor! Leafstrike hissed. “Moonpaw! I’m your mentor!” “It doesn’t matter if you’re my mentor or not,” replied Moonpaw slowly. “You’re not a good cat!” Then Nightpaw ran into the den. “Moonpaw! Moonpaw! What’s going on? What’s Leafstrike doing?” Nightpaw glanced at Leafstrike’s raised claws. Moonpaw sighed in relief at the sight of Nightpaw and told him everything. “Oh. Ow, that must’ve hurt, Streampaw.” Nightpaw said with sympathy. “Well, I vote that Leafstrike deserves punishment!” “Yeah, I totally agree.” Moonpaw smiled and nodded. Nightpaw ignored her. “He still doesn’t like me…” Moonpaw thought sadly. “I wish he would…” “Do you really want to be a medicine cat?” asked Streampaw miserably. “Yes,” said Moonpaw. “Well… You can’t have a mate or kits!” Streampaw said. “But I don’t need one,” said Moonpaw. “I won’t get to train with you!” wailed Streampaw. “We can still play,” “But it won’t be the same.” “… No, it won’t be.” Ch 3: Ch 1:
