A New Beginning

Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Training for Drama

         "Hi, Firepaw!" Firepaw turned to see Rainpaw standing a little ways off. He smiled at his friend and walked towards her.

         "Hey, Rainpaw. Have you seen Jumpclaw? He called for me but I don't know where he went," he asked her. Rainpaw pointed her tail in the direction of the training hollow. 

         "Good luck!" Rainpaw said, bounding off in the opposite direction. Firepaw opened his mouth to say bye but she was already gone, he shrugged and headed toward he training hollow where Jumpclaw was waiting with Sootpaw and Ryenose. Jumpclaw padded up to Firepaw 

          "Great, you're here! Now let's start!" You could tell by his tone he had been getting slightly impatient. Ryenose and Jumpclaw crouched down facing each other as they would in battle. Ryenose sprung at Jumpclaw, Jumpclaw launched himself into the air. Ryenose landed on the ground with a thump and Jumpclaw landing on top of him. The former got off and faced the two apprentices and began explaining the tactic and its efficiency in battle. Firepaw pretended he didn't know this already.

         "Alright, now you try it." Firepaw crouched across from Sootpaw, he looked at Jumpclaw 

         "Who's jumping?" Just as he asked Sootpaw leaped onto him. Firepaw felt as though he was being squashed. Sootpaw managed to pin the ginger tom down. Firepaw, remembering and old move, he went limb to make Sootpaw think he had won, "Wow that was easy!" He said excitedly. Just then Firepaw exploded up, knocking Sootpaw off of his paws. He got a hold on Sootpaw and pinned him down. 

         "Not so easy now huh?" he teased. Sootpaw glared at Firepaw and opened his mouth to speak but Jumpclaw interrupted. 

          "Alright that's enough," he spoke clearly. Firepaw got off Sootpaw, who was glaring at the older apprentice. 

          "Never let your guard down!" Sootpaw snarled and sprang on him. Jumpclaw stalked over and ripped him off, 

          "Sootpaw! I said enough!" he said sternly. His eyes flashed with authority. Sootpaw glared at Firepaw then back to Jumpclaw. 

           "It's his fault!" he hissed. Firepaw glared at the dark coloured tom, feeling irritated by his childishness. Jumpclaw narrowed his eyes as well. 

          "And how is it his fault?" he accused. Sootpaw stammered,

           "He- um... He-" Jumpclaw sighed, 

          "That's what I thought. Sootpaw, return back to camp. Firepaw, stay. I wanna talk to you about the move you used." Sootpaw snorted and headed back in the direction of camp. Once he had gone Jumpclaw looked at Firepaw. "Where did you learn that? I've never seen anyone do that," he asked in amazement. Firepaw froze, he had assumed cats used that move he was just gonna say one of the older apprentices had taught him. He hadn't wanted to tall anyone his secret so soon, but perhaps having Jumpclaw know would make things easier.

          "A- Um..." Firepaw hesitated, his eyes flicking to Ryenose. Jumpclaw turned to the pale warrior, 

           "Ryenose, go and lead a hunting patrol." Ryenose nodded and bounded away through the trees. Jumpclaw turned to Firepaw,