The next few days were dull and gray for Emberpaw. It was as though he lost whatever spark he had. He was kept in the camp for the day after the Island incident and now he was out with Deertail half-listening as she explained BreezeClans territory the cats you'll find there.

He stared at his paws before a tap on his shoulder made him look up into Deertails golden eyes. "Emberpaw come on, don't you care anymore? Used to listen so passionately to when I spoke, don't let a small accident keep you down in the shallows." 

Emberpaws tail lashed, "Easy for you to say, you only watched as I completely humiliated myself." He growled, looking away.

Deertail flinched before sighing, "Emberpaw-"

"I don't care!" He growled harshly, standing as he charged off, "This way to StormClan right?" He asked, tossing his head back at her.

Deertail eyed him in sorrow before she sighed, standing. "Yes, come on." She led the apprentice off, guilt coming off her in waves.

Emerpaw bit his tongue, keeping the apology inside of him even though it desperately wanted to come out. He kept inside, not willing to dig himself into a hole that he couldn't have gotten out of and followed silently. 

He hated this.

He let out a shaky breath as he forced himself to not cry for once and froze.

"What's that smell?" They couldn't have been near Sunningrocks already, the scent was earthy and strange but not unpleasant necessarily. 

Deertail seemed to snap out of whatever sorrow-ridden trance she seemed to be in, ears perked and eyes wide. 

"Emberpaw-"

"Attack!" Shapes leaped from the bushes that led into the forest part of the territory that later ran into Sunningrocks. He backed up in fear.

"Run!" Deertail yowled.  Turning tail as she bolted but Emberpaw was not following suit. 

He was frozen in place as foreign cats rushed at him, howling in anger with claws unsheathed. 

"Young one! Run!"

He gasped as energy surged through him before he glared at the cats. A bigger brown tom rushed towards him and he jumped out of the way, lashing out a claw to his shoulder before he turned tail, flying next to his mentor. 

His heartbeat echoed in his head as he ran for his life before he skidded to a halt. "The rocks!" He nodded to the Fallen Rocks. "The hunting party was going to hang around them because mice like to make burrows around them!" 

Deertail shook her head, "They're probably long gone!" She wheezed, "And the StormClan cats won't let up! Jump over them and keep running!" She ordered. 

Emberpaw turned and saw that the gap between him and the opposing Clan wasn't that vast and let out a yowl as he rushed forward, leaping over the boulders before he skidded, hearing yowls behind him.

"DeltaClan! Attack!" Lynxstar! 

He noticed that the hunting patrol was hiding behind the rocks so the enemies were drawn closer and felt a flash of admiration for his leaders cunningness. He tensed as he noticed that only Swiftwhisper, Eagleeyes, Darkrunner, Thunderjaw, and Rumblethroat accompanied the leader as she rushed into battle.

"She won't make it!" He gasped, even though the best fighters of the Clan were fighting, StormClan seemed to have brought any cat able to fight!

Emberpaw jumped on the rock, "We have to help them!" He called to Deertail who came behind him, eyes scouring. 

"You haven't been trained! Hide here!" Deertail rushed forward before Emberpaws mew stopped her. 

"No! I refuse to be left behind again!"

The white she-cat froze, turning to look at her apprentice. He was terrified and trembling but his eyes were fierce and held a flame unlike any other she's seen. 

Her golden eyes softened before she pushed him behind the rock. "StarClan honors your courage and readiness to defend your Clan... but I refuse to lead you to your death." Her voice shook and something seemed to flash in her eyes as she remembered a time long ago. She looked away, gritting her teeth before she looked at Emberpaw. "Please, I beg you hide."

Emberpaw stared at his mentor, "I don't want you to die.."

A smile broke in Deertails face, "Believe in me, little one." then she disappeared. Emberpaw heard her yowl as he raced into battle and shook as he heard grunting, yowling, and hissing just a few fox-lengths ahead of him.

"Young one, you must defend your Clan!" It was that voice!

"But how?!" He asked, "How can I? I'm not trained!"

"You have a fighters spirit Emberpaw! Come now little one! Just follow my lead!" 

"I can't see you.. how?!" Emberpaw stood up, looking around.

"It's just swimming, one paw after the other!"

"Show me yourself first!"

"Now is not the time! Come on Emberpaw, priorties!"

"Right!" Emberpaw rushed out, yowling in rage. 

Adrenaline pumped through his veins and Deertail looked up. He let out a gasp when Emberpaw noticed she was under that brown tom from earlier. "Emberpaw, no!" 

The red toms eyes widened before he growled, "GET OFF HER!" He screamed, tackling the tom. He snapped his jaws, locking them around the toms throat as his front claws dug into the bigger toms shoulders, pinning him squarely to the ground.

"Hide your belly!" Emberpaw pushed his belly to the toms, letting his full weight onto him but the tom somehow swung his hind leg, putting it squarely onto Emberpaws chest before kicking up in explosive power, unlatching the red tom. 

The fell back, letting out a cough as he slammed onto the ground and he looked up, seeing the tom recovering and snarl, shoulders tensing before he pounded but Emberpaw was quick to move, tail lashing as he crouched, emerald eyes narrow. 

"It's just like swimming! One paw.."

"After the other!" Emberpaw repeated the mystery cats words before he rushed forward, lashing out a paw. His blow hit its mark as the toms cheek was torn open, blood splattered onto Emberpaws claws and paws on droplets got onto his whiskers. 

Adrenaline rushed through him as he continued but the tom, who was dazed from earlier suddenly lurched backward. Emberpaws claw met thin air and he stumbled, getting in the danger zone as the back of his neck was exposed. He let out a yowl of pain as thorn sharp claws sliced his shoulder. Suddenly his inexperience showed and he was lifted by the scruff and shook like a rat. 

His brain shook and he felt nauseous as he was thrown a few tail-lengths away. He shakily stood, lurching a few times as he dizzily stood up.

"Say hello to StarClan, fish-breath." The tom snarled before he leaped. 

That's when all the energy drained from the tom and he stared up at the attacker in fear. His paws trembled and his tail swept underneath him and when the apprentice was a little bit less than a tail-length a figure darted in front of him, reared up as he caught the attacker. Emberpaw recognized his savior as Rumblethroat. 

The deputy easily defeated the battered apprentice and sent him running but a yowl made the black tom look up. 

"Reinforcements are coming!" Swiftwhisper yowled, "StormClan reinforcements, we need to get out of here!" 

"But we haven't won!" Emberpaw yowled back, eyes looking at the battling cats around him. Rumblethroat looked down at the apprentice, "We can't win." He corrected looking at him hard before he got Lynxstars attention. 

"We need to get to camp!" 

The she-cat nodded, jumping back onto the rocks, "DeltaClan retreat!" She called, making her warriors run off. 

A large golden tom rushed forward, "Sunningrocks is ours!" He hissed, tail lashing. Rumblethroat snarled at him, fur fluffed out.

"Yes, but not for long Soaringclaw!" He spat before rushing off.

Emberpaw followed before a hiss made him turn. "You're lucky Rumblethroat saved your pelt!" 

The red tom let out a small noise of fear before he followed his comrades home. Lynxstar watched as the StormClan brutes rushed back into the woods and let out a small snarl, paw slamming onto the boulders. Rumblethroat slid next to her, pressing his cheek against hers, "Don't worry, we'll get it back." He hissed, glaring after them. 

The she-cat sighed angrily before bounding down, leading her battered Clanmates back. 

The trek was painful, and Emberpaw began to limp halfway there and he wasn't the only one. Thunderjaw had a large gash on his flank from his spine. Swiftwhisper had a nasty looking bite on his neck that was starting to reek of infection. Darkrunner seemed to only have a torn ear but upon further inspection, Emberpaw noticed one of his claws were torn. Eagleeyes had a gash over his muzzle and a torn ear but Deertail was who he was concerned about. She was lagging behind and panting heavily as blood dripped from her throat. That apprentice was out to kill, Emberpaw remembered the blood lust in his eyes. 

He trembled and stopped, letting Deertail catch up to him before pressing against her, letting her distribute her weight onto him. He heaved for a moment before he straightened out, his paws planted firmly on the ground. 

"Thank you.." Deertail gasped, before she staggered forward, letting out a pained yelp before she smiled painfully at Emberpaw who was very concerned to try to soothe him. "I'm fine.." she murmured before stepping forward again.

Emberpaw walked with her, matching her stride by stride. He could feel her flinch every step and noticed she was favoring her left side heavily, her right hind leg was bleeding heavily and was lifted.

He gulped before he heard a gasp, "By StarClan what happened?!" That was Rockheart, "That doesn't matter, we need to get you into the medicine den!" 

The gray tom led them off into camp where instantly the Clan darted forward. "What happened?!"

"Who attacked you?!" 

"We must retaliate!"

Lynxstars ears twitched but she said nothing, only beckoned her battered warriors to go in front of her into the medicine den.

Emberpaw looked up at Deertail, "Why isn't she saying anything?"

"She's tired." His mentor whispered before straightening up, she tried to walk but collapsed.

"Deertail!" Emberpaw cried a bit too loudly before bounding forward, nosing her. "H-help!" He looked around rapidly, his emerald eyes filled with tears, "S-some.. Someone help her!" He pleaded.

"Where is he?!" Redflare shoved her way to the front, smelling thickly of water vole before she rushed to her sons side. "Emberpaw! I heard you were attacked, what happened? By StarClan, you're clawed up!"

"I don't matter!" Emberpaw cried, "Deer... Deertail please help Deertail!" He moved out of his mothers comfort and nosed his mentor. 

"Get up.. please.. get up!" He cried, slipping under her, tears pouring down his face as he tried to heave her up. He let out a grunt as his paws trembled and gave out, sending both of them toppling to the ground. "Deertail..Deertail.." He sobbed, burying his face in her fur. 

He could have helped her, her could have saved her.. he should have saved her! He... he..

"Emberpaw.." His eyes flew open and he looked up, his emerald eyes meeting her soft sky blue ones. "Emberpaw.." she repeated, making him crawl forward. 

"I-I'm here." He sobbed, wrapping his front paws around her in a hug as he buried his face in her neck fur. "I tried.. I'm so sorry!" He cried harder, soaking her fur.

"You were wonderful.. I'll be okay.. I promise.." She purred, wrapping her paw around his skinny form. He sobbed a bit harder before moving back onto his haunches, staring at her with a teary expression. "I'm sorry..." He sobbed, "I didn't l-listen to you but I..." He let out a shaky breath, "I couldn't... I couldn't watch you be killed." 

Deertail smiled, "Emberpaw you didn't listen to me and I'm glad you didn't, I was wrong." she purred, "Without you.. I probably would be in StarClan. Emberpaw you're my hero."

"H-hero?" No that wasn't right.

"Hero!" Redflare shot in, a smile on her face as he looked up, "Oh my son is a hero! My little Emberpaw!" She cheered.

"Emberpaw! Emberpaw!" Amberpaw started, nudging Pikepaw who joined in. 

"Emberpaw!" Redflare cheered, as Beetlestream, Shadefern, Antbranch, Patchfur and soon the rest of the Clan.

He turned, eyes trailing over his Clanmates. He was in awe that they, the mighty warriors of DeltaClan, were cheering his name. Emberpaw.

He smiled slightly before he froze, noticing Lionpaw and Tigerpaw were only glaring at him, snarls on each of their faces. 

Suddenly all the cheering dulled and everything seemed lackluster, he slouched a bit and gulped.  

"Stop!"

Suddenly everything quieted. 

"I-I..." He froze, paws frozen and frame trembling, "I didn't.. save.. anyone.. that wasn't me.." He looked down, "That was.. was.. someone.. else.. I didn't do that." the lie felt bitter in his mouth as he moved into the medicine den, past Lynxstar and Rumblethroat as he heaved a breath and collapsed. 

"You lied." The voice hissed in his ear.

"Shut up." He growled.

"What?" 

He froze and looked up, seeing Berrywish looking at him with confused green eyes. 

"B-Berrywish.. what are you doing in here?"

"She's my apprentice." Heatherspirit came from the sick cave, ear twitching, "StarClan sent a sign, I'll explain later, we need to get you patched up." 

He nodded and sat up, shoulders hunched as he stared sideways at the ground.

"Berrywish, what herb should you use to patch deep wounds like this?" Heatherspirit quizzed, pointing to the wound on Emberpaws hind leg.

"Goldenrod, Marigold, and Tormentil and if infection begins to seep in dried oak leaves." Heatherspirit nodded, "Make the poultice and I'm going to put dock on his smaller scratches." She grabbed the large leaf. Emberpaw watched as Berrywish grabbed bright yellow pants in her mouth. She moved closer to the tom, making him flinch before she began to chew the plants into a poultice. Once it became thick she spat the concoction onto the wound, making him yowl in slight pain and flinch away from her. She smiled sympathetically before she reached into a hole tugging out some cobweb. The gray she-cat then slathered the white sticky mess onto the bleeding wound. "Don't move, this is going to hurt." She pushed down, making him hiss and want to shy away but he force himself to stay still until she quit her torture. 

He barely registered the small stings coming from the tinier scratches until Heatherspirit spat some dock onto the on his shoulder wound. He flinched but stayed still once more before she lathered cobweb over the wound and some fuzzy green balls onto it. "You're an apprentice which means you'll be tousling about, it's called catchweed so you don't rub it off." 

Embepaw dully nodded before he stood, he swayed his weight from one side to the other and was shocked with how much better everything felt. "Thanks." He murmured, licking Berrywish's flank. She let out a small purr before her eyes glazed over with worry, "What happened?"

"StormClan they-" Emberpaw froze when a yowl cut him off. "Let all cats who are old enough to swim join me under HighCliff for a Clan meeting!"

"Guess we'll find out huh?" Berrywish joked before she pranced out of the cave. Emberpaw went to follow before he froze, "Where's Deertail?" He asked, looking at Heatherspirit. 

Her tail flicked towards the sick cave, "She's resting, leave her be. She'll recover, she's a young and strong she-cat." The russet she-cat beckoned the red tom, "Come now, Lynxstar summoned us." 

Emberpaw worriedly looked at the dug out burrow before he sighed, following the medicine cat. He looked around before settling to sit in the corner, a bit away from the elders as he listened. 

"StormClan attacked us! They have taken over Sunningrocks and the surrounding woods around it!" Lynxstar declared once she saw everyone. Shock gasps and yowls of rage and protest arose from the Clan but she held a paw up, "I know, I am just as angry as you but we must wait. We have the pond to give us fish besides I want to wait till next Gathering to bring this up. We have three sunrises until that happens, so until then all apprentices are to be trained in battle, have them working from dusk until dawn if you have to. Warriors as well, sharpen your claws and skills against one another. Apprentices will also be taught water combat and to swim."

Stun silence met the leaders words but Rumblethroat, who had been sitting hunched over like a vulture straightened, "We will not allow StormClan to just take what is rightfully ours." He snarled, "They have never needed the river and they most definitely wouldn't need it now." His tail lashed, "They will pay for their actions. Shall I raise the number of patrols as well?" He asked, looking up at his leader.

She nodded, "Now, I would also like to mention how bravely Emberpaw fought, even with no experience he rushed into battle with no hesitation." Emberpaw felt his pelt burn and he looked away. "Despite him not taking credit, I refuse to let credit seep away where it's due."

Murmurs met his words and he heard Missingfluff mumble, "Proud of you boy." Before he looked up. 

His eyes trailed over the many that was looking at him and he suddenly realized that they were expecting some sort of monologue or words in general. "I.. foolishly rushed in.." He rose his voice a bit, fighting the stutter that wanted to come. "I almost got killed." His lip trembled and he stood, "But I guess that's what being a warrior is about, saving those who give more.. mean more. Deertail has a long life to live, and I will never watch her or.. or another die if I can help it." He didn't know where that confidence came from, maybe from whatever mysterious cat has been speaking to him, or maybe from the fact that the leader had called him out. He didn't know but as soon as he finished all of it seeped away and he gulped, pressing against the ground. 

A few cats snorted at the behavior they were so used to while others mewed their thanks and then soon he was left unnoticed. 

"Now, is that all?" Lynxstar looked around, "Does anyone have something else to say." Her tail twitched, as it always did. 

"I do." Heads were turned towards Heatherspirit, who sat on the edge of the cats, a shadow cast over her face. She stood and silently padded forward, "There is a medicine cat among warriors." She rose her voice, speaking confidently. 

"What does that mean, Heatherspirit?" Lynxstar stared at her medicine cat baffled, confusion in her beautiful amber eyes. 

Heatherspirits ears twitched, "This cat helped someone despite not being trained. They have the courage and power of a warrior, yet the wits and strength of a medicine cat. I refuse to watch a cat such as that to be trained to kill and nothing more." Her tail swished low to the ground. "StarClan has sent me a sign to confirm this. A berry that blazed gold and separated from the others. The new medicine cat is Berrywish." 

Gasps met her words and the leader seemed to sit in stunned silence, mouth agape slightly. 

A growl broke through the crowd as Darkpoppy stood, "How dare you take a good warrior away from us? We need all the paws we can get." Her fur was arched and her tail lashed. 

A few murmured in agreement but Heatherspirit was shaken. Emberpaw silently hissed at Darkpoppy's words before he crept forward, getting closer as he examined the medicine cat. She had a cool and calm look on her face as she eyed the cats who opposed her before she glanced over, seeing Emberpaw. 

She flashed a soft smile before she turned, "I understand that Berrywish has long served this Clan, I understand the threat of StormClan is hanging over our heads, but I refuse to let talent and the word of StarClan be in vain. Her talents are much better suited for healing rather than hurting." 

"If StarClan has spoken it is our duty to listen." Rumblethroat dipped his head, "Welcome Berrywish, you walk a path unlike any other tread it well." 

Berrywish nodded and dipped her head, "I'm sorry to have wasted your training." She said, a flash of regret in her eyes but the tom only chuckled, a wonderful deep sound. 

"You didn't waste it, StarClan planned something special for you, I thank you for serving us as long as you did." His golden eyes sparkled with wisdom before his gaze swept the Clan. 

"Come now!" Lynxstar sprang up, rump shaking in excitement, "Greet our new medicine cat!" 

"Berrywish!" Amberpaw called, raising a paw. Pikepaw joined soon after and slowly the entire Clan was chanting. 

Emberpaw glanced over at Darkpoppy and smiled slightly when he saw her joining the call. 

Soon the leader jumped down, marking the end of the meeting and she licked the gray she-cats shoulder as she passed. 

Emberpaw watched before Patchfur called him, "Hey!" He jumped and whipped around, eyes wide.

"H-hey.." He stuttered, staring at the she-cat. Her amber eyes shone with friendliness making him relax slightly, "Is there.. is there a problem?"

Patchfur shook her head, whiskers twitching, "No, but Lynxstar wants me to train you while Deertail is out of commission. You have much to learn, battle training is starting now, come on!" Emberpaw followed the she-cat as she bounded out of camp. His heart rate increased as he approached the area where he almost died and he slowed. 

His eyes trailed the trunk before a nose shoved him gently, making him turn. Amber eyes met his emerald ones and a soft smile adorned Patchfurs face. "Come now, live." 

His breath got caught in his throat and he nodded stupidly before he pulled himself up, slowly creeping forward before he jumped down. He looked around the island and saw Pikepaw and Elmpaw wrestling, both with playful snarls on their face. 

He padded forward slowly, Tigerpaw and Lionpaw were mumbling to one another with Lilypaw grooming herself. Her ear twitched and she looked at him, her blue eyes locking with his. 

His throat went dry and he froze, mouth open slightly as though he was trying to talk. 

"You can sit here." She said softly gesturing next to her, her voice light and sweet like honey. His heart fluttered in his chest and his paws tingled. He opened his mouth trying to talk bt no words came out and he backed up slightly. 

Lionpaw interrupted the moment by moving where Lilypaw gestured for Emberpaw to sit, "Hey Lilypaw, did you hear? I'm going to be the best fighter in the Clan, better than even Rumblethroat!"

Lilypaws eyes flickered that the deputy's name, "Oh?" Was all she said before looking forward. "I can't wait." 

Emberpaw felt a flash of disappointment that he choked up and missed his chance to talk to Lilypaw but he figured it was for the best. She liked the twins, not him. 

"Alright, Pikepaw! Elmpaw! Let's stop playing and show these new apprentices some real battle moves." Patchfur yowled as she padded forward, making the apprentices detangle and straighten.

"Right!" Pikepaw moved forward, "Alright so partners, Lionpaw you can go with your brother, Emberpaw you can partner with Lilypaw."

"What, Emberpaw shouldn't even be here, why does he get Lilypaw!" Tigerpaw protested, making the red toms ears droop. "

"Because you guys are much too rough with him." Beetlestream snapped, moving closer to the group with Dawnspot. "Besides, you guys are bigger than him, Lilypaw is a much better partner as she's only half a whisker shorter than him." 

Lionpaw snorted but didn't question the golden tom. 

"Alright!" Elmpaw herded the brothers on the other side of the island, Dawnspot following her apprentice.

Beetlestream watched before he nodded to Emberpaw, "Both of you back up and face each other, hunters crouch.

Emberpaw blinked before be followed the orders, his leg muscles tensing as he stared at Lilypaw who glared back with a focused, slitted-eyed expression. 

He gulped as Beetlestream and Patchfur faced each other, blocking the apprentices view of each other. 

"Simple moves that you'll depend on are the Forepaw Slash, Front Paw Blow, and Duck and Twist. Keep them in your mind, as it is the simple techniques that are the most effective." Patchfur mewed before she looked at Beetlestream, crouching, "The Forepaw Slash-" She lashed downwards lightning fast on the toms face, making him flinch backward and huff. "is executed as such, you can catch an opponent off guard and set up a more advanced move, especially if you're quick." 

Emberpaw felt himself nodding as he took in the information. 

"Front Paw Blow is a dazing move, used mostly to set up for more lethal blows." Beetlestream brought his paw down hard on Patchfurs head, making her chin slam on the ground. "Execute it strategically." 

"And finally the Duck and Twist is a simple defense move. Sure you can always side-step or jump out of the way-" Beetlestream lunged forward, lashing out blows as Patchfur moved and jumped out of the way. "But-" Beetlestream lashed out a paw, slowing it down slightly, "You can use the Duck and Twist to move out of the way!" Patchfur ducked under his paw as he sped it back up and twisted around, rolling on her back before she leaped to her paws and tackled the tom, pinning him down as he let out a grunt. 

"Show off." He huffed as she jumped off, eyeing her with a small playful glare. 

Patchfur chuckled before gesturing to Lilypaw and Emberpaw, "Come on, show me what you got!" Emberpaw flinched slightly before he faced Lilypaw. His heart race increased when she smiled at him, "Good luck!" She called.

Emberpaw opened his mouth but he let out a yowl when a force slammed into him, making him scramble and flop on the ground hard. A bracken-colored tail on his nose made him sniff and look up, seeing Tigerpaw was snarling before he leaped off of Emberpaw, making him elicit a pained noise, and tackled his brother. 

He pushed himself up and stared at the two before shaking his head, facing Lilypaw. His tail swished low to the ground, his eyes narrowed into slits before he rushed forward, feeling power rush through him as he leaped onto the white she-cat. She let out a yowl before she struggled but he held her, snapping his jaws around her throat, not hard enough to break skin but it sent pain and uncomfort through the she-cat as she hissed. 

"The Belly Rake! Use your hind paws!" Beetlestream yowled but Emberpaw dropped, pressing his belly against hers. 

Her fur was silky soft, and she smelled sweet like flowers but he couldn't dwell on that.

Suddenly he was sloppy and lost footing, and he stumbled, giving Lilypaw enough lee-way to push him off and roll out from under him. He turned and caught a face full of paw, a hard blow on his cheek that made even his bones ache. He stumbled back and ducked under her next blow, twisting under before he leaped to his paws and leaped on her. He slashed down on her shoulder, making her grunt in pain before she turned lashing a but he ducked and lunged at her throat, pinning her squarely on the ground. 

She stared up at him before going limp, admitting defeat. He jumped off her and panted, "Y-You were.. uh.." He gaped as she stood, the sun shining her fur. He stared at the ethereal figure before him and his voice was lost in a feeling undescribed. His paws felt light and his heart soared.

"I was what?" Lilypaw tilted her head cutely, making him choke and look away. 

You were great! was all he wanted to say but his voice refused to come and he let out a series of choked noises. He clamped his jaws shut and stared at his paws. 

"Emberpaw?" Lilypaw padded forward, "Are you okay? Do you need water?"

His heart almost stopped. She was concerned about him, she was worried about him. But why? He was nothing. 

He shook his head and walked off, sitting on the edge of the island, staring at the rushing water. He sighed and looked up, seeing Elmpaw approaching. She stopped guiltily, "I- err.." Her tail flicked before she sighed and padded next to him, sitting close enough to lean against him a bit. 

"I saw you and Lilypaw.. you froze up, are you okay?"

His ear flicked and he looked away, moving so Elmpaw stumbled as her support was lost. She gazed at him mournfully, "You like her."

He tensed, "M-m-me? Li-like Lilypaw? Noooooo." He shook his head, his brain going to in panic mode as he tried to lie his way through this. "L-Lilypaw is way too.. bleh.. Wait no, she's gorgeous and any tom would be lucky to have her b-but I don't-"

"Emberpaw." Elmpaw cut him off, forcing the tom to talk faster as he desperately tried to deny his feelings, willing them to leave him be. 

"Idon'tlikeher,eventhoughshe'sperfectandStarClanwouldanytombeluckytowakeupandknowtheyhaveher.ButI'mnotthattomIcan't-"

"Emberpaw." Elmpaw tried again, but Emberpaw turned away, still rambling.

"BESIDESSHEPROBABLYWANTSAWARRIORNOTME, AWARRIORLIKELIONPAWORTIGERPAWIMNOTWORTHY.HAH, ICAN'TEVENDESCRIBETHEFEELINGSIHAVEFORHERI'MTHATMUCHOFACOWARD-"

"Emberpaw!" He flinched and whipped around.

"What?"

Elmpaw was looking at him with both an annoyed and soft expression. "You stupid tom, Lilypaw really likes you."

Emberpaw tensed as he opened his mouth but Dawnspots yowl made him look up. "Apprentices, come here!" 

His ears fell flat and he sulked towards the group, Elmpaw following looking at him sadly. 

The milky yellow she-cat looked around, "Alright, we're going to have a little tournament, partner fighting with your sparing partners. Now remember, you guys are responsible with each other lives, protect each other like a mother and her kits." 

Tigerpaw and Lionpaw snickered, "If we're fighting Emberpaw, we won't have to try that hard." Lionpaw laughed Tigerpaw joining him. 

"I wouldn't say that." Lilypaw murmured, "He put up quite the fight with me."

"And then you won." Tigerpaw rolled his eyes, not taking Lilypaws word for it.

The she-cat puffed up in irritation, "No, he did." she hissed, tail lashing.

"Woah, calm down," Lionpaw rubbed up against the she-cat, "it was probably a fluke, you'll beat him next time for sure." 

"Yeah." Tigerpaw did the same as his brother and the she-cat get out a hiss, but didn't fight the two.

Emberpaw watched in disdain before he saw something in the white she-cats eyes that made his heart soar. 

Disgust.

He smirked slightly before he stalked forward, "Get off her guys." He didn't know where this confidence came from but he liked it. "Now."

The two looked up, eyes narrowed, "And what are you going to do about it." They snarled in unison.

Emberpaw smirked slightly, he looked at Patchfur, Dawnspot, Elmpaw, and Beetlestream. Patchfur saw the twinkle of a plan in his eyes and nodded. 

"The battle starts, now!" She yowled.

"Wait what-" The twins let out a cry as Emberpaw leaped forward, a roar ripping from his throat. 

He tackled Lionpaw and drug his paw down his face. Anger coursed through him, blinding his movements as he dodged Lionpaws next blow. He leaped onto the toms shoulders, digging his claws in as he held on.

The tom let out a yowl, "Get off me mouse!" He snarled as he shook trying to get the tom off him. 

"Drop and roll!" Beetlestream yowled. 

Lionpaw followed the toms instructions and twisted but as he did Emberpaw leaped off, making him land hard on his side. The red tom whipped around and leaped, digging his claws into the toms shoulder making him yowl in pain. 

"He's using claws!" He cried but Emberpaw only let out a roar and snapped his paws close around the toms throat. 

"Emberpaw, stop!" Patchfurs cried was lost in the red toms ears as he wrestled Lion down.

His mouth filled with iron tasting liquid that stained the fur around his mouth red. Lionpaw let out a yowl and kicked him off, but Emberpaw only tackled him once more, pinning the tom down with his claws digging into his throat, a look of anger in his narrowed emerald eyes. 

Lionpaw stared up with a snarl, "Do it, you won't." He spat, eyes narrowed. 

Emberpaw growled and pressed down harder, a snarl on his face. Suddenly a yowl made him turn, Lilypaw was knocked back and suddenly Tigerpaw faced him. 

All of Emberpaws confidence faded and his eyes widened in fear as Tigerpaw was replaced with that StormClan tom from before. 

He trembled and softened his paws and Lionpaw took the advantage to throw him off and he backed up.

"I-I.." 

The brown tom snarled and rushed forward, making him yowl and run off, cowaring as he wrapped his paws around his head. 

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" He whimpered before a paw nudged him. He looked up, tears in his eyes as his lip trembled. 

Elmpaw was looking at him with soft amber eyes, "You really hurt Lionpaw, Emberpaw." She whispered, nodding towards the tom who was bleeding. "What was that? Why did you..?"

"He.. They've been tormenting me my entire life, so what if they get hurt." Emberpaw spat, looking away.

"Emberpaw you don't mean that you're hiding something." His eyes widened as she saw right through him. He sighed and looked at the she-cat.

"I don't know.. I lost control.. I get these random bouts of confidence sometimes.." 

"The voice. You talked about it before. Do you know who it is?" 

Shaking his head, Emberpaw stared forward before he sighed, pushing himself up. He walked towards Tigerpaw and Lionpaw, "Are you okay?" He asked softly, looking at the two. 

Lionpaw stared at him before snarling, "You got lucky, I was ready. You'll pay for this mouse!" He spat before he walked off, Tigerpaw growling at the red tom as he followed his brother. 

Emberpaws ears fell and he sighed. He looked over at Dawnspot, Patchfur, and Beetlestream and flinched when he saw Dawnspot shake her head before following the apprentices with Beetlestream on her tail. Lilypaw stared at him with guarded eyes and she walked off, making the red toms heart break.  

Patchfur smiled sadly, "I know you didn't mean it, Emberpaw." She ruffled his head fur with a paw before she beckoned him. "Come on now, let's go home."