Frostpaw parted his jaws in a yawn.

He got up and stretched, rolling his shoulders, and nosed his way out of the tree den. Instantly his paws felt cold. He yowled and backed up, looking at the white powder that littered the ground. 

Graystar, who was sharing a mouse with Whispersong, chuckled, "It's just snow Frostpaw!" She called, "Come here and eat with us, we're going to go battle train after this and I'm not gonna let you come back until you master at least two battle moves!" Frostpaw rushed forward, plowing through the snow, but he felt tired afterwards. He looked down at his paws and realized how low he was to the ground and growled. His long belly fur had been collecting the snow, he looked at his back and realized that snow just tangled in his fur and he hissed. 

Graystar chuckled, "Come here." She said, waiting for the tom to grab a water vole and lay down next to her, and began to groom the tom.

He purred, "That feels much better!" He groaned, then felt eyes prickling at him, he turned seeing the new addition, Hawkpaws little sister, Heatherkit, staring at him with beautiful red-pink eyes. Her soft milky white long fur was completely flat. 

He held her gaze, his heart raced a little when she held it back before turning and disappearing inside the den at Sandyclouds call. 

He looked at Graystar who was watching him, whiskers twitching in amusement, "What?" He asked blinking. 

"I think you have a little admirer." The leader chuckled, making Frostpaw duck his head down, blushing. "So what? I admired Blueheart and Dogclaw before I became an apprentice." It was true, he spent many moons watching the two train in the clearing, he watched as they seemed know what each other was going to do and dodge accordingly. He once tried to copy a move and Blueheart helped him instead of laughing at his feeble attempts. "But you admired them both, she only stares at you." Graystar pointed out, raising an eyebrow questionably. "You know, she's almost ready to become an apprentice, only two moons to go." She looked at Whispersong, who nodded in agreement. 

Frostpaws ears perked in interest, "Have anyone in mind for her and the two others for mentors?" Graystar nodded, "For Thistlekit I'm thinking Nettletail, for Icekit I'm thinking maybe Dogclaw. As for Heatherkit.. I don't know." She admitted, sighing in defeat. Frostpaw looked around then his eyes fixed on a blue-gray she-cat, "How about Blueheart?" He suggested, "She's young and brave, but she has common sense, she'd be a perfect mentor!" He offered, looking at his leader. Graystar pondered the suggestion, whiskered twitching, "I'll keep that in mind. You know Frostpaw for a cat who's only been training for three moons you are showing to be one of the most wise cats I know."

Smiling at the praise, Frostpaw nodded, "It's not much wisdom. I just think that she'd be a good mentor." He replied modestly.

"Alright lets go, this isn't the first time being at the Sandy Hallow, I expect you to be able be allot better than the first time." Graystar said, getting up, looking at him with amusement. 

Frostpaw winced, remembering how sore he was from the first adventure to the training area. That sure made him work hard to master the basics, now he was learning a few advanced moves.

He followed the leader past the Owl Tree and into the Sandy Hallow. He looked around, seeing Rainpaw looking up a frostbitten tree, his tail tip twitching in annoyance. 

"What's wrong Rain?" He asked, padding up to his brother. 

"Icekit slashed ope her paw, I remember a bird stole some dock from a patch and I managed to get it drop, but I can't climb this tree, it's to frozen." He hissed, curling his lip. 

"I'll get it, how in Starclans name did she manage to cut open her own paw!" Frostpaw bunched his muscles, springing up and digging his claws into the frozen trunk. He slid a bit but he managed to find a dry spot and push himself up. 

"She didn't, she was wrestling with Heatherkit and slid her paw on a rock." Rainpaw explained, "The dock should be up there, it's a large green leaf with a tangy scent." the tom called, watching his brother as he began his search.  

At the mention of Heatherkit, Frostpaw purred, "She's going to be a great warrior, already defeating her denmates!" His whiskers twitched. 

He heard a snort from his brothers, "Causing unnecessary harm, in the middle of leaf-bare, is not what I'd call a great warrior." He rolled his eyes at his brothers sarcastic remark and climbed a bit higher, seeing large leafs. Snatching them up he jumped down and dropped them at his brothers paws.

"Thank you!" Rainpaw pressed his muzzle to Frostpaws, "Now I have to go," He grabbed the leaves and turned but Frostpaw blinked, seeing he was covered in cobwebs. 

"Did you get into a fight with a dead spider?" He asked, whiskers twitching in amusement as he turned to go back in the hallow.  

"No! I fell in that old trunk near camp!" He heard his brothers muffled answer and snorted, 'Stupid cat!' he thought, shaking his head. 

He looked up at Graystar, who had been grooming herself, guiltily, "Sorry, but I-" Frostpaw started to apologize only to get silenced with a sharp look from the she-cat. 

"Have to help kin." She finished, her eyes now softer, "I know that the bond of kin is stronger than any warrior." she nodded in satisfaction then dropped in a fighting stance, "now, lets fight."  A fierce fire danced in the leaders green eyes and she leaped. 

Instantly, Frostpaw twisted on his back, his paws splayed out, his claws extended. When the leader landed on his belly, he fastened all four sets of claws on the bigger she-cats hunches and shoulders and then rolled over, pinning she she-cat on the ground. The she-cat struggled for a few heartbeats before falling limp. 

Frostpaws eyes narrowed and he began to let up, thinking she was defeated but then the leader surged upward, lashing out a paw, but Frostpaw recovered quickly and shot behind the cat, leaping on her back, digging his claws in. 

She went to roll but Frostpaw pushed off her, using his hind legs to make her stagger, he flipped in the air then leaped off the wall and tackled her, locking his jaws in her scruff and dropping his weight on her. 

Graystar struggled then fell limp and waved her tail, showing that she gave up. Frostpaw backed up, letting the leader to her paws, panting. His heart raced, adrenaline pumped through his veins, making his paws throb. 

"That was amazing!" He heard Stormypaws wonder filled voice at one of the sides of the hollowed tree trunk. 

He turned looking at the gray she-cat who was staring at him with wide blue eyes, Lionpaw looked impressed but Hawkpaw was looking at him with narrow amber eyes, an obvious challenge. 

Frostpaw was all for it, "Hey Graystar, can we practice partner fighting?" He asked, looking at his mentor, tail tip twitching. 

"Sure, Frostpaw and Stormypaw versus Lionpaw and Hawkpaw?" She looked at Longclaw, Bramblestripe, and Eagletalon, searching for an answer.

The three toms nodded, "Sounds good." Eagletalon meowed, prompting Longclaw, "It'll be fun to see how much Lionpaw has improved." He agreed, his amber eyes shining. 

The two toms stood side by side, one tail length away, their whiskers quivering with anticipation.

Frostpaw leaned in close to Stormypaw, making her squeak softly, "Daze Lionpaw for me, then, if I'm having trouble, help me with Hawkpaw." He ordered. 

Stormypaw nodded, and bunched her muscles, eyes narrow. Frostpaw did the same, waiting for Bramblestripe to say the word. 

"Ready..... fight!" He yowled, instantly the four cats lunged. 

Stormypaw leaped on Lionpaw, battering him hard blows. Frostpaw looked at Hawkpaw, his lip curled back in a snarl, "I'm looking forward to beating you." He spat, lashing out a paw, but Hawkpaw was faster than anticipated and he ducked, darting behind him and leaping on his back. Hawkpaw sunk his teeth in Frostpaws scruff, growling softly. Thinking quick, Frostpaw dropped and rolled, crushing the tom with his weight. He leaped to his paws and leaped onto Hawkpaw and sunk his teeth into his throat, careful not to draw blood. Suddenly a yowl made Frostpaw look up,  Stormypaw was now the one getting the rough end of the stick. He growled then an idea sparked his mind, "Stormypaw! Up top!" Frostpaw called, and grabbed Hawkpaw by the scruff. Stormypaw understood and stopped fighting, holding the toms head with her forepaws and hunches with her hind legs. Heaving the large russet cat up, he threw him across to Stormypaw, who instantly let go of Lionpaw who raised his head, getting bowled over by his partner. Stormypaw scrabbled up and pressed against Frostpaw, ready to fight. 

"Enough." Longclaw waved his tail, "Stormypaw and Frostpaw win. That was pretty smart, using his partner against him." Longclaw nodded at Frostpaw, "Marshclan better look out, for we have a dangerous warrior on our side." He purred. 

Hawkpaw nodded in agreement, "Not bad for a rogue." He mewed, but his tone didn't hold any of it's usual condescension, he was being genuine. "I'll get you next time." He turned and looked at Bramblestripe. "Can we hunt? Battles aren't going to fill the clans bellies." He stalked out of the den, not waiting for Bramblestripes answer. The tom watched the apprentice with pride, "He's going to be a great warrior if he can learn to wait!" He rushed off, catching up with Hawkpaw. 

Frostpaw looked up, seeing that Graystar was staring at him with curiosity. "What's up?" He asked, making Graystar snap out of whatever trance she was in. "Nothing, lets head back." She raised to her paws and beckoned him away. 

"Bye Lionpaw." He said, following his leader after the tom, who was wrestling Longclaw, raised his tail. He followed her down the train towards Sunningrocks. He easily jumped down and land softly on the ground. He dropped in a hunters crouch, seeing a plump water vole washing itself. He slid his paws then leaped and nipped the vole at the back of the neck. As he got up he flinched and dropped the vole yelping.

"Frostpaw! What's wrong?" Graystar looked at him dropping the magpie she had, concern lacing her expression and voice.  

"M-my paw!" The tom cried, the pain making his teeth grit, "My paw hurts!" He hissed. 

Graystar nosed his paw, making him turn it over and flinch, "There's a stone stuck in it." She confirmed, "Put it in the stream, it'll soothe it." 

Listening to the she-cats words he dipped his paw in the stream, turning it scarlet. 

Graystar let out a soft hiss of alarm, making the tom look up but saw no hostile patrol. "What?" He demanded, annoyed that she made a big deal over nothing. Graystar was staring at the scarlet stream that was swimming away, "Nothing." She said briskly, she turned and beckoned him. "Let's go to camp, Whispersong will know what to do." 

Frostpaw sighed and followed his leader, picking up his water vole and awkwardly limped on three paws. He followed her to the camp and started to go to the nursery but Graystar stopped him, "I'll bring the queens the vole, you go to Whispersong." She mewed sternly. 

Hissing in annoyance, Frostpaw dropped the vole and went over to Whispersongs stone den, stomping inside. 

Rainpaw was the only one there, he was sorting through many herbs and he looked up, "I smell blood." He started, then grabbed stringy like green leaf, an oak leave and marigold. 

"Turn your paw over." He ordered, surprising Frostpaw at how confident he was. He turned his paw over so his pad was up, a large sharp stone had dug its way into the rough flesh, blood was caked on the outside and dripping down the side. Rainpaw licked it roughly, cleaning the blood then grabbed the stone with his teeth. "Ready?" He asked, not waiting for a reply as he pulled the stone out revealing that it was sorta long, about as long as a pine needle.

"Ow!" Frostpaw cried, shaking his paw rapidly. The pain started to ease away but it was still there." 

He grabbed the herbs and chewed them, then spit them on the wound. He wrapped some cobwebs around the area then chewed some dock leaves and spit the poultice around the area.

He sighed as if he had been holding his breath the entire time, "Done. Jeez don't be such a mouse brain!" He cried, glaring at his brother but Frostpaw could tell that he was just concerned. 

Guilt prickled the toms pelt, "Sorry Rainpaw." He murmured, pressing his muzzle against his brothers, "I didn't try to get hurt." He pointed out, sitting down.

Rainpaw opened his mouth to retort but Whispersongs mew cut him off, "I heard Frostpaw got a rock stuck in his paw, what did you do?" The aforementioned asked, padding past him with some sweet smelling herbs. 

"I put oak leaves on it since that's good for making sure infection doesn't seep in, marigold to fight off any infection that might of gotten in it and to stop bleeding , and stinging nettle for..great Starclan I've forgotton!" He thought hard before starting again, "Stinging nettle for easing pain and infection." He finally said, "I also used dock leaves to sooth the pain around the wound and I wrapped it with cobwebs." He finished, looking at his mentor anxiously. Whispersong nodded, "Good, you have to be extra cautions with infection in the paws. You're a fast learner Rainpaw and have quick paws, you will be a great medicine cat." She dipped her head and padded away.

Rainpaw looked at Frostpaw, "Go to your nest and rest. You won't be continuing training until I'm convinced that your paw wont fall off!" he glared at his brother, as if daring him to rebel. Frostpaws whiskers twitched in amusement, "Yes Rainpaw." He dipped his head respectively and limped away. 

Padding towards his nest he saw Thistlekit and Icekit, Goldenspruces and Featherfurs kits wrestling, their mothers close by. Scarpelt was sharing tongues with his mate in the sunshine, Mousetail and Bluehawk were muttering to each other. He looked around till he spotted Blueheart, padding up to Dogclaw her tail tip twitching nervously. Dogclaw was talking to Eagletalon but he cut off when Blueheart cut in. He watched as Eagletalon mewed something then walked off leaving the two alone. Blueheart stayed silent for a few heartbeats before exploding and asking something and ducking down as if clawed. Dogclaw looked stunned then said something that made Blueheart shoot up and stare at him then smile and press her nose to his. Dogclaw smiled and licked her ear, an happy expression on his face. 

Nodding in satisfaction, Frostpaw padded towards the apprentice den when Lionpaw ran up to him, "I heard you got hurt! Are you okay?" He asked, his eyes wide with concern. 

"I'm fine." Frostpaw assured his brother, but then his brother said something that surprised him, "You know, Marshclan has been pushing the borders, if Graystar doesn't do something quick I'll lead a patrol myself to attack them!" 

Frostpaw felt a tremor of unease, he still was going to meet Leopardpaw tonight and he didn't want tensions between the two clans to interfere. "I'm sure it's not that bad." Frostpaw said before he could stop himself. 

Lionpaw stared at him with narrowed, furious, green eyes. 

'Oops.'

A low growl rumble in his brothers throat, "Not that bad?" He snarled, "They've marked that slope and completely covered our scent markers!" He hissed, tail lashing. "They want to expand their territory, Marshclan always takes what isn't theirs!" He snapped, "If Graystar is too scared to face the threat then maybe she shouldn't be leader." He whipped around and walked away, his fur bristling. Frostpaw stared after him with round eyes, disbelief surging his entire pelt in waves.

As he lay in his nest his brothers words came back to him, 'If Graystar is too scared to face the threat then maybe she shouldn't be leader.' 

What did his brother mean by that?

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Sorry that this chapter was short, allot has been happening lately. Now before I close this chapter I have a question. Do you ship Frostpaw and Leopardpaw? I understand that many warriors fans got sick of forbidden couples after the whole Leafpool and Crowfeather ordeal and the Lionpaw and Heatherpaw think was when many fans just got pissed but I'm going to try the whole Forbbiden couple thing and see where it takes me. I'll attempt not to overdo it but I will warn you that allot of plot lines in these books (yes there will be more) are going to surrounded by half-clan/forbidden couples. So yeah, answer the question and please, PLEASE, send me feedback! I want this to be interactive you know? Anyways... thats all for now so yeah, see you next chapter!