A tortoiseshell tom with a red outline padded through a dying forest, occasionally passing a few fighting cats.

"Work harder, Shadepaw!" He demanded to a helpless little white she cat with black paws and ears. She began to give swifter and stronger blows at the cat she was fighting.

"She is too weak." The tom who was fighting her snorted as he sent her flying across the clearing.

The tortoiseshell tom padded after her silently. When he reached her, he bent down and glared at her threateningly.

"You can't be one of us if you fight like a kit!" He sneered at the cowering she cat who trembled uncontrollably with fear.

"Y-yes Darkthorn," she muttered, looking away anxiously.

He snorted at her, swiped, and padded away.

She whimpered and stood up, shaking the blood out of her fur.

"Next time, try harder, Shadekit," the other tom snarled as he flicked his tail. "Let Maplefrost deal with ya'" and with that, he whirled around and ran out of the clearing to leave the little medicine cat apprentice alone.

She sighed, still shivering, and began to lick her wounds.

A darker-red outlined cat squeezed through the bushes, her crooked teeth snapping at the thorns that got in her way.

"Hawkshade told me to deal with you." She rasped with an elderly tone, though she was still as fierce as Darkthorn.

Shadepaw nodded fearfully, trying to show no sign. But it was no use.

"Why, you scared you little mouse?" She teased, but it didn't sound so much as a joke.

Shadepaw swiftly shook her head.

"You can't fight people with herbs!" She taunted, launching herself at the apprentice, who ducked out of the way and swiped.

"That's your all?" She started wheezing with laughter and Shadepaw leant down to lick her chest fur in embarrassment.

A sudden fur-ball knocked into her and she clawed at it furiously. It was a distraction!

"Hey! Shadepaw! What happened?" A worried voice broke her out of her dreams in time before she got killed.

She opened her eyes to see Softwing standing next to her. She stood and shook her fur out.

"I-I'm fine," she muttered anxiously.

Softwing narrowed her eyes. "Then why do you have cuts all over you, eh?"