Then next day, Brackentail took Lilypaw down to the lake. "We'll practice some battle moves today. If we get into a scrap with WindClan you'll need to be ready to defend yourself.

Great...

"Learning to be quick is how WindClan works, but you also have to be able to defend yourself. Let's practice with you attacking me."

Nodding, Lilypaw crouched, and with a flick of her tail she dashed towards her mentor. Brackentail was ready. He stepped aside at the last moment which sent Lilypaw tumbling into the sand.

"Try to be light on your feet so that you can move to catch me." Brackentail purred.

"Okay," Lilypaw said and shook sand off her pelt.

This time she avoided crouching and instead stalked low to the ground but so she could still move. Brackentail watched and waited for her to make a move. Suddenly Lilypaw sprang up to the left. Brackentail saw her and moved the other way to avoid her but Lilypaw a thought it through more. Taking her mentor's advice, she was able to switch directions and knock into Brackentail.

With a huff Brackentail was down but he rolled over and swiped a leg under the apprentice's front paws. Lilypaw hit the ground as her paws failed.

"That was better. Try to see what I'm about to do before it happens. Watch every movement I make and analyze it."

Nodding Lilypaw stood and circled her mentor. This time she waited until Brackentail made a move. Her mentor went to swipe at her ear but the apprentice ducked her head and instead used Brackentail's paws against him. She batted at his hind legs and he fell to the ground surprised. Without wasting time Lilypaw raked a paw across his belly, lumping a clump of fur on her pad.

Brackentail was surprised but pleased. "Well done!" He said. "That was the best I've seen an apprentice do their first time practicing battle moves."

Lilypaw became shy at her mentor's praise. Brackentail was always so encouraging.

"Alright, I'll teach you a few moves that will improve your natural skills."

When Lilypaw and Brackentail finished training for the day, the apprentice padded up to where Shimmerpaw sat grooming herself near the apprentice's den.

"Hey Lilypaw! How was training today?" The light silver tabby asked.

"It was great! How do you like training with Leopardleap? She seems like a great mentor," Lilypaw assumed.

"She's an amazing hunter! We've been working on my hunting techniques and I caught a squirrel today!" Shimmerpaw fluffed up her fur rosy, silver fur with pride.

"That's great! Brackentail and I haven't done much hunting training yet but we had a lesson on battle moves earlier which was fun. If WindClan attacks us, I'll be ready!"

"You guys are lucky," Stormpaw's irritated growl sliced the excitement of the conversation between Shimmerpaw and Lilypaw. "Larkblaze has had me cleaning the elders' ticks all day. I haven't been out of camp even once!"

"I'm sure Larkblaze is making sure you learn every important skill." Shimmerpaw purred with amusement and glanced at Lilypaw with a wild gleam.

"Larkblaze knows what he's doing. He's one of the best warriors in the Clan."

"Easy for you to say when your having battle training with Brackentail... I'm going to be stuck cleaning the mouse bile from my pelt the rest of the day." Stormpaw screwed up his nose with disgust at the repelling odor coming off his fur.

Lilypaw and Shimmerpaw also twisted their noses up. It definitely was not a pleasant smell.

"Hey Lilypaw!"

The brown dappled tabby apprentice turned to see Birchpaw padding up to her. "Oh hey Birchpaw." Shimmerpaw and Stormpaw exchanged a glimpse.

"How was training today?" He asked.

"Great! Brackentail showed me some battle moves."

"I love battle training. Tangleclaw was wondering if you and Brackentail wanted to train with us tomorrow at the Ancient Oak?" The dark ginger brown tom's tail tip twitched with anticipation and excitement.

"Oh! I'll go ask him!"

"Great! See you later." Birchpaw trotted off to join Robinpaw and Hollypaw near the apprentices' den.

"Since when have you and Birchpaw been talking?"

Shimmerpaw's question went unanswered as Lilypaw forgot her littermates and bounded up to where Brackentail had settled down to eat a squirrel with his sister Echosong.

The grey and white she-cat saw Lilypaw first as she swallowed a mouthful of prey. "Hi Lilypaw, how are you?"

"Good," Lilypaw licked her chest fur once with embarrassment. She had never spoken with Echosong much but every cat knew she had the best hunting skills in the Clan. Lilypaw was proud she had her brother as a mentor.

"Brackentail has been telling me your training is going extremely well. I'm impressed. You'll be a great warrior."

"Th-thank you." The apprentice dipped her head in appreciation to the talented warrior. Echosong purred and stayed silent while Lilypaw turned to her mentor. "Birchpaw was wondering if we wanted to train with him and Tangleclaw tomorrow at the Ancient Oak. I told him I had to ask you."

Brackentail's throat vibrated lightly, "Birchpaw eh?" Her mentor glanced at his sister who's eyes glowed. "Of course, tell them we'll join them at sunrise."

"Okay!" Lilypaw said goodbye to her mentor and flicked her tail eagerly as she trotted back to where Birchpaw was still sitting with their other denmates.

"Hey Lilypaw," Robinpaw, a tortoiseshell and white spotted she-cat greeted friendly.

Lilypaw glanced at Hollypaw who had a look of irritation on her face. The black she-cat flicked her ears back annoyed and didn't say anything.

"You must have asked Brackentail about tomorrow?" Birchpaw looked hopefully at the smaller apprentice.

She nodded. "He said yes. We will meet you at sunrise."

"Great!" Birchpaw exclaimed. "I can't wait."

Dawn broke early and a silvery mist settled over the camp. Birchpaw and Lilypaw left the apprentices' den together and walked to where Brackentail and Tangleclaw waited.

"let's go," Tangleclaw commanded.

The four cats trudged through the undergrowth. Tangleclaw and Brackentail were in the lead while Birchpaw and Lilypaw stayed slightly behind. "How do you like training so far?"

"I love it. Brackentail is the best mentor."

"Yeah, he's a great warrior."

Lilypaw nodded agreement.

"I really like Tangleclaw too. He's so wise and knowledgeable. I hope I'm making him proud." Brichpaw added.

"I'm sure you are."

After a quick trek down to the Ancient Oak, the cats halted. "We'll work on defenses today. Birchpaw knows a bit more about battle training so that will help you Lilypaw." Tangleclaw declared.

Lilypaw and Birchpaw stepped into the clearing. It was wide with a large oak higher than any tree in the forest. A good place for hunting prey.

The apprentices faced each other. "Now, the best place to start is with just raising your forepaws. Try to block your opponent by batting them away." Brackentail informed Lilypaw of the basic technique.

"Birchpaw, I want you to attack Lilypaw. Lilypaw, try to defend yourself against him." Tangleclaw ordered.

The apprentices nodded again before focusing on each other. Lilypaw watched Birchpaw closely. He was taller and broader than her but she was small and thin. It would be easy to avoid most of the blows. Birchpaw twitched his tail tip before he flew toward her. Lilypaw was surprised at his speed and strength but managed to swipe at a front paw, knocking him off balance.

"Stay on your paws Birchpaw." At Tangleclaw's mew, Birchpaw spun and charged again unexpectedly. Lilypaw hit the ground with a thud. "Better Birchpaw."

"Keep yourself prepared Lilypaw. See the attack before it comes."

Shaking the dirt and dust from her pelt, Lilypaw crouched. She watched closely as Birchpaw circled her. His muscles twitched slightly at the feel of battle and his pupils were wide so he could see better.

See the attack before it comes. Brackentail's words echoed in her mind as she prepared herself. See the attack before it comes. . .

Suddenly, an overwhelming sensation clouded her thoughts. Lilypaw's gaze became veiled as a thick haze obscured her vision. Abruptly, she was aware of her surroundings again but this time it was different. Time seemed to slow and she realized with awe that she was watching herself and Birchpaw from a further distance.

Astonished, she watched the scene intently. Birchpaw flicked his tail and then lunged. He struck out high with a single forepaw. Lilypaw saw herself dart under his open shoulder and push upwards. In a single thrust she propelled the apprentice away and he landed with a clunk.

Lilypaw was then thrust back into her body. What was that? The strange sensation was gone and she was back facing Birchpaw who hadn't moved yet. He still faced her. Lilypaw didn't know what had happened. Obviously what she saw hadn't happened.

And then she saw Birchpaw's tail flick. His muscles tensed and he lunged. It was just how she had seen it before. He raised one front paw and swung. Lilypaw was faster. She dashed toward the unsuspecting apprentice and positioned herself under his shoulder. One push up and he was flying through the air, tumbling backwards and hitting the dirt.

"Woah! What was that?" Birchpaw said with wide eyes as he shook himself.

"Nice Lilypaw! That was great thinking!" Brackentail praised as he flicked his ears.

"Well done. I've never seen an apprentice think that quickly on her second time out." Tangleclaw said.

"Thanks, I just... Well I..." Lilypaw couldn't explain how she knew what was going to happen, or how she was able to think so fast during the fight. It was almost like time had stopped and then shown her what would happen.

"Great job Lilypaw!" Birchpaw admired. "You'll have to show me that move sometime."

Embarrassment flooded Lilypaw's pelt as she nodded eagerly. But she was slightly troubled by what happened. What had happened? Her thoughts were jumbled as she tried to regain a level head.

"Lilypaw? Are you alright?" Brackentail asked as he padded forward.

She glanced quickly at her mentor, "Oh yes... I'm fine."

Brackentail narrowed his eyes but didn't press the issue. "Let's practice your stalking techniques."

For the rest of the afternoon, the apprentices worked on their basic hunting and stalking skills. Lilypaw was finally able to still her tail by the time she was done with the lesson.

"You did well today." Brackentail's voice startled Lilypaw as the cats headed back toward the ThunderClan camp.

"Thank you,"

"Are you certain you're all right though?" He asked.

"Yeah, I'm perfect. Training was great today. Thanks Brackentail!" Lilypaw hopped away from her mentor before hecould ask more questions. She left Brackentail with his curious gaze.