Chapter Two

Cold water rushed over her head, darkness blocking out her view of the light. But she was a Creekclan cat, and had been swimming since she could remember. She kicked off of the first surface she could feel, pushing upwards with her front paws until fresh air hit her muzzle.

She took a gulp of air in, panting as she swam to the bank. Redfang was there by her side, helping her to her feet. “You acted impressively.” He praised with a smile. “Any other clan cat wouldn’t have been so aware.” Bramblepaw looked up to her friend with a raised eyebrow, to which he laughed. “Sorry for trying to be supportive!” He said, before yowling as she shook out her coat, drenching him in water. 

“Yeah, yeah, put a mouse in it.” She batted him playfully in the side with a paw. She hissed in surprise as he punched on her shoulders, pinning her to the ground.

“Next lesson, defensive attacks,” He mewed with a proud smile. “Always be prepared, and expect the unexpected.”

Bramblepaw hissed, kicking off the ground with her back feet. Redfang was thrown off, though he quickly righted himself and launched himself at her side. She jumped out of the way, letting out an amused laugh as he face-planted against the ground. 

"Not bad, not bad," he said, panting slightly as he regained his footing. "But you need to be quicker."

The sun climbed higher in the sky as the lesson progressed. Redfang pushed Bramblepaw through a series of exercises designed to improve her balance, agility, and strength. He taught her how to leap and land gracefully on the narrowest of branches, how to stay hidden in the dense foliage, and how to track prey with precision. Her muscles burned with effort, but she didn't complain. Every moment felt like a victory, a step closer to becoming the warrior she dreamed of.

Finally, it was time for a break. Redfang led her back to the stretch of creek where they had started. "Let's grab some fresh-kill," he suggested, his eyes gleaming. They padded over to the fresh-kill pile, and Bramblepaw's stomach growled at the sight of the plump mice and rabbits. She picked out a particularly juicy-looking mouse, feeling a sense of pride that she had earned this meal through her hard work.

They found a quiet spot under a willow tree, the cool shade offering relief from the growing heat. Bramblepaw dropped the mouse in front of her, watching as its little legs twitched before finally going still. Redfang sat beside her, his own catch, a small rabbit, in his jaws. They began to eat in companionable silence, the only sounds the gentle lapping of the water against the shore and the occasional crackle of a leaf beneath their paws.

As they ate, Bramblepaw couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging. The whispers of the clan had always been there, but in moments like these, with the warmth of the sun on her back and her mentor at her side, she felt like she truly was a part of something greater. She glanced over at Redfang, noticing the way the light played with the reds in his fur, making him look almost fiery. He caught her gaze and gave her a nod, as if to say, 'See? This is what you're capable of.'

Looking back towards the creek, Bramblepaw spotted Hazelpaw, Rustypaw, and Pebblepaw. The three apprentices were balancing precariously on the top of the Wall, their tails flicking with excitement as they dared each other to jump down into the water. Their laughter was infectious, and she couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy. She had always envied their carefree nature, the way they moved so easily through the clan without the weight of whispers on their shoulders.

Suddenly, Pebblepaw slipped, letting out a short scream before her head hit a rock. The impact was sickening, and Bramblepaw's heart skipped a beat. Her body went rigid, eyes wide in horror as Pebblepaw's limp form plummeted into the deep water below.