See Without Sight [Redpaw/Galepaw]

[Softpaw]

Softpaw
Sorry I'm not made of sugar and I'm not sweet enough for you.

Softpaw was, quite literally, kicking herself for accepting Galepaw’s proposal.When he’d asked if she would accompany him on a hunt, she had been too flustered and surprised to do anything but nod mutely. He’d seemed to accept that answer, and had told her to meet him outside the camp the next day at sun-high. She hadn’t been scheduled for a patrol, nor had her mentor ordered any training, so again, Softpaw had nodded and agreed. She hadn’t even managed to say a single word to Galepaw through ought the entire exchange, yet he seemed unbothered by the fact. In fact, he seemed almost amused and intrigued by her.

As she sat there, just outside of the camp, her tail wrapped protectively around her paws, Softpaw wondered what could have peaked his interest when it came to her. She never spoke to the other cats. She kept to herself. She wasn’t anything special. Her only friend was Snowpaw (and Ironpaw, perhaps, but the she-cat frightened her a little). And then there was Redpaw. Softpaw had been unable to stop thinking about the flame colored tom for the past few days, since the incident with the nests, and she was unable to figure out why. He scared her with his harsh words and his insults, and while most cats wouldn’t be daunted by such things, or know that they were nothing personal, Softpaw was frightened by Redpaw.

Yet, beneath her fear, there was something else, something she could not pinpoint accurately or recognize. It felt like a strange, bubbling warmth, a thrill of excitement every time she heard his name or saw him cross the camp. She never dared to approach him, nor did she dare to speak to him again. She would watch, form a safe distance, as he spoke with Snowpaw, his brother, or her clan-mates in that gruff, unyielding tone that brooked no arguments and promised swift insults and retribution for any show of open stupidity. Redpaw was as prickly as a thorn bush…So why then, did she-

Her thoughts were cut off as the wind picked up and sent the leaves crackling around her. Softpaw jumped, just managing to keep from falling over, her fur fluffing up at the unfamiliar sound. When she saw that it was only a faint breeze, she settled down, forcing her fur to lie flat and the anxiety to ease from her eyes and shoulders. She wondered when Galepaw would arrive. To her, Galepaw was an unknown. She hadn’t interacted with him much; he kept to himself, much like she did, and he didn’t speak to any cat, much like she did. Yet there was kindness in his voice and eyes when he asked if she would come out with him today, and there was a spark of warmth that rushed through her at the thought that he asked her, and no other cat.

She couldn’t quite explain it, as she could not explain her feeling towards Redpaw, and she couldn’t quite understand it. Softpaw decided that she would try and decipher what these strange rush of feelings that had suddenly flooded through her meant. Perhaps spending more time with Galepaw would allow her to figure out what he was stirring in her heart. Closing her eyes, she took a deep, relaxing breath, willing herself to remain calm. All she had to do was act like a normal cat, have normal conversations, and just…be herself as best she could.

[;; galepaw]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=CellPadding,4,true][atrb=CellSpacing,0,true][atrb=valign,top][atrb=style,width: 310px; padding: 10px; color: 91B4AD; text-align: center; background-color: 2C2024; border: 5px solid #3E3435;][style=font-family: Arial Black; font-size: 36px; letter-spacing: -4px; line-height: 90%; font-weight: bold; text-transform: uppercase; color: 3E3435;]i'm so lost[/style][style=font-family: arial narrow; font-size: 24px; color: 3E3435; line-height: 90%; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 2px; text-align: center; margin-top: -4px;]i'm barely here[/style][style=font-family: arial; font-size: 10px; text-align: center; color: C1F2EC; letter-spacing: 6px; margin-top: -2px;]i wish i could explain myself but words escape me[/style] [style=width: 300px; border-left: 1px dotted #C1F2EC; font-family: arial; font-size: 10px; padding-left: 10px; margin-left: 22px; margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align: justify;]You insufferable, idiotic, suicidal, blind fool! Galepaw had been scolding himself all day long. In fact, the anxiety of what he'd set himself up for kept him in his moss bed most the day. What if this was the stupid thing he did that ended his life? What if Softpaw was alluring him purposely; purposely to get close and alone with him and then murder him? The apprentice was finding out he was his own worst enemy in this battle to live. Even as he tried to convince himself Softpaw didn't seem to be the strong type, she too could be pretending to be weak, just like he was. Again, the young tom had to tell himself to calm down. It was getting closer to the time they were supposed to go out, and Galepaw still considered flaking. If Softpaw blatantly hated him it would make it easier for him to distance himself from her. The snowshoe sighed, pushing his body up from the ground and solemnly padding out of the dens. He had to do this. There was a little sliver of a chance that the quiet she-cat was like him (even though he doubted it). White paws reluctantly padded across the camp, ignoring quiet, friendly meows like he always did. Blue eyes raised to see the white she-cat through the brush and sent a rush of anxiety shooting through his entire body. Once more did he feel like running back into the den, playing sick, or simply avoiding her. Dark brown ears pricked backwards when he finally, quietly, strolled beside her. She seemed almost as nervous as he did. They both were rather jumpy, however, so it could have just been a normal day for Softpaw. "You ready?" He nearly whispered, his voice sounding shaky. Stop it. Stop it. Stop it. She can't know you're scared! He mentally screamed at himself.[/style] [style=font-family: arial; font-size: 9px; text-align: left; margin-left: 22px; padding-left: 10px; ;]TAGS, softpaw, hunting NOTES, LYRICS, stockholm syndrome, BLINK 182 CODED BY TSU DOLL OF LOVE STAMP.[/style]

[style=position:relative; left:150px; top:-90px; -moz-border-radius:100%; -webkit-border-radius:100%; width:150px; height:150px; border-width:5px; border-style:solid; border-color:#3E3435; background-image:URL(http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/3964/galllle.png);] [/style]

[Softpaw]

Softpaw
Sorry I'm not made of sugar, and I'm not sweet enough for you.

Softpaw was so absorbed in trying to sit still, that she wasn’t very aware of her surroundings. So when Galepaw’s voice sounded only a foot or so away from her, she nearly toppled over in surprise. She scrambled back to her feet, her fur once more sticking out at odd angles and her eyes wide and almost frightened before she realized who it was. She breathed a sigh of relief, forcing her fur to lie flat, and nodded hesitantly. “Y-yes,” she whispered back, her voice as soft as his against the breeze of the forest. “U-Um….where did-did you want to….g-go?”

She shuffled her paws nervously. She wasn’t used to receiving any attention from other cats, much less undivided attention. The fact that Galepaw had singled her out was frightening enough as it was, but being alone with him for more than a few minutes was nerve-wracking. Softpaw mentally wondered why she’d agreed to this. She should’ve known it would be too much for her to handle. What if Galepaw had some sort of ulterior motive? As soon as the thought appeared, she quickly banished it, shaking her head minutely. Why would any cat in her own clan have some kind of ulterior motive to do anything?

He was probably bored and she happened to be nearby, so he decided to ask her to go with him. But why not Ironpaw? Or Snowpaw? Or Finchpaw? Why not any of them? Softpaw gulped, wondering what the implications of Galepaw asking only her might be. She turned, still shuffling her feet awkwardly, and started down the trail. “Uh…” she began, not sure how to start or hold a conversation for more than a few seconds. “W-what did you w-want to do today? I-I mean, did-did you want to h-hunt? Or-or just go for a…walk…”

Her paws took her down a familiar trail, the one that led past the kitty pet house. The cats who lived there never bothered the cats of the Clans, so Softpaw didn’t think anything of it, nor did she anticipate what might happen if they took that trail. She paused, turning to gaze curiously at Galepaw, feeling her cheeks warm beneath her fur, her eyes quickly diverting to the ground and staring at it intently. “M-maybe what I’m, um, t-trying to say is…W-why did you want to…go with m-me?” As soon as the words left her mouth, Softpaw, gulped, and widened her eyes, quickly backtracking and taking a few steps away from him.

“I-I mean, n-not that I d-don’t want to b-be out here with you!” she immediately reassured. “It’s-it’s just that…n-no cat ever…wants to really…go anywhere w-with me.” She turned her blue eyes away, staring hard at a tree as though it held all the answers. “It-it was j-just, um, surprising…t-that’s all.”

[;; galepaw]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=CellPadding,4,true][atrb=CellSpacing,0,true][atrb=valign,top][atrb=style,width: 310px; padding: 10px; color: 91B4AD; text-align: center; background-color: 2C2024; border: 5px solid #3E3435;][style=font-family: Arial Black; font-size: 36px; letter-spacing: -4px; line-height: 90%; font-weight: bold; text-transform: uppercase; color: 3E3435;]i'm so lost[/style][style=font-family: arial narrow; font-size: 24px; color: 3E3435; line-height: 90%; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 2px; text-align: center; margin-top: -4px;]i'm barely here[/style][style=font-family: arial; font-size: 10px; text-align: center; color: C1F2EC; letter-spacing: 6px; margin-top: -2px;]i wish i could explain myself but words escape me[/style] [style=width: 300px; border-left: 1px dotted #C1F2EC; font-family: arial; font-size: 10px; padding-left: 10px; margin-left: 22px; margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align: justify;]Galepaw couldn't help for a small smile to slip out at her scrambling. The reaction was mostly due to confirmation she was as skittish as he was. His ears relaxed from their sleeked back position as he looked around, "Where ever," He muttered, blue eyes followed down the several paths they could take. The silence didn't really bother him, as he didn't always have much to chat about. In a strange way, the tom found the simplicity of being in Softpaw's presence calming. Don't get to comfortable, he reminded himself, his brown and cream fur pricking. The young she-cat could very well be dangerous, as much as he'd like to think otherwise. After all, nearly every cat that breathed wanted his blood. Greedily blood lust vermin, all of them. When she started off, Galepaw jumped up and followed her, almost too anxiously. It resulted in him having to slow down his pace so he didn't end up running foxlengths in front of her. "Well I'm not really... the best hunter," He said, his voice lowering shamefully at his untruthful confession. Bashfully, his ears flicked back, and he softly uttered, "We can just walk for now, I don't mind." Perhaps there would be some fun things to do or they could stumble upon some sort of gorgeous, unreal sight. What such foolish fantasies. Nothing magical would ever happen in this marsh. Even if it did (which it never would), Galepaw wouldn't be privileged enough for it. Most important, the apprentice didn't need to have such mouse brained day dreams. They made him weak and dulled his sense of the waking world. His ears pricked up and his gaze left his white paws as she stammered on about her wonder of him asking her to spend time with him. The apprentice smiled warmly and softly responded, "Cats don't really go anywhere with me either... I figured the awkward outcasts could band together for a day." Galepaw gave a small smile to her, his nub of a tail giving a spasm as if trying to flick. If anything she can just be a friend to keep up my appearance...[/style] [style=font-family: arial; font-size: 9px; text-align: left; margin-left: 22px; padding-left: 10px; ;]TAGS, softpaw, hunting NOTES, 363 word count LYRICS, stockholm syndrome, BLINK 182 CODED BY TSU DOLL OF LOVE STAMP.[/style]

[style=position:relative; left:150px; top:-90px; -moz-border-radius:100%; -webkit-border-radius:100%; width:150px; height:150px; border-width:5px; border-style:solid; border-color:#3E3435; background-image:URL(http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/3964/galllle.png);] [/style]

[Softpaw]

Softpaw
Hold my breath as you're moving in,
Taste your lips and feel your skin.
When the time comes, baby don't run,
Just kiss me slowly...

“O-oh,” Softpaw murmured, casting her gaze back to her paws as she shuffled along beside Galepaw. She tried studiously to keep her eyes fixed on the ground, but she couldn’t resist peeking up at him every few moments or so. Her cheeks felt hot beneath her fur, and she knew she was blushing, and she felt silly for it. They were just two apprentices, out brushing up on their hunting skills. That was all. Clearing her throat, Softpaw began, in a voice that was, for herm, very brave; “I-I’m not the b-best hunter either,” she admitted, shooting him a shy smile, and then quickly turning back to face ahead of her.

“H-Hawkstar s-says I’m, um, g-getting better though…It’s-it’s just a b-bit hard having him for-for a mentor. He’s very um, kind, b-but it’s so n-nerve wracking hunting in-in front of him.” She ducked her head in embarrassment, feeling like a kit for admitting something so ridiculous. The cool breeze prickled her pelt, and her fur fluffed up against the cold. She flicked her ears backwards, looking somewhat shy as he shot her a smile. It warmed her heart, and she suddenly didn’t feel all that cold anymore. “I-I don’t know…why they w-wouldn’t,” she murmured, her voice quiet as they walked. “Y-you’re very nice.”

She scuffled her paws against the ground as she walked, turning her head away and gazing out over ShadowClan’s territory. They were moving towards the kitty pet nest slowly; she wasn’t worried. She knew the kitty pets were afraid of ShadowClan, so they probably wouldn’t bother them. “I-I don’t really have many…friends…Ex-except m-maybe Snowpaw.” There was Ironpaw too, but the she-cat was more frightening to Softpaw than friend material. Ironpaw was nothing but kind, and even protective towards the tiny she-cat, but Softpaw was too set in her ways to think of Ironpaw as anything but an older, more experienced cat that could never possibly want to be her friend.

Snowpaw was too friendly not to be anything but a friend, and his carefree, relaxed and open attitude was refreshing. She thought of Redpaw then, and something stirred in her heart. What was Redpaw? Her friend? Maybe. He was frightening. Almost as frightening as Ironpaw. Softpaw wasn’t afraid to admit to herself that she was terrified of Redpaw and his sharp tongue; he scared her. He made her want to run. But…he made her want to stay too, and that confused her. What was Redpaw to her, and what was it that she felt when he was around?

Then there was Galepaw. Softpaw saw in him a kindred spirit, someone like her, who was an outcast, afraid of their own shadow, not good at much, and useful only for a few things. When he smiled at her, when he spoke to her, she felt her heart flutter and warm. As much as she wished she knew what she was feeling, she couldn’t begin to figure it out. So she settled on walking slightly closer to Galepaw, shyly ducking her head and hoping he didn’t notice.

“H-how is training g-going with Violetwhisper?” Softpaw thought about the harsh, quick-tongued she-cat, and winced in sympathy. She was glad she wasn’t her mentor. She wouldn’t have survived that. “I-I mean…I-I bet you’re d-doing r-really well. Has-has she said anything a-about your assessment y-yet?”

[;; galepaw]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=CellPadding,4,true][atrb=CellSpacing,0,true][atrb=valign,top][atrb=style,width: 310px; padding: 10px; color: 91B4AD; text-align: center; background-color: 2C2024; border: 5px solid #3E3435;][style=font-family: Arial Black; font-size: 36px; letter-spacing: -4px; line-height: 90%; font-weight: bold; text-transform: uppercase; color: 3E3435;]i'm so lost[/style][style=font-family: arial narrow; font-size: 24px; color: 3E3435; line-height: 90%; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 2px; text-align: center; margin-top: -4px;]i'm barely here[/style][style=font-family: arial; font-size: 10px; text-align: center; color: C1F2EC; letter-spacing: 6px; margin-top: -2px;]i wish i could explain myself but words escape me[/style] [style=width: 300px; border-left: 1px dotted #C1F2EC; font-family: arial; font-size: 10px; padding-left: 10px; margin-left: 22px; margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align: justify;]When she discussed Hawkstar, Galepaw couldn't see how the leader could be any worse than Violetwhisper. But he kept these thought to himself, not wanting to sound like he was complaining. "I can understand that," He commented when she said training in front of their leader was embarrassing. His own mentor made him feel like a mouse-brained fool (or a ravenous, blood thirsty badger,) when he trained. The leader was supposedly so much more wise and brave than the rest of the clan, so training in front of him when you're not the best would be stressful. When she said he was very nice he felt a flash of heat race under his fur. The young tom couldn't help but feel a smile tug at the sides of his mouth. He was about to meekly thank her (or tell her she was too nice for the compliment, he hadn't decided), but before he could, she mentioned Snowpaw. "Snowpaw's loud and reckless," he huffed, frantically wondering if Snowpaw and Softpaw had some kind of romantic relationship Galepaw didn't know about going on. Of course, why would a she-cat even bat her eyes at you? Galepaw clenched his jaw down as the thought raked through his gut like sharp claws. Maybe that was too aggressive? What if he'd scared her with his outburst? "He's just a bit... high maintenance for me," The tom whispered, seeming ashamed of his flicker of jealousy. When he felt the warmth of her white fur subtly close a small gap between them, his nerves seemed to relax. He let out a stressed sign and smiled to himself. "I don't know," he sighed about it, "Sometimes I think Violetwhisper would rather just kill me than train me..." Was that too much information? Was he exposing too much of himself? Galepaw tried to think of what his father would tell him, how his father would scold him, but that voice was quiet now. "I'm afraid she might never think I'm ready for assessment," The older apprentice continued on while his inner voice was mute. Dangerous, he reminded himself.[/style] [style=font-family: arial; font-size: 9px; text-align: left; margin-left: 22px; padding-left: 10px; ;]TAGS, softpaw, hunting NOTES, 346 word count LYRICS, stockholm syndrome, BLINK 182 CODED BY TSU DOLL OF LOVE STAMP.[/style]

[style=position:relative; left:150px; top:-90px; -moz-border-radius:100%; -webkit-border-radius:100%; width:150px; height:150px; border-width:5px; border-style:solid; border-color:#3E3435; background-image:URL(http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/3964/galllle.png);] [/style]

[Softpaw]

Softpaw
Hold my breath as you're moving in,
Taste your lips and feel your skin.
When the time comes, baby don't run,
Just kiss me slowly...

Softpaw smiled ruefully, dipping her head in embarrassment. “Snowpaw is…is just…h-he’s just exuberant. He h-has a lot of energy. I-I think he’s rather sweet.” She blushed beneath her fur, her cheeks glowing warmly. Snowpaw was adorable; he was so full of raw energy and happiness that it made her smile just thinking about him. But as she glanced at Galepaw, a sudden thought struck her; what if he believed she had some sort of ‘crush’ on the snow-white apprentice?

Horrified at the thought, Softpaw quickly rushed to reassure him -- and to a lesser extent, herself -- that there was nothing whatsoever going on there. “He-he’s a good friend. I wouldn’t h-have it any other w-way.” That sounded about right, didn’t it? Was it enough to assure Galepaw? Softpaw wasn’t sure why she cared so much, but she did. Quickly decided to move on to a somewhat safer subject, she quickly jumped back to the topic of training. “I-I don’t think Violetwhisper w-would rather kill you,” she assured, terrified at the thought.

“She’s…um…she’s just a bit different t-than most mentors, I-I think. She’s a bit h-harder on her a-apprentice. But don’t be discouraged!” She rushed once more to assure him, worried she might have hurt his feelings. “You’ll d-do fine. You’re a-a good apprentice, and I bet you’re really good at everything you d-do, r-right?” She tried to smile, but quickly glanced away shyly. “M-maybe you should t-talk to her about it? I-I bet if she knew h-how you felt, she’d be more i-inclined to nominate you f-for the assessment.”

Her fur brushed lightly against his reassuringly, and she touched the tip of her fluffy tail to his shoulder as she pulled ahead of him, picking up her pace. “Oh! G-Galepaw! Look!” She stopped on the path, staring straight ahead, her fur bristling slightly. “It’s the kitty pet house. Do-do you think the k-kitty pets are there?” She turned to gaze at him curiously, seemingly unafraid. “They won’t b-bother us. They’re s-scared of ShadowClan cats.”

From the shadows, two pairs of eyes narrowed into angry slits at Softpaw’s bold words. Scared of ShadowClan cats, huh? These two scraggly kittens couldn’t possibly be from one of the Clans. The brush moved off to the side of the house as the two sets of eyes began to move along the high wall, intent on showing the two apprentices just who was scared of who. But not yet. They’d let them get a bit more comfortable before making theiur moves.

Softpaw, meanwhile, had not noticed they were being watched. “L-let’s take a closer look,” she whispered, trotting back to Galepaw’s side. “C-come on.”

[;; galepaw]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=CellPadding,4,true][atrb=CellSpacing,0,true][atrb=valign,top][atrb=style,width: 310px; padding: 10px; color: 91B4AD; text-align: center; background-color: 2C2024; border: 5px solid #3E3435;][style=font-family: Arial Black; font-size: 36px; letter-spacing: -4px; line-height: 90%; font-weight: bold; text-transform: uppercase; color: 3E3435;]i'm so lost[/style][style=font-family: arial narrow; font-size: 24px; color: 3E3435; line-height: 90%; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 2px; text-align: center; margin-top: -4px;]i'm barely here[/style][style=font-family: arial; font-size: 10px; text-align: center; color: C1F2EC; letter-spacing: 6px; margin-top: -2px;]i wish i could explain myself but words escape me[/style] [style=width: 300px; border-left: 1px dotted #C1F2EC; font-family: arial; font-size: 10px; padding-left: 10px; margin-left: 22px; margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align: justify;]Galepaw let out a sigh, she must have sensed the hostility in his voice towards the younger tomcat. "Of course," He whispered, barely audible, as she tried to reassure him. "I haven't thought about talking to her," The tom reflected as she changed the subject. No, he had thought about have some one on one time with her at night when most were sleeping. Digging his teeth into her neck and feeling the vibrations of her scream as he ripped her meows right from her throat. The thought made his skin itch, his dark brown fur raising along his spine. This was an excellent idea, he would have to execute it sometime soon, he decided. The brush of her tail gave him another sensation as he lifted his eyes, which we fixed fiercely on the ground they trotted on, to see where they were. He couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm. Kitty-pets were born into living with the twolegs, as Galepaw was born into living the life of a warrior. It was in their blood and it was all they ever could be. Clawless, toothless excuse for cats, Greystorm had all explained. The apprentice had never met a kitty-pet before, and he experienced an innocent curiosity in this moment. When Softpaw insisted they get closer, Galepaw nodded, smiling, "They may be fun to talk to," He suggested, feeling a sort of uncanny innocence he hadn't felt in a long time. As he quickened his pace towards the house he noticed the scent of a cat. As always, he pretended not to have picked up on it, but his blue eyes also caught sight of a figure shifting in the shadows. Don't do anything mouse-brained, He mentally warned, while giving away no signal he'd noticed the movement or scent.[/style] [style=font-family: arial; font-size: 9px; text-align: left; margin-left: 22px; padding-left: 10px; ;]TAGS, softpaw, hunting NOTES, 299 word count LYRICS, stockholm syndrome, BLINK 182 CODED BY TSU DOLL OF LOVE STAMP.[/style]

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[Softpaw]

Softpaw
Baby, I can't fight this feeling anymore,
I've forgotten what I started fighting for.
And if I have to crawl upon your floor,
Come crashing through your door,
Baby, I can't fight this feeling anymore.

[/i]

Softpaw seemed bolder than ever before, but the thrill of adventure filled her with adrenaline and excitement. She was unaware of the dangers of trespassing on the kitty pet’s territory, and she didn’t particularly think they’d do much to either of them anyways. “I-I don’t know about talking,’ She managed, glancing back shyly over her shoulder. She might be emboldened by adventure, but she was still the same old Softpaw, and she still had a difficult time being exuberant or anything but…shy.

“Hawkstar…he said the-the kitty pets have b-been here forever. Since the clans m-moved to the forest and that we had to s-show them we meant business so they’d l-leave us alone.” Her ears twitched as she raced towards the wall, stopping just short of touching it. Her whiskers quivered, tail held high in the air. “I d-don’t think they’d w-want to talk to us anyway.” She turned and beckoned him with a shy smile, reaching out to tentatively touch the wall with her nose. It was hard, like stone, but it smelled different, like two-legs and something stale and dirty. She’d never smelled anything like that, and it was a rather new experience for her.

“Do-do you think kitty pets look like…us?” she whispered, careful to keep her voice down, lest they be discovered. She didn’t realize it was far too late for that. “We look just like you,” a voice hissed form the bushes. Softpaw leapt away from the wall, fur standing on end in surprise as she jumped back to Galepaw’s side. From the brush beside the wall, two large, rather pudgy kitty pets slid from the shadows. One was a rather large tom with gray fur, and the other was an orange tabby she-cat. Neither of them looked very friendly, and the twin snarls etched on their muzzles displayed their obvious hostility.

“But we’re nothing like you all. What are you doing on our turf, trespassers?” the she-cat sneered, her fur bristling. Softpaw’s jaw worked as though she was trying to form an answer, but she couldn’t quite get it out. “Oh, I get it,” the tom snapped. “You’re here to ‘show us you mean business,’ aren’t you?” He shared a smirk with the she-cat next to him. “A couple of kittens like you should know better than to stick your nose where it doesn’t belong.” The two began to advance, their fur bristling and claws unsheathed.

Claws! thought Softpaw. But Hawkstar said kitty pets didn’t have claws! He said they never fought! “Galepaw!” Softpaw whispered urgently, her own fur bristling as she unsheathed her claws, prepared for the worst. “W-what do we do?” Softpaw didn’t get her answer, because just as she posed the question, the two cats lunged; the tom went after Galepaw, and the she-cat barreled into Softpaw, knocking her over flat on her back. With a yowl, the apprentice batted at her attacker, trying to force the larger, heavier cat off of her, to no avail.

[/blockquote]