I faced Pearlstorm, teeth bared as I darted forward. The white she-cat dodged, using my momentum to flip me onto my back with a loud crack. Morningpaw and Dustpaw gasped worriedly. 

I rolled onto my stomach, purring with amusement, "Don't worry, I'm not hurt."

Pearlstorm explained eagerly, "I flipped Mistystar so carefully that it didn't hurt, but the sound was loud enough to shock both the cats watching and the victim. Hopefully, this way, cats will flee before we have to actually hurt them."

Fallenleaf watched, his gaze warm, "But still remember to use your claws in the real fight."

Pearlstorm quickly pushed the apprentices into ready positions, checking their posture, "We're going to practice. Paws sheathed for now."

I sat up as Dustpaw dashed towards Morningpaw, lost his balance and fell on his back all by himself. Embarrassed, the sand-coloured apprentice scrambled up onto his four paws as Pearlstorm scolded him. 

Fallenleaf mewed, coming up beside me, "Well, looks like the next generation is going to be in safe paws.

I was suddenly excited, "I have an idea. Pearlstorm, I'll show you all."

She and I got ready, opposite of each other. Rushing forward, I tripped and fell onto my back, using the momentum to swing my hind legs up to slap her. Pearlstorm reared back in surprise, her paws instinctively going to her face. Before she had time to recover, I rolled so I was facing her again, scoring my sheathed paws across her exposed underbelly before I jumped back.

Fallenleaf flicked his tail, "That might be the silliest, and the most genius, move ever created!"

I meowed defiantly, "I heard nothing but that you called me a 'genius'."

He padded up to me and licked my forehead, tails twined.

***

Tropicpalm meowed slyly, "You and Fallenleaf are getting close..."

She, Lilypad and I were sharing a thin squirrel, such was the scarce prey of leaf-bare.

I rolled my eyes, "Of course, he's my deputy!"

Lilypad agreed, "You are way closer than just leader and deputy!"

I snapped, "You're one to speak! What about you and Treeclimber?"

Tropicpalm grabbed the topic eagerly, "Oooh, yes! What about you two?"

Lilypad's eyes widened in shock, "It's not like that! We -"

Tropicpalm interrupted, "You've always got your heads bent together, meowing about something."

I spoke through a mouthful of squirrel that was more fur than meat, "Don't deny it, Lilypad!"

The black and white she-cat sprang up and stalked off, her tail lashing, "I won't deny it, because I don't have to!"

Tropicpalm sighed, also standing up and returning to the medicine cate den, "She'll admit it one day."

I stood up too, brushing the bones away. 

A ginger cat approached me, "Hi Mistystar."

I addressed him, "Fallenleaf, have you sorted the patrols? Stormcloud would like to stay with Beestripe at camp for this moon. Their kits will be coming soon, though later than planned."

He dipped his head, "I made him stay at camp, don't worry. Swanpaw just had her warrior assessment yesterday, she passed!"

I purred, "Tell her she will have her warrior ceremony this afternoon. What about Amberpaw? Weren't they apprentices together in Riverclan?"

A pause. 

An intake of breath, "She also had her assessment yesterday evening. Amberpaw failed."

I dropped my brisk tone and twined my tail with Fallenleaf's reassuringly, "She'll pass next time! I'm sure of it."

Fallenleaf sighed, "Amberpaw is older than Swanpaw by three moons! She failed the first time she was assessed as well."

I flicked my tail curiously, "Isn't Amberpaw your sister?"

Fallenleaf shook his head, "I just found her one day. Reedstar made me pose as her brother because he was ashamed of taking in a rogue."

"She'll become a capable warrior, I promise you." I assured him confidently.