I could say I had a good nights rest because I stayed asleep, but the old nest ruined that statement. After the intense training and sleeping awkwardly, my back was stiff. Even though my body silently insisted I stay asleep, being woken up by Lostface screaming at us was enough to scare me out of my nest. Grooming myself thoroughly, I was soon ready to travel and fight. 

Not a lot of chatter could be heard in the main nest area, at least, not as much as last night. Crowfeather dropped a rabbit off at our feet and padded off with a second one for another group, not so much as laying an eye on me.

"I miss my trout and minnows. These rabbits have a different texture, and I'm not sure I like it." Loudbelly mumbled, ripping the rabbits fur off and eating the meat. "You can say that again," I muttered, ripping out some meat for myself. With a mouthful of cold meat, he meowed, "Fish in general, I'd be happy." I nodded but didn't reply, focusing on the rabbit meat. 

I licked my lips and, out of habit, fixed any knots I had missed. The rabbit was enough to fill my belly, but fish tasted so much better. If only the BloodClan rogues would try it... I couldn't remember the last time I ate fish, I realized. 

"Everyone, today's the day!" Poison's excited meow echoed from the tunnel entrance and he practically skipped into the main nest area. "We will travel away to the moor and begin the Hunger Games. So be prepared, watch your back and stay alert!" 

Poison turned around and led the way out the narrow tunnel and into the fresh air. I breathed it in and waited for Loudbelly, Frostfur and Icepaw before followed. Faintly, I sighed and we padded close to the rear of the group with Icepaw walking beside me and Loudbelly on the other side. The group of us trekked in silence, making our way through the territory.

The territory with trees and lots of leaflitter had the tunnel to the training arena, the camp where all of BloodClan stayed was the whole marsh and pine trees territory, while the lake and lookalike to RiverClan territory was empty. 

We padded through the forest, mice and squirrels running away in a hurry along with a couple of magpies and pigeons. The forest was pretty cool looking, but I bet they never have seen the beautiful scene of the pink sky shimmering on the surface of swirling currents, to watch the river drag minnows downstream in the spring, and the astonishing sight of moonlight glistening on the water. I've sneaked out before just to swim in the lake and to watch the sun rise on the dark water; it was amazing, just to see and feel the water embrace me. It filled me with hope that one day, someone would take a stand and stop the madness of murder. 

I was jolted out of my thoughts as Loudbelly shoved me with his shoulder. I glared at him and he pointed to the root that the others were hopping over. I have him an apologetic look and kept going. 

Finally, just as the sun started to fill the moor and forest with light, I stepped into the heather and long grass. It felt weird to be in a totally different territory, one that was dry instead of filled with mud. My heart longed for the reeds and stones and scales, not heather and long grass. Though, it's better than cleaning muck from your fur! 

We weren't even two tail-lengths into the moor when I spotted the large dip in the ground, brambles and sticks making a barrier around it. The barrier was at least three times my size and was held up by thick sticks. Mini sticks were holding up the brambles where I could see and I assumed it offered an open place where prey could get through and repopulate. 

I looked forward as the group halted. I watched as the group began to go underground, a sign that we were about to begin the Trials. My heart started to beat faster as my turn came up. I took a deep breath in and held my breath, letting it out in a rush as Loudbelly pushed me forward. Closing my eyes, I plunged into the darkness. My body was crammed in between the tunnel and a fluffy tail in front of me. Fighting the urge to sneeze, I stalked down the tight tunnel.

It was so dark in the tunnel that I couldn't see a whiskers-length in front of me. The tail that continuously whipped my nose could have been white, but it was grey in the pitch black. Then, the tunnel expanded and I could see a bit of light from over the cat who was in front of me, blinding me, making my heart skip a beat. Relief flooded over me as I ducked out of the suffocating tunnel.

I padded into the large field with trees covering the sky. There was a huge plank of logs above where, I assumed, Poison stood and watched. Birds chattered in the tree tops and rabbits scurried away into other tunnels, mice scurrying away at the sudden scare. I felt like I was in wonderland... living in a muddy environment wasn't all that fun when you live in it from the start. I heard water rushing by and I leaped for joy. If this wasn't the Hunger Games arena, I'd live here forever. 

Loudbelly must've heard the water too because his eyes were filled with happiness for once. Frostfur and Icepaw seemed to be quite happy as well, looking around at the scenery and taking it in. "Finally, some fresh air other than mud and stinky swamps..." I murmured and my three allies nodded. "Indeed." Frostfur replied quietly, so quiet I wasn't sure she had actually said anything. 

"Welcome, to the Hunger Games arena." Poison chuckled, gesturing with his front paw the scenery. "Once I get to the top of that Gallow, the Games will begin. Lostface, Crowfeather, tell them where to go. I will be on the Gallow when you're finished." The two guards nodded once and faced us. Before Poison went into the tunnel, Snake came through and guarded it.

"Herbs are scattered everywhere, along with prey and shelter. Stand in a line and when Poison calls down saying the Hunger Games has begun, you race off and find what you need before the sun goes down. There are things in this forest that will not hesitate to kill you and eat your flesh, so beware." Lostface warned, and a chill ran down my spine and my fur stood up. This is it. 

This was not how I planned to die. I had planned - before Crowfeather became brainwashed - to run away with Crowfeather and never return, to go to the Tribe of Rushing Water that Stormfur had run away to so long ago... It seemed to far away as I prepared to take off.

"Line up." Crowfeather ordered and we all obeyed, standing in a waiting line, one beside the other. I relaxed my muscles as I stood in between Loudbelly and Webfoot. I unsheathed my claws and fluffed out my tail, breathing deeply and slow. I watched the wind blow through the forest. Suddenly, Loudbelly spoke, making me flinch. "Stay put." I heard him whisper to Frostfur and she repeated it to Icepaw. I dipped my head when he turned his head to me and I faced the forest again. 

Poison's announcement made everyone look up, his voice echoing through the quiet dip in the moor. "Let the Hunger Games... begin!" And just like that, cats dashed away, taking off through the grass and into the forest. "Come with me!" The brown tom hissed and the three of us followed behind him. 

I looked over at my side and saw cats fighting viciously for a piece of prey. They attacked for herbs, prey, and the shelter, even if the other had been there first. Blood was splattered everywhere and I had to turn away because I knew I would have nightmares for many nights after. 

"Avoid all contact with others, we don't need to be killed on the first day." Loudbelly warned, slowing down at huge tree with a hole in between the roots. "I'll check it out," He meowed and the older tom stepped wearily into it. Please don't have any dangerous animals... I begged, waiting with Frostfur and Icepaw quietly. "Aah! Ew, get off me!" A sudden hiss from Loudbelly made me jump and just as I ran to the opening, Loudbelly came out with cobwebs all over his face. 

"I was attacked by cobwebs," He purred and I sighed in relief. 

"So is it good to go into and stay the night in?" I prompted and he nodded, making way for us to go in. "Frostfur, come with me to get some moss," He meowed, clawing off the cobwebs. He sneezed and the white she-cat nodded, purring.

They stalked away as soon as Loudbelly stopped sneezing and I turned to Icepaw. "Should we hunt?" She asked, the young cats' eyes wide. I nodded with agreement, "Sure. I think as soon as we are ready for the night, the better." Icepaw dipped her head and said nothing more, leading the way a little ways away from the den. 

She sniffed around and then tensed up, stalking away after a crow. I got down and waited for her to come back. Watching Icepaw leap up, I swallowed a purr as she mumbled something to herself when the bird started fluttering away. Without thinking, I jumped up and hooked the bird in my claws, bringing it down in a heap of black feathers and beads of blood. "Good job!" Icepaw praised as I killed the bird with a quite nick to the neck. I bet Stormfur does that everyday... With birds the size as cats!

"Thanks," I meowed through feathers, bringing it back to the tree trunk. "Sorry I didn't get it... I was under pressure because I was worrying that someone was going to get it before me or that someone would kill me for it or that -" I flicked my tail, dropped the bird and wrapped my grey and white tail around her, calming her. "Its alright, Icepaw. Don't worry, it wasn't your fault. This is new for the both of us. We'll learn to cope." I whispered to her and she rested her white head on my chest and we waited in silence for Loudbelly and Frostfur to come back.

By the time Loudbelly and Frostfur came back with moss and a mouse, Icepaw was sound asleep. Her hot breath warmed my chest and left it to be cold when she breathed in. "Is she okay?" Frostfur fretted, dropping the mouse beside the crow. She sniffed the small apprentice but quickly stopped when I responded, "She's fine, just tired." 

"Lets make the nests while she sleeps." Loudbelly suggested, dropping the wad of moss in front of the entrance to the den. I slowly set Icepaw on the grass and then rushed away to help out. I entered the tree trunk and swept rocks and dirt away, making room for the moss. "We should use the crow feathers for the nests when we eat it," I mewed, my voice bouncing off the wooden walls. "Good idea," Frostfur replied, making four small nests with the big wad of moss.

I fixed up my nest and picked the crow of its feathers, lining each nest carefully with the silky black feathers. Once finished, I padded out into the dim light from under the trees. Icepaw was still asleep. 

I nudged her with my nose and she shifted. "Icepaw, wake up. You have to move into the tree trunk so you don't get attacked." I whispered gently near her ear and she opened her eyes a bit. Icepaw blinked open her eyes and flinched at how close I was to her face. 

"Come on, we finished the nests and you can't stay out here for the night." She nodded, standing up to wobble over to the tree trunk. I sat down and looked up, watching a squirrel jumped over head, soaring from branch to branch.

"Do you want to take guard for the night?" Loudbelly murmured, sitting beside me quietly. I looked at him and nodded, staying silent. "Alright. Frostfur is going to stay with Icepaw while I go find water. I will be back - hopefully - before dawn." He explained, standing up again and padding away. "Okay, good luck. We can take turns guarding." I replied, standing up when he was out of sight.

I poked my head in the tree trunk and looked at the two white bundles. They were curled up together, Icepaw resting her head on Frostfur's chest. Their sides raised slowly as they breathed in the dusty scents of the hollow tree trunk. "If you need me, I will be up in the tree. I'll keep my eyes out for enemies." 

Frostfur opened one eye and whispered, "Lets hope our first night doesn't end in blood."

Dipping my head in agreement, I backed out. Looking up the tall, thick tree, I groaned. This will be some effort to get up to at least the first branch...