I must have sounded - and looked - ridiculous as Rosepaw burst into laughter, loud enough to scare all the prey from Tallpines all the way to Fourtrees.

"What's so funny?" I asked, shifting my paws uncomfortably.

"Seriously?" she scoffed, sounding like the person - cat - I know. "You came here, to ask for a fight? You must be kidding me."

"I-I'm serious!" I meowed in protest. If cats could blush, I would be red all over by now because of the embarrassment. Part of me scolded myself for coming up with such a mouse-brained idea that had no guarantee of success.

"Oh really?" Rosepaw began doubtfully. "Why do you want to fight me? There are plenty of other cats you could fight with."

My hopes dwindled faster than the prey in leaf-bare as I scrambled to think of a good answer.

"It's important," I admitted. "Please?"

I waited for Rosepaw's response with bated breath. She seemed to be considering it at the very least, fidgeting slightly.

"Fine," she mewed. "Sheathed paws, I assume. I don't think you want your face to be shredded."

"Who says my face will be shredded?" I retorted hotly.

I never liked others doubing my abilities, but funnily enough, I constantly doubt myself. Thinking about it, it sounded hypocritical to my ears.

We got into position. I took the spot by a bunch of scattered branches, while Rosepaw chose to stand in front of a tree about one and a half fox-length away.

A light, chilly breeze passed by as I began the countdown. "Three, two, one... go!"

At the signal, I charged straight at Rosepaw, hoping that it would throw her off. In response, she charged as well.

Moments before we could have collided, I made a flying leap over her head, landing on the other side. Before she could turn to face me, I landed a direct hit on her flank with a sheathed paw.

Rosepaw looked surprised as she stumbled slightly, making my plan a success.

Raincreek's lessons sure came in handy.

Taking the advantage of her distraction, I continued my relentless assault, scoring successful hits on her chest.

The white she-cat was no pushover, however, as she fought back with quick frontal attacks of her own.

Much to my surprise, we seemed evenly matched. Realising that I would only tire myself out, I jumped backwards to give myself time to think of another plan.

"Tired already?" Rosepaw taunted, though it was obvious she was rather tired from it as well.

"I'm only just starting," I responded.

She took the initiative in attacking this time, moving in a zig zag pattern to confuse me. I was actually impressed by her agility and speed.

She must have been practicing, I thought as I countered her tactics with a simple charge of my own, similar to what I did previously.

Rosepaw's face flashed with surprise briefly, but she did not stop. To avoid barrelling into her, I used the same tactic as before - jumping over her head.

However, this time I was planning to unbalance Rosepaw with a low kick. As I started my attack, without warning, I was thrown backwards by a back kick.

"Do you really think I would fall for the same trick twice?" Rosepaw snorted as I quickly got to my paws.

Feeling frustrated, I sprang forward, landing squarely on her body. I heard an 'oof' sound as she was pinned by my body weight, struggling to push herself free.

I managed a couple of blows before Rosepaw freed herself, panting with exhaustion.

One more move wins me the match.

As she rushed towards me, I reared up at the last moment. By the time she attempted avoiding it, she was already under me. I slammed down with both front paws onto her head.

Making a complicated spin, I pinned Rosepaw down. "Do you surrender?" I asked.

There was a pause as if it pained her to say a single word.

"Yes," she meowed reluctantly.

I got off her, breathing heavily. My paws ached and my back was hurting from where Rosepaw had struck me with her surprise back kick.

As I sat down to rest, Rosepaw went up to me angrily. "Were you trying to give me head damage or something?" she demanded.

"No," I mewed.

"So, what's your deal?" she continued. "Why do you want a fight anyways? Spit it out now."

Realising that I was unable to avoid the question any longer, I decided to give her the reason. "I challenged you to a fight because... I wanted to understand you."

"What?" Rosepaw gave me a incredulous look.

"I think I understand you now," I mewed, almost excitedly. "You put your best paw forward - literally - in what you do! It's clear that you have been working hard and I think it is to gain the Clan's acceptance, isn't it?"

"Oh really?" she scoffed. "I doubt you know me at all."

"It is because we are in the same situation," I mewed, determined to convince her. "Since we were not friends, when we first arrived in ThunderClan, we were surrounded by strangers. You were lonely, but no cat seemed to be able to become friends with you, so you decided to train hard. Am I right?"

"You are wrong," Rosepaw mewed as her eye twitched. "I'm only training hard to survive. Also, I don't need friends. I'm fine being alone."

"No one in this world have to be alone. Even if no cat wants to be your friend, I can be your friend."

She was silent. A spark of hope ignited in my heart as she seemed to be thinking over what I said.

Rosepaw turned around. "No thanks. Who says I want to be friends with you?"

With that, she started to walk away. As my hopes plummeted, I glimpsed a tiny smile that was almost unnoticeable on her face.

"Since you don't want to be friends, we can become rivals!" I called out.

The white she-cat stopped, without looking behind. "Suit yourself."

I'll say that this was a partial success, but I think I'm closer than ever to becoming friends with her.

I couldn't help but smile as I padded towards the Sandy Hollow, where Streamripple would be waiting for our training session.

Oddly enough, I had a feeling that some cat was watching us the entire battle.

------------------------------------------------------------

Question of the Chapter:

Who do you think was watching Frostpaw's and Rosepaw's battle?