Swiftflight's POV

My eyes actually felt a bit strained as I tried my best to watch the mock-fight happening in front of me through the darkness of ThunderClan's tunnels. I could just barely see Toadstep and Dovewing in their combat, even just a few tail-lengths in front of me.

Goldenshine was currently watching them, her gray gaze locked on their two pelts as if she was out in broad daylight. She would shout out a tip to the two younger cats every few heartbeats, and even despite her having taken several groups of cats down into the tunnels for training up until now, she seemed to be handling each of them with the same amount of patience.

I had been chosen to be in her tunnel-training group for the day, along with Dovewing, Ivypool, and Toadstep. And I couldn't help but feel excited... and a bit nervous to know that Cherrypaw had also come along with our group. Goldenshine had made the point to her apprentice that it was likely that she wouldn't be fighting, but that she might as well see what the older warriors were learning. Which, I'll admit, was a lot. It had definitely felt like a very long day.

Thus far, we had already learned how to navigate through the tunnels, work on training our eyes to see through complete darkness, and how to fight despite being in quite a constricted, confined area.

At the moment, Dovewing and Toadstep seemed to be doing a great job with the latter lesson, fighting as confidently as they would be if they were outside. I exchanged an impressed glance with Ivypool, and then glanced over just in time to see my mother standing up, her golden tabby brown head nodding with approval.

She then raised her tail as a signal for the two young warriors to stop. "Alright, you two. That's good," she meowed, her voice echoing through the tunnels. "Really good, in fact. You all seem to be well-acquainted with these circumstances already!"

I then found myself having to hold back a purr of amusement as my mother began to excitedly trot around the area. "But remember that you can use the lack of space to your advantage, too!" she went on. "As Hollyleaf demonstrated earlier, cornering your opponent in here would be as easy as catching a crippled piece of prey!"

I nodded in understanding, feeling increasingly proud and impressed to see all that Goldenshine seemed to know about these tunnels. Well, I mean, obviously she would, but I still felt immense pride seeing all of the knowledge that only my mother, along with Hollyleaf, seemed to carry. I'd only expect so much from her!

"Gee, this sure seems like it's going to be a battle to remember..." Cherrypaw then mewed, and I turned see that she was staring up at the tunnel's roof in awe. "I wish that Firestar was letting Molepaw, Wrenpaw, Emberpaw, Lightningpaw and I fight in it!"

As I felt a pang of sympathy for the ginger she-cat, Goldenshine padded up to Cherrypaw and gave her a light nudge. "Who says that guarding the camp is any less important?" she meowed encouragingly to her apprentice. "And anyway, you'll need to be on call in case we need back-up down here!"

Cherrypaw's amber eyes immediately lit up with her mentor's words. "That's true! We'll be ready!" she exclaimed. She then shifted her gaze over to me and shrugged as I let out a purr of amusement at her charming enthusiasm. "But... this still looks very fun, though!"

I nodded and let out another purr, returning the warm, amused look that Cherrypaw was giving me. Unfortunately, I had to force my gaze away from the she-cat quickly as I noticed Goldenshine nodding in my direction.

"Well then, you'll surely enjoy getting to see more practice!" my mother teased to Cherrypaw before turning to face where Ivypool and I were sitting. "Okay - Swiftflight and Ivypool - it's time for you all to have a go." I was then surprised to see her sniff and flash an apologetic glance towards Ivypool, and then to me. "Swiftflight, I'll admit that you definitely have a bit of an advantage with that nearly black pelt of yours."

Ivypool let out a huff and padded around to stand in front of me as I let out a satisfied grunt. "You'll practically be invisible!" she jokingly scoffed. "No fair!"

I backed up a few pawsteps, quickly checked how much space I had, and then slowly crouched down. "Oh, please!" I meowed mockingly, my eyes narrowing. "My pelt color isn't going to be the reason why you're easily going down!" Although, Goldenshine is definitely right. It'll be of great use in this darkness!

Ivypool crouched down as well, letting out an amused snort. "Oh, yeah?" she questioned sharply just before letting out a yowl of determination and leaping forward towards me.

Luckily, I was able to think fast and dodge the silver she-cat's leap, causing her to nearly crash head-first into the cave wall behind her. I then watched, bracing myself, as she swiftly caught herself, veered back around, and then leaped back at me, her paws hitting my side.

She then managed to pin me down, my back being pressed into the cold, hard ground. Making sure that she had at least a bit of a grip on me, I used my strength to roll over on my side and hoped that the force would cause Ivypool to lose that grip.

I felt a twinge of gratification as I was released from her paws. I immediately leaped back up onto all fours and, as quickly as I could, attempted to advance on my fellow warrior and corner her, just had Goldenshine had advised us earlier.

As Ivypool's back actually touched the cave wall, her dark blue eyes seemed to flash with panic for just a moment.

But then, just a moment later, I was startled as Ivypool let out a hiss and swiped a sheathed paw across my face, completely taking me by surprise. And unfortunately, Ivypool used this to her advantage, and took the opportunity to leap on me again, with more force this time.

As she forced me against the stone floor once again, I found that I suddenly felt a rush of determination. I could almost feel the triumph exuberating from Ivypool already, but she had better know that I'm not going to give up so easily!

I managed to get a forepaw free of Ivypool's grip. Then, without thinking, I swiped it across the silver-and-white tabby she-cat's face.

But immediately, I felt my heart nearly stop as I quickly realized that my claws had been unsheathed.

Holy foxdung, holy foxdung... I practically felt numb with horror as Ivypool let out a hiss and shut her eyes. "Oh my StarClan..." I breathed as I watched the she-cat slowly back off of me. "Ivypool, I-"

Dovewing cut off my words as she urgently ran up to face her sister. "Ivypool!" she exclaimed, her voice full of fear. "Are you okay?"

Toadstep, who had also watched the whole scene unfold, slowly turned to me from where he had been staring wide-eyed at Ivypool. "Did you scratch her with your claws unsheathed?"

I found myself instantly taking a step back in my alarm and panic. "I-I didn't mean to!" I stammered. As I thought of ways I could explain myself, my heart pounding like it never had before, I almost felt as if I was being brought back to a few moons ago - when Ashfur had consistently encouraged me to be as rough as I could when fighting Snowstorm in our mock-fight, resulting in her needing to go to the medicine, and the beginnings of my own Clan questioning my morals.

But in a way, this felt much worse, as no cat had forced me to do this.

"You didn't mean to?" the black-and-white tom pressed in response to my broken words, his voice nearly rising into a growl. "I'd love to hear you say that when you end up killing a cat!"

My distress then seemed to disappear with Toadstep's harsh words, and was replaced with hurt and anger, as Toadstep seemed to be implying that I would do such a thing. "What?!" I hissed back at him, my fur beginning to bristle. "How dare you-"

"You all, hush! I'm fine," Ivypool then called out over my meow. I whipped my head towards her and found that she was touching a single paw to her face. "It didn't even draw blood."

I let out a long sigh of relief. Thank StarClan. I can't even begin to figure out how I'd live with myself if I hurt yet another Clanmate in battle training...

Dovewing, who was flanking Ivypool, still didn't look reassured, to my dismay. "That shouldn't matter!" she insisted, flashing a brief cross glance towards me. "Swiftflight is still-"

"Swiftflight was obviously just getting into the fight, as he should be!" Ivypool demanded, turning on her sister.

Toadstep let out a contemptuous snort. "With his Clanmate?"

I caught Ivypool giving the warrior a sharp nod before I closed my eyes, having to calm myself down with all of this chaos I had caused. "Sure!" the tabby she-cat replied. "I had to keep my claws from sliding out a few times, myself!"

"Oh, what a load of-"

My eyes then quickly flew back open as I heard Cherrypaw speak. "Toadstep!" the ginger she-cat exclaimed, standing up and giving the tom a hard stare. "It clearly was an accident. Let's just drop it!"

My heart managed to warm just a bit at the sight of the she-cat standing up for me. And she always does... I thought fondly as I looked back at Cherrypaw, who had spoken up without hesitation. I can always count on her, can't I?

My fur was practically beginning to tingle, but not with fear this time, as Goldenshine stood up as well, glaring at Dovewing and Toadstep. "Exactly what I was about to say," my mother meowed sharply before looking over at me, her gaze still sharp, but even. "Yes, claws must be sheathed in a practice-fight, but my son will hopefully remember that for next time. Let's just be glad that Ivypool isn't hurt."

But the fact that she isn't hurt doesn't even matter! That doesn't mean that what I did suddenly doesn't exist, I told myself worriedly as the golden brown tabby she-cat then padded up towards me and gave a nod to Ivypool. "Otherwise, it was really, really great! Great use of the space," my mother praised to us. She then let out a purr of amusement as she looked at the two of us back and forth. "It's a good thing that the two of your aren't going to be against each other in this battle - you two are both too agile and clever for your own good!"

And I'm too aggressive and violent for my own good, all thanks to... I trailed off of my own thoughts as I ruthlessly tried to push down guilt.

But I was sure that I wasn't hiding it well as I gave Goldenshine a small nod. "Thank you," I attempted to meow evenly before hesitantly turning to look towards Toadstep and Dovewing. "Having my claws out like that really was an accident," I insisted to them.

I then looked to Ivypool and nervously padded up to her. "I'm really sorry," I murmured to the she-cat. "Are you sure that I didn't hurt you?"

To my relief, Ivypool immediately gave me a nod and flicked one of my ears with her tail. "I'm sure," she replied warmly. Her eyes then seemed to glint with humor as she meowed, "Hm, maybe you just overestimate your own strength."

As I let out a snort, Ivypool then shot a glare towards Toadstep and Dovewing. "These two clearly overestimate your thirst for blood."

Dovewing sighed and rolled her eyes in response to her sister's words. "Well, I don't know what else to think!" she complained. "Swiftflight-"

Ivypool hardened her stare as she looked back at Dovewing. "-isn't like that," she muttered, cutting the gray she-cat's meow off. She then slowly turned her head to look back at me, her gaze warm and certain. "I know that he isn't."

I stared back at the she-cat and returned her friendly gaze, my heart filling up with so much relief and platonic affection. Ivypool would be a great companion to always have by my side, I realized as I gave her a light nudge as a gesture of gratitude. I mean, that's what I've wanted since I was a young apprentice. But now I know that that doesn't necessarily have to be as mates anymore.

I then pulled myself out of my thoughts as I saw my mother stand up. I looked back in her direction and felt a twinge of confusion as I noticed that Cherrypaw seemed to be staring back at me, her amber gaze contemplative and solemn. She seemed to snap out of it as soon as our gazes locked, and she flashed me a shy, nervous look before turning her head away.

Hm... I narrowed my eyes, recognizing that very look on her face - the one that shows that something is clearly bothering her, but she is trying her best not to show it. I very well knew the last time I had seen it, and it was in a situation somewhat similar to this one... with similar cats involved...

But before I could give Cherrypaw's gesture one more thought, Goldenshine finally replied to Ivypool's words. "True words, Ivypool," my mother meowed warmly before letting out a sigh. "Alright, really, really great session, you all! I think it's about time we called it a day."

I then watched as she glanced around, likely taking a quick glance at Hollyleaf's group of cats that were training some fox-lengths away. She then turned around to nod to her apprentice. "Cherrypaw, do you mind checking in with Hollyleaf and letting her know that we're ready to go?"

I looked to the ginger she-cat to find her shaking her head quickly, as if she had just pulled herself out of a gaze. "Hm?"

"Could you check in with Hollyleaf and tell her that we're all done?" Goldenshine repeated, her gray eyes flashing with concern for just a moment.

Cherrypaw blinked and shook her head quickly. "Oh, right! I'm so sorry!" the she-cat meowed, her eyes wide with guilt as she began to trot away. "I'm on it!"

I continued to be filled with concern for my friend as Goldenshine watched her walk off into the darkness. After a few heartbeats, she then beckoned our group with her tail and began to lead us out of the cave.

Just a moment later, I could barely see that black fluffy pelt of Hollyleaf running up to join my mother with her group just behind her. The two she-cats walked just next to each other as they led all of the convened cats through the tunnels. They seemed to be exchanging excited words about the training sessions that they had just led.

They eventually led us to a tunnel passage that required us to go in one at a time. I took a step back and lashed my tail, allowing Ivypool to pass first. I then looked to my other side to see Toadstep and Dovewing.

For a moment, I felt another twinge of fear. Because, as far as I knew, they still saw me as a vicious warrior who had intentionally hurt a Clanmate. But nevertheless, I stayed in place and lashed my tail forward again, allowing them to go in front of me.

Dovewing gave me an uncertain look, and she began to do as I had told her before coming to a slow stop. She took a pawstep back, and I then met her regretful green gaze. "Hey, Swiftflight... I'm..." She then let her head hang low. "I'm sorry about what I said. You fought really well."

I briefly touched the tip of my tail to the she-cat's shoulder as I shook my head. "Don't worry about it," I reassured her. I then nodded to Toadstep, whose gaze was also apologetic, but he was clearly more hesitant to speak out loud. "Both of you."

I then let out a snort as I began to pad behind them. "Clearly my claws had a mind of their own today."

Toadstep looked back at me, his gaze now warm. "Hey, when we fight with WindClan, it'll be helpful, I guess!" he replied cheerfully. "I'll admit, I can't wait to sink my claws into some rabbit-stinking fur! And to use everything that Goldenshine taught us today!"

"Oh, yeah!" Dovewing agreed excitedly. "WindClan won't know what hit them!"

I then couldn't help but purr with amusement as Toadstep burst from the tunnel and out into the open in front of me. His head was held high, his fur was bristled out, and his tail was lashing eagerly back and forth. "Let them come!" he called out into the forest. "We are ready!"

I actually managed to feel a rush of excitement with the warrior's words. We are ready.

But I also still felt an almost painful, regretful tug inside because of the incident that had just occurred. I was horrified, guilty, and embarrassed, to give a few words. Yes, the fox fiasco had definitely helped my Clanmates to see that I was more than just a hostile, closed-off young cat, but in my mind, I saw that all going away with this incident.

And what was worse, was that Dovewing and Toadstep both had been so quick to think the worst of me, not even bothering to assume that it had been an accident.

And as much as that hurt, I knew that I needed to get used to it. I may have done one good deed, but every cat knows that one piece of prey definitely doesn't fill up the fresh-kill pile. You knew that this was going to take time, Swiftflight, I said to myself as I walked through the bright forest. The end of this tunnel may seem far, but it's there.

At least feeling a bit reassured, I began to scan my eyes around the area to see what cats were around me. I glanced over my shoulder, and felt my heart lift as I saw Cherrypaw just a few fox-lengths behind me. She was currently speaking to Lightningpaw, who had also gotten to watch the training sessions in the tunnels while his mentor, Nightwing, had also been there.

As soon as my eyes fell on the ginger she-cat, I found myself slowing my pace and trailing back, hoping that it would result in me walking right next to her. Just seeing her ginger pelt made me feel even better about the incident in the tunnel, but simultaneously I felt a bit nervous as something occurred to me. Cherrypaw stood up for me... but that doesn't necessarily mean that she wasn't upset with me like Dovewing and Toadstep were, I realized fearfully. Oh my StarClan, that would be absolutely awful...

But I tried to push this fear down as I noticed that Cherrypaw had noticed me in front of her. She gave a nod in farewell to Lightningpaw before quickly trotting up to meet me. "Hi, Swiftflight," she purred. Her tone had been kind and sweet, as it usually was, to my relief. "So, how do you feel after that training session?" She then lightly nudged me with her shoulder and raised a single eyebrow at me. "Ready for a battle?"

I purred with amusement at the she-cat's teasing. "Honestly, I don't know if I could ever completely get used to fighting in complete darkness, but I'll get the hang of it," I answered my friend, my head then hanging low as I was overwhelmed with another wave of guilt. "I just... I just hate that I took it a little too far with Ivypool." I then looked away from Cherrypaw, almost fearing to hear what she would have to say next.

So, I was happy to feel the she-cat's tail brush against my shoulder just a heartbeat later. "Aw, Swiftflight, don't worry about that!" she reassured me as she tried to meet my gaze. "It was an accident - you shouldn't feel badly at all. Just the fact that you realize that you made a mistake is all that matters, and you clearly have."

I then found myself actually having to suppress a purr as I felt Cherrypaw run her tail along my flank. I looked back at her to meet her warm, sympathetic amber eyes. "It really is okay, Swiftflight," she then meowed more gently. "Don't worry about it."

I immediately found that I was very warmed, and truly comforted by Cherrypaw's words, and my heart seemed to beat faster and faster the longer that I returned her gaze. "Thank you, Cherrypaw. I'll try not to. Great StarClan, you always seem to have the right thing to say to me," I murmured, speaking my thoughts out loud. I then let out a purr of amusement. "I wish that you could be on call for me whenever I need some great advice or wise words." You always seem to say it best...

Cherrypaw also purred with amusement. "Aw, really?" she questioned. She then lowered her head shyly, and I almost wished that I could tell her out loud how adorable she looked in her bashfulness. "Thank you, Swiftflight. You're really sweet."

I finally let the purr release that had been rising in my throat, and I couldn't help but reach over and touch my nose to the ginger she-cat's ear. "Great StarClan, you're one to talk," I replied affectionately. I then pulled away and flashed her a humored look. "I might actually need you if we end up fighting WindClan in those tunnels. You don't even have to fight - just stand off to the side and shout encouraging words at me!"

Cherrypaw let out a mrrow of laughter. "Oh, come on! You won't need that at all," she reassured me. "You're going to do just fine fighting in the tunnels."

I was then immensely confused and concerned to see Cherrypaw's gaze darken. "I was really, really impressed when I was watching you practice with Ivypool..." she then murmured after a few heartbeats. She then quickly looked away from me, but I had briefly caught her amber eyes flashing with panic. "You... you two seem to have a really good rhythm."

It only took me a moment to realize what my friend was getting at. "Well, sure. We did train as apprentices together for a few moons," I answered Cherrypaw, feeling like I immediately had to explain myself. "And we're good friends too, so I suppose that we ought to be able to fight well together."

"Yeah, you all definitely seem close," Cherrypaw replied. She then seemed to hesitate, and she flicked her nervous gaze towards me for just a single heartbeat before looking to the ground. "You... you've always seemed to have liked her a lot."

Although I had already seen it coming, I found that I was shocked by this comment. And, for some reason, I felt utterly panicked and mortified that Cherrypaw was under this assumption that I had these strong feelings for Ivypool.

And yet, Cherrypaw wasn't wrong, at least in some aspects. And because I cared for her, I wanted to be honest with her. "Yes, I did," I sighed, shrugging. Well... at least I thought that I did.

I stared back at Cherrypaw to see that she was clearly trying to hold back panic, her eyes filled with uneasiness and disappointment for a brief moment. "Really?" she asked softly. "Do you still?"

Looking into her big amber eyes, I felt my nerves disappearing for a moment and giving me the courage to give her my true answer. "No, Cherrypaw," I replied to her softly as I touched my nose to her ear. "I don't at all."

I then pulled away, my heart beginning to pound all over again as I met Cherrypaw's surprised, but bright and delighted gaze. Our muzzles were just a mouse-length away from each other's, and I shocked myself as I took another step to the side, closer to the she-cat, when suddenly the ginger she-cat broke her gaze from me.

Trying to push down my disappointment, I followed Cherrypaw's gaze to see that Poppyfrost was padding up to the two of us. "There you are, Cherrypaw!" the tortoiseshell she-cat exclaimed before flicking her head forward and beckoning her daughter with her tail. "Come on."

"Come on?" Cherrypaw repeated confusedly, her eyes narrowing. "Where?"

Poppyfrost seemed to be holding back frustration as she walked up to Cherrypaw. "Berrynose and I are walking a little bit ahead of you," she explained. "He wanted me to come and get you so that you could tell us all about what you learned in the tunnels."

"Oh, okay!" Cherrypaw replied before flashing me a look. She then looked back to her mother. "But could it wait until we all get back to camp? I'm talking to Swiftflight right now!"

Poppyfrost's eyes narrowed. "I know," she muttered. "You've been talking to him long enough. Now you should come and speak with your father."

Cherrypaw immediately seemed ready to protest. "But-"

"Cherrypaw," Poppyfrost nearly hissed. "Don't make me ask twice."

I then watched as Cherrypaw's eyes flashed with alarm. She glanced at me once again before sighing and lashing her tail at Poppyfrost. "Go on," she sighed, clearly giving in. "I'm right behind you."

Poppyfrost's tone really seemed to have intimidated Cherrypaw, as she then padded ahead with her without saying anything else to me. I had to watch her be taken away by her mother once again, but this time, a chill ran down my spine as I pictured Poppyfrost's glare - the one that she had been shooting at me continuously as she urged Cherrypaw to walk with her.

Great StarClan, was that queen confusing me more and more with each time I interacted with her. Just moments after Poppyfrost and Cherrypaw had disappeared from my sight, I had realized something quite strange...

Poppyfrost had seemed to want to give off the impression that she'd been looking for Cherrypaw, but then proceeded to reveal later in the conversation that she had seemed to know that Cherrypaw and I had been talking together.

Had she been watching us, and didn't want us to know?

I then narrowed my eyes. And why did she seem to want to separate us once she discovered that we were with one another?

I mean, Poppyfrost had called Cherrypaw over to her in the midst of one of our conversations before. That time, I had been able to brush it off after a little while, but this time, I found myself way more frustrated, especially with how close with Cherrypaw I was becoming. I mean, what was her deal?

Just days ago, I would have completely understood any mother wanting their kit away from me, as they were possibly under the assumption that I had nearly let two apprentices be killed by a fox. So... why does Poppyfrost still seem to be acting that way now that the truth has come out?