tidewhisker stepped in between them. ❝ gullpaw, focus on your own training. every cat learns at their own pace, ❞
gullpaw just flicked an ear dismissively. ❝ sure, sure. but it's hard to focus when stormpaw keeps tripping over his own paws, ❞ drawled the young cat.
stormpaw's heart fluttered.
no matter how hard he tried, no matter how many times tidewhisker reassured him, the whispers, the mockery, it all reminded him that he was different. an outsider. he wasn't born into this life, didn't grow up with the warrior code shaping every decision, every instinct. and the others knew it. they could smell it on him, like the seaweed that sometimes washed ashore after a storm — unwanted and out of place.
❝ let's see what you got, ❞ gullpaw challenged, and he bounced on his paws as he moved into a battle stance. his tail jerked left and right. ❝ come on, show me what you've got, ❞
stormpaw's fur bristled. be wanted to prove gullpaw wrong, to show him that he could fight, that he could belong. his gaze flicked to tidewhisker, who gave him a small nod of encouragement.
with a low growl, stormpaw leaped at gullpaw, aiming for his shoulders — just like tidewhisker had taught him. gullpaw dodged with ease, darting out of the way and swiping at stormpaw's flank. the blow knocked stormpaw off balance, sending him sprawling into the sand.
❝ too slow! ❞ gullpaw crowed, circling back with a laugh.
stormpaw scrambled quickly to his paws, growling in frustration. he tried again, this time aiming high, but planning to strike low.
gullpaw seemed ready, again, sidestepping, tripping stormpaw with a swift flick of his paw. and once again, stormpaw found himself face—down in the sand.
❝ are you even trying? ❞ gullpaw taunted. ❝ at this rate minnowkit or ripplekit could take you down— ❞
❝ that's enough, ❞ tidewhisker barked sharply, halting gullpaw's cackles towards stormpaw. tidewhisker then stepped between them both and he glared down at the grey—and—white apprentice. ❝ you're here to train, not mock your clanmate, ❞
sunnywave growled lowly at her apprentice and she toed over to the tom. she snapped her jaw firmly and continued stalking across the sand. ❝ come, gullpaw. we will train elsewhere, ❞ she drawled, turning to face tidewhisker with an apologetic gaze.
gullpaw snorted and recoiled slightly at the snap. he obediently trotted towards his mentor, shooting one last look over at stormpaw. ❝ good luck surviving your first real fight. you'll need it, ❞
stormpaw watched the pair leave. his claws pushed out into the sand below him, and he flexed his paws, rage and shame bubbling within him. he flopped down in the sand with a sigh.
tidewhisker padded over and sat beside him. his tail slowly shifted across the ground and around stormpaw comfortingly. ❝ i know it's hard, ❞ he quietly said with a small smile, his head turned to him. ❝ but you are learning. you've improved a lot since you came here, even if you can't see it, ❞
❝ it doesn't feel like it... ❞ stormpaw muttered.
tidewhisker was silent, for a moment. ❝ look, you're not like the others. you didn't grow up with the code, or the skills that these cats have trained for all their lives. but that doesn't mean you can't be a great warrior. it just means your path is different, ❞
stormpaw looked at his mentor, searching his eyes for any hint of pity, but found only understanding.
❝ one day, you'll show gullpaw and the rest of them that you belong here, ❞ firmly meowed tidewhisker.
𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗘𝗘
Start from the beginning
