Crimson Blood Chapter 2

'Thank you for reading the first chapter! If you haven't -- read it in the below link. Please, please, please comment to tell me how I'm doing. Thanks!'

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'  "Crimsonpaw! Let's go." Hissed Reedfeather. I flicked my ear, annoyed at my mentor. Today me and Hawkpaw would be practicing battle moves against each other, and while excitement pulsed through me, my mentor's arrogance still itched at my skin. I rolled my dark eyes and nodded, flicking a scrap of loose fern off my ginger shoulder.'

' "Alright, alright, coming. Keep your fur on, you old crow." I growled under my breath, and appeared before Reedfeather. We were in the Battle Meadows, and Hawkpaw's tabby pelt was already a blur, claws slicing through air. I bared my teeth and kneaded the ground, thrilled. I was known for my excellent fighting skill, and this would be great fun.'

' "Claws sheathed. You may begin." Reedfeather bellowed, her beady eyes glistening. I nod at my litter mate curtly, and begin to circle him. He grins foolishly, laughing in glee. He obviously didn't take this seriously. Here was his chance to prove his worth and he wasted it. I wouldn't. I would show how I deserved to be leader one day. I curled my lip is a distasteful snarl. He looks take aback, shocked. I use the element of surprise and lunge.'

 He gasped as my hind legs shoved into his flank, breath knocked away. I leaped backwards as he flailed, trying to counter attack. I giggled girlishly, narrowing my gaze. He struggles back to his feet panting, and I see my mentor nod approvingly at me. Pride rushed into my paws, giving me energy. I yowl fiercely and leap outwards, legs stretching towards him. He let out a yelp of terror as they impacted, causing him to shoot backwards and land with a hard thump.

 I pinned him down, but he fought back for a bit. He thrashed and screeched, but I held on, and fastened myself onto his back. I finally shoved his muzzle into a clump of flowers, and he let out a whine of protest. Going by instinct, I let my claws slide out and sink into his flesh until he wailed.

 "She's clawing me, she's clawing me!" He screamed.

 "Crimsonpaw," Reedfeather barked, "Sheath them!"

 I didn't listen. I was enjoying the moment to much to break it. Blood swelled at the tips of my claws and I threw my head back in a howl of victory. They seeped into his muscles as I applied more pressure, and they almost scraped the bone when Reedfeather yanked me off.

  "What are you doing?" She demanded, biting into my scruff.

 "I won! I'm battling him -"

 "You wounded him." She snarled.

 We trotted back to camp, carrying Hawkpaw between us. When we reached the camp, I cleaned the satisfying metallic blood off my claws, a shiver of thrill trailing down my spine.