Pools of Poison

This story is made by IcewrathXFeatherswirlXCraneheart for Bluestar&amp;Brightheart's contest.

Chapter 1
"Don't hesitate, Adderpaw, you mouse-brain!" a scathing voice called.

Adderpaw's blue eyes flashed and he looked through the dark foggy forest. In his distracted state, he felt claws rake across his cheek. Adderpaw hissed and lunged at the cat he was fighting. He pinned him down. The other cat growled and hit him on the face. Adderpaw slashed him back harder. The cat let out a yowl and a white tom hopped off a boulder.

"Good job, Adderpaw," the white cat grinned in approval. He turned to the gray tom that Adderpaw had been fighting and growled, "You, Salamaderpaw, need more work."

"Yes, Snowtuft," Salamanderpaw dipped his head.

"Sorry," Adderpaw whispered to Salamanderpaw as Snowtuft stalked away. Salamanderpaw nodded, then the dark forest started to blur and disappear. Adderpaw woke in his nest next to Salamanderpaw. Their nests were blood-stained from training.

Adderpaw got up and shook his pelt. Training that night had to be cut short because of the Gathering. Both Adderpaw and Salamanderpaw got to go because of their battle skills, thanks to the extra training and this was their first Gathering. Only a moon ago were they apprenticed.