“I’m here trying to help you.” Nightpaw mewed back but backed up when Gale leaned in. A dark flash of grey stunned them both as she stood there.

“Nightpaw. Who’s this and what are you doing?” Sootpaw asked trying to look confident. Gale could see right through her however.

“What me to prove it to you? I can beat her I bet!” Gale mewed with a smirk at Nightpaw.

“You shall not lay a paw on my future medicine cat.” A deeper voice rang out.

“Unless you wanna start seeing stars.” He added with a brief smile.

“Silverstar!” Sootpaw gasped realizing she may have accidently dropped Nightpaw into a wasp’s nest. Wolfthorn and Oakstep followed close behind.

“Hey! I know you. You’re the kit that attacked me.” Oakstep howled out loud while her face twisted in confusion. Hostility burned in Wolfthorn’s yellow eye.

“Well now. That true kit?” Silverstar asked turning his head to breath in Gale’s scent. It was odd, crushed berries and dirt. Bird feathers, mud, flowers as well.

“Yeah. Now what? All of you are gonna kill me?” Gale huffed, her fur standing on end.

“Starclan no! But we do have to do something about this. So how about it kit? You come with us to be a clan cat?” Silverstar purred warmly.

“I’ll come with you. But only if you win.” Gale spoke with a swish of her tail.

“Listen here you little brat-“ Wolfthorn snapped but her leader’s tail shushed her.

“Win what?” Silverstar asked calmly. The leader didn’t seem bothered by the rudeness he was getting.

“A fight with me! I’ll show you clan cats. You’re all dumb as dogs!” Gale mewed loudly. Everyone grew silent like mice sensing a predator.

“Okay.” Silverstar shrugged and stood up, he wished his tail to tell Wolfthorn and Oakstep to back up and Sootpaw pulled Nightpaw away.

“Is he gonna kill her?” Nightpaw asked his voice quivering.

“No.” Sootpaw whispered back as the two stood, tails up.

Gale was a fast blur as she shot out at Silverstar, he barely moved an inch lifting his paw out and slinging Gale to the side. He could hear the thudding pawsteps of Gale struggle to get up. She shouldered away from the bracken and jumped again, only to be flipped over on her back and pinned with one of Silverstar’s paws. He looked mildly curious but nothing more.

“How- How you do that?!” Gale cried in awe. Silverstar chuckled and lifted his paw. The fight was over in seconds.

“Training.” He mewed and turned around.

“Come on let’s go.” Silverstar purred happily.

“Gale!” Nightpaw shrieked out as he tripped over his own paws to get to her.

“That guy! He’s so strong! I want that, I wanna do those moves!” Gale purred suddenly. Nightpaw looked shocked. He’d expected her to refuse he won and storm off but she stayed. Sootpaw rolled her eyes thinking the loner was just like a little kit, but this meant she also didn’t have as bad of intentions as Sootpaw thought.

“He said your name is Gale?” Silverstar asked looking over his shoulder.

“Yeah like a wind!” Gale purred proudly her fur rising around her shoulders.

 A mouse skull shown in the dirt while a few other of it’s bones rested nearby. Sootpaw felt an uneasiness warp through her, but she didn’t know why. Mice died, it was just a fact. Maybe one of the loners killed it and didn’t bury it. That was fine, they were new after all. She stood and walked over to cover the remains but something about it mad her spine tingle. The ladybug from before flew in front of her face and startled her for a moment. Swiftly she shook away her thoughts and pulled the dirt carefully over the skull and bones of the smaller creature before turning back to pick the Coltsfoot. In her hurry she forgot the other herbs she had needed. As she walked she spotted Mistheart nodding towards a loner with a small smile.

“What name did you pick?” He asked casually as he packed the den’s outer walls.

“Well…My old name was Tin but it’s time to leave that name behind. I chose Turtle. So….you’ll call me?” The odd looking loner asked back as he limped forward. Sootpaw noticed on odd covering on the back of his leg where is foot was missing.

“Turtlepaw! Since you’re not a warrior yet.” Mistheart clarified kindly. The newly made apprentice nodded seeming to understand slightly. His body was odd, his head seemed pushed in along with odd wrinkly fur.

“Turtlepaw. Interesting. And who are you?” Turtlepaw mewed in confusion as Sootpaw breezed by them. She didn’t bother to listen to the rest.

“Sapfoot? I found some herbs.” Sootpaw muttered though tight jaws, but Sapfoot still hadn’t returned.

“What me to help you sort them?” Maplepaw asked pulling some moss out of their claw.

“Sure, that would…be good.” Sootpaw murmured as she set down the herbs. Maplepaw picked up the horsetail and slid it into the groves gently but when they got to the coltsfoot their face showed puzzlement.

“Just horsetail and coltsfoot?” They questioned causing Sootpaw to spit a bitter curse at the ground.

“I forgot the mallow and thyme!” Sootpaw huffed shaking her head.

“I can find you some mallow. It’s not a problem.” Maplepaw offered lightly seeing the stress build in their friend’s eyes.

“But it’s not your duty, it’s mine.” Sootpaw sighed out, feeling a bit embarrassed.

“You’re just worrying. Let me get the mallow, you can go see if Sapfoot needs any help.” Maplepaw insisted as they rose to find the missing plant.

Sapfoot was rubbing some paste on Blazefur’s paw pads, trying to soothe their sting. She could tell it was working already. Her eyes wondered over Sapfoot’s shoulder towards the crowd. Some warriors had to double mentor to train the loners. She couldn’t imagine the stress. Sapfoot looked back at her and gave her a gentle smile.

“Anything I can help you with Sapfoot?” Sootpaw asked nodding towards Blazefur kindly.

“Yeah um…Nightpaw. He’s been a little nervous. Just check him over make sure nothing’s wrong.” Sapfoot asked and she pressed on Blazefur’s shoulder whispering a few questions to him.

“Alright.” Sootpaw hummed as she walked by the cats walking about. She spotted Nightpaw and padded over to him.

“Nightpaw, er…Hi. I’m Sootpaw the um…medicine cat apprentice.” She babbled out a small hint a fear hitting her. Oh god he’d look at her weird.

“Oh! Yeah. Um…H-Hi Sootpaw.” Nightpaw chuckled with a tense smile. He must have been nervous too.

“I’m just going to check you over alright?” Sootpaw hummed lightly as she waited for him to agree. Turns out nothing much was wrong, just simply nerves getting the best of him but she couldn’t help but notice how thin he was.

“Wanna get a mouse with me?” she offered nodding towards the pile. Nightpaw opened his mouth to speak before another cat bumped against him.

“Nightpaw? They gave me an ‘apprentice’ name. Weird one. Leafpaw or something. This clan is odd.” The cat mewed laying her chin on Nightpaw’s head. She was an adult cat but even so she made Nightpaw look so tiny.

“Did you prefer Carrie?” Nightpaw asked her calmly giving Sootpaw a short apologetic look.

“Nah it’s fine just…different.” Leafpaw huffed before glancing at Sootpaw.

“Who’re you?” She questioned bored, her eyes dulled.

“Sootpaw.” The apprentice greeted quickly. This cat was scary! Leafpaw looked unamused and turned her head to glance at another passing warrior.

“I was just about to eat something with Sootpaw. Maybe.” Nightpaw started off and Leafpaw slid in.

“Sounds good.” She huffed and stood to walk over to the pile. Sootpaw shyly followed after Nightpaw as they all picked something. As promised she and Nightpaw got a mouse but Leafpaw was bent on eating a rather nice rabbit.

“Dry.” She muttered unsatisfied. Sootpaw could barely hold her surprise. Normally rabbits where saved for warriors, queens, and elders unless a good season was on. This cat dare complain? She blamed it on her being new and tried shaking it off.

“When I train more. I promise to get you a better rabbit.” Nightpaw offered weakly. Leafpaw seemed pleased and nodded her head before bending to continue eating. Sootpaw didn’t doubt his loyality, she simply nodded and tried to get use to the new apprentices.

 Sootpaw heard a few mumbles from outside the den and figured Maplepaw was talking to Spottedpaw and Hornetpaw again. The sun was rising and it was still so early. Sootpaw rubbed her eyes and tried to sleep again but it was too late. She could hear the apprentices taking outside.

“We’re not leaving you Maplepaw.” Spottedpaw hummed softly.

“Whatever happens we do together.” Hornetpaw agreed, curling his colored tail over his white body.

“But being warriors is such a big honor. Don’t put it off just for me.” Maplepaw muttered shaking their head.

“Maplepaw no, you don’t understand. We just can’t. It would be the same without you beside us.” Spottedpaw prowled on, hurt melting into his yellow eyes.

The conversation continued but Sootpaw didn’t want to listen anymore. She envied the three’s close friendship. Growing up she was never that close to anyone, she felt too guilty to ruin someone’s life. Her best friend was her mentor, Sapfoot. Sootpaw sat upward and glanced over Sapfoot’s sleeping form. She was such a lovely and kind cat, she couldn’t ask for a better one, but still it seemed Starclan was twisting her pawsteps around before she even rose to face the day. Nightpaw had Leafpaw, he didn’t need to be friends with her. Once she saw the three heading towards Silverstar’s den she walked out to make her rounds. It seemed Maplepaw had already filled up the water in the Medicine cat den, but how was everyone else? She glanced over and noticed Mistheart talking to Crowsong in the budding light.

“So, it’s like really crazy I…” Mistheart started his whiskers twitching in embarrassment. Crowsong covered his mouth with his paw to hide a kind giggle.

“I keep dreaming that I’m down by the river and suddenly you’re just there. It’s like you could walk on the water.” He chuckled out shifting his paws in the dirt.

“Like a Starclan cat?”Crowsong asked suppressing a yawn but clearly was still wanting to listen to Mistheart speak.

“Yeah it was….breath-taking.” Mistheart continued doodling little leaves in the dirt with his claw now, causing Crowsong to giggle in joy.

Sootpaw smiled softly and shook her head. Fuzz-brains! But they were so cute. She thought it was about time Mistheart started talking to Crowsong. Her eyes narrowed at the fresh kill pile which was oddly low. Hopefully the patrol would fix that. She wandered to the nursery and peeked her head in glancing at the kit and mother who were still resting peacefully. Sootpaw couldn’t help but feel her eyes lower. Kestrelkit was such a spoiled brat and so close to becoming an apprentice. She couldn’t imagine mentoring her! She pulled away and paused as she saw Clearspring’s two other kits poked their heads out of the apprentice den, eyes full of wonder. Sootpaw couldn’t help but smile softly as Tallpaw called out to her.

“Sootpaw! What are you doing?” He called out causing Sootpaw to rush over and try to shoosh him.

“Cats are still sleeping mouse-brain!” She whispered in disbelief.

“O-Oh sorry.” Tallpaw mewed flicking his ears.

“I’m just checking everyone. Making sure everything is fine.” Sootpaw explained quietly. Cloudpaw nodded and signed with her tail.

‘Maplepaw, Spottedpaw, and Hornetpaw all went into Silverstar’s den.’ She told curiously.

“Mhm. They want to graduate when Maplepaw does.” Sootpaw told her kindly.

“Really? Wow that’s awesome.” Tallpaw noted softly. He didn’t notice Cloudpaw’s sad and guilty eyes flicker towards the nursery but Sootpaw did. She frowned glancing back but Cloudpaw had broken her gaze.

‘Nice to see you again. I’m going to see if Silverstar will take me outside camp.’ Signed Cloudpaw, quickly as she padded between the older apprentice and her brother.

 The earth was cold as Soul lead them to the edge of a dried field where the forms of cats huddled together for warmth. Silverstar could smell fear prickling off the pelts of the loners even as Soul appeared. This was no clan but Silverstar couldn’t let such a thing continue. A small alarmed mew squeaked out nearby making Silverstar turn is head.

“You…You’re blind.” A voice came in shock.

“Certainly am but that’s not my name.” Silverstar hummed with a chuckle a softness running in his voice.

“W-What is your name then?” The other asked shyly watching the other cats walk over to his ‘friends’ and start talking.

“Silverstar. I am leader of Emeraldclan.” He stated proudly sniffing what seemed to be a young tom.

“Leader?....” The young cat asked seemingly blown away by the claim.

“Mhm. What’s your name?” Silverstar asked back with a kind smile.

“I-I don’t have one.” The tom squeaked.

“Well then. You could come with us and get an apprentice name.” Silverstar offered his whiskers twitching but before the young tom could say a thing a she-cat that was conversing with Greywater padded over with a twisted expression.

“What’s going on here?” She asked bitterly.

“C-Carrie. I was just uh…Silverstar was offering me somewhere to go.” The tom mewed sounding a bit worried.

“Hm. Well I suppose that’s fine but I better go with you to make sure you don’t die.” Carrie huffed and padded forward. Silverstar only nodded and sniffed in the air of other loners slowly rising to join a new group however some stayed. Some didn’t rise.

 Cicadastripe yawned tired from the early morning patrol he was sent on. Now the sun was going down and the tired feline bounced up and slipped outside the den. He scanned the clearing looking for his apprentice. He knew sentry duty wasn’t much fun but Creekpaw was a good she-cat. She never gave him a hard time or complained but sometimes he just felt so…distant from her. He understood since the tragedy in her family hit everyone pretty hard. He spotted the white and brown feline from afar and smiled.

“Creekpaw! Over here!” he cried picking up his pace. He watched Creekpaw bit a good evening to her sister and wonder towards him.

“Ready?” Cicadastripe asked as she followed him.

“Yeah.” Creekpaw answered quietly, her voice shaky and cold.

The ground below them was soft and in some parts even muddy. He stopped at two flat stone barely a tail away from each other, perfect for him and Creekpaw. They sat their silent for a bit until Cicadastripe grew brave enough to speak again.

“So, what would you like to learn next?” Cicadastripe asked with a casual flick of the ear. Creekpaw was silent for a moment before she shook out her pelt and spoke.

“I’d like to learn defensive tactics.” Creekpaw decided with a small but noticeable worried curl of the tail.

“Oh? Why?” Cicadastripe questioned looking back at the younger cat.

“Well…sometimes I’m worried that Skypaw is going to get in trouble one day and I want to protect her. I want to protect my whole family.” She explained shifting her paws. Cicadastripe nodded his head slowly before looking back out.

“You’re already very good at rolling and ducking. You have sharp claws and a fast mind just like your sister.” Cicadastripe purred in thought.

“But what if I’m not good enough?” The molly asked looking over at her calm mentor. Before he could answer she kept going.

“Hollypaw won’t do anything! He just sits around all day like he doesn’t even care about us! I want to talk to Ashpaw but he always looks so scared. I wish Chestnutkit was still alive! She’d know what to do….and Bluekit…” She wailed shaking her head.

“Mom and Dad would have known.” She rattled on clawing the rock.

“I bet they’re proud of you.” Cicadastripe mumbled trying to find the words to comfort his apprentice. Creekpaw looked confused for a moment looking up at the darkening purple sky.

“You…really think so?” Creekpaw mewed in confusion while her eyes threatened to water.

“Well…Starclan knows I am.” He chuckled with a kind smile. A small noise broke his attention away for a second.

He flicked his ears around noticing a bird flutter off in a hurry. His spine prickled and he stepped off the rock and opened his mouth to take in the scent. Foxes where still a huge worry for them now and Cicadastripe wasn’t about to let one wander in. Creekpaw flexed her claws and waited for her mentors signal. When she saw him relax she tilted her head in confusion.

“Just a rabbit…geez, I’m sorry Creekpaw.” Cicadastripe mewed sitting back on his rock bashfully. Creekpaw let out a soft breath and returned her attention to the sky.

“It’s fine.” She insisted licking her paw and brushing it over her head.

“I wish I could have taken you fishing or something like that. I know most apprentices don’t like this.” He mewed trying to steer over to a positive topic.

“No it’s fine. I actually enjoy talking to you.” Creekpaw returned brightly her smile shining on.

“Well I suppose as long as we’re out here. Would you like to hear a story about when I saw this huge raven?” Cicadastripe asked happily.

Soon enough when Wildscream and Hollypaw arrived, a little late one might add, they could hear Cicadastripe and Creekpaw giggling and sharing tales like two elders. Wildscream smiled warmly a slightly thanked Starclan that Creekpaw had gotten such a caring mentor.

 Snakepaw sat below a bush, her eyes trained at something flickering in the distance. Her nose told her it was a field mouse, but the problem was how to get it. She sat motionless for what felt like a whole sunup until she sprang but sadly her efforts where fruitless. The mouse shot away and fled into the tall grass. Snakepaw sighed and curled her tail around her paws in anger. Maybe she should have become a medicine cat. Her ears turned at more soft skittering from afar and she rose quietly read to pounce.  

“No! Stop!” wailed a weak voice.

Doekit and Bramblekit toppled out of the weeds their heads high. Snakepaw noticed Mosskit wasn’t with them and huffed. Mosskit must have wandered off again, last time she ruined Ferretsmoke’s flowers with all her antics. The smell was to help calm cats but Mosskit was rarely calm.

“Again?” Snakepaw asked her tail twitching in annoyance.

“Yes. I’m sure she’s around here someone but…” Doekit looked unsure of herself and a frown tugged at her lips. Snakepaw pitied her and respected her in a way. She really cared about her sister who kept getting the crew into trouble.

“Alright, Alright don’t panic. I’ll help you find her.” Snakepaw promised as she eyed a tree. She made her way over but paused when she noticed Bramblekit and Doekit following her.

“You stay here. If Cedarshade knew I let you do this she’d rip me to pieces.” Snakepaw sighed bounding up the tree. Her paws found safe and level branches as she gazed out beyond the territory. Mosskit wasn’t far, in fact she was just over a couple fox jumps stalking a cricket. Snakepaw shook her head and lowered herself to the ground.

“Follow me.” Snakepaw hummed as she hunted the trail towards Mosskit. Hopefully the she-cat would straighten out as an apprentice.

As they found her Doekit rushed out to get her sister which caused the cricket to leap away. Mosskit looked heavily annoyed and turned to glare at Doekit.

“I almost had it!” She grumbled. Bramblekit timidly followed behind and shuffled his paws.

“We’re not supposed to be out yet!” He complained honestly worried.

“We’re almost apprentices!” Mosskit huffed rolling her eyes.

“Oh? You know doing this could make Foxstar change her mind. She could keep you back in.” Snakepaw cooed and licked her paw calmly. The white feline seemed neutral and rolled her shoulders.

“But eh, whatever you’d like.” Snakepaw added as she stood to leave.

“N-No wait! Take us back please!” Doekit mewed in shock. Snakepaw pretended to think about it before flicking her tail and slowing down.

Leading the kits there wouldn’t be the hard part. In fact two out of three of them where perfect angels. It was their mother that worried Snakepaw, she could already here the queen wailing but she heard other voices too.

“Loners!! Loners stole them!!” Cedarshade cried hysterically.

“Cedarshade. It’s okay I will find your kits.” Greywater mewed turning her head forward. The second she saw Snakepaw with the kits her eyes grew into slits.

“I found them Cedarshade. Mosskit was just out adventuring.” Snakepaw mewed softly as the queen raced to check over her children.

“They were in the limits but they didn’t have a guide with them.” Snakepaw hummed softly glancing at the kits.

“Oh you three. You had me worried! I thought loners…” Cedarshade mumbled before licking the three.

“I’m sorry mom, but I couldn’t let Mosskit go by herself!” Doekit replied giving her mother an apologetic lick.

“That’s very noble but next time get a warrior to go with you.” Greywater purred turning to Doekit.

Snakepaw nodded her head and turned to go back until a large forearm stopped her. Pebbletail stood there looking down at her. It was an honor to be a deputy’s apprentice but Pebbletail wasn’t a very fit mentor. Snakepaw wasn’t even sure she’d ever be a warrior under him. She waited for some comment about how she did something wrong or what was doing on but instead the deputy chuckled warmly.

“I saw everything. Good job Snakepaw, that was very mature.” He hummed his voice clear of sarcasm or any joking tone. Snakepaw blinked a bit stunned from this but carefully nodded her head without another word he left.

Snakepaw shook her head and walked over to the fresh-kill pile. She’d never understand her mentor.

 Fernpaw let out a small yawn as they shook a few leaves off them. Looking down, they could see their nest was covered in leaves and grass. They chuckled lightly and glanced towards the empty test beside them. Specklepaw playing jokes as always, Fernpaw was used to it by now. They stepped outside and felt coolness hit their pelt. A breeze was just what today needed! Fernpaw bounded to pluck a small shrew out of the fresh kill pile. It was tiny and thin but Fernpaw didn’t need much for now. As soon as they finished eating a warm lick cupped their ears. Swanstar stared down at her sibling lovingly. Fernpaw smiled lightly at this, happy to see their older sister feeling better.

‘In a good mood?’ Swanstar signed out with her tail as a pleased smile bloomed on her muzzle. Fernpaw felt their fur heat up.

“Yeah I guess so! Hailfur is going to show me something special.” Fernpaw stated in delight. Swanstar nodded kindly and nudged the apprentice forward, telling them they better get a move on.

The apprentice nodded and padded forward to look for their mentor. The grey tabby bobtail was talking to Cloudfeather, her eyes normally dull. Fernpaw only caught a bit of what they were saying before Hailfur noticed the apprentice and nodded towards them.

“Fernpaw. You’re here. Let’s go.” She hummed quietly. Her blank tone didn’t bother Fernpaw anymore.

“We’re not going with Cloudfeather and the rest on patrol?” Fernpaw asked looking confused.

“No. We need to be alone for this.” Hailfur mewed her massive paws breezing over the ground so much that Fernpaw had to run to catch up.

The whole walk though Fernpaw noticed they weren’t stopping for any hunting or for Hailfur to point some things out. Each step made them feel farther and farther away from home until eventually Hailfur lead Fernpaw down into an abandoned badger set that lead into a few tunnels.

“Where?...” Fernpaw mewed before the hairs on their body stood up.

“This is where they found the Great Topaz.” Hailfur droned her eyes scanning the walls. Fernpaw’s breath caught in their throat as they fallowed their mentor in deeper. In was dark but Fernpaw could see marks in the wall.

“We’re are we going?” Fernpa cried out a bit louder.

“To show you something important.” Hailfur replied finally as cold dirt slipped through her paws. After a moment she started to speak more, something very uncharacteristic of her.

“To be a warrior means a lot you know?...It means protecting the ones you love.” Hailfur started.

“Tooth and claw.” Fernpaw nodded hearing this before.

“But it’s more than that. Food, water, shelter. Not every task is glamourous but you do it to help others survive. When send kits to the elder’s den because those are warriors and medicine cats that have watched their clan and watched friends leave them. It must be so....painful.” Hailfur stated with her eyes ahead.

“You’re going to have to make choices and sacrifices. It’s not always about getting the last in. It’ll be about who’s around later. You have people supporting you when it’s tough. Love them, adore them. Okay? One day they may be gone…this brings our next lesson.” Hailfur called pushing through a hole in the tunnel and dragging herself up. Fernpaw followed carefully as a nervous wave hit them.

The air was sour and everything was grey. Fernpaw couldn’t believe their eyes, it was the site of a fire. They’d heard about this resent event but they’d never seen what it had done. Two-legs had started it, they were sure. Already they kept leaving trash nearby, poisoning the area.

“Life isn’t always good. It’s going to be kinda…eh. Sometimes.” Hailfur continued nodding to the earth.

“But you have to hope everything gets better. Soon this place will start growing again then it’ll be like nothing bad happened. But you see what Two-legs have done. Even this can heal and every bad moment in your life will too. Don’t ever give up on yourself.” Hailfur finished sitting down. Fernpaw did too as their paws were sore from walking.

“Hailfur?...Thanks but I’m…kind of scared to be a warrior. What if I’m not ready.” Fernpaw muttered examining their claw.

“We never are but…it’s okay. We can be worried and scared together…” Hailfur hummed before looking out into the sky.

 Oakstep rushed past the bushes and turned the sharp corner feeling her mate’s heat close behind. Together their pawsteps echoed though the rich, dark forest floor. The ferns tickled her nose as she dove into the sheltered green groves. Wolfthorn paused and gave a small sniff, turning her head towards the hide-away.  

“I see you mouse-brain.” Wolfthorn purred with light glittering in her one yellow eye while she stuck her paw into the furled and leafy mass to prod her lover. Oakstep jumped out and knocked Wolfthorn over just to wrestle around with her. When they both grew tired they lay curled together weaving flowers together in chains. Wolfthorn noticed Oakstep using the feathers from the sparrow she caught.

“You were always much better than me.” She noted as she had to shake her paw away from a tangle in the grass.

“I’ve just done it longer.” Oakstep mewed shrugging her broad shoulders, her smile lighting up the darkening sky. Oakstep plopped her finished crown on Wolfthorn’s head admiring her mate’s natural beauty. Her mate was like aged stone, rugged and strong but it had a certain softness and wisdom to it. A stone of ages growing the prettiest flowers, it was her guilty pleasure when looking at her gorgeous mate.

“I made mine too big.” Wolfthorn’s comment snapped her out of her flighty thoughts.

“It’s okay look!” Oakstep purred slipping it around her neck.

“I look like a kitty pet~” She giggled causing Wolfthorn to split a warm smile.

Even the trip back was a nice one, being as they found a turtle and some moths. Camp seemed pretty lively in the evening as everyone was out in the cold shade. Silverstar was humming some old warrior’s song with the elder, Blazefur. Sapfoot and Sootpaw where taking care of getting rid of some old, dry herbs. Maplepaw sat a ways away from them talking to Spottedpaw and Hornetpaw. Crowsong was staring up at the stars pointing out each one and telling stories and legends based on them to Clearspring and Cloudkit. Tallkit was playing with Mistheart’s tail and practicing very sloppy but enduring battle moves with him. Kestrelkit was curled beside Fogvine who was grooming her and speaking rather softly about something. Everyone was just hanging out and enjoying themselves.

“We have perfect timing.” Oakstep giggled curling her tail back and forth cheerfully. Wolfthorn just nodded with a giggle and leaned against Oakstep’s shoulder purring. She was happy with her mate and friends, her clan was her home.

 Shaking, a spine tingling feeling. Oakstep opened her eyes and prodded her mate gently on the shoulder.

“You’re having bad dreams again…wake up dear.” He mewed softly trying not to wake the other warriors. Once Wolfthorn’s yellow eye cracked open Oakstep felt her heart drop as her mate held an expression of pure terror. Her white paw brushed the deputy’s and she felt Wolfthorn’s pulse pound in her bloodstream.

“Nightmare?” asked the tabby, a frown across her sweet muzzle. Wolfthorn simply nodded and sighed.

“Foxes…” She muttered flicking her ears back. As the deputy of Emeraldclan Oakstep knew Wolfthorn was under a lot of stress. She only wished she knew a way to chase away the nightmares. She licked her mate’s cheek trying to think of something. Anything to say or do to help. Wolfthorn relished in the warm glow of her mate and purred softly.

“It’ll be okay. Any fight we fight we’ll do it together.” Oakstep promised nuzzling the flat faced she-cat. Wolfthorn murmured in agreement and curled her tail around the sweet feline.

“So…what’s been on your mind lately?” Wolfthorn asked. Oakstep knew she was just changing the subject to something lighter.

“Tallkit and Cloudkit will be apprentices soon. Clearspring must be proud.” Oakstep mewed.

“Any parent would.” Wolfthorn agreed nodding her grey head.

“Yeah, I wonder what that’s like.” Oakstep mewed glancing at her paws. Wolfthorn knew Oakstep had wanted kits for a long time, she really wanted to give her some too but who’d be deputy while Wolfthorn was pregnant? It was her biggest worry.  

“You want kits a lot don’t you?” Wolfthorn asked glancing outside the den while her mate shuffled her paws.

“I understand if you don’t. It’s a big thing and you’re very busy.” Oakstep said nervously wondering if she’d upset Wolfthorn.

“Well…I suppose we should think about it. After all having kits is very special.” Wolfthorn mewed. She was happy that Oakstep didn’t feel like least of a she-cat for being able to still impregnate her. Oakstep would always be her sweet mate no matter what.

“You really think we could?” Oakstep purred almost too loudly.

“Shh! You’re going to wake someone up!” Wolfthorn giggled and licked her mate’s nose. Oakstep curled against her purring with joy. Wolfthorn just smiled peacefully and lay her head down on the tabby’s shoulder.

“I love you.” Wolfthorn purred into Oakstep’s ear.

 The two kits stumbled over and giggled as they wrestled their way into the elder’s den. Blazefur glanced up and laughed his voice hoarse from age.

“You two training for some great battle?” he asked curling up. Tallkit stood up lifting his head straight up at the elder with bravery in his eyes.

“Yes! We’ll be apprentices soon!” he chirped smiling widely.

“Already?” Blazefur inquired looking shocked.

“Time flies.” He murmured shaking his head. Cloudkit felt some sympathy for the old tom since he was alone in the den and could barely walk because of his back problems.

“Would you like some water or something to eat?” Tallkit asked. Blazefur shook his head like always and smiled.

“I’m fine; would you like to hear a story?” He asked eagerly.