“Well, Harrykit didn’t have very long to grow up. His star wouldn’t be as big as, say, Rainfur’s, right? So find the smallest star.” “The smallest star,” Firepaw echoed.

“Bluebird for your thoughts?” Echosong asked. “I don’t know, Echosong,” Plumwillow said with a sigh. “I feel like I’ve ruined my own life, somehow.”

“I still don’t understand why you tossed my blackbird over the cliff,” Sandytail said, irritated. “Because Shrewtooth gave it to you,” Rabbitleap replied in a tone that suggested they had already gone over this a dozen times.

The next chapter of TIL has been posted to AO3. It’s long and there’s a lot that I cut from the chapter to try and make it flow, but I’m still not fully satisfied with it. I might have crammed too much into it, but I want to keep the story rolling.

“I don’t want to talk about it anymore,” Stormpaw cut him off, her voice rising, borderline hysterical. “I just want to practice the move again, please. I think I’m ready this time.” (“Sharpclaw, please, just one more time! I’ll get it this time, I promise!”) Rabbitleap was afraid of what would happen if she was wrong.

“Where’s all the grass?” Rabbitleap purred. “Ripped up, after moons of battle-hungry apprentices and tussling littermates. Are you ready for your first battle training lesson?”

Leafstar grinned down at her gathered Clan. “Well, I would call you all together, but it seems like everyone is here! Who’s ready to play hide-and-leap?”

A morning hunt with Swiftleap, Honeyflower, and Creekfeather? Plumwillow opened her eyes and smiled. “Sounds perfect.”