p dir="ltr"The two apprentices continued to hold their stare on the creature. It was tall and brown with speckles of white down it's body. Its ears were coming out from the side of its head at weird angles. The creatures eyes were a very dark brown and watched the two, almost without moving. The most noticeable feature the two cats found were the things that looked like sharp sticks budding from its head./p
p dir="ltr""What is that thing?" Tuftpaw whispered with a soft hiss in his voice. He shook, still dripping wet from his dip into the river. He watched it carefully, the brown tabby backing away slowly./p
p dir="ltr""Wait!" Petalpaw said as loud as she could while still holding a whisper, "that way will lead to the GorgeClan borders." She tried beckoning the apprentice back, "we'll just have to follow the river until we can cross." The creamy apprentice said, her gaze fixed on the opposite bank. "Our eels..." she whined, looking at them with temptation in her eyes./p
p dir="ltr""Petalpaw, we'll come back for them," even though he knew they wouldn't, but the cats were speaking louder now, both at great unease, "we've gotta report to Redwater or Aspenstar about this." Aspenstar, the leader of CharredClan. The image he left was normally that of him standing proud and tall on the great Black Oak Stump. He was a deep black tom speckled with white, his eyes a light green./p
p dir="ltr"Petalpaw wasn't sure what else the two could do, but nodded in agreement. "Okay, we can head back, follow me." Her voice shaky, fear still hanging around the two apprentices. The creamy she-cat padded forward slowly, staying almost in the water./p
p dir="ltr""It's going back into the forest," Tuftpaw mewed, tension leaving his voice, and he seemed to relax. The she-cat apprentice craned her neck to see that the tabby was doing the same, watching the creature almost skip off into the trees./p
p dir="ltr""But what if it stays around the territory?" The creamy apprentice asked after some time walking, the two reaching a point where they could cross the river./p
p dir="ltr""What are we going to say when everyone sees us all wet?" Tuftpaw asked, shaking off loose beads of water after the crossing./p
p dir="ltr""We'll be honest." She purred simply, "tell them what we saw, and that'll explain why we had to cross." Petalpaw was also shaking her fur out./p
p dir="ltr"The two apprentices walked into camp, getting a few strange looks from some of the warriors that were out. The creamy and tawny she-cat looked around, hoping to find the deputy before they found Aspenstar./p
p dir="ltr""He went out on that sudden patrol, didn't he?" The brown tabby suggested, sitting down to lick some more moisture off of his pelt. Petalpaw just nodded, agreeing on the suggestion for now. The two apprentices waited, the sun slowly setting behind the mountains, leaving the sky a faint grey and orange./p
p dir="ltr""There he is." The tawny cat mewed hastily, getting up onto her paws. She padded over to the arriving patrol, Tuftpaw close behind her. The red deputy was saying his farewells to his fellow warriors, Cedarbrook included. Redwater turned around to see the two apprentices padding towards him./p
p dir="ltr""Well, hello you two." The handsome tom said, dipping his head, "is there something you need?" He asked, scanning them curiously./p
p dir="ltr"Tuftpaw nodded towards his creamy companion, letting her speak for the both of them, "Actually, yes," Petalpaw started, keeping calm, "after our training, Tuftpaw and I had permission to head out of camp together." She took a quick breath for she was talking quite fast. "We headed towards the river for some friendly competition," Petalpaw remembered her eels, it was too late to get them now, especially if the creature still lurked, "and then a strange creature, bigger than a fox or badger, appeared in front of us. It was tall, brown, had dark eyes, and sticks growing from its head." Petalpaw watched her deputy carefully./p
p dir="ltr"Redwater nodded, a faint smile on his face, "what you saw is called a deer." He said calmly, shocking the apprentices. "They eat grass and plants, and are probably more scared of you than you are of them." He added, "but thank you for reporting, I know I can trust you two, you'll be very noble and loyal warriors." He held his gaze on Petalpaw for a quick moment. "Now it's about time you head back to your den." He said and flicked his tail at the apprentice den./p
p dir="ltr""Thank you for listening." Petalpaw mewed softly, dipping her head once again, "and I'm just wondering, before we head off to bed, how was the sudden patrol from earlier?" The creamy cat asked./p
p dir="ltr""ValleyClan was just stealing prey, or so we think. We could smell them for sure, but by the time we got there they seemed to be gone." Redwater explained blandly. The three cats said their goodnights, and the apprentices headed towards their den./p
p dir="ltr""Weird that we didn't scent them on our sunhigh patrol," Petalpaw shrugged and kneaded her mossy bed, "but you saw them earlier. Did you scent them?" She asked, making herself comfortable on the newly fluffed up moss./p
p dir="ltr""Now that you mention it," Tuftpaw replied, grooming his tabby fur, "We didn't really smell them, just saw them. I mean their old boundary scent was there, but not the fresh smell with them being there." He stretched out and curled up next to Petalpaw, "you sure like to look into things." The tabby mewed with a yawn, "but I guess that can be a good thing." Tuftpaw added, closing his eyes and drifting into sleep./p
p dir="ltr"Petalpaw stayed awake for some time, thinking to herself about the events of the day. Eventually, after the rest of the apprentices were well into sleep, the creamy she-cat let her eyes flutter shut, pulling her into the quiet depths of sleep./p
p dir="ltr""Hello." Petalpaw opened her eyes, only finding a dark, seemingly endless space in front of herself. Looking down under her, she appeared to be floating in midair, if not walking through it./p
p dir="ltr""Hello?" She replied, unsure of where she was and what was happening. Petalpaw pushed herself up, and looked around again, still feeling almost blind, except she could see her paws beneath her./p
p dir="ltr""Behind you," the voice beckoned with a soft giggle, sounding like a younger she-cat. Petalpaw turned around, and found herself in front of something she'd only heard of in stories. A cat stood in front if her, the tabby was wearing a sparkling white and silver pelt. Her eyes almost clear, but gleamed with a faint white, almost blue./p
p dir="ltr""Who are you?" Was all the bewildered apprentice could utter, "where I am?" Petalpaw felt dizzy now, a bit afraid./p
p dir="ltr"The starry cat giggled again, "my name is Dewfrost." The tabby replied, dipping her head calmly, "and you're dreaming." She added, almost in a whisper. Dewfrost beckoned the apprentice forward, walking along the dark path./p
p dir="ltr""Dewfrost? But who are you, why would you know me?" Petalpaw stuttered over a few words, "and dreaming?" She added, her mind filling with questions. The creamy apprentice followed the silver tabby forwards./p
p dir="ltr"Dewfrost led Petalpaw further, before sitting down, wrapping her tail neatly over her paws, and looking back at the tawny she-cat. "You would've known me as your older sister," she mewed plainly, licking a star lit paw, "our mother, Swiftminnow, was mate to a tom by the name of Hawkflight, my father, and he unfortunately was killed in a battle with another clan." She said, almost too fast, as if it was something she explained everyday./p
p dir="ltr""Sister? Your father is dead? My mother had another kit? She didn't tell me?" Petalpaw felt an almost heavy feeling pull her down, she gulped, looking back at the starry figure. "Why didn't I ever get to see you?"/p
p dir="ltr""My time to join StarClan came before you were even part of CharredClan," She mewed sweetly, eyeing the tawny apprentice. "I was still a young warrior, only had my name for maybe two moons. A battle took place between the clans. I was lucky to get out of the battle, but my wounds quickly got infected, and now I'm here, watching over you, and the rest of our clan."/p
p dir="ltr""So, you're now watching over me?" Petalpaw asked, easing up a bit, "but what if I ask," she paused for moment, "our mother about you? Should I?"/p
p dir="ltr""You ask too many questions," Dewfrost laughed smiling, "for now, just relax and enjoy your apprenticeship. I'll be watching, and maybe I'll visit again."/p
p dir="ltr"Petalpaw opened her eyes, seeing the mossy den, Tuftpaw sleeping soundly, she was awake. The sky was still dim, but the sun was starting to rise over distant mountains. The creamy she-cat padded out into camp, the chill morning air filling her lungs. The only cats that appeared to be awake were the medicine cats and Redwater./p
p dir="ltr""Good morning," a soft voice called from behind the tawny cat. Petalpaw spun around, a bit spooked. In front of her, a young cat, just a bit smaller than her stared back. Starlingpaw, the medicine cat apprentice, and also, Tuftpaws sister. She was a pretty dark grey, almost black tabby, her eyes a light shade of green./p
p dir="ltr""Morning," Petalpaw greeted in response, dipping her head, "why are you awake so early?"/p
p dir="ltr""I was about to ask you the same thing," Starlingpaw replied, showing of a shy smile, "but Waspstripe is expecting that Swanwing will be kitting today." She concluded with an excited squeak. Medicine cats are normally the first to see the kits when they're born./p
p dir="ltr""Oh, that's exciting!" Petalpaw mewed, trying to share the same tone of excitement. She wondered if her mother would be attending the kitting. "Are you heading out of camp?" She asked, almost changing the subject./p
p dir="ltr""Yes, Waspstripe asked me to fetch some herbs for when the time comes. Would you like to come along?" Starlingpaw asked sweetly, her head cocked to the side./p
p dir="ltr"Petalpaw thought as quick as she could, she was promised training today, but it was still very early. "Sure, I'll just need go get permission." The creamy cat decided./p
p dir="ltr""Isn't your mentor still sleeping?" The dark grey tabby questioned, padding behind the tawny apprentice. It was only now that the breeze was carrying the scent of the medicine cat apprentice, allowing Petalpaw to smell the unique scent of herbs and other medicinal plants./p
p dir="ltr""Cedarbrook is, or I just haven't seen her, but I'll ask Redwater to inform her. I'm sure it'll be fine as long as I'm back before she's ready to take me training." Petalpaw chimed, her tawny tail swaying back and forth./p
p dir="ltr"Redwater was sitting by himself, watching the sky and most likely thinking. "Good morning you two." He dipped his head, "a bit early isn't it?" He asked in a playful voice./p
p dir="ltr"Starlingpaw broke into the conversation, "well, just a bit. Petalpaw was wondering if she could have permission to leave camp and collect herbs with me." She asked simply, making the task seem easy./p
p dir="ltr""If that's the case, then of course. If you're training today though, make sure you're not too late getting back." The red and pale grey deputy stated./p
p dir="ltr"Petalpaw dipped her head, "will do, thank you." She replied curtly, padding out of the camp. The two apprentices made their way around the territory to a small, quaint opening in the forest. It was lined with a pillowy moss, beautiful flowers and other plants. The creamy apprentice sat down, she'd been here before, but didn't know it was home to so many medicinal plants./p
p dir="ltr""Could you carry those back, if you don't mind?" The dark tabby asked the creamy she-cat through a mouthful of herbs and roots. She gestured towards the pile behind her. Without saying anything, Petalpaw carefully took all the plants in her jaws, and headed back to camp behind Starlingpaw./p
p dir="ltr""Thanks for your help," Starlingpaw mewed as the two approached the medicine cat den, "I can bring a lot more back when there are two jaws carrying it all." She giggled. "Just put those down on the moss and I'll organize them, see you around."/p
p dir="ltr"Petalpaw did as she was told, placing the herbs on the hard ground. "Glad to help." She whispered, Starlingpaw already busy with her work. The tawny apprentice padded back into camp, now lively and bustling with activities. Petalpaw noticed her brown tabby companion sitting, appearing patient, by the apprentice den entrance./p
p dir="ltr""Hey, where have you been?" Tuftpaw asked, he got to his paws and stretched out, "you weren't here when I woke up."/p
p dir="ltr""I-" Petalpaw hadn't really thought about the dream she had since she woke up, she wanted to explain, but maybe her denmate wouldn't have a good reaction to it. With all that in mind, she continued her statement with the following events that took place, "I kinda just woke up, a breeze or something ruffling my fur. I was helping Starlingpaw collect herbs though, something about Swanwing being close to kitting." She explained, wishing she could explain her dream./p
p dir="ltr""Oh, how is she?" Tuftpaw asked, almost as if he was afraid to ask his own sister himself./p
p dir="ltr""She's great, bubbly like always." Petalpaw mewed, trying to imitate the dark tabbys sweet tone. She looked around, noticing her mentor, as well as Mothdust and Frozenpath, all gathered near the entrance. "We're training together today." She said, her voice now carrying real tones of sweetness./p
p dir="ltr""Then let's get going!" The tabby urged, springing forward happily. The two hadn't trained together for awhile, but were very capable when the time came around. Petalpaw couldn't help but laugh at Tuftpaws enthusiasm, and padded after him./p
p dir="ltr""Good morning you two," Mothdust greeted, dipping his head. The rest of the cats all took turns with their good morning greetings and discussion of plans./p
p dir="ltr"It was well into the conversation when Talonpaw padded over, his head hanging low, "Morning." He rasped lazily, clearing his throat with a cough./p
p dir="ltr""Talonpaw, why are you late?" Frozenpath questioned, staring down at his black apprentice. He flicked his tail around out of annoyance. The rest of the group watched curiously, Petalpaw was slightly worried about what his response might be./p
p dir="ltr""I'm feeling a bit," he sniffled, "under the weather." Talonpaw mewed, now practically complaining./p
p dir="ltr"Frozenpath scrunched his nose up and eyed the black tom, "you go and talk to Waspstripe, but if she says that nothings wrong with you, your punishment will be lengthened." He snapped at his apprentice. He turned to the rest of the group, "I'll still come along, just to watch these two and their progress." Frozenpath had a sudden change of tone, sounding calm./p
p dir="ltr""Of course." Cedarbrook purred, "Lets go then." She nudged Petalpaw forward with a playful shove. Petalpaw laughed out of habit, not wanting to appear grumpy or intolerant to her mentor. She looked over the her denmate./p
p dir="ltr"'What's with him lately?' Tuftpaw mouthed towards the creamy she-cat. He watched, hoping Petalpaw got the message./p
p dir="ltr"Petalpaw shrugged, 'I don't know.' She mouthed back. Turning her attention back towards the mentors and path in front of them, she watched trees and bushes go by. Padding forwards she thought to herself, ValleyClan, her dream, Talonpaws weird behavior two days in a row. She thought for awhile, 'Maybe I'm thinking too much. Maybe it's just time to relax, get through my apprenticeship.' Petalpaw told herself as the group approached the training /br /p
p dir="ltr""What is that thing?" Tuftpaw whispered with a soft hiss in his voice. He shook, still dripping wet from his dip into the river. He watched it carefully, the brown tabby backing away slowly./p
p dir="ltr""Wait!" Petalpaw said as loud as she could while still holding a whisper, "that way will lead to the GorgeClan borders." She tried beckoning the apprentice back, "we'll just have to follow the river until we can cross." The creamy apprentice said, her gaze fixed on the opposite bank. "Our eels..." she whined, looking at them with temptation in her eyes./p
p dir="ltr""Petalpaw, we'll come back for them," even though he knew they wouldn't, but the cats were speaking louder now, both at great unease, "we've gotta report to Redwater or Aspenstar about this." Aspenstar, the leader of CharredClan. The image he left was normally that of him standing proud and tall on the great Black Oak Stump. He was a deep black tom speckled with white, his eyes a light green./p
p dir="ltr"Petalpaw wasn't sure what else the two could do, but nodded in agreement. "Okay, we can head back, follow me." Her voice shaky, fear still hanging around the two apprentices. The creamy she-cat padded forward slowly, staying almost in the water./p
p dir="ltr""It's going back into the forest," Tuftpaw mewed, tension leaving his voice, and he seemed to relax. The she-cat apprentice craned her neck to see that the tabby was doing the same, watching the creature almost skip off into the trees./p
p dir="ltr""But what if it stays around the territory?" The creamy apprentice asked after some time walking, the two reaching a point where they could cross the river./p
p dir="ltr""What are we going to say when everyone sees us all wet?" Tuftpaw asked, shaking off loose beads of water after the crossing./p
p dir="ltr""We'll be honest." She purred simply, "tell them what we saw, and that'll explain why we had to cross." Petalpaw was also shaking her fur out./p
p dir="ltr"The two apprentices walked into camp, getting a few strange looks from some of the warriors that were out. The creamy and tawny she-cat looked around, hoping to find the deputy before they found Aspenstar./p
p dir="ltr""He went out on that sudden patrol, didn't he?" The brown tabby suggested, sitting down to lick some more moisture off of his pelt. Petalpaw just nodded, agreeing on the suggestion for now. The two apprentices waited, the sun slowly setting behind the mountains, leaving the sky a faint grey and orange./p
p dir="ltr""There he is." The tawny cat mewed hastily, getting up onto her paws. She padded over to the arriving patrol, Tuftpaw close behind her. The red deputy was saying his farewells to his fellow warriors, Cedarbrook included. Redwater turned around to see the two apprentices padding towards him./p
p dir="ltr""Well, hello you two." The handsome tom said, dipping his head, "is there something you need?" He asked, scanning them curiously./p
p dir="ltr"Tuftpaw nodded towards his creamy companion, letting her speak for the both of them, "Actually, yes," Petalpaw started, keeping calm, "after our training, Tuftpaw and I had permission to head out of camp together." She took a quick breath for she was talking quite fast. "We headed towards the river for some friendly competition," Petalpaw remembered her eels, it was too late to get them now, especially if the creature still lurked, "and then a strange creature, bigger than a fox or badger, appeared in front of us. It was tall, brown, had dark eyes, and sticks growing from its head." Petalpaw watched her deputy carefully./p
p dir="ltr"Redwater nodded, a faint smile on his face, "what you saw is called a deer." He said calmly, shocking the apprentices. "They eat grass and plants, and are probably more scared of you than you are of them." He added, "but thank you for reporting, I know I can trust you two, you'll be very noble and loyal warriors." He held his gaze on Petalpaw for a quick moment. "Now it's about time you head back to your den." He said and flicked his tail at the apprentice den./p
p dir="ltr""Thank you for listening." Petalpaw mewed softly, dipping her head once again, "and I'm just wondering, before we head off to bed, how was the sudden patrol from earlier?" The creamy cat asked./p
p dir="ltr""ValleyClan was just stealing prey, or so we think. We could smell them for sure, but by the time we got there they seemed to be gone." Redwater explained blandly. The three cats said their goodnights, and the apprentices headed towards their den./p
p dir="ltr""Weird that we didn't scent them on our sunhigh patrol," Petalpaw shrugged and kneaded her mossy bed, "but you saw them earlier. Did you scent them?" She asked, making herself comfortable on the newly fluffed up moss./p
p dir="ltr""Now that you mention it," Tuftpaw replied, grooming his tabby fur, "We didn't really smell them, just saw them. I mean their old boundary scent was there, but not the fresh smell with them being there." He stretched out and curled up next to Petalpaw, "you sure like to look into things." The tabby mewed with a yawn, "but I guess that can be a good thing." Tuftpaw added, closing his eyes and drifting into sleep./p
p dir="ltr"Petalpaw stayed awake for some time, thinking to herself about the events of the day. Eventually, after the rest of the apprentices were well into sleep, the creamy she-cat let her eyes flutter shut, pulling her into the quiet depths of sleep./p
p dir="ltr""Hello." Petalpaw opened her eyes, only finding a dark, seemingly endless space in front of herself. Looking down under her, she appeared to be floating in midair, if not walking through it./p
p dir="ltr""Hello?" She replied, unsure of where she was and what was happening. Petalpaw pushed herself up, and looked around again, still feeling almost blind, except she could see her paws beneath her./p
p dir="ltr""Behind you," the voice beckoned with a soft giggle, sounding like a younger she-cat. Petalpaw turned around, and found herself in front of something she'd only heard of in stories. A cat stood in front if her, the tabby was wearing a sparkling white and silver pelt. Her eyes almost clear, but gleamed with a faint white, almost blue./p
p dir="ltr""Who are you?" Was all the bewildered apprentice could utter, "where I am?" Petalpaw felt dizzy now, a bit afraid./p
p dir="ltr"The starry cat giggled again, "my name is Dewfrost." The tabby replied, dipping her head calmly, "and you're dreaming." She added, almost in a whisper. Dewfrost beckoned the apprentice forward, walking along the dark path./p
p dir="ltr""Dewfrost? But who are you, why would you know me?" Petalpaw stuttered over a few words, "and dreaming?" She added, her mind filling with questions. The creamy apprentice followed the silver tabby forwards./p
p dir="ltr"Dewfrost led Petalpaw further, before sitting down, wrapping her tail neatly over her paws, and looking back at the tawny she-cat. "You would've known me as your older sister," she mewed plainly, licking a star lit paw, "our mother, Swiftminnow, was mate to a tom by the name of Hawkflight, my father, and he unfortunately was killed in a battle with another clan." She said, almost too fast, as if it was something she explained everyday./p
p dir="ltr""Sister? Your father is dead? My mother had another kit? She didn't tell me?" Petalpaw felt an almost heavy feeling pull her down, she gulped, looking back at the starry figure. "Why didn't I ever get to see you?"/p
p dir="ltr""My time to join StarClan came before you were even part of CharredClan," She mewed sweetly, eyeing the tawny apprentice. "I was still a young warrior, only had my name for maybe two moons. A battle took place between the clans. I was lucky to get out of the battle, but my wounds quickly got infected, and now I'm here, watching over you, and the rest of our clan."/p
p dir="ltr""So, you're now watching over me?" Petalpaw asked, easing up a bit, "but what if I ask," she paused for moment, "our mother about you? Should I?"/p
p dir="ltr""You ask too many questions," Dewfrost laughed smiling, "for now, just relax and enjoy your apprenticeship. I'll be watching, and maybe I'll visit again."/p
p dir="ltr"Petalpaw opened her eyes, seeing the mossy den, Tuftpaw sleeping soundly, she was awake. The sky was still dim, but the sun was starting to rise over distant mountains. The creamy she-cat padded out into camp, the chill morning air filling her lungs. The only cats that appeared to be awake were the medicine cats and Redwater./p
p dir="ltr""Good morning," a soft voice called from behind the tawny cat. Petalpaw spun around, a bit spooked. In front of her, a young cat, just a bit smaller than her stared back. Starlingpaw, the medicine cat apprentice, and also, Tuftpaws sister. She was a pretty dark grey, almost black tabby, her eyes a light shade of green./p
p dir="ltr""Morning," Petalpaw greeted in response, dipping her head, "why are you awake so early?"/p
p dir="ltr""I was about to ask you the same thing," Starlingpaw replied, showing of a shy smile, "but Waspstripe is expecting that Swanwing will be kitting today." She concluded with an excited squeak. Medicine cats are normally the first to see the kits when they're born./p
p dir="ltr""Oh, that's exciting!" Petalpaw mewed, trying to share the same tone of excitement. She wondered if her mother would be attending the kitting. "Are you heading out of camp?" She asked, almost changing the subject./p
p dir="ltr""Yes, Waspstripe asked me to fetch some herbs for when the time comes. Would you like to come along?" Starlingpaw asked sweetly, her head cocked to the side./p
p dir="ltr"Petalpaw thought as quick as she could, she was promised training today, but it was still very early. "Sure, I'll just need go get permission." The creamy cat decided./p
p dir="ltr""Isn't your mentor still sleeping?" The dark grey tabby questioned, padding behind the tawny apprentice. It was only now that the breeze was carrying the scent of the medicine cat apprentice, allowing Petalpaw to smell the unique scent of herbs and other medicinal plants./p
p dir="ltr""Cedarbrook is, or I just haven't seen her, but I'll ask Redwater to inform her. I'm sure it'll be fine as long as I'm back before she's ready to take me training." Petalpaw chimed, her tawny tail swaying back and forth./p
p dir="ltr"Redwater was sitting by himself, watching the sky and most likely thinking. "Good morning you two." He dipped his head, "a bit early isn't it?" He asked in a playful voice./p
p dir="ltr"Starlingpaw broke into the conversation, "well, just a bit. Petalpaw was wondering if she could have permission to leave camp and collect herbs with me." She asked simply, making the task seem easy./p
p dir="ltr""If that's the case, then of course. If you're training today though, make sure you're not too late getting back." The red and pale grey deputy stated./p
p dir="ltr"Petalpaw dipped her head, "will do, thank you." She replied curtly, padding out of the camp. The two apprentices made their way around the territory to a small, quaint opening in the forest. It was lined with a pillowy moss, beautiful flowers and other plants. The creamy apprentice sat down, she'd been here before, but didn't know it was home to so many medicinal plants./p
p dir="ltr""Could you carry those back, if you don't mind?" The dark tabby asked the creamy she-cat through a mouthful of herbs and roots. She gestured towards the pile behind her. Without saying anything, Petalpaw carefully took all the plants in her jaws, and headed back to camp behind Starlingpaw./p
p dir="ltr""Thanks for your help," Starlingpaw mewed as the two approached the medicine cat den, "I can bring a lot more back when there are two jaws carrying it all." She giggled. "Just put those down on the moss and I'll organize them, see you around."/p
p dir="ltr"Petalpaw did as she was told, placing the herbs on the hard ground. "Glad to help." She whispered, Starlingpaw already busy with her work. The tawny apprentice padded back into camp, now lively and bustling with activities. Petalpaw noticed her brown tabby companion sitting, appearing patient, by the apprentice den entrance./p
p dir="ltr""Hey, where have you been?" Tuftpaw asked, he got to his paws and stretched out, "you weren't here when I woke up."/p
p dir="ltr""I-" Petalpaw hadn't really thought about the dream she had since she woke up, she wanted to explain, but maybe her denmate wouldn't have a good reaction to it. With all that in mind, she continued her statement with the following events that took place, "I kinda just woke up, a breeze or something ruffling my fur. I was helping Starlingpaw collect herbs though, something about Swanwing being close to kitting." She explained, wishing she could explain her dream./p
p dir="ltr""Oh, how is she?" Tuftpaw asked, almost as if he was afraid to ask his own sister himself./p
p dir="ltr""She's great, bubbly like always." Petalpaw mewed, trying to imitate the dark tabbys sweet tone. She looked around, noticing her mentor, as well as Mothdust and Frozenpath, all gathered near the entrance. "We're training together today." She said, her voice now carrying real tones of sweetness./p
p dir="ltr""Then let's get going!" The tabby urged, springing forward happily. The two hadn't trained together for awhile, but were very capable when the time came around. Petalpaw couldn't help but laugh at Tuftpaws enthusiasm, and padded after him./p
p dir="ltr""Good morning you two," Mothdust greeted, dipping his head. The rest of the cats all took turns with their good morning greetings and discussion of plans./p
p dir="ltr"It was well into the conversation when Talonpaw padded over, his head hanging low, "Morning." He rasped lazily, clearing his throat with a cough./p
p dir="ltr""Talonpaw, why are you late?" Frozenpath questioned, staring down at his black apprentice. He flicked his tail around out of annoyance. The rest of the group watched curiously, Petalpaw was slightly worried about what his response might be./p
p dir="ltr""I'm feeling a bit," he sniffled, "under the weather." Talonpaw mewed, now practically complaining./p
p dir="ltr"Frozenpath scrunched his nose up and eyed the black tom, "you go and talk to Waspstripe, but if she says that nothings wrong with you, your punishment will be lengthened." He snapped at his apprentice. He turned to the rest of the group, "I'll still come along, just to watch these two and their progress." Frozenpath had a sudden change of tone, sounding calm./p
p dir="ltr""Of course." Cedarbrook purred, "Lets go then." She nudged Petalpaw forward with a playful shove. Petalpaw laughed out of habit, not wanting to appear grumpy or intolerant to her mentor. She looked over the her denmate./p
p dir="ltr"'What's with him lately?' Tuftpaw mouthed towards the creamy she-cat. He watched, hoping Petalpaw got the message./p
p dir="ltr"Petalpaw shrugged, 'I don't know.' She mouthed back. Turning her attention back towards the mentors and path in front of them, she watched trees and bushes go by. Padding forwards she thought to herself, ValleyClan, her dream, Talonpaws weird behavior two days in a row. She thought for awhile, 'Maybe I'm thinking too much. Maybe it's just time to relax, get through my apprenticeship.' Petalpaw told herself as the group approached the training /br /p