Today was beautiful. The sun glowed in the sky and warmed the undergrowth under my paws. The Great Sycamore towered over me as I bunched my rear to get ready to jump. I didn't need my so called 'mentor's' help. He knew nothing about climbing trees. I can teach myself! If Briarpaw could do this, so could I. He wouldn't beat me again..No..It was my time. I unsheathed my claws and leapt for the tree. My claws latched into the bark and I held myself in place. I flicked my tail happily and lifted one paw from the tree. I tried pulling myself up, but I found it harder than I had thought. My claws dug into the bark and I pulled my other front paw up.

"Okay..Come on! It's not that hard." I told myself

I pulled again and my hind legs followed. They scrabbled for a safe placed to latch onto, my front claws sliding down a little. My heart stopped. Would I fall? I didn't need to get hurt! I dug my claws into the tree again and stopped. I moved my paws up again and then my hind legs, finding it much easier. I looked up and the top of the large tree was still invisible. I hissed to myself and continued climbing until I found a branch.

"This should be easier."

I sheathed my claws and quickly jumped. I legs hit the branch, but they failed to latch on in time. I began falling toward the ground, my paws flailing in the process.

"Bramblepaw!"

I landed on the ground with a hard thud and pain ran through my whole body. I shook my head and looked up. A golden furred tom was looking down at me with stern gray eyes. The shorter fur also told me it wasn't Briarpaw. However, he was just as worse.

"What in Starclan's name were you doing?" He asked

"Trying to climb." I replied

Not like you would teach me...

"There's a reason why I didn't want you climbing." He growled

"Sorry Sandfur." I mumbled

"Sure..Come on, Jaystar wants to talk to you."

"What? Why?" I asked

"Because you weren't in camp when I called for you and you didn't do your apprentice duties before leaving camp."

"So? It's not like the elders are going to die if they don't have fresh bedding right now!"

"They served Thunderclan before you and I, the least you can do is repay them!"

"With bedding?"

"Come now young'un." He growled

Cranky tom..Should have joined the elders moons ago! I followed him back to camp where Jaystar was sitting right in the middle of. Her tail flicked as she noticed me.

"So? Have fun?" She asked

"Go easy on him."

A brown furred she-cat came out and sat next to her. Her gentle green eyes stared into Jaystar's harsh blue ones.

"Fine Leafbreeze. Now, why didn't you listen to Sandfur?"

"I wanted to do something more fun for once! I'm stuck here cleaning bedding for the elders or queens while every other apprentice goes and trains!" I shouted

"Well..Since you enjoy getting out so much, how about you stay in camp for the next five sunrises. Poor Briarpaw was stuck doing all your work!"

Briarpaw? He did nothing! I even saw him laying in the apprentice's den with a big mouse before I left! He's not the only apprentice either! He's got Brindlepaw and Emberpaw too! My tail lashed as I walked away. I heard a few words coming from them that I wish I hadn't heard..

"That tom is the most unruly thing I've ever had! I can't get him to listen to anything! He's one of the worst apprentices here!"

My heart sank..Sandfur hated me..I glanced back and squinted my eyes toward him. It isn't like I liked having him either. I wish he would retire already! Maybe someone would teach me something then! I ran over to the prey pile and grabbed a mouse. Should give it to an elder, they'd appreciate it more than Sandfur. I padded over and found the three old cats laying there.

"Anyone hungry?" I asked placing the mouse down

"Now he shows up." Ashpool muttered

"No thanks Bramblepaw, Briarpaw came in earlier with some prey for us." Coalstorm told me

I shrugged and stomped out of the den. Didn't want any prey then fine, I could eat it. I slipped into the apprentices den and found myself with Emberpaw. The gray tom smiled toward me as he returned to grooming his pelt. I laid back down and sighed. Did anyone want me here? My mentor hated me and I was always the one who was wrong. No one here saw me as a friend...

"I wish someone liked me.." I whispered

I just laid down on my nest and sighed..Today was a long day, and all I wanted to do was forget it.

...

A flash of moonlight hit my eyes and I awoke in a dream. I began to run happily. Here I was free. Prey scent drifted around me as I continued to run. I had all the time in the world to catch a mouse and I'd be fine. My paws thudded on the undergrowth and the warm breezes gently ruffled my pelt. My ears stood up as a mouse ran across my path. A quick jump allowed me to grab the prey. A warm scent drifted around me and I purred. The scent was magnificent.

"Nice job Bramblepaw." I said to myself

I tore into the mouse and in a mere few heartbeats, the small creature was gone. Then, a rustle of leaves came from my right and I looked up. No one would see me for no moonlight came this way. The moon was hardly visable, for it was no more than that of a claw. A gentle mew sounded and I squinted my eyes. I noticed an outline of a cat! But, I couldn't see their fur or what gender they were. However, their mew told me otherwise.

"Hello?" She asked

A gentle voice she held...I smiled, but stayed put. I looked into her gray eyes that glowed in the night. I smiled happily, even though I knew she didn't see it. Then, a rustle sounded behind me and I ran off, fearing I'd be seen. Unfortunately, I realized to late that it was a dream and the sound was only a mouse. I had lost her...I wouldn't see her again.

...

The next morning I still remembered the mysterious gray-eyed she-cat I had seen. I wanted to meet her, but I knew not if she existed. I sighed and hoped that I would meet the dream cat again...