The next morning, Dustpaw was woken with a claw digging into her side. Irritable, she made her way out of the den and toward the freshkill pile. She hadn't eaten since sunhigh the day before and was absolutely starving. Just as she was deciding on a delicious looking vole, Applefur appeared.

"Dustpaw! Let's go! I just finished assigning patrols, so it's time to train. Dustpaw felt her belly rumble hungrily.

"But, Applefur…"

"No buts! Come on!" Without even waiting for a reply, the deputy raced out of the camp. Dustpaw sighed and followed her over eager mentor. The duo spent the better part of the morning training until Grassfoot and Maplepaw appeared. Grassfoot licked his mate's ear while Maplepaw ran over to Dustpaw.

"Hey Dustpaw! Guess what! Grassfoot said I could practice hunting with you!"

Dustpaw grinned, more excited than ever. Finally! Now she could have fun with one of her brothers. The two apprentices turned to their mentors expectantly.

"We're going to hunt by the old Sunclan camp," Grassfoot announced.

"Really?!" Dustpaw was not only an apprentice, not only hunting with her brother, but now she would get to go to the venue of her favorite story!

When the group reached the abandoned camp, Applefur started going over the basics, correcting Dustpaw's stances.

"No, no, not like that… Oh come on, Dustpaw! You just had it! Belly lower, stop fidgeting." After what seemed like a life time, Applefur said the she could try to catch something. Dustpaw moved silently through the trees, placing her feet slowly and carefully. Finally, an amazing scent filled her mouth. Mouse. The tiny gray creature was only three tail lengths or so ahead, a black seed grasped in its paws. Dustpaw dropped into a crouch, sliding forward, until she was in range, then pounced…and was collided with midair. Stunned, Dustpaw quickly got to her feet, only to see her brother lying on the ground beside her.

"Maplepaw!" Stupid tom! She was so close! "Seriously?!"

Maplepaw got to his feet and shook himself. "What? You think I did it on purpouse?!"

"Calm down you two." Grassfoot and Applefur emerged from the brush. Applefur trotted over to her apprentice. "You did really well Dustpaw. Come on, let's head back. I have to organize the evening patrols.

Back in camp, Cinderpelt approached Dustpaw. "How was your first real day as an apprentice?" he asked, giving his kit a lick on the head.

"Good. I almost caught a mouse." If not for dumb Maplepaw…

"Really? That's great! It took me forever to even get close to catching anything!" Her father nuzzled her, purring happily.

Dustpaw giggled and batted him lightly with her paws. "Thanks dad." When Cinderpelt had wandered off, Dustpaw hurried to the freshkill pile, snatching up a small bird and moving to sit just outside her den. Famished, she devoured the prey, licking her paws clean. Just as she was going to go find Littlepaw and Silverpaw to ask them about their day, her mentor stopped her.

"I need you to go clean out the elders' den and get them fresh moss."

Dustpaw groaned. "But, I was gonna-"

"No buts. Go."

Dustpaw stalked over to the elders' den and started dragging out the old moss. As she was remaking the nests, Pounceclaw entered the den. "Well if it isn't Dustpaw. How's being an apprentice?"

"Pretty good I guess," She replied. "Kinda boring."

Pounceclaw chuckled, wrapping his tail around his paws. "Work hard. I know you'll be a great warrior."

Dustpaw smiled and thanked the old warrior, starting toward the apprentice den. It was time for a well-deserved rest.