Five moons had pass since the apprentice naming ceremony. Dewpelt had moved to the nursery, expecting Lightningfur's kits, Larkpelt also had moved to the nursery again expecting her second litter of kits. Fawnpaw's new mentor was Bugtail and Groundpaw's mentor was now Echocall. Littlepaw and Songpaw had become Littlefeather and Songheart.

I leaped on the frozen ground. So close! I thought with frustration.

"Try again, Lilypaw." Thunderstar said. "Try to think of your advantages and Arrowpaw's disadvantages.

Let's see… I am smaller and faster. Arrowpaw is big and strong, so attacking him wouldn't make much sense. I could try to knock him of his paws, then hold him down. Quick as light I followed what I had just thought. Arrowpaw thinks I am gonna attack him on the spot, that's good! Arrowpaw prepared to jump, then I switched course going for his feet. Arrowpaw looked at me confused, then realized what I was doing, but it was to late. I swiped at his feet, he fell, and I jumped on him and pawed his stomach.

"Good job!" Thunderstar said.

"Yes, very clever of her." Lunarsky said to Thunderstar. "You did a great job too Arrowpaw. With a little more practice you'll get the advantage and disadvantages down, otherwise, your fighting skills are perfect" Arrowpaw smiled.

Thunderstar yawned. "I think we did enough battle training for one day." He turned to Arrowpaw and me, "If you would like to go hunting, you may."

Arrowpaw answered "Yes, we would Thunderstar. We'll meet you back at the camp later." Thunderstar and Lunarsky nodded and walked back to camp.

As soon as they were out of sight Arrowpaw turned to me and said "Come on, let's go!"

"Where?" I asked him.

"Well, hunting of course!" Arrowpaw answered.

"Okay." I said in a small, shy voice. Oh, why does he have to be so perfect? So, strong and unafraid… wait, am I mooning over him like Icepaw with Blackthorn?

When I got back to camp with Arrowpaw the sun was just about to set. We had come back with two mice and a vole. The sunset of leaf-bare was so beautiful… it made me forget how hungry I actually was.

"Wanna share a vole with me, Lilypaw?" Arrowpaw said, as he looked at the ground shuffling his paws.

"I'd love to." I said back. A smile came across his face.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Okay then!" He started to reach for the vole when he stopped in his tracks. "What about Deadpaw?" He frowned, "You know, he really likes you."

"Well, I like you better." I said back shyly.

Arrowpaw looked at the sky "When do you think Thunderstar will make us warriors soon?"

"Soon, one more moon, maybe. I over heard him talking to Lunarsky about it. Why did you wanna know?"

"No reason." He said shyly.

"Okay, well, are we gonna have this vole or what? The elders are already fed."

"Alright, let's go." He said brightening a little.

What if Deadpaw got really mad? Would he get in a fight with his own brother over me? It sounded like something he would do. Fight if he didn't get anything he wanted. I pushed the uncomfortable thought away and enjoyed the nice moment with Arrowpaw.