The apprentices bounded back to their clan silently, while Songpaw lagged slightly behind them, due to her injury. Falconpaw slowed down a little and looked at Songpaw worriedly.

"Are you okay?"

The fair she-cat nodded her head and thanked the tom for caring, while Falconpaw blushed a little and padded a little slower to assist the she-cat. Ruffledpaw frowned.

"Hasten up. The sky is darkening. We have to reach before it turns too dark."

Falconpaw protested almost immediately.

"Songpaw is injured! It wouldn't hurt to slow down a little!"

Ruffledpaw hissed viciously at Falconpaw, his permanently ruffled brown fur bristling slightly.

"What are you?! A kittypet? Are you trying to reason that we should slow down and risk being eaten by other animals out here just because of a stupid minor wound?"

Falconpaw returned his hiss with an equally ferocious one.

"It can get infected and also more damaged if we went any faster! Even if there is a beast, four cats stand a better chance than three, right?!"

"Enough! I will quicken up, so stop your foolish debates!"

"But Songpa..."

"Falconpaw, I and grateful for the fact that you worry over me, but I am alright."

Songpaw limped hastily and quickly to join Scarletpaw and Ruffledpaw at the front, as Ruffledpaw shot him a victorious look. Falconpaw only could return his glare, while catching up with them.

Scarletpaw looked at the other three and shook his head slightly and quietly continued to pad forward, his reddish brown fur glimmering a dark red slightly under the shine of the sun.

---

"Songpaw! What in StarClan happened to your paw pad?!"

"She insisted on not slowing down the group and infected the pad by ignoring it and exposing it the forest ground. You probably should just disinfect her paw immediately with marigold or something. Don't even bother with poppy seeds for her. She deserves it."

"Scarletpaw!"

The female apprentice lowered her head and looked away, her ears drooped as Soothingflower agreed with Scarletpaw heartily. Scarletpaw sat down beside her, slightly amused at the fact that Soothingflower seemed as though she was Songpaw's mother herself.

While Soothingflower searched for her herbs, a clear deep, but feminine voice immediately rang through his mind.

Listen Scarletpaw, a medicine cat can never have kits, remember that and don't try not to bring it up in front of them.. StarClan forbid it.

Scarletpaw twitched his ears a little; a frown unknowingly took over his features. He remained like that for a moment before a yelp from Songpaw brought him back to reality.

Soothingflower was currently disinfecting her pad mercilessly, muttering something along the lines of chewing off Ruffledpaw's tail. Soothingflower then caught Scarletpaw's questioning gaze and meowed.

"Scarletpaw, you can go back to your den and rest, you don't have to stay here and watch me torment Songpaw. If you feel bored, you can always bring me Ruffledpaw's tail."

Her usually gentle blue-eyes now gleamed mischieviously and she purred slightly with amusement. Scarletpaw gave a rare smile before heading out of the herb-scented den.

"Ah! Scarletpaw!"

The tom turned around, waiting.

"Yes?"

"Come back to the den after Lithestar makes her announcement. I have to tell you something."

Scarletpaw dipped his head in acknowledgement and exited the den, just in time to catch Songpaw whining painfully before he stepped out, a slight smile on his face.