Willowtail stretched happily in the weak leaf-bare sunshine. She turned her face up to the sun and sighed in contentment. Sorrelpaw padded up and gave her a look.

"Are you going to see Skyfur today?" She asked it pointedly and her tone was slightly annoyed.

"Yes…" answered Willowtail carefully

"I'm going with you."

"What?"

"I have to! I have to look out for danger, for our clanmates!"

"Sorrelpaw…"

"Please Willowtail… I have to!" Sorrelpaw's eyes were pleading and her ears were perked to hear the answer. Willowtail sighed.

"Fine Sorrelpaw… fine."

Sorrelpaw gave a sigh of relief.

"When are you going?"

"Now" Willowtail said coldly. Sorrelpaw shrank back

"Ok, fine, let me go tell Graystripe." She scampered away. Willowtail followed with her gaze. Why did Sorrelpaw have to treat her as an apprentice? Sorrelpaw ran back up.

"Ok, we're going hunting!" Willowtail gave her a look through narrowed eyes. She padded through the gorse tunnel followed closely by Sorrelpaw. She caught a mouse and buried it to pick up later and then started running. She heard Sorrelpaw panting behind her but she didn't slow down. She continued on mercilessly until she couldn't breathe. She lay down to catch her breath and Sorrelpaw flopped down beside her, shooting her a look. Willowtail turned her head away, still angry. Abruptly she jumped up and sprinted away. Sorrelpaw leapt, annoyed, to her feet and dashed off, catching up quickly.

"You can't get rid of me" she hissed. Willowtail snorted and continued running. Suddenly, all too fast she sprang upon the ShadowClan border, skidding to a halt. Sorrelpaw did the same, nearly crashing into her. She stood up and shook her fur, shaking of scraps of mess and leaves. She froze when the bushed began to move wildly. Sorrelpaw shrank back but Willowtail had already scented Skyfur. He walked calmly out of the bushes and her heart lightened at the sight of him.

"Skyfur!" She went and twined her tail with his, purring. They touched noses gently

"I missed you," said Skyfur. Sorrelpaw hissed

"I'm going to keep watch," she said sharply. Skyfur looked up, noticing her for the first time.

"What is she doing here?" His voice was filled with suspicion. Sorrelpaw stuck her nose in the air

"I'm here to make sure you don't get caught!" Her haughty air dropped and she looked into Willowtail's annoyed eyes.

"The price is too great if you do." Her eyes were soft and her voice caring. She pushed through the bushes and climbed a tree. Willowtail hissed, annoyed.

"I'm not a kit! I don't need watching over! Why does she think I am so incapable of looking after myself?" Skyfur licked her head.

"Calm down. She doesn't think that you are incapable. She is just trying to help. She wants us to be able to talk without having to hide at every sound. She is your friend Willowtail!" Skyfur's eyes were kind but his tone held gentle rebuke. She ducked her head, ashamed. He touched his nose to her ear in comfort.

"It's ok." She buried her nose in his fur.

"No, it's not ok! Nothing is ok! I can't do this Skyfur! I can't do this… Firestar's gone, half the clan hates me, and then there is you…" Her voice trailed off as she realized what she had said. His glared at her, green eyes filled with fire.

"Well! If you feel that way I'll just go!" Willowtail gasped

"NO! Y… you can't… I d….I didn't… I didn't mean…" She was surprised at how fast his anger died down.

"I know… I feel the same. It's not you… its having to keep you a secret." He sighed heavily. She stared at him

"Yes, yes that is exactly it! Oh Skyfur…"

"PATROL!" Sorrelpaw's yowl caused them to snap out of their thoughts. He touched her ear-tip with his nose.

"See you soon Willowtail." He gazed after her as she sprang through the bushes to be with Sorrelpaw.

The patrol, Mousefur, Brackenfur, and Sootpaw, came padding up to her.

"What were you doing?" Mousefur's voice was accusing.

"I…I was just chasing a squirrel but it went over the border" Willowtail was breathing fast.

"I hope you didn't follow it!" Mousefur's eyes were hard

"Of course not!" Willowtail glanced around wildly for Sorrelpaw. She needed another cat with her. Sorrelpaw was talking animatedly to Brackenfur. Willowtail gave a respectful nod to Mousefur and went to join them. Sorrelpaw turned to her when she got close.

"Willowtail! I think that the medicine cats need an escort tomorrow. WindClan have been spoiling for a fight ever since Sootpaw stole that rabbit a few weeks ago." She cast an irritated glance at her brother, "But Brackenfur here…" he interrupted her.

"I think that is mousebrained! No clan would ever dare attack medicine cats! If anything, a warrior would only make them more likely to attack! Plus, even if I agreed, Cinderpelt never would! Ordinary warriors can't go with medicine cats! Its sacred!" his amber eyes flashed angrily. Sorrelpaw snorted.

"We wouldn't actually go IN Mothermouth you mousebrain! Willowtail, what do you think?" Willowtail thought it over. Both warriors had good points, though she did have to side with Brackenfur. Even angry WindClan wouldn't attack medicine cats! She was about to say so when she realized something.

"I think Sorrelpaw is right… it's better to be on the safe side." She had a plan.

"It's up to Graystripe" Brackenfur stalked away. Sorrelpaw followed him, sighing.

"He can't get so irate!" Willowtail giggled. Then she spoke, uncertainly

"Sorrelpaw, I'm sorry. I was wrong this morning…" She gave her friend a smile. Sorrelpaw flicked Willowtail's ear with her tail.

"It's ok, I understand!" she smiled back, and the two she-cats raced back to camp.