"Well, what's the verdict?" Redtalon whispered when Owlflight was out of earshot.

"It's not like Owlflight to act without a plan," Briarfang meowed. "And I figured as much. But," she leaned in closely then, suddenly feeling the need for warmth. "Are you ready to leave the clan?"

Redtalon pressed his nose against Briarfang's cheek, guessing at the fear that she was masking with her unusual show of affection. "There's not much left for us here, hasn't been since the whole ElmClan fiasco. I don't see any other choice."

"What about Reedpaw, and Whitepaw? They still have much to learn, and much to long for."

"They'll come with us – and we'll teach them all we know, and wait and watch for StarClan to show us the rest," Redtalon looked up towards the skies then but the beaming sun told no tales.

Briarfang slowly nodded. "The old Twoleg tree – and abandoned den," she echoed Owlflight's meeting spot. "Owlflight said that they'll wait until nightfall, but no longer. I say we leave separately, would attract less attention that way. Hopefully, he and Foxleap will still be there, and….he said there may be others."

"You should leave first then," Redtalon meowed. "It'll be safer that way."

Briarfang shook her head. Whitepaw was the younger apprentice, and as much as she hated to admit it, was not, or perhaps never will be the strongest fighter in the clan. "It's going to have to be you. I need to talk to Lakeshine. Maybe a couple others."

"You're not thinking of convincing them to come, are you?" Redtalon questioned. Briarfang was fearless at times, but could this be going too far?

"No," she sighed. "It's too dangerous – too dangerous to even say goodbye. But I want to know what Lakeshine thinks, what StarClan thinks of all this."

"This is only goodbye for now, not goodbye forever, for our friends and foes alike. StarClan keep you safe, ad may nightfall come sooner." He touched noises with her and licked Briarfang's shoulder affectionately, before taking a couple heartbeats to gather himself, and walk away as if they had been meowing away about juicy prey all this time.

He called to Whitepaw warmly. "Come on now, time for training, I know you've been sleeping ever since I left for dawn patrol!"

Briarfang watched as Whitepaw hurried along after her mentor, unbeknownst of the news, at least for the time being. She did not question what Whitepaw's answer would be, but did for a moment, wish that she was also going to be there to reassure the young apprentice. "Come now, Reedpaw – we better plan our day before you let a younger apprentice become a warrior before you!"

"Why don't we go with them then?" Reedpaw challenged. "I'll show Whitepaw that my reflexes are twice as fast as hers!"

"Twice as fast or not – if you go together, you'll bring back half the amount of prey each! We can compare prey after we get back, although whatever the catch, I'm sure you'll make it up with words aplenty."

"Well we need to get going now – they've already, oh must be at least 20 paces ahead of us by now!" Reedpaw countered, pushing at his mentor as they made their way around camp, all the while trying to avoid the suspecting eyes around camp. For all they knew, they were just having a friendly conversation with Clanmates, much like the others.

Briarfang said nothing more, but quickened her pace until they were relatively secluded once again. "Stay close to me. I need to go talk to Lakeshine first, but we'll be doing more than just hunting today. We'll be saving Foxleap."