"...and then I clawed him across the chest," Birchfall boasted. "The ShadowClan scum ran away without even trying to fight back!"

"No way," Foxpaw breathed.

"Oh, yeah, totally. And then Bluestar flew down from the sky and defeated them all with her magical tail."

A muffled laugh escaped Squirrelflight and she looked at Berrynose, her green eyes bright with amusement. "That wasn't fair, Berrynose. Birchfall was trying to explain a useful technique."

And hedgehogs fly!

Birchfall snorted and fixed Berrynose with an angry glare before continuing. He was still standing in the center of the training clearing and he flicked his tail to beckon Foxpaw. The reddish tabby tom bounded up to Birchfall, his tail waving behind him excitedly but before he could get too close, Birchfall made a giant leap in the air. Foxpaw instinctively looked up and gathered power in his hind legs, ready to jump away. However, although Foxpaw made it out of the way in time, at the moment Birchfall touched the ground, the light brown warrior shot forward as quickly as a snake and yanked Foxpaw's paws from underneath him. The apprentice landed with a thump, his eyes flashing with surprise. However, he shook it off and was almost immediately back on his paws.

"Wow, how'd you do that?"

Birchfall beamed. "It's a bit complicated but I'm sure you'll learn."

Squirrelflight cleared her throat from beside Berrynose. "Sorry for interrupting but is the leap a part of the manoeuvre as well?"

"Oh, yeah," Birchfall mewed. He turned his attention back to Foxpaw who was licking his chest with rapid motions to clean the leaves from his fur. "Foxpaw, turn around," Birchfall commanded.

The apprentice whipped around a little too eagerly and hit his nose against the rough bark of an oak tree. "Oof!" he grunted, turning around and rubbing a paw over his nose.

Birchfall winked at Foxpaw and flicked his tail at Squirrelflight.

"Oh!" Foxpaw exclaimed. "That's why I couldn't escape! You cornered me with that jump-"

"Hey, it's about to rain!" Squirrelflight's startled mew came right as a raindrop landed on Berrynose's ear. He flicked it off impatiently and found himself unconsciously waiting for Birchfall to reach his side. Together the two of them streaked towards camp, with Squirrelflight and Foxpaw following closely behind. They slowed down when they reached the entrance and let the others pass them.

"You're awfully quiet," Birchfall stated blandly.

Ignoring the remark, Berrynose pushed his way to the fresh-kill pile, subconsciously aware of the strengthening rain.

"Hey, I just showed Foxpaw a move you taught me," Birchfall hissed, padding closely behind.

"And? Good job. He probably idolises you now," Berrynose countered before picking up the tails of two mice delicately in his jaws. Right, Brambleclaw showed it to me when I was an apprentice. Embarrassment caused the tip of his tail to twitch uncomfortably.

"What's your deal, Berrynose?" Birchfall's voice sounded hurt. His words were met with a harsh silence thundering with torrential rain. The light brown tabby seemed to gather that he wouldn't get a substantial reply and let out a quick sigh. Soaking wet, the two friends finally retreated to the warriors' den where they shared the mice in silence. Birchfall was soon fast asleep but Berrynose found that his eyes could not close. He idly licked the moisture off his pelt then stared at the sky until the sunset melted away. He ignored his thoughts. He ignored his feelings.

He strained to see the outline of the stars as a petering drizzle thinly veiled the glowing night.

Are you up there, Honeyfern? Why did you leave me?

Numbness finally pulled him into an unsettling slumber.

...

Berrynose sniffed the forest floor cautiously. What a familiar scent...

"Berrynose!"

His ears shot up in surprise. That voice!

"H-Honeyfern?"

Berrynose jumped as a tortoiseshell she-cat leaped down from a tree and landed gracefully in front him.

"So you're looking for her too?"

"Uh." Fox dung!

"It's okay." The she-cat mewed, her eyes bright with excitement. "I know the way to StarClan!"

"Poppyfrost, what are you talking about?"

"We'll find Honeyfern!"

"What?" Berrynose hissed. "Why are you out here on your own? It's not safe."

"You're dreaming, Berrynose," Poppyfrost hurriedly explained, ignoring his irritated tone. "And I remember how to get to StarClan."

Berrynose realised that his heart was beating a little faster than before and he couldn't tell whether it was from excitement or shock. He took a tentative step backwards and lowered his ears. "How do you know the way to StarClan?" As much as it hurt him to put his wishes away, to his chagrin, Berrynose was terrified of being accepted into their ranks. Is this how I die?

"That doesn't matter," Poppyfrost pleaded. "Don't you want to see Honeyfern? I thought you loved her. I love her."

Berrynose took a few unsteady breaths.

"Are you afraid?" Poppyfrost accused.

"It's just a lot to internalise," Berrynose retorted.

Her eyes suddenly flashed with impatience. "With whom am I really speaking now?" Poppyfrost growled. "Berrynose, a loyal mate, Berrynose, the grumpy mourner, or Berrynose, the arrogant and proud?"

This isn't real! It's just a dream! Wake up!

...

"Leafpool, what happens when you dream...and you find yourself in StarClan territory?"

The medicine cat looked up from organising the herbs and turned around in surprise. Even Jayfeather couldn't help but prick his ears in interest.

"StarClan usually has something to say, perhaps a prophecy. Why ask?"

Berrynose was ready with his prepared answer. "Oh, it's because I'm not a full Clan cat. Daisy wasn't exactly the best at stories about StarClan. I'd always wanted to know as a kit, but I guess I've just now summoned the courage."

"Uh, okay," Leafpool replied hesitantly. Jayfeather merely locked eyes with Berrynose and gave him an intense, blind stare. Creep.

"You can tell us anything, Berrynose. That's what we're here for," Leafpool mewed.

"Uh, sure," Berrynose replied as he backed out of the medicine den.

Guess I'd better wake Birchfall and Squirrelflight; we didn't finish our training session yesterday.

Still unaccustomed to the early morning sun, Berrynose was glad to poke his head into the warriors' den. Everyone was already stirring; he made his way next to Birchfall and started licking his chest.

"Did the rest do you well?" Birchfall asked, doing an enormous stretch in his nest.

"I guess," Berrynose replied in between licks. "I didn't sleep that much, though-"

"Poppyfrost's watching you funny," Birchfall murmured.

Berrynose let his gaze drift until he saw Poppyfrost glaring at him.

So that confirms...that she was actually in my dream. Were we sharing dreams?

"Anyway, let's go," Birchfall mewed, weaving through the few remaining cats towards the entrance. Berrynose followed closely behind but as he passed Poppyfrost he whispered in his softest voice: "We should try again tonight."

And he could swear he heard Honeyfern reply.

"Thank you."