The walk back to camp was silent and awkward. Duskpaw kept her eyes on the ground, walking slightly behind Blizzardpaw. The tom would occasionally glance over his shoulder from time to time.

"Well done, my son," Whitestar praised as they reached the camp entrance. "You, your brother, and the she-cats will eat first tonight."

Blizzardpaw dipped his head and led Duskpaw to the medicine cat den. "You can see if your sisters are in there," he muttered.

Duskpaw bowed slightly, then hurried into the dark space. Ginger paws and a muzzle glowed out of the shadows, occasionally being obscured by Doespring's dusty brown pelt.

Nightpaw smiled weakly when Duskpaw approached. "Hey," she rasped. "Who'd you get?"

Duskpaw noticed several long, shallow wounds on her sister's flank. "Blizzardpaw. He ambushed me when I went to find a better spot."

Nightpaw nodded. "I was discovered a few moments after Shadowpaw. I have Shimmerpaw."

Shadowpaw's scent drifted forth. Duskpaw looked around for her somewhat-immature sister, freezing when she spotted a still black and brown tabby shoulder.

Doespring seemed to notice her fear. "Oh, she'll be fine. I've given the babe a large dose of poppy seeds to keep her calm. Glimmerpaw really scratched her up."

Duskpaw sighed in relief. "Thanks, Doespring. I'll see you later, Nightpaw."

Outside, she spotted Whitestar speaking quietly with Blizzardpaw. Whitestar glanced her way, shuddered in disgust, then nudged Blizzardpaw. The silver-dappled tom sighed and trotted across the clearing.

"My dad said I need to know you," Blizzardpaw mumbled. "Let's talk over there, by your den."

Duskpaw followed him, sitting just like her mother had taught her. Eyes narrowed, paws steady, back straight, tail still...

Blizzardpaw settled himself comfortably among the ferns. "Um... what's you favorite... fresh-kill?"

Duskpaw blinked. "Squirrel." Such a generic question! I think I'm right in thinking that when Whitestar told Blizzardpaw to know me, he meant find out all my secrets so he can blackmail me if he ever has to.

Blizzardpaw's whiskers twitched. "Me too. Now you ask me a question."

Duskpaw felt her eyes widen. Is that allowed?

"What is your favorite color?"

Blizzardpaw smiled. "Orange. What's yours?"

Duskpaw grinned back at him. "A tie between indigo, orange, and yellow."

A sharp, cool voice interrupted. "What do you value most about our Clan, mangepelt?"

Duskpaw forced herself to turn around and reply calmly. "I value the high-rank warriors and the Starlight Council, since they both guide us to the right decisions."

Whitestar slunk forward to sit beside his son. "Average answer," he sniffed. "What traits do you think are most valuable?"

Duskpaw thought for a moment. "Strength, quick wits, the ability to protect the high-rank warriors."

Blizzardpaw looked confused. Duskpaw flicked an ear. This isn't me.

Whitestar snorted. "I've had that answer countless times. Final question- what is your biggest personality pet peeve?"

Duskpaw frowned. "Thick-headedness or the inability to comprehend a situation."

Whitestar silently got up and stalked to his den. Blizzardpaw's shoulders were tense. "You may go," he meowed.

Duskpaw dipped her head and ducked inside the low-rank apprentice den. Applepaw was grooming his chest fur.

"Hi," he mewed between licks. "Who'd you get?"

"Blizzardpaw."

Applepaw smirked. "Strong and silent, eh? I've got Cloudblossom, and between you and me-" he paused, leaning in close. "That she-cat is a freakin' brat. Always squealing, Applepaw, do this, Applepaw, get me a mouse, blah blah."

Duskpaw smiled apologetically. "Where should I make my nest?" she asked.

Applepaw patted a plush, furry bed next to his dirty, drab one. "I made it for you."

Duskpaw purred and licked her friend's cheek. "Thank you! I should probably start making Nightpaw, Shadowpaw, and Blightpaw nests now."

Applepaw shook his head. "No, you sleep. I'll take care of it."

Duskpaw began to protest, but Applepaw gently pushed her into her nest. "Rest," the older tom purred. "I'll wake you if anything big happens."

Duskpaw yawned. I am a bit tired, she thought. "Okay," she sighed. "Thanks for making the nests for me." She shut her eyes and tumbled into sleep.

Unknown to the tan tabby, Applepaw paused before exiting the drafty den. "I would run to the moon for you," he whispered, then darted to get more moss.

"Foxes! Foxes!"

Duskpaw awoke with a gasp. Her dream flooded back into her mind; she had been chased around camp by Applepaw, who was trying to convince her that adders were nice.

Outside, the camp bustled. Nightpaw was sound asleep in her new nest, back pressed against Shadowpaw's. The call came again. "Foxes! At the east border!"

Duskpaw froze. Foxes? And that's Blightpaw's voice!

She rushed outside. Blightpaw was slumped, panting, in the center of the clearing. A few scratches marred her haunches and shoulders.

Whitestar emerged from his den. "Where is my son?" he growled.

Blightpaw raised her head, too tired and scared to be polite. "He told me to come here," she hissed. "He's fighting the fox right now." She collapsed on her side. Doespring rushed out and pulled the exhausted apprentice to her den.

I will visit her later, Duskpaw thought. She'll be fine.

Whitestar's usually judgemental expression turned to one of slight alarm. Shinefur wailed, Blizzardpaw pressed to her side.

Darkheart immediately sprung forward. "Nettlespring, Sunpelt, Tinydawn, Leaftumble, Blackfur, and Blossomsnow, come with me fight the fox. Applepaw and Gingerpaw, go with us and bring Stormpaw back to camp. Go, go, go!"

Duskpaw watched the patrol dash out of the camp. Faint pawsteps sounded behind her.

"Hey, um, Duskpaw."

Duskpaw turned. Blizzardpaw was sitting a few inches behind her. Out in the forest, there was a howl and hissing.

"Hello, Blizzardpaw," Duskpaw replied.

They stared at each other in an awkward, slightly scared state. Then Blizzardpaw ducked his head. "How do you think they're doing?"

Duskpaw listened. There were a few barks, a yowl, then hissing. "I think they'll be okay," she answered. "Maybe a few will come back unhurt."

Shinefur wailed from across the clearing. Blizzardpaw stood. "I gotta go comfort my mom. Bye. Oh, and if you want to, you can eat."

"Bye."

Duskpaw watched the tom trot to his mother and press his head to her side. The air in the camp was full of tension.

There was one last howl, then cheering. The scent of blood suddenly tainted the air. Whitestar leapt to his paws. "Stormpaw!"

Applepaw and Gingerpaw staggered into the camp, supported a half-conscious Stormpaw. The white tom was bleeding heavily from his shoulder and tail, but had enough strength to raise his head and rasp, "Is... Blightpaw... okay?"

Frostydawn rushed out of her den with a bundle of herbs and began patching Stormpaw's wounds. Wow, Duskpaw thought as the high-rank medicine cat deftly plastered a thick cobweb on he shoulder wound. When a high-ranker is hurt, Frostydawn can really work!

Within two minutes, Stormpaw was bandaged, dosed with poppy seeds, and carried to the high-rank medicine cat den. Whitestar, Shinefur, and Blizzardpaw followed, their white and silver tails poking out.

From the low-rank nursery, Loudtooth yowled, "Doespring!"

The medicine cat rushed out of her den, carrying borage and a stick. Leaftumble followed, his expression one of pure panic.

Duskpaw sighed and headed to the fresh-kill pile. This is the craziest day ever.

Hey everyone!

Sorry about not updating Monday and Wednesday. Monday involved a random shopping spree right at the time I usually update. I planned to update on Tuesday, but we went and saw Star Wars (which is AWESOME), and on Wednesday we had to prepare a bunch of stuff for Christmas Eve dinner. I'm sorry! T-T

QOTD: What do you think about Blizzardpaw's relationship with Duskpaw? What do think about Stormpaw's concern for Blightpaw's health/safety?

Hope you enjoyed the chapter! Bai!

-Cherrystone