"Got you!" Nightwing exclaimed as she landed, pinning Thornclaw to the ground.
"Yeah, you did," he replied gently.
Nightwing got off and shook the dust out of her black fur. For the past few days, Thornclaw had been teaching her about Clan life. How elders and kits ate before apprentices and warriors; how the Clan hierarchy worked; and in Nightwing's opinion, the best part of all, ThunderClan fighting techniques. She was doing really well, and knew almost all the moves.
"Thornclaw," she asked, "How did you get to be such a great mentor?"
"Well, I've had a lot of practice. Let's see, how many apprentices have I had? There was Sootpaw, Shrewpaw, Poppypaw, and Briarpaw. So, you know, four apprentices."
Nightwing considered this, "So Poppypaw and Briarpaw are now Poppyfrost and Briarlight, but where are Sootpaw and Shrewpaw?"
Thornclaw's gaze saddened, "They're both dead. Sootpaw got to be a warrior; his name was Sootfur, but Shrewpaw never did."
"I'm so sorry," Nightwing gasped.
"It's okay. Let's just not talk about it right now. There's one more move I want to show you."
Nightwing nodded and listened to Thornclaw's instructions.
A while later, Thornclaw and Nightwing came back to camp. Nightwing noticed that Ivyleaf and Dovewing were arguing.
She went over to them and asked, "Why are you two arguing?"
Ivyleaf answered, "Dovewing has been having secret meetings with Lionblaze and Jayfeather for moons now, and she won't tell me anything! We're sisters, and we're usually very close, but lately we've been growing apart, and I'm sick of it!"
"Ivyleaf, try to understand. I wish I could tell you, but I really can't! I made a promise to my former mentor and the medicine cat, and I don't intend on breaking it!" Dovewing cried, her eyes watering up.
"Dovewing...," Ivyleaf began, but Nightwing interupted, "Listen, Ivyleaf, sisters are allowed to keep secrets. Streamsong was in love with Max for days before she told me. The only reason I found out she was expecting his kits was because I eventually noticed it myself. We're still just as close as ever. And if Dovewing promised both Lionblaze and Jayfeather not to tell, then it must be a pretty important secret. You don't need to be mad at her."
Ivyleaf looked ashamed, "I never thought about it that way before. I'm really sorry, Dovewing. Are we friends again?"
Dovewing purred, "Of course we are. Besides, we're sisters and we need to stick together. And I promise, if I'm ever allowed to tell anyone my secret, you'll be the first one I tell."
"It's a deal. Thanks for helping us out, Nightwing."
"Anytime Ivyleaf," Nightwing replied.
Nightwing went to the fresh kill pile, grabbed a squirrel, and went to share tongues with Thornclaw.
"What was that about?" he asked.
"They just needed a third opinion. It turned out Dovewing was right."
"Whatever you say," he responded through a mouth full of fur.
