The next quarter moon wasn't very pleasant for Minnowpaw. Even though Featherstar hadn't launched an attack yet, FadeClan was highly on edge! Poisonberry had become more prickly and aggressive, especially towards Mapletuft and Flamebird. Minnowpaw was quite surprised that Mapletuft gave no reaction! As for Flamebird, the only reason Poisonberry lashed out at him was because of his constant asking about Whitefang.

Now, Minnowpaw was in the elder's den, tending the elders with Dapplepaw. Dapplepaw wasn't one to complain, quietly picking out fleas and ticks with mouse bile.

"Ahhh," Cindertail purred. "That feels so much better!" He tucked his left paw over his lame leg.

"Yet," Morningdust scoffed. "That leg of yours will never heal, I suppose." Her plumy tail was tightly wrapped around her paws.

Cindertail didn't seem hurt at all. It was as if many moons of this had hardened him. "That just means many more moons of my snoring!"

Morningdust rolled her eyes. "At least I have your company."

Cindertail grinned. "Back at you, Morningdust!" A mischievous sparkle danced across his blue eyes.

"So," Morningdust tipped her head at Minnowpaw. "How have you been doing in training?"

Minnowpaw shrugged. "Moonwish has been showing me the proper way to dress wounds." For when the battle starts.

"Ah," Morningdust mewed. "So a battle is coming!" Her eyes didn't seem to display any fear, just interest.

Minnowpaw nodded. "Featherstar was pretty serious with his threat."

Dapplepaw gazed at Morningdust and Minnowpaw. "At least we have StormClan as an ally!"

Morningdust's eyes sparkled. "Stormstar's a great leader," She rolled her eyes. "Unlike her brother!"

Cindertail nodded in agreement. "It seems like you two are done," he purred. "How about you go get some fresh-kill?"

"What about you?" Dapplepaw asked, her plumy tail quivering.

Morningdust smiled softly. "We aren't dead yet!" She stretched and sat up.

Cindertail nodded. "We can take care of ourselves!" He awkwardly sat up and began to hobble out of the den. "Morningdust," he mewed, turning to his denmate. "Are you coming?"

Morningdust nodded and turned to the two apprentices. "You can come with us as well," she mewed.

Dapplepaw happily nodded. "Okay!"

Minnowpaw smiled. "Sure!" This is probably the calmest moment I had this quarter moon.

Cindertail had already picked a vole from the fresh-kill pile. "Want to share, Morningdust?"

Morningdust stifled a purr and nodded.

Minnowpaw and Dapplepaw padded over to an excited Autumnpaw and Tawnypaw. "We're having our warrior assessments!" Tawnypaw cheered.

Dapplepaw's ears perked up. "What!?" she gasped. "Really?!"

Autumnpaw nodded. "Yep!"

Dapplepaw's green eyes flickered excitedly. "Yes!"

Minnowpaw smiled at them. "Congratulations!"

The three apprentices seemed pleased. "Thank you!" they chimed.

Dapplepaw suddenly seemed uneasy. "Wait," she mewed. "Doesn't that mean you'll be leaving to recreate BreezeClan, Tawnypaw?"

Tawnypaw dipped her head and nodded, as though sad.

Dapplepaw gasped. "But you were my best friend!"

Tawnypaw's eyes were round with guilt. "I'm sorry!"

Dapplepaw shook her head and ran off to the apprentice's den.

"Good job," Autumnpaw snapped at Tawnypaw. "You scared my sister away!" She turned her back on Tawnypaw and follow Dapplepaw into the apprentice's den to comfort her.