Thanks for the reviews! Especially you Ranger Charlie! Love ya! –RK

XXX

"Man it's going to be quiet with Will and Maddie gone." I said.

"Not that quiet though. Your still here." Sara said. I looked at Cory and saw that he was nodding. I started laughing. The others soon joined in. "See! You will make life here noisy and exciting while their gone." I had to nod at that.

"She's right." Cory said. "But remember when she tried to make breakfast? That was pretty funny."

"Yeah. She made Will laugh really hard! She forgot to mash the beans for coffee." I said. They nodded agreement. We all started laughing softly. "Well let's get off to learning the horse signals." I grabbed Sara's hand and led her away. "See ya Cory!" I waved back to him.

XXX

"Did you here? Will and Maddie are going on a mission!" I said.

"Really?" Cory and Sara said in unison. I nodded. "Cool. Looks like we won't be seeing them for a while." I nodded.

"Hey. Get packing. We're leaving for the gathering tomorrow morning." Halt said. I looked at them and shrugged.

"Well we better get going." I grabbed Sara's hand and dragged her to our dorm.

XXX

"So, are we there yet?" I asked smiling. We were by the ocean. I could smell the salt on the breeze.

"No we are not. So stop asking Willa." Halt said. I looked at Sara, Lydia, Stuart, Anders in turn before replying.

"Well, when I ask you know I'm perfectly fine. If I don't then something has happened." I smiled at him slightly. We then continued on toward the gathering. After a while we went into the forest with a trail only known by Ranger's. We then after a while went into a clearing.

When we walked in a few Rangers looked at us. Halt and Gilan went to the Command tent in the center. They told us the night before to find a spot while they deal with some business. "Hey. Welcome to the Corps girls. I'm Harrison. I'm going to grade your assessment tests." He said.

"Hello." I said. "I'm Willa, this is Sara, Lydia, Stuart and Anders. We're the new apprentices." He nodded and smiled before walking to one of the other Rangers. Some Rangers are still shocked at girls joining, but there all ok with it. As for the other apprentices…

"Hey. You girls can't be Rangers. Just Couriers, that's what girls are good for." I turned around to see a boy with two others behind him standing behind us. Like I was saying some apprentices don't like the thought of girls being Rangers.

"Why's that? Also what's your name?" I asked.

"Josh and because you're a girl. This is man's work." He said the others laughed a little.

"Is that so? You think us girls can't handle tough work?" I said, pouting slightly.

"Yeah." He smiled a little when he thought I was going to cry.

"Well…" I started, and then went at him. I grabbed his arm and twisted it behind his back and put my other arm around his neck. "So, still think we girls can't handle this?" I asked.

"No." I then let go and he stumbled away from me. He then left us, his buddies following.

"Shall we get our tents set?" They nodded.

XXX

"It is with my great pleasure that these apprentices be awarded their bronze oakleafs. For finishing their first assessment outstandingly." Crowley said. He then put a bronze leaf over each of our heads as he said our names. "Willa, Sara, Lydia, Josh," He scowled slightly at Josh, "and finally Jackson. Let the celebrations begin!"

I looked over at Jackson. He looked like one of the cronies that was with Josh. I walked over to him. "So, Josh your other buddy. He didn't get his oakleaf. Or is it he already has one?"

"He has one."

"Then why is it your leading when he's older?" I asked.

"None of your business." I shrugged and walked away. My friends followed me as I made my way over to Halt and Gilan.

"Heya!" I said waving.

"How was your meeting?" Lydia asked.

"Confidential and the gatherings over tomorrow. So we will be heading back." Halt said. Lydia shrugged

"Man this gathering went by fast," I said, "it felt like we just got here." They nodded agreement. "Well I think I'll turn in. It's getting late and that assessment was tiring."

"'Night." They said.

XXX

The next morning we got packed up and ready to leave. "Everyone packed?" Halt asked. We nodded. "Let's get going then." We then saddled up and headed out.

"Hey Halt. Can I ask you a question?" I asked.

"You already did."

"Hardy har har. No I mean how come not all apprentices go to the training camp?" I looked at him.

Before he could answer the world went black.