Scarclaw staggered into camp with a sigh. Training with those apprentices was really hard work. The two young she-cats were full of energy and wanted to try ever move possible. Foxpaw ended up losing concentration and clawed Sweetpaw so their mentors decided it was time to go back to camp. Scarclaw flopped down next to her littermates who were sunning themselves outside the warrior den.
"You look exhausted." Leopardsong meowed.
"She has been working hard. I'm not surprised she finally feeling it in her bones." Bramblewhisper laughed.
"You think she is more exhausted by the work or by having to spend each and every day with Scarlegs?" Rainfur twitched his ears with a grin.
"Oh shut up." Scarclaw sighed; "I need a break."
"I bet you do. How was Sweetpaw? She a good fighter?" Rainfur changed the subject.
"Foxpaw is the better one so far but Sweetpaw knows more about the moves and when to use them." Scarclaw replied.
"So she is intelligent." Rainfur purred.
"Oh, look who's mooning over an apprentice." Leopardsong purred and flicked her brother's nose with her tail.
"Let's not start with that! Who's the cat mooning over the tom who mentored her?" Rainfur batted her ear with his paw. The two began play fighting and joking about each other.
"Will they ever grow up?" Bramblewhisper purred.
"We can't say anything." Scarclaw twitched her whiskers.
"We are all kits on the inside aren't we?" Bramblewhisper gave her sister a lick behind the ear.
"Yes, we are." Scarclaw purred. She look around the camp. She saw Ashstar, Flamefire and Stripetail laying under the clan ledge. Mossears, Sandpool and Tanglefur were sharing tongues by the nursery with Wildflower, Patchpelt and her kits. Bramblefang, Icetalon and Tigerpelt were heading over to the nursery. Rockfur was playing with his sisters kits. Ice-eyes, Tigerfur, Quietfoot, Duststorm and Flamefur came into camp finishing off their border patrol. Babyfang and Mossclaw were heading for the Elders den, most likely going to check on them. Bramblepelt and Tangletalon were slipping out of the Medicine den.
Sweetpaw and Foxpaw were racing over to their mother. Scarclaw looked over and spotted Scarlegs sitting alone. She looked away, this feeling of sadness overwhelming her. She looked up and noticed Bramblefang and Icetalon padding over to them. Icetalon gave her kits a lick and purred.
"How are my kits doing tonight? Not over working yourselves are you?"
"I have to over work myself, Icetalon. I have to do my best to complete my punishment to the best of my abilities." Scarclaw meowed.
"How is that going? That tom's not causing you any trouble, is he?" Bramblefang meowed jokingly.
"He caused me to lose a squirrel while hunting." Scarclaw growled.
"It was one squirrel. I saw the fresh-kill you brought back, that was quite the catch." Bramblefang said proudly; "You warriors are definitely my kits."
"They aren't just your kits! They are mine too." Icetalon scoffed her mates' ear.
"They sure have you attitude." Bramblefang purred.
"You are going to have you pelt shredded, Bramblefang." Bramblewhisper meowed.
"Be careful, Bramblefang! We can't save you if Icetalon decides to shred you." Rainfur mewed.
"Yeah, we can't argue with Icetalon. She raised us." Leopardsong added.
"I raised you too!" Bramblefang looked hurt.
"Icetalon did most of the work." Scarclaw sat up and gave her pelt a few licks.
"They are definitely your kits." Bramblefang sighed.
"Yes they are." Icetalon purred proudly.
"I'm going to sleep now. I need as much rest as I can get." Scarclaw gave her littermates and her parents a quick lick and slipped into the warriors den. Curling into her nest, she remembered Silverflames words. 'You must hurry and find Grassclan!'
At the next gathering. I will leave. I must try and finish my punishment. Ashstar, I should tell him too. Slowly sleep came to Scarclaw but it was filled with nightmares of the clans battling with cats she didn't really recognize.
It was the day of the gathering. Scarclaw and Scarlegs were sitting with Ashstar inside his den. They had spent the past eleven sunrises working away at their punishment. Ashstar had wanted to speak with them.
"You two young warriors have done a good job. Today will be the last day of your punishment." The gray leader meowed.
"Thank you." Scarclaw and Scarlegs meowed at the same time and bowed their heads.
"Go and work hard to prove I made the right decision." He meowed and dismissed them. Scarlegs got up and left. Scarclaw looked up at the leader.
"Ashstar, I have something to talk to you about."
"I know, Scarclaw. Stripetail came to speak with me this morning." He smiled.
"Oh. Well then you know I must leave camp for a few days."
"Yes. I am glad you told me this time." He meowed.
"I wanted to tell you I will be leaving tonight, while the gathering is happening."
"Alright. I hope you have a safe journey. Where ever you may be heading." Ashstar meowed and then added; "Don't over work yourself today then. Take it easy."
"Yes, Ashstar. Thank you." Scarclaw meowed and left. She meet up with Scarlegs at the entrance and headed out to hunt. They two spent their day just like every day before this one. Working on patrols, hunting, checking the Elders but today Scarclaw took it easy. The sun had set and the cats where all gathering together. It was decided that Ashstar, Flamefire and Stripetail would take along Mossclaw, Tanglefur, Bramblepelt, Icetalon, Sandpool and Foxpaw, Tigerpelt and Sweetpaw, Hawkheart and Wildflower to the gathering.
The group of cats left and the camp settled down. Soon the cats that were left behind went to bed. Tangletalon was on watch tonight. Scarclaw listened as the cats in the warrior den slept peacefully. She slipped out and headed for the camp entrance. Tangletalon looked over at her as she came out.
"Shouldn't you be sleeping?" He meowed.
"Can't sleep. I decided a quick walk would help me. Is that okay?" She replied.
"Well I guess so. Just be safe okay?" He purred and gave her a lick.
"I will. Thank you, Tangletalon." She licked him back and left. She headed for the Airclan border and got ready to climb up.
"Where are you going?" She heard a growl and turned around. She cringed as Scarlegs came out from under a bush.
