"Lemonpaw, it's time to go!" called Firelight from the edge of camp.
Lemonpaw sat at the fresh-kill pile with Raspberrypaw and Thymepaw, licking the last bit of the mouse she had eaten.
"I'll see you two later," she called.
"Have fun!" Raspberrypaw called as she ran off, Thymepaw waved his tail beside her, making Lemonpaw's heart warm.
Firelight's mood had shifted the past moon, his grouchy and serious tone turning into more of a lighthearted and caring smile. Lemonpaw had heard rumors and stories of Firelight before the death of his sister and mate. Why, she'd heard Appleclaw chat all day about how he used to smile like there were no worries in the world.
But Lemonpaw knew what was up. Instead of watching Firelight sulk around all day, she noticed he took a large craving towards hanging out with Snowdrop, a beautiful white she-cat Lemonpaw had often seen wandering around camp.
It was no doubt the two were falling in love, and to be honest, Lemonpaw was happy for Firelight. He didn't seem to screech as her that much anymore or growl around her. He was so preoccupied thinking of Snowdrop that it was as if anger had left his body altogether.
"So what's the plan for today?" Lemonpaw asked, padding alongside Firelight.
"We're meeting up with Snowdrop and Koipaw for some training," Firelight explained.
"Snowdrop and Koipaw? We've never practiced with them before. How did you make that decision?" Lemonpaw asked, teasing him.
"I just decided that," Firelight replied, looking away. She could see his lips still curl into a smile though.
"Why don't you just ask her to be mates already?" Lemonpaw asked, shoving her mentor.
"My personal business is not yours," Firelight snapped. It was the same old Firelight all over again.
Lemonpaw was persistent though. "She obviously likes you. Are you too shy?"
"I should ask the same about you," Firelight replied, refusing to make eye contact with her.
"What does that mean?" Lemonpaw questioned.
"You and Thymepaw?"
Lemonpaw froze, not realizing he was able to pick up on her personal life too. "Th-that's not what it is," she argued.
Firelight laughed. "As if. It's obvious how you feel about him. Now, how about we get to some training?"
Lemonpaw growled, though she knew Firelight was right. She'd realized she'd loved Thymepaw for quite awhile now, yet she was too scared to mention anything too him. She supposed she was frightened of rejection.
As they came towards a clearing in the forest, Lemonpaw could make out Snowdrop and Koipaw already waiting for them. Lemonpaw hadn't spoken to Snowdrop that much, but she knew she was kind. As for Koipaw, Lemonpaw wasn't exactly looking forward to a day of training with the annoying she-cat.
"Good morning," Firelight called as he and Lemonpaw approached.
"Good morning, Firelight," Snowdrop purred. She turned her attention to Lemonpaw, her bright pink nose causing Lemonpaw's eyes to widen.
"Good morning, Lemonpaw," Snowdrop said.
"Morning," Lemonpaw replied.
"Can we get on with training instead of just saying 'good morning?'" Koipaw whined.
"Yes, Koipaw. Thanks for bringing Lemonpaw, Firelight. I know training is important to you. I just thought the she-cats could find that practicing battle moves on each other would be useful. They're somewhat similar in size," Snowdrop explained.
Both Koipaw and Lemonpaw exchanged confused glances, knowing Koipaw was taller and thinner than Lemonpaw.
"Well, if they both pass their apprentice exam in a moon, they'll be warriors, so it's best we train them and test their abilities," Firelight said.
Only a moon until she was a warrior? Where had the time gone?
Lemonpaw had not expected it to fly so past. She supposed she had been too wrapped up in her own world to notice the trees were already beginning to turn yellow and red again as leaf-fall approached. Her siblings were not the youngest apprentices anymore, and she guessed she hadn't even noticed the tiny gray hairs beginning to become visible on Hailfrost's muzzle.
"Thank goodness. The apprentice den is becoming crowded," Koipaw complained.
"Let's get to work," Firelight said, ignoring Koipaw's stupid comments.
"We're first going to test your reflexes when under attack. Koipaw, I want you to attack Lemonpaw," Snowdrop instructed.
"Will do," Koipaw responded, inching towards Lemonpaw and grinning.
"Keep your claws sheathed though," Snowdrop warned.
Lemonpaw shrunk down as Koipaw began to circle around her, her heart pounding with every second Koipaw remained still. As quick as lightning, Koipaw attacked. Anticipating where she would hit, Lemonpaw twisted her body so Koipaw landed over her, and she pawed at Koipaw's legs, causing Koipaw to fall onto the dirt.
"Ouch," Koipaw grumbled, standing up.
"Very good, Lemonpaw," Firelight purred.
Lemonpaw grinned, proud of her mentor's words. Unfortunately, looking at Firelight gave Koipaw the opportunity to strike again, this time causing Lemonpaw to fall onto the ground hard. Koipaw held her down, though Lemonpaw, being small, wriggled out from her and leapt over Koipaw, landing on the other side.
"Amazing! You're great at jumping!" Snowdrop observed.
Lemonpaw had never really noticed a spring in her step before, though she guessed it was mostly adrenaline.
Firelight did not comment though but only continued watching, his eyes narrowed. When Koipaw struck again, Lemonpaw kicked her in the stomach "unintentionally," allowing her to get away without the tiniest scratch on her.
"Let's take a break," Snowdrop suggested, seeing Koipaw sway from side to side.
"How do you do it?" Koipaw asked, groaning.
"Do what?" Lemonpaw asked.
"Your reflexes are quite strong, Lemonpaw," Snowdrop explained. "One of the best I've seen. They're close to a warrior."
"Yes," Firelight agreed, speaking for once. "In fact, they remind me of a SnowClan warrior's moves."
"A SnowClan warrior? I'm a member of NightClan!" Lemonpaw argued.
"Yes, you are," Snowdrop assured her. "To be fair, we don't know your biological parents. Maybe they're somehow related to SnowClan."
"I highly doubt that," Firelight explained. "But maybe your family is linked to a common ancestor among SnowClan cats. It's not a big deal," he said, but she could see suspicion in his eyes.
"Well, let's get back to work," Snowdrop commanded.
And so they continued working throughout the course of the day, Lemonpaw succeeding in most of her activities, Koipaw conquering in some. By the end of the day, the two she-cats were both exhausted, and she and Firelight waved good-bye as they headed back to camp.
"Good workout?" Firelight asked, noticing Lemonpaw was still panting.
Lemonpaw nodded, watching as the sun slowly lowered.
"Firelight," Lemonpaw said quietly.
"What?" he asked.
"If I did like Thymepaw, and I'm not saying I do, what would I say?" Lemonpaw asked.
Firelight laughed, causing Lemonpaw to shrink down in embarassment.
"So you do like him," he said. This time, Lemonpaw didn't argue. "Well, it's best to just approach him. I'm sure he likes you too. Of course, the speaking thing is a bit of an issue…"
"That's what I'm worried about," Lemonpaw sighed. "I still feel guilty about his inability to speak. If I had saved him faster, maybe he could tell me his feelings. He can sign of course, and I know he knows how to say he loves me, but what if cats judge me?"
"Judge you?" Firelight asked.
"He's disabled. What if they say things about me? 'How can you like a cat who can't even talk, Lemonpaw?'"
"They wouldn't say that," Firelight spoke. And Lemonpaw believed him.
"I know. It's just so hard…"
"I've been thinking about asking Snowdrop to be my mate," Firelight admitted.
"You should!" Lemonpaw urged him.
"It's just that I feel guilty too. I never thought I'd love another cat besides Thrushwing, but she's dead, and there's nothing I can do about that. I'll see her in StarClan someday, and I know she would want me to be happy, but it just feels wrong," Firelight sighed.
"I didn't know Thrushwing, or your sister, but I know they'd want you to be happy. You've been so much happier with Snowdrop. StarClan is always offering second chances."
"Thanks," Firelight replied, grinning. "And if you tell anyone what I said…"
"I won't. Just don't tell anyone what I said either," Lemonpaw pleaded.
"I won't. Good night, Lemonpaw."
"Good night," she replied, heading into the apprentice den.
She found Thymepaw sitting near the back, bored as he tossed a mossball against the den wall.
"Hey, want to go on a walk?" Lemonpaw asked.
Thymepaw nodded and followed her outside and into the woods, grinning the entire way. Often times he'd sign and point out various objects, commenting on the new arrival of leaf-fall.
Lemonpaw nodded, though she'd begun to get nervous, wondering what Thymepaw would respond to her confession.
They stopped in a normal clearing, sitting down and watching the sunset. For a moment, they both remained silent as they sat close to each other, watching some geese fly across the sky.
Lemonpaw opened her mouth, only to be interrupted by Thymepaw. Watching him, he signed, "Can we talk?"
"I have to talk to you, too," Lemonpaw explained. "But you go first?"
Thymepaw nodded and took in a deep breath, then moved his paws in a motion she'd never seen him move them before. She watched as he signed the words, "I love you."
For a moment, Lemonpaw remained frozen, watching Thymepaw become incredibly nervous, immediately signing "Sorry" afterwards.
"No, don't be," Lemonpaw responded, beginning to laugh. Thymepaw looked at her with confusion.
"I asked to go on a walk to tell you the same thing," Lemonpaw explained. "I love you, too, Thymepaw," she purred.
"I am mute," he signed.
"So? You're still that same tom I played with in the nursery," Lemonpaw purred, intertwining her tail with his.
Thymepaw nodded and grinned as they sat in silence and watched the sunset.