One week after Cedarfoot became deputy, Gingerpaw walked out of camp with Blackstripe. He knew that he loved her, but hoped that she felt the same way. She showed it, but hoped it was real. He knew that they couldn't be mates, but, he could love her.

"I need to ask her." He thought

He walked towards the stream where she was going to teach him how to stalk land-prey.

"Come on Gingerpaw!" She called

He nodded and sped up his pace. They sat next to the stream as he heard the chatter of a patrol for the Shadowclan border. He still remembered how angry Reedstar was and how many patrols Cedarfoot had already made. He was also shocked at Reedstar's choice of deputy. The gray tom was still young, but was a perfect example of a warrior. Loyal and strong, but still had a soft side for friends and family. He still grieved his father's death, but had begun to move on.

"Hello, Gingerpaw?" Blackstripe said as she flicked her tail in his face

'Wha?" He said

"Have you got bees in your brain you stupid furball?" She teased

He shrugged as she playfully swatted her paw across his face.

"Just ask her now!" He thought

She was so kind, he knew that if she said no, she would be gentle. He looked up and her yellow gaze showed no irritation, but patience and happiness. She was always so eager to go with him anywhere!

"Hey, Blackstripe?" He asked

She looked up as he fought to find the correct words.

"Yeah?" She asked

"Uhh..." He began

She sighed and padded up to him.

"Gingerpaw, I'm not blind. Something's bothering you. What is it? You can tell me." She said

She sounded so kind! He felt warm from his nose to his tail tip with embarrassment. He looked at his paws as he still tried to find the right words.

"Starclan please don't let me sound stupid." He thought

He breathed in and looked up.

"Blackstripe, we're friends, right?" He asked

"No, we hate each other." She said sarcastically

She flicked her tail happily as he brightened up.

"Well, did you ever think-" He began

"Gingerpaw, I know what you're gonna say and well..." She said

"Oh...Okay, it was a stupid thought." He said

Her ears perked up in surprise as his tail dropped.

"What do you mean?! I was gonna agree with you! I connect with you! I...I do like you." She said

His heart swelled with happiness. He lashed his tail happily.

"Thank Starclan!" He said

"But, we can't be together." She said

"The warrior code says you can't be my mate. Nothing about how I can feel." He said

"You're right! However, isn't it weird that you're an apprentice and I'm a warrior?" She asked

"A young warrior. You're only seventeen moons old. That's it. I'm about half your age. Willowshine says she's thinking of making me a full medicine cat when I'm fourteen moons! That's five moons away!" He said

"Wow, I can't believe it's already been three moons since you've become an apprentice." She said

He too was surprised. But, nothing could make him happier than he already was. The greatest cat in the world had just said that she liked him! He felt he could do anything! He looked over at the stream and thought of something. He splashed a pawful of water at Blackstripe, who jumped in surprise.

"Oh you little-" She said

She shoved him into the water and he went under. He looked around and saw nothing but water. He swam up and took a large breath. He turned and saw her laughing like a kit. He swam over and grabbed her scruff and pulled her in. She quickly swam up and stared at him. She playfully growled and leapt onto him as he swam out of her way.

"Try and catch me!" He said

He swam away as she splashed a thing of water at him.

"Hey!" A she-cat's voice said

They both turned and saw Sunpaw with Cedarfoot. The two's eyes were wide with surprise.

"Blackstripe!" Cedarfoot said

"Gingerpaw!" Sunpaw said

They looked at each other.

"Uhh, she was teaching me some water moves." Gingerpaw said

"And that's why she was splashing water at you?" Cedarfoot asked

"It does look fun." Sunpaw said

"It is!" Blackstripe said

Sunpaw turned her gaze to Cedarfoot, who did the same. They ran at the water and jumped in.

"We're like a bunch of twoleg kits!" Cedarfoot said

"Try and catch me!" Sunpaw said

She swam away as Gingerpaw looked over at Blackstripe. He shrugged and chased the black striped she-cat. She went under quickly and pulled up a fish.

"Not random." He thought

She swam out and placed her fish down. She turned and jumped into the water. She brought him under as he flailed around. He came up and saw her laughing. He joined in and watched them swim around.

"We ARE like twoleg kits!" He thought

He swam behind Blackstripe and brought her under. She turned and saw him, she grabbed his scruff and brought him up.

"You're dead!" She joked.

She swiped her sheathed paw at him and he blocked it. She looked surprised, but had a happiness in her yellow eyes.

"Those sessions are helping you." She said

He lashed his tail happily as he felt a small weight fly on top of him. He turned and saw Sunpaw on top of him.

"Gotcha!" She said

He turned and brought her under. As they were both under, he saw something. He saw dark glow surround his sister and it took the shape of a cat. He blinked and swam up. He gasped for air as she swam up to. Everyone looked at him weirdly.

"Uhh, fish swam in front of me." He said

"Stop being a scardey-mouse." Blackstripe said

"We should get back." Cedarfoot said, "It's almost dusk."

He blinked and saw that the sun was in the eastern region. He got out of the water and the other cats followed. He saw Willowshine near the juniper berries and she was glaring at him. She placed the berries down and looked right at him.

"Remember what I said Gingerpaw." She said

"What does she mean?" Blackstripe asked

"Something for medicine cats. Let's get back to camp." He said

They entered camp where they received looks from all there clanmates.

"Who fell in?" Whitetail asked

"No one! We were being mouse-brained and wanted to swim." Blackstripe said

"It was fun." Cedarfoot said happily.

"There you are Cedarfoot!" Aquapaw said

The blue she-cat ran towards her mentor with happiness beaming in her blue eyes.

"Can we go hunting! Or can we begin tracking?" She asked

"Gingerpaw!"

He turned and saw Willowshine pad in with a leaf-full of juniper berries. She motioned for him to come.

"Bye Blackstripe!" He said

She nodded and he ran off. He entered Willowshine's den, where she just sighed.

"Don't become attached." She said

He twisted his head in confusion as she placed the berries down.

"Take these to Mothstripe. Barkpelt should be with her. They've spent a lot of time together lately." She said on a happier note.

She gave him some celandine.

"What's wrong with her eyes?" He asked

"She got scratched in one by a rabbit from Windclan territory." She said

"ON Windclan territory?" He asked

"No, she was near the border and it came onto ours and it scratched her right eye. It doesn't look to bad." She said

Gingerpaw nodded and left. Though, what she said still bothered him,

"Don't become attached."