A/N: I can't help but feeling like February is zooming along while January went by at a snail's pace (I think it's because I was incapacitated with illness last month for like two weeks XD). Ah well, 2020 is shaping up to be a strange year for me. A horrible start and a fast second month. Can it be Summer already?

Anywho, here we continue with the ever awaited outcome of the Forestclan trial. Fingers crossed everybody, this could get ugly.

Thanks to DragonstarTheGreat for adding this story as a favorite!

Reviews

silhouette amongst stars- Oof, I don't think I can ever run on only four hours of sleep. I think the smallest amount I had was five at least. I mean there might be small moments of fluff every now and then, but not till later will it be a big focus again. Umm… maybe. We're kinda, uh, aboutta hit a lot of turbulence in a future pair of chapters (aka angst). I don't necessarily plan for there to be explicit gory scenes (or, like, scenes where a character is being tortured) they just kinda happened. Maybe, hold onto your theories because everything can be true until proven untrue. Scared/eaten whatever (although yeah, looking back at it, it's kinda unrealistic. Oh well, my mistake). Probably yeah, watch out Sooty. Pushing someone away just because you don't want to hurt them sounds like the most ridiculous excuse in my opinion XD I've seen it happen so many times in movies and shows and books and fanfiction. I ain't an expert in martial arts either (I only know the basics of karate, a bit of boxing, and the likes but I'm no expert). Charging headfirst into anything isn't ever recommended cause yeah, you would want to wait for your opponent to make the first move but hey, someone's gotta make the first move. If you're both waiting then it's just a stalemate. But yeah, Bramblepaw is being a bit… passionate, let's say that. Goodnight (and please try to fix your sleep schedule so you can sleep more).

Guest- I don't normally plan for cliffhangers to happen… but that one I did plan, yes XD. You shall find out in this chapter! (Or maybe next chapter if I'm feeling stingy.) Yeah, Midnight Raid is turning out to be my favorite. With the help of le Google XD (I literally just google a possible name, and it usually tells me if it's already a character in a book.) So I avoid those names. I did say that? I don't remember saying I have a backstory for Yellowpaw, but it might happen. Backstories are very long and take a lot of planning to do (more so than just a regular chapter), so forgive me if I can't get around to everybody. Yeah… apprentices have been apprentices for a while. That will change soon but uh… yeah, I probably should've made them warriors a while ago. Oh well, they'll get their new names soon. (High Ranks- Nobles and Royals- are normally apprentices starting from ten moons; the time they end is up to the mentors but it's usually around six to eight- maybe even another ten- moons of training. Low Ranks- Artisans and Commons- start at twelve and only train for five or six.) It is a thing! Both for myself and the audience to make it clear where they belong, and also because they take great pride in their clan. Thanks for the warrior name suggestions, they're all great (and not everybody does all of them, just the main cast).

KyubiMaster9- Yeah, I think that's my favorite too. XD Boss music, lol. Leafstar is a beast of a fighter, don't get on her bad side. I'm praying super hard for Berrypaw too (gosh, I've been so mean to her) but the fact of the matter is… it's not looking too hot for her. Bramblepaw is just a very passionate fighter (but yes, we'll see him being tossed around a bit, that's always fun) and Cherrypaw… Cherrypaw is cautious when it comes to facing a strategist who had ample time to plan. You didn't sound rude at all! Ah yes, White and Rain are umm… experiencing some difficulties. But fear not, we'll get back to them soon.

AlderClaw- Aww, that's a cute name. I don't think I've ever seen anybody use "Snail" before.

Thanks to everybody who reviewed!

Let's get started!

Forestclan

"Well… that didn't go as planned." Despite rubbing at a sore spot on her nose, from where she spectacularly tripped and fell face-first into the hard ground, Berrykit giggled through her words, a bright smile on her face. She was always smiling, the upwards tilt of her lips a permanent strain to her face muscles. She sometimes wondered if it was possible for her face to get stuck like that, but that was fine.

She had to keep smiling, especially because her friends always seemed so sad all the time. Being an orphan did that to you, and though Berrykit was one of them, she didn't want to repeat the endless cycle of grief.

"Yeah, no kidding," Heatherkit, ever the grumpy one, wrinkled her nose and shook her head. She was rather dizzy from having collided with the larger Thornkit. "I told you all of this was a horrible idea."

"But it's fun!" Berrykit squeaked out, jumping to her paws and puffing out her chest with a playful grin.

"Is it though?" Mothkit mumbled, ever the quiet one; his ears were flattened in discomfort as he hovered around the others. "I thought we all agreed to take a nap today."

"You won't know what fun is even if it bit you in the tail," Berrykit giggled, sticking her tongue out at the little tom and mentally cheering when he playfully did the same. Mothkit was always the hardest to get to play along with them.

"As fun as this isn't-" a voice grunted, small teeth gritting in annoyance, and Bramblekit shot a glare as best as he could to his brother, "Thornkit, get off me, you big oaf!"

Thornkit sent a mischievous wink in Berrykit's direction before laying even more of his weight on his brother, sprawling on top of him in retaliation. In a voice that was dramatically whiny, the dark brown tom-kit sighed, "but you're so comfortable."

Bramblekit grumbled even more, the others trying and failing to stifle their laughter. Berrykit felt like she could breathe- in these moments where all of them could just forget about their not-so-great lives and just laugh. It was tiring work, always being the one to try and get them to play, but no one else was going to do it.

Swiftkit and Cherrykit were more reserved with their laughter, the latter even hiding her smile behind a paw, and Mothkit only sniggered once before his attention went elsewhere. Heatherkit openly laughed, and Berrykit would have done the same if she didn't know how uncomfortable Bramblekit became being the center of all their laughter.

Deciding to spare her friend from further embarrassment, Berrykit walked forward with a bounce in her step, standing near the center of their little group. The sun was high above, burning almost, but the little blue kit enjoyed feeling its warmth. And, looking at how the others- even Mothkit- did their best to stay in the light, something told her they did too. A perfect day for playing.

"Alright everyone, let's try that again."

"Do we have too?" Heatherkit whined, "I spent all morning grooming myself and now I'm a mess thanks to you."

"You look great regardless," Berrykit responded easily, waving her concerns away with a paw before standing taller. "And yes! Come on; we're going to be apprentices one day, what better way to impress our mentors by showing them we made our own tactics?"

Indeed, that's what the group had been coerced into doing all morning, courtesy of one lively Berrykit. While still not the best when it came to properly knowing how to fight, the blue kit knew that all the play-fighting they did helped with something. Seriously, their balance was impeccable. And already they were showing signs of excelling in one or more skills.

Bramblekit was the heaviest hitter (he could send the mossball flying!) but he was rather slow and moved like a badger. On the opposite end of that spectrum, Swiftkit was physically the weakest, but she was the fastest (try as she might, Berrykit could never beat her light grey friend in a race from one corner of the camp to the other).

Mothkit was the stealthiest, and his accuracy was damn near perfect. He was always sneaking up on the others and scaring them even when he wasn't trying, and sometimes when they were hitting the mossball to moving targets (aka themselves), he almost always hit someone in the face. Heatherkit was, surprisingly, great at wrestling and countering (something Berrykit truly believes comes from how she always likes to argue). She even excelled at dodging.

Cherrykit was smart (super-duper smart!) and was always great at pointing out others, and her own, mistakes. Physically though, she was great all around, though her stamina and endurance were marvelous. Thornkit was even better all around, his low speed his only hindrance at the moment, and he was fantastic at blocking.

And Berrykit…

"Come on, Mouse tactic, one more time!"

Well, she had the most determination (Thornkit and the others jokingly called her the most stubborn instead). No matter how many times she was beaten by the others in something, she always kept challenging them.

One day, she vowed to herself in solitude, one day I'll be stronger than even them. But until that day came, Berrykit would keep getting back up no matter how many times she fell.

"Remind me again why you decided to call it Mouse of all things?" Bramblekit, now being relieved from his brother's weight, sighed as he stood up, shaking out his ruffled pelt and shooting a scowl to Thornkit (who returned it with a cheeky wink). "I mean… That's not, you know… The greatest? I mean-"

"He means it's lame, Berrykit," Heatherkit chuckled, though there was apparent fondness in her gaze as she looked around at all of them. Despite how annoyed she appeared to be all the time, she really did love her friends. "A lame name is embarrassing."

"What?! It's not lame, it's in.. Incon… What was the word again Cherrykit?" Berrykit leaned over to stage-whisper to the black and grey kit. Her friend, shy as ever, gave a nervous shuffle of her paws when most of the attention went to her.

"Inconspicuous," she responded, a slight smile on her face. Berrykit wondered what she would look like with a full-on grin. She thinks she'd look pretty.

"That! It's that," Berrykit whirled back to face Heatherkit and Bramblekit, taking on a tone that was meant to mimic an elder instructor, "they are supposed to be secret codes that only we know of. Now, any other questions my pupils?"

"Still… why Mouse?" Bramblekit tilted his head in curiosity.

"Because," Berrykit dragged out with a heavy sigh before grinning sharply, "it scares them away like a scaredy-mouse from seeing us charge at them… Well I mean, I guess you don't need to do it, Bramblekit. Everyone runs away when they look at you anyway."

"Why you- Come here!" The tom's green eyes widened before they narrowed, charging at the blue-furred kit with a hiss. Berrykit squealed before running away, bright laughter ringing in the air and drawing the amused attention of the warriors. It was a surprising sight- seeing so many young ones who suffered so soon into their lives able to laugh and play just like normal kits.

For the kits, they were equally as grateful to the one who brought them all together- who was currently struggling to escape from Bramblekit's grasp as he mercilessly tickled her. (Thornkit "saved" her, attacking his brother with his own tickles, and before any of them knew it, all of the kits were wrestling with one another.)

Berrykit's cheeks hurt from all that smiling. She wished for these days to live on forever.

The days that were filled with laughter and fun and games.

Sadly enough… Those days were long gone. There was no time for fun and games anymore.

"Begin!" Leafstar's shout lashed at the three of them like a serrated whip, harsh enough to make even Bramblepaw flinch and the air quivered in submission to the all-powerful force that she was. At this moment, Leafstar was above nature itself.

And Berrypaw knew the three of them, mere mortals, stood no chance against a heavenly being.

For a moment, the world stood still. Leafstar made no move to begin the fight, she hardly ever did. (Why should she? After all, she wasn't the one who needed to prove their worthiness. She already did, and bearing the name of Grand Royal said it all.) Berrypaw swallowed nervously, ears flattened against her head in trepidation and the tip of her tail twitched spastically.

Experimentally, the blue-furred apprentice took in a slow, deep breath, consciously moving her flanks and grimacing when a sharp pain pierced her side. Either broken or bruised, she believed it to be the former, Berrypaw knew that with the current condition of her ribs she wouldn't be able to keep up with the other two, let alone Leafstar. But still…

She had to try.

"We need a plan," Berrypaw breathed out, gasping mid-way through her sentence and gritting her teeth as she glanced morosely down to her scarred side. The white skin was pulled taut, threatening on ripping open once more with any sharp movement she would do, and a part of it was pinkened with aggravation from where Bramblepaw had landed on it. This was going to be tough.

"As if I'd ever take orders from you," Bramblepaw- being Bramblepaw- snarled without so much as sparing a glance in her direction, standing in the middle of the two of them. Without a moment's notice, he charged once again. Leafstar's eyes flashed for a second, unimpressed and disappointed, but she prepared herself to handle him thusly.

"Bramble- Oh you know what, fine!" Berrypaw hissed breathlessly before turning to her side, careful to make as little movement as possible. Cherrypaw and her could try again, try to run away and fail like last time, but Berrypaw knew Leafstar was not exaggerating when she said she wouldn't let them leave. Not until they impressed her. Dark green met icy blue, Cherrypaw falling into a sort of trance, not unlike Leafstar's strategizing stupor, and the blue-furred she-cat spoke through partially gritted teeth. "Are you going to ignore me too out of your stupid rivalry with me, or are you smart enough to know we need to work together?"

Harsh words for someone who was asking for help, but Berrypaw was irritated and tired (and a bit hungry) and Cherrypaw didn't deserve kind words. Not after everything she put her through.

Perhaps she was letting her grudge do the talking. She found that she couldn't care less.

"I'm thinking, okay?" Cherrypaw grumbled back, eyes flicking back to where Leafstar had sent Bramblepaw flying with a well-placed kick to his stomach. The tom, breathless and more than a little surprised that such a lithe she-cat could throw him around, rolled across the ground before coming to a momentary stop. Scrambling back to his paws, he let out a winded hiss before charging at her once more. Leafstar made sure to keep a careful eye on the two she-cats, and Berrypaw knew they needed to act fast and do something before the Grand Royal shifted her attention to them completely.

"Well, think faster!" Berrypaw growled, taking in a deep breath and doing her damndest to brush away the prickle of pain at her side while simultaneously gathering what little courage she could find within her terrified soul. "We'll give you some time."

While Cherrypaw wasn't as great as a tactician as Leafstar was (her plans were always simpler and were not nearly quick enough to match the leader's grand schemes), she was still their best hope. Although, Berrypaw wondered, she didn't know if anything Cherrypaw could hash together would be enough for them to cross the finish line. Compared to the Grand Royal, the black and grey she-cat was a mere beginner in the realm of strategizing.

Leafstar was beyond the title of a master at this point.

(Berrypaw also found that she quite disliked leaving all her hope on Cherrypaw, though it couldn't exactly be helped.)

Whatever courage she had managed to gather would be nowhere near enough regardless, so the blue-furred she-cat could do nothing else but charge. And she did. Through the prickling pain that was slowly growing in intensity, there was a slight limp in her gait as she ran, Berrypaw aimed to sprint and leap onto her leader's back while it was turned. She was seemingly focused on Bramblepaw, who was huffing and panting and wheezing for air while still valiantly barraging the leader with heavy strikes.

Within striking distance, Berrypaw leaped.

And failed.

In an instant, a hefty shove was enough to force Bramblepaw back a step or two, and with that free space and time, Leafstar spun around with a jump. Berrypaw tried twisting away at the last minute, but it could not be helped. Mid-air, Leafstar's front paws grabbed Berrypaw beneath her front legs, keeping up with the spin and throwing the blue-furred apprentice to the incoming Bramblepaw's pathway.

Berrypaw could do nothing but remain limp, praying that it wouldn't hurt too much when they collided.

Her prayers weren't enough- when were they ever?- and it did hurt, but strangely enough, she hit the ground instead of the tom. In a display of surprising grace, Bramblepaw had hopped straight over her form when he saw her coming, not wasting a second as he charged once more after landing.

Good for him. Berrypaw drew in a shaky breath, the phrase of please don't hurt, please don't hurt, please don't hurt a mantra in her mind as she gingerly stood back up. Her side was still in constant pain and aggravation, but it wasn't worse than before. It was sore, sure, but manageable.

For now, at least, she could ignore it. (Blossomleaf would no doubt scold her for pushing herself too much, and Berrypaw would pretend to listen as usual and apologize.)

Berrypaw let out a short breath before trotting forward. Straight ahead, Bramblepaw was, once again, clashing with Leafstar. He did manage to get a few hits in, though Berrypaw suspected even those were planned too, and the tom doubled his efforts each time. The Grand Royal's light green eyes were clouded with a thoughtful expression, hyper-focused on everything around her at the same time. Multitasking came with the territory for a tactician, and it astonished Berrypaw how such a simple skill could be so deadly.

The blue-furred she-cat shifted directions a bit, running in a wide arc to come up at Leafstar's undefended side instead of straight ahead of her. And also so she wouldn't get in the way of a rampaging Bramblepaw- whose strikes just took on the barest hints of desperation the longer the fight was dragged out. Berrypaw frowned to herself, eyes narrowing as she sped up so she would be able to relieve the tom of his clash.

He was their hardest hitter, and it wouldn't do them good for him to tire himself into passing out at this point. She suspected Leafstar had planned to do just that, and even if Bramblepaw didn't want it, Berrypaw would help him by foiling the leader's strategy before it could become a reality. Even if that meant taking the torch and facing Leafstar head-on, it was for the greater good.

Unfortunately, things never ever went how Berrypaw planned for them.

A wobble in his exhausted step, Bramblepaw dropped his defenses just enough for Leafstar to come in impossibly close to him, reaching around to grip his scruff between her teeth and tossing him aside…

Straight into Berrypaw.

The two collided with an oomph coming from the she-cat, both rolling over one another before coming to a stop with the tom's much heavier mass pressed right into her side. Her unscarred flank now hurt too from scraping against the ground, a stray twig or two sharp enough to scratch at her on the way. Leafstar was unfairly strong, being able to toss the tom aside like he weighed nothing. Berrypaw just hoped all that effort was taking a toll on her too at this point. Because although they wouldn't be able to last long enough to tire out their leader, any drop in energy from Leafstar would be a blessing at this point.

"Off of me you oaf!" Was what she tried to say, though it mostly came out in an incomprehensible grumble as she pulled herself out from underneath him, just enough to lay right beside him rather than beneath him. It didn't matter anyway, Bramblepaw wasn't listening to her as he miserably tried to catch his breath, lying limp on the ground. Somewhere off to the side of them, Leafstar had turned and charged at Cherrypaw- catching the she-cat off-guard before they began their own duel.

Berrypaw groaned through gritted teeth, hissing a curse beneath her breath as she felt her entire right side throbbing in sync to her racing heart. It definitely hurt even more now, startling so, and it was enough to bring her to tears. She almost felt like calling it quits, almost felt like just staying down and not getting back up. Surely Leafstar wouldn't be cruel enough to force a Cripple to keep going when they could only injure themselves even more.

Then again, Leafstar was treating her no differently than the other two apprentices, so maybe not.

Bramblepaw was moving again, slowly and filled with exhaustion, and she could just barely see the side of his steely face. The expression he wore was grave, and Berrypaw wondered if he too was thinking about quitting. She doubted that- Bramblepaw was many things, but a quitter wasn't one of them (for better or for worse). His legs were shaking, the lower half of his body still lying limply as he pushed his upper half slowly up and held himself there.

A low growl came from within his chest, the corner of his lip slowly curling back in a nasty grimace, and Berrypaw could see hate brimming in his green gaze. He was going to keep trying, even if it killed him… and if he did, Berrypaw knew there was no way they would get out of here.

She almost wondered why she cared so much at this point; she already knew she wasn't going to win. What was the point of pushing herself so hard? Just so Bramblepaw and Cherrypaw could take victory in her place? Even if they did make it out of here, even if they all made it to camp on time together, Berrypaw was doomed from the start. This trial was doomed from the start.

So, why?

Why should she keep destroying herself for their sake?

Berrypaw bit back a pained sob, harshly blinking back tears borne from frustration and agony. She didn't know. None of it made sense to her, nothing ever did. It was ridiculous… Simply ridiculous how much she still cared about her rivals. Those she had once called friends, those she secretly hoped would return to her one day so they could smile and laugh and play games and have fun all over again.

The logical side of her told her that those days would never return. Too much damage was caused by all of them to one another, it was hopeless thinking that they could all come together and just forget. For her best interest, it would be smart for Berrypaw to just move on from them, outrun her kittenish wishes and become the grown-up everyone was expecting her to be now.

But Berrypaw had always been overruled by her emotions, and that side of her- wounded and small as it was- was what made her reach over and place one of her paws over one of the tom's own.

Instinctually, Bramblepaw grunted and tore his paw away from her grasp, and Berrypaw let out a shaky breath as she tried again.

"Bramblepaw, please-"

"Stay out of the way, Berrypaw," he spat at her, still doing his best to catch his breath. His head turned in her direction, green eyes sparkling with malice that she didn't know could exist there when they had been kits. "You're useless here."

"We need to work together-"

"Like I'll ever work with you!"

"At this rate, you can't beat her on your own," she growled, hoping that her words would reach through that thick skull of his.

"Watch me!" He spat back at her, and Berrypaw just about had enough of his stubbornness.

They were both surprised when she suddenly smacked his muzzle, hard enough for his head to jerk to the side. He blinked back at her with wide eyes, more than a little shocked at her sudden spike in annoyance, but Berrypaw simply glared back at him in return through her tears.

"Please," she grounded out, emotions clogging her throat and making her voice crack. She could feel the heat of her tears burning at the corners of her eyes- frustration taking on a whole new level- begging for permission to release. She ignored the stinging. "Please! I know you hate me, I know I'm the last cat you ever want to work with or talk to… Stars, I think you even want me dead for a reason I don't want to know. But just for tonight, just for a few minutes, just for however long it takes for us to win… I'm begging you to please put away your hate for just a moment. I know you don't want to, and believe me I don't either, but we have to work together, Bramblepaw or none of us are walking out of here."

Through the tears blurring her vision and the scowl pulling at her lips, Berrypaw could feel her heart just about ripping into shreds. But that was fine.

It had to be fine.

A few tears fell and she stubbornly wiped them away. Now was not the time to cry.

She could do that later.

"...Fine…" Bramblepaw breathed out a few moments later, ears flat against his head as he turned his gaze away from her. Perhaps she was hallucinating, but Berrypaw thought for sure she saw discomfort in his gaze before he looked away, maybe even the barest bits of guilt. She was definitely dreaming things.

"Okay…" she sighed, a ragged breath that cut off into another sharp inhale as she gingerly moved a paw to her side, massaging it gently before she made a move to stand up. Well, try to at least.

The tom in front of her suddenly moved, darting forward with a surprising burst of energy and jumping up into the air. In his grasp was Cherrypaw, who had been sent sailing in their direction after losing the tousle between Leafstar. Bramblepaw held her protectively before stepping away once she was steady on her paws, dazed and perturbed at just how quickly she had lost the exchange.

Berrypaw stood up slowly, a step behind the other two. Leafstar was far ahead of them, just like before, and she hardly looked winded. Light green eyes stared unflinchingly at the three of them before she closed them with a heavy sigh.

"What a mess," Leafstar exhaled with a shake of her head, a deep frown on her face as she looked back at her apprentices with disappointment. "Is that truly the best you can do? Perhaps you all need another few moons of intensive training, forget thinning the running."

Her words, whether she truly believed them or not, were meant to discourage the three of them. And even though Berrypaw was aware of what she was trying to do- break down their determination- it didn't stop it from working. She almost felt like snapping back, but with what? What she said was true.

"Berrypaw," the blue-furred apprentice flicked her gaze to Cherrypaw, raising a brow in silence even though the other she-cat couldn't see with her back turned to her. "Bramblepaw… This is a difficult task, impossible almost; almost. I doubt we'll be able to beat her with the condition we're all in. Our best hope is to find the right opportunity to escape. All she wants is a show, after all." Cherrypaw glanced at both of them, head turning to look over her shoulder at the blue-furred apprentice before a weary smile pulled at her lips. "So, let's give her one."

Berrypaw blinked, letting out a huff of laughter, and Bramblepaw grunted in reluctant agreement. Stepping aside, the tom allowed space for Berrypaw to stand in the middle of the two, dark green eyes narrowed with resolve once more.

"How much can you push yourself?" Cherrypaw asked quietly at her side, and Berrypaw let out a heavy breath through her nose.

"It hurts to walk," she admitted, a frown flickering across her face before she grinned sharply, "but it doesn't hurt to breathe yet. As long as I can breathe, I can push through."

"How sad," Bramblepaw sniffed haughtily, and Berrypaw scowled in annoyance.

"Most of it's your fault, Oak, so if we fail because I can't push myself enough, you only have yourself to blame."

"Or I can blame you for being weak-"

"Enough you two," Cherrypaw cut him off with a heavy sigh, sending a glare to the two of them before taking a few steps forward. "I've figured it out anyway. Berrypaw- go beyond your limits."

"Very inspirational," Berrypaw couldn't help but quip with a smirk, "you got that part of being a Grand Royal down at least."

"Hush," although she couldn't see her face, Berrypaw could hear the smile in Cherrypaw's voice. A breathy laugh escaped the black and grey apprentice. "This is going to be silly and ridiculous and I can't believe this is our best hope, but you should be happy at least Blue."

For a second, Berrypaw was confused, and just when she was about to ask why, she got her answer when Cherrypaw suddenly said, "Trotting Fox."

Berrypaw let out a startled gasp, feeling giddy almost, and she did her best to bite back a laugh. Trotting Fox was a tactic the blue-furred apprentice had made when they were all kits. Normally used in large numbers- Berrypaw had always included all of the kits after all- it would do just fine with the three of them.

And because Berrypaw had made them, the only ones who knew what it meant was herself, Cherrypaw, and Bramblepaw… but not Leafstar. At the very least, it would catch the Grand Royal off-guard. Impress me, Leafstar had said; they couldn't beat her or run away, so at the very least, they would have to impress her.

Bramblepaw snickered- exasperated and rolling his eyes before running forward, taking the lead, with Berrypaw falling into step directly behind him and Cherrypaw behind her- the three of them forming a straight line, one after another. Leafstar blinked at them, expression hardly changing before she lowered into a ready stance.

As soon as Bramblepaw was within striking range, instead of charging straight up to her like so many times before, he skidded to an abrupt stop- shoulders muscles screaming at the effort it took for the sudden pause. He crouched low, chest touching the ground and haunches straight in the air, almost as if he was inviting the Grand Royal to play instead of fight.

Berrypaw, fighting through the agony, leaped directly over, blocking Leafstar's view of the other two as she came in with an overhead strike. She missed, Leafstar backing away in the nick of time, but that was her intention. Because Bramblepaw was always the one meant to hit her- whoever led the charge in Trotting Fox was- and the others were just there for a distraction. While Berrypaw landed, Bramblepaw had hopped to the side, providing room for Cherrypaw to run up. Instead of leaping over Berrypaw, the blue-furred she-cat leaped straight into the air so the black and grey apprentice could dive under her.

An upward strike aimed at Leafstar also missed, the Grand Royal taking another step back, but just before she could retaliate, Cherrypaw dove to the right- Berrypaw a step behind her dove to the left before her. Bramblepaw sprinted straight up to Leafstar, lashing out, and it surprised all of them when it worked. His paw connected where he wanted it, directly at her temple.

Bramblepaw paused for a second in surprise, eyes blowing wide before proceeding with another barrage.

"Honeybee!" Cherrypaw called out, and this time, Berrypaw simply could not fight off the grin that appeared on her face. Another one of her tactics; perfect as a follow-up to Trotting Fox. The blue-furred she-cat was quite surprised, and flattered, that Cherrypaw not only remembered the individual ones, but she also remembered how they were best used in succession.

If they were all in good moods later, if this changed anything about their current situation of hating one another, Berrypaw vowed she would tease Cherrypaw about this.

While Bramblepaw continued his relentless assault, the two she-cats stalked forward on either side of him, coming in at a diagonal angle. At the last second, the tom jumped over the leader, taking a hit to the shoulder before he did so, and Berrypaw and Cherrypaw lunged forward to simply shove Leafstar in the chest so she would stumble back into Bramblepaw's awaiting grasp.

Well, that's how it was supposed to work; Berrypaw was starting to believe she was the embodiment of bad luck at this point.

The leader balanced on her hind legs, hitting their incoming paws down before moving her paws to either side of their heads, arms open wide, before slamming the two of them together. Berrypaw squealed, a sharp pain at the side of her head now, and Cherrypaw grunted out a growl. Luckily for the two of them, Bramblepaw was there to pull Leafstar back a step before she could continue- once again taking the brunt of his leader's attacks.

The blue-furred apprentice shook her head, a wave of dizziness making her stumble a bit, and Cherrypaw was no different. They had to push through, they had finally gotten their momentum going!

"The snow," Cherrypaw breathed out, swallowing before looking to her side at Berrypaw. "Toss the snow, a wave."

Berrypaw didn't need to be told twice, the two of them working together to make a cascade of white frost. At the sight of it, Bramblepaw grunted, backing away from Leafstar with a leap backward. The leader could only blink before the snow hit her from above and behind, the sudden increase of cold taking her breath away for a second as she ducked her head down with a breathy hiss.

"Hawk Dive," Cherrypaw spoke, and Berrypaw swiftly fell into the tactic. Stepping forward, the blue-furred she-cat braced herself on the ground, muscles tightening as Cherrypaw leaped onto her back, becoming a willing platform as her rival leaped high into the air. Berrypaw stumbled a bit, Bramblepaw was better as a stable platform, but she quickly regained her balance and lunged forward.

Leafstar had turned around, the snow settling now, and just barely managed to block an incoming strike. Bramblepaw circled her, waiting for his turn almost impatiently now, and Berrypaw fainted a strike and instead kicked up even more snow directly into the face of her leader. A part of her felt almost guilty for that, seeing it as disrespectful, but Leafstar was the enemy for tonight. Forestclan members always used the environment to their advantage, and that included the snow.

Alas, Cherrypaw came down from her wide arc, landing on Leafstar's back. The landing wasn't perfect, half of her body was off of the leader, but it would have to do. All Cherrypaw needed to do was keep her there, paws wrapped around wherever she could grab. Bramblepaw pounced forward with an explosive force, one of his large paws securing itself on the back of Leafstar's head before shoving her face-first into the snow.

It worked, but not as well as they wanted it to. Leafstar had gone with the flow, accepting the hit and letting her body go limp enough for Cherrypaw's grasp to weaken just barely. With a surge and a twist, the leader whipped her body around in a roll, the black and grey apprentice still holding on and hissing as her body hit the snow as well. On her back, directly underneath Bramblepaw, the leader freed one of her legs from Cherrypaw's grip and lunged upwards, striking the tom's chin and making him reel backward with the force of it.

Berrypaw was quick to take his place, quicker even when she saw Cherrypaw losing the battle to keep a hold on Leafstar as the leader began kicking her away in a desperate move to get away from her.

For a second, maybe a bit longer, Berrypaw managed to pin the leader's shoulders down, finding the strength within her she didn't know she could summon at the moment and forcing the leader to succumb. Light green met dark green, almost in surprise, and that was all it took before Leafstar's eyes narrowed dangerously. With her front legs free, they shot forward and grabbed Berrypaw, using her as an anchor to pull herself away from Cherrypaw's grasp- kicking the other she-cat one last time on the way and leaving her breathless and bruised- and positioning herself beneath the blue-furred apprentice. Off-balanced, because her paws were still on Leafstar's shoulders, it didn't take much for the leader to make Berrypaw fall- twisting enough to slam her into the snow instead of on top of her.

Out of Berrypaw's grasp, the leader scrambled to her paws and jumped away from them, now safely at a distance once more.

Once again, for the countless time that night, the three apprentices were huddled together- panting and groaning and gritting their teeth through the soreness- while Leafstar stood away from them. Berrypaw, lying flat on her back and blinking away dark spots from her vision, looked at the leader upside down. A small twinge of success flickered in her chest at the sight of watching the Grand Royal breathing heavier, muscles quivering from time-to-time. Sure, Leafstar's exhaustion was nowhere near the breaking point, unlike the apprentices', but some progress was better than no progress.

It was the most tired and winded that any of them had seen her to date; that had to count for something.

Right?

"Can you get up?" It took a while for Berrypaw to realize that Bramblepaw had asked her that, the tom hovering at her side as she remained motionless on the ground. Huh, she really should start breathing again. Opening her mouth to respond, the she-cat instead choked on a sharp inhale and began coughing, each spasm sending wave after wave of burning pain throughout her body.

Okay, scratch that, maybe she shouldn't breathe, that was less painful.

Bramblepaw frowned down at her, but Berrypaw gritted her teeth instead- for who knows how many times that night- and slowly, painfully, began moving to sit up. Rolling onto her left side to avoid the scar, legs shaking from exertion and bruises hidden by fur aching as she finally made some progress. Somehow, through sheer willpower and spite at this point, the she-cat managed to balance herself on her paws as she stood.

For all of two seconds, and then she began falling.

Luckily, and surprisingly, Bramblepaw caught her, letting her lean on him as he helped her stand. Berrypaw huffed as she closed her eyes, both to hold in the tears from her torture and to relish in this fleeting moment. Would you look at that? She wanted to let out a bitter laugh. You can be nice to me.

On her other side, Cherrypaw stepped forward, rolling one of her shoulders that received a particularly nasty kick and blinking away the stars. Never again did she want to fail at grappling the leader, never again did she even want to try. Bramblepaw could do it next time.

Next time…

Leafstar raised herself from her battle stance, letting out a slow exhale as she closed her eyes and one corner of her lips rose. Light green re-opened, flicking from one side to the next to look at all of them- once, twice- before she let out a low, contemplative hum.

"Impressive," Leafstar's smile was small as she nodded once. "I knew you were capable of so much more. All it took was a little prompting, and I've succeeded."

Berrypaw, panting for air, tilted her head gently before glancing at the apprentices on either side of her. They, too, looked equally confused. It took seconds, maybe full minutes, for the blue-furred apprentice to understand the entire purpose of the challenge that was Leafstar.

Individually, Forestclan warriors- especially High Ranks- were powerful. Each one used the environment to their absolute advantage, each one mastered in one skill or another and knew where they would best be placed in a battle.

But together, Forestclan was damn near unstoppable- even more so when considering what leader they could have.

Leafstar's goal was more than scoping out each of their fighting capabilities, more than just testing their might and determination and desperation.

It was to make them put aside their differences- their grudges and rivalry and pettiness- and work together. Because while they were all vying to knock the other out of the running, they were all taking the trial together. A raid, after all, wasn't as nearly as successful alone as it was with others.

It all made sense now.

(And, perhaps, Leafstar also missed how well the three of them used to work together.)

"Show me how much farther you can go," the leader spoke, light green eyes burning with interest before she suddenly began charging to them.

Berrypaw flinched, still nowhere near prepared enough to fight again (she didn't think she even could fight again if she wanted to), and she could feel Bramblepaw stiffen at her side. Of the three of them, it was Cherrypaw who remained calm in the face of danger approaching.

"Snow Shower," she said just loud enough for the three to hear before taking a few steps forward. Berrypaw and Bramblepaw quickly put two and two together (Snow Shower was most likely a different version of Berrypaw's "infamous" Leaf Shower; a retreat tactic that involved throwing up a torrent of dry leaves at the opponent) and wobbled forward as well.

Together, the huge wave of white frost they managed to create sparkled in the moonlight, a deluge that easily drowned Leafstar's vision in white and cold seeped deep into her pelt as hundreds of snow pellets bombarded her. It was at that point that Berrypaw realized how close they actually were to the tree line, no longer in the middle of the clearing as before.

Not wasting another second, the three Grand Royal apprentices turned and ran as fast as they could into the forest.

Berrypaw was half expecting even more warriors to be there, waiting for them to kick them while they were already exhausted, but perhaps Leafstar was feeling merciful and had ordered nobody to fight the apprentices after they left the clearing. If they managed to leave the clearing.

The blue-furred apprentice fell behind the other two, naturally, and her heart was racing in her throat as she occasionally sent a fearful glance over her shoulder. A part of her thought that the next time she looked, Leafstar's light green eyes would be right there in hot pursuit. But after a few moments of desperate sprinting away, it became clear to her and Bramblepaw and Cherrypaw that Leafstar was not going to chase after them.

She let them leave- the leader could've very easily made chase.

"Impress me," she had said, and by the grace of their ancestors, they somehow did that. Elation ran through her veins just as much as adrenaline did, and even though she really couldn't spare the breath, Berrypaw let out a bark of laughter- whooping into the night air with a grin on her face.

A grin that didn't last long, quickly transforming into a grimace as each step, each puff of air, sent a stabbing pain through her. She wanted to keep running, to keep going in pace with the other two, but just like in every other way, Berrypaw fell behind before she was forced to come to a complete stop. Leaning against the nearest trunk of a tree, the she-cat hung her head as she panted for air, ears flat against her head and jaw clenched bruisingly as a nauseous ache began to take hold. It wouldn't have surprised her if she looked down at her scar and it was open again (fortunately, it wasn't so she wouldn't have to suffer another scolding from Blossomleaf, but stars did it feel like it was).

"Berrypaw?"

That was shocking, that voice. Through blurred tears of pain, the blue-furred apprentice tilted her head just enough to see in front of her. Bramblepaw and Cherrypaw were there, the tom farther ahead and almost out of view than the black and grey she-cat. His body was turned away from her, his head turned as he looked at her from over his shoulder. Cherrypaw was closer, a fox-length or two away, and her body was partially turned in Berrypaw's direction. There was a crease to her brow as she stared at her with a frown, head tilting just-so in concerned confusion.

It almost seemed like they cared about her.

Catching on to what his actions may be implying, Bramblepaw scoffed to himself, green eyes narrowing before he turned away- disappearing from view as he picked up his sprint to camp once again. He was gone.

"Hurts… to breathe…" Berrypaw smiled ruefully, bitterness pulling at her features as she let out an unamused laugh. Staying absolutely still was perhaps her only saving grace from the burning, stabbing pain, and even then she could still feel her side throbbing. Blossomleaf would probably have to give her the rest of their poppy seed supply just so she could sleep tonight. "I guess… I'm done..."

"I-" Cherrypaw took a step in her direction before stopping herself, ears flattening against her head before she turned her gaze down to the ground. Berrypaw stared at her in silence, doing her best to refrain from passing out. She didn't want to get her hopes up- just because they worked together tonight didn't change anything.

One night wasn't enough to get rid of countless moons of hate and malice, no matter how much the kit inside Berrypaw wanted it to. She wanted her friends back, but if there was anything the blue-furred apprentice learned, it was that she had to get used to being by herself.

Nobody could hurt her if she was alone.

"I'm sorry… it had to come to this," Cherrypaw said in a truly apologetic tone, perhaps even a bit guilty, and Berrypaw wondered where this side of the she-cat had been all this time. Where had the shy Cherrypaw who truly cared about protecting others gone? Icy blue met dark green, and for only a moment, just a moment, they were both kits again. Friends. Berrypaw, with her playful grins and bright laughter, always dragging the others along so nobody could feel left out; Cherrypaw, with her shy smiles and quiet voice, vying for real care and attention and getting it in the form of a bumbling blue she-kit.

At that moment, Berrypaw knew the best thing to do would be to say goodbye. And so did Cherrypaw.

"For my world to come true… I need you out of the way," the black and grey she-cat began to turn away- the kits inside of them desperately trying to reach for the other and failing before wisping away. Berrypaw squeezed her eyes shut, not wanting to watch it all end. Knowing so was enough.

"Goodbye, Berrypaw."

With that, Berrypaw bit her lip to keep from crying out, to keep from begging her friend from so long ago to stay, and Cherrypaw was swift to leave. The forest around her was completely silent. The sounds of her own ragged breathing filled her ears, and as she opened her eyes moments later, she bitterly allowed a few tears to fall.

Glancing tearily up at the sky, the she-cat shook her head to herself, murmuring an apology to the kit inside of her for the pain they were going through. The pain that crippled her more than the scar on her side did.

"Goodbye, Cherrypaw."

Goodbye, Bramblepaw.

Goodbye, Heatherpaw.

Goodbye, Swiftpaw.

Goodbye, Mothpaw.

A shaky sob escaped her lips; only one, because she wouldn't allow any more.

Goodbye, my friends.

I had a lot of fun, but now, it's clear we all need to part ways.

She wouldn't say goodbye to Thornpaw yet. She could do that physically in just a few moments. It felt appropriate to say it to his face.

Through her tears and her retained sobs and her pained gasps, Berrypaw began walking, heading in the direction of camp with a heavy limp.

Addermask was waiting for her- the lead Royal acting as the finish line and sitting outside of camp patiently for each of them to return. She already knew that by the time she saw him and the walls of camp that she was the last one.

She lost.

"Grand Royal Berrypaw," the aging tom greeted her with a respectful nod of his head, a gentle- sympathetic- smile on his face. "Please go to your den and rest for the night. The results will be revealed soon, come morning."

"I lost, didn't I?" She asked as she slowly walked by him, each step sheer brutal torture as she tried her best to hide her limp.

"I am not allowed to reveal that information to trial-goers."

"So, that's a yes," Berrypaw nodded to herself, blowing out a heavy sigh. "Ah, well."

"Do not jump to assumptions," Addermask spoke kindly, though Berrypaw could hear it in his voice. He was sorry for her. And if she didn't know him any better, she would've thought he was pitying her. (He wasn't, that's not who Addermask was.) "Please report to your den and get the rest that you deserve."

"I just need a nod, Addermask," Berrypaw stopped at his side, giving him a failed attempt at a playful smile. It fell terribly flat. She was much too tired to care at this point. "Yes or no?"

The lead Royal's yellow gaze bore into her in silence, his lips forming a thin line as they always did. There, she could see it.

Sympathy.

A yes.

While he didn't nod his head, it was more than enough of an answer for Berrypaw, his silence only further confirming it before he cleared his throat uncomfortably.

"To your den, Grand Royal Berrypaw."

"Ah ah," the she-cat shook her head sullenly, grin sharp and bitter, "it's Cripple Berrypaw now, ain't it?"

Addermask simply let out a sigh before turning away from her, no doubt so he wouldn't break and begin trying to comfort her. That tom was always such a softy for the younger generation, Berrypaw wondered why that trait hadn't passed on to either of his sons. Thornpaw and Bramblepaw were always so bitter nowadays (Thornpaw even more so because of his condition). Deciding to spare the old tom, Berrypaw hummed to herself before walking past him.

"Goodnight, Addermask," she spoke over her shoulder, hearing the tom heave out a sigh through his teeth before responding with, "Goodnight, Berrypaw."

Well, at least she knew one High Rank who would probably stick up for her when everyone started to bully her. Come morning, she could already imagine what would happen to her tomorrow. Forget just whispers and rumors, Heatherpaw wouldn't be the only one saying harsh words to her face. Some might even feel the need to attack her, for whatever reason.

From the Highest Rank to the Lowest Rank, even lower than a Servant, she snorted heatedly, ears flat. How about that?

Instead of heading to her den like she was supposed to, sorry Addermask, Berrypaw wandered her way to the Medicine Cat den. Blossomleaf wouldn't be in there, she was most likely still in the Nursery watching over the kits for the Queens who participated tonight. As such, nobody would stop her from walking in and then going to the separate area where Thornpaw was resting.

He was already asleep, and Berrypaw stood still for a few moments to watch him. In the darkness, she could hardly see the scars on his face. She could fool herself into thinking that nothing was wrong with him at all- but then she would take in a breath of the herb-filled air that only belonged to the Medicine Den and she knew it was hopeless wishing.

Berrypaw felt bad for doing this to him, but at this point, she was too tired and in pain to care.

Walking forward with heavy steps, the sounds from her movement were more than enough to stir the tom awake. He grunted gently before he began to move, ears flicking wildly before he blinked open his eyes. Berrypaw stopped a paw step away from his nest, her ears drooping as she saw his brows furrowed in confusion and distrust.

"Berrypaw?" Thornpaw was getting good at identifying her scent.

The she-cat opened her mouth, but strangely enough, she could not find the words to speak. A strangled sound came from within her throat, a broken whimper almost, and her jaw closed with a clack. Berrypaw shook her head, letting out a harsh chuckle.

"What is it?" His ears were twitching as if they couldn't decide whether or not they should flatten. Concern on his face warred with weariness, compassion with lingering traces of anger. The kitten steps of progress they had made with each other was nowhere near enough to build their friendship back up (or, at least, keep it alive). "Are you hurt?"

"...Yes…" She breathed out, a whisper just loud enough for him to hear. The tom slowly pushed himself into a sitting position, head tilting just-so.

"Where? Blossomleaf isn't-"

"Everywhere…" her voice cracked, wobbling, and she could feel her body shaking with it. A ragged gasp was all she could do to take in air. "It hurts everywhere- Stars, it hurts, Thornpaw, I can't-" She broke off with a sob that clawed its way out of her throat.

Most of all, it was her heart that was in the most pain.

"Berrypaw…"

"I know-" Berrypaw swallowed thickly, voice raw, "I know you probably hate me right now… But I really, really, really need my best friend again. So can you… Can you do that for me? Just for tonight? Can you be my friend for just one night? If you never want to speak with me again afterward, fine, I'll find a way to live with it. Just… Please?"

Thornpaw stared at her, clouded gaze drifting shut as he blew out a heavy sigh. The frown on his face was deep, and a part of her felt bad for putting him in this position.

"Come here," he murmured just as quietly, shifting in his nest to provide room for her and extending one of his paws out to her. Berrypaw more collapsed towards him than wandered over, head pressed against his chest, and the rhythm of his heartbeat did little to ease her pain.

Everywhere, everywhere… It hurts everywhere.

This pain will never go away.

Berrypaw was quiet, fighting tooth and nail to hold in the earth-shattering sobs that threatened to break her apart. There were cracks in her frame, and the longer she held it in, the larger they became.

"I don't hate you," Thornpaw murmured gently, soothingly against her skin, a secret from the world for only her ears, muzzle pressed against the top of her head as she curled into his warm embrace. "I could never."

Somehow, it was those words that made her restrain snap.

The first sob was soft, a mere breathless whimper. The calm before the storm.

Everything that came after it was absolute chaos. Tearing her apart from the inside out, grief and agony and guilt and regret and pain shredding her heart and the kit inside of her and herself into dust.

It was a bloodbath.

There was nothing left of Grand Royal Berrypaw in the aftermath. Only Cripple Berrypaw remained.

For now, she would have to be enough. And if she wasn't? Well…

Wait and find out.

Blazeclan

"Ouch…" The little tom grimaced to himself as he tried to clean his own wounds, hidden from the view of camp by curling in the leafy bushes and prickly bramble thorns that made up the wall of the camp. Golden-yellow eyes blinked rapidly to chase away the growing tears, but Sootkit wouldn't allow them to fall. Not now, and certainly not ever.

Warriors sure did have super sharp claws.

It had been upwards to a moon after his incident with Flamekit and Flarekit, when he protected the timid Servant, Darkkit, from taking unjust attacks for "training." Nearly every day afterward, Sootkit found himself on the receiving ends of the temper and claws of those who were of higher rank than him. Ironically enough, it was the Artisans who did the most damage to him; and today had been the worst of the bunch. Blazefang always seemed to enjoy hurting him the most.

It almost made Sootkit want to stop, but the little tom was many things, but a quitter he was not. Thankfully it hadn't been so bad today; the kind heart of one Willowflame had made the Artisan run away to perform his duties. Still, before the mother could check up on the young Commoner, for some reason, Sootkit had run away from her and into the bushes.

For all he knew, Willowflame would want to hurt him too, even worse than Blazefang possibly.

Trust no one, he was beginning to learn, no one that isn't the same rank as you.

That was fine. Sootkit knew where his loyalties rested- with the other Commoners. His sympathies lay with the Servants, and his pity with the Prisoners.

His annoyance with the Artisans, his anger with the Nobles, and his hate with the Royals.

And the Grand Royals- stars, he didn't even want to think about them. Those who stood at the top couldn't possibly understand what it was like to suffer. They had it all, and nobody would even dare take it away from them.

Meanwhile, here he and all the other Commoners were. Suffering was the norm and surviving was the requirement. He was even beginning to consider running away because surely being an Outcast was even better than this.

"Ouch," he mumbled again, scowling down at the fresh cuts on his haunches as he did his best to bend himself enough to lick them. The taste of his own blood was becoming a common flavor on his tongue, an entirely unpleasant one at that. The first time he licked his wounds, he damn near threw up from the sharp and bitter metallic tang.

But just like with everything else, Sootkit suffered through it and continued anyway.

Antagonizing those of higher rank wasn't hard; in fact, it was laughably easy. The Artisans especially seemed like they looked forward to the young Commoner's daily encounters. The Nobles had tried just ignoring him, but even they were starting to succumb to their annoyance. And the Royals? Well, it was only a matter of time before Sootkit bothered them enough too.

Roseberry and Skysong- especially Skysong- had both scolded him countless times to try and get him to stop, that it was a pointless endeavor, and while it was discouraging to hear that from his own adoptive mother, it didn't waver Sootkit's determination.

He was not going to stop unless the High Rank's did, and with the way things were going, they would never stop.

And neither would he.

"Sootkit! Here you are, are you- oh stars is that blood?!"

Whoops. The first time his brother had found him licking his wounds, Bluekit had just about fainted at the sight. Sootkit would've found it funny if it didn't hurt so much. From then on, whenever he was attacked, he always tried to clean himself as fast as he could so Bluekit wouldn't see it.

His brother had always been a bit of a drama-cat.

"I'm fine, Bluekit, it's just a scratch."

"Just a scratch? Just a scratch!? Sootkit your entire back is covered in red!"

"Shh!" The grey kit reached over, covering Bluekit's mouth with his paw. It had been open, however, and Sootkit made a face from his paw being covered in saliva. "Do you want Skysong to hear you?"

"Sootkit…" His brother whimpered, lips quivering and eyes watering and- oh no. He was about to start crying. Sootkit hated when he made his brother cry. "Y-You're-"

"I'm okay!" Sootkit chirped as brightly as he could, sending the other tom a brilliant smile that strained at the corners. "I promise, I'm okay. Yeah, it hurts, but this is fine. I'm fine, Bluekit. I'm gonna be okay. Please, don't cry."

Bluekit sniffled, wiping at his eyes with his paws and letting out another whimper before valiantly trying to hold back the tears, nodding slightly. The grey kit let out a breath of relief, a fond smile appearing on his face as he shook his head gently.

Bluekit could be so emotional sometimes.

"Y-You've got to stop, S-Sootkit," his brother's voice cracked as he spoke through his whimpers, eyes still watery as he looked at him. "Th-This is dangerous. What if- What if you get really, really hurt and you-"

"I'm not gonna die, Bluekit," Sootkit's voice became gentler, a tender smile pulling at his lips and taking on just an edge of playfulness. "You're stuck with me, remember? Brothers forever."

"Br-Brothers f-forever," Bluekit sniffled mightily before swallowing, nodding once.

"Exactly. I'll try to be more careful, but I doubt even they won't hurt me enough to kill me." Not yet, at least. Sootkit wondered if their restraint would disappear once he became an apprentice (because he doubted he would stop even then).

"Why do you keep doing this?" Bluekit pouted, ears flattened in discomfort as he wiped a few more tears away. "Doesn't it hurt?"

"Well… duh, it hurts, but… I can't stop. Somebody has to protect us, and all the other Commoners aren't doing anything about it so… I'm all there is." Sootkit frowned to himself before he quickly replaced it with a brave smile, puffing out his chest a bit. "I made a vow to always help those who need it, and even if it hurts, I won't stop until I win."

Sootkit doubted he could stop even if he wanted to at this point. Jumping to the defense of others so quickly had ingrained into every one of his instincts; it was muscle memory at this point. Another part of his senses.

He would never forgive himself if he did stop one day.

...And it also felt nice being looked at in the way Bluekit was- like he was a hero.

"You're so brave, Sootkit," Bluekit mumbled as he sent the start of a teasing smile, "or reckless."

"Brave, reckless… Same thing, right?" Sootkit grinned in return before standing up, wobbling slightly and doing his best to hide a flinch. "Wanna help me to the Medicine Den? I should probably borrow some cobwebs."

Bluekit nodded before moving to his brother's side, helping him walk. It was nice.

It felt nice being someone's hero.

"I say we just leave him here," Yellowpaw sniffed haughtily, "it's a rogue, Commoner. They don't deserve kindness."

"He needs help," Sootpaw snapped back in return, baring his teeth at the tom as his sunset eyes burned with a heated flame. "We can't just let him die."

"We can, actually," the Artisan responded easily, rolling his eyes with a shake of his head. "In fact, that's probably what we should do. Leave him, he'll bleed out eventually."

"I hate to say this, Commoner, but I agree with Yellowpaw," Shadepaw shrugged casually- as if they were discussing what was the better prey rather than whether or not they should just let someone die. "Fewer problems, less drama."

Sootpaw was appalled by their lack of morals. Really though, he shouldn't be so surprised. They only cared about themselves.

Still, Sootpaw would not give up.

"We can't just let someone die, that's just… That's-" the tom was stuttering over himself before he quickly shook his head, hissing in exasperation. "That's wrong! We have the things we need to save his life, why shouldn't we use them?!"

"Because… it's a rogue?" Yellowpaw raised a brow, tilting his head dumbfoundedly. "Are you deaf as you are daft?"

"No, I'm just not as heartless as you are," the Commoner growled through gritted teeth, eyes narrowing at the Artisan- who only scoffed in response and began to scowl. "Rogue or not, everyone deserves a basic level of care. Some mercy, Yellowpaw. Surely you know what that means?"

"This can potentially be treason," Shadepaw pointed out sternly, light amber gaze taking on a somber hue. "Protocol states that we either kill, chase, or bring rogues in as prisoners. Not heal them."

"Screw protocol!" Sootpaw was getting desperately angry at this point, and a part of him wondered why he cared so much about this. Because, he spat back at his own thoughts, he needs help and I can help him. "Is it treason to save someone's life?"

"When that someone is a threat to our clan? Yes, it is." Shadepaw sighed, as though he was explaining this to a kit. Sootpaw was beginning to not like him.

"He isn't a threat! He's unconscious, and-"

"You mentioned mercy, Commoner," Yellowpaw cut him off, a gleam in his mismatched eyes that Sootpaw didn't like at all. "Those wounds look rather painful and infected and I think it'll be a long and tiring road of recovery for him. I say, the most merciful thing to do right now would be to end it."

Sootpaw flinched back at those words, sunset eyes flicking down to the tom whose flanks were barely moving. Scarlet-dyed ginger pelt appeared matted and dirty, everything telling of someone who had been traveling for so long without rest. The Commoner wondered just how long- days, weeks, moons? And how did he get so injured?

Where did he come from?

"If you want to show him some mercy, then be my guest," Yellowpaw continued, unperturbed and spurred on by Sootpaw's lack of response. He nodded down to the unconscious rogue. "Kill him and end his misery."

"I can't- I- Yellowpaw," Sootpaw hissed, fur bristling along his spine and he felt about ready to leap over and tear into the cheeky Artisan. "How could you-"

"Enough!"

Despite himself, despite knowing whose voice that belonged to, Sootpaw couldn't help but flinch back and cower slightly. Shadepaw and Yellowpaw reacted similarly, all eyes turning to the she-cat who had been strangely quiet this entire time. The grey-furred tom turned in her direction, brows furrowed.

Flarepaw's ears were flattened against her head, silver eyes unreadable as she stared down at the rogue. She remained pawsteps away, almost cautiously so, and Sootpaw was terrified at not knowing what she was thinking. Didn't he claim to be adept at reading her now?

At this moment, she was completely unreadable.

"Grand Royal Flare-" Shadepaw began but was ultimately cut off.

"Quiet," her lips curled slightly to reveal fangs, annoyance in her tone as she spared a glance to the Royal tom. "Let me think."

Sootpaw almost wanted to shout "What is there to think about?" but instead wisely chose to remain silent. He stepped ever closer to the rogue's body, looking down at the wounds and grimacing at the sight of them. What would he do if she said they wouldn't take him in? Here, in the face of an Artisan, a Royal, and a Grand Royal apprentice, Sootpaw was completely powerless.

You're always powerless, the cynical thoughts whispered gleefully, the tom's shoulders beginning to droop and his ears flattened. That will never change.

You will always be weak.

"Flarepaw, please-"

"I said quiet, Sootpaw."

She didn't look at him, the harsh thoughts cackling at his failed attempt to reach her, and Sootpaw suddenly felt so alone. It will be fine, he tried to convince himself, it's going to be fine. His sunset eyes stared forlornly at the unconscious tom, sparking with determination before he raised his gaze to his clanmates.

I won't let anyone hurt you.

"Shadepaw, carry him."

"What?!" The Royal yowled in both astonishment and surprise, light amber eyes wide as he stared at her incredulously. "You want me to do what?"

Undeterred, Flarepaw turned her steely gaze to him. "You heard me. We'll bring this matter to the Grand Royal."

"Are you crazy?" Shadepaw groaned.

Flarepaw glanced at Sootpaw, down at the rogue, and then back to the Royal before responding with a clipped tone, "I'm not heartless."

If they weren't in the presence of others, Sootpaw would have embraced her and shower her in loving licks. Alas, he couldn't do that, but as he breathed out a heavy sigh of relief and met her gaze, he mouthed, "thank you."

She didn't respond to him, instead, turning away and signaling for them to hurry up and follow.

Shadepaw grumbled as he stepped forward, a stream of neverending complaints whispered beneath his breath and growing louder as he carried the rogue onto his back. Sootpaw offered to help, but the Royal declined- giving him a pointed look of kindling annoyance. This is your fault, it seemed to say, but somehow, Sootpaw felt like the Royal was saying it all in good jest. He didn't really blame the Commoner.

Still, distrusting of a High Rank as he was, Sootpaw stuck to the Royal's side as they began to walk back, eyes not leaving the slackened face of the injured rogue.

He would really have to find a way to thank Flarepaw for this later.

To say Grand Royal Redstar was surprised to see them walking in with an unconscious, injured rogue would be an understatement. And any other day, Sootpaw would've laughed at the widened eyes on the tom who was normally staring so dully around at the world. Today was not that day, however, because the Commoner knew it would be a whole other battle trying to convince his leader to nurture the rogue.

Sootpaw was mentally preparing himself as Flarepaw walked up to Redstar.

"We found an unconscious rogue nearing the old border," she spoke quietly, glancing over her shoulder as Shadepaw waddled in further with the tom on his back. "He passed out right in front of us, asking for help before succumbing to his injuries."

"You didn't fight him?" Redstar blinked, meeting the she-cat's gaze. Flarepaw frowned as she shook her head.

"He was like that already… And besides, I wouldn't do… that," she motioned to the tom's wounds, and upon closer inspection, Sootpaw felt his stomach turn. Whoever he was, this rogue had been tortured by someone, slowly and meticulously and painfully.

It only further made the sympathy bloom in his chest, the thorns of that particular flower stabbing at Sootpaw's heart as he stepped ever closer to him. He was always weak in the face of the injured- maybe in another life, the Commoner had once been a Medicine Cat.

"I see," Redstar mumbled, taking a few steps forward, examining the tom. Over his shoulder, he spoke, "And what do you all suppose we do with him?"

Sootpaw was quick to answer, blurting out his words as if he'd been waiting for that very question this entire time.

"We have to help him," he daringly met his leader's gaze once it was turned to him. "He'll die without proper care."

On the opposite side of Shadepaw, Yellowpaw snorted. "As if we should waste our precious herbs on a rogue of all things. That's madness," a scowl appeared, "I think we should just toss him in the Prisoner's Den with the other one and be done with it."

"I think we should just get him off my back," Shadepaw mumbled beneath his breath, huffing as he repositioned the rogue. Redstar chose to ignore the Royal, a flicker of amusement crossing his face before it disappeared just as quickly.

"Grand Royal Flarepaw?" The leader asked without glancing over his shoulder again, yellow gaze still firmly on the Commoner. Sootpaw did his best to appear brave. "Tell me the benefits of doing as Yellowpaw wishes."

Flarepaw's ears perked up before twitching back, flattening ever so slightly as she looked down at her paws. Sootpaw felt his heart racing in anticipation, biting his lip gently and begging.

"He's a rogue," Flarepaw started slowly, shuffling her paws uncomfortably. "Were it a cat from another clan, my sympathies would be with them. Seeing as it's a complete stranger, one that may very well be in league with the enemy we search for, I can't help but be suspicious of their intentions. Injured or not, their presence could be a sign of a threat that has yet to come, and that is a warning we should not ignore."

Sootpaw's jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing as his desperate, begging stare at his leader turned into the start of a glare. He knew Flarepaw didn't share his mindset, but for it to be so blatantly different?

She's a High Rank, the whispers cackled, what else did you expect from her?

Different, he expected different.

Redstar nodded slowly to her words before drawing in a deep breath, tired. His yellow gaze glanced up towards the sky before once again meeting Sootpaw's glare.

"And the benefits of doing as Sootpaw wishes?"

Nothing, he could feel his heart threatening to break, nothing that would make sense to you at least.

Flarepaw was quiet for longer this time, the tom could feel her staring at him. Just when it seemed like she wouldn't answer, she let out a slow sigh.

"Before the practice of taking everyone Prisoner became popularized by the fifth Grand Royal of Blazeclan, Stripestar, every other one before that treated trespassers with the basic level of respect. This included healing any of the injured, at least so they weren't so close to the verge of death anymore, and fostering any kits," there was a gentle, small smile to Flarepaw's words. "The founder of Blazeclan, Blazestar, had made this protocol until the change. He wasn't as callous as others made him out to be or as cruel as many wanted him to be… And neither are you, Grand Royal Redstar."

Sootpaw couldn't help but look at her then, but this time, her stare wasn't directed at him. Her silver stare was directed at her leader's back, expectant. When Redstar let out a breath that sounded close to a chuckle, Sootpaw felt as though he could breathe again and let his anger and disappointment leech away.

"And here I thought my old lessons went over the heads of your generation."

"History is important, Grand Royal, you taught me that" Flarepaw spoke with just a hint of amusement, just a hint of warning. A strange combination. "It's there so we don't make the same mistakes twice."

"So it is," Redstar mumbled, eyes going to the Commoner once more and giving him a bow of his head. "Very well, I'll allow our healers to see his injuries. However, he must be supervised at all times."

"I'll do it," Sootpaw exclaimed, unable to restrain his gratitude and excitement. It was tempered, however, by Redstar's sad smile.

"Your enthusiasm is appreciated," he sighed through his nose, "but just as a precaution, it'll be best for a High Rank to be there."

You're not strong enough. Well, that hurt to hear.

"Not it!" Shadepaw was quick to say, shout almost. He already looked rather annoyed at having to carry the unconscious tom, and he wanted nothing more than to go to sleep now.

Sootpaw turned his gaze to Flarepaw, who met his evenly before blowing out a quiet sigh.

"I'll watch him, Grand Royal," she cautiously turned her gaze to the injured tom, "and I'll take responsibility for anything that goes wrong."

Redstar, satisfied with the answer, dismissed the mini-patrol. Sootpaw followed Shadepaw to the Medicine Den, Flarepaw already ahead of them to wake up the healers. The Commoner stood out of the way as Shadepaw laid the rogue on a free nest, shaking out his pelt and groaning in an exaggeration at how much his back was hurting before bidding Sootpaw goodnight.

"I swear if you woke me up and nobody is dying you'll regret it, Flarepaw."

The Commoner gave a sheepish smile as Flarepaw returned to the main area of the den with Roseberry in tow, the Medicine Cat grumbling the entire time and sparing a single glance at the unconscious rogue. Without asking any questions, she set about going to work (most likely because she wanted to go back to sleep as quickly as possible). The Grand Royal apprentice joined Sootpaw by the wall of the den, far enough away so they wouldn't disturb the healer as she worked (still grumbling in annoyance).

"She sounds mad," Sootpaw leaned in to whisper to the she-cat at his side, who had a smile of amusement on her face as she shook her head fondly.

"She'll get over it."

"No I won't," Roseberry spoke over her shoulder before beginning to create a poultice.

"Yes you will," Flarepaw smirked slightly, "you love me too much."

All the Medicine Cat did was let out a hiss in response.

Sootpaw let out a chuckle before he allowed himself to relax, sighing heavily before leaning his head on Flarepaw's shoulder. Now that they weren't in the presence of others- Roseberry didn't count, she already knew (or just didn't care) about their secret relationship- the tom allowed himself to be closer to her. His tail curled around her, tucking her into his side as he turned his head to bury his muzzle into her neck.

He enjoyed the way a shiver racked through her body at the contact.

"Thank you," he murmured into her skin, quiet and suddenly so very tired. "For doing what you did."

She let out a hum, the vibration making him purr in return before she gently rested her own head against his with light pressure.

"It wasn't for you," Flarepaw whispered, "not entirely at least. I don't entirely trust him, especially considering our current situation with rogue attacks, but… I don't know. This was the better option."

"The better option?"

"Well," she turned her head then, brushing her nose against his forehead and letting out a shaky breath, "knowing you, if I had allowed for something else to happen, you would've done something dangerous to keep him safe."

"Not if he's a threat," Sootpaw pointed out quietly, "tomorrow, if he's better and he's dangerous, then yeah, I'll want him gone. But right now-"

"He's someone in need of help," she finished for him, nuzzling the top of his gently, "and you can't turn a blind eye to someone who needs help."

"Does that annoy you?" The tom frowned, body stiffening slightly, but Flarepaw's responding purr melted away the tension.

"It scares me more than anything," there was a quiver of honesty in her tone, and the tom almost felt like apologizing for making her worried. It also made the cynical thoughts quiet down, because she cared enough about him to worry. He wouldn't apologize, though.

Because this was who Sootpaw was.

"I can't promise I won't ever do it again," he murmured after a moment of silence, "this is who I am, I can't-"

"I know," she responded gently, accepting. "I know, you don't have to explain yourself to me. I know."

She sounded so sad, so scared, but there was nothing he could do to take that away. As much as it pained him for hurting her in some way. There was only so much of himself he was willing to change for her, and this part was not one of them.

"You should go to sleep," Flarepaw murmured, and it was only then that Sootpaw realized he was beginning to doze off. She moved her shoulder gently until he raised his head from it. "Go to my nest, it's more comfortable than yours."

"I want to stay here," he frowned, eyes shifting away from her to the rogue. Roseberry had stopped grumbling about being woken up and, instead, she was mumbling about the state of the tom's wounds. Quiet observations to herself, questions that she would no doubt share with her apprentice- if Hollypaw had been woken too. Some of it had been infected, and Sootpaw could only hope that the Medicine Cat's skills would be enough.

"One of us should get some rest," Flarepaw pointed out with a quiet chuckle, "and it's not my turn right now. I need to be here in case anyone comes in to question me about this."

Anyone translated to Wildfire, and that only made Sootpaw want to stay even more. But she was insistent, and a part of him knew that she was right.

It wouldn't look good for anyone if the Commoner remained here with her.

So, with great reluctance and just the slightest hints of whining, Sootpaw bid her a goodnight before leaving the Medicine Den and heading to hers.

In the vastness of her den, he felt so alone, and he wondered just how Flarepaw used to handle this before he became a constant in her life. Still, her nest was soft- even if there were bits of it serrated (she never did answer his questions about it). Curling up, the tom let out a heavy sigh, tired from that single half-patrol alone.

He couldn't sleep. Shifting around, the tom tossed and turned, grunting in annoyance as he closed his eyes tightly, but to no avail.

This was going to be a long night.

Eventually, he did, somehow, fall asleep. The next morning, the tom awoke with stiffness in his neck from sleeping in a strange position.

He still felt tired, but Sootpaw knew he wouldn't be able to pull off another miracle to enter the dreamland and instead decided to start the day. Dawn had just approached, very few warriors lounging in the clearing to prepare for the daily patrol. He knew he had a training session later, but for now, he was free.

Slinking close to the dens, Sootpaw made his way to the Medicine Cat den, and upon entering, he couldn't help but smile in amusement.

Flarepaw had dozed off at some point, the she-cat resting her head against the wall as she slept sitting up. Highly uncomfortable. Roseberry was nowhere to be seen, and the rogue was still soundly unconscious on the nest. His flanks did move a bit easier though, so there was hope.

Sootpaw quietly made his way over to the dozing she-cat, humming to himself and biting back his laughter as he gently shook her awake. She woke with a start, jumping slightly and letting out a gasp before her eyes snapped open. At the sight of him, however, she merely closed them again with a groan as she stretched her neck with a yawn.

"I was awake," she mumbled.

"Sure you were, you look like you're about to pass out again," he sat at her side, enjoying the way she immediately leaned into him, seeking his warmth and letting out a content sigh that mingled with her purr. "You know, I think you're starting to become nocturnal."

Flarepaw snorted unflatteringly, and Sootpaw could barely contain his squeal before he gave a greeting lick to the top of her head. She could be so adorable sometimes.

As she rested against him, the tom took the time to look over Roseberry's work. While he was no expert in the field of healing, he had picked up a thing or two after spending who knows how long in here throughout his life. His endeavor to provoke the High Ranks in defense of others had made sure he was familiar with these walls- while he was stuck in here, he might as well learn to keep himself busy. Hollypaw was more than happy sharing her own knowledge with someone.

"Practicing for my own apprentice," she had said once, "I need to learn how to be able to teach."

"Roseberry did a good job," Sootpaw said, eyeing how the infected skin had been debrided and was now covered with a green-colored poultice. The rogue's dirty pelt had also been cleaned, sort of, and most of the dried blood had been wiped away.

"She always does," Flarepaw murmured, yawning again. "She had to have Hollypaw help her out as well. It wasn't pleasant."

"That bad?" Sootpaw frowned worriedly. There was zero doubt in his mind that the rogue would have survived another night out in the wilderness. Flarepaw moved her head in a slight nod before she took in a deep, rejuvenating breath before raising herself.

"They took care of it though," she sighed, "he's not entirely in the clear yet, but Roseberry is hopeful. You should be too."

"I am," Sootpaw responded, "I'm nothing but hopeful." He just wished his hopes weren't in vain like they've always been up until this point.

"And if he turns out to be an enemy?" Flarepaw asked hesitantly, greeted with a moment of silence as Sootpaw turned his gaze to her. There was concern in her silver eyes, a frown pulling at her lips, but she was more cautious than anything.

She doesn't want me to grow attached, he huffed out a quiet breath, if he ends up being an enemy, I'll only make myself out to be the fool they all think I am.

"Then we'll cross that river when we get to it."

Flarepaw hummed in acknowledgment, nodding to herself before suddenly standing, stretching out the kinks in her back as she let out a sigh. "We will."

Sootpaw felt comforted by the fact he wouldn't have to cross it alone.

"I have to go report to the Grand Royal about his condition, I'll be back soon," Flarepaw paused to brush her muzzle against his, pulling away all too soon for Sootpaw's liking. "If he does anything while I'm gone-"

"I'll scream."

A startled laugh escaped her lips, a bright smile appearing, and Sootpaw purred to himself. He didn't think it would be possible to get her to smile and laugh so soon after Darkpaw's disappearance. He would just have to keep trying and hoping and wishing.

"Hey, Sootpaw?"

"Hmm?" The tom turned his head in her direction from where she stood at the lip of the den, hesitating. A nervous gleam was on her face as she turned to him, eyes flicking to the ground and then to the side before she nodded to herself.

Silver met gold and Sootpaw prepared himself for the worst.

"Will you come with me tonight?" Flarepaw didn't need to say where she was referring to, he immediately knew. There was only one place Flarepaw visited at night- the place where the graves were. The dead willow tree and the ghosts of Willowflame and Flamepaw waited for her guilt to lead her there time and time again. Only once had Sootpaw been invited to go with her, when she had been at her most desperate.

Normally, her going there was a bad thing. Did Darkpaw disappearing push her to that level again?

However, she wasn't finished speaking, because the sternness, the resolution that appeared in her eyes and her voice seconds later took his breath away.

"I wish to say goodbye to them, but I don't think I can do it alone."

Sootpaw took in a sharp inhale at her words, surprised to say the least. He never thought she would be able to do it- say goodbye to her mother and brother and finally move on without the weight of their deaths dragging behind her. She was brave; he knew that at this moment in time, he wouldn't be ready to do the same with his own weights. Shrewpaw and Bluepaw's deaths were still fresh, after all.

"Of course," he responded with a gentle, encouraging smile. "Whatever you need."

Perhaps he could find a way to show his gratitude and his love for her there. Somehow. Hmm, he had to think of something.

"Thank you," she breathed out, relieved, and he almost felt like asking her why. Of course he would go, did she expect him not to? "I'll be back soon, scream if anything happens."

"I'll get my voice ready."

Her laughter followed her as she exited the den, and Sootpaw smiled to himself.

Perhaps they could go back to the meadow again? Share a night with the snowdrops once more? Maybe.

Sootpaw should probably ask somebody for help, he was hopelessly inexperienced with these kinds of things. But that could be for later, for now, he had a rogue to keep an eye on (even though he doubted they would wake up anytime soon).

He was proud of Flarepaw. From the moment they met to now, she had grown and changed so much- all of it for the better. And sure, they were constantly meeting bumps along the way, but no journey was complete without a little bit of trouble.

And if she could do it, if she could officially say goodbye to Willowflame and Flamepaw, then…

Maybe Sootpaw, too, could say goodbye to Shrewpaw and Bluepaw. Maybe.

One day…

A/N: This took a lot longer for me to write because; it just feels longer, the trial took forever, and I had a lot of homework this week. But nevertheless, it is complete! (43 pages, wow.) That was a lot of fun to write, and I have come to the conclusion that I'm an evil person. I am so sorry Blue Berry. (Also, we gotta wait another chapter for the "official" results of the trial, sowwy.)

Question of the Day

(Kinda random?) If you could live without any of your five senses, which one do you think you'll be okay without, and which one can you absolutely not live without?

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Thank you and peace out!

~Wolfcreations20