The four cats tromped from camp out to the meadows leading towards Windclan territory.
Redpaw and Bravepaw were walking along behind as they're mentors were discussing about some suspicious Windclan scent being on the Thunderclan side of the border.
Bravepaw was only half listening to them anyways.
"Whoa! I didn't think the world could be so big!" Bravepaw thought. "Where do you suppose all the trees have disappeared to?" He whispered to Redpaw.
"Don't ask me!" Redpaw exclaimed. "I don't know how Windclan cats can stand living all out in the open with no trees!"
As they continued, Redpaw asked. "What is that awful smell?"
Ashnose gave a little mrroww of laughter. "That would be Windclan."
"How do they live with themselves?" Bravepaw questioned.
"They're just used to it I suppose, and believe me, we smell just as bad to them." His mentor stated.
"Alright, right about here by this boulder I'll put a scent marker. Then I want you, Bravepaw, to try one up there by that shrub okay?" Grayleaf asked.
"I can do that." Bravepaw thought to himself.
He watched Grayleaf leave her scent marker and then turn to him with a questioning look, he stammered, "Oh, yes right of course, my turn."
As he started off towards the shrub he spotted a rabbit dart out with lightening speed from over a hill a couple yards in front of him, followed by a dark tabby Windclan warrior.
Bravepaw watched for a second, bewildered at the speed of the lengthy Winclan warrior.
Then realizing the warrior had no intention of stopping, Bravepaw shouted, "Stop!"
The warrior then took a massive leap toward the rabbit, grabbing it with both paws he then delivered a quick bite to the back of the neck, killing the rabbit."
Grayleaf, Ashnose, and Redpaw quickly appeared behind Bravepaw.
"I believe that belongs to us." Grayleaf growled aggressively.
Just then they turned to see three more Windclan warriors arrive at the scene.
The dark tabby quickly trotted onto the other side of the border with the freshkill in his jaws.
Again Grayleaf growled "That belongs to us."
The Windclan deputy stepped forward.
"I don't think so." He meowed coolly. "As you can see it was one of our warriors who have slain the rabbit, and as I recall all rabbits belong to Windclan cats."
Stepping up Ashnose retorted, "Then you recall wrong. That rabbit was killed on Thunderclan territory, and all prey on our territory belongs to us."
"Have Thunderclan cats become so desperate for prey they have started stealing Windclan rabbits?" The deputy sneered.
Bravepaw started a low hostile growl in the back of his throat, "The nerve of these mousebrains!"
"How dare you insinuate that Thunderclan cats would be low enough to steal from stinky old Windclan! Why you're nothing but a bunch of low down dirty thieves!" Bravepaw blurted out before he stopped to think of what he was saying.
The deputy whizzed his head around to look at him.
Bravepaw wanted to shrink from his intense gaze and look away, but his pride stared back boldly at the deputy. After what seemed like forever, the deputy finally jeered. "Watch your mouth little kitten."
Then turning back to Ashnose and Grayleaf he continued,"Tell Bladestar he should leave his kittens in the nursery and let the real warriors deal with his borders."
"Bladestar doesn't need advice from the likes of any Windclan warrior." Ashnose countered.
Bravepaw noticed the hair rising along the backs of warriors from both sides of the borders.
Just as he started to fear that an all out battle might start, Grayleaf meowed, "We will let you keep the rabbit this time, since your warrior was not fully conscious of his crossing the border. But next time will be a different story."
Then just like that the cats turned around and continued forward on the rest of their patrol.
"Why didn't we attack those fleapelts? They knew good and well that that rabbit belonged to us!" Redpaw meowed.
"Because there was only Ashnose and I who would have been able to do anything, and as for you Bravepaw, The first thing you need to learn is when to keep silent and let the more experienced warriors handle things" Grayleaf snapped.
Bravepaw felt the sting sharply from his mentor's words. First being insulted by the Windclan warrior, by being called a kitten and now this!
"This is starting out a disaster! I've ruined everything, and I was only trying to defend my Clans honor." He thought.
"Last thing we need is for one of you to get wounded or even worse killed" Ashnose explained.
As they continued on, Ashnose slowed down to match Bravepaws pace and signaled for Redpaw to go ahead.
"I know Grayleaf seemed rather harsh on you, but you know she has to be. Things could've ended very badly if we had gotten into a fight with those warriors."
Bravepaw sighed. He didn't know why Ashnose was telling him this again. He already felt awful about everything that happened.
Then Ashnose continued, "You know Grayleaf has been through a lot, dealing with the grief of her mother. She's just worried that something bad will happen to you too."
"You really think so?" Bravepaw asked.
"Of course I am! I've known Grayleaf since she was a kit! And don't tell her I said this, But I admired your courage at standing up to the Windclan deputy, not any "paw" would've done that."
"Thanks, Ashnose. I guess I need to practice thinking before I speak." Bravepaw replied.
With that Ashnose trotted back up Redpaw and started making small talk with him.
"Wow, Redpaw is so lucky to have Ashnose as his mentor! He seems so encouraging!" Bravepaw thought.
"Well I'm going to work my absolute hardest to become the best warrior ever, and prove to Grayleaf she has nothing to worry about!"
With ignited and new vigor, Bravepaw ran to catch up with the others.
Author note/ I also forgot in my last chapter to give a shout out to "Sebias of Redwall" for reviewing! So Thank u! I hope you all enjoy the chapter