Sorry this is a short chapter, I ran out of juice. Anyways, please still enjoy.

Review Replies:

ThatOneVirgo- Wow, that was a complete coincidence! Anyway, happy birthday! Glad I'm not the only one who loves the MilkFire dynamic, they just bounce off each other so well!

jarbaredjf- Fogpaw has... issues but hopefully he'll get better!

"Wake up Heatherpaw!" Leafcatcher hissed quietly from the entrance of the apprentice den.

"Leafcatcher, do I really have to wake up at the crack of dawn to train?" Heatherpaw asked miserably. She had stayed up late talking to Rosepaw and Mintpaw all night.

"Do you want to become an excellent warrior, or a tolerable one?" Leafcatcher narrowed her eyes, "I used to wake up at the crack of dawn to train on my own." Heatherpaw just sighed, knowing there was no point in arguing. Leafcatcher, while not a mean mentor, was a strict one.

She trudged out into the meadow with Leafcatcher, noting that the morning dew was still clinging to the grass.

Leafcatcher demonstrated a flawless hunting crouch, which Heatherpaw unsuccessfully tried to copy. She was adequate, but Leafcatcher wanted her to be better than adequate.

"If you aren't a brilliant hunter, it's an insult to my teaching methods," she had exclaimed during one training session, "Hunting will teach you poise, balance, and patience."

Heatherpaw wanted to be a good warrior, she really did! Cliffclan had taken her in and she felt like she owed it to them to not waste her potential. She was still jealous of Rosepaw and Mintpaw. Pinefall, wasn't nearly as strict as Leafcatcher and Mousenose was just plain fun. I had wanted Mousenose as my mentor…

Rosepaw and her mentor often came back laughing and telling jokes. Heatherpaw often came back wet and sore. It'll be worth it if I'm a good warrior by the end of this. Leafcatcher was very respected, and had a no-nonsense attitude Heatherpaw admired. She still couldn't understand why she was mates with Beetechase of all cats. Not that he was a bad tom, but Heatherpaw didn't think he'd ever been serious a day in his life. Rumor has in he was nervously cracking jokes the day his kits were born, at least, that's what Swallowsong had to Heatherpaw.

Cliffclan was the largest clan, so they also had the largest territory. This made the other clans envious (there had been a few shuffles with Runningclan is the past), but Heatherpaw was sure she was a part of the strongest clan.

"Heatherpaw, please stop daydreaming and catch a piece of prey," Leafcatcher sighed. Heatherpaw nodded and headed off into the dew-covered meadow.

She came back with two mice. "Not bad, but not good either," Leafcatcher sighed and Heatherpaw looked down.

"I'd thought I did fine," she muttered, feeling dejected. Leafcatcher gave her a knowing smile.

"Heatherpaw, I don't expect you to do good yet, it's been less than a moon," Leafcatcher patted her on the back comfortingly, "I was in a worse position then you at my age. I was the runt of the litter, always weak. My siblings weren't much stronger, and they… passed away. We had been born too early."

"But you're the best hunter in the clan!" Heatherpaw looked at her mentor with wide eyes.

"I know, that's why I know if you work hard you'll be a great warrior," Leafcatcher purred and ruffled Heatherpaw's fur. She looked down sadly, her mother used to ruffle her fur like that.

"You okay?" Leafcatcher asked, concerned that her normally attentive apprentice suddenly looked so sullen.

"My mother, she used to do that with my fur," Heatherpaw explained, still looking at the ground.

"Oh… I'm sorry," Leafcatcher said, "Come on, let's go back to camp."

Heatherpaw nodded, pushing Snow out of her mind for now. She had to focus on her mice. Starclan, I do miss her though. She let out a small whimper.

When they got back to camp she set off to find Vinefrost. "Heather, everything alright?" She just buried her face in his fur, wanting to drown out the world. Vinefrost began to stroke her back comfortingly.

"Hey, hey," he whispered, "It's alright, I'm here." Heatherpaw didn't move, finding Vinefrost's soft fur to be a good shield against the world. She eventually looked up at him.

"Sorry, I was just thinking about her again and-" Vinefrost cut her off.

"Heatherpaw, never apologize for needing me," Vinefrost smiled at her, cheering up Heatherpaw a little bit.

"I wish you really were my brother," she whispered.

"What?" Vinefrost asked, "I didn't hear you."

"Nothing!" Heatherpaw squeaked, feeling embarrassed.

"Uh, okay then," Vinefrost said, looking confused, "How about you run along and talk to the other apprentices."

Just then Birdpaw barged into camp. "H-Hawkpaw," they panted, tears welling up at the corners of their eyes, "He's gone!" Heatherpaw exchanged a look with Vinefrost.

Comfrykit came bounding up to Birdpaw, "Hawkpaw's dead?" The little kit was visibly shaking.

"No, no," Birdpaw looked so dejected as they looked at their little brother and Heatherpaw's heart ached for the other apprentice, "He- he left the clan."

"No he didn't!" Comfrykit stopped his foot defiantly, "He wouldn't leave me like that Birdpaw! He can't!"

Birdpaw just turned their head. Mousenose came over to console her kits and Birdpaw buried their face in their mother's fur. Heatherpaw looked on at the family in sadness. Hawkpaw had been her friend, but now he was… gone. She turned to Vinefrost.

"I'm sorry," he mouthed to her. Heatherpaw just nodded and walked over towards the apprentices den. It seems… emptier without Hawkpaw. She curled up in her nest which was next to Mintpaw's. "Do you need anything?" Mintpaw asked, "I heard what happened, and I know you and Hawkpaw were… close."

"He didn't even say goodbye," Heatherpaw looked to the side, "Not even to his family." Probably because they would have tried to stop him.

Thistleflight was comforting Dovehop outside while Mousenose sat with Coltskit and a broken Comfrykit. Birdpaw sat off to the side, looking dejected. Heatherpaw hit up to go comfort the other apprentice, not noticing how Mintpaw huffed from behind her and watched her as she left.

"Birdpaw," Heatherpaw looked at the large gray and brown cat, "I'm sorry." She was surprised when Birdpaw buried their face in Heatherpaw's fur.

"I don't know what to do no that he's gone," they breathed shakily, "I don't know what to do with myself."

"Hey," Heatherpaw said somewhat awkwardly, "We'll make it through this."

Birdpaw just nodded sadly, not letting go of Heatherpaw.

Heatherpaw wrapped her front paws around the other cat gently. Birdpaw obviously needed the support.

Birdpaw began to sob into Heatherpaw's fur, which was a little gross but Heatherpaw could always groom herself.

"Thank you," Birdpaw whispered, "For being here… we're barely friends and…"

"Hey, were friends, regular friends," Heatherpaw smiled, "Come on, let's get you to your nest."