Finally, the next chapter! So I think half of Milkpaw's POV is officially just her getting fed up with everyone. I love her though. Anyway, enjoy our favorite little know-it-all.

Review Replies:

jaredjf- Quickpaw isn't all that bad, despite his hard exterior. I won't say much about Jonathan except that he isn't much old than Redpaw.

SomeStormLeaf- Thanks, I also love all the POVs. Poor Redpaw and Mistlepaw, they deserve happiness :( . Too bad they can't be, then I would be out of plot material. And yeah, Jonathan is definitely an interesting dude.

Mintflight0245- Definately poor Mistlepaw. Jonathan will play a bigger role in the future. And thanks, sorry to keep you waiting so long for more lol.

FrostedShadowx- Hopefully one day Redpaw and Mistlepaw can make up and Mistlepaw would certainly like them to be mates. Thanks!

dragonbreathjr- That document was literally called "The Shattering of RedMistle." And Jonathan... well, he's certainly something.

"So, what makes you think Firepaw likes you?" Goldenpaw asked Echopaw.

"I just know he does," Echopaw sighed dreamily, "He's just so kind and handsome… He's also so nice to me, obviously he's into me."

"I grew up with him," Goldenpaw pointed out, somewhat haughtily. The normally kind golden she-cat could be downright mean when it came to Firepaw. Milkpaw felt bad for Echopaw, almost.

"So you think just because you grew up in the same clan, he's going to make you his mate?" Echopaw narrowed her eyes, "That seems a little pretentious."

"I'm the leader's daughter, I can be as pretentious as I want!" Goldenpaw snapped, ears turning red from embarrassment, "Besides, I've always known Firepaw and I would end up together."

"Yeah, well he's my best friend," Echopaw retorted. Milkpaw flattened her ears at that statement. She knew who Firepaw's best friend was and it wasn't Echopaw. Firepaw is allowed to have more than one best friend, get over yourself Milkpaw.

"Why have Firepaw when you could have me?" Cinderpaw said cheekily, "I mean-"

"Shut up Cinderpaw," Milkpaw snapped at her brother, who glared at her.

"For once I agree with Milkpaw here," Fogpaw laughed, "Shut up Cinderpaw."

Cinderpaw gave both his siblings a hurt look and looked longingly at Goldenpaw before leaving the den.

"You two," Milkpaw turned to Goldenpaw and Echopaw, "I don't think Firepaw would want to be with a pair of bickering ninnies."

"Oh, and who do you think he would want to be with?" Goldenpaw leered at her, "You?" Echopaw let out a laugh.

Milkpaw dug her claws in the dirt and left the den. She hated when Goldenpaw and Echopaw talked about Firepaw like he was some kind of prize to be won. He could be with whoever he chose. Just not me, because I'm definitely not into him.

Firepaw walked up behind her and called, "Hey Milkpaw, something wrong?" Milkpaw jumped and turned around.

"Nothing that concerns you," she glared at him, not appreciating being startled.

"Oh Milkpaw," Firepaw chuckled, "Still in as good a mood as ever I see."

"Your girlfriends are stupid!" Milkpaw exclaimed, "I swear, if I have to hear one more dramatic spiel about your fur or your eyes I'm going to explode."

Firepaw looked at Goldenpaw and Echopaw, who were still arguing in the apprentice den and shuddered. "Sorry about that," Firepaw muttered, "I didn't ask for them to like me."

"Just pick one already," Milkpaw told him, "Then this dispute would be settled."

"What if I don't want to be with either of them?" Firepaw asked her, "Wouldn't you be upset if I just picked Goldenpaw or Echopaw?"

Milkpaw felt a twinge of jealousy in her chest and squashed it. "No," she spat, "I wouldn't. You think I like you? Get over yourself." That would make her just as bad as Echopaw and Goldenpaw. She didn't need romance, only knowledge and ambition. One didn't become deputy by chasing silly dreams. Blossomstar didn't take Chestnutfall as a mate until after she became deputy.

Firepaw would never like me anyways.

"Oh," Firepaw hissed, looking hurt, "I'm going to go on a hunting patrol." As he walked away, Milkpaw couldn't help but notice how… defeated he looked.

She rolled her eyes, Firepaw had always been idiotic. He probably just wanted her to like him so he could have more admirers. That's just the type of cocky, arrogant thing he would do. Except that Firepaw is undeniably kind and isn't cocky or arrogant.

She turned her nose up in the direction Firepaw had walked off in and moved to the freshkill pile.

"Why are you always so mean to him?" Dovepaw asked, frowning at her sister.

"Because he's a dopey idiot," Milkpaw sighed, "And he's going to get hurt one day."

Dovepaw muttered something that Milkpaw didn't hear and then said, "Are you scared?"

"No," Milkpaw snapped. She most definitely was not scared of falling for Firepaw. Yes, Softsnow had fallen quickly for Raindapple and now that he was gone Milkpaw's mother was utterly broken, always second guessing herself, but that had nothing to do with Milkpaw's feelings.

She shook her head vigorously, "I do not, and will never like Firepaw."

Dovepaw smirked, "I never said anything about you liking Firepaw." Milkpaw frowned and huffed.

"So?" she said, trying to maintain her cool. She would not be unsettled by Dovepaw and her ridiculous theories. Her sister stepped into a patch of sunlight filtering through the crumbling walls of the ruin where they made their camp, her white and silver patches gleaming.

"Oh my… you have a crush on Firepaw!" she laughed, it wasn't a question.

"No, I don't," Milkpaw snarled, digging her claws into the dirt. Firepaw was a friend, nothing more. She wasn't a dumb, lost little apprentice looking for love.

He would probably be happier with Goldenpaw or Echopaw anyways, they were nicer and sweeter- the type of cat Firepaw deserved.

"I wonder what your kits will look like," Dovepaw teased and Milkpaw gritted her teeth and walked out of camp. She heard Graytail say that she better catch some prey while she was out and she sighed.

She began to sniff the air and caught sight of a thrush picking at the ground not far away. She got into a crouch and snuck up on the unsuspecting bird. Staying downwind, she pounced and grabbed the bird as it tried to fly away. It was a messy kill, but prey was prey.

Two mice later, she found herself examining the crest on an old wall. It had the same scaly, winged creature that was present above the leader's den. Milkpaw was starting to theorize that the creature had been important to whoever had lived in the ruins prior, perhaps like how Starclan was to the clans.

Incessant chattering broke her thoughts. She walked over and saw Firepaw leaning on Echopaw's shoulder. Like real best friends, or…

More.

Milkpaw frowned and stared at them. "It's okay Firepaw," Echopaw stroked his back in a comforting manner that made Milkpaw feel queasy.

"I just thought… maybe…" he sighed softly.

"Even if she can't see it," Echopaw whispered, "I'm here." Echopaw gulped and leaned closer to Firepaw, "I've always been here, just like how you would talk to me about my mother. I still haven't found here, I'm starting to think that I ever will. But I could be happy here in Stoneclan… with you."

Milkpaw flattened her ears as she saw Firepaw blush. He's acting falling for this hussy! She got behind a tree, so not to be detected.

"Echopaw, you're always so kind to me," Firepaw whispered back, "And you have the most stunning eyes."

"Thank you," Echopaw responded, turning a bright red. Milkpaw rolled her eyes. To be getting flustered over Firepaw of all cats…

It was preposterous, certainly something she would never do. And you're certainly not jealous of Echopaw with her "stunning" eyes and silver fur. Nope, not one bit.

Milkpaw turned away from the pair and went to grab her prey. She didn't want to watch that, it was boring.

It definitely wasn't because it made her heart ache.

Oh Milkpaw, you're not fooling anyone.