Okay, it's been a long time! Hello! Yeah, I know I sort of disappeared. Anyway, I wrote a longer chapter to make up for it. I forgot how much I actually love these characters. Hope you all enjoy!

- Mossy

Also, warnings for references to young pregnancy, abuse, and violence. The usual for this story!

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jabaredjf- Yeah, not dead! Just slow updates. I know this is a very late reply. But yes, I also love Birdhop and Heatherpaw, they're very sweet! And Quickpaw might have a little crush…

Smokepaw was popular with everyone.

"Smokepaw, you mangy-"

Redpaw winced. Mostly everyone.

"Viperpaw, my good sir," Smokepaw grinned at him. Redpaw was still unsure as to how he did that. Viperpaw would normally thrash him if he even dared look at him. The younger apprentice knew he couldn't win that fight.

Smokepaw however…

"You… you think you can act all chipper with me, you piece of fox-dung," Viperpaw growled, "I'm surprised my father hasn't killed you yet."

Smokepaw's gaze hardened and he whispered something in Viperpaw's ear. Redpaw didn't catch what he said, but the look on Viperpaw's face…

It reminded him of Mistlepaw, and he faltered. Those same wide eyes, that same fear…

He looked around for Mistlepaw, half out of habit. As usual, she was nowhere to be found. She never was, these days.

Not when he was near at least.

Viperpaw had gone bright red, sputtering with anger. "You… how…" Quickpaw had walked over to see his brother.

"Viperpaw, you look like you're going to explode," he rolled his eyes, "Come on, let's go-"

"Aren't you supposed to be with Lilypaw?"

"I-" Quickpaw looked uncomfortable, "What do you mean?"

"Remember what Father said," Viperpaw growled, bristling, "You're supposed to be with Lilypaw." Redpaw gulped. He sounded aggressive, even for Viperpaw.

Quickpaw seemed to look a bit queasy at that idea. "Yup… Lilypaw and I," he whispered, glancing once at Smokepaw.

The hazy tom met his gaze, and gave him a pitiful expression. Redpaw saw… something flicker over Quickpaw's face before he turned and ran.

Redpaw winced, seeing Viperpaw glare at him and Smokepaw. "Enjoy your time with your boyfriend," he sneered, "You two belong together, a kittypet and a dirty halfbreed."

Smokepaw stepped forward, "Thanks chap, we're going to have a swell of a time. Come Redpaw darling, you must come and show me more…"

He leaned in close to Viperpaw's ear, "He's a devil with his paws."

Redpaw's eyes went wide at that and he coughed, "Uh… come on Smokepaw, we should leave."

He wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible, so he did, rushing off with his ears burning.

"Why, so you can run away like the coward you are?" Viperpaw bristled, "I can see why Mistlepaw left you. She was probably ashamed to be seen with a disgusting cat like you-" He turned to glare at Smokepaw, "Both of you, it's disgusting."

That's when Viperpaw got smacked in the face half-heartedly with a paw.

Redpaw tried to suppress a snort, earning a dark glare from the older apprentice. He yelped.

"Your attitude, it's disgusting," Smokepaw tutted, with equal cold fury, "Where's your brother? He was much cuter."

Viperpaw spat in Smokepaw's face.

The tom reeled back, bristling. Redpaw took a step back, praying a fight didn't break out.

( That made him know a fight would break out.)

Viperpaw snarled, the brown and white tom looking vicious as an angry fox, and leapt at Smokepaw, who easily stepped to the side.

When Viperpaw landed on nothing, he stood up. "Hey!"

"Oh, can't catch me?" Smokepaw teased, "Come on, I know you want to, but I do like to play hard to get."

A growl was his only response.

When Viperpaw charged again, Smokepaw pinned him to the ground. Viperpaw landed on the ground, hard. The wind was knocked from his lungs.

Redpaw winced.

Smokepaw leaned down and whispered something in his ear that Redpaw could not hear. But whatever it was, fear flickered across Viperpaw's face. He jumped up, and glared at Redpaw and Smokepaw, before stalking away.

"You beat Viperpaw," Redpaw said after a few moments, "You beat Viperpaw!"

"Yeah, I did," Smokepaw looked amused, "He's not so tough."

"Not so tough? He's the best fighter out of all the apprentices!" Redpaw's eyes went wide, "I mean, you've been here for what, a moon?"

"A little less," Smokepaw admitted with a slight smirk, "Rabbitfoot is a harsh mentor, what can I say?"

Redpaw grimaced, "I'm… I'm sorry you have to deal with him."

"Oh, I can handle the taunting," Smokepaw tutted, but there was something in his gaze that made Redpaw uneasy, "Look, he'll regret it when I'm the best warrior in this clan."

Redpaw heard giggles from nearby and turned his head. He sighed when he saw Burntpaw and Dragonflypaw.

"Shouldn't you two be practicing for your warrior assessments?" he huffed, narrowing his eyes.

"Oh, Redpaw you really shouldn't mind the company of your beautiful companions," Smokepaw purred at the two littermates, causing Redpaw to roll his eyes.

"See, I will like him," Burntpaw smiled, "I'm glad you keep him around."

"Be careful Redpaw," Dragonflypaw grinned, "Maybe he'll sweep Mistlepaw off her feet before you can."

Redpaw went crimson, "Guyyyys…"

"Oh, that's Redpaw's girl, isn't it?" Smokepaw laughed, and Burntpaw nodded.

"She's his one true love," Dragonflypaw smirked, tousling Redpaw's fur, "Our little brother here has been padding after her since he was a kit."

Redpaw frowned, "You know it's not like that! She doesn't even look at me anymore. She's probably going to end up with a better warrior, like… Flameflight or something. And I'm not really your brother!"

Burntpaw frowned, "Well, I sure hope not. Look, I adore Flameflight to the moon and back, and I will say, he doesn't have anything on you Redpaw. Also, she can't steal my tom."

"I still don't see what you see in him-"

"Kindly shut up, Dragonflypaw."

"Yeah, well at least he's not half-clan!" Redpaw exclaimed, "At least her father can look at him without disgust! At least…"

"At least she'd actually care about someone like him," he whispered, choking up on his words.

"Redpaw… no one cares that your-"

"No Dragonflypaw, stop-" Redpaw glared at them, "You don't get the side glances. The ones knowing that you're a freak, and you don't even know why, and-" He dug his claws in the dirt, only pausing when he felt a tail on his shoulder.

" We don't care," they whispered, green eyes boring into his own. He sniffed.

"I… sorry guys," Redpaw whispered, "I just get so frustrated sometimes and… I don't mean to."

"You don't have to apologize, this clan is pretty pathetic," Smokepaw bristled, "I mean, I'm was a loner. You don't think I don't get weird looks? It's ridiculous!"

"Yeah, but it doesn't bother you," Redpaw whispered.

"Exactly!" Smokepaw grinned, "I know I belong here. They just have to learn that."

"They… need to learn I belong?" Redpaw swallowed.

"Yup!" Smokepaw exclaimed, "And then you can march right up to Mistlepaw and tell her-'' He froze.

Redpaw looked over with a horrified expression, seeing Mistlepaw staring at him. He flushed, despite himself.

"Redpaw, I…" He saw her wince.

"Mistlepaw?" he whispered, taking a step towards her. His friends were forgotten. Even since she stopped talking to him, he still regarded her with nothing but adoration in his gaze.

She would always be that cat who played with him as a kit when no one else would.

She opened her mouth, before closing it. Redpaw felt his pelt burn and he swallowed.

"Redpaw!"

Clearwing bounded into the clearing, causing the apprentice to sigh. "Hey!" his mentor exclaimed, "I was thinking we could-"

There was a black blur as Mistlepaw took the opportunity to run out of camp.

Redpaw gritted his teeth, whirling around to meet his mentor's gaze.

"Whoa, whoa-" Clearwing held up his paws, confused at the look on his normally mild-mannered apprentice.

"Dad!" Burntpaw huffed, "Come on! Redpaw was about to confess his undying love!"

"I was not!"

"Oh, Mistlepaw?" Clearwing asked and Dragonflypaw nodded vigorously. Redpaw let out a groan.

"Sorry lad," Clearwing sighed and rubbed the top of Redpaw's head with his paw (much like his kits had done earlier). "Rabbitfoot says we have to go on patrol."

"Oh, could I go? I'd like to get to know the territory better," Smokepaw chimed in, "Maybe your lovely kits can come?"

Burntpaw and Dragonflypaw giggled and Clearwing huffed, "No Smokepaw, Rabbitfoot wants to take you out… training. Battle training."

Redpaw saw something dark flash over Smokepaw's face, but it was quickly replaced by his usual suave attitude.

"So… who's going with us?" Redpaw asked.

"Oh, just you, Mudwhisker, your mother, and I," Clearwing nodded, walking towards where Mudwhisker was waiting. The stiff tom twitched his tail impatiently.

"Clearwing, did it have to take you that long to gather your apprentice?" he huffed, and Clearwing only offered a sheepish smile.

"Sorry Mud, my kits were there. You know I can't resist saying hi to them!"

Redpaw expected another sharp retort and was surprised when Mudwhisker's gaze softened. "Dragonflypaw is starting to look a lot like their mother, aren't they?"

Clearwing nodded, solemn, "I see Skiptail in both them and their sister."

Mudwhisker placed his tail on Clearwing's shoulder and the white tom ducked his head, "I'm sure she'd be proud of them."

"Thanks Mudwhisker," Clearwing smiled. The pair were interrupted by a cough from behind them.

"Excuse me?" Darkfang bristled, "But are we going to get going? Some of us don't want to be waiting here all day for a stupid patrol!"

Redpaw grimaced at the sound of his mother's voice. Mudwhisker snapped to attention, a dark glare on his face. "Yes Darkfang," he seethed, "Because the entire patrol revolves around your wants."

"It does," she responded quite primly, "Thanks for noticing."

"Would you like to lead this patrol then?" he responded, sarcasm lacing his tone. Redpaw wished his mother would stop disrespecting a senior warrior.

"Maybe."

"Hey, guys," Clearwing stepped between them, "Can we not fight-"

"Darkfang isn't leading the patrol Clearwing," Mudwhisker rolled his eyes, "She's still practically an apprentice."

"I had to grow up very fast," Darkfang seethed, "The proof is right there."

Redpaw looked down at his paws. "I-"

"That still doesn't give you any right to disrespect your elders," Mudwhisker responded, voice losing some of it's anger, "And Redpaw is right there."

"Yeah, well he's the reason I had to grow up," Darkfang snapped and Redpaw took a step back.

"I'm… I'm sorry," he whispered, feeling small. They'd had this conversation before, many times in the nursery. He was used to apologizing for his father he didn't know.

Clearwing was between them in a moment. "Darkfang, go grab a piece of prey."

"But the patrol-"

"It will be fine without you," Clearwing narrowed his eyes, and Redpaw felt legs shaking.

"I didn't mean to…" he breathed. Clearwing wrapped his tail around the shivering apprentice's shoulder.

"You didn't do anything," his mentor whispered.

"Promise?" Redpaw whispered, feeling like a kit. Clearwing nodded.

"Here, let's continue with the patrol," Mudwhisker swallowed, starting to walk out of camp.

Once they were a ways out, Clearwing cleared his throat. "Redpaw, you're good friends with my kits. They're doing alright?"

"Well…" Redpaw forced his voice to be louder than he felt like speaking. His mother had rendered him small, and he wavered slightly. Why did her gaze always have to be so angry?

"Burntpaw is still waiting for Flameflight to notice she exists," he chuckled weakly.

"That might be a while," Mudwhisker sighed, "I think he's still trying to keep his sister from throwing away her life."

"Mudwhisker, Acornfang is technically an adult now that she's a warrior-"

"And so you think it's appropriate for her to be pursuing Rabbitfoot?" Mudwhisker snapped, "Starclan Clearwing, she's the same age as his kits. What is that was Dragonflypaw or Burntpaw? We don't want another situation like we had with-"

"I didn't say it was appropriate," the white tom glowered at him, "But my apprentice is here."

Mudwhisker looked at Redpaw like he'd forgotten he was there. "My apologies," he whispered, guilt flitting across his face.

"Like with Darkfang?" Redpaw swallowed, "That's what you were going to say, right?"

He swallowed, "I'm not stupid. I know she was too young to have kits, I know I shouldn't be here-"

He stopped himself, interrupted by Clearwing giving him a hug.

"Redpaw, we're overjoyed you're here," he promised softly. Mudwhisker placed his tail awkwardly on Redpaw's shoulder.

He felt a lump in his throat. "But she always… she…" He blinked, and felt his face, paw coming back wet with tears.

"She always said that."

"She was wrong," Clearwing's gaze was soft. Mudwhisker flexed his claws.

"That cold-hearted, two faced-"

"Mudwhisker," Clearwing looked at his friend, "Not now."

Redpaw took a deep breath. "I… I can keep going," he nodded.

He glanced between the two warriors, "Thanks… thank you!"

He knew they were just saying those things to make him feel better, but he appreciated it. He knew the truth though.

(If he wasn't a mistake, Mistlepaw would look at him.)

The patrol continued on in silence.

When they got back to camp, he settled down next to Clearwing to grab some prey, while Darkfang glared at the warrior from across camp.

"Clearwing," Redpaw asked, shuffling his paws, "How… how do you talk to she-cats?"

Clearwing started to laugh. "Is this about-"

"No," Redpaw flattened his ears, "Just… in general." Still, his traitorous mind couldn't help but think of Mistlepaw.

"Well, when I started courting Skiptail, I was jumpier than a frog," Clearwing laughed, a look of sadness crossing his gaze.

"You don't have to talk about her if you don't want to," Redpaw whispered.

Clearwing shook his head, "Skiptail wouldn't want to be buried like that. She…" He smiled, "She was bright, always loved to be the center of attention. Not talking about her is disrespecting her memory."

Redpaw nodded, unsure, "Yeah, but how did you talk to her?"

"I just.. I put myself out there," Clearwing shrugged, "We had a beautiful courtship, and then had two beautiful kits and…" He stared off into the distance.

"What if she's a bit distant?" Redpaw asked softly.

"I suppose," Clearwing sighed, "You either have to keep trying until she says no. Then you look somewhere else." He gestured towards where Dragonflypaw and Burntpaw were sharing a piece of prey.

Redpaw gagged, "Clearwing, no!"

"Hey, you're a good tom, I wouldn't mind if either of them ended up with you," Clearwing teased, "You just have to go get them!"

"Yeah, well… What about you and Mudwhisker?!" Redpaw exclaimed, causing Clearwing to spit out his prey.

"What?"

"I saw you looking at him!" Redpaw huffed, "You… you like him!"

"Well, I already had a mate, and Mudwhisker is a hard working warrior, he's not looking for a tom like me-" Clearwing sputtered.

Redpaw smirked, "You didn't deny it."

"What?" Clearwing cocked his head.

"You didn't deny that you like Mudwhisker!"

"I-" Clearwing glared at Redpaw, "You're too smart for your own good."

"You should tell him!" Redpaw exclaimed, smiling, "It would be nice."

"I will," Clearwing grinned, "And you should tell Mistlepaw how you feel."

"Clearwing!"