I'm getting back under some control, but not totally.

Also correct me if I'm wrong: Mossclaw is the RiverClan deputy, right? That's what my character sheet says for this story.

That is all. Thanks to all the people who have read, fav'd, reviewed, followed and stuck with me all this time. I really appreciate it.

Questions? Feel free to ask me.

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Dawnpaw sat silently outside the apprentices' den. Beside her, Shinepaw trembled. An ear splitting wail echoed through the camp, stopping several cats in their own tracks. The clan's attention shifted to the leader's den. Cats of all ranks swarmed the stiff den of reads in the camp's center. Distress billowed like waves throughout the clan. The apprentices were no exception. Even Thunderpaw seemed a little nervous.

Leafstep and Blackwing tore through the sea of pelts with herbs clamped in their jaws. Blackwing shoved a kit to the ground in her haste, leaving it mewling pitifully until its mother retrieved it. The black she cat gave no words of apology. Instead she pushed her way into Waterstar's den with Leafstep.

Shinepaw pressed her pretty, golden fur closer to Dawnpaw, seeking comfort from the older apprentice. Dawnpaw licked her friend's forehead, but Shinepaw shook again. Sighing, Dawnpaw nudged the golden she cat.

"We can't do anything you know. Leafstep and Blackwing will do what they can for her," Dawnpaw said, looking straight into Shinepaw's eyes, "everything will be fine."

Shinepaw her licked wound on her shoulder and winced. "How do you know, Dawnpaw? It's not like she's ever been this injured before."

Dawnpaw paused. Shinepaw stared into her friend's eyes, casting doubt. "What happened at the border skirmish anyway?" Dawnpaw asked. The silvery she cat attempted to avoid Shinepaw's gaze. But the gold cat held her eyes firm.

"What do you think happens in border fights, Dawnpaw?" Shinepaw nearly hissed while she groomed her cut. Dawnpaw sighed.

"I meant, what actually happened to Waterstar? You were there so you had to have seen it."

"I wasn't kit-sitting her, Dawnpaw, I had to fight off two WindClan warriors at once! Plus, for all I know, Waterstar could have lost a life in that battle!"

Dawnpaw jumped back slightly at her friend's sudden harshness. The grey she cat didn't respond. Instead, she padded to the warriors den, where cats were just beginning to settle back down in. Hushed mews hopped from ear to ear when Dawnpaw arrived. Much like she expected, the voices stopped abruptly when she entered. Dawnpaw's ears twitched in annoyance. She hated when warriors hid things from her.

"Is Timberclaw around?" She asked the ensemble of warriors. The eyes of her clanmates burned into her face when they turned to Dawnpaw's. After a moment of pure silence, Darkshade broke the ice.

"He just left to find you, Dawnpaw," the black tom said evenly, "he should be in the apprentice's den by now."

Then without another word, Dawnpaw left. She growled to herself the moment the whispers and gossip reemerged as she stepped out of the reed lined den.

Stupid warriors. I hope Timberclaw and I never become like them.

Circling back the way she came, an empty apprentices' den greeted Dawnpaw. The silvery she cat was glad Shinepaw was away training for once. Dawnpaw didn't want to risk sitting at the wrong end of her friend's wrath again. Remembering the earlier incident, Dawnpaw was hurt more than she thought.

I wasn't that pushy, was I?

Blinking back a tear, Dawnpaw shut her eyes and flopped into her nest. But instead of landing on soft, moss and river weed, the apprentice was slammed against some cat's body. Surprised, Dawnpaw yelped and opened her eyes. The tears that managed to form were quickly extinguished. The sight before Dawnpaw's dark amber gaze mildly surprised her. Lying in her nest was her mentor! He looked rather content with his position as well. Timberclaw's emerald eyes just looked at Dawnpaw calmly as if he wanted her to say something. But the she cat settled down next to her mentor and pressed her face into his brown fur. The tabby tom licked his apprentices' cheek in response.

"What's wrong?" he mewed softly. Dawnpaw let a few tears stream from her face.

"I don't even know! Shinepaw was only a little assertive with me today and I'm getting worked up over nothing!" Dawnpaw sobbed. Timberclaw licked her again.

"Shhh, everything will be fine. It will work itself out on its own."

"Really?"

"Yep."

"Timberclaw?"

"Yeah?"

"I don't want to train today."

Dawnpaw pressed herself closer to her mentor and looked up at him. Timberclaw smiled a little.

"All right. But tomorrow we have to start bright and early, especially since your warrior ceremony is pretty close."

"Timberclaw?" Dawnpaw meowed again.

"Yes?" He answered.

"Can you stay with me?"

"Of course. And Dawnpaw," Timberclaw said, causing his apprentice to pause momentarily, "You know we won't be able to do this for a couple of moons."

Dawnpaw blinked, confused.

"What? Why?" she squeaked. Timberclaw only stared at her wide eyed.

"Don't you know?" Timberclaw sputtered out. Dawnpaw only shook her head.

"You're obviously expecting my kits." Timberclaw mewed with a surprisingly calm tone.

"What?"

Dawnpaw let her jaw hit the nest under her. How could she be having her mentor's kits? Why now with her warrior ceremony so close? The silvery she cat resisted the urge to wail out loud. What would she tell her parents?

Timberclaw kept his voice even and rational.

"I know you're worried about what you're going to tell your parents, but please stay calm about this."

Timberclaw closed his eyes for a moment and breathed in a heavy breath. "I worry about you and I don't want you to be overly stressed about this. Just tell your parents that we're mates and everything will be ok."

Dawnpaw said nothing. Timberclaw shifted next to her.

"Look," he said, "you aren't lying. Nothing bad will come from this, I promise. It isn't too early for these kinds of things. My parents became mates right after their warrior ceremonies were over."

Dawnpaw gulped down her anxiety and nodded. She'd have to trust her mate.

"I'll tell them tomorrow." She promised.

"Good." Timberclaw whispered as he settled back down in the moss. Dawnpaw squeezed her body near his. Despite how well versed the plan was, the apprentice couldn't quash the feelings of nervousness that enveloped her mind.

Everything will be fine. Timberclaw's plan will help. It will.

What if my parents hate me?

Dawnpaw stopped her limbs from fidgeting. She didn't want to disturb her mentor.

I have to get over this.

Timberclaw seemed to sense Dawnpaw's anxiety and lifted his head over hers.

"What now?" he yawned. Dawnpaw looked down steadily.

"I'm just scared."

"Don't be. Like I said, everything will be fine."

Then, the brown tom closed his eyes and snoozed. Dawnpaw pressed her face into his sleeping form and breathed in the familiar comfort.

Everything will be ok. I promise.