"Spottedpaw, do you want to go on the dawn patrol?" Icenose asks.

"Wha...", Spottedpaw mutters, blinking sleep from her eyes. It's still dark outside, and a thin milky line is spreading across the sky. It must be dawn. Why can't I sleep a little longer? Spottedpaw thinks, curling into a tighter ball.

"Come ON! We've gotta go!" Icenose hisses quietly. "The others are waiting."

"What do you mean?" Spottedpaw says crossly. "I want to go back to bed."

"You're an apprentice now. You have to get up when told to. Otherwise Firestar might change you back to a kit."

"Can he do that?"

"Maybe."

Reluctantly, Spottedpaw heaves herself out of her bed and goes to join the dawn patrol. Snowpaw and Shadowpaw aren't there.

"Why aren't Shadowpaw and Snowpaw doing anything?" Spottedpaw growls.

"Because I thought you'd like to start your training earlier than your littermates, you know, learn more stuff before they do." Icenose mews in reply.

Spottedpaw likes the sound of that. Immediately she's wide awake and ready to go.

"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's GO!"

Shadowpaw feels around for Spottedpaw, but can't feel anything in the nest beside him. Quickly, he awakens and shakes Snowpaw awake.

"Do you know where Spottedpaw is?" Shadowpaw asks worriedly.

"I think I heard Icenose take her on the dawn patrol."

"Why didn't you wake me up and tell me?"

"'Cause. I was only half awake. I could barely lift my paw, let alone wake you up and tell you. I didn't think it would bother you that she went."

"Don't you get it!!!!! She's getting more training than us!"

"I'm going back to sleep. Good luck with that!"

Fuming, Shadowpaw stomps over to the warriors den and pokes his head inside.

"Swifttalon?"

"Huh...Shadowpaw?"

"Can I get some fresh-kill?"

"Why are you asking me?"

"'Cause."

"Ask your mentor."

"But-?"

Ugh, I'll just get some myself. Angrily, he walks over to the fresh-kill pile and picks a plump vole from the pile. Then, as he takes a bite out of it, he hears pads thumping in the thorn tunnel. The dawn patrol's back. Spottedpaw and Icenose walk over to the fresh-kill pile and get something to eat.

"You did great, Spottedpaw."

"Thanks."

"Go and eat with your brother."

"OK."

Spottedpaw grabs a thrush from the fresh-kill pile and walks over to him. "Good morning."

Shadowpaw grunts in greeting.

"What's up with you?"

"Nuthin'."

"You're mad about something."

"So what?"

"Can I help?"

"No."

"Ok. Can you at least tell me what it is?"

"Fine."

"Ok, so...?"

"You."

"Me?"

"Yeah, you got to go on the dawn patrol and I had to stick around here. You got to do more."

"Why is that making you mad at me?"

"I knew you wouldn't get it." Furious, Shadowpaw stomps away.