Bluestar watched the apprentices from a tree branch above, her tail swinging from side to side. Below, Dustpaw and Graypaw were hissing at each other until Sandpaw stepped in front of them and whispered something; which made their eyes open with realization and back away. Firepaw also said something and led the newly reconciled cats off into the brambles until they were out of Bluestar's sight. Sandpaw will make a great warrior and keep the rest out of trouble Bluestar thought to herself as she flicked her tail to Lionheart who was waiting a few yards away and following his leader's signal followed the apprentices.
Bluestar jumped to a lower branch and then to the ground below, she checked the sun's position again and decided she still had sometime before the morning patrol got back to camp and reported to her so she set off back to camp.
When she emerged from the gorse tunnel she saw Tigerclaw padding towards her and she flicked towards the newly-stocked fresh-kill pile. Tigerclaw nodded and padded over towards the fresh-kill pile and chose a vole before going to sit where the seniors warriors ate.
Bluestar scanned the clearing looking from warrior to warrior before calling Mousefur over to her. "Yes Bluestar?" Mousefur asked as she dipped her head respectfully.
"We have just sent the apprentices hunting for the elders and the queens; afterwards they will come to eat. Please make sure that they bring clean moss for the nursery and elder's den afterwards and that they work together." Bluestar mewed.
"Yes Bluestar. Is that all?"
Bluestar nodded, and headed towards Tigerclaw; picking up a thrush on her way. "Where's Ravenpaw?" She asked looking around the camp and not finding him.
"I asked Longtail to take him with him on the morning patrol. I was hoping to talk to you." Tigerclaw explained swallowing a mouth full of vole. "I want Ravenpaw to join the training sessions you're having with the other apprentices" he stated.
Bluestar eyed Tigerclaw in surprise and asked "Why? Has he done something wrong?" When Tigerclaw shook his head; she prompted "Well?"
"If you're going to be doing intensive training, then it might do him some good." Bluestar shot Tigerclaw a glance that told him she would need more to allow that to happen. "Ravenpaw is also good friends with Graypaw and Firepaw yet he doesn't get along very well with Sandpaw or Dustpaw; if I hadn't taken him on patrol with me, he probably would have been there too."
That was true but it hadn't happened so she couldn't punish Ravenpaw because of it. Bluestar gazed into emptiness for a while lost in thought before answering "I cannot punish Ravenpaw for something he might have done; but I agree. He needs to learn to get along with Sandpaw and Dustpaw. He may join the training." Bluestar announced.
----
"Firepaw" Ravenpaw nudged his sleeping friend, "Firepaw wake up; Bluestar says you are to join the afternoon patrol with her, Runningwind, and me."
"Huh?" Firepaw yawned blinking the sleep off of his eyes when he remembered that even with the special training; they were still expected to do their other duties like patrolling with their mentors. "Right; let's go. I have tons to tell you." He said walking out of the den.
Bluestar nodded to Firepaw and entered the gorse tunnel, followed by Runningwind and the apprentices and then led them towards the thunderpath which marked the border between ThunderClan and ShadowClan. While they were patrolling, Firepaw fell in step with Ravenpaw and told him the morning's events. Ravenpaw eyes were full of sympathy throughout the whole retelling and then told Firepaw that the only thing he had done was go on the morning patrol with Longtail and then do a bit of hunting to restock the fresh-kill pile.
"Runningwind; go mark the trees ahead." Bluestar ordered the warrior who nodded curtly and ran ahead. Bluestar stopped and faced the apprentices. "Ravenpaw, you're going to join the rest of the apprentices in the training" at Ravenpaw's startled expression she softened her voice and added "you're not being punished. We just think it would help you gain endurance, speed up your training, and enhance your team work" she said the last part while throwing Firepaw a glance that made him look away.
Oh no, poor Ravenpaw! He's subject to the same punishment as we are and she hasn't done anything! Firepaw thought glumly. Ravenpaw's mentor, Tigerclaw was probably behind Bluestar's decision. He's never satisfied with Ravenpaw!
"Yes, Bluestar" He heard Ravenpaw mew careful not to show his disappointment in his voice. Runningwind soon came back and they headed back to camp. Ravenpaw and Firepaw tailing behind.
Firepaw nudged Ravenpaw gently with his nose. "It won't be too bad." He lied reassuringly as they entered through the gorse tunnel to find the other apprentices and mentors waiting for them to get back to go back to training.