The next day had finally come. Dreams had hunted Runningshadow the night before, ones of evil cats pinning down an unidentifiable she-cat. Runningshadow couldn't interpret what it might mean.

Runningshadow hadn't ever been happier to see the dull leaf-bare sunshine as he loped out of the den. He was expecting to see another whole world, the one of the gang of unknown rogue cats that threatened to kill you.

He shivered as the cold winds billowed his fur, and Runningshadow felt a wet drop melt on his nose. He looked up to the sky and saw light snowflakes coming down. Snow!

Runningshadow hadn't heard of snow, nor seen it since he was still in the nursery.

Suddenly, he felt a pang of longing for his mother as he remembered his kit days. The days of his loving mother constantly grooming him, teaching him early hunting techniques, and waiting for him to become an apprentice.

It didn't make him feel any better when he saw Trailkit and Weavekit trampling out of the nursery, sticking their tongues out to catch the snow. Mangoheart was trailing after them in despair, snarling "If you don't both get in here this instant, I'll have to change both of your names to Snowkit and Icekit!"

Though Weavekit came right up to her mother that instant, Trailkit didn't seem to be even listening. He kept catching snowflakes and rolling in the tiny patches of snow.

Runningshadow wanted to intervene, but decided that Mangoheart would take care of it, and decided to ask Summerheart how her talk with Ashstar was.

He was just in time, for the tabby she-cat was just bounding into the snowbound ravine with the dawn patrol behind her.

Runningshadow greeted a couple of the cats, trying not to shove too much, and headed up for the deputy. "Summerheart?" He called.

The tabby she-cat turned her head from reporting to Mudpelt. "Runningshadow!" She called back with glee. She quickly finished her reports to Mudpelt and bounded toward Runningshadow.

Runningshadow couldn't help shuddering as Mudpelt flashed a glare at Summerheart with an angry spit.

The light brown warrior was still looking after Mudpelt when Summerheart arrived to his side. "Runningshadow," She huffed. "What did you want?"

Runningshadow snapped out of it immediately. "Summerheart," He replied hastily. "Um, I was just wondering how you're meeting was with Ashstar?"

Summerheart frowned. "She said no," She mewed quickly, then turned away and called, "Deerpaw, come here!"

Runningshadow felt his heart sink. Perhaps this was what his dream had been about, with Ashstar as the cruel rogues and Summerheart as the she-cat. But surely their leader wasn't that cruel?

"Perhaps she wants proof," Spluttered Runningshadow, but Summerheart had already taken off to talk to an apprentice.

He sighed. Was there no hope for Summerheart, or worse, her kits? Was she even having kits?

Runningshadow would have to talk about that later, though, because Summerheart was rounding Mudpelt and Irispetal together for their apprentices' hunting assessment.

Runningshadow was going to the nettle patch to get some prey, but suddenly bumped into Cloverpaw.

The tabby she-cat tumbled onto the snowy ground. A low sound came out from her.

"Oh my gosh, Cloverpaw are you okay?" Asked Runningshadow worriedly. He looked over his apprentice to look for any bruises on her beautiful pelt.

It turned out the low sounds that Cloverpaw were making were giggles. She got up and shook the snow out of her leaf-bare thick tabby pelt.

"I'm fine, you big furball!" Laughed Cloverpaw. "Just don't keep up with bowling apprentices over with your big, lugging body!" She ran her tail along Runningshadow's shoulders and flank, looking deep into his pelt.

"Why are you out so early?" Runningshadow asked. "The dawn patrol just got back!"

"Don't you pay any attention at all?" Cloverpaw asked. "I was with them!"

Runningshadow guiltily kneaded his paws in the snowy dirt, remembering that he was too busy with Summerheart to talk to his own apprentice. "Sorry, I needed to talk to our deputy about something."

Cloverpaw's green eyes were understanding. "Right. I understand," She said honestly.

"Would you like to go out for training?" Asked Runningshadow, getting off the subject.

Cloverpaw's eyes glowed. "I sure would!" She exclaimed. "I need to practice that belly rake you taught me the other day!"

Runningshadow purred warmly. "Let's get going," he replied, trying to push the ominous dream and Summerheart's fate out of his mind. It really couldn't be that bad?

C.L.O.V.E.R

"Now, I'm going to teach you a special move," Runningshadow told his apprentice. "It's called the belly-rake."

Cloverpaw was on the edge of her paws, kneading them anxiously. She looked very excited to start practicing.

"It is a good thing to remember that it causes mortal damage, so don't do it unless you are in a severe situation," Runningshadow continued. "Now, can you tell me when is the best time to use the belly rake?"

Cloverpaw twisted up her face thoughtfully. "Hmmm…is it when you're pinned down by an opponent?"

"Yes!" Purred Runningshadow. "Wonderful job! It is good to use when you're pinned down, because it is the only way to get your opponent off of you. Let's practice it."

Cloverpaw nodded, her green eyes glittering. She probably knew that this move was among the last that she would ever learn before she was made a warrior.

Runningshadow let out a defensive snarl and leaped onto Cloverpaw. She squeaked with surprise, then remembering the move, closed her eyes tight and scrabbled at Runningshadow's belly with sheathed paws.

"You've got to be faster than that," Runningshadow mewed lightly. "Also, you will have to dig your claws in deeper."

"But I'm not using my claws!" She protested.

"Then pretend you are!" Snapped Runningshadow. He hated to be rash, but this was important for Cloverpaw to learn, and he had to enforce it.

Cloverpaw nodded slowly, then pushed her paws deep into his chest. Runningshadow let out a loud wail and got off of Cloverpaw.

"Excellent," He praised. "That was perfectly done, and remember to use your paws like you did. That will do more damage if you sink your claws into the enemy."

Cloverpaw nodded, absorbing the information like moss. "Can I try it again?" She asked. "Just to keep my practice up?"

"Of course," Runningshadow replied. "We can try it as many times as it takes for you to learn it."

Cloverpaw brightened, then curled her lips in a growl. That was Runningshadow's cue to jump onto her.

The light brown tom leaped atop the apprentice, baring his teeth threateningly.

Cloverpaw gasped, but didn't hesitate to sink her paws deep into Runningshadow's belly. She ran them down his belly quickly and swiftly, getting out from under her fleeing mentor.

"That was great!" Runningshadow said. "Next time, try to use your back legs. And add some kick to it, so you can get me off even easier!"

The tabby she-cat got ready and in the fighting position, but suddenly sniffed the air suspiciously.

"What is it?" Runningshadow asked.

She shook her head. "N-nothing," She whispered hoarsely. "I just…just think I've smelled that before…but I don't know where."

Runningshadow opened his mouth to taste the air. "That's strange," He remarked. "It's a bit different than ShadowClan, but I'd recognize an enemy scent anywhere. Are they on our territory?" He asked, testing his apprentice.

At first, Cloverpaw did not reply, just kept scenting the air. It looked like she was trying to think very hard, trying to remember this scent that she could not grasp.

Finally, after what seemed like a million heartbeats, Cloverpaw shook her head slowly. "No, they aren't," She murmured. "It's stale. It seems they were around here yesterday."

"That's interesting," Runningshadow meowed thoughtfully. "Why would ShadowClan be anywhere near Sandy Hollow? That's way too far into our territory…"

"They might be trying to find one of our cats," Cloverpaw muttered darkly.

"Or maybe they're trying to steal your prey!" Snapped a voice.