I slipped into the apprentice den and weaved my way toward Spiritpaw where she slept beside Eaglepaw and Mosspaw. Sparkheart's kits were nearing the end of their warrior training and when that day came, Spiritpaw would be the only apprentice for at least two moons.

Spiritpaw lay curled in a tight ball, her tail tucked over her nose. I jabbed her in the flank. Her small head shot up, "What." She squeaked.

"It's time for training, you lazy fur ball." I purred affectionately. Spiritpaw leapt to her paws, eyes shining with eagerness. That was what I loved most about my apprentice. She began training a moon ago, but she was still eager to learn and serve her clan.

"What are we going to do today?" she asked.

"You're going to get your whiskers pulled if you don't be quiet and let us sleep." Eaglepaw growled.

"Sorry," Spiritpaw ducked her head.

"Come on," I whispered and led her into the clearing. "We are practicing tree combat today." Spiritpaw shuffled her paws. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," she mewed, not meeting my gaze.

"No something is wrong," I mewed. I could always tell when something was bothering my apprentice. "What is it?"

"I've never climbed a tree. What if I fall out?" She confessed.

I fought to keep my whiskers from twitching with laughter. "You won't fall out so long as you listen to what I tell you," I mewed. "Besides if you are anything like your mother you will be a natural." Spiritpaw's eyes began shining. "That's better. Now come on."

We raced through the forest; the scent of green growing things filled me with energy. Spiritpaw hurried by my side. When we reached the Sky Oak, she skidded through the leaf mulch, tripping over a small root. "Careful." I mewed lifting her up by her scruff and setting her on her paws.

"Sorry," Spiritpaw shook scraps of leaves from her pelt. She turned and craned her neck to try to see the top of the ancient oak tree. "It's huge," her voice filled with awe.

"If you want to teach her to climb you should start with the birch trees near the Windclan border, Foxspirit." I spun around in surprise. Cinderheart was watching us with Lionblaze.

"I thought the Sky Oak would be better since the branches are thicker," I mewed.

"Birch's bark is softer and easier to grip,"

"I wouldn't argue with Cinderheart, Foxspirit. She is the best climber in Thunderclan," Lionblaze eyes shone with laughter.

"Alright," I finally agreed. "Would you two like to help?" I wasn't too sure how best to teach someone to climb. I did fine when it came to hunting and ground combat, but I was not really much of a climber myself.

"I doubt Lionblaze will, he is as clumsy as a badger when he is in a tree," Cinderheart butted her head against her mate's shoulder. "But I would be glad to help,"

My whiskers twitched and I noticed Spiritpaw's gaze shone with amusement. "What do you think, Spiritpaw?"

"I think it would be great!" the fluffy gray apprentice purred.

The sun was beginning to set when I decided it was time to stop for the night. "Come on Spiritpaw," I called up to my apprentice. She stood on a slender branch and gazed down at me in disappointment.

"Do we have to?" she called back.

"Yes," I mewed flicking my tail. "It will be too dark soon for you to climb down safely."

"Alright," Spiritpaw sighed before scooting down the trunk of the tall beech tree. "Can we work on tree battle moves tomorrow?"

"We'll see." I flicked the tip of her ear with my tail.

"You reminded me of your mother up there," a voice purred.

Spiritpaw spun around. "Nightfrost!" she squeaked barreling into her father. I dipped my head in greeting to the black and white warrior. "What are you doing out here?"

"I was hunting and I heard your voice so I decided to come see how your training is going." Nightfrost's gaze glowed with pride. "I heard you are making excellent progress."

Spiritpaw licked her chest fur to hide her embarrassment, "Well I have a great mentor," she mewed looking at me.

I felt hot beneath my pelt at my apprentice's praise. "Come on," I mewed quickly. "If we hurry there might be some fresh-kill left." I nosed her toward the camp. My belly growled in agreement, as we hurried through the forest.