She nodded. "Yeah. Are you a cat?" She joked. She twitched her whiskers with amusement.

The apprentice rolled his eyes and grumbled as the kit gave him a curious look and sniffed, "Yes, it's Runningpaw. What are you doing here, Cloverkit!" He hissed. "You aren't allowed to be out of camp!" He didn't dare point out that she was a kit, since that might make her think that she wasn't good enough for ThunderClan.

"I know, but I saw you go out with Ashstar and I figured that you were onto something special. Where are you going?" She asked suspiciously.

"I…" Runningpaw tried to think of a good excuse. He knew that a kit couldn't keep a secret, and that once they got ahold of information it could spread through the camp like wildfire. "Actually, I'm going on a secret mission. I can't tell you because it's too special," Runningpaw whispered.

Cloverkit's eyes were as wide as full moons. "Wow…" She mewed, her voice full of awe. "Can I come?" She instantly asked.

Runningpaw shook his head. "No!" He snapped. "I- I mean, no, you can't," he repeated, lowering his voice a tad this time. "Because this is only supposed to be between me and Ashstar."

"What?" Asked Cloverkit. "Can you at least tell me what you're doing?" She asked sincerely. "At least give me a hint?" The cute little kit looked up into Runningpaw's eyes with her sparkling green ones. "Please?"

Runningpaw sighed. "Fine. Let's just say that Ashstar and I are picking up an apprentice from far away. But remember," He whispered to the kit, "it has to be kept secret. Can you do that, Cloverkit?" He asked.

Cloverkit nodded. "Yes, Runningpaw. I promise."

Runningpaw smiled. "Okay then. Run off back to camp, then," he mewed, flicking his tail in the direction of camp.

The tabby kit nodded and quickly flew in the direction of the camp, making sure that no cat knew she was gone.

Runningpaw chuckled. Cloverkit was one of those kittens that was sure to be adventurous. One that would always be sneaking out of camp just to learn more…one that didn't listen to her mentor.

All of a sudden Runningpaw didn't want to be Cloverkit's mentor when he was a warrior. The tabby she-cat would be tough to train, for sure. But why was he worrying himself about it? He could take it! Besides, the possibility that Cloverkit was going to be his apprentice wasn't very high. He could get any other kit, maybe one from a different litter. If I'm made a warrior in that time, Runningpaw thought grimly.

Hepushed the thoughts out of his mind and ventured on. Cinderhope most likely didn't want Runningpaw to become a warrior simply because he wasn't ready. Even though he had all of his training through. It was even approved by Ashstar!

Runningpaw rolled his eyes at his own negative thoughts and centered his attention on his departed leader. Ashstar was probably far ahead of him by now, but the apprentice was almost confident that she had stopped for him. Besides, she must have noticed by now that Runningpaw wasn't there with her?

Suddenly, he caught sight of a smoky colored tail. Runningpaw hurried after it, instantly thinking of Ashstar. Who else had that distinctive black-striped tail?

Leaping over a log, Runningpaw tried to keep his eye on the tail. She was going fast! Did she even know that he wasn't currently by her side?

Slow down, Ashstar! He hissed in his mind. Don't you have any idea that I'm falling behind due to an injury? Actually, that part would take some explaining. But still!

Finally, the leader seemed to slow her pace a little. She seemed to be hanging around the dense undergrowth, and for some reason was trying to hide her pelt. Something strange was going on…

He bounded towards the spot of whiskery grass. He instantly felt the scent of his leader come flooding into his nose. Runningpaw couldn't wait to tell her about what had happened with that stupid branch…

Suddenly, a loud crackle filled the air. It was the snapping of a branch. Runningpaw looked around wildly frightened.

"OOF!" Runningpaw yowled. A huge shape had bowled into him, knocking the wind out of him. The apprentice couldn't see them, but instantly knew the cats by the scent: ShadowClan. And lots of them.