Sorry the plot has been kinda rushed for the last few chapters, but I want to squeeze in at least 30 chapters for this story! XD enjoy this one, and get ready for at least two more.

This one is very short, too…sorry that it is.

The two cats, mentor and apprentice, passed by a small tree. "That's the Owl Tree," Runningshadow mewed. "Some say that a young warrior was once taught by an owl new and helpful fighting moves- that's where you get them today."

Cloverpaw looked amazed. "Wow," she breathed. "Amazing."

Runningshadow tried not to purr at the she-cat's newness to the forest. Then again, this wasn't her first time in the forest: Cloverpaw had sneaked out a couple times in her kithood.

"So that's the Owl Tree," Cloverpaw mewed. "Didn't you say that it's a good place for finding squirrels?" She asked her mentor.

"Excellent," Runningshadow praised. "Yes, it is. Keep that in mind, for it will come in handy later in life when you're on a hunting patrol."

Cloverpaw nodded. "Oh yeah, ok…"

Runningshadow could scent the many scents of the Clan. The smell of fresh-kill wafted into his nose, welcoming him back from the long journey.

He had already taken Cloverpaw out on her apprentice tour, which was lucky for her since she didn't have to train on her first day.

Runningshadow led his new apprentice into the camp, seeing the rest of the new apprentices sitting by the fresh-kill pile and chatting among themselves.

Cloverpaw looked anxious to see them, and dashed down the clearing to the tree stump that acted as a sort of hangout spot within camp.

Runningshadow rolled his eyes at the apprentice's ignorance, but told himself that she was young and still had to learn. Instead, he tried to look for Owlpaw to see how she was doing.

Oakpaw was already getting popular with the crowd of apprentices, but it seemed that Owlpaw was getting left out. She was sitting outside the grouped apprentices, quietly eating a vole.

Runningshadow frowned and trotted down to the apprentice. He chose a pigeon from the pile and sat himself down by the pale tabby.

"Hi," He greeted the apprentice.

"Hello," She greeted back, smiling at him. "How was Cloverpaw?" She asked.

"Feisty," Runningshadow replied with a laugh. "She was pretty fast, kept getting ahead of me. How is Strikefoot treating you?"

Owlpaw shrugged. "I dunno. I don't think he likes me very much."

Runningshadow frowned. "What? What do you mean?" He asked, looking into her green eyes.

She sighed. "Well, I'm not sure that any cats in this ruddy Clan likes me," she mewed pitifully, putting her head on her paws.

The young warrior sighed too. "No they aren't!"

Owlpaw gave him a scowl. "Honestly, Runningshadow. They're ignoring me, just look at how they're leaving me out right now!" She nearly yowled.

Runningshadow winced to show her to calm down.

Owlpaw sighed and looked down at her paws. "Sometimes I just don't think that I'll make a good warrior at all. And I won't be loved! Who would want to love a kittypet anyway?" She sniffled.

Runningshadow snorted. "Nobody will love you? Are you kidding me, just look at B- er, Oakpaw! He surely has strong feelings for you, you two never leave each other's side!" He spat.

Owlpaw's eyes widened. "Mate?" She asked. "Oakpaw?" She started shaking.

Runningshadow instantly started to hate himself. Why did he say that to her? Why was he so stupid! Now he made her mad and now she wasn't his friend anymore…

But she wasn't shaking with anger- it was with laughter! She was purring very hard and loud. "Runningshadow, Oakpaw isn't my friend, we're related! He's my brother!"

Runningshadow felt even twice as stupid now. Why hadn't he detected that kind of relationship between the two? Cats Owlpaw's age didn't feel that way about each other that young! Of course they were siblings!

"And I…Runningshadow, ever since I met you that day when you were hunting, I…well I sorta…"

Suddenly, Owlpaw was cut off and Irispetal came dashing towards Runningshadow.

"R-Runningshadow," The tawny she-cat huffed. "I- I need to talk to you about something."

The light brown tom nodded. He gave a farewell glance to Owlpaw and followed after Irispetal. Only to his surprise, they weren't going anywhere in camp- just to the gorse tunnel. They were going out of camp.

"Uh, is this really that urgent?" Asked Runningshadow nervously.

Irispetal nodded. "Yes. And don't think that we're going way far out here, just stop there."

Runningshadow nodded and sat down, curling his tail over his paws. "What is it?" He asked.

"Well, I wanted to talk to you about an apprentice," Irispetal mewed nervously. "It's Deerpaw."

At first Runningshadow thought she was talking about Owlpaw, but changed his mind when he heard Deerpaw's name. So Owlpaw hadn't been found out yet- that was good.

"Well, lately, I've been training with Mudpelt," She mewed, "And I've been seeing him…acting funny around Deerpaw."

"Define 'funny'," Runningshadow growled.

"Well, I don't think that Deerpaw is very safe around Mudpelt. She is a beautiful she-cat, you know…"

Runningshadow snapped awake in his little hazy daze. Was Irispetal saying that…Mudpelt could…attack her? Like…how mates do?

"So…"

"Assaulted," Irispetal finished for the young warrior. "In a…sexual way."

Runningshadow blinked hard, trying not to show surprise.

"And if you don't mind my asking," Irispetal mewed anxiously, looking down at her paws, "I want you to…um…ask Ashstar to appoint Deerpaw a different mentor."

Runningshadow felt his heart lurch. His claws dug deep into the dirt, feeling nothing still. What? Give Deerpaw a different mentor? Runningshadow liked the idea, but what would Mudpelt think about it?

"Well, I like the idea, but…will Mudpelt be angry?" Asked Runningshadow.

Irispetal nodded. "Yes, he will, if I know Mudpelt. I used to be his mate, and I know that he was always yelling for some reason. He likes to yell."

Runningshadow nodded. "So you want me to…give Deerpaw a different mentor?" He asked just to clarify.

"Yes. Unless you want to give Cinderhope the job?" Asked Irispetal testily.

"Oh, uh, no, I can do it," Runningshadow said almost defensively, "But…"

All of a sudden, the thought of Deerpaw getting attacked from nowhere by her own mentor popped into Runningshadow's head. Was it really worth it? Yes, he thought.

"I'd be pleased to do it," Runningshadow replied. "I'll tell Ashstar next morning."

Irispetal looked at the warrior nervously. "Are you sure? You never know when this will happen…Mudpelt has been hinting this forever."

Runningshadow nodded. "I promise on my mother's grave," He mewed.

The tawny she-cat nodded. "Okay…okay. Thank you so much, Runningshadow. StarClan bless you," She mewed.

Runningshadow purred in return, but couldn't help how close Deerpaw and Irispetal were. And wondering if Irispetal was mentoring Deerpaw instead anyway.

Would he really have to ask Ashstar when Irispetal was starting to steal Deerpaw away from Mudpelt?

Not really supposed to be a cliffie, but a good semi-end to this story. Meet you in the last chapter!