Hello there! I'm going to be busy next week so you get a new chapter a bit early.

Three moons of ceremonies back to back led to so many new names to remember that it almost gave Silverbird a headache. Now, all the cats who had been apprentices with him – except for Baypaw obviously – were warriors. With the addition of Skyshine, Pigeoneye and Cheetahpatch, the warrior's den was definitely going to be lively.

There had also been an apprentice ceremony for Webhollow and Hootpuddle's litter – the she-cat had gone back to most of her warrior duties so early that he had almost forgotten she was technically still a queen. Honeystripe had gotten Rainpaw, Crookedflight was going to train Flashpaw, Mumblepond had Tawnypaw as his second apprentice – he had looked very eager to teach one of his best friend's kits – and, last but not least Hopepaw had become Mousefur's apprentice.

It had been a blow to his pride, that their leader, his former mentor, had deemed both Honeystripe – who was a whole moon younger – and his own sister ready to be mentors so young but not him. Silverbird was certain that she knew his abilities, had seen the pride in her eyes when she named him and still, she hadn't chosen him.

He'd come to terms with it after his father had told him, frowning, that this reaction was the proof Blossomstar had made the right choice. Mousefur was more mature than him, which made her better suited for the difficult task of training a young cat. There would be other opportunities.

And Silverbird had found another goal anyway. That goal had a flowing pale ginger tabby pelt, sparkling green eyes, had just become a warrior and was the most intelligent cat he'd ever met. Oliveseed said that he was smitten, but he was quite sure of his assessment.

Cheetahpatch had been a cute and fluffy, but she'd grown into the curls of her long fur and well. The setting sun highlighting her stripes as she was given her new name had finished setting his heart on fire.

The only problem was catching the attention of such an amazing she-cat. Silverbird knew that he hadn't particularly been close to her when they were apprentices, and he was a little brash from time to time.

Mousefur had dissolved into a fit of laughter when he had asked her for help – she was the only one of their litter to have a mate after all – then she had called Oliveseed over and he had suddenly regretted having his brother and sister for best friends.

"I don't know, talk to her? Offer her food?" she finally mewed once she'd calmed down.

"Ask our father to put you in patrols with her? Or better yet, ask your mentor!" the grey speckled tom added, making them giggle even more.

"If you do that, please do call me first, I wouldn't miss it for the world!"

He sighed. And that was a cat mature enough to be a mentor, uh.

But her advice wasn't bad, so he begrudgingly resigned himself to apply it. Cheetahpatch was not only intelligent and beautiful, but also nice – especially in light of his awkward attempts to strike up a conversation. In one word: perfect.

"If only you had listened to me that well, you would have been a warrior in two moons," Blossomstar mewed during a patrol. "There's really something with the toms in this Clan and worshipping she-cats. What are we feeding you? … Is there a way to make more?"

Silverbird shook his head, eyes sliding more or less – probably less given his former mentor's amused purr – discreetly to the younger warrior. The bright sun of the end of greenleaf also made her pelt shine. Indeed, she was like a small sun herself.

Once they were back at the camp, Cheetahpatch sat down to eat with him and it felt like he had won a great prize – just like when his mother allowed the best behaved kit to take off first with a moss ball. He was quite content to listen as she recounted the latest gossip, but after a short silence she turned towards him, eyes narrowed slyly.

"Don't you have something to tell me? I won't wait forever, you know!"

Silverbird stammered so badly – his usual poise completely lost – that he resolved to never make fun of Buzzard's shyness ever again, which would undoubtedly equally please and amuse his sister. During the whole time it took him to ask Cheetahpatch to be his mate, she waited with trembling whiskers, clearly holding back a laugh. At the end of his floundering speech, she purred happily before leaning in and whispering in his ear.

"I'd have waited a bit longer you know… It's not every day that your crush finally pays attention to you!"

Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed it!