Aspenpaw pelted forward, towards the growling tom. He swiped at her as she came towards him. She dodged it and ducked under him, flipping onto her back and swiping his belly. She slipped out before he could react. He reared up, swiping at her, his paws pummelling her head. She reared up and met him blow for blow, shifting her back legs forward as Tigerfang had showed her, forcing him to retreat. He backed a few steps before suddenly lurching forward. She fell and landed on her back and he pinned her down. She struggled to draw her legs in and swiftly raked at his belly with her back paws. He reared back and she jumped to her feet, hurrying around the back of him and leaping up. She landed squarely on his back. He bucked and reared, trying to throw her off but she held fast, cuffing at his ears. Suddenly he reared back hard and flipped onto his back, landing on top of her. She lay winded while he flipped over and pinned her down again. Her legs flailed madly as she tried to get her paws under her to rake his belly, but he held firm, pressing all his weight onto her. "I give!" She squealed. "I give!"

Immediately the weight lifted as he released her. "Yes!" Badgerpaw crowed. "I told you I'd beat you at some point!"

She staggered upright and shook out her pelt. "That was a challenge." She conceded. "Well done."

"Creekshadow taught me the drop and roll after last time when you used the leap and hold." He said proudly.

It had been several moons since the loners had joined the clan. Leaf bare had been mercifully short but with the new mouths to feed it had been trying for everyone. The apprentice den was beginning to empty out. Bramblepaw was now Bramblefire and Quailpaw had become Quailwing, while Dawnpaw and Mistpaw's assessment was due to take place very soon. Despite their rocky start, the loners were adjusting to clan life and they had fitted in well once they found their bearings. At first, they had had some difficulties, for example Badgerpaw had never had to be quiet before and it had taken him some time to learn to stalk correctly, but his strength often made up for it. Creekshadow sometimes seemed to have her paws full with him, but it was clear that Badgerpaw respected her more than any other warrior. Shadowpaw did not have the strength that Badgerpaw possessed, but his enthusiasm and eagerness to learn made him a good apprentice. Drypaw meanwhile did not possess particularly great strength and was still very quiet, but also was very quick and had proven herself quite bright, picking up on what Robinblaze told her almost instantly. If he corrected a mistake she had made, she never made the mistake again.

"That was excellent." Mewed Creekshadow from where their mentors were watching. "You really took what I said to you in the last session on. Now..." she turned to where the other apprentices were sitting. "... what could Aspenpaw have done to get away when Badgerpaw held her down?"

"She could have used the belly rake." Mewed Icepaw, tipping his head on one side. While he wasn't entirely back to normal, in the last moon or so, Poppydust had decided he was well enough to return to light duties. He couldn't take part in training, patrols, hunting or even too much around the camp but could sit and watch the training sessions and could help to keep the kits in the nursery occupied. During a particularly cold patch, part of his duty had been to help keep the kits warm. Simply walking was hard for him these days and he tired easily. He had confided in them that he knew he wasn't going to become a warrior any time soon, but he was content to do what he could. In all honesty though, the four of them were just happy to have him back.

"She could, but he had her pinned too tightly." Said Tigerfang, his tail flicking. "She couldn't get her paws in place to strike back.

The other apprentices looked at one another, none of them certain.

"Drypaw knows." Mewed Robinblaze from where he was sitting beside his apprentice. Her head jerked around to him, her eyes wide. Clearly, she had not wanted to be singled out. "Let her show you."

Creekshadow gave a nod. "Drypaw and Shadowpaw then." She said with a glance towards the dark tom. "Aim to pin her down Shadowpaw. Let's see if she can get out."

Shadowpaw glanced at Drypaw. Though they were similar in age, he was much larger than she was. She ducked her head slightly seeming unwilling to fight him. He looked back at Creekshadow. "Can't she just tell us?"

"Physical application is the best way to learn." Mewed Robinblaze before nodding Drypaw forward. She got to her paws and moved forward, waiting for her opponent.

Shadowpaw got up and padded forward to face her. "I'll stop anytime if you want me to..." he whispered. Drypaw nodded, her eyes soft.

Creekshadow's tail tip flicked. "Alright Shadowpaw. When you're ready."

The young tom crouched, ready to leap forward and Drypaw braced herself. After a few moments, he bounded forward, his paws raised ready to swipe at her. She darted to the side out of his reach before jumping forward and cuffing him over the ears. He whipped around, rearing up to meet her blows. The two of them swiped at one another before he landed a blow to her belly. She doubled over, trying to protect her stomach, when he butted at her side with his head. She rolled onto her back and he quickly jumped forward pinning her to the floor. She struggled for a few moments before suddenly going completely limp.

Aspenpaw jumped to her paws. "Drypaw?" she cried. Beside her Badgerpaw and Icepaw were both looking alarmed. She glanced at the mentors, waiting for one of them to realise something was wrong... but none of them had moved. Even Robinblaze looked strangely at ease.

Shadowpaw jumped up, looking horrified. "Oh Starclan! Drypaw, are you- "

The rest of his sentence was cut off as she suddenly drew in her hind paws and swiped at his belly. He staggered back in surprise as she reared up and began pummelling him with blows, shifting her hind paws forwards to make him retreat. She lurched forward, throwing him onto his back and pressed her small frame on top of him.

Shadowpaw just blinked. "I could get her off very easily." He said looking towards Creekshadow. "But I think she just beat me."

Robinblaze jumped up, his eyes alight with pride. "That was fantastic Drypaw!" he crowed. "Very well done indeed!"

Creekshadow nodded and looked to the other apprentices. "Was that all clear?"

The three of them continued to stare at Drypaw, still shocked by the sudden recovery she had made. "Weren't you hurt?" asked Icepaw.

Drypaw shook her fur out. "Not a bit. Shadowpaw was being very gentle, but I knew I had to let him pin me at some point."

Badgerpaw chuckled. "That was genius. An enemy would think you'd given in or was hurt, and would probably get all big headed about it and give you that opportunity."

"Exactly!" mewed Creekshadow. "By pretending to be defeated, your opponent will let their guard down, and that is when you attack."

Shadowpaw padded over to Drypaw. "You're certain I didn't hurt you?"

She purred. "I'm perfectly fine. Not a scratch."

"Well now." said Tigerfang getting to his paws. "You've all trained hard, and I think you've earned a reward." The apprentices watched him in anticipation. "I think the four of you have more than earned your place at the gathering tonight."

Aspenpaw perked up. She still had not attended a gathering yet. Drypaw looked at her, her eyes alight with excitement. It would be her first one too. Badgerpaw and Shadowpaw had gotten to go to the last one but Silver star had insisted Aspenpaw stay behind, as she had every moon before that. Aspenpaw didn't doubt that even though Tigerfang would ask again tonight, she would say no once again.

The two young toms looked at one another excitedly. "Brilliant!" mewed Badgerpaw. "I hope those Riverclan apprentices are there again. Stuck up fish eaters."

"I can think of a few things to say to them if they try to insult Thunderclan again!" agreed Shadowpaw.

Icepaw looked up, looking excited, but there was a pang of sadness in his gaze. There was no way that he would be able to attend the gathering until he was stronger. Aspenpaw could see he was trying to act happy for them but all she wanted was for him to be able to come to a gathering with them.

Creekshadow got to her paws. "Well if we're all going tonight then we had better rest up before the journey." She looked around before back at the apprentices. "Although perhaps we should see if we can get some prey for the pile. It's still pretty scarce. Badgerpaw, you come with me. Drypaw, go with Robinblaze."

"I have to get back to camp." Said Ravencall getting to his paws. "Tigerfang does too." The dark tabby nodded as he got heftily to his paws.

Creekshadow looked between them for a moment before nodding. "Alright, Shadowpaw, you'll come hunting with me and Badgerpaw. Aspenpaw, can you make sure Icepaw gets back to camp safely?"

Aspenpaw nodded before hurrying over to where Icepaw was shakily getting to his feet. She stood back, ready to support him if he overbalanced, but not wanting to smother him. The other cats began to split away from the clearing, Creekshadow disappearing into the ferns closely followed by Badgerpaw and Shadowpaw, Robinblaze going the other way with Drypaw. Ravencall looked over at Icepaw for a long moment, his eyes filled with both sadness and pride, before he and Tigerfang bounded away in the direction of the camp.

Aspenpaw stepped closer to Icepaw's side. "You need any help?"

"You don't need to walk with me." He suddenly snapped. "I'd probably be fine."

She blinked at his sudden sharpness. "What do you mean?"

"I mean if you wanted to go hunting, or go back with Tigerfang you could. I would get back." He gave a little growl, his teeth gritted in pain.

She stared at him. He had not shown any signs of being in pain all day. "How long has it been hurting?"

"It doesn't exactly stop..." he muttered taking a few laboured steps. She stuck close to his side, feeling a pain in her heart at his turmoil. "But I don't let them see, or they'd stop me from coming out."

She frowned at him. "You should tell Poppydust if it's getting bad again."

"She'll just give me poppy seeds and make me rest. I can't rest if we're going to be made warriors together." He took another few pained steps. "And I can't hold the rest of you back."

Aspenpaw's eyes widened at him. "Icepaw..." she said gently. "I'd rather be an apprentice for longer so we can all stick together. You should take as long as you need to get better." He paused, slumping slightly so she stepped forward to support him. "Do you want to sit down?"

He nodded and she gently helped him towards some ferns. "How will I ever be a warrior." He murmured. "How can I be in patrols, and hunt if I can't even run?"

She rested her tail on his shoulder, sitting beside him. "It'll happen." She mewed. "It's still early days."

He looked at her witheringly. "It's been four moons. I thought I would be doing better by now."

"When you first got hurt, we didn't think you'd ever walk again." She mewed firmly. "Don't you see that this is an improvement?"

He heaved a sigh. "I guess, it's just frustrating, I mean I can't even-"

"Do you want to explain yourself?"

They both looked up at the loud hiss that came from a little way away. "Was that Robinblaze?" asked Icepaw.

"I missed!" mewed Drypaw's voice.

"You did not miss!" snapped Robinblaze's voice. The leaves of the bushes to the path ahead parted and he stalked out, Drypaw quickly appearing behind him. From their spot in the ferns, they couldn't be seen, but could see everything. "Not only did you stop me catching it, you scared it away and alerted any other prey in the area." He glared at her over his shoulder. "It's leaf-bare still Drypaw! Cats are going hungry. You can't be messing around like that!"

"I'm not hunting mice! It's not right." Drypaw suddenly hissed, her thick fur fluffing out.

He turned back towards her, his own fur fluffing out in anger. Aspenpaw stared between them. Drypaw was always so docile and obedient while she had never seen Robinblaze looked angry with anyone. The two of them usually got along so well. What in Starclan was going on?

"Not hunting mice? Have you got bees in your brain?" he snarled. "You are training to be a warrior, aren't you?"

"Of course, I am!"

"And you're my apprentice. You do as I say. If you're going to be telling me ridiculous things like hunting mice is against the will of Starclan, you can go and be Poppydust's apprentice." Drypaw flinched at his words, and Robinblaze looked a little surprised at himself for a moment before flattening his ears. "Now you tell me right now why you think hunting prey isn't right."

Drypaw's ears flattened against her head. "Hunting mice isn't right!" she growled, her fluffy tail lashing back and forth.

"I need more of a reason than that!" he snapped, beginning to pace. "Did you forget that there are elders and kits and queens and sick cats in camp who could have done with that mouse? Like I said Drypaw, cats are going hungry and every bit of prey counts. Now you better give me a better reason, or I swear you'll be checking the elder for ticks for the next quarter moon."

"Mouse was my mother's name!" Drypaw suddenly burst out. Robinblaze froze in his pacing, staring at her. She stood blinking a few times. "She... she used to get mad at us if we came back with a mouse." Her fur began to flatten and her tail went between her legs as she looked at her paws. "She died." She said shortly. "That's why I came here."

Robinblaze's own fur slowly flattened. "Oh.... Oh, I see..." he began to pad toward her. "Drypaw I'm sorry."

She looked away from him, flinching away as he approached, her ears flat to her head.

"Truly I... I... I didn't know."

"Why would you." She said not looking at him. "I never thought it was important enough to bring up."

He tried to shift a little closer to her. "You should have just told me rather than letting me shout at you."

She pushed past him. "Let's just get back to hunting." She mewed tightly.

He gazed forlornly after her for a moment. Aspenpaw held her breath, wondering what he would say... what he could say after all of that.

His eyes suddenly steeled in quiet resolution. "My mother died too."

She paused and looked back at him. "What happened to her?" she asked, her voice soft.

He hesitated. "She... she was a kittypet." He mewed keeping his eyes low. "Her housefolk..." he shuddered at the memory. "...they weren't good twolegs..."

She turned back, almost looking like she wanted to comfort him. "At least you have Creekshadow." She mewed. "Sometimes I wonder if my brother is ok." She said the words carefully, as though frightened if she said them too fast, they might break. "We split up after our mother died. He went to live as a kittypet, and I tried to find our father."

He looked up. "Did you?"

"All I knew was he lived in the mountains, and that they were near where we lived..." she looked at the hills that surrounded the clan territories. "I thought these were the mountains where I'd find him..."

He nodded. "Do you still want to find him?"

"Not really." She shrugged. "My mother said he took one look at us and left. I wanted answers, but I suppose it doesn't really matter." Her eyes took on a faraway look. "After she had us, she got ill a lot. She would get really bad but she would always get better."

Robinblaze's eyes rounded in sympathy. "... until she didn't?"

She nodded, looking at her paws. "At the time, I didn't know... but she died of greencough."

He lowered his own gaze before padding towards her. "I'm sorry." He murmured sitting beside her. She leaned into him, seeming to take comfort from his presence. "What about your brother? Would you ever want to go find him?"

She shrugged. "I don't know... it might be nice to see him, but I can deal with being alone."

He looked down at her for a long moment. "We're warriors Drypaw. We're never alone."

---

A/N 

What? Omg, Becca, where have you been, what even, I assumed the story was over!

Yeah it's been a weird couple of months, mainly cos of family stuff, and then uni work and writers block but anyway, while I have a little time and crippling insomnia I thought I'd smash out a chapter. Quite pleased with it, especially the Drypaw and Robinblaze interaction.

As always...

Creekshadow owned by Hannah Rowe

Drypaw owned by Meadow Leon Flower

Badgerpaw owned by Nicholas Mullen