"Follow me," Sparkpelt ordered, "I'll show you our territory."

Dreampaw nodded as she finished her mouse. It tasted musky, warm, and absolutely delicious! Even better than a minnow. She had finished picking out a moss bed in the apprentices' den just before gulping down scraps of mouse.

She bounded after Sparkpelt, who stopped, looking at Dreampaw. Her intent stare pierced Dreampaw's fur, burning like fire. "This is the Ancient Oak. You can climb it if you want the possibility of dying."

Dreampaw frowned, gazing at Sparkpelt, "Why do you have to be so sarcastic?"

Sparkpelt scoffed, "Why, Bramblestar is always giving apprentices to me like you."

Confusion clouded Dreampaw's mind. "What do you mean?"

"Last time, I got Twigbranch as my apprentice. She went to SkyClan...and back! You left your Clan to come here. I won't be surprised if you return to RiverClan!" Sparkpelt explained, rolling her eyes.

"My heart truly lies with ThunderClan!" Dreampaw protested.

Sparkpelt snorted, "You'll say that."

Dreampaw sighed. She surely wouldn't gain her new Clanmates' trust on her first day in her new Clan.

"Come on!" Sparkpelt growled.

Dreampaw scrambled after her. "Coming!" she called.

"This is where we train," Sparkpelt announced, "The soft moss will help if you fall. You better gather some for the elders."

Dreampaw nodded, "The elders are important."

"At least you know something," Sparkpelt snapped.

Dreampaw felt bile rising in her throat and swallowed back hurt that she wasn't able to fight off. Her mentor was being so difficult!

Dreampaw picked up a few scraps of moss and followed Sparkpelt.

"Don't hesitate to scratch a kittypet, rogue, or loner if it comes on our territory," Sparkpelt grunted, "Find a cat from a different Clan, we give them a scratch and tell our leader...to get ready for an attack!"

Dreampaw's blue eyes widened, "Surely we should try to find a peaceful solution first."

"After what happened to Bramblestar and my near death experience, no way," Sparkpelt hissed.

A stab of pity washed over Dreampaw and tore at her heart. She would try to lift her mentor's spirits up, so she nodded. "I won't really attack," Dreampaw thought.

"This is a Thunderpath," Sparkpelt snarled, "Go on it if you want to get hit by a monster. If not, follow me."

Dreampaw nodded.

Sparkpelt padded away with her tail held high. Dreampaw trailed after her. Sparkpelt stopped when the huge trees gave way to open moorland.

"This is the WindClan border," Sparkpelt spat, "Boundaries must be checked daily. I'll rub this border. You do it next. Oh wait, I forgot you still have RiverClan scent on you. Well, watch me. Well? Follow me, mouse-brain!"

Sparkpelt rubbed her pelt on the border, scrambled to her paws, and stalked away. 

Dreampaw followed her, sniffing at the huge, towering trees.

"This is the SkyClan border," Sparkpelt sneered, "Oh, such a revolting stench that is! Your pelt smells of fish. Well then, I'll just be marking the border. Don't touch the border! How embarrassing is it to find my apprentice touching the border?"

"You're touching it!" Dreampaw argued.

"I'm a warrior!" Sparkpelt snapped.

"Apprentices mark the border too!" Dreampaw insisted.

"You were in RiverClan!"

"I'm Half-Clan, yes, but I'm still a Clan cat. At least my grandfather isn't a murderer! Your grandfather's Tigerstar, and perhaps you do share his hunger over bor-"

"WE'RE LEAVING!!!!!!!!!!" Sparkpelt yowled. Her eyes blazed with anger as she marched back to camp.

As soon as Dreampaw realized what she said, she clamped her mouth shut. Oh StarClan, why am I such a mouse-brain?