The sky was still faintly tinged with the streaks of dawn.  The birds in the trees were only just quieting down from their morning songs.

"We're heading towards the rabbit dens now.  This is a popular place for the warriors to hunt, as well as an excellent place for us to collect sage and water mint," Shadeleaf instructed as she pushed her way down a narrow path in the foliage.

Water mint and sage, Lilypaw echoed the names in her head.  She knew her clanmates would rely on her one day to know the names of all of the herbs and their uses.

"You can usually find water mint growing next to a body of water," Shadeleaf continued, glancing back to make sure Lilypaw was paying attention.

Fortunately this time, she was paying attention.  "What's the watermint used for," she asked.  She knew sage was used for curing anxieties or calming a stressed cat down. She remembered when Shadeleaf had given some to Ravenwing while she was still in the nursery.

"Water mint is good for an upset stomach, or to help a cat who has no appetite," she meowed as she came close to a clump of strong scented leaves.  Scattered through the leaves were tall stalks, with a round formation of pink, blooming flowers at the top.

Lilypaw padded to her mentors side as she started to gently pluck the leaves from the plants.  "The leaves are the important part, so you only need to rip those from the stems." Lilypaw watched as she gently used her claws to slice a leaf off the plant.

"Do you want to try," Shadeleaf asked, taking a step back from the leafy tendrils.  Lilypaw took a small step forward and extended her paw, sliding out her claws to tug at the delicate leaves.

An abrupt screeching made her jump, ripping the leaf into tiny scraps.  She whirled around towards the sound, her fur rising.  Shadeleaf narrowed her eyes, trying to discern where the noise had come from.

"It sounds like it's over the hill, at the border," Shadeleaf commented as she stood and started to bound up the slope.  Lilypaw took one more glance at the herbs growing peacefully next to the tiny bubbling spring before racing along behind.

Oakpaw was going to be at the border, she thought suddenly. The realization lent a burst of energy to her paws as she ran along behind Shadeleaf. As they crested the hill, Lilypaw was shocked at what she saw.

At the foot of the hill, a throng of cats were gripped in ferocious battle. She recognized Dappledleaf's brindle coat amongst the shocking white of the snow against the ground, Rosepaw at her side. Rockclaw had pinned an IceClan warrior, his jaws dripped with blood as he lunged forward to tear at its throat.

Shadeleaf's eyes were alight with anxiety as she watched the fight. "It looks like Snakefang has a gash along his spine," she fretted, her pelt spiked as she paced the hilltop. But Lilypaw wasn't worried about Snakefang.

She continued to scan the scene for Oakpaw's brown tabby pelt. He was surrounded by IceClan cats, their tails flicking as they closed tighter around him. Branchpaw was also surrounded, his brown pelt spiked and his claws lashing out at the nearest IceClan cat.

Burntpelt, the IceClan deputy, stood like a statue at the middle of the skirmish. His eyes blazed like fire as he watched his Clan's vicious assault. Lilypaw stared in a stunned silence as the cats that had trapped Branchpaw suddenly surged inward. The apprentice was lost under a sea of wrestling pelts.

"Stop! Stop!" Shadeleaf shouted as she flung herself down the hill towards the battle. She headed straight towards the mass of fur that had overcome Branchpaw. Lilypaw could not take her eyes off them, her breath caught in her throat.

The mound of cats retreated as Shadeleaf neared, their hackles raised but their heads low. "Medicine cats don't belong in battle," a dark brown tom snarled towards the black pelted she-cat.

But Shadeleaf ignored his snide remark. The IceClan cats seemed to be backing off, their damage already done. Lilypaw noticed that Oakpaw appeared unscathed, his sides heaving as he watched the enemy cats slink back towards their territory.

Snakefang and Rockclaw faced their opponents with lashing tails, their claws still unsheathed and sunken into the snow. "Get back here and fight!" Rockclaw howled, his brown fur spiked all along his spine.

Lilypaw finally broke from her stone like stance and bounded down the hill to join her mentor. Shadeleaf hovered over Branchpaw's crumpled body, her gaze intense as she looked over the apprentice's pelt.

"His bleeding is severe," she mewed as Lilypaw reached her side. She was horrified at the numerous wounds and gashes that covered Branchpaw from head to tail. A pool of blood had grown underneath him, becoming steadily larger.

Oakpaw inched towards them, his expression wary. "Is Branchpaw ok?" he asked, his voice shaky and uneven. Rosepaw also stepped closer, her eyes wide with shock and dismay.

"I need cobwebs," Shadepelt ordered, "I need them as fast as you can gather them." She turned her attention away from Branchpaw, and fixed Lilypaw with a serious expression.

"I'll help," Oakpaw offered as Lilypaw hastily turned and raced back up the edge of the hill. She knew that cobwebs would grow on bushes or along tree trunks, but the closest foliage was down the next valley.

Oakpaw ran at her side, his tail streaming out behind him. There wasn't any time to spare, they needed to get cobwebs as fast as they could. As they hared over the top of the hill and down the other side, Lilypaw narrowed her eyes in the hopes of seeing some of the sticky white tendrils.

"There's some here," Oakpaw meowed, pointing his muzzle towards a small bush only a few fox lengths away. They veered towards it, and then came to an abrupt halt. Lilypaw reached up with her paws to dislodge the snow from its branches, and tried her best to gently wind the cobweb around her paw.

Oakpaw did the same, his eyes squinted with concentration. Lilypaw didn't really know how much they'd need, but two paws should be enough. As soon as they finished collecting their bundles, they turned towards each other.

Lilypaw felt a pang of worry when she saw the frightened look in Oakpaw's eyes. "Branchpaw will be ok," she promised, as she leaned forward to give him a nudge with her nose. But they couldn't delay for long. In moments, they started to bound back up the hill.

Lilypaw was not prepared for what they saw as they crested over the hilltop. Mudstar, the IceClan leader, was standing beside her Clanmates. He didn't look hostile, but the sight of his rippling, brown tabby pelt sent a shiver down her spine.

"I feel that Burntpelt has made it quite clear how unwelcome you are across our border," Mudstar grunted as Lilypaw and Oakpaw neared. The IceClan leader's attention snapped towards them, his tail tip twitching.

"I don't know why you'd have so many apprentices on a battle patrol anyways," Mudstar growled, "it seems you care little for their safety."

Shadeleaf was bent over Branchpaw's body only a few paces away, with a strange black pelted tom Lilypaw did not recognize. "Next time, we won't be so forgiving," Mudstar urged.

Snakefang and Rockclaw were exchanging furious glances, while Dappledpelt stood protectively in front of Rosepaw. "You're lucky we don't shred your pelt," Snakefang hissed.

The black pelted tom that was helping Shadeleaf let out a snort of amusement. "You warriors are toad brained! Branchpaw needs taken back to camp now, or there will be no hope of his survival!"

It looked like Branchpaw's wounds had been bound with cobweb, gifted by Mudstar and his dark furred companion. "Thank you Nightfang. I am greatful for your help, as always," Shadeleaf mewed in a haste.

Nightfang stood up and took a step back from Branchpaw, his head bowed. But even with the clear respect Shadeleaf was showing the IceClan cats, Snakefang and Rockclaw looked impossibly hostile. Oakpaw had not moved from Lilypaw's side, but she felt his flank shivering against her.

As the two IceClan cats turned to leave, Snakefang walked forward to gently lift Branchpaw's body. Shadeleaf stood nearby, ready to help. But the black and white furred warrior seemed persistent to carry Branchpaw on his own.

It'll be a long night, Lilypaw thought as she and Oakpaw started to follow their companions back to camp.