Crowpaw opened his jaws and smelled the crisp air of leaf-fall, attempting to scent some prey. His search came up empty, other than the scent of stale fox. That worried him slightly, but he didn't let it bother him. He also smelled Pigeonpaw, Amberbrook, and Asheneye, the deputy and leader of the hunting patrol. In a way, it was an honor for such a young apprentice to be chosen for a patrol with the deputy, but this time it was for a punishment. He assumed that he wouldn't be allowed to eat until the fresh-kill pile was full. He shook his head, frustration pouring through him. He was really trying to catch prey, but he simply couldn't find any. It wasn't fair! He wanted to help the elders and kits, he really did, but all the prey was just avoiding him. He couldn't help but look into the sky, questioning StarClan. "You want me to fail, don't you?" The black tom asked angrily, his eyes flashing. "You probably don't think I can live up to my father, do you?"

Crowpaw lashed his tail impatiently after his outburst, smelling the air again. He would simply have to find prey himself, if StarClan wasn't going to help him. After smelling long enough to make his nose hurt from breathing the cold leaf-fall air, he caught scent of a rabbit. Springing into his hunting crouch immediately, as he wanted to show StarClan that he could be a great warrior, just like his father. It wasn't perfect, far from it, really, but it was the best he could do with what he had been taught in the moon of him being an apprentice. Once he was close enough, he sprang. The rabbit was fast, striking Crowpaw across his soft underbelly with it's claws. The tom yowled in pain and anger, fastening his jaws around the rabbit and chomping down with a killer bite. The rabbit struggled for a moment before falling limp, it's fearful eyes glazing over. His belly stung in pain, but he still whispered his thanks to the rabbit before picking up his catch and preparing to bring it home.

"Crowpaw," A voice sounded from beside him, causing the apprentice to turn his head. It was Amberbrook, a concerned look in her amber eyes. "That looks like a nasty cut. You should go back to camp and get it checked out.

"No, really, it doesn't hurt that badly. See, look, the blood has already stopped," Crowpaw reassured her, wanting to prove himself to StarClan as much as he could. "It doesn't even sting anymore. I promise. And besides, this is my punishment."

"Crowpaw, I really think you should go," Amberbrook said again, taking a few pawsteps towards him.

"Amberbrook, I am old enough to make my own decisions, and I'm saying that my cut isn't urgent enough to be treated. Please?" Crowpaw asked in a slightly desperate voice.

The brown she-cat hesitated. Amberbrook was a senior warrior, one who had once had kits and mentored many apprentices. She knew all about younger cats wanting to prove themselves, especially since her own kits had wanted to badly enough to become reckless. "Alright, but please do be careful from now on."

"I could go hunt with Pigeonpaw if you think that's best," Crowpaw offered, thinking that if he had to impress StarClan, his littermate surely had to as well, seeing as they were both born under Pointedstar.

"Yes, that would reassure me. Thank you, Crowpaw. And remember, you don't have to prove yourself... we all know you will be a fine warrior," Amberbrook told him, her voice straining to stay strong.

Crowpaw nodded, grief washing over him. He hated himself for reminding the past Queen of her lost kits. He gave the warrior a comforting lick on the shoulder before kicking dirt over his prey and padding away slowly, sniffing the air quickly to find Pigeonpaw. Within moments he had caught his sister's scent, picking up his pace. He peeked through the ferns to see the she-cat burying what looked like a vole. He decided to practice a tackling move Oceanfleck had taught him a few sunrises ago on Pigeonpaw.

Pigeonpaw was taken completely by surprise, clawing at her littermate in panic. She yowled for help from Asheneye, who Crowpaw could smell nearby. The black tom purred in amusement, jumping off of Pigeon paw and licked her ear. "Hey, it's just me. Don't worry," He said.

"That was mean, Crowpaw!" Pigeonpaw yowled, flattening her ears in temporary anger. They sprang back up almost immediately, however, as she could never stay mad at him for long, no matter what he did.

"An enemy warrior will not care if their attack is mean," An amused yet somehow serious voice said. The two turned around to reveal Asheneye. "I expect you to be more prepared for surprise attacks in the future, Pigeonpaw. And Crowpaw, you should work on your hunter's crouch."

Crowpaw began to meow in agreement when it was caught in his throat. His heart hammered, looking at Asheneye and Pigeonpaw with wide eyes. If Asheneye had seen him hunting, what if he had seen his challenges to StarClan?!