It was now later in the day when Applepaw had confronted him, and Dustpaw was back in the apprentices den, more content with laying in his nest than anything else. His head heavy, the tom blinked blearily as he got up, noting that Mistflower was sternly waiting at the entrance of the den.

"Come on you lazy lump of fur." The warrior said, amused at Dustpaw's offended face.

"I am not lazy, I'll have you know!" Sweeping his head to the side, Dustpaw walked sassily beside his mentor, sweeping his tail and poking Mistflower's shoulder. Although his green eyes showed a twinkle of amusement in them.

As the wind blew a slightly higher breeze, the two cats continued out the camp entrance, coming to a stop at a hidden clearing of pine trees, delved in thick undergrowth that barely any cat could get through. Him and Cedarpaw had found the place a couple of moons back, claiming it as their own little territory, until Mistflower found the two prancing around while they were supposed to be hunting. And that ended up with a punishment of cleaning the elders ticks for a moon and a half. Dustpaw himself, was not so fussy and went along with the task. On the other hand, his sister was a rebellious and stubborn thing, leaving all the work to him, but she promised she owed him after that one.

With a small chuckle at the past memory, he faced his mentor, who lifted a paw up to gesture to a twisted oak tree. Almost instantly, he noticed the small auburn squirrel feasting on a chestnut.

"I'm gonna get that." Dustpaw said in pure determination, eyes narrowed and claws unsheathed. Mistflower seemed surprised at his quick change from amusement, but she should've been used to it by now, Dustpaw pondered. The brown tabby apprentice didn't know, but every time he hunted or battle trained, he seemed to be more confident and determined. He liked being that much more than the weak cat that Applepaw teased on a basis.

Jumping upwards with a strong leap, Dustpaw gracefully landed on the squirrel, satisfied with his catch, and landing a killing bite.

"Good work." His mentor responded, a flicker of a smile on her face. Hesitantly, the brown tabby scaled back down the bark, holding the prey in his mouth proudly.

"Can we go and see Cedarpaw and Elmflower now?" Dustpaw asked, eager to see his sister. He wanted to show her the prey which he'd caught.

"Sure." Mistflower responded, flicking an ear and tasting the air. "They're this way."

The mentor and apprentice ran through the pine forest, Dustpaw trailing behind slightly - his legs not strong enough to run such long distances. The tom kept on running, until he was bowled over by Cedarpaw, who grinned at him brightly.

"I got you!" Cedarpaw smiled, leaping off him and allowing him to stand up. Dustpaw shook out his pelt, before glancing at his sister.

"Look what I caught!" Enthusiastically, Dustpaw dropped the squirrel onto the soil, and Cedarpaw's ears pricked up.

"Cool! You don't mind if I have a bite?" The tan she cat asked, reaching out a paw to take the prey, which Dustpaw swatted away quickly.

"No, you know that elders and kits eat first!" Narrowing his eyes, Dustpaw looked towards his sister, who grimaced and looked at the floor.

"I hate this. All these rules and stuff that everyone has to stick to. Why can't we just have at least a bit of independence?" Cedarpaw grumbled, turning away from the prey and looking in the direction of the BirchClan camp.

"We get independence! And we don't have to wait that long to eat. The rules are there for a reason."

"I suppose so." His sister dropped her shoulders,  shrugging, "But it would be cool to live where there are no rules and no leader to abide under."

Their conversation went silent for a few heartbeats, before Mistflower and Elmflower's voices became raised - the two had been quietly having a conversation between Dustpaw and Cedarpaw quarrelling.

"You need to tell him Mistflower! This can't just remain a secret forever!" The ginger furred warrior of Elmflower hissed, her pelt spiking up as Mistflower narrowed her eyes, backing away from Elmflower, almost protectively.

"What needs to be told?" Cedarpaw piped up, shuffling up to the two warriors. Mistflower seemed to pale, and Dustpaw tilted his head, concerned for his mentor. What was wrong with her?

Before Mistflower could react, Elmflower had already stepped in.

"Mistflower likes Bumblestone - but she's not completly sure."

In turn, Mistflower dropped her head, sighing heavily. "I don't know what I'm going to do. I know he wanted to be mates with me, but I don't think he will, ever since the incident."

Elmflower gave her a knowing look, yellow eyes sympathetic.

Meanwhile, Dustpaw and Cedarpaw looked at eachother with blank expressions. He wasn't exactly sure what the incident was, but judging by Elmflower's face, it couldn't possibly be good.

A/N: said I wouldn't be writing here until the other stories are finished, but I couldn't help it! Lots of new characters and new perspectives. Dustpaw and Cedarpaw are about six moons old for the first couple chapters, then it'll eventually get moving into a story - this is just setting the plot.
(Elmflower is Rowanface's mother,
Bumblestone is Darkwing's father,
Cedarpaw is Cal).

See ya!
~Ember <3