Willowpaw dug her teeth into the delicious raven. She was settled down in the shade of a tree, watching the activities of the Clan in silence. She was reminded of being a kit. This was what she would usually spend her days doing. Mintspot limped into view. Willowpaw lowered her eyes but was aware that Mintspot was approaching her. 
               "I talked to Brownclaw," Mintspot said, sitting down beside Willowpaw. Willowpaw didn't move. She didn't know what to say. Her brain was frozen. Her body could not physically move. This would basically be the first conversation they were having after Willowpaw became an aprpentice. 
               "I know why you ran away," Mintspot said. "It is not your fault. That I'm crippled." Willowpaw opened her mouth finally but no words came out. She didn't know what to say. Her mind was blank. What was she supposed to say? This was the last thing she had been expecting. 
              "You don't need to say anything," Mintspot said, then took a deep breath. "I know I don't share my... feelings with you very often. But..." Mintspot paused her a moment and Willowpaw could see that she was trying hard to phrase her words. 
              "B-but I want to tell you that I am-" Mintspot struggled. "Well I'm proud of you. For becoming an apprentice. I know I did not say it before...." Willowpaw's eyes almost fell out and her stomach flipped. Her mind could barely grasp what Mintspot was saying. Proud? Willowpaw beamed, her heart beating a thousand beats per second. 
             "I am proud of you," continued Mintspot after a pause. "And I know I should have told you this before. But seeing you up there... I could not help but think of Stormkit. He should have been up there with you." 
              "I know," Willowpaw said finally, finding her voice. 
              "But it is still unfair of me... to have... ignored you," Mintspot said slowly. "Beetlejaw talked sense into me and I understand how you might have felt."
             "Thank you," Willowpaw said, the queasy feeling in her stomach would not stop. 
              "Oh also," Mintspot added, her voice turning cold and serious once more. She no longer struggled with her words and her voice was strong and confident. "Stop hanging out with Acornpaw. He's a bad influence. It's good that you're an apprentice. It is. But you should remember your brother. He never got and never will get this experience. Don't go on and live life like that, while your brother will never get to be happy." Willowpaw opened her mouth to respond but she didn't know what to say. Of course, she knew she had to follow what her mother was saying. Her mother was all she cared about. She just wanted her mother's approval. And if not hanging out with Acornpaw was going to get it, maybe she had to do it. Willowpaw nodded. 
              "Of course," she answered although her voice cracked. 
              "Good," Mintsport smiled although it seemed forced and her eyes were monotone. Mintspot got up and dragged herself across camp. Willowpaw watched her go, her heart sinking and leaping. She didn't know how to feel. She was feeling elated, excited. Her mother was proud of her. That was all she wanted in her life. Just to hear those words. From her mother. It was enough to make her day, no, even her year. But..., another part of her was torn between her mother's approval and love and Acornpaw. He had always been there for her. He made her smile everyday. Made her laugh. Everything about him made Willowpaw happy. But still.., he didn't understand. He wasn't part of the family. He wasn't Stormkit. Willowpaw stood up, finishing her food, she had made up her mind. She could not talk to Acornpaw again.