Willowpaw only noticed Rook. Acornpaw found it frustrating. He realised how much he missed her. He didn't like her attention being on Rook and Rook only. He knew perhaps he was being selfish. They had never seen each other. They'd been separated for so long. But that's what hurt Acornpaw the most. She had just met him. Yes, he may have been her brother but still... They had just met. How could Willowpaw cast him off like that? Hurt, Acornpaw curled up in a nest beside Snailpaw who was glaring at Willowpaw, Rook and Horizon, chatting together. They had just been let out of the medicine den. Acornpaw found himself wishing Whiteleap had clawed them to death. not Willowpaw of course, but Rook and Horizon. Acornpaw scrunched up his nose. 
           "I knew you would see my side," said Snailpaw finally. Acornpaw realised his brother was talking to him. 
           "What do you mean?" grunted Acornpaw. They had not talked in a while but Acornpaw found himself missing Snailpaw's company. It was good to talk to his brother. 
            "I can see it. You hate them. And her," Snailpaw explained. "I know you." 
            "I don't hate her! Just them...," sighed Acornpaw. 
             "You love her, don't you?" Snailpaw rolled his eyes. "I don't understand it. But..., I guess you are my brother. And at least we agree about those two.., Rook and Horizon." 
             "Yeah," shrugged Acornpaw. "I want them gone." 
             "Me too. Since the first time they stepped into camp," Snailpaw muttered underneath his breath. Acornpaw didn't answer, his eyes were locked on Willowpaw. He willed her to look up. To notice him. She did not look up. She did not notice him. Willowpaw's eyes were locked onto Rook and his to her. 
              "You know.., maybe you could stay here," suggested Willowpaw hopefully. 
               "I can't..," Rook said softly but firmly. "I'm sorry. I am. But I can't. We can't." 
              "Well. It was worth a try," sighed Willowpaw. "I'm going to tell Troutfur now. About the dream..." Rook nodded. 
              "Ok," he said.
              "Don't get into another fight," Willowpaw called back at Horizon and Rook. They watched as Willowpaw walked out of the den. Willowpaw made her way to the medicine den. 
               "Troutfur," said Willowpaw, entering the medicine den where Troutfur was sorting out some herbs. 
              "Huh?" Troutfur mumbled, looking up. "Ah Willowpaw. What is it?"
             "I need to tell you something. I had- I had a dream.. Well not a dream, I mean, it was real. Like a- a-, I don't know how to explain it," stammered Willowpaw, suddenly feeling very visible, much too confident and way too nervous. Who was she to think she could suddenly be happy? She was suddenly so bold, strutting around camp, showing off her brother. She ducked her head then remembered Splashclaw's order. "Don't look down". Willowpaw looked into Troutfur's eyes, holding his gaze with a slight falter. But it was change. 
              "Yes, a dream? From StarClan you mean?" inquired Troutfur, dropping what he was doing. 
             "Yeah. From Splashclaw," said Willowpaw. Troutfur's ears pricked. He thought for a moment. 
             "Sit," he said finally. "And tell me." Willowpaw recounted what Splashclaw had said about Rook. 
              "This changes things" said Troutfur. "It changes everything." Willowpaw watched stunned as Troutfur sprinted out of the den. As she followed him, she bumped into Mintspot. She recoiled immediately, not knowing what to do. Mintspot stared at her, slightly in a daze. 
              "I know Rook is my son," Mintspot said. 
              "Yeah..," Willowpaw echoed, not knowing what to do. 
              "I know he is. I will show them. You know too, don't you? Our family will be complete. We're going to be happy," Mintspot said, her eyes glazing over. "We're going to be a real family. Forever. We'll be together forever." 
             "Rook won't be staying here forever," Willowpaw finally answered. 
              "Who are you to say that?" snapped Mintspot, her eyes blazing with anger. Willowpaw had never seen her like this. She would have been scared. Much too scared to ever talk to her mother like this. Let alone have eye contact with her. But this time, Willowpaw stood her ground. For some reason she thought about Acornpaw. And Rook. How Rook gave her this confidence and how Acornpaw was her through all her bad times. 
              "He- He has another family," Willowpaw said. "I'm just warning you. So you'll be prepared. So you won't be surprised." Willowpaw swivelled around and padded back to the apprentice den with Mintspot fuming behind her. Acornpaw lifted his head as Willowpaw entered. She flashed him a small and made her way towards Rook but then stopped. She padded to Acornpaw and settled beside him. 
             "Thank you," she said, almost a whisper. Acornpaw beamed a bit. Happy she had not forgotten him. "For being there for me. My whole life." 
                "Always," Acornpaw promised.