"All cats who are old enough to catch their own prey, gather underneath the Tall Ledge!" Yowled Wrenstar.

Berrykit and Cherrykit peeked out from inside the medicine cat den.

Wrenstar seemed to be impatient that day, clearly bothered by something.

"Last night, two of our LeapClan kits snuck out and were chased by a fox," Wrenstar shot Berrykit and Cherrykit an angry look. "Luckily, Pineclaw heard them and managed to gather a patrol to attack the fox before the fox could hurt them. For punishment, both of these cats will be apprenticed in four moons instead of being apprentices in two and three moons."

Berrykit stared at the leader in dismay.

"She didn't even ask us what happened!" Protested Cherrykit, clearly upset.

Berrykit sighed, looking down at his paws.

"C'mon, Berrykit. Let's go see what Frostkit and Flickerkit have to say for themselves. They just let us take the blame for the whole thing!" Cherrykit ranted.

Berrykit's eyes went wide. "I hope they didn't get lost. Or maybe the fox got them!"

Cherrykit rested her tail on Berrykit's shoulder in reassurance. "I'm sure Wrenstar would've told the clan something if Frostkit and Flickerkit were missing or hurt," she reasoned.

"Okay, if you say so," Berrykit meowed, still looking unsure but trusting the young she-kit.

Three shapes padded over to where the kits were talking. Berrykit and Cherrykit shared nervous looks.

Their parents.

"What were you thinking? You could've gotten hurt, lost, or..or.." Lavenderlight took a deep breath to calm herself. "We..we were so worried about you!"

Rippleshade's gaze hardened at his daughter. "I thought you were smarter than this, Cherrykit." 

Rippleshade glared at Berrykit. "I bet he was the one who talked you into it. I always knew he was trouble."

"Berrykit would never force someone into doing something! Did you see him earlier? He was terrified," Gingerberry protested.

Rippleshade seemed ready to argue farther, but his mate laid her tail across his shoulder. "Let them be," she murmured to him.

Rippleshade cast one last glare at Berrykit before padding away, signaling Cherrykit to follow him. Cherrykit sighed before following her father, preparing herself for a scolding.

"C'mon, Berrykit, let's go talk in the nursery. I bet you've had quite a scare earlier," Gingerberry meowed gently, nudging Berrykit slightly.

Berrykit, swishing his floofy tail, followed his mother.

***

Flickerkit sat down next to Frostkit, watching Hailfall organize patrols.

"Mossyfeather, Mossleap, Thornfall, and Icepaw will patrol by the Large Birch and around the CliffClan border, Mossyfeather leading" Hailfall ordered. "Jaydawn will lead a border patrol of Rippleshade, Sunnypaw, and Yellowshine from the minnow pond and by the GardenClan border. Fawnpounce, you can lead Sparkheart and Koileap on a hunting patrol by the Great Pines. And Silverclaw will lead a hunting patrol by the Large Birch with Lilacice, Dawnpaw, and Blackpool."

The cats assigned to patrols nodded to the deputy and gathered in their groups.

"Do you think Berrykit and Cherrykit will tell on us?" Flickerkit asked Frostkit.

"They better not," growled Frostkit. "I can't risk getting held back for apprenticeship. I should be having my ceremony this moon."

"Maybe we should've helped Berrykit and Cherrykit. If Pineclaw didn't hear them, they could've died!" Worried Flickerkit.

"Yeah, well they didn't. They're fine, Flickerkit. Stop questioning me," Frostkit warned. "I knew they'd be fine."

Flickerkit looked at their paws awkwardly. "Sorry, Frostkit."

Frostkit just huffed, signaling Flickerkit to follow them back inside the nursery.