"And then, it saw me!" Griffinpaw was saying. "But it was too terrified to run! So I was able to catch it easily, Glarespot was super impressed."

      Burrowpaw was sitting with Griffinpaw and Sparrowpaw inside the apprentice's den. It was early in the morning and Griffinpaw had just got off dawn patrol and was telling the other two about her latest catch.

      "I bet the bird was part worm if it let her catch it," Sparrowpaw whispered. Burrowpaw giggled. "Totally," she agreed.

      "It was not!" Griffinpaw flared, overbearing them. "It was the fattest blackbird ever! Glarespot said so." Her expression turned from angry to smug in a heartbeat. "Even Stonestar was impressed."

      "Stonestar only acts impressed because he doesn't want to show favor to his daughter," Burrowpaw replied. "Oh, but I'm sure he thought it was great," she added with a smirk.

      Griffinpaw looked about to protest when a dark head poked through the lichen. "Burrowpaw, it's time for training. Sparrowpaw, you're coming with us," Darkmoon said.

      "Bye, Griffinpaw," Sparrowpaw said to his sister. Griffinpaw just glared after them. Sparrowpaw shrugged and followed Burrowpaw out of the den.

      Darkmoon and Ashpetal were waiting for them. When the two apprentices joined them, the patrol headed out. Sparrowpaw padded close beside Burrowpaw and occasionally brushed against her. Burrowpaw thought this was kinda weird, but she didn't mind it. Sparrowpaw was nice, and it made her happy to know he liked her.

"What kind of training are we doing?" Burrowpaw asked.

Darkmoon glanced back and lashed his tail. "Battle training."

Burrowpaw gave her denmate a mischievous glance. "I'm going to win!" she said, her eyes gleaming. Sparrowpaw grinned.

The patrol arrived at the training clearing. Darkmoon and Ashpetal demonstrated some battle moves that involved Ashpetal lunging at Darkmoon. Her mentor reared up on his hind paws and brought his weight down on Ashpetal. The two cats got up and turned to their apprentices.

      "Wow!" Burrowpaw gasped. "I want to try that!"

      "It can be dangerous, because you need to expose your underbelly," Ashpetal explained. "So you have to be quick."

      "Got it!" Burrowpaw said, and faced Sparrowpaw.

      "Ready?" Sparrowpaw asked.

"Attack me!" Burrowpaw said with anticipation.

Sparrowpaw sprang forward and Burrowpaw reared up, but she wasn't able to balance herself and Sparrowpaw knocked her onto her back.

"Let me try again!" Burrowpaw puffed and got up, facing her denmate once more. Sparrowpaw lunged and Burrowpaw was more prepared this time. She didn't raise her forepaws as much, and she was able to balance herself better and bring herself onto Sparrowpaw and pin him underneath her.

"Good job," Darkmoon praised begrudgingly. He was still his normal, grouchy self, but Burrowpaw was happy that she had gotten at least a small compliment out of him.

***

"Burrowpaw, Sparrowpaw!" Stonestar came bounding over to them, Griffinpaw on his heels. "We're going to the Startree."

"Really?" disbelief edged Burrowpaw's voice. "Isn't it sacred though? I thought only medicine cats and leaders went there."

"All apprentices go once during their apprenticeship. I think it's time you three visited it."

"Wow!" Sparrowpaw's eyes shimmered with excitement. "Aren't you excited?" he asked when he saw Burrowpaw's frown.

"Well, it's not special if every apprentice gets to see it," Burrowpaw responded. She yawned. "Besides," she added. "I'm tired from training."

"Starfur will give you some herbs," Stonestar told her briskly. "We should get going as soon as possible if we want to make it in time for midnight.

With a lash of her tail, Burrowpaw followed Griffinpaw and Sparrowpaw toward the medicine den. She'd rather be curled up in her nest than make a long, and exhausting journey. She didn't envy her brother for having to go there every half-moon.

Starfur had already laid out some herb bundles for the apprentices. Stonestar must've already ate his, Burrowpaw thought. She quickly swallowed the bitter tasting leaves, trying not to gag.

Dandelionpaw emerged from behind the rock cleft where the medicine cats made their nests. He brushed against her and entwined his tail with hers. "Be careful," he said, his eyes troubled.

"Don't worry," Burrowpaw reassured him. "I'll be fine."

      Dandelionpaw just nodded, but he still looked worried. What's bothering him? Burrowpaw wondered as she left the den and her father by the entrance. Darkmoon was with him.

      Burrowpaw inwardly groaned as her mentor gave her a hard stare. Behave yourself, his eyes seemed to say.

      Oh, I will, you'll see. I'll be the best warrior that the Clans have ever seen! Burrowpaw glared back.

      Stonestar flicked his tail, then led his patrol out of camp. Sparrowpaw walked beside Burrowpaw. "This is going to be so much fun," he murmured. "You'll see." He gave her a warm smile.

      Burrowpaw returned his smile, but it was hard to pretend to be happy when she wasn't. She focused her thoughts on the path ahead and tried to memorize the route.

      They passed lots of trees, as you might expect from an forest, and a couple streams. Burrowpaw spied the BrookClan border to her right as the cats walked. Two cats were on the beach. Burrowpaw realized they were collecting herbs. They must be the medicine cats.

      Finally, the trees opened up to reveal a big field, neutral territory, with grass that reached to Burrowpaw's ear tips. She was the shortest of the patrol, so it was hard following them through the stalks.

They passed a hollow with three giant oak trees and a few smaller trees scattered around them. When Burrowpaw looked closer, she saw another giant oak, but this one was fallen and lay in the center of the clearing.

Ahead, was the most beautiful forest Burrowpaw had ever seen. She almost forgot her tiredness as she gazed at the spirit-like trees. Their trunks and leaves seemed to glow in the moonlight.

Stonestar didn't seem fazed by the beautiful trees and continued on at a fast pace. Darkmoon stared around a bit, but he don't show much emotion other than distant wonder. Sparrowpaw was gazing around excitedly, and even Griffinpaw seemed impressed.

Stonestar led them into a clearing bordered by a wide stream. The cats crossed and approached a giant tree. It looked like the other tress, except this one seemed older. It's roots were long and tangled together.

Stonestar looked up at the tree's leaves for a moment before curling up between the roots. He was soon snoring softly, indicating he was asleep.

Bored, Burrowpaw gazed around and her eyes landed on her reflection in the stream. There was only one thing wrong though. She looked older and sad. She blinked once and her reflection was back to normal.

"I will be leader, and I will make EchoClan great again."

Panicked, Burrowpaw snapped her head around, trying to find the source of the voice. Sparrowpaw, Griffinpaw, and Darkmoon had their eyes focused on the sleeping form of their leader. They hadn't heard the voice.

"But will cats follow you?"

Throughly spooked, Burrowpaw lowered her head and flattened her ears, trying to blocked the voices. Was StarClan trying to warn her of something? If they were, they could go talk to Dandelionpaw or Starfur. She suddenly wondered if she was meant to be a medicine cat. No way!

It seemed like forever before Stonestar finally raised his head. His eyes showed slight disconcertion as he rose to his paws and padded past the patrol. "Let's go back to camp." he said stiffly, and led them back through the field.