We were heading slowly up the mountains now. 

You could tell by the way the air was thinning and the harsh wind that turned my whiskers to frost. 

Mistystar and Fallenleaf decided together to set up camp in between a small cave and the base of the mountains. In my opinion, it was the perfect place to settle down but there was still some uneasiness in the camp at the thought of hunting so near to the Tribe of Rushing Water. The strange cats had a whole different religion to us but also relied heavily on their ancestors.

Fallenleaf was sorting patrols, "Swanwind, Pearlstorm and Spiderfur, you three can go scout the territory. If you find any fox or badger scents, do not attack. Come back and report it to me immediately."

Tropicpalm, her fur fluffed up against the wind, interrupted, "Can a warrior and their apprentice escort me and Cloudypaw? We are going to look for the Moontree."

Shrinking back, I tried to look as unfit as possible to escort them, but Fallenleaf picked me out anyways, "Morningflower, you can take Honeypaw. It'll be a good experience for her."

As my mentor nudged me over to meet with Tropicpalm and Cloudypaw, I searched my sister's eyes for any sign of affection and happiness to see me. 

Instead, her expression seemed blankly calm and only her voice betrayed her excitement, "I saw the tree very near this place. I don't know how, but I feel like I recognise everything here!"

I joked, "Deja vu?"

My heart broke into pieces as Cloudypaw turned to Tropicpalm, completely ignoring me, "It's in a meadow more close to the base of the mountain than we are now. It won't take long."

Without another word, she bounded off, with our mentors hurrying after her and me trailing behind. Fastening my pace, I managed to let the wind blow away my worries. Instead, adrenaline surged through me in a sudden thrill. 

We were going to find the Moontree! 

Running past several looming oak trees, I wondered how Cloudypaw would be able to tell. All the trees looked the same to me, but maybe it was different with medicine cats. Suddenly, we came across a thin stream of water weaving its way into the land. Across from it, grew a wide tree whose roots curled delicately to form a bordered pool of water. 

My sister sniffed the stream as if she planned on crossing it. There were several rocks jutting out but the stream itself was not deep. However, slipping on the rocks could be fatal. Any cat could crack their head and be carried away by the fast-flowing water. 

Tropicpalm was first to set paw in the water, shivering in disgust, "I suppose we will have to cross."

Morningflower nudged the medicine cat aside, "It's not so bad, I will go first to navigate a safe path."

Tropicpalm rolled her eyes, "I'm not an elder, I can cross a stream by myself."

But there was a grateful glint in her eyes as Morningflower advanced into the stream. 

My mentor used rocks that looked less slippery with water and moss as stepping stones. Occasionally, she would have no choice but to step fully into the stream and then scramble onto the stones again. Cloudypaw went next, tracing exactly the route that Morningflower had made and I followed. 

Looking back, I saw Tropicpalm stumble on a few rocks and, as she heaved a breath, I suddenly noticed how large her stomach seemed to be getting and I remembered how much prey she had taken from the fresh kill pile in one go. Memories of Mistystar before she had kitted suddenly came to me. 

The round belly, the enormous appetite. 

It was reflected perfectly on Tropicpalm. 

But, then again, we were advancing into colder territory, every cat was growing extra fur and eating more prey to stay warm. 

Besides, if Tropicpalm was expecting, who was the father? 

And Yellowbelly would've surely noticed. Shrugging it off, I moved so that she could join us. There were more important matters at the moment.

Cloudypaw bent to sniff the water that had gathered in the circle of roots, "I think it's rainwater."

Crouching she let her nose touch the top of the water and closed her eyes. A moment later, her steady breathing suggested that she was asleep, but I knew she was having a vision. 

Nervous, I asked Tropicpalm, "What do we do now that Cloudypaw's found the Moontree?"

Morningflower asked a follow-up, "Are you two good getting back to camp by yourselves?"

Again, Tropicpalm rolled her eyes, "Of course! I may be old but Cloudypaw has a blessing from Starclan, she'll lead us back fine."

Bending down, the older medicine cat touched her nose to the pool of water and fell into a vision, very much like Cloudypaw. 

Morningflower grinned, "Honestly, it's always been like this. Medicine cats shooing warriors away because they think they can do anything."

She sat down and drew a paw over her ears, "We'll wait."

I lay beside my mentor and yawned. 

The sun was already starting to set. I couldn't help but think about how, after this, Cloudypaw would have to start a whole new apprenticeship with Tropicpalm. An apprenticeship that would permanently ice me out of her life. 

As the sun set, I wished time could freeze and we could stay like this forever. In a time where Cloudypaw still needed me. But tomorrow was only a mouse-length away, and a mouse-length too close.