Robinpaw shifted on her moss.

She closed her eyes briefly, furiously trying to escape her thoughts, but it was no use. Of course, whenever she wanted to fall asleep, she never could.

And right now, she wanted that more than anything.

She turned to look at her denmate, who was sleeping peacefully, and sighed softly. Thrushpaw's white fur shone in the faint moonlight coming in through the door, emphasizing her size.

Why am I so much younger than my denmates?

She shifted restlessly again. Tomorrow, she'd have this entire side of the den to herself. Some may have relished this, but it just seemed to be emphasizing how young Robinpaw was. I've only been here four moons, she thought gloomily. And now everyone is ready to move on.

She thought back to her kithood, about the younger kits who'd eventually be her denmates. Finchfeather's kits-- Russetkit, Goldenkit, and Whitekit-- might join her soon. She paused, thinking. They're four moons younger, right? So they'll be joining me any time now.

Not that she was sure that was a good thing. She barely remembered them-- there'd been enough kits that they were separated in Testing. She only knew them from when they were up to two moons old, which wasn't exactly the best age to judge their character at.

But at least I won't be alone.

Satisfied in this thought, Robinpaw finally drifted off to sleep.

~----------------------------------------~

Robinpaw blinked open her eyes at the first rays of the sun. She turned to look at her mentor, who was sleeping in the corner of the den. It was almost normal now to wake up before the others. She purred quietly. This'll take some getting used to. It's so weird to be awake first...

A stirring to her right caused her to rethink her assumption. Someone else was awake. She turned to see Quailwhisker blinking at her sleepily. She raised her tail in greeting, and Robinpaw inclined her head in acknowledgement.

The tortoiseshell she-cat dipped her head toward the exit, and Robinpaw nodded. She stepped out of the den, watching Quailwhisker carefully pick her way across the sleeping cats before joining her in the clearing.

"How are you doing?" asked Robinpaw. She hadn't really talked much to Quailwhisker after the tortoiseshell had become a full member.

Quailwhisker purred happily. "Great."

"How's Owltalon?"

A dreamy look covered Quailwhisker's face as she looked back at her sleeping mate. "Amazing."

Robinpaw couldn't resist teasing her a bit. "Do you always look so dreamy even when you're speaking to him?"

The faraway look on Quailwhisker evaporated. "Shut up."

The silver trainee bit back a purr. "Sorry." She paused, looking down at her paws. "Can I go hunting with you before...before Thrushpaw's ceremony?"

Quailwhisker sent her a sympathetic glance. "Sure." She padded quietly back into the den, then poked her mate gently. "Owltalon. Wake up."

"Hmm?" Owltalon's eyes opened blearily, a sleepy smile covering his features as his gaze landed on Quailwhisker. "Good morning, dear."

Quailwhisker purred. "Can you come hunting with Robinpaw and I?"

"Robinpaw..?" He looked past Quailwhisker before noticing Robinpaw. "Oh."

"Yes, oh. Now get up, you lazy pile of bones," mewed Quailwhisker, nudging him again.

"Right." Owltalon stood up and stretched, the muscles under his fur rippling. Robinpaw purred to herself as she saw how he glanced at Quailwhisker as he did this. He's trying to impress her, isn't he?

"Hurry up!" mewed Quailwhisker, exasperated.

Owltalon winked at Robinpaw, beforer turning to his mate. "Alright, dear." He began walking forward exaggeratingly slowly.

Quailwhisker rolled her eyes. "Come on."

"Fine."

Owltalon started walking at a normal pace, then slowly and purposefully turned and started walking the opposite direction.

Quailwhisker sighed again, beginning to turn and follow him. She paused, looking back at Robinpaw and mewed with a purr, "At this point, we'll never get any hunting done."

~----------------------------------------~

Robinpaw looked down proudly at her catches. "I got two birds," she boasted.

Quailwhisker swatted her playfully. "Shut up."

"And a squirrel!"

"Robinpaw..."

Owltalon sidled up next to his mate. "No matter how much prey she may get, it'll never beat the catch I got-- you!"

Quailwhisker shoved him aside, a purr escaping her. "Owltalon, how about you go scout for foxes or something?"

"Whatever you say, my dear." Owltalon winked at her, then bounded off through the trees, nose to the ground.

The silence that followed was purposeful as Quailwhisker carefully arranged her prey to be able to carry it. Robinpaw watched her quiety-- she'd already done hers, and it sat in a neat pile next to her paws.

"You really love him, don't you?" she asked suddenly, flicking her silver tail.

Quailwhisker ducked her head. "I do."

Robinpaw purred. "You're so cute together." She let the silence stretch for a minute. "I hope I find someone too," she mewed quietly.

"Aren't you and Thrushpaw--"

"What?!"

"Joking, joking. Though your reaction would make me think otherwise..."

"Shut up." Now it was Robinpaw delivering Quailwhisker's most common phrase as she ducked her head.

Did she really like Thrushpaw in that way? It's not like it's allowed anyway, she thought angrily, dismissing the thought from her mind.

Quick. A subject change...

"You seem...different," blurted out Robinpaw.

"Hey!" snapped Quailwhisker. "I'm normal."

"Never mind."

It was then that Owltalon chose to return. "The coast is clear, my dear. No foxes!"

"Good," she replied cheerily. "Now, to the prey pile we go!"

~----------------------------------------~

As they dropped their prey in the prey pile, Robinpaw couldn't help but reflect on Owltalon and Quailwhisker's relationship. The teasing...it almost seemed cruel. But they both seemed to take it in stride.

I guess I'm just not that sort of cat, then, thought Robinpaw in amusement.

"All cats old enough to serve meet under the Great Tree!"

Already?

FloraClan began to gather beneath the tree, now bare, its leaves coating the clearing with gold and red.

A she-cat with startling white fur and a dark grey tom sat near the front, and Robinpaw froze, the realization that she was going to be the only trainee suddenly hitting her.

Alone. I'm going to be alone.

"Robinpaw?" It was Quailwhisker, she'd noticed how the silver trainee had frozen. Her mew turned more sympathetic as she followed the she-cat's gaze to Thrushpaw. "Come on. You have to."

"Right." Robinpaw moved to join the two mates reluctantly.

Alone.

"Thrushpaw, step forward."

A faraway part of her brain registered that the speaker was Roseflower, but she was still fixated on the one fact. Alone.

"Oh, Sun and Moon, the givers of light and life, look down upon me to approve my choice. Thrushpaw, you have proved an excellent contributor to the Den of Hunters and Warriors. Your excellent tree-hunting and scent-tracking are held in the highest regard by every member of FloraClan. Moletail, is your trainee Thrushpaw prepared to take on the role of a full member of the Den of Hunters and Warriors?"

"She is, Leader of the Flowers."

"Then by the power granted to me by my position, I give you your name. Thrushpaw, from this moment on, your name shall be Thrushnose, in honor of your exceptional tracking and scenting skills. The Den of Hunters and Warriors welcomes you as a full member."

"Thrushnose! Thrushnose!"

Robinpaw opened her muzzle to cry out as well, but nothing came out. Quailwhisker turned to her, exasperated.

"Robinpaw, you mousebrain! She's your friend! Be happy for you, and stop thinking of yourself for once!"

That did it. Robinpaw snapped out of the track of self-pity she'd been stuck in ever since Thrushpaw--now Thrushnose-- had told her she'd be becoming a full member.

Besides, didn't I tell myself only last night that I wouldn't be alone? Robinpaw joined the cheering enthusiastically.

"Alderpaw, step forward." It was Ashbranch looking down at the trainee this time.

Alderpaw. So that was his name. Not that it was surprising she didn't know it-- Leader trainees and the others didn't really interact.

"Oh, Sun and Moon, the givers of light and life, look down upon me to approve my choice. Alderpaw, you have proved an excellent contributor to the Den of Lesser Leaders. Your excellent debating skills are held in the highest regard by every member of FloraClan. Birchtwig, is your trainee Alderpaw prepared to take on the role of a full member of the Den of Lesser Leaders?"

The light brown Lesser Leader nodded his head. "He is, Leader of the Trees."

"Then by the power granted to me by my position, I give you your name. Alderpaw, from this moment on, your name shall be Aldertwig, and shall be forever unless you ascend in the ranks. The Den of Lesser Leaders welcomes you as a full member."

"Aldertwig! Aldertwig! Aldertwig!"

Robinpaw joined in the shouting, but her eye was somehow drawn to the Testing area, where three kits watched the ceremony curiously from the trees.

She remembered doing that as well, watching in awe as older cats went through ceremonies she didn't understand.

But they will understand, and soon.

And then...and then...

I won't be alone.

Look at this! A chapter! And (fingers crossed) two more coming soon!

Also, 2K views.

wut

Anyway, what did you think of this chapter? Quailwhisker and Owltalon's relationship? Predictions about the new characters? Feelings about Thrushnose's full member name? 

See you all next chapter!

Also THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for 2K views

still in shock

~Ember