The sunlight filtered through the trees, casting a soft glow on ScaleClan's camp. It was a beautiful morning, and as Robinpaw stretched, she could scent the fresh-kill. Her black and brown patched fur was a bit matted, and she licked it fiercely before stepping outside. Eagerly, she pulled a plump mouse from the pile, digging in. Her mentor, Cherryblossom, was munching on a vole nearby.

"Good morning," Robinpaw purred, her mouth full of food. Cherryblossom laughed.

"Good morning, Robinpaw," the white she-cat mewed lightly in response. "How has your day been so far? I was on this morning's patrol. I'm quite tired." As if on cue, her jaws opened and she yawned.

"I just got up," Robinpaw told Cherryblossom, swallowing her food. "I was wondering why you hadn't woken me yet."

"Yes, well," Cherryblossom finished her vole, hazel eyes twinkling. "Don't think that you can be lazy now. We have training to do! Finish your mouse quickly." She purred, amused. "Meet me in the training hollow."

Robinpaw nodded and watched Cherryblossom pad away, her silky fur blowing a bit in the slight wind. As quickly as the tiny cat could, she gulped down her mouse and ran towards the training hollow, the grass being flattened by her feet. Panting, she reached a large circle of trees and squeezed in between two. Cherryblossom was seated in the centre of the area.

"Hello again, Robinpaw," Cherryblossom meowed calmly, much more professional. Robinpaw nodded, and padded to her spot beside her.

"Cherryblossom, what am I learning today?" The apprentice asked, her tail swishing up dust eagerly. Cherryblossom smiled down at the younger cat softly.

"Something different."

"Like what?"

"We are not learning how to fight," Cherryblossom told Robinpaw. "Have you heard the story of the legendary thirteen?" Robinpaw nodded, and Cherryblossom continued, "Then I'm sure you know that those were true events. The clans were an idea from Libra. She created them to maintain balance."

"Yeah? And?" Robinpaw asked.

"We are supposed to maintain balance as Libra's clan, just as she would have if she were still here," Cherryblossom explained, "This means that today you're learning how to keep peace. We take patrols three times a day to watch for any conflict. If you see any, you need to know how to stop it."

"Oh.. But that sounds a bit boring," Robinpaw mewed sheepishly, "Can't we do something else?"

"No," Cherryblossom was firm, "Every apprentice needs to learn this, Robinpaw. It's very important." Robinpaw sighed and reluctantly nodded. "Good. Now, pretend a cat and I are bickering. Come up. Let's see what you'd do."

Robinpaw took a few steps back and watched Cherryblossom pretend to argue. After waiting a few moments, she bounded forward. "Excuse me," she tried to make her voice loud, "Is there a problem?"

"Yes," Cherryblossom growled in response. "He was on our territory. He stole our prey."

"You saw it happen?" Asked Robinpaw calmly.

"Mhmm. I sure did," Cherryblossom replied to Robinpaw matter-of-factly. "He stepped right on to this grass."

"I see," Robinpaw turned to the nonexistent cat, "Is this true? Be honest, please."

Cherryblossom switched places and took on the role of a fearful apprentice. "I-I didn't know.." She whispered quietly, "It was my fault but it was an accident... I'm a new apprentice, I'm sorry.."

"Oh, I understand," Robinpaw murmured, "But you can't do this again. Please remember that."

"I will," Cherryblossom whimpered, "Thank you.." Robinpaw just nodded.

"You are both dismissed."

Almost immediately Cherryblossom broke out of character. "It was fine for your first try," she said, "Better than other apprentices. However, it could use some work. Everyone's needs to work on something. I don't think anyone's has ever been perfect."

"Oh, okay, thank you." Robinpaw smiled a little.

Cherryblossom nodded in response. "Of course. Now, that's enough of that. Go get something to eat and we'll practice some hunting. We've been here for longer than expected."

Robinpaw squeaked a quick 'Okay' and then scurried out of the training hollow. She knew that Cherryblossom wanted her to get something to eat, but she wasn't hungry yet. Instead, she approached her leader, Brittlestar.

"Hello Brittlestar," Robinpaw mewed timidly. The leader had always intimidated her for some reason, though she didn't know why. Brittlestar was thoughtful and kind. He was a good choice for a leader.

Brittlestar smiled down at her, "Hello, Robinpaw. What can I do for you?" He boomed. He had dark brown fur and forest green eyes. He was small for a tom, but he was agile and intelligent.

"Well, I was wondering if I could take a walk before I continue my training," Robinpaw answered. She flicked her tail against the light grass.

"I don't see why not," Brittlestar told her, "Just be sure to stay in our territory. A warrior should come with you." Robinpaw sighed, a little down due to his last comment. He looked at her before mewing, "Fine. You can go on your own if you want. You're a good apprentice, I trust you."

Robinpaw brightened, her tail and ears perking. "Yay! Thanks," she mewed, and was running off before the leader could say anything else. She stepped out of her camp and into the bright forest, trotting along at a steady pace. She watched the area around her, seeing movement in the corner of her eye. Prey? She thought, then shook her head. Whatever that thing was, it was too big to be prey.

She saw it again, and without thinking, she gave chase. "Hey!" She yelled after whatever it was, "What are you doing?" The thing just kept running, so she let out a burst of speed, her paws taking her as fast as they could. With a leap, she tackled the creature and came face-to-face with a pair of golden eyes.

"Get off!" She heard, but she only held it down harder. She was staring into the eyes of a cat. A cat that she had never seen before.

"No way!" She hissed at him quietly. "Quiet down! You aren't supposed to be here! You wanna get caught, cat?" He stopped struggling and tore his eyes away from her.

Sighing, he muttered, "N-No.."

Glancing around nervously, Robinpaw nodded at him. "That's what I thought," she mewed, "Follow me." Without waiting for him to question anything, she began quickly padding through the forest. Turning, she noted that the mystery cat was following. She was heading further away from her clan camp. Maybe she should have turned him in, but something told her that she just couldn't. Reaching her destination, Robinpaw turned and watched him approach. They were at a large hole in the ground. "Down here, cat." She told him, crawling inside. He followed.

"It's dark in here," the cat complained, but Robinpaw shushed him. "Right. Sorry." He muttered.

Finally, after crawling for what seemed like forever, they reached an open space with a hole in the top of the cavern-like area, letting in light. "We're here," Robinpaw purred happily. "Now, question time. Why were you in my clan territory?"

"I-" the cat looked at his paws. "I'm sorry. My mentor told me I had to.. She said I wouldn't get caught." His words spilled out of his mouth.

"Have you done this to any other clans?" Robinpaw continued asking, this time feeling a bit awkward. He nodded slowly.

"I knew I shouldn't have. But we're supposed to in our clan. I don't know why.. There really isn't a point." He murmured. "Really, I'm so so sorry. It's just required when you're an apprentice."

Robinpaw was shocked. "You're an apprentice, too?"

"You're an apprentice?!" The cat was obviously equally surprised.

"I am, yeah.." Robinpaw murmured, "But.. What's your name?"

"My name?" He asked timidly. She nodded, "Oh.. I'm Mantispaw."

Robinpaw cocked her head to the side. "Mantispaw, huh? Haven't heard a name like that before. It's cool." He smiled a little. "My name is Robinpaw. I'm part of ScaleClan, obviously." Her voice echoed off of the cavern walls.

"Uh huh.." Mantispaw nodded his head awkwardly. "I sorta knew."

"Well, what Clan are you from? I told you."

"I.. I don't really wanna talk about it," Mantispaw's voice grew quiet.

"Come on, just tell me. It's not like it matters or anything," Robinpaw swatted at him, claws sheathed.

"Fine!" Mantispaw got a bit defensive, flattening his ears and narrowing his eyes. "I'm from BullClan."

"Oh.. That's cool," Robinpaw meowed. "I don't see why it's so bad! I don't mind."

"No, that's not the point," Mantispaw told her sadly.

"What? What do you mean?"

"You wouldn't get it."

"Why not?"

"You don't live there."