In the medicine den, Wishberry fussed over Jaguar, saying how filthy his fur was. "Honestly, it looks as if you've been living in a twolegplace dumpster your whole life."

The golden tom snorted, his crystal blue eyes rolling. "Would you be surprised to know that I have?"

Wishberry just shrugged and silently slapped on some herbs to the gash on his side. Jaguar gritted his teeth and glared up at the medicine cat. "Ow!"

The calico she cat smiled innocently and went back to her herb supply to grab some cobwebs. "So Crimsonpaw, how was your hunt?"

Crimsonpaw blinked from where she sat in the shadows of the medicine den, raising her head to look at the medicine cat. "Why would you want to know?"

"Just starting a conversation." Wishberry sighed and wrapped the cobwebs on Jaguar's side before looking back at Crimsonpaw. "Take him to the fresh-kill pile and give him some food. Do not let him leave until he has eaten a full meal." She instructed, eyes stern.

Crimsonpaw dipped her head and stood up, leading Jaguar out of the medicine den. The golden tom trailed at her heels, grumbling to himself.

"What was that?" Crimsonpaw asked, not glancing at him as she stopped at the fresh-kill pile.

"Herb Cat isn't very nice." Jaguar muttered, eyes fixed on the ground before him as he stopped before the pile of prey.

"'Herb Cat.'" Crimsonpaw echoed, letting out a small laugh. "Her name is Wishberry."

Jaguar growled. "Well, she isn't nice."

Crimsonpaw glanced at the medicine den and nodded in agreement. "No she's not." She would never forgive the medicine cat for siding with her mother to try and make her the medicine cat apprentice. And she would forever hate Frozenstar, too, for the same reason.

Jaguar broke her thoughts with a small whistle. "That's a whole lot of food..." She saw him lick his lips hungrily at the sight.

Crimsonpaw glanced back at the fresh-kill pile. "Plenty for every member of the clan." She took a mouse for herself and settled down near the pile. "And guests, too." She added, giving a pointed glance at him.

The golden spotted tom smiled faintly at her and chose a rabbit for himself, crouching down next to Crimsonpaw to eat.

They ate in silence, watching as the other clan members settled down for their evening meals. Soon the camp was teeming with cats, putting Jaguar on edge.

Crimsonpaw felt Jaguar tense beside her as a voice snapped behind them. "Hey Crimsonpaw!"

She sighed and looked up to see Pebblepaw striding towards her. "Oh hey Pebblepaw." She forced a bitter smile at the grey tom and he seethed.

"Still haven't learned not to talk back to me?" The older apprentice sneered, leaning down so that his hot breath fanned her forehead. Crimsonpaw found her eyes glancing absent-mindedly to the scars on her side left there from their last encounter.

She swallowed thickly and turned her gaze to look up at Pebblepaw. "Back off."

Pebblepaw just rolled his eyes. "Huh, looks like you need another beating to get it through your thick skull."

Jaguar was watching the two converse with narrowed eyes, his paws working on the ground.

Luckily, Shadowtail appeared behind Pebblepaw. The dark furred deputy narrowed his eyes at his apprentice and rumbled. "Pebblepaw, step away from her."

Pebblepaw growled fiercely and muttered to Crimsonpaw. "I'll get you next time, that's a promise." Then he leaned away from her, straightening. The grey apprentice began stalking away with Shadowtail following. Crimsonpaw pricked her ears when she heard Pebblepaw growl at his mentor. "I thought you said it was okay to bully the freaks."

Shadowtail's reply was more hushed, but Crimsonpaw still heard it. "Not when there are so many cats around."

Jaguar let out a snarl from beside Crimsonpaw. "That foxheart!"

Crimsonpaw sighed and rested her head on her paws, ears drooping. "It seems like everyone is out to get me lately... Mother, Wishberry, Frozenstar, Pebblepaw and his siblings and now Shadowtail too. Does the whole clan hate me?"

"I know I'm not part of your clan, but I don't hate you..." Jaguar murmured, looking at her sympathetically.

Crimsonpaw glanced at him, her amber eyes brightening slightly. "Really?"

"So far you've only showed me kindness, so I have no reason to hate you." He offered her a lazy grin. "Plus, your red fur is pretty cool."

Crimsonpaw's lips twisted into the same grin and she murmured. "Thank you."

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I'm sure you can all see where this is going...