Greyshard rounded a thick bramble bush that twisted itself around a pine tree. Infront of her, Mousefoot and Wolflungs chatted like starlings at dawn. They had been patrolling the eastern AirClan border, starting from the topmost corner of their territory and working down towards the 'Cat Cemetery'. Right now, Mousefoot was leading them back to camp, weaving in and out of trees, while the midday Sun shone brightly through the thick branches.

But I need to go back and check on them... Greyshard thought urgently, looking back into the trees. Then an idea sprung into her head, like a rabbit exploding from under a bush.

"You two go back to camp by yourselves. I need to check something." she mewed to the pair of toms ahead of her.

Mousefoot turned around and looked quizzically at her, "What do you mean 'check something'?"

Wolflungs waved his tail impatiently but happily, "Remember the apprentice ceremony? You have to be there!"

Greyshard grimaced in her mind. Yeah, I remember the ceremony. I also remember that my apprentice will be that good-for-nothing, flea-bitten, excuse-for-a-cat Rock-kit! Why in all of StarClan do I have to mentor him? Then out loud, she mewed, "Yeah, yeah, I know. I just smelt some weird scents back there." Greyshard thought this was the perfect excuse for sneaking away, and maybe she would 'accidentally' miss Rock-kit's ceremony!

"Really?" Mousefoot turned around fully and tilted his head, "Here, I'll go with you."

Oh, no! Greyshard quickly put in, "No, it's really fine, Mousefoot! I'll handle whatever I find. If it's an enemy patrol, I'll run back to camp like an AirClan cat can."

Mousefoot looked hesitant, while Wolflungs smiled widely and meowed, "Too right you will! Even though you are- sorry- were a kittypet, you still have the speed of our moorland ancestors!"

"Thanks, Wolflungs." Greyshard felt her ears grow hot and she turned away from them, "See you."

She heard Mousefoot's voice mewing after her, "Fine then, bye!"

"Goodbye!" Wolflungs called.

She padded calmly out of their view, and as soon as a screen of pine branches hid her from them, Greyshard broke into a run. Glee flooded every strand of her fur at her marvellous plan. She followed their scent trail back to the lower corner of AirClan territory, but before she reached it, Greyshard swerved East, as if heading towards the MoonRock. After a few minutes, the blue she-cat reached the edge of the forest, where the pines grew less frequently and smaller. Sniffing the sir, Greyshard smelt the musky scent of mice. A heartbeat later, she saw the small grey-brown creature snuffling in a patch of tall grass. Checking the direction of the air, she dropped into the hunting crouch and creeped towards the mouse. It was nibbling on a small, shattered pinecone, trying the sap inside.

With one strong, well-aimed leap, Greyshard pounced on the mouse. She landed squarely on its small shoulders and bit down on its neck. Standing up, the mouse dangled limply from her jaws. Greyshard felt a prickle of satisfaction. It was Greenleaf and prey was plentiful, enough to feed her Clan and her secret.

Greyshard padded softly through the thinning woods, painfully aware that if anyone followed her, she would be in big trouble at the end of this path. Every pawstep she took, the ground grew more and more hard-packed. Slowly but surely, the soft covering of pine needles was turning into dust and brown rock. The pine trees steadily disappeared, only to be replaced with tall, spindly, dead trees. Their charred bark were the only visible signs of the fire that had raged here ages ago. Soon, Greyshard smelt AirClan scents, but these were much stronger and precise.

A patrol?!

As Greyshard, whipped around wildly, she realised she was standing beside the scent markers that formed the border. A few fox-lengths away, stood the short, blackened remains of an oak tree. She padded up to, making sure that no-one was following her or near her. Only when she was a tail-length away, could she see the outline of the hollow in the roots of the tree. It was covered into a thin layer of ferns and bracken. Anticipation grew inside of her stomach, as if a horde of butterflies were fluttering wildly there, trying to escape. Greyshard dropped the mouse between two of the longest strands of fern and turned towards the hole.

Pushing her head through the foliage, she called softly, "Hello, sweeties."

After a few moments, three bundles of soft, brown and white fur bundled into her, bowling her out of the hollow. Shaking them off, Greyshard looked down at three kits. One was a fluffy, deep brown she-cat with white paws, belly, chest and chin. Her pale green eyes glittered, while her stumpy tail lashed through the air. The tom-kit next to her was smaller, but his amber eyes glowed with a playful ferocity. His pale brown tabby fur was lined with swirling stripes, quite unlike flattened moths. He grinned broadly up at Greyshard, who smiled back and looked at the last kit. This tom was the smallest of the three, brown tabby patches littering his clean, white pelt. Hazel-coloured eyes stared all around, searching for something unknown to Greyshard.

She swept her tail around them and started nuzzling them in turn. Happiness and relief spread through her, from ears to toes and tail tip.

The light brown tabby cuffed Greyshard's muzzle and laughed, "Gwey!"

Jumping onto Greyshard's back, the brown she-kit mewed happily, "You're back, Gwey!"

Carefully, dislodging the she-kit's short, but sharp claws, Greyshard lifted her and placed her next to the patched tabby. "Yes, my darlings, I'm back." Greyshard licked each one of them on top of their heads, a warm, fuzzy feeling growing in her chest. "Did you have a nice day?"

Jumping back up, the brown she-kit meowed, "Yeah, Gwey!"

Of course you did, Coco. You always have a nice day. Greyshard thought proudly, admiring the she-kits adorable determination and positivity.

Next, the light brown tabby leaped to his paws and swiped at Greyshard's nose as she licked him, "A bit bowing, but I' was okie. Hey! Look what I can do!" he slid into a crouch and waggled his haunches. Once. Twice. Three times. He pounced, landing squarely on Coco's back. For a few moments, they wrestled together, nipping each other and prodding with sheathed paws. They rolled in circles and whirled in a bundle of brown fur.

Taffy. Always so ready to fight. But he does it so cutely!

Finally, Greyshard looked at the last kit. He was staring off into the pine trees, mesmerised in his own thoughts. Taffy gave Coco a final shove and bowled her off of him. Swiftly, Taffy trotted up to the patched tabby and poked him with a claw. He jumped at whipped around to stare at Taffy. The light brown tabby flicked his ears at Greyshard, who felt a stab of remorse. The last kit gazed up at Greyshard, a questioning look in his eyes. Sadly, Greyshard nodded and smiled at the kit.

Oh, Patch... Why...? Why must you be- Greyshard's thoughts were interrupted by a rustle in the branches. She looked up quickly, expecting to see the pelt of a cat, to smell the scent of fury, and to catch the glimmer of their accusing eyes.

It was only a crow, glaring down at the four cats with beady, shining black eyes.

"But you didn't go outside did you?" Greyshard turned back to the kits and asked. Another surge of concern squirmed in her belly. What if some cats saw them?

To her relief, Coco answered quickly, her reply sounding genuine, "Na! Don't wowwy. You told us not to go outside, so we not." Coco smiled at Greyshard, before lifting a paw to lick it.

Greyshard laughed gently and mewed, "That's great, Coco!" then, she added, "Listen, I've got a treat for you today!" She turned and tugged the mouse out of the ferns.

As she turned, Greyshard saw Patch's nose twitch and his eyes narrow, heartbeats before Coco or Taffy reacted. He mewed, in a slurred, almost undistinguishable, mew, "Is't fwood? Iwery hunglshy."

Disappointment replaced the concern. Why did she have to have to look after a kit with this kind of disability?

Because they're the only kits you'll ever look after! That's why, you mouse-brained fool!

"Yes, it is," Greyshard barley forced the words out of her mouth. Her tongue went dry as she saw Coco and Taffy stare at Patch. They were looking at him with undisguised shock and worry. Greyshard nodded vigorously to Patch, stroking his tabby patched back with her tail. "Here you go." She put the mouse down between the kits, it grey-brown fur shining in the bright sunlight.

Coco crouched down next to the mouse. She stared at it for a few seconds, before looking blankly up at Greyshard, "What is it?"

Taffy pushed Coco aside and sniffed it. He mewed irritably, much too irritably for Greyshard's liking, "It's not milk. I want milk!"

Like a stone flopping into water and sinking to the bottom, Greyshard's stomach twisted with frustration, but a gentle, loving patience all the same. She tucked away the jumble of feelings flying through her heart and focused on what the kits were saying.

"Manners, Taffy! It's called a mouse and it's very tasty." Greyshard mewed to the two kits. To Patch, she flicked her tail at his ear, then at the mouse and at her mouth. Finally, she smiled and licked her lips.

Patch gazed up at Greyshard with the same mystified expression, but slowly nodded. He bent down and took a bite from the mouse's side. Greyshard saw him chew it for many heartbeats before swallowing. Patch started purring and took another, smaller bite.

For once, Greyshard was filled with pride at Patch. He finally did something better than his littermates. "Go on, like that." Greyshard nodded towards Coco and Taffy, who were pulling faces at the mouse.

Hesitantly, Coco nibbled at the mouse's other flank and sat up grinning. Along with Patch, she continued taking small, neat bites of the mouse.

But Taffy still persevered. He turned to Greyshard with a look on his face that made her almost explode with laughter. "I want milk!" he demanded simply.

Shaking her head with amusement, Greyshard mewed, "You can't drink milk for the rest of your lives!" She nudged Taffy further towards the mouse, and he started gnawing on a bone.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was very dark under the HighMound, and it took quite a bit of time for Greyshard's eyes to become accustomed to the light. Finally, she settled into a small circle of dusty moss near the entrance to the den. Owlstar's shadowy figure sat down at the back of the cave, in a much bigger nest.

Once Greyshard sunk into the shallow moss, Owlstar mewed in her deep, commanding tone, "So, Greyshard, where were you? I had to give Rockpaw to Mousefoot to mentor." Her yellow eyes glowed in the darkness, shining like two full moons in the night sky. Greyshard could only just picture her head floating in the sky, ordering around every cat like StarClan, when they cover the moon.

Greyshard took a deep breath, casting the image aside, and mewed quietly, not meeting Owlstar's eyes, "I am so very sorry, Owlstar. Please forgive me. I know it was you son and all, but I-"

Out of the corner of her eye, Greyshard saw Owlstar looking more relaxed as the blue she-cat apologised. However, when she came to the part, where Rockpaw was Owlstar's son, the fawn she-cat's fur fluffed up again. Greyshard looked at her paws and tried not to flatten her ears and snarl.

Infront of her, Greyshard saw Owlstar bare her teeth and hiss, "Oh, yes. He is, isn't he. Well, even more reason for there to be a good excuse." When Greyshard didn't answer, staring at her paws, Owlstar continued, "What was all that about? 'More important things to do'?"

Greyshard cursed herself for saying that in her anger at Scarclaw. If that rotten mouse-brain had closed his mouth, then she could easily get away with it. He was just like Rockpaw - a flea-bitten, badger-nosed, fox-heart of a nuisance! All Greyshard could mutter was, "Yeah..."

She felt Owlstar's eagle-like gaze burning the top of her head. I might as well tell Owlstar, what I told the patrol, if she does some snooping. And I know she will. Greyshard thought. She launched into the explanation, looking up at Owlstar through the veil of shadows. "On the patrol, with Mousefoot and Wolflungs, as you know-"

Owlstar cut in and mewed edgily, "Yes, yes, I know who was on the patrol. I practically organised it."

"Of course. Sorry." Greyshard mewed, still looking at her white paws. "Well, as we were returning, I smelt some strange scents."

All of a sudden, Owlstar seemed more interested. She leaned in closer to Greyshard and nodded for her to continue, "Yes???"

"Y-yes. S-so I told Mousefoot and Wolflungs that I smelt some weird scents and I followed them. They led me towards the hollow near the MoonRock." Greyshard took a deep breath and glanced up at Owlstar, before continuing, "I must have followed the cent trail for a long time, because when I came back, of course, I had missed Rockpaw's apprentice ceremony."

When Greyshard finished, she looked up at Owlstar. However, Owlstar didn't meet her eyes. The fawn she-cat was gazing into thin air, lost in her own thoughts. Greyshard shuffled her paws nervously, and Owlstar mewed distantly, "I see... I understand now..."

Greyshard couldn't believe her ears, "R-really?"

Owlstar turned her head to fix her hawk eyes on Greyshard. She meowed quietly, "Yes. You see, I have smelt the exact same scents as you. I'm afraid I need to talk to my senior warriors; could you please send in Foxnose, Mousefoot, Wolflungs and Scarclaw?"

"Y-yes. I can. Of course, Owlstar." Greyshard slowly fazed out of the shock that Owlstar had believed her so easily, "I hope my answers were satisfactory." She rose to her paws and made to go towards the curtain of ivy.

Owlstar nodded slowly, "Yes, Greyshard, very. Thank you for your help. Now go."

"Of course, Owlstar." Greyshard threw the last words politely over her shoulder and pushed through the vines.

Outside of the den, the faint yellow light barely made a difference to the shadows of the cave. For a moment, Greyshard stood still, surveying the scene. Most of the cats were still out, discussing the ceremony. Quickly, Greyshard located Foxnose sitting with Scarclaw and Morningheart near the HighMound. She padded up to them, overhearing some words of there conversation.

"Congratulations, Scarclaw. You must be proud of your kits. I must say, I was looking forward to mentoring one of them, but alas..." Foxnose was mewing.

"Thank you, Foxnose, your praise is highly appreciated. I just hope, that under their mentors' surveillance, Rockpaw and Skunkpaw will learn some manners." Scarclaw replied calmly at first, then his mew became bitter.

Yeah, at least you got that right! Greyshard thought, then she cleared her throat and mewed, "Foxnose. Scarclaw." She nodded to each of them, then to Morningheart, "Owlstar wants to see you, and Mousefoot and Wolflungs."

Foxnose looked puzzled as he mewed, "Thank you, Greyshard."

"All the senior warriors?" Scarclaw asked, "Alright. Thanks." Greyshard nodded. Scarclaw trotted up to Mousefoot and Wolflungs and mewed something to them. After a moment, the four cats made their way to Owlstar's den.

Greyshard saw Flamepelt walk up to Morningheart, his sister. She joined them saying, "Hey, Flamepelt. Congratulations!"

Flamepelt nodded and mewed, "Thanks. I was hoping to take you and Rockpaw on a tour of the territory with Skunkpaw. However..." he trailed off, looking pointedly at Greyshard.

"Yeah, sorry..." She muttered, noy fully meeting his pale green gaze, "I had to take care of something, but maybe Mousefoot could go out with you."

That wasn't completely a lie. She did have to take care of something, technically.

"Yeah, I guess."

A few moments passed, when Morningheart opened her mouth to say something, only to look over Greyshard's head and mew, "Oh, look. Owlstar's calling the Clan again!"

Owlstar climbed up onto the HighMound and called loudly, "Can everyone gather around, please. I have something important to announce."

Redsplodge, who was padding towards the Elders' cave, froze in her tracks. Her red, white and black tail whipped through the air, as she turned around and exclaimed, "WHAT? What did you say?"

"We have to listen to MORE?" Blackeye cried quietly, shaking his head in disbelief.

Halfheart joined into the fray, mewing waspishly, "I can's sit on this rock all day - I'm not as young as I used to be!"

Dapplewind stroked her back with his tail and mewed gently, "Calm down, sis. I'm sure it's very important."

"Thank you, Dapplewind. And yes - it is." Owlstar waited for the buzz of chatter to fade away, before she announced, "Multiple of our warriors have scented unfamiliar cats on our territory. I must warn you to watch out on the Eastern border. We don't know who we're dealing with, or how many of them there are, but I'm sure we can take care of them. We'll soon find out who it is and chase them out of our territory. Until then, apprentices can't go out alone - they must be accompanied with at least one warrior. Thank you. Now you can go." She leaped down from the HighMound and went into her den without another word.

So that's what it was about. Greyshard thought. Huh. Lucky that other cats also 'scented' the same 'scents' as me, or I would probably be in even bigger trouble.

An edgy mew interrupted her thoughts, "About time." Redsplodge said and walked into the Elders' cave, as quickly as she could.

From nearby, Greyshard heard Twilightear mew thoughtfully, "Who do you think it could be?"

Icefang, who was sitting next to him, answered blandly, "Probably just a kittypet from the Twoleg farm. No big deal."

Ha! If only he knew what a lost 'kittypet from a Twoleg farm' actually feels like! I would know, I've been there, and he hasn't. Why do these Clan cats act as if they know everything? Greyshard turned the thought over in her head, until she heard Mousefoot say something from beside her. "Yeah, I agree. Just some lost cat who wandered onto our territory."

From Greyshard's over side, Wolflungs called, "Hey, Mousefoot. Flamepelt and I want to take our apprentices on a tour of the territory. Wanna come?"

"Of course! I'll just get something to eat." Mousefoot stood up and took a few steps towards the fresh-kill pile, passing Flamepelt as he went.

Suddenly, Owlstar appeared next to Greyshard and called to the grey tom, "Actually, you can go on a Moonhigh patrol later. Now, Rockpaw and Skunkpaw need to complete some of their punishments. I want you, Mousefoot, to take Rockpaw on a hunting patrol for the elders. Flamepelt, I would like you to take Skunkpaw on a separate hunting patrol with another cat, for the queens."

The two toms nodded, "Yes, Owlstar."
Mousefoot looked around to find Rockpaw, while Flamepelt did the same. After a moments hesitation, Owlstar added, "Great. Go on, now. Oh, and Flamepelt. Tell Skunkpaw to go to the Nursery when he's finished. Mousefoot, tell Rockpaw to check the elders for ticks and the like, when you're done."

"Of course." Mousefoot nodded and, Greyshard noticed, a sparkle of glee twinkling in his orange eyes.

Owlstar turned back to Wolflungs and meowed, "Wolflungs you can take both Treepaw and Blossompaw on a tour of the territory. Ask Crystalwing if she wants to come with you. She could use the occasion to get Blossompaw used to herbs."

Wolflungs smiled and nodded, rising to his paws, he asked, "Am I going on the Moonhigh patrol?"

"No. It'll be just Mousefoot, Flamepelt and their apprentices." Owlstar replied.

"OK. Goodbye." Wolflungs waved his tail to Greyshard and Owlstar and trotted across the clearing to Treepaw.
Owlstar turned away from the toms, who were still looking for their apprentices, and nodded farewell to Greyshard. She nodded back, tucking her paws underneath her chest and her tail on her back. Greyshard saw a flash of pale brown fur mixed with fawn. Turning her head, she saw Rockpaw talking to Owlstar.

"What am I supposed to do mother?" he asked.

"You're supposed to ask your mentors and not me. But I guess it can't hurt." Owlstar sighed, "You're going on a hunting patrol with Mousefoot, to feed the elders. Skunkpaw is going out with Flamepelt for the queens. After you've finished, go to the elders. Skunkpaw goes to the nursery - to see if the queens need help. Then, get something to eat, and rest."

Fury filled Greyshard when she heard Rockpaw's reply, "Why?!"

Then delight as Owlstar snapped, "Without eating, you're going to starve - if you don't want fresh-kill, give it to the elders. You're going on Moonhigh patrol - if you don't want to rest, go with floppy paws. Understand?"

"Yes, Owlstar..." Rockpaw muttered, swinging his head to the side. He spotted Greyshard looking at them and snarled, "What are you looking at?!"

"Hmm!" Greyshard flicked her tail and looked at Owlstar.

Her fawn-coloured fur was starting to fluff up, but she was obviously trying to keep it flat. She hissed at Rockpaw, "Don't talk to Warriors like that. Say 'sorry'!"

Rockpaw glared at Greyshard for a few heartbeats. Then, he looked away and murmured, "...sorry..." he stayed where he was, the thick fur along his spine quivering, like the leaves of a tree in a storm.

"Thanks, Owlstar. Is there anything you want me to do?" Greyshard asked, standing up and turning around.

"No, I... Actually, there is. Can you lead the dawn patrol, tomorrow? I'll tell Foxnose about it."

"Of course! And I'll go hunting for the time being." Greyshard purred, happy to have something to do, other than brood.

"Great!" Owlstar smiled and turned. Seeing Rockpaw there, she poked him with a claw and exclaimed, "Rockpaw! Go on - Mousefoot is waiting for you at the camp entrance." He was, along with Twilightear. Next to him, Flamepelt's patrol was just leaving, with the ginger tom at the head. Behind him, Skunkpaw trotted, looking fairly happy, then Rosesong followed. Owlstar's amused meow brought Greyshard back in reality, "I hope you know where that is."

Greyshard merrowed with laughter and got a filthy look from Rockpaw.

"I do! I'm not a kit anymore!" he half shouted.

Greyshard couldn't help herself from commenting on that, "Of course you aren't. I mean, not for the last few minutes, at least."

This time, Rockpaw looked absolutely furious.

I guess being teased by your mother is one thing. And being teased by a Clan-mate is another. Greyshard concluded.

Owlstar gazed at Rockpaw's lashing tail and suddenly mewed, "Actually, Greyshard, you can go hunting with Rockpaw and Mousefoot."

Immediately, Greyshard stopped holding back the laugh. It wasn't there anymore. She stammered, shocked, "Y-yes, of course, Owlstar."
Rockpaw's eyes blazed, but he didn't say anything.

He must know that he'd just get into more trouble. Greyshard thought happily, still feeling dazed from Owlstar's sudden change of mind.

Owlstar called over to Mousefoot and told him, "Greyshard will go with you."

Greyshard saw the amusement and disbelief glimmering in his eyes, as Mousefoot asked, "Greyshard?"

"Yes. It will give her some experience for when she has her own apprentice." Owlstar paused multiple times as she said that, carefully thinking over each word.

I bet she wanted to say, 'It will give her experience for when she can come to ceremonies on time'. The little...

"Good thinking, Owlstar. C'mon. Let's get going." Mousefoot headed towards the mouth of the tunnel.

"Oh and Mousefoot?" Owlstar called.

He stopped and turned to face her.

"If Rockpaw so much as narrows his eyes at you or Greyshard, I will want to know."

Mousefoot's eyes were clearly shining with a playful glee, he chuckled, "Yes, Owlstar. Sure thing."

He padded to the brink of the tunnel, waiting for the rest of his patrol.

Greyshard waved her tail to Owlstar, while Rockpaw didn't look at anyone. When the two cats reached the tunnel, Mousefoot leaped inside. Rockpaw followed. Greyshard went in last, when she saw the tip of Rockpaw's musky brown tail disappear into the darkness.

Word Count: 4118