Foxpaw was running through the forest. A fox was hard on his heals. Just as it leaped to sink his teeth into his throat Foxpaw woke with a start. He was lying in the apprentice den. Funny that he was so afraid of his namesake. Darkpaw was sitting further away cleaning her fur. It had been almost a moon since she joined and the clan was still not overly welcoming. Foxpaw went over to her and sat next to her. She looked at him eyes bright. "Hi!" She said enthusiastically. Her spirit was not easily dampened. "Hi," Foxpaw replied, "do you wanna go hunting with me?" He asked.

"Sure!" She said eyes shining. Together they left the camp. The early morning sun shone bright. A soft breeze touched the forest. The leaves where properly yellow now and fell down in spirals. Darkpaw leaped and managed to catch a crumbly leaf in between her paws. She looked at Foxpaw sheepishly but he did the same. Suddenly Darkpaw jumped onto him and the play fought on the soft dirt. Foxpaw pushed her off and playfully batted her ears. She shook dirt from her pelt. Foxpaw quickly cleaned his fur. He scented mouse. Dropping into a hunters crouch he stalked forward and pounced. In one swift move, he had caught the mouse. Darkpaw was watching him, impressed. They caught a couple more mice before just lying in the warm sun. Foxpaw felt like he could forget all his worries and just lie here forever. But he couldn't. They picked up their catch and headed back to camp. "Someone's been busy!" Dawnflower exclaimed as the two apprentices carried their kill to the fresh kill pile "Nice work! I'll be telling Stripestar about this," they both glanced at each other happily. What an amazing morning this has been thought Foxpaw, I wish it was always like this.

The evening came. Dawnflower was leading an evening patrol with Ivytail, Stormwind and Sunflare. Gingerheart and Sandfur were sharing tongues in the evening sun. Snowpaw and Nightpaw were sharing a mouse. Foxpaw glanced up at the sound of his name. Greyear was calling him over. He scrambled over. She pushed a rabbit over to him, "here," she said.

"Thanks!" He replied and began to eat ravenously. She watched him in silence for a few seconds before gently liking his fur. Foxpaw returned the gesture and they both lay, sharing tongues. Greyear's soft scent filled his senses. He purred.

The next morning he woke a the sound of a voice. Soft at first then yowling in his ear. He jerked roughly awake. "Wha?!" He slurred.

"Get up!" Yowled Nightpaw again. "We are on dawn patrol you mousebrain!"

Foxpaw struggled up, mind foggy. "I'm up." He assured.

"Well we are going now." She spat before swinging round and stalking off. He quickly gave himself a wash before darting out of the den. Lionspark, Sandfur and Nightpaw stood by the entrance. They left as soon as he tumbled up to them. He ran after them. "We are checking out the Sunclan border." Informed Sandfur as they ran along.

"You would have known that if you'd gotten up this morning." Snapped Nightpaw.

"Whats your problem?" Asked Foxpaw irritably.

"Nothing," spat Nightpaw before picking up her pace to join the others. The skidded to a stop at the border. Nightpaw's hostility gnawed at him like a thorn in his pad. Sandfur and Lionspark remarked the border. "Smell anything?" Sandfur quizzed them. "Sunclan, strong and fresh." Nightpaw reported.

"Mouse...and fox!" Yelped Foxpaw, "it's faint though." He realized. "Probably several days old."

"Good, good." Sandfur praised. "You're learning quickly." Nightpaw hissed at that. "Foxpaw the great, scared of his own name."

"Now now Nightpaw, be nice." Lionspark said. She flounced round and stalked away. The patrol headed back to camp when the smell of fox came back, fresh and strong. Foxpaw tensed, dream still vivid in his mind. Sandfur raised her tail in warning. Ahead they could see a dark hole and a scuffling sound came from inside. Sandfur let out a soft hiss. "A fox hole!" She spat. "Come, we must inform Stripestar about this." She turned and sprang off in the direction of camp. Foxpaw, Nightpaw and Lionspark hard on her heals. Sandfur seemed to struggle a little with running and her steps were unusually heavy. The patrol hurried into camp. "I will tell Stripestar, you go get some rest." Sandfur instructed. Foxpaw resting was very short lived as Dawnflower came up to him. "You can help Snowpaw and Darkpaw care for the elders." Foxpaw flicked his tail in reply and padded over to the den. Darkpaw was cleaning out the moss and Snowpaw was busy looking for ticks. Foxpaw joined Darkpaw with cleaning out the moss. Mottledfur was sleeping soundly. Blackpatch was sitting as Snowpaw checked him for ticks and Sheepfluff was cleaning herself between the ears. "Hey," said Darkpaw.

"Hi," replies Foxpaw, slightly discouraged.

"Whats up?" Asked Darkpaw, noting his tone.

"Just...nothing." Sighed Foxpaw. He didn't feel like talking about it. Darkpaw flashed him an understanding look and gave him a quick lick behind the ears. "We can share a mouse later?" She suggested.

Foxpaw brightened at that idea. "Gladly!" He replied.

"Great! Now maybe you can help your brother?" She suggested significantly.

Glancing over at him for the first time Foxpaw realized what a sight he was. Matted unwashed fur. Slow stiff movements. Slumped back. Dark, haunted eyes. Foxpaw moved over to him and picked up a wad of moss. The stuff was soaked in mouse bile and stank like crazy. "Hi!" Mewed Foxpaw with fake brightness. "Need help?"

"Ok," replied Snowpaw without taking his eyes off his work. Foxpaw pressed the moss on a tick before continuing. "Something up? Are you ok?" He asked gently.

"I'm fine," came a robotic reply.

"Wanna go hunting later?" Foxpaw suggested.

"No thanks," Snowpaw flicked a last tick off, "You're tick free now," he informed Blackpatch. Snowpaw slowly turned around and left the den. For the first time Foxpaw started to feel fear. He was worried about Snowpaw. Would Beetlekit's disappearance destroy him? Why did he care so much? And, would he survive?