Shadepaw's POV:

Early morning of the next day, Shadepaw yawned and stretched in his nest. NoName had made sure he made his own nest, but had also allowed him to pad it with soft feathers and nice moss from the Enforcers den.

The other apprentices had been given a similar treatment and they were all snoring happily in their new, soft nests. Shadepaw chuckled when he saw Stormpaw had rolled out of his nest and into Bluepaw's. The grey tom was snuggled into his sister's side, his jaws hanging slighlty open as he snored peacefully.

Darkpaw was curled in a tight ball, her head completely invisible under her tail. Beside her, Blossompaw was stretched out on her back with a peaceful look on her face. Shadepaw purred at his den mates, shaking his head as he stood up to leave the den.

As the dark furred apprentice stepped out of the den, he sensed a new smell in the air. He looked around, quickly pinning the strange smell to a young ginger tom who was standing in front of NoName. His green eyes stared up at her, unblinking as she examined him slowly.

Shadepaw approached them, his eyes narrowing. "Who's this?" He asked curiously.

"My friends call me 420, but Blaze will do." The ginger tom smiled.

NoName sighed. "Well, Blaze, how old are you?"

Blaze glanced at Shadepaw. "About his age."

"So, six moons." NoName murmured, her eyes narrowing. "You're a bit big for that age."

The ginger tom chuckled softly. "And you're a bit small." He grinned, straightening himself slightly so that he stood at the same height as her. "You look nothing over nine moons."

NoName growled. "Watch your mouth, or I'll have you killed on the spot."

Blaze sighed exasperatedly. "So you're letting me join or not?"

"You may join." NoName sighed. "You're name will be Blazepaw and Shadepaw will watch over you." She looked at her son. "Got that?"

Both young toms nodded. Shadepaw glanced at Blazepaw, shivering as the ginger tom's piercing green gaze met his. "Nice to meet you Shadepaw." He meowed.

"You too." Shadepaw murmured, shifting his paws.

"Why don't you show him to the apprentices den?" NoName suggested. "I'm going to be busy today, so your training will have to be put off for later."

Shadepaw nodded and turned away, leading Blazepaw to the den. He seated himself in his nest and let the ginger tom look around. "Cool place." He murmured, looking at the sleeping bodies around him. "Who are these cats?"

"Stormpaw, Bluepaw, Blossompaw and Darkpaw." Shadepaw pointed at each cat in turn, watching as Blazepaw's gaze settled on Darkpaw.

As if on cue, Darkpaw opened her eyes, and looked up at Blazepaw. "Who are you?" She muttered, sitting up abruptly.

"The new apprentice here. Blazepaw." He grinned at her. "Nice to meet you, Darkpaw."

Darkpaw muttered. "Likewise." She settled back down in her nest with a sigh, turning away from the new tom.

Blazepaw tore his gaze away from Darkpaw to look at Shadepaw again. "So, NoName is your mentor huh?"

"Yeah." Shadepaw nodded.

"I wonder who mine is." The ginger tom murmured.

"Well, if you're getting an Enforcer, you'll get either Zephyr or Tigerstripe. Maybe Dime." Shadepaw shrugged.

"Ugh, none of them sound good." Blazepaw sighed.

"But Zephyr is a really good fighter, you might like him." Shadepaw replied.

"Nope, definitely don't like him." Blazepaw growled.

"You haven't seen him."

"Don't have to. I already know."

Shadepaw rolled his eyes. "Oh well."

Darkpaw muttered. "I'm trying to sleep, can you talk somewhere else?"

"Nope." Blazepaw grinned mischievously and leaned closer to the dark she cat. "You're going to have to wake up."

"Go away." She hissed.

"Why?"

"Because I said so."

Shadepaw sighed, watching as the two bickered. Why had Blazepaw taken such an interest in Darkpaw? Why was Darkpaw so against him?

Finally, Stormpaw broke up the argument. "Alright we get it now be quiet!"

Blazepaw smirked triumphantly and whispered to Darkpaw. "I'll see you later then." Then he left the den.

Shadepaw sighed heavily.

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