"My fault?"

Sunlight trickled through the branches above, illuminating the forest with a warm glow. The cozy, warm look the woods appeared as would never betray the three chaotic apprentices arguing within it.
One of these three was Flutterpaw, a white and brown she-cat who had settled not so far away from two other apprentices, Morningpaw and Routpaw.

The other two toms were arguing loudly, shooting insults at each other without even a single second of hesitation. They were always like this; it was as if they enjoyed the thought of arguing with each other. Flutterpaw had seen them mad at each other countless of times, even over the littlest things - they always seemed to find something to argue over.

The young molly's facial features displayed a clear and frustrated scowl. As much as she wanted to break the two apart, she knew it would only make the situation worse — they'd find some way to include her into the argument, and she certainly did not want to be part of that.

She squinted her eyes as she listened intently, observing Morningpaw's flexed claws and bristling fur as he continued sharply.
"Why that? I didn't do anything!"

"Oh? Then how did we get here? Because you were all sweet and nice?" Retorted Routpaw, his tone sarcastic as he faced what some would call his enemy.

"I- you-" Morningpaw cut himself off, eyes burning with hatred. If it wasn't for Flutterpaw shouldering in between the two, they might've even began fighting.

"Oh, both of you- this situation is my fault- but also that of you both. We all did something wrong," she meowed, straightening her posture to seem taller and more intimidating. "And we must face the consequences by working together- not arguing all day!"

Routpaw took a step back, hazel eyes narrowed as he met Flutterpaw's gaze. His shoulder fur was still bristling, though he didn't protest and instead even silenced himself. Morningpaw's eyes betrayed some relief, eyeing Flutterpaw gratefully while Routpaw just brushed past the two.

"Thanks sis," Morningpaw whispered to the white molly, ears flattened against the back of his head. Flutterpaw nodded in acknowledgement of his words, padding past him to catch up with Routpaw; she didn't want to lose anyone, as much as she despised their personality - she wanted all three of them to be able to return home safely in the end, even if it meant putting up with a mousebrain or two.

Her brother swiftly strode after her, tail trailing across the ground behind him as he trotted alongside Flutterpaw. The white she-cat glanced his way; was that guilt in his eyes? Before she could get a closer look, the emotion faded into nothing, his eyes now dull and empty. She felt a twinge of concern, pressing against her brother in hopes to be able to offer some comfort.
She guessed he wanted to head home already; away from the dangerous wilderness and back to where their parents were. Oh, how worried they must be.

Flutterpaw's tail intertwined with that of her brother, nuzzling his scruff gently. He seemed thankful as he shifted closer, making Flutterpaw smile softly. It wasn't often you got to see Morningpaw's soft side, but when you did, it was the best thing in the world.

Then, a voice snapped Flutterpaw out of her trance. Her gaze moved up, landing on the one and only Routpaw and his all too familiar scowl.

"Once you two are done bonding, can we hunt?" He suggested, his words an iconic mutter.

"We're still in HellerClan territory. Sablestar said we—" Flutterpaw was interrupted by Routpaw, who rolled his eyes.

"Sablestar, Sablestar, Sablestar- always Sablestar," he hissed. "We're rogues now, right? We don't have to listen to her anymore."

"Yes- well, temporarily. That means we should still stick to the rules or we could risk not being accepted back into the Clan."

"Oh, could you stop caring so much about the rules, please?" He snorted, lashing his tail. "I'm going to hunt, whether you like it or not."

"Oh come on-" hissed Flutterpaw, stepping forward only to be stopped by Morningpaw, who remained by her side.

"He does have a point," he admitted, his voice suspiciously quiet. Flutterpaw sighed; she would never have been able to imagine her brother agreeing with that grouchy foxheart, yet here she had witnessed it with her very own eyes.

"Alright, fine, then!" She grumbled, pulling back her ears. While she respected her leader very much, Morningpaw and Routpaw didn't really; that's how they got here in the first place, after all.
"Routpaw, you go hunt here; Morningpaw, you can hunt .. ehm, over in that direction," she paused, pointing her tail to her left. She had no idea what was located there, but she had to send her brother somewhere. As much as she liked him, she wasn't really in the mood to hunt together with someone else.
"I'll hunt near the stream."

Routpaw, obviously annoyed at the thought of someone bossing him around, nodded briskly without arguing. Morningpaw copied him, shifting his paws and clearly awkward as he continued to speak, "will we meet here when we're done?"

"Sure, yeah," shrugged Flutterpaw, signalling she was about to head out with a single flick of her tail. Routpaw didn't hesitate to twist around and dive into the bushes lining the clearing while Morningpaw reluctantly padded off into the distance without meowing another word.

Flutterpaw's jaws parted and a sigh escaped her lips. She longed to go back home where she felt protected and safe; where her warm nest was, and where she could rely on her clanmates .. but she knew that wasn't an option.

Only one moon.. she thought to herself,  only one, and then I'll be back home.