-❂-

Lynxpaw had slept comfortably for the first time in days, snug with her muzzle buried into her mother's pelt. Fawnleap had seen how stressed Lynxpaw appeared yesterday, and instead of drowning her in questions she laid with her and comforted her as she attempted to sleep. Lynxpaw could admit she missed those days as a kit where she would sleep in the warmth of her mother's pelt, and now she only craved for it more.

When her mother finally stood to her paws, Lynxpaw stifled back a whimper. If only the two of them could rest all day, but they had duties to tend to. Lynxpaw sighed and rose to her paws, her jaws parting in a yawn as Fawnleap drew her tongue across a few spiked furs atop of her daughter's head.

"I could have done that myself," Lynxpaw scoffed at her mother, who only rolled her eyes and laughed at the spotted mollies remark.

"You say that yet I've seen you leave the apprentice den almost every morning with a messy pelt."

Lynxpaw dismissed her mother's statement with a quick head shake of disapproval. Fawnleap kept a smirk laced across her face though, only to eventually ease a faint one across Lynxpaw's. It seemed to be a little easier to breathe when she was around her mother, no matter how much trauma the two of them had faced in the last few days. Her mother always kept a smile upon her face around her and Hawkpaw, and she knew it was only to help keep her kits comfortable and relaxed.

"Let's go see if we can assist with any patrols," Flareheart stated, stepping over to Fawnleap's side with Leafdance at theirs. "Perhaps we can try hunting rabbits."

Pebblestep groaned, the she-cat rolling to her side in her nest. She outstretched her paws and erupted with a yawn before she spoke. "I'd rather sleep in a pile of crowfood than chase a rabbit." Pebblestep than rose to her paws, her ears twitching. "But if there are any border patrols I can assist with, I'll go on those."

"I'll come along as well," Smokebite spoke up, standing up from where he sat beside Shiverbee and their kits, with Daisytuft still asleep close to them.

"Us too!" Hawkpaw chirped from in between Mottledpaw and Redpaw.

Lynxpaw's observed quietly as the former RidgeClanners began to slip outside of the den. Newtclaw was bound to be organizing patrols at this time, and maybe he had something for Lynxpaw to do, even if it was just a message from Nightfrost and Robinwing to report to the medicine cat den. Nightfrost had slept in there overnight with Robinwing, and the two most likely discussed the situation through the night as well.

She followed the small crowd, keeping to Fawnleap's side. Commotion was already beginning to stir within HeathClan camp as cats scurried from the dens, either snatching a quick bite from the fresh-kill pile or gathering around Newtclaw in the center of camp. Lynxpaw noticed how her clanmates beamed at the sight of the deputy preparing to organize patrols, and a feeling of guilt and empathy tugged at her heart strings.

They haven't had proper duties and patrols in a few days. I bet some of them really miss going on them, Lynxpaw noted to herself, her shoulders dropping as she stuck to Fawnleap's side.

The former RidgeClanners joined the crowd and Newtclaw's green gaze was fixed on them instantly. The tom's face dropped at the sight of them, and Lynxpaw could tell her felt sympathetic for them just by the way his whiskers twitched and his ears angeled backwards. The gray calico maneuvered his jaw, Lynxpaw assuming he was nervously easing at the skin inside his mouth, and the HeathClan cats around him eventually followed his gaze.

Lynxpaw felt unnerved by the way some stared at them as if they were entirely out of place. She shrunk beside her mother, but eventually Leafdance was tired of the drawn out silence and spoke up to the deputy. "We were wondering if we could assist with any patrols."

Newtclaw blinked, his gaze lingered over the crowd. The tom shuffled his paws, zoning out as if his mind was drowning in responses to the question. The gray calico eventually fixed his gaze on Leafdance and slowly shook his head. "I am very sorry, but Mousestar has advised me that it is of our best interest to keep you all inside the camp," Newtclaw responded. "We don't want to risk Cottonstar seeing any of you on our patrols."

That's understandable, Lynxpaw thought. The spotted molly glimpsed over at her clanmates, noticing how agitated some appeared by the news. Being stuck within camp is going to be very boring though.

"Feel free to make friends though! Your apprentices are welcome to learn some battle moves and such with ours and even your warriors are! We won't bite, I promise, and we want to still make sure you all stay comfortable amongst our home," Newtclaw meowed, draining his tone of his anxiety to uplift the RidgeClanners.

The deputy flashed them a faint grin before he turned back to the HeathClanners waiting to be assigned to a patrol. The former RidgeClanners pulled away from the crowd, Smokebite huffing and turning away to march back to Shiverbee and his kits. Lynxpaw couldn't blame him, as father who constantly had the urge to ensure his kits were healthy and safe, not being able to go on patrols must have really ticked off the tom. The others watched after Smokebite for a few tail flicks before they glanced back to each other.

"Well, I guess Flareheart and I will go see if we can make a few friends," Leafdance shrugged, nudging his friend. "Anyone want to come along?"

Fawnleap nodded while Pebblestep rolling her eyes before she replied. "Sure, but I can't promise I'll even make a peep," The brown and cream she-cat huffed.

Lynxpaw's ears twitched, glancing sideways at her mother as she dispersed from her side to join the other three warriors. The tabby groaned as her eyes fixed on the medicine cat den. "I guess I'll go and see what Robinwing and Nightfrost are up to."

"No! Wait!" Hawkpaw exclaimed, throwing himself in front of Lynxpaw to keep her from padding off. Lynxpaw's neck fur rose, vexed by her brother but she still listened as he spoke. "How about you come and learn some moves from Cherrypaw and Webpaw with us? I'm sure if Robinwing and Nightfrost need you they will call you over."

Lynxpaw parted her jaws to retort but Mottledpaw leapt over to her side and prodded her shoulder. "Why don't you just relax with us for a little? You're an apprentice! Sure you may be a medicine cat apprentice but you deserve some time to relax and enjoy yourself!" The calico mewed to her, a smile glowing upon her muzzle.

The medicine cat apprentice's jaw twisted with uncertainty, her gaze wandering back over to the medicine cat den. "I understand but-"

"Stop fretting about like anxious kittypets! I'm gonna go and find Webpaw and Cherrypaw while you three bicker," Redpaw snarled, the tom's tail vigorously lashing as he dispersed from the group of apprentices.

"Someone woke up with thorns in their nest," Mottledpaw lowly growled, glaring after the other apprentice as he walked away. The molly then fixed her gaze back on Lynxpaw, tilting her head at the spotted apprentice. "Just come and have fun with us, Lynxpaw! You don't have to be good at any battle moves you teach us and hey, you can even be my sparing partner! Even medicine cats need some knowledge on combat."

Lynxpaw sucked in a breath and held it for a few tail flicks. What if Robinwing and Nightfrost had assumed she would report directly to the medicine cat den? The two would be extremely upset and disappointed in her if they caught her prancing around with the other apprentices instead of tending to her responsibilites. The tabby also couldn't place a paw on why the other former RidgeClanners seemed to eager to enjoy themselves and find a source of entertainment. For stars sake, they all had murders and an uncertain future to fret about!

But then again, maybe these battle moves can benefit me in some way, Lynxpaw thought to herself, shuffling her paws. I can't only be helping my clanmates through this with strange visions and herbs. They need every set of claws they can get!

"Okay, fine," Lynxpaw grumbled, flashing Hawkpaw and Mottledpaw an agitated frown. "If Robinwing and Nightfrost scrap my pelt for their nests, I guess I'll only have you two to blame."

Mottledpaw only emitted a chuckle at Lynxpaw's reply as Hawkpaw playfully nudged her. She felt a smile carve itself onto her muzzle at her brother and her friend's actions. Just enjoy yourself, Lynxpaw. After this, who knows what could happen so enjoy the little things while you can.

"Well, isn't it my favorite RidgeClanners!"

Lynxpaw's ears twitched towards the familiar voice and she cocked her head. Webpaw and Cherrypaw approached them, with Redpaw striding along at their side. Cherrypaw beamed at the sight of them, the confident HeathClan apprentice raising her chin to tilt her muzzle towards the sky. Lynxpaw noticed how Hawkpaw bounced in place at the sight of them and Mottledpaw purred, the two obviously enthusiastic about their arrival.

Cherrypaw and Webpaw may as well be our new leader and deputy at this point, Lynxpaw joked to herself.

"Redpaw told us you all wanted to learn some battle moves-" Cherrypaw started, breaking off when she spotted Lynxpaw amongst them. "Oh, the medicine cat apprentice is here as well?"

Lynxpaw managed to keep her fur flattened with the she-cat's gaze observed every inch of her pelt. "Uh... I didn't suppose Nightfrost and Robinwing needed me today so I figured I'd-"

"Great! That helps a lot," Cherrypaw purred loudly, interrupting Lynxpaw. "Now we have enough of you to split evenly for sparing partners! That will make learning so much easier!"

I really hope I get to be your sparring partner one day, Lynxpaw thought, using every ounce of her strength to contain herself from swiping a paw over Cherrypaw's ear. She had thought originally that Webpaw, the bubbly, energetic tom, would be the one that irritated her, but he seemed shy around the RidgeClan apprentices. Cherrypaw on the other paw, loved to view herself as the apprentices' little leader, and it shocked Lynxpaw that her ideals didn't phase any apprentice but her.

The medicine cat apprentice was snapped back to reality when she was nudged by Mottledpaw. She cocked her head to eye the calico, who pushed a warm smile across her face. "You ready, partner?" Mottledpaw questioned with a soft giggle.

Lynxpaw shared a little smile with the other molly before they turned back to a spectating Cherrypaw. "Looks as if Mottledpaw and Lynxpaw are already partners," Cherrypaw pointed out before she glanced to Redpaw and Hawkpaw. "Guess that means you two are partners."

Redpaw and Hawkpaw shared a glimpse. Lynxpaw held back an exhale of relief. She knew all too well that him being paired with Redpaw would be a disaster, and his conflict with her also sparked problems with Mottledpaw. Guilt fluttering in the pit of her stomach, she lifted her chin and attempted to swallow it back as Webpaw suddenly began to spoke.

"We'll be showing you a simple pin to start off with," Webpaw informed, the tom turning to Cherrypaw who casted him a smug smirk. "Being locked in combat without an advantage is the worst, but it's actually quite easy to get an advantage over your opponent, even if they are just swiping at you over and over again."

For being a little shy, he really seems to know what he's talking about, Lynxpaw observed as he bunched back his shoulders, Cherrypaw pulling her lips back in a snarl.

"Now, watch carefully," Webpaw ordered them.

Cherrypaw arched her back and approached Webpaw, spitting at him as if they were actually enemies. She lashed out a paw to swipe over his ears, and quickly followed with another aimed to his shoulder. Webpaw followed her moves though, his own paw connecting to her shoulder. They were locked in combat, slightly reared up on their hind paws with their tails lashing.

The long-legged tom was quick to react though. His other paw slammed against her chest and he pushed himself forward, slamming his weight upon her shoulder. Cherrypaw tumbled to the side, losing balance and falling to her back. Before the ginger molly could get back on her paws, Webpaw pounced and positioned himself over her.

The black and white apprentice pinned her, his front paws positioned on her chest closer to her joints. "Keep your paws closer to their legs so you can attempt to weight back any lashes from them," Webpaw meowed, glancing down at Cherrypaw with a humored glint in his eyes. "Even smaller cats can pull this off with a little effort."

Webpaw stepped off of his companion, Cherrypaw standing to her paws and shaking her ruffled pelt. She scoffed at Webpaw before she turned to eye the former RidgeClanners. "Well, let's see you all try it out!" Cherrypaw purred.

"This is easy," Mottledpaw huffed, glancing to Lynxpaw as she whirled around to face her. "How about you try it on me?"

Lynxpaw's fur rose along her spine but she managed to nod in response to Mottledpaw. Stars, I think I'd rather be organizing herbs than sparing with RidgeClan's oldest and best apprentice, Lynxpaw cursed in her head, her gaze wandering over the calico before her.

She could hear the commotion of Redpaw and Hawkpaw wrestling behind her, but she had no time to ponder on it before Mottledpaw approached her. The calico's throat buzzed with a low growl as she lashed out a paw towards Lynxpaw's forehead. Luckily, the apprentice ducked out of the way on time, but already did Mottledpaw press another paw against her shoulder.

Lynxpaw managed to control herself and keep steady as her own paw met Mottledpaw's shoulder and they both reared up slightly on her hind paws. Their muzzles almost touched and they were practically staring into one another's eyes, the contact causing Lynxpaw's stomach to boil. The medicine cat apprentice sucked in a breath though and pressed forward swiftly, slamming her weight down on Mottledpaw's shoulder as one of her paws pushed against the calico's chest.

Mottledpaw shockingly fluttered to the ground like a feather under Lynxpaw's weight, the spotted molly nearly collapsing over her friend. Lynxpaw steadied herself though and positioned herself over Mottledpaw, pinning her down softly underneath her.

"That was actually very impressive, Lynxpaw," Mottledpaw hummed, smiling up at the other she-cat.

Lynxpaw's neck fur fluffed with embarrassment as she sidestepped off of Mottledpaw. "Heh, it was nothing," Lynxpaw lowly chuckled. "I'm sure even a kit could do that."

Mottledpaw began to interject but Cherrypaw suddenly spoke up from where she sat a few foxlengths away. "Good job! Lynxpaw, you were a little wobbly and Hawkpaw, make sure you place your paws closer to their legs but otherwise, you two did really well!"

Lynxpaw felt pride swell in her chest, and it astonished her. The molly had never learned any battle moves aside from her brother when they were bored of sunbathing or listening to their mother ramble. The result of pulling off a battle tactic left her paws tingling with content and her aching for more.

"Now, let's switch partners so the other two get a chance but against someone else! Switch up the atmosphere a little," Webpaw commanded with an amused snort. "So in that case, Redpaw will be paired with Lynxpaw and Hawkpaw with Mottledpaw."

Lynxpaw felt as if water was filling her lungs with claws grasped around her throat, making it impossible for her to breathe. She froze in place as Mottledpaw stepped away from her side to join Hawkpaw. Lynxpaw glimpsed out of the corner of her eyes to spot Redpaw approaching her, the tom's expression blank as his gaze trailed over her frightened form.

Calm yourself, Lynxpaw. Maybe this is your chance to make things right with Redpaw, Lynxpaw reminded herself. She turned to face Redpaw who rolled back his shoulders, the tom's face extinguished of any signs of hatred or irritation. He doesn't seem so bothered! Get rid of the bees in your brain and train with him!

Lynxpaw slowly approached the russet tabby before her. She pulsed with a low growl, her tail lashing behind her as she attempted to pose as an enemy. She caught an amused spark flicker in Redpaw's gaze as she stood before him with her pelt bushed and ears flattened. Was he content with her actually training with him?

Lynxpaw felt her adrenaline kick in and she pressed a paw against the tom's shoulder. They were locked in an instant, reared up on their hind paws with their muzzles nearly brushing together. Lynxpaw felt her muscles grow tense as the spotted confidence waver across Redpaw's face, something else crossing his expression. Soon his honey tinted eyes were no longer sweet, instead they bore poisons that Lynxpaw felt as if she was inhaling.

The tom slammed against her and Lynxpaw fell to the earth below her. Her spine ached and she twitched, her breath caught in her throat. Before she had any time to process the events though, the apprentice flung himself over her to pin her down. Redpaw glared down at her as if she was a rotten murderer squirming beneath his grasp, and fear bit at her nerves.

She writhed underneath him as his paws found their way close to her throat. His weight upon her was immense and her heart throbbed in her chest. Lynxpaw felt as if she was locked in actual combat and even though Redpaw's paws remained sheathed, the acid stained grin across his muzzle made her feel as if she was awaiting her fate.

"Redpaw!"

A calico blur slammed against the russet tabby. Redpaw stumbled off of Lynxpaw, the she-cat gasping and scrambling to her paws. Her chest heaved with every breath as panic soared across her body. She turned to eye Mottledpaw spitting at Redpaw, Hawkpaw and the two HeathClan apprentices watching with wide eyes and confusion shadowed over their faces.

"You were being a little too rough on her!" Mottledpaw spat, beckoning to Lynxpaw with her tail. "We are only training and she's only a medicine cat apprentice!"

Lynxpaw peered towards Redpaw, but the tom's expression was cold and lingered with odious intents. She could still manage to spot a terrified flicker in his eyes though, as if the tom was shocked by his own actions. "I'm sorry. It was merely an accident," Redpaw mumbled, staring down at his paws.

"What's going on here?"

The apprentice's eyes all darted to the source of the voice. It was a cream splashed molly, her muzzle twitching with concern as her eyes flitted from apprentice to apprentice. Lynxpaw held her breath as anxiety tore through her, all of them struggling to search for a reply.

"Oh, sorry for our ruckus, Heatherbird! We were just bickering a little but it's nothing we can't resolve," Cherrypaw spoke up, glaring between Redpaw and Mottledpaw.

Heatherbird's eyes narrowed, but the molly turned away in a matter of a few blinks and departed. Lynxpaw did not at all feel relieved by her departure though, for the moment she turned she caught Redpaw's gaze and memories danced through her head like fireflies.

Maybe I deserve his harshness, Lynxpaw thought to herself as the russet tom whirled around and marched away from the apprentice. They all stared after him, bewildered and shocked by the sudden troubles that lingered amongst them.

Lynxpaw couldn't fight away her own urge to dismiss herself from the group. She turned and not a single cat meowed after her as she padded towards the medicine cat den. She would organize herbs. She would spit nursery rhymes gifted to her from the Star Realm. She would stick to doing what a medicine cat was supposed to do.

Though in the end, she already disobeyed that when she allowed Foxpaw to die.