Petalpaw’s pelt felt hot. He was flustered. Embarrassed, in love, too many emotions for a simple medicine cat apprentice to be experiencing. He quickly shuffled back into camp, stepping over the small stream that ran through it and into the medicine den. Minnowtail was there, gazing out of the windows of the den. Her plain blue-gray fur shimmered in the sun’s rays, her eyes focused on all of the busy cats of the clan. Today was more of an off-day, really, as she’d already replaced the more dried herbs and had hidden anything deadly. She didn’t want her apprentice getting any more violent ideas toward his enemies than he needed. The ragdoll tom padded towards his mentor and pressed his forehead into her side. ``What does falling in love feel like, Minnowtail?`` He asked. Granted, this was probably the worst thing to ask a regular cat. But, he and Minnowtail were so close that she was like a mother, or grandmother. ``And why can’t I just punch Eaglepaw in his stuipid, dumb, idiotic face?`` Minnowtail seemed to take his questions in a different way, though.

``You’re.. in love with Eaglepaw? I guess that’s not really something that’s gonna get you in trouble..?`` 

``No! I mean, if he was less of a jerk then maybe. But there’s um-- there was a kittypet-``

``Kittypet on the border? Yeah yeah, Eaglepaw told me all about her. You apprentices tell me too many secrets. Starting to think if I should just open up some kind of side-therapy.``

``He.. Uh.. He told you about Ribbon?`` Petalpaw was stunned. He didn’t think the tom actually DID it. That made him angry. Super angry. Ribbon didn’t deserve to be with a tom who’d just cry and whine when things didn’t go his way. StarClan, she didn’t deserve any of this! She was just exploring and was now caught in a love triangle without a side! He wanted justice, not love. He had to stop Eaglepaw. 

``Yeah. Now you did. I’m just waiting for Ribbon to come in here herself and complain about how two toms she doesn’t know like her. Hah!`` She nudged him playfully. ``My mouth’s sealed like a foxden. Nobody’ll know. Tell me, what’s bugging you?`` Minnowtail pulled him closer with her paw, grinning and looking down at him. ``And for the record, I wouldn’t know what falling in love is like. I’ve never liked anyone. Better question for your mother.`` She chuckled. 

``Well.. I really like how Ribbon is super clean and I just want her to know that!`` He whimpered. 

``Well I guess I can work something out.. Next time I’ve got to go off and collet catmint by the twoleg nests, you can try and find her.`` She shrugged. ``Now, I’ll be over here if you need me. ``

``Okay, thanks minnowtail.`` Petalpaw trotted over to his nest, tucking his body in and licking his pelt. What his mentor had said stuck with him. Eaglepaw was a little rat, but Petalpaw was no hypocrite. They were both after a cat they didn’t know, and Ribbon must’ve been completely unaware. But he just couldn’t get her perfectly groomed fur out of his mind. She was so well kept- at the very least, he wanted to befriend her. Eaglepaw was his friend, even if they bickered and he pushed Petalpaw around sometimes. Petalpaw was just a lonely medicine cat, dependent on his mentor’s kindness. What would he do when she was gone? Everyone would think that he would end up just like her. Maybe he would. It was difficult to think about. But for now, he’d just sleep calmly. Minnowtail was in control here, and his job was just to learn. Right?