KnowingPaw felt helpless. He watched as BerryBush frantically attempted to save StarPaw, and WaveFlow was stepping back from CoyoteStar’s limp body. “You will speak of this to no one.” KnowingPaw jumped at the sound of the voice behind him. He whipped around to see his mentor HuntedWhisker staring down at him. KnowingPaw was stilled too stunned to speak, so he just stared back.  “Go on, get out of here.” HuntedWhisker commanded before going off in the direction of the den’s entrance, his stubby tail flicking with irritation. MushroomPaw gaze him a sympathetic look as she placed her tail on his spine to guide him away from the terrifying scene.

“I can’t believe CoyoteStar would do something like that.” KnowingPaw muttered, “Well- I mean, CoyoteStar was always a bit mean, but to snap at his clanmates… and to attack an apprentice?” KnowingPaw became increasingly more agitated in his voice as he spoke.

“Oh well… I suppose it’s in StarClan’s paws now.” MushroomPaw sighed.  Which probably means things will get worse. KnowingPaw thought to himself. It was starting to get dark, so they made their way to the apprentice den, stopping face-to-face with ThornPaw, who was sitting in the entrance.

“Something very interesting must’ve been goin’ on in that den.” ThornPaw started. KnowingPaw stared at him, trying to hide his worry. “Got anything to say?” ThornPaw prompted, bored.

“Oh, I have a few things to say!” MushroomPaw declared with sarcastic excitement. “One, you’re nosy. Two, you need to mind your own business. Three, you’re a jerk. Four, you need to stop being a jerk. Five-“

“Go to bed!” ThornPaw’s mentor, SnakeBite, yelled at the apprentices from the other side of the clearing. KnowingPaw rolled his eyes, he was enjoying MushroomPaw calling ThornPaw out.

“Come on, let’s go to sleep.” MushroomPaw told KnowingPaw. They walked into the den, and KnowingPaw sat in his nest.

“Hey, MushroomPaw?” KnowingPaw called out to her, MushroomPaw turned her head in acknowledgement. “It’s a bit cold, could you- do you want to…“ he stammered. MushroomPaw gave him a warm smile and turned to lower herself into the nest beside KnowingPaw. She rested her head on her paws and closed her eyes. You’re so pretty, MushroomPaw. KnowingPaw thought fondly. MushroomPaw must’ve felt his staring, because she opened one eye to look up at him. He felt his pelt grow hot and rested his head down on his paws as well. Despite how rested he looked physically, his mind ran wild with horrible images. He replayed the traumatizing scene of StarPaw’s scarred and bloody face and neck, he watched WaveFlow’s scary burst of strength as he attacked CoyoteStar. He felt MushroomPaw’s flank brush against his and felt oddly at peace. He then began to think only of MushroomPaw. Her soft, curly fur… her graceful movements… KnowingPaw was asleep before he knew it.

“You know, we have separate nests for a reason!” ThornPaw loudly teased, awaking KnowingPaw and MushroomPaw with a start.

“Doesn’t mean we can’t keep each other warm.” MushroomPaw said.

“Yeah! That’s what clanmates are for!” KnowingPaw added as he quickly sat up, trying to hide his embarrassment. “Warmth, comfort…” Love. KnowingPaw finished his statement in his head, finding himself staring at MushroomPaw again.

“You must be really excited to hear what she has to say about that.” ThornPaw commented on KnowingPaw’s staring. KnowingPaw snapped his gaze back on to ThornPaw, then rolled his eyes. “Anyways,” ThornPaw scoffed, “HuntedWhisker seems to be back on his paws, so you might get to finally train on your own again, KnowingPaw.” ThornPaw stared at KnowingPaw, smirking. He knows that’s not what I wanted. KnowingPaw angrily thought. He knows. He knows I like MushroomPaw, and he’s trying to ruin my chances. KnowingPaw continued to ramble in his head. He bit his lip, rage boiling inside him as he thought up a remark. He was just about to spit something out to ThornPaw’s face when he heard his name called.

“KnowingPaw.” He heard HuntedWhisker call out to him. “I know how much you enjoyed training with MushroomPaw, but it’s time for us to get back to your personal training.” KnowingPaw nodded to his mentor, but the look on HuntedWhisker’s face worried him. The look that made him guess this might end up being more than a training session.