“Keep your back paws on the ground Rainpaw” Shimmergaze called. “You’re not supposed to be jumping” 

    For the past few sunrises, Shimmergaze and Rainpaw had been working on the same battle move.

    “Try it again,” he instructed. Rainpaw popped up, trying to shift her weight to keep her back paws down. Instead she fell, landing on her belly. Shimmergaze let out a little chuckle.

    “Look at Rainpaw; she’s as clumsy as a newborn kit” laughed Ashpaw. Rainpaw looked at the older apprentice.

    “Ashpaw, don’t torment the new apprentice” His mentor Sparklily replied. Ashpaw rolled his eyes. Rainpaw watched as Sparklily and Ashpaw walked away. 

    “Let's keep working,” Shimmergaze said. Rainpaw nodded. I’ll show Ashpaw. She told herself. 

    Training went on till, Rainpaw’s paws were tried. Finally she and Shimmergaze stalked back into the camp. Nettlepaw sat by the fresh-kill pile. She walked up to him.

    “Hi!” she said excitedly. 

    “Hello”. 

    “Wanna share a toad?” asked Rainpaw. Nettlepaw thought for a moment before nodding. 

    “Okay!” replied Rainpaw, before picking up a toad. She brought it over to Nettlepaw and put it down. 

    She sat next to him. They ate the toad in silence before they finally got up. Ashpaw sat with Lilacpaw.

    “I caught that really big rabbit in the fresh-kill pile, it crossed right over from MeadowClan territory” he said, “Ravenpaw said it was impressive, especially since I’m not a warrior apprentice” 

    Lilacpaw listened intently. I could catch a bigger piece of prey. Rainpaw thought to herself. 

    “I’m gonna go hunting,” she told Nettlepaw.

    “Want me to come with you?” he asked. Rainpaw thought for a moment before shaking her head. I need to do this alone. She trotted out of the camp and through the forest. Her paws shook with anticipation. I’ll show Ashpaw. 

    She walked through the woods till finally she saw a small squirrel on the ground. She got into position and started to slowly creep up to it. The few sunrises of training she had gotten prepared her for this. 

    She got into pouncing distanced and pounced. She landed with the squirrel in between her paws. She smiled at the prey she caught, without help. I did this, by myself. She remembered when she was in the nursery, Ashpaw had complained that he couldn’t catch prey whenever he tried.

    Messenger apprentices tended to have the same training as warrior apprentices. They hunted and went on patrols like normal warriors. The only difference was they also needed to be fast and know quick and safe ways into other territories. 

    Rainpaw buried the squirrel and went looking for some more prey. 

    Crunch. A branch nearby snapped. Rainpaw looked up. Was it prey? Was it a clanmate? Or was it an intruder. 

    She walked in the direction of the sound. Her brain flying with questions? Is it Ebony? She wondered. She walked towards the noise. More pawsteps. They were coming her way. Rainpaw stopped walking. 

    It doesn’t smell like a RippleClan cat. 

    Finally a tall black cat stepped forward. “Hello?” he asked. 

    Rainpaw stared at him “hello” she replied. 

    The tom tipped his head. “Are you a clan cat?”she asked.

    Rainpaw nodded. 

    “I’ve heard you guys don’t like outsiders,” the rogue said. 

    “No, we don’t like intruders,” Rainpaw replied.

    “Am I an intruder?” he asked. Rainpaw nodded.

    “So you don’t like me?” asked the tom. Rainpaw thought.

    “Well, as long as you don’t steal our prey; I guess it's fine,” replied Rainpaw.

    “So we can be friends?” asked the rogue.

    “Sure” replied Rainpaw, “I’m Rainpaw, warrior apprentice of RippleClan.” 

    “I’m Lupine” the calico introduced himself “Son of Ebony” 

    Ebony? Wondered Rainpaw The cat from my dream? She’s real?