AQUAPAW'S P.O.V.

Aquapaw buried her nose beneath her paws, prodding her mouse around in pure boredom. She had absolutely no appetite, and it was one moon since she met Sunpaw. Since then, he had been all flirtatious around her, and she hated it. Couldn't they just be friends? I wish I can change that day when we were lying together in the medicine cat den, she thought wryly, giving the mouse another unappetizing shove before gently picking up the prey.

Perhaps one of the queens would care for it. As she ducked inside the nursery, though, Sunpaw was there, chatting with Jaykit. "My apprentice ceremony will be here soon!" he boasted excitedly. "Yes," Sunpaw purred. "Then I'll be as awesome as Aquapaw, and we can train side by side!" her brother continued. "She is quite strong," Ivyblaze agreed, smiling warmly at Aquapaw, who was fuming silently.  She fumbled for words, glaring at him. "What? Your siblings are asking me about being an apprentice," he confirmed.

"We all know that isn't part of the whole truth." She surveyed the closed-in area. "Witnesses, am I correct?" A murmur of apologetic agreements was contagious among them. "Aquapaw!" Skykit suddenly shot to her, her tail flicking in pure excitement. "You promised you would teach me some moves today! Please?" she begged, widening her eyes to make her look cuter as she stared at her sister. Despite herself, she purred in amusement. "Yes, Skykit. How can I ever say no to that face?" she giggled, padding outside.

Sunpaw settled himself besides them, eyes glittering in delight. "Aqua, are you gonna become mates with Sunpaw?" "That won't be necessary," Aquapaw answered quickly, blushing at Skykit's teasing but curious face. "Hollypaw!" she called, straining her head and craning her neck to the new apprentice. The black she-cat froze, full attention on the silver she-cat. "Can you bring me a leaf? I don't think I'm as tall as you," she meowed politely.

"Of course!" Hollypaw dipped her head, raising a paw in salute before nipping a leaf off its branches and trotting over. "Have fun!" she called before disappearing outside of camp. Aquapaw then directed her attention to her sister. "Okay, see this leaf? This will serve the purpose of-" A yowl sounded, and a wounded Leafstar tumbled out of her den as the ground shook. Stormheart rushed over, but was knocked over as well.

An ashy gray mass was churning its way...

Straight.

Towards.

Aquapaw.