The next morning Lilypaw woke to find Brackentail prodding her side. For a moment she was confused to why he would be in the nursery but then she suddenly remembered that she no longer slept there. She was an apprentice now and her new nest was made with freshly dried moss all for herself.

"Lilypaw," Brackentail was halfway inside the apprentices' den. "Do you want to go on a border patrol?"

Lilypaw widened her eyes in excitement. "Yes!" She shot out of the nest and trotted beside Brackentail who led them across camp, "What about Shimmerpaw and Stormpaw? Do they get to come?"

"They'll get to patrol soon enough. I thought it would be good for you to get out in the territory with some of your other Clanmates."

"Oh, okay." Lilypaw followed Brackentail till they reached the fresh-kill pile.

"You should eat something before we go. It will be a longer travel than just going to the lake and back."

Doing as her mentor asked, Lilypaw gulped down a small shrew. In a few swift bites the tiny creature was consumed and the brown marbled apprentice padded to where Brackentail waited at the bramble entrance of the camp.

Brackentail was not alone though. Next to him stood a silvery she-cat named Dapplecloud. Tanglelclaw also waited with his apprentice Birchpaw.

Lilypaw raced up to them and stood near her mentor who looked down at her before turning to the rest of the gathered patrol.

"Let's get going. Dawn will break soon." Tangleclaw, a senior warrior with semi long brown-black tabby fur spoke with authority.

Brackentail motioned for Lilypaw to follow him.

The patrol marched through and past the thorny bramble barrier. The five cats trekked through the darkened forest. Being in ThunderClan territory during the day wasn't too bad but trotting through the undergrowth before the sun rose was different. Everything was darker and full of twisted shadows which seemed to claw at her paws.

"We are heading to the border with WindClan,"

Even since ThunderClan had gone to battle with WindClan a few moons ago, the rabbit-chasers on the moorland were still stealing prey. Their scent had been detected multiple times just over the border but also deeper inside ThunderClan territory.

"Make sure you stay alert and ready," Brackentail's warning didn't go unacknowledged.

As the patrol made it's way deeper into the forest, dawn light started to filter through the gaps in the treetops. The growing brightness eased some of the tension in Lilypaw's shoulders.

She padded quietly at Brackentail's flank. Tangleclaw was in the lead with Birchpaw right behind him, and Dapplecloud bringing up the rear.

Suddenly, Tangleclaw motioned for the patrol to halt. Lilypaw perked her ears and kept her senses alert. Brackentail turned to glance at his apprentice, "Can you smell anything unusual?"

Lilypaw's nose crinkled up as a strange odor wafted through her nostrils. The stench was so unlike anything she had scented in ThunderClan territory. "Is that WindClan scent?"

"Yes," Her mentor confirmed. "The border is just ahead. So far, there's no trace of them inside our forest."

The patrol moved forward again. Lilypaw kept near Brackentail. Her whiskers quivered with anticipation. What if we meet a WindClan patrol? Do we fight them? I don't know any battle moves!

Tangleclaw suddenly motioned for the patrol to halt with a flick of his tail. The gesture was silent but made every cat tense. Lilypaw's fur fluffed with wariness as she glanced around. A rustling to the left made the apprentice snap her head in that direction. The entire patrol stood still as a cat shuffled through the undergrowth.

"What are you doing here Longpath?" Dapplecloud accused with a forceful glare.

"Hunting Dapplecloud," The thin tabby tom responded. Lilypaw thought it was strange how calm the WindClan warrior seemed. "I chased a rabbit through here. Have you seen it?"

"You are hunting on our lands. Get off our territory!" Dapplecloud's tone was livid. Lilypaw didn't know what the silver she-cat would do. It seemed like she was ready to launch herself at the WindClan intruder.

"Last I remember, WindClan won the battle here. That means this is our territory now." Longpath stood tall with his chin raised in defiance.

"This has always been ThunderClan hunting grounds. You pesky WindClan flea-pelts are nothing better than rogues!" The silver ThunderClan warrior crouched, ready to spring.

"Easy, Dapplecloud," Tangleclaw rested his tail over the silvery she-cat's flank. "This isn't a time for a fight. Longpath is clearly outnumbered." Turning to the WindClan warrior who still stood his ground, Tangleclaw addressed the issue, "Longpath, you must return to your own territory. If Tornstar thinks this is his land now, he is wrong. ThunderClan will defend this territory with our lives! Next time we catch you here, words will not be used."

A huffing noise was the only response from Longpath but he turned tail and stalked back through the brush towards the border.

Back at the camp, Tangleclaw informed Silverstar and Timberfall of the issues with Longpath. Lilypaw stood far enough away that she was respectful but still close enough to still angle her ears at the conversation.

"Let's up the patrols along the border even more. I want those WindClan warriors to know that we don't give up our territory so easily." Silverstar stated.

"I'll make sure to send extra cats with the patrols, just in case."

Silverstar nodded at her deputy's suggestion. "Good idea Timberfall."

"Why don't you grab some prey? I'm sure you tired after that patrol."

Brackentail's voice startled Lilypaw. "Oh, yeah, thanks." She raised herself to her paws and padded over to the fresh-kill pile. It seemed so long ago since she ate last. Her stomach rumbled and she chose a mouse.

"You did very well today considering the WindClan intruder. I'm very impressed." Lilypaw didn't realize her mentor had followed her. "I'll be sure to tell Silverstar how much you have progressed so far."

As Brackentail turned away, Lilypaw was suddenly too excited to eat. Her belly did flips of delight. I'm going to do even better! Brackentail will think I'm the best apprentice!

"Hey Lilypaw!" Birchpaw approached the light brown tabby she-cat with eagerness. "What did you think of your first patrol?"

Birchpaw was a darker ginger-brown tabby tom with sandy orange eyes. He was about four moons older than Lilypaw and her littermates. His size was intimidating as he sat beside her with his own prey.

"I thought it was cool! I loved seeing the forest. Its so much bigger than I thought!"

"I know! Sometimes I still get lost in the maze of trees," Birchpaw purred at himself. "You'll love going to the island for gatherings too. It's a long travel there!"

"Really? How far?"

"Probably three times traveling to the lake."

"Wow, I hope I can go next time."

"I'm sure Silverstar will let you go next moon."

Lilypawbit into her mouse and ate beside Birchpaw who hungrily chomped on his ownbird. As she swallowed, Lilypaw spottedHollypaw and Robinpaw across the clearing. They were sharing a large vole. Lilypaw couldn't help but notice how Hollypaw held a scornful look onher features as she watched Lilypaw and Birchpaw. Does she not like me talking to Birchpaw?