"Wake up! It's nearly dawn! You don't wanna be late for training!"

Thornpaw opened his amber eyes, glaring at Frondpaw who was right beside his nest. "I know, Frondpaw. Can you just shut up," he grumbled, pushing himself up into a sitting position.

"Good morning," Lostpaw padded over to his brothers with his three paws. "I'm excited for training today."

"Me too! I hope to practice my pounce." Frondpaw mewed, getting into a crouch position and wiggling his haunches. Thornpaw rolled his eyes before standing up. "Where're you going?" Frondpaw asked, now looking at his older brother.

Thornpaw yawned, switching his gaze from the fresh-kill pile to his brothers. "I'm just hungry. Is that a problem?"

"Who made dirt in your nest?" Frondpaw narrowed his eyes, walking over to Lostpaw, who shook his head annoyedly.

The brown tabby tom sighed, "Sorry, I'm still not used to waking up early." Thornpaw started to walk towards the entrance of the apprentice den which led into camp. "Are you coming?"

Lostpaw looked at Frondpaw. "Sure. We're hungry as well, and we still have enough time to get breakfast."

Thornpaw swiftly exited; the sun's warm rays flashed upon his pelt. Searching the fresh-kill pile, Thornpaw found the perfect meal. Pulling the plump lizard closer to him - about to take a bite - a white paw pulled it away. The tabby glared upwards, seeing his mentor. "I was going to eat that. Can you give it back to me?"

Snowleap looked at him before whispering, "It's time for training. I expect you to know where most of our territory landmarks are by now. You will give me a tour, and then you can eat breakfast."

Why do we always have to look at the territory? Lostpaw hasn't even really seen the territory yet, but I have, and still I need to do this. Lost in his thoughts, he hadn't noticed his mentor disappearing through the camp entrance. He quickly darted out of camp, not wanting to be left behind.

The small white tom sighed, his yellow gaze fixed on the ground. "Well, it's time for you to show me around."

Thornpaw flicked an ear, gazing at his surroundings. He had been an apprentice for five sunrises and was still not used to how foggy MistClan's territory could be in the morning. "Alright," he started, pondering on where he'd show first. "We'll head in the direction of the sun." Turning left, he was surprised that the sun's rays hadn't managed to break through the mist amongst the trees, yet they were able to warm his pelt in camp.

As he headed for the dull light source, he ended up having a small change of plans. He decided to turn to the left again and continue walking forward. Now that he and Snowleap had passed their Clan's camp and continued padding through the pine trees, Thornpaw noticed a figure in the distance. Upon arrival, he made sure to stay five fox-lengths away.

"This is the abandoned Twoleg den. Nobody is allowed to go into it because it could fall down and kill us. And way behind there is Twolegplace itself." Thornpaw removed his eyes from the rusted, old-looking structure and looked at his mentor, who gave an approving nod. Now turning to the right - going his original path - he made sure to watch where he was treading carefully.

He couldn't scent MistClan's camp anymore, so he knew that he was in the right location. "Right here is Pine Cone Slope. We have to be careful because if we fall down it, chances are we could get covered in the sap that the pine cones emit."

Thornpaw turned to the right, whiskers twitching. The next place he would show was the border between MistClan and an unknown area of land. For a bit, Thornpaw lead Snowleap towards the boundary.

He could hear a rumbling sound, so he knew they were close. A black line was now visible, and Thornpaw's paws tingled in apprehension. Upon arrival, he made sure to stay a few fox-lengths away. "That is the thunderpath. Monsters travel on it, and they can kill cats."

"And the thunderpath also separates our territory from whatever lies across it." I know that already. "We shouldn't ever cross it," Snowleap announced, looking at his apprentice. "You can carry on now." Thornpaw nodded, turning away from the thunderpath and back towards the pine forest.

Thornpaw made sure to tread carefully while searching for the next spot. He grinned when he saw a cat-sized hole in the ground which seemed to lead on forever. "This is the entrance to one of the tunnels in our territory. A cat can fit in it, but it is advised to not explore them."

Not waiting for a response, Thornpaw padded around it and continued in pursuit of the next landmark. This one he was particularly looking forward to.

For a while, Thornpaw thought his paws would fall off by how much he was walking. However, when he could sense running water nearby, he quickened his pace. Once they arrived, he gazed into the sparkling water from the river. "This is the river. Its stream is usually calm, but sometimes will quicken in pace."

Snowleap nodded, "And the river is a place where many cats find comfort." The white tom gazed at his apprentice. "You've shown me everyplace. I think you know the territory well."

Thornpaw smirked in pride, before feeling the pains of hunger. "Can we go back to camp now?" We better, because I showed the territory.

His mentor nodded, "Mhm, and I assume you know the way back now?" Snowleap scanned the landscape around him. "I want you to lead the way, but only stick to the path that I showed you."

"Okay, I will." Thornpaw's amber eyes narrowed, and he started to walk back to MistClan's camp. As he gazed at his surroundings, he noticed that the mist that once surrounded him had nearly all drifted away.

Scenting the air, he made sure that he was going the right direction. Almost instantly, Thornpaw and Snowleap were at the camp entrance. As he walked into camp, he had to shuffle out of the way since patrols were just starting to go out. He didn't see his brothers leave camp, so he assumed that they were assigned to duties in camp.

He looked behind him, but didn't see his mentor enter camp. He shrugged and walked over to the fresh-kill pile. Searching the prey pile, his eyes lightened when he saw the lizard that he wanted to eat earlier still waiting for him. He pulled it closer to him, and when he was about to take a bite, a paw snatched it away.

"Frondpaw! I was going to eat that! Give it back," Thornpaw hissed, standing up. So, I come back to camp, only for him to steal my food? That isn't happening today.

Frondpaw looked down at the lizard before switching his green gaze to Thornpaw. "I'm hungry, so I think I'll eat this." Frondpaw smiled, looking as if he were about to burst into laughter.

"Oh really?" Thornpaw stepped closer to Frondpaw, "Last time I checked, I was the one who grabbed the lizard." Thornpaw grabbed his still-warm prey from in between Frondpaw's paws.

The gray tom rolled his eyes, "Alright, alright, you win. You get to have the lizard. I'll just be on my way now."

Thornpaw watched as his brother disappeared into the nursery. With no hesitation, he took a bite from the plump lizard. While chewing, his gaze wandered to the fallen tree inside camp. The dead, burned pine tree was a barrier that protected the elders from the cold. He swallowed and looked back at his lizard - only, it wasn't there.

He blinked in confusion and stood up. His amber eyes wandered over to Frondpaw, who was munching on his fresh-kill. Thornpaw - fur bristling with a hard glare - strutted over to his younger brother.

Frondpaw smiled up at Thornpaw. "What's wrong? Are you looking for something?"

Thornpaw once again grabbed the lizard, and held it under his right paw. "If you're so hungry, get your own food, you fat lump of fur." He stalked away with the prey in his mouth, but didn't feel any contentment when he looked back and saw Frondpaw - now with Poppykit - laughing. Next time he messes with me I swear I'll tear his pelt out.

This time, he made sure to keep his eyes on his lizard as he finished eating it. He licked his lips and stood up. Did Snowleap ever come back to camp? Are we going to go out again today? Thornpaw gazed around camp, trying to see if he could find his mentor. His eyes narrowed with purpose when he saw the small white tom exit the medicine den. Good, maybe we'll train now.

Thornpaw padded over to his mentor. "Are we going to train," the dark brown tabby tom asked. He looked at the Clan camp; cats starting to enter once more. Snowleap nodded, and whisked his tail towards the direction of MistClan's exit. 

The fog which was once surrounding the pine forest was all gone, and Thornpaw could feel the heat emitted from the warm leaf-fall sun. 

"So, what are you going to teach me now?" Thornpaw mewed, looking at his mentor.

"Actually," Snowleap murmured, "first I want to show you a place I haven't brought you yet." Thornpaw blinked, confused. The white tom noticed Thornpaw's confusion. "Follow me and I'll show you." After walking three tree-lengths from camp, Snowleap stopped at an area which didn't have a lot of trees. "This is called the training hollow because it is a good spot for apprentices to train at." 

The white tom closed his yellow eyes as if in pain, but quickly shook it off. "It is also the spot where, you know, the dog..." Snowleap trailed off. "Where the dog attack happened." 

So that's where Lostpaw lost his leg, and where my father died. Thornpaw looked down at his paws. He missed his father, though he never really had shown it. "Oh, I didn't know that." The brown tabby felt uncomfortable and wanted to change the subject. "Am I going to train here?"

His mentor nodded, and led him through the clump of bracken which brought the clearing's entrance. "Today I'll teach you some fighting moves. We've only been focusing on hunting, so it'll be good practice to learn how to win against an opponent." 

Thornpaw grinned, Finally! I've been waiting for this day ever since I was a kit. "What fighting technique will I be learning first?"

Snowleap looked at him for a long moment. "You are a big, strong cat, and I'm sure you already know how to bite and scratch things." Snowleap paused, starting to walk around Thornpaw. "Do you know where the best part to attack is?"

Thornpaw thought for a moment. "The throat?" Thornpaw sat down, flicking his tail.

"We aren't trying to kill our enemies. That is against the warrior code, and the Clan values the warrior code over all else but StarClan. You only would do that if you are going to be killed by your opponent and enjoy your life." Snowleap stopped in front of Thornpaw. "You should go for the eyes or the stomach."

Thornpaw narrowed his amber eyes. Snowleap had a huge scar on his stomach, and a scar over his right eye - definitely from a cat. "Like what happened to you? Who gave you those scars?"

The small white tom stiffened and shook his head. "That doesn't matter. Don't interrupt me," Snowleap hissed, glaring bitterly at the ground.

"I was just asking. I thought a warrior would be proud of their battle scars." Thornpaw flicked his ear. I wish I had battle scars. I wish I could fight in a battle and protect my Clan.

"They weren't from a battle..." If Snowleap had spoken any quieter, Thornpaw wouldn't have heard him at all. 

Thornpaw blinked, now very confused. But they look like they were from cat claws, and the only way to receive them are from a battle against rogues or kittypets. How aren't they? "Then, how did you get them? They were from cats, right?"

Snowleap's pelt was standing on end. "Yes, I mean, it wasn't, but they-" Snowleap's claws unsheathed as he got in Thornpaw's face. "Don't ever ask about these again, because you are putting me in danger, and I actually value my life. Do you understand?!"

Thornpaw swallowed, afraid of what would happen if he would dare to ask once more. "Yes, I'm sorry, I won't ask again." Thornpaw looked to the right when he heard the snap of small bones. Gorserunner, who was on a hunting patrol headed towards the training hollow, had just caught a mouse.

"It's time to go." Snowleap whispered to his apprentice, starting to creep out of the clearing.

Thornpaw followed him, and together they passed the hunting party. Why do we have to act like trespassers on our own territory? And why is Snowleap getting so defensive? Why would he be in danger if he tells me why he has those wounds? How is it such a big deal? My mentor is strange, and I don't like it. 

Shortly after, Thornpaw and Snowleap reached camp. His mentor slid into the entrance, Thornpaw doing the same. He watched as his mentor disappeared into the medicine den for the second time. He then noticed that Lostpaw - on his three legs - trotted up to greet him.

"I haven't seen you since morning! How did training go?" Lostpaw gazed up excitedly at his older brother.

"It went alright, I guess. I just gave a tour of the territory," Thornpaw murmured, looking down at his younger brother. His eyes fell on the huge spot with no fur on Lostpaw's back. I can't believe that he already has scars.

"Is something wrong? You seem a bit off." 

It's always like him to check up on Frondpaw and I. And why wouldn't I be fine? "Yeah, of course I'm doing well. I'm just thinking, that's all."

Lostpaw's icy-blue eyes lit up. "What are you thinking about?"

Thornpaw rolled his eyes, "None of your business. How about you go do something?"

The smaller dark brown tabby tom sighed. "Frondpaw messed with you again, didn't he? I'll go have a word with him." Lostpaw hobbled away and towards the nursery.

Thornpaw started to walk towards the apprentice's den. He knew that Snowleap probably wouldn't bring him out again, even though it was only sunhigh. He stopped when he saw cats gather around Kestrelfall, Minnowflight, and Poppykit, who were in the middle of camp. The tabby realized that they were handing out more hunting patrols to keep the fresh-kill pile large. It was only leaf-fall, but Thornpaw had heard that leaf-bares came fast, were long, and very cold.

He watched enviously as cats dipped their heads to the royal family before the chosen ones exited camp. I wish I could hand out patrols, and for my Clanmates to respect me like that. Maybe Frondpaw would leave me alone for once - and Poppykit. She isn't any better.

He turned around, before something hard thudded against his right hind leg.

"So, that's what I have to do for you to notice me? Hey, just because you're an apprentice doesn't mean you can abandon the nursery. I think you forgot about Amberkit, Wrenkit, Poppykit, and I. We still exist, if you didn't already know."

Onekit spoke fast and angrily. Thornpaw looked down at the kit who was only three moons old. "I was going to visit soon," he lied. He hadn't taken a step in the nursery ever since he became an apprentice. He had the time to do so, but he didn't want to still seem like a helpless kit.

"Lies, lies, lies! You had five sunrises to do so, but you hadn't." The white tom held his head up and closed his eyes.

"Onekit-"

"Nope, don't talk to me! You think you're too good for us kits, that's what. I'll show you that I'm way better than you one day, mark my word. Huh, I already am." The tom opened his blue eyes and trotted back towards the nursery.

He's an arrogant little tom, that's what he is. Stupid kit... Thornpaw grumbled, now padding into the apprentice den. As he sat in his nest, a thought dawned on him. He'd get some rest now so that he could watch the stars later on. He yawned and laid in his nest. If I wake up to Frondpaw then Lostpaw better hold me back.

. . . . . 

Thornpaw sat at the edge of his nest, watching as his brothers slept. He quietly got up and walked out of the apprentice den. He sat by the entrance and gazed up at the stars. Is StarClan  really up there? Is Eaglefeather with them? Will I go there someday?

He kept his amber gaze on the bright stars. If StarClan exists then it must be beautiful, like the river. He sighed, starting to smile. And one day, maybe I'll be the best warrior of MistClan. And, maybe, I'll be king. I might even gain battle scars. That's something to look forward to, and something I'll be ready for. 

He blinked contently, though unbeknownst of what would truly happen in the future.

I really liked this chapter. I had some trouble writing it at first, but everything clicked after starting a new method. If you are having trouble writing, I recommend the Pomodoro Technique. You write for 25 minutes away from any distractions. If you want to take a note, write it on pen and paper. You then take a 5 minute break. After that break, you write for 20 more minutes. It really helps with production, and keeps you focused.  

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! If you don't mind, could you answer these two questions?

1. Who is your favorite character so far?

2. Who do you want to see more of?