The rain had lightened up when Ravenpaw woke. Yawning, he rose from his sleeping position slowly, licking his chest flat. ‘I hope Firepaw and Graypaw got back okay.’ The tom thought fretfully. Last night, his friends had helped him out of ThunderClan territory and toward Barely and his farm.

The young apprentice had to leave his clan because his old mentor had been planning to ‘get rid of him’.  With a sigh, the tom padded toward the abandoned barn where the black and white tom resided. Barking broke the air, the sound startled young Ravenpaw, and he whirled around to see two tied up dogs fox lengths away, he was safe.

“Gave you quite a fright did they?” A voice made Ravenpaw whirl around again to see the large black and white shape of Barley looming over him. “Hello…Hey, you were with Bluestar during the rat attack right?” The tom asked, his tail twitching curiously.

Ravenpaw nodded nervously. “Y…Yes, I was there with Firepaw and Graypaw and…” The tom gulped. “Tigerclaw.”

The black and white tom nodded happily. “Where are they or are you alone?” Barely asked, looking around eagerly for the other ThunderClan cats.

Ravenpaw shook his head sadly. “No, I am here alone, I was wondering if you would let me stay in your barn with you. I mean, there is plenty of prey and I could help get rid of rats. I even caught an adder before…” The tom’s voice faded at the end.

Barley smiled at the small apprentice and nodded. “Caught an adder you say? Well, how could I say no to a snake-killer? Come on…I didn’t catch your name last time we met.” The tom muttered in embarrassment.

“I’m Ravenpaw.” The tom mewed, much more confident now as he padded to join the bigger cat. Barley’s eyes gleamed as he led Ravenpaw proudly to his barn.

Once inside, the smell of hay burned the inside of Ravenpaw’s nose, he would have to get used to it. Prey scent entered his nose, there had to be mice in here!

A mrrow of laughter escaped Barley’s lips. “Go ahead and hunt, I see you are hungry.” Ravenpaw purred gratefully and set off to catch some fresh-kill.

Darkness seeped into the barn as the sun slipped behind the horizon. Ravenpaw collapsed into a pile of hay with a sigh. He had a fully stomach and he was tired from the day’s adventure. “You doing’ okay Ravenpaw?” Barley asked, plopping down next to the former clan apprentice.

Ravenpaw nodded gratefully to Barley, smiling softly. “Thanks a lot for letting me stay.” The tom muttered thankfully.

“No problem, but if you don’t mind me askin’, why did you leave ThunderClan?” The black and white tom asked, giving his tail a flick.

Ravenpaw looked down at his paws, almost too ashamed to answer. “Tigerclaw was planning to kill me.” He mewed bluntly; Ravenpaw decided that would be a good enough answer for Barley.

The tom nodded, licking the apprentice between the ears. “You are safe here with me Ravenpaw.” He muttered, giving another lick.