The honey-colored apprentice slowly approached the large cream pelt of Berrynose, her ears flattened nervously. “Berrynose? I have to talk to you.” Her voice trembled as the cream warrior turned around to face her, his blue eyes barring into her. She opened her mouth to start what she had practiced over and over again.

“Hey Berrynose!” A voice cut between the two. Honeypaw turned her head to see Birchfall racing toward them. “How about you stop talking to this apprentice and come hunting with me?” He asked rudely, not even looking at Honeypaw.

Berrynose looked between Honeypaw and Birchfall. “I’ll talk to you later Honeypaw, come on Birchfall, the clan has to be fed!” He mewed happily, charging out of camp beside his best friend.

Honeypaw gave a heartbroken sigh and slumped her shoulders. She could feel a pelt rub against hers; Honeypaw turned her head to see Hollypaw. “He isn’t worth it Honeypaw, just give up.” The black she-cat muttered, shaking her head.

The golden brown apprentice tore away from her friend with a hiss. “He is worth it, I just need to find the right time!” The she-cat growled but automatically felt guilty and lowered her hackles. She looked at her friend for an apology.

Hollypaw nodded, this was usual for them. Hollypaw would make a mention of giving up Berrynose, Honeypaw got angry, the two fought for a couple of heartbeats and then made up, it was routine now. “Come on; let’s go catch up to Berrynose and Birchfall.” Hollypaw muttered, her eyes drifting toward the camp entrance.

A purr erupted from Honeypaw’s chest, her ears perking up. “Yay, thank you Hollypaw!” She mewed, dashing for the camp entrance. Hollypaw followed slowly, dragging her paws miserably, what had she done?

Soon after they left camp, the two she-cats could see the pair of toms just ahead. “Hey Birchfall, Berrynose, wait up!” Hollypaw called out, bounding up to them with Honeypaw at her heels.

“What do you want apprentices?” Birchfall growled, obviously irritated as Berrynose mewed in greeting.

Hollypaw shrugged. “Isn’t it obvious mouse-brain? We want to join you guys for hunting, four sets of paws are better then two.” Berrynose nodded in agreement, Birchfall just grunted, his nose twitching with the scent of prey.

The brown warrior dashed after the scent and out of sight of three other cats. “I…I think I smell something, be right back!” Hollypaw lied, dashing into the bushes to her right, leaving Berrynose and Honeypaw alone.

The cream warrior turned to the Honeypaw. “What did you want to say earlier?” He asked, flicking his short tail curiously. The apprentice gulped, not sure of what to say now, her brain running blank.

“Berrynose…I…I love you.” She muttered, her ears burned in embarrassment. This wasn’t what she had practiced! Stupid! Stupid!

Honeypaw gazed up into the tom’s face and was surprised to see a smile. He stood slowly and then plopped right back down next to the honey-colored she-cat, wrapping what little was left of his tail around the apprentice.

“I love you too Honeypaw.” He purred, giving the she-cat a lick between her ears.

Even though neither could hear it, there was a hiss from one side and a purr from the other, Birchfall and Hollypaw had returned.