𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗗 𝗦𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗘𝗧

> Three <

Acaciapaw awoke, shaking, before the sun had started rising. It was still gloomy outside; pale shadows had encircled the very corners of the camp. The first shafts of daylight were filling the clearing with a warm glow.

I might as well make myself useful, he told himself, rising to his paws, slipping out and stretching with a wide yawn. A circle of flame was beginning to rise into the sky, banishing the shadows.

Once he was finished stretching, Acaciapaw trotted out of camp and began to sniff around. He caught the scent of moss, warm and musky, and raced over at once, then began to pull the soft stuff from the roots of a tree. "I hope Burnetfire and Hawkfeather like it." The two elders were always fussy about their bedding, prey and even muse bile. Turtleshadow was much more easygoing.

He rolled the large clump into a ball and began to pad back to camp. When he trotted inside, a flicker of ginger caught his eye. It was Cherrydusk, slipping from the warrior's den. Acaciapaw waved his tail in greeting and continued on to the elders' den.

He left the moss just inside the den so it wouldn't get damp with dew, then padded out again. Now the sun had properly risen, which meant starting his day.

I kind of regret going out early now. He stifled a sigh when he spotted Cedarfrost emerging from his den and sitting down beside Cherrydusk. The two warriors exchanged news while Cedarfrost washed the remains of moss from his ginger-and-white pelt.

"Why are you standing there like a moonstruck rabbit?" Snapped the sharp voice of Flashpaw. Acaciapaw turned to see the black apprentice glaring at him grumpily. Applepaw was just behind him, her eyes sympathetic. "Cherrydusk put us both on elder duties today, and we're not allowed to leave camp until we're done."

Acaciapaw nodded. "Oh, okay. I left fresh moss just inside for you. Make sure to wring the moisture out first."

Flashpaw grunted. "I know what to do, mouse-brain," he muttered and stalked away.

Applepaw flashed Acaciapaw a warm look as she passed, and it made him feel tingly inside. But the feeling was instantly crushed by Silverstreak and Canaryflight, who were padding side by side, casting hostile glances towards him. Acaciapaw caught two words: "Acaileaf's son!"

"Acaciapaw!" Cedarfrost yowled, and the young tabby apprentice streaked over to him. "We'll be doing some hunting today."

Great. Acaciapaw could smell rain on the way, and the sky was starting to cloud over. Creeping around in the mud.

"Patchear, Stripeshadow and Hazelthorn will come with us," Cedarfrost went on. "Silverstreak is taking a patrol further up the MurkClan border, so we'll steer closer to SplashClan instead."

Acaciapaw nodded, still not quite pleased with the image of hunting in pounding rain.

Patchear and Stripeshadow emerged from the warrior's den; Hazelthorn was just behind him, her sleek pelt rippling in the wind. No, breeze.

Once the other warriors were ready, Cedarfrost led the way out of camp. "Hazelthorn, could you take us to the Twisted Oak?"

The older warrior nodded, and took the lead, racing ahead. Acaciapaw had to admire her silent confidence. Calm, cool, collected. Just what I want to be.

"All clear!" Hazelthorn skidded to a halt in the Twisted Clearing. Acaciapaw was relieved to see no bloody, limp body lying at the foot of the Oak. Only dry splotches of blood covered the roots.

"See if you can find any prey nearby." Cedarfrost ordered.

Acaciapaw nodded and slid away into the brush circling the Clearing. All he could scent was rain, and the occasional splashes of mud.