𝙄𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙜𝙤𝙥𝙖𝙬'𝙨𝙛𝙪𝙧𝙧𝙪𝙛𝙛𝙡𝙚𝙙𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙡𝙮𝙖𝙨𝙖breeze trickled through. The sun sifted through the bare branches overhead, casting shadows along the snowy forest floor. Thankfully, it hadn't snowed for several sunrises. The last thing GroveClan needed was to worry about heavy snowfall and high winds. The Clan seemed much more somber since Thrushsong's death.
Indigopaw trailed after Lionmane and Flutterstorm. Dapplefall and Hazelflower brought up the rear of the hunting patrol. Hazelflower held a small vole between her jaws. Indigopaw proudly carried a mouse. Unfortunately, Lionmane and Dapplefall hadn't caught anything. Flutterstorm moved silently ahead with a puny squirrel between her jaws. Indigopaw was proud to be Flutterstorm's apprentice. Despite the wet leaf litter underneath the melting snow, Flutterstorm could still move as quietly as a striking owl.
As they approached the bramble tunnel, Indigopaw squeezed through behind Lionmane, ignoring the thorns tugging at her pelt. Walking down the slope into the quarry, she noticed Skyrose and Willowpaw chatting beside the apprentices' den on her left. She felt uneasy when she sensed tension cracking around them. Willowpaw's ears were pinned flat against her head.
Indigopaw quickly hurried to the fresh-kill pile, depositing her prey alongside Lionmane and Flutterstorm. At least the Clan could catch more prey since the snow started to melt. It was still leaf-bare, but the sun had shown brightly for multiple days, and the air had the slightest tinge of warmth for a few sunrises. Some senior warriors commented on the sudden warmth, saying it didn't happen often. It seemed like prey had come out of their burrows to enjoy the first hint of newleaf.
Indigopaw noticed that the quarry seemed empty. Her Clanmates were probably enjoying the sunshine. She turned away from the fresh-kill pile when she remembered Willowpaw and Skyrose. Thinking quickly, she stalked towards the apprentices' den. She sat just outside the den, shielded by its walls but still able to pick up their conversation.
"I don't understand, Willowpaw. I was complimenting your catch," Skyrose murmured softly.
"Don't act like you care." Willowpaw's stinging retort caught Indigopaw by surprise. What was her sister talking about?
"Of course I care, Willowpaw. You're becoming a fine young apprentice."
"Yeah, right. I don't want your sympathy and don't need you pretending to care. You've changed ever since Deadfang's exile. Everything you say seems forced."
