A New Form || A Warrior Cat Fanfiction Series \\

|=Chapter 31=|

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          Training. Duties. Training then duties, duties then training. She was starting to get weary, and they knew it. Or so Northpaw thought, walking along silently, following the dawn patrol behind. 

There were a few chatters and meows here and there. Her Clanmates were lively when Junipertail spoke gruffly, "We're starting off to the MandevillaClan border. Be careful of the rocks, though." Tumblewing specifically looked over to the two apprentices in the patrol, Oddpaw and Northpaw.

Oddpaw huffed, murmuring an agreement while Northpaw nodded, her gaze shifting away. She saw a typical ball glow of a reddish hue hiding behind the trees, zooming around while following them. Northpaw looked at the other patrol members, growing slightly anxious about the future.

The light blue she-cat was walking slightly faster than Northpaw, which she knew was Birdfeather. They don't interact much, but they still respect each other, for Northpaw, that is. Timberheart, the brown tom matched his sister's pace, talking in hushed tones as they walked. Cloudpuddle tagged along the border patrol, and her distant gaze was evident. It seemed like she was thinking of something, but Northpaw decided not to pry further. 

The patrol padded along the pine forest, where the sun was usually high in the atmosphere. Maybe she could sneak away again and take time for herself in the hollowed log Dovelake showed her the other day. But she did remember how her littermates were acting as well.

It was slightly awkward when she got paired up with Oddpaw on patrol, even more so with Kestrelpelt. Her mind wandered to a particular story Dovelake had told her as the patrol trekked along the usual path. In the air, she could smell the scents of prey around. The hunting patrol would probably get them soon. 

Northpaw looked back, the red glow still evident in her gaze. Her gaze was tense, and Oddpaw seemed to notice. Quietly, the smoky blue apprentice padded next to her, matching her footsteps with her sister. 

"Thinking of something, sis?" Oddpaw nosed through, looking at Northpaw's face. It made Northpaw slightly surprised as she turned her head to look at Oddpaw, who was relatively close to her snout. "Nope, just zoned out, why?" Oddpaw tilted her head at Northpaw, a bit too close for comfort.

"You're becoming distant from us Northpaw, we're your siblings!" Oddpaw feigned mock offence, intending to cheer her up from whatever was on her mind. But Norhtpaw looked at Oddpaw, a small smile forming on her face as her facial features were relaxed, a bit slightly. "Haha, sorry Oddpaw, didn't mean to do that." Northpaw mustered up a small smile, flicking an ear.

Looking back ahead, the scents of the buzzing rainforest evident in the air, wafting through the patrol's senses. But along with some other scents, probably another border patrol from MandevillaClan. They steadily climbed the small rocky hill, not surprised to see a patrol on their way as well.

It was Northpaw's first time seeing cats from another Clan, observing the approaching patrol, she noticed they were lean and lithe, suitable for the territory they knew by heart. Northpaw counted four cats in MandevillaClan's border patrol. 

Junipertail greeted the opposing felines with a respectful nod, with the mackarel tortoiseshell she-cat returning the greeting. "Hello, Stagshine and Robinheart." Purred Cloudpuddle, her eyes shining with warmth to meet them. "Hi there Cloudpuddle," The light red tom meowed warmly, now known as Robinheart. 

Northpaw noticed there were 2 apprentices in MandevillaClan's border patrol. The fawn-coloured apprentice was awkwardly standing beside her presumably mentor, Robinheart. The other apprentice was a silver-shaded tom, who was not meeting any gazes of any cat.

Timberheart and Birdfeather went ahead to briefly greet the rainforest cats when they renewed the border's scent on the shrubs and plants that crossed the boundary. "I see you brought Archpaw and Fogpaw along but isn't Fogpaw a medicine apprentice?" Junipertail questioned curiously, gazing over Fogpaw's appearance. "He is, but Citrinestep insisted he got a break from trying to remember all of the herbs and their uses for once. He says it would overwhelm him." Stagshine spoke, she seemed mindful.

Junipertail turned his head back to Stagshine, nodding his head thoughtfully. Archpaw looked around, landing her gaze on Oddpaw and Northpaw. Both noticed and gave their own respectful greetings. While the warriors were talking about how things were going, Archpaw started the conversation, "What are your names?" She mewed, making Northpaw flick her ear, and Oddpaw's eyes twinkle with amusement. 

"I'm Oddpaw, and this is my sister, Northpaw!" Oddpaw stated, nudging the tabby she-cat, almost knocking her off of her paws. Oddpaw widened her eyes slightly, realizing in a flash, "I'm sorry Northpaw!" Oddpaw winced, "It's alright, It's okay, Oddpaw." Northpaw quickly regained her footing. 

"A-anyways. . . You're Archpaw, right?" Oddpaw turned to the lithe feline, seeing Archpaw's eyes glimmer with faint emotion. "I am, nice to meet you Oddpaw and Northpaw." Northpaw smiled, nodding her head in acknowledgement while Oddpaw giggled. "Nice to meet you too Archpaw!" The smoky blue apprentice's tail was held up high, clearly delighted to meet another apprentice of another Clan.