Moonlight

Chapter 2

Pebblepaw hurried over to the apprentices' den with his litter mates. It was about time they got to sleep here. Sunpaw's brother - also a new apprentice from a couple of sunrises ago - was waiting inside for them.

"Hey!" Acornpaw mewed. He seemed to be just as excited as they were about being apprenticed.

"Hi!" Pebblepaw greeted him. He padded over to the light brown tabby and sat down beside him, he would make his nest later, when the time came to rest. But at this point, he wasn't sure if sleep would come to him. "What's your favorite training thing?"

Acornpaw thought for a moment, "I think I enjoy hunting training the most," his brown eyes sparkled as if he was remembering a favorite catch of his. "What are you excited for?"

"I think I'm just excited to be getting out of camp!" He purred. Acornpaw's whiskers twitched with amusement and he let out a purr as well. Pebblepaw looked up, his mentor was calling his name and he realized that he must've not been paying attention, because his siblings weren't there.

"Pebblepaw! Pebblepaw, that's the fourth time I've called you, do you want to go exploring without your litter mates?"

"Coming, Mousepelt!" He hurried out with a last glance at Acornpaw, and waved his tail in farewell. Acornpaw did the same. "I'm sorry, I was just-,"

"Just gossiping with Acornpaw? I did the same with the other apprentices when I went from a 'kit to a 'paw," she cuffed him over the ear, "but let's hurry before we get left behind."

Pebblepaw realized that he must've been Mousepelt's first apprentice, she was being so nice. They hurried out to the thorn tunnel at the entrance and quickened their pace until they caught up with Amberstar, Browntail, Brackenheart, and the three apprentices.

"Way to be late Pebblepaw!" Smokepaw teased. Pebblepaw scoffed, flicking his brother's muzzle with his tail. Nettlepaw was sniffing every plant in sight excitement radiated from her. Pebblepaw let himself enjoy the warm newleaf weather.

"Goldpaw," Browntail got her attention. "What can you smell?"

She concentrated, her gold eyes narrowing with the effort. "Mouse... ThunderClan, of course.. and squirrel, but that scent doesn't seem fresh."

"Great job!" Her eyes shown at her mentor's praise. "I'd say a squirrel was here yesterday."

After a long afternoon, the patrol was getting back from learning the territory. Suddenly Pebblepaw didn't think sleep would be hard to come by.

"My paws are dropping off, we've been out so long!" Nettlepaw echoed his thoughts.

"Well," Amberstar replied, "we'll be nearing the camp soon. Make sure to get a good long night's rest so we can do warrior training tomorrow."

Nettlepaw suddenly didn't look tired anymore, and Pebblepaw wondered what he and his mentor would be doing tomorrow. Maybe he could go hunting with Acornpaw.

While they were on the touring of the territory, their mentors had gone over some of the things in the warrior code. Pebblepaw thought he had most of it down already - he would listen to the apprentices talk about it.

Eventually they reached the thorn tunnel and Smokepaw raced ahead, the litter mates quickly following.

Pebblepaw raced to the den, just barely beating his brother. "Acornpaw! The territory is awesome!"

Acornpaw was washing himself when they came in. He looked up and beckoned Pebblepaw to him. "I thought the same thing a couple days ago! It'll be awesome to explore with you," he broke off awkwardly. "Uhm, I thought maybe you would appreciate this," he pointed with his tail to a new nest beside his.