Ebonypaw's eyes narrowed slightly, the hole conversation she had with Russetwind and Shadowhunter, Russetwind stared at Shadowhunter. Ebonypaw wasn't confused by it, a kit could know the two were "close", if you call one tom stalking the other close.

Ebonypaw shook the thought away, they had to speak to Icestar before sunhigh about the journey so they could get on their way. Shadowhunter was on one side of Ebonypaw, Russetwind on the other.

"Honestly, Shadowhunter, you gotta stop moving away from me." Russetwind purred to the dark feline.

"I'd rather be in the Dark Forest then walk beside you." Shadowhunter growled, eyeing the dark ginger tom. Russetwind shrugged and quickened his pace.

"Icestar will be pleased that you three want to go," Ebonypaw stopped, hearing the calm voice of Lightriver, Ebonypaw smiled at her mother, dipping her black-and-white head.

"I'm pleased my mother and sisters are safe," Ebonypaw's ears perked, looking over at her two young sisters - Ryekit and Brindlekit - both stumbling over on their tiny paws.

"Ebonypaw! Ebonypaw!" Brindlekit squealed, running around Ebonypaw's white-toed paws. Ryekit stood behind Brindlekit, waving her tail in greeting.

"Brindlekit, Ryekit, I've heard you two should be apprentices soon," Ebonypaw purred, touching noses with the speckled nosed Brindlekit.

"Yes, yes! In just two more moons!" Brindlekit purred, standing up on her hindlegs to look bigger. Ryekit rolled her eyes, and stood on her hindlegs beside her sister.

"I'll be the best fighter in the lake," Ryekit stated, staring up at Ebonypaw, "All you do is hunt and practice fighting, you're lame at both."

"Ryekit, back to the nursery, you can't see Ebonypaw's flowers either." Lightriver nudged the small patched she towards the bramble den.

"But I love Ebonypaw's flowers!" Ryekit whined, Brindlekit mrrwed with laughter, shaking her head.

"You're in trouble, Ryekit!" Ebonypaw purred, looking at Brindlekit.