[A moon later]

It started out like any other day. Wildflower simply got out of her nest and went to Heather, which resulted in the healer kicking her out of the den. If it was Heather's job to see if she had any problems, she was failing that. The advice of "just take things easy," or "tell me if anything hurts," didn't hold its charm anymore.

     The other healers seemed to have noticed her troubles or saw the faint signs that Wildflower would send out helplessly. They tried to help but with Heather's rank, it was hard for them to speak out against her. River was the only cat that seemed to stand up against the short-tempered she-cat, but even he would retreat like a fleeing mouse in the claws of a predator if Heather turned a glare at him.

     Origanum still went to the lines and waited like any other cat, always starting up a conversation to keep herself busy, remaining oblivious to the silent cloud above her head. Wildflower would always wake up to hear her complain about the lines and how she was just as equal as them, claiming something about her feeling bad about standing on a podium. She might not be the ideal Alpha, but she wasn't strict or harsh towards any particular cat.

     It was Heron that worried Wildflower. How did the silver-furred mother feel about killing off Snow? The mother's yellow eyes flashing with sorrow each time her daughter chased after her brother in a game. Then there was Crow, torn between the love of his daughter and the rules of the society, knowing he'd have to see his own kit struck down. The family sat by each other, watching dully as their kits raced around camp on an adventure. 

     So far, Wildflower knew it would be a good day. That is if she could cover up the several mistakes she made in the past moon.

     At least she was getting better at hiding them. 

     Dandelion, Maple, and Blaze were still as busy as ever. Wildflower was left alone most of the time but it never bothered her. She had her own jobs to tend to and frequently spent time with Storm and the two would spend the rest of the day talking and joking, so she could consider the gray-furred warrior as a friend now. 

     But today, she was distracted and eagerly waited for the sun to set. Today was the day Apple would be joining the Tribe of Shining Suns. This was the day that she was supposed to be happy, run around the camp freely and smile like nothing ever happened.

     But she couldn't help but let her doubt and worry sink in as another day passed with an agonizing pace.

     Wildflower tried to keep her mind off of the disturbing and daunting thoughts. Apple's going to come. Throw on a smile, everyone thinks that I'm perfect, right? 

     "Wildflower!" Maple called, running over towards her without flaws, letting the stab tear away flesh. "Are you excited about tonight?" Her amber eyes were full of delight and enthusiasm, completely untroubled at her young sister's conflict. 

     Forcing a purr out, Wildflower briskly grinned. "I wouldn't forget it! I've been counting down the days!" she answered, lashing her tail playfully. Maple seemed satisfied and to Wildflower's dismay, she brought up another conversation to the dish. 

     "Also, tonight will be your first Assembly!" Maple pointed her striped tail up towards the Alpha's perch. "Maybe you'll get moved up a rank or you can switch your job." At this, Wildflower pricked her ears up. "Or, you'll just stay put."

     That'll be fun, she thought. I didn't get to watch last moon's Assembly which was disappointing on its own, but this time I can watch it. I don't really want to switch my job and I don't think I'm very experienced to challenge anyone for their rank. Wildflower cast a skeptical glance at Blaze, questioning if her brother would step up to the task and fight another beta for their rank. 

     "What about you?" Wildflower asked. "I know you're still on break, but are you going to switch to becoming a full-time warrior until the next time?" 

     "No way, I want to stay a guardian," Maple declared. "Just because I'm working as a warrior until my break's over doesn't mean I want to abandon teaching kits. I'll get to train the next batch of them if Lily ever gives birth along with the others on break. It's a good way to brush up on my skills, too." She extended a paw, stretching out her lean body. The calico let out a long yawn and looked up at the sun. "I wonder if there will be any challenges tonight. You aren't doing any, are you?"

     "No, I'm hanging back," Wildflower said, brushing her tail across the stone ground. "Watching one will be fun; I hope that I get to see a Warrior Challenge tonight. Watching a Hunter Challenge wouldn't hurt, either."

     "I've seen every single kind of challenge," Maple boasted proudly, puffing out her chest. "So I know what to expect if I should challenge any cat."

     "I won't be seeing any Beta's Tryout or Alpha's Trial," Wildflower said. I doubt that any cat around here wants to become a Beta or become the next Alpha. 

     "Never know, I know that Creek seemed to be eyeing Origanum more often, so who knows if he'll challenge her tonight," Maple said.

     Does he know about Cinder? Wildflower narrowed her eyes at the silver tom that was by Blaze. He showed no outside signs of challenging the Alpha. The rest of the Betas looked eager to fight Origanum, but with Creek in the top beta position, their desires were extinguished. I wonder if she'll do the Alpha's Trial. He's walking on thin ice if he does so, and I don't know how merciful she'll be if he fails. He could be executed by her or the entire tribe by failing this.

     "We should do something, you know, sisterly bonding," Maple offered.

     Anything but that, I just want to spend some time alone where I know I can't make a mistake. Wildflower begged but forced a grin on her face. "Sounds great! What do you have planned? Hunting? Taking a stroll?"

     "I was thinking about wrestling." Maple surprised her. "We just need to let Origanum know that we're leaving and then we can wrestle each other like old times."

     "You've grown a lot stronger and being a scouter means I don't fight that often," Wildflower pointed out. "I don't want to have the bitter taste of defeat stain my tongue."

     "Then I guess that means you'll have to beat me," Maple challenged, her eyes glowing with a promise. Wildflower felt her competition spirit stir to life under her fur and flesh. Eagerly, she sunk her claws into the ground.

     "Fine!" Wildflower growled competitively, hiding the laugh in her voice, clashing heads with her older sister. Maple grinned, revealing her sharp teeth that gleamed in the sun. "I won't surrender!"

     "I won't lose!" Maple countered, her fiery aura blasting out like a volcano. A grin cracked on her face like splitting ice. 

     Wildflower used her skills that she believed worked to absorb the energy and spirit and let it make her even stronger, giving her something to look forward to. Seeing Maple's defeated face after she seemed fired up about battling. The scouter held her tongue as the guardian skipped away to inform Origanum.

     Don't worry Maple, I'm not going to give in. It'll be a battle to die for.

~~~oOo~~~
[Timeskip to dusk]

     "You ready?" Maple said, flexing herself. "I'm not going to go easy on you, even if you are my little sister."

     "You better not go easy on me," Wildflower countered fiercely, lowering her stomach to the ground, underbelly grazing the spiky grass. 

     "Remember, do not unleash your claws," Maple instructed. Wildflower nodded and the two cats sprang at each other.

     Wildflower ducked under Maple's blow, slipping under her underbelly. The calico tried to sit on her, but she managed to swipe her paw around her back leg and yank it, causing her to tumble over to the left. She recovered, her right paw bashing the scouter against the pelt. Whirling around she smashed her head against her sister's and tried to shove her to the ground.

     Maple kicked out, knocking Wildflower's back legs out like they were weak trees. Crashed onto the ground, the calico sprang, pushing her paws on her shoulder blades. Growling on the ground, the golden she-cat lifted herself up by the back legs first and then jerked her head up, sending the guardian back.

     The sisters locked shoulders, trying to toss the other one across the forest first. Wildflower would manage to land attacks on Maple often, but they weren't as powerful. Meanwhile, her older sister was able to strike her in areas that she left unguarded. The guardian sneered, tripping her little sister.

     Wildflower's front legs gave out, but she whirled her head around and collided her right leg with Maple's front paw. As her sister jumped, she spun and lunged, front paws locking onto her shoulders. Using her strength, she dragged her withering sister across the ground as they skidded to a halt. 

     Maple mustered up enough strength to lift her back legs up and push upward. Wildflower's body arched as she pushed harder, forcing her to let go. The yellow she-cat let go and her sister tumbled away. The guardian got back on her feet and sprang, crashing into her as she was distracted. They tumbled around the forest and then landed in the middle of the trail with her older sister pinning her on her back.

     The struggled for the next move. Maple managed to grab the striped tail in her jaws and push her legs down on her sister's underbelly. Wildflower had her front paws wrapped around her neck and her back legs were pushing against the guardian's stomach, waiting for her to cry out. Stuck together as they waited for the other one to make the next move, they communicated with each other through competitive looks in their eyes. 

     "Excuse me? Is this something I'm supposed to handle?" A voice asked, clearly confused. Through the layers of scowling and embarrassment, Wildflower could detect the faint pitch of joy. Her heart fluttered like a bird soaring into the bright sky. Maple squirmed, trying to break free from their wrestle. "Honestly, you should know I don't have any time for your foolishness."

     Without moving her head, Wildflower saw a tan tom standing on the trail, a rabbit dangling in his jaws. Maple had stopped fighting as well and grinned, digging her teeth into her sister's tail deeper. The setting sun made it hard to look at him but she recognized his scent.

     "Apple!" She cheered happily, still not letting go of Maple. Her brother stood there, taller than the last time she saw him. He seemed to get broader around the shoulders and his body wasn't as large, looking slimmer and skinner. The warm, tan fur still suited him, but now she noticed flecks of brown fur dotting pelt that looked like mud. Nevertheless, Wildflower couldn't contain her thrill at the sight of her little brother. 

     Maple spat out Wildflower's tail. "Apple! You're here!" Apple eyed her as if she was an enemy. Wildflower grunted as the guardian scrambled over her, reaching her brother before her. "Aww, seems as if you're embarrassed to see me and your sister here."

     "Is this some kind of joke?" he scowled. His eyes landed on Wildflower for an answer. "Come on, tell me the truth. Was this just to embarrass me?!"

     "You haven't changed a bit!" Wildflower examined, ignoring his demand. Apple fumed at both of them. "You're almost there! Come on now!" She said, turning her back and racing towards the mountaintop. Sensing that no cat was following her, she looked behind her left shoulder, to her dismay. 

     Not now! She hissed, quickly looking over her right shoulder instead, hoping neither of them noticed it. 

     Luckily, Maple and Apple were still staring at each other to notice her mistake. "Explain sisters, what's going on," the tom repeated, annoyed.

     "Gesh, why are you so stressed out?" Maple complained, nudging him in the shoulder. Apple recoiled from her touch, flattening his ears at her. "It's called having a good time. You should try it soon." 

     Wildflower snickered. "You haven't changed a bit, does this mean I'm better at everything than you now?" That pushed his buttons and the tom sprang, dropping the prey at Maple's paws. Wildflower watched happily as he was able to glide easily over the distance. He landed right in front of her, collected himself, and gave her a cuff in the ear. She ducked under the attack and tripped him in the front paws once again, just for old time's sake.

     But he caught himself in the nick of time. "Citrus!" he growled, scrambling back up. "I don't have time for jokes. I still have to pass the test, so move." Apple had gotten a lot taller, just a few inches above her now, making her feel a little sad that she couldn't look down at him anymore.

     "Is that how you greet us now? By the way, I'm not Citrus anymore," Wildflower said, purring. "I'm Wildflower."

     "Citrus, Wildflower - whatever! Just let me leave already!"

     "Apple, relax," Maple said, walking up to him. "No cat is going to run off. We can go to the tribe together." The sound of paw steps caught their attention. Wildflower shifted her gaze towards the setting sun, a familiar stone-gray tom standing in the burnt sunset.

     "Ripple?" Wildflower asked, stepping closer to the guardian. His eyes were full of pride. "So, how'd he do?"

     "This is not for you to interfere!" Apple hissed.

     "Had to deal with this hothead," Ripple joked. Apple flattened his ears against his in annoyance. "Otherwise, he did fine. Come on, you better get over there now."

     "That was what I was trying to do at the start!" Apple protested. Wildflower let out a laugh, while her sister headed off. The scouter followed the two guardians towards the mountain, the shadow of the grand place casting away imperfections. 

     She felt her stomach twist as she set foot on the trail, trying to keep herself focused on her brother. Now Apple's joining. You can't make mistakes now, especially with him around. He'll hang that over my head for the longest time. Wildflower ran into the entrance of the camp, instantly finding Dandelion in the mix.

     Time to be perfect.