Brinepaw woke the next morning to the gentle pitter-patter of rain drumming against the roof of the apprentices' den. He rolled onto one shoulder and opened his bronze eyes, blinking to adjust to the light. "It's still raining?" he asked, grumbling sleepily.

          "Of course it's still raining. It's been raining for moons, why should it stop now?"

          The bitter reply came from Bluepaw, the oldest apprentice in the den. He was sitting at the mouth of the den, peering out into camp through olive green eyes. Outside, Brinepaw could see that despite the rain, the sun was shining brightly. The camp looked beautiful and majestic in the wash of sunlit drizzle.

          Brinepaw sat up, "How come you aren't out training?" he questioned, cleaning one paw with his tongue.

          Bluepaw looked at him with an irritated expression, "I was waiting for you, trout-head. Remember? We're supposed to train together today?"

          When Brinepaw's only response was to stare blankly, Bluepaw scoffed and turned around, his tail whisking behind him as he left the den.

          Lazily, Brinepaw hoisted himself up onto his paws and stretched. He didn't feel bothered by the other apprentice's hostility; Bluepaw was always like that. Besides, if he were constantly living in the shadow of Heronstrike and Covestorm, he supposed he'd feel hostile too. It couldn't be easy being the younger brother of the two most prestigious warriors in the clan.

          The camp was beginning to wake up. Bits and pieces of passing conversations wafted into the den, signaling the start of a new day. Brinepaw guessed he couldn't put off his duties any longer.

          He pushed past the tendrils of moss that hung over the entrance to the den, their wetness seeping through his fur as he went. Bluepaw had already trotted off to find Rainflight and Covestorm, so Brinepaw waited patiently for his return. He took the time to observe the work being done around camp. Most everyone was out and about, either getting ready to head out on patrol or chatting over plump morsels of fresh-kill. The soft hum of conversation filled the entire camp.

          Brinepaw was sitting in the sand when Bluepaw appeared again, this time with Covestorm and Rainflight at his side. Covestorm seemed relieved to see his apprentice awake. He smiled, "Good morning, Brinepaw."

          Brinepaw acknowledged the greeting with a half-hearted flick of his tail.

          Rainflight scowled, clearly annoyed by Brinepaw's unenthused attitude.

          "Alright," Covestorm cut the palpable tension with a swift interjection, "We're going to be practicing some fighting techniques today, so we'll be heading to the mossy clearing."

          Bluepaw snorted, eyeing Brinepaw up and down. "At least give me a challenge."

          "Actually," Covestorm narrowed his eyes at the apprentice, "You won't be dueling each other. We're just going to work on some basic moves."

          Beside him, Rainflight blinked in interest, "No no, that's a good idea."

          "What is?"

          "Let's have them battle," Rainflight flicked a dark gray ear, gesturing to the two apprentices.

          Covestorm fell silent for a moment, his dark tabby tail swishing back and forth on the sand. He pretended to think. Then he shrugged, "Okay, if you insist."

          Bluepaw bounced on his toes excitedly as the two warriors turned and led them through camp. The red rocks that served as dens jutted from the beach on either side, their russet surfaces glimmering with moisture. Brinepaw allowed his mind to wander as his paws sunk into the drenched sand beneath him. He wasn't afraid of fighting Bluepaw—the apprentice was no bigger than a pinecone—but he was afraid of further disappointing Covestorm. What would his mentor say if he lost?

          Truthfully, it was more frightening to think about what he wouldn't say. When Covestorm got mad, he would clam up and refuse to speak. That silence was terrifying to Brinepaw because it reminded him of all the things he hated about himself. When there were no words to fill the space, his own consciousness would fill it for him. It was in that silence that all of Brinepaw's darkest thoughts came to life. It was in the blankness of Covestorm's stare that words began appearing. Weak, incompetent, worthless...

          There truly was no middle road. If there was anywhere for him to belong, it had to be here.

          Because, if he didn't belong in TideClan, that meant he was lost. Brinepaw didn't want to be lost.

          Up ahead, patches of spongy grass grew through the coarse layer of sand. The tall figures of trees sprung up into the air, their branches reaching and stretching to touch the sky. Soft-feathered birds fluttered above the treetops, singing back and forth through their tiny beaks, seemingly undisturbed by the shower of rain.

          Brinepaw watched his hickory paws as they pounded on the sand. Then the sand became dirt and the dirt became mud and the mud became a puddle. The group of cats walked right into the puddle, their legs dragging through the water. Bluepaw groaned as he waded along, his face screwed up in disgust. Brinepaw didn't mind, however. The touch of the puddle was cool and refreshing, a good distraction from the business inside his head.

          As they climbed back onto dry land, the rain started to intensify. Brinepaw yipped in surprise, crouching down onto a squishy layer of mud. He squinted through the sheet of pearly moisture, trying to locate the others. He spotted Bluepaw's small figure clambering desperately onto the slick grass. When the tom began to slip, Brinepaw hurried over on unsteady paws and shoved him upwards. Bluepaw let out a grunt as his claws scraped through the slippery soil. Brinepaw gave him another push and at last the blue-gray apprentice flopped onto the bank.

          Covestorm and Rainflight appeared above them, their ears and fur hammered flat against their skin. "Maybe we should turn back?" Covestorm suggested, glancing over at Rainflight's shivering figure. Brinepaw was tempted to voice his agreement, but he waited patiently for the warrior's response.

          "It'll pass." Rainflight meowed unconvincingly.

          "Are you sure?" Covestorm sounded skeptical.

          Rainflight arched his back slightly, growling, "I am your deputy, Covestorm."

          Covestorm bowed his head. "Well," he said, "Let's at least find some shelter while we wait."

          The four cats gathered underneath the broad green leaves of a nearby bush. They huddled together, trembling in the cold. Brinepaw rested his head against the squashy earth, too exhausted to care that dark, stinking mud was pressed against his chin. He examined the forest, watching as huge clouds dropped what seemed like the entire ocean onto the trees. He felt his anxiety returning, but he swallowed his thoughts and embraced the soft swooshing sound of the falling rain.

          After what seemed like moons, the storm began tapering off into mist once more. Rainflight was the first to get up, but not before shooting Covestorm an arrogant look. He scrambled out of the ditch, trotting into the sun as it broke through the rain clouds onto the forest floor. The forest was glowing again.

          Brinepaw followed Rainflight, his tail drooping. Nobody said a word as they pressed on in the direction of the mossy clearing. The ground beneath them was saturated with rainwater, so much so that every time Brinepaw stepped, water squished beneath his paws. He watched as Covestorm strode with his head bent in shame. He wanted to comfort his mentor, but like always, he wasn't sure what to say.

          When at last they arrived, they saw that the clearing was filled with glistening puddles. Bluepaw bounded into the center of the clearing, seemingly rejuvenated by the prospect of battle. "Let's go!" he cried, dropping into a crouch.

          "Wait a minute," Covestorm called from the edge of the space, "Meet with Rainflight first. He'll give you some tips and pointers before we begin."

          Bluepaw frowned, but he obeyed and hurried over to join Rainflight underneath a large elm.

          Brinepaw paused alongside his mentor and sat down. Above him, he could hear a squirrel scrabbling around in the branches of a birch tree. Its tantalizing scent floated down into his nostrils and his mouth began to water. "Can't we hunt instead?" he pleaded to Covestorm.

          "I'm afraid not," his mentor sighed, "I know you don't like fighting, Brinepaw, but it's an important part of a warrior's duty. You're going to have to learn someday."

         Brinepaw shook out his mottled, caramel brown pelt and gave his chest fur a couple of licks. "I understand that," he said.

          Covestorm smiled warmly, "Good. You'll do great. You just have to remember to stay quick and light on your toes. Bluepaw's small and fast, so he's going to try to use that against you. Be prepared."

          "Okay," Brinepaw squared his shoulders and stood up. Truthfully, he wasn't sure he could do that. He was rather big for an apprentice, and his size made him clumsy. He pushed the thought away and hurried to the center of the mossy clearing, splashing through puddles as he went. Bluepaw was already there, sitting calmly with his thin tail curled around his paws.

          The two apprentices lined up across from one another, staring with equal intensity. Brinepaw gulped; Bluepaw's sharp green eyes were burning with ferocity. He was breathing hard. Brinepaw sniffed and tilted his head to one side, analyzing the small tom. Why was he taking this so seriously?

          Rainflight stood at the edge of the trees, his tail lifted in the air. "Keep your claws sheathed," he reminded them, then he brought his tail down in one swift motion, "Begin!"

          Instantly, Bluepaw shot forward with his paws outstretched, grasping for Brinepaw. Brinepaw ducked at the last minute, but Bluepaw's pads graced the top of his head as he whizzed through the air. The apprentice landed smoothly on the muddy soil as Brinepaw turned around to face him. Bluepaw's eyes were a flurry of light emerald and dark jade as he sprinted forward once more. This time, Brinepaw was ready.

          He caught Bluepaw's shoulder with one paw and pushed him backwards. The smaller tom toppled over, crying out in surprise. Brinepaw backpedaled into the line of trees that surrounded the clearing, crouching behind a patch of sharp brambles. When Bluepaw recovered from his fall, he pulled himself back onto his feet and searched around, easily spying Brinepaw's outline in the undergrowth. "Nice try," he said as he stalked forward, his tail twitching in anticipation.

          Brinepaw stood still, fear pulsating through his veins. His bronze eyes widened as Bluepaw grew nearer and his breath tightened. He whimpered, folding onto the ground and pressing his face into the mud. It was cool, and it smelled like the beginnings of newleaf. Fresh life. He sat and waited for the pain.

          "Get up!"

          Brinepaw was jerked back into reality by the sound of Covestorm's voice. He bolted upwards and raced away from the treeline. Almost immediately, the sound of Bluepaw's paws on the forest floor was close behind him. The pounding grew louder, and soon Brinepaw could feel Bluepaw's hot breath on his heels. Each second seemed to expand to become one, long, dreadful minute.

          Finally, Bluepaw was upon him. He barreled into Brinepaw's hind legs, knocking him into the ground. Brinepaw's belly crunched against the forest floor and flecks of mud flew through the air. He gasped as the sharpness of his fall blasted through his body and sucked the air from his lungs.

          Hissing with frustration, Brinepaw turned himself onto his back and delivered a few blows to Bluepaw's face. The apprentice shifted his shoulders and slammed his paws down, pinning Brinepaw to the moist forest floor. Brinepaw heard the mud squish beneath him as he sunk further and further down. He thrashed back and forth helplessly, throwing his hind paws into Bluepaw's abdomen in a pitiful show of resilience.

          It was no use. Bluepaw loomed above him with his white teeth bared. His fur was matted and dirty, soaked thoroughly by the rain. His disheveled pelt was stained brown and black. Only his eyes remained their vibrant green, glowing and shimmering with the thrill of victory.

          "That's enough!" Rainflight shouted, jostling Brinepaw back into the moment. He lay there, stunned, as Bluepaw pulled away and trotted over to join his mentor.

          Covestorm's placid face appeared above him, his fur dripping wet. He blinked his orange eyes, like fireflies flickering on and off in the night. "You did well," he rumbled proudly.

          Brinepaw said nothing.

          His mentor bent down and nudged him to his feet. "Come on," Covestorm mewed, "We need to get back to camp."

          Brinepaw trembled, suddenly remembering how cold he was. "Okay," he agreed quietly, following Covestorm into the trees.

          Rainflight led them back towards TideClan camp, Bluepaw at his side. The two cats held their heads together, murmuring. Brinepaw lowered his head shamefully and walked silently.

          Covestorm poked him with one paw. "Quit moping, Brinepaw," he said, "You fought a good battle, that's all that matters."

          "I ran away and hid in the trees," Brinepaw groaned, remembering how scared he'd been.

          "So what?" Covestorm countered, "Battles are frightening. There's no shame in being afraid. In fact, if you weren't afraid, there'd be something wrong with you."

          Brinepaw shook his head, "No. I shouldn't of been afraid. It wasn't even a real battle."

          His mentor shrugged, "Sure, but sometimes it can feel like a real battle."

          "I can't believe you're related to that fish-face," Brinepaw grumbled.

          "Bluepaw can be a pawful sometimes," Covestorm chuckled, "But he's a good cat at heart."

          Covestorm continued talking, but Brinepaw tuned him out. He gazed out across the land ahead of them, where the trees thinned and the stretch of sand returned. The sun, broken by clouds, cast patches of sparkling gold onto the beach. The salty brine of the sea was carried to his nose on an ocean breeze, and the whispering of faraway waves floated to his ears.

          How could someplace so idyllic and peaceful still feel so strange?

          As he began to walk on the sand, its touch against his paws felt foreign. The squawking of the seagulls overhead sounded far off and out of place. Even the smell and the taste of the air did not seem familiar to him.

          Home, he felt breath on his ear, This is your home.

          Brinepaw watched the sun on the horizon. Far away, the sky was on fire. Beyond the rain and the grayness of the storm, rose and soft tangerine painted the clouds. Beauty so apparent, and yet so out of reach.

          Be patient, the voice murmured, You will see.