Rosepaw told Emberblaze that Silverpaw and her were to be excused from training this morning.

"Well?" asked Silverpaw, clearly curious about what Rosepaw wanted to discuss about.

"Just some catch up time this morning. We haven't shared tongues for so long a war could've gone past and I would've never known," Rosepaw purred jokingly.

Silverpaw relaxed and sighed,

"Everything's fine. I'm just worried about the Bonding Ceremony. I hope I don't get a complete fleapelt for a mate. At least Nettlepond is in good terms with your father."

Rosepaw could feel blood coursing to her ears. She would never let her closest friend from kithood get someone bad for a mate.

The Bonding Ceremony was the worst thing in the clans. She was so glad that she was a princess and could choose her own mate, however, the latter section of the Ceremony was required to be performed by all cats regardless of status.

The King, her father, would choose a mate for every she-cat that reached the age of 15 moons. The she-cat and her chosen mate would then have to spend a night with their mate in the clan's territory. Briefly before that, they would have a private conversation with the King, one which not even she could attend. Whatever cats did during the night of the Ceremony was unknown to anyone who hadn't taken part in the Ceremony, but Rosepaw observed that every she-cat who had taken part in the Bonding Ceremony would have kits approximately two moons later. Every single she-cat.

"You're lucky, Rosepaw. You can choose you own mate, whereas I don't have such a great fortune," Silverpaw gave a long sigh before settling down on the smooth rock surface of Rosepaw's den.

"I promise that if my father gives you an awful mate, I will badger him to change it," Rosepaw meowed, giving Silverpaw a lick on the head.

"I knew I could always count on you Rosepaw. The others however..." she trailed off as she gave a yawn in the sunlight.

"We're nearly warriors! What do you think our names will be? I want mine to sound elegant but fierce at the same time. What about you?" Rosepaw asked Silverpaw, whose eyes were closed and she looked like she was in a very blissful state of mind.

"I want mine to sound like I'm ready for anything. Or maybe slightly mystical," Silverpaw replied simply.

"Who do you think Cavestar will choose for you?" Rosepaw asked, excited about the prospect at becoming a warrior in a few more sunrises.

"I hope he chooses either Darkshade or Waterfall for me! They're so strong, capable and handsome," Silverpaw replied dreamily.

"I don't know who I want," Rosepaw confessed, her tail drooping slightly.

"It's fine. I'm sure you'll pick someone you like in the clan," Silverpaw reassured her.

Rosepaw purred and said,

"I'll be back soon. I feel like eating something, do you want me to bring back something for you?"

Silverpaw opened one blue eye and replied silkily,

"I'd like a thrush or maybe a minnow."

Rosepaw bounded out and saw Willowstar look at her with excited eyes,

"Rosepaw! I was going to tell you this earlier but I couldn't find you! I'm expecting a new litter of kits! I'm sorry that Dewkit and Peachkit both died but you've got new siblings in 2 moons!"

Rosepaw internally cringed at the idea of having siblings. Siblings meant competition, competition meant annoyance. She never wanted siblings, Silverpaw was a decent substitute. As kind as her mother was, she never liked her enthusiasm, or her affability.

"Yes, Willowstar, I'd be delighted to have new brothers and sisters. It was never Peachkit and Dewkit's time to go...their deaths were so very sad," Rosepaw lied through her teeth, still gleeful over their deaths.

She walked away from Willowstar and picked up a squirrel for herself and a minnow for Silverpaw.

"Here you go," Rosepaw purred, dropping the small bird in front of Silverpaw, who was dozing peacefully in the sunlight.

"Thank you," Silverpaw replied before taking a bite of the prey.

Rosepaw's mind began to drift away again as she continued on her plan. Her plan to destroy the other clans.