AN: It's been FAR too long, I know, but please don't kill me!

Thanks to all for the game and kit suggestions! Cookies to all who reviewed!

Brownpaw led Whitepaw over to the fresh-kill pile and told her to wait there. She sat down while he ran over to the elders den, doubtless to call the other two apprentices. She wrapped her tail over her paws and gazed around the clearing at her clanmates. A hunting patrol had just returned, and Clawstripe was organizing a border patrol. She felt a slight flutter in her chest when she saw Finchfang making his way towards her.

"Hello, Whitepaw," he meowed in greeting. Whitepaw smelled the forest on his pelt.

"Hello," she replied. She was about to say something more, but at that moment, Brownpaw shot out of the elders den, Mosspaw and Wasp-paw hard on his heels. He skidded to a halt in front of the fresh-kill pile. Panting, he yowled, "PREY FIGHT!" and tossed a thrush across the hollow to smack Clawstipe in the face. The deputy shook his head, completely baffled until he saw what had hit him.

"What the-" he growled, turning his head towards the fresh-kill pile. His eyes darkened when he saw the three apprentices, as well as Whitepaw and Finchfang. He started stalking over to them.

"Uh-ooh," Brownpaw meowed softly, eyes shining. "Here he comes. Quick, everyone grab something to throw!"

All four cats did so, including Finchfang, which surprised and delighted Whitepaw. He's joining us in our game! And he's a warrior! she thought. By now, others had gathered and were looking on in dismay, interest, annoyment, or anger. Brownpaw signaled to Mosspaw and Wasp-paw to circle around to the left, and Finchfang and Whitepaw to circle right. They did so, and Clawstripe halted his approach and glanced around at the apprentices and warrior surrounding him. His ears twitched in irritation. While he was distracted, Brownpaw took the opportunity to once again hit him with the mouse he'd been holding. It smacked the deputy in his jaw before falling to the ground. Anger glinted in the warriors eyes and he let out a yowl and raced toward the offending apprentice, only to be hit again, this time by Wasp-paw. Mosspaw had thrown his piece of prey as well, but it had fallen sadly short. A snarl from Clawstripe made the two apprentices fur stand on end and sent them running. They scrambled up a pile of rocks to perch just above the nursery, peering anxiously down at the hollow through a tuft of dried grass.

Brownpaw was backing away from Clawstripe, tail twitching as if unsure if he could signal without alerting the deputy to Finchfang and Whitepaw's position. Finchfang seemed to know what to do, however, but just as he was sneaking around to come at the older warrior form behind, a yowl rang out from Wolfstar's den. All heads turned to see StoneClan's leader, standing on the high rock. All activity stopped. Finchfang and Whitepaw let the prey fall from their mouths to thud softly at their paws. The leaders eyes swept over the camp, taking in the situation. Her eyes came to rest on Brownpaw.

"I believe I can guess who started this…ridiculous game," she meowed, jumping down to join them in the hollow. "I thought you had learned your lesson the first time you decided to play a prank on warriors older than you, but I see I was wrong. You've wasted prey, humiliated my deputy, and abandoned the duties I appointed you. So you tell me; what should I do about you this time?"

Before Brownpaw could reply, Wasp-paw and Mosspaw jumped down and raced across the hollow to join him.

"It wasn't just Brownpaw," Wasp-paw told the leader. "We threw the prey as well."

Wolfstar's gaze swept over the three apprentices before her. All three held her gaze at first, but soon they lowered their eyes, until even Brownpaw was looking down. The leader signaled with her tail for the other warriors to gather up the prey that had been thrown. They hurried to comply. Whitepaw and Finchfang exchanged a glance before picking up the prey at their feet and carrying it over to the fresh-kill pile. Wolfstar's hard gaze stopped them in their tracks.

"I expect more from you in the future, Finchfang," she told him. "You will accompany Mosspaw and Wasp-paw in their apprentice duties for the next moon, in addition to your usual ones."

Finchfang dipped his head, and Wasp-paw and Mosspaw raised their heads and hurried to his side.

"Whitepaw, once again, I must let Firedapple deal with you. Next time, however I will not be so lenient." She turned back to Brownpaw, but remained silent for a long time. Whitepaw's fur began to crawl as the tension built up. "You'll receive the same punishment as Mosspaw and Wasp-paw," she meowed at last. She lowered her voice and said something close to his ear. Brownpaw looked at his leader, and something flashed in his eyes, but he nodded. Whitepaw quickly turned away and began padding towards the medicine cat den. What she had seen in Brownpaw's eyes had startled-no, shocked-her. Despite his defiance, fear had flashed in his eyes, even if it was only for a moment. A question then crept into her mind, and no matter how much she tried, she could shake it out.

What did Wolfstar say to him to make Brownpaw afraid?

A/N: One word- Review. How else will I get the motivation to update?