"Shrewpaw! Shrewpaw, get up!"

A voice hissed loudly into Shrewpaw's ear, and he awoke from his sleep. "Wha- oh, Thornclaw, it's just you. Why did you wake me up so early?"

"We're on dawn patrol with Dustpelt and Squirrelpaw," explained the golden-brown tabby. "We'll be leaving in a few minutes, so you'd better get yourself ready." He turned and padded out of the den, being careful not to disturb the other apprentices.

Shrewpaw sighed and emerged from the den entrance. The chill that came from outside hit him like a strong blow to the head. He still wasn't used to living at Sunning-Rocks; he liked his home back at ThunderClan's real camp better.

Across the clearing he spotted Dustpelt talking to Thornclaw. Beside Dustpelt sat Squirrelpaw- his apprentice, and Firestar's daughter. Shrewpaw's heart leaped as he bounded towards the group. He loved Squirrelpaw; he had been devastated when she had gone off on the journey with the others.

"Hey Shrewpaw," the ginger apprentice greeted him. Her sweet voice filled Shrewpaw's ears and he smiled. He didn't say anything for a bit, until Squirrelpaw prodded him in the side with her paw.

"Have you gone deaf?" she purred jokingly, flicking her tail.

Shrewpaw shook his head and laughed. "Thankfully not," he told her. "I just didn't get a good sleep last night. It's strange sleeping at Sunning-Rocks."

Squirrelpaw nodded. "I don't blame you," she mewed. "I was freezing cold last night. And my fur isn't that thick either."

"Hey, you two!" Dustpelt hissed. "We're supposed to be going. If you have nothing better to do than sit around gossiping like elders, then you'd better-"

"Oh, come off it, Dustpelt," Thornclaw assured the brown tabby. "They're only apprentices. I've heard tell that you were one once."

Dustpelt flicked his tail across Squirrelpaw's nose. "Even I didn't fool around like these two."

Thornclaw rolled his eyes. "Let's just get going," he insisted.

The patrol left the camp and headed off towards the old ThunderClan camp. They had decided to check on the progress of the Twoleg monsters, if there were any still there.

"We'll go ahead," instructed Dustpelt. He indicated the apprentices. "You two can stay here. In fact, go on top of that rock and see if you can spot anything." Then he and Thornclaw padded off down the ravine.

Shrewpaw leaped on top of the rock, and Squirrelpaw landed beside him. "Isn't it beautiful?" she breathed, gazing out over the frost-covered land.

"Yeah," Shrewpaw agreed. But not as beautiful as you, he though.

The ginger apprentice smiled. "Even in leaf-bare, the forest is wonderful. And in times of trouble, it's even better."

Shrewpaw was nearly itching to tell Squirrelpaw that he loved her. His paw twitched, and his ears flicked.

"What's up with you?" asked Squirrelpaw. "Why are you twitching like a scared rabbit?" She looked worried.

"Oh Squirrelpaw, don't you understand?" Shrewpaw mewed. "I can't hold it back any longer!" He looked straight into the she-cat's green eyes. "You're the most beautiful cat in ThunderClan- in the whole forest! I- I love you, Squirrelpaw." He managed a smile.

Squirrelpaw sat closer to Shrewpaw and twined her tail in his. "I love you too," she whispered.

Shrewpaw slept peacefully that night, lying next to Squirrelpaw. It was as he had always imagined- she loved him as much as he loved her.

But how long would it last? He thought. After all, Brambleclaw seems to like her too.

The apprentice shook the thought out of his head. Of course he would be with Squirrelpaw! Whatever it took, he would always love her.

"Let's go hunting!" insisted Shrewpaw. He poked Thornclaw with one paw. "The Clan is starving!"

Thornclaw nodded. "Alright," he purred at last. "Come on now, let's test your skills."

Shrewpaw followed his mentor towards ShadowClan territory. "What can you scent?" Thornclaw quizzed him.

After sniffing the air for a few moments, Shrewpaw smiled. "I smell pheasant!" he exclaimed. Then, not thinking about what he was doing, He rushed forward and darted after his prey.

"Shrewpaw!" called Thornclaw, but it was too late. Shrewpaw chased his prey right onto the Thunderpath, where a monster was coming his way.

And as his life flashed before his eyes, Shrewpaw realized that his relationship with Squirrelpaw was never meant to be.