Crimsonpaw came bounding into the hollow, excited at the prospect of training with four other apprentices. At first he didn't really like this new idea of group training and sharing his personal mentor with other apprentices, part of him even now still resented it, but the newness of this kind of training intrigued him. "Hi!" he meowed to Tuskblood and Pebblefur. "What're we going to do first?" He hoped it was going to be something fun. The last thing he wanted to do was traipse around the territory that he'd already seen with a bunch of green apprentices.

Pebblefur nodded in agreement to Tuskblood's decision. Then smiled when she asked the young tom if he wanted to help teach. That would be a good lesson for him. For all of them, really. But what good would that do if all of them were leaders? Perhaps they would learn from Crimsonpaw how to be a good team leader. Whatever Tuskblood's plan was, she trusted the deputy. She had more experience than Pebblefur ever would. But Pebblefur was there to help in any way she could. She would rather have Tuskblood take the lead on this but she would help out whenever Tuskblood asked or whenever she thought she needed to step in.

She snapped her attention back to the present and waited for Crimsonpaw to give his answer to the deputy. Lucky apprentice. She was sure most of the other apprentices would be jealous. She knew she would be.

Pebblefur purred, "She's a great warrior, too. Your lucky to have her."

"Actually, no" She admitted to the apprentice, but she didn't seem to be upset about it. "I'm honored to train so many apprentice's at once without having experience with one of my own."

Tuskblood's whiskers twitched irritably as the time continued to pass. "They will have to work in the heat of the day, then." She growled. A part of her was proud that Crimsonpaw had arrived on time, but she felt no sympathy for the others. She turned her gaze on Pebblefur and nodded. "Crimsonpaw has been a good apprentice. He learns quickly and has a strong sense of responsibility. I figured him helping could hone his leadership skills. If you have any ideas or advice for him or the others, feel free to chip in. I can sometimes overstep." Her rough voice was respectful as she addressed the warrior. To her, Pebblefur worked just as hard to become a skilled warrior and could pass down plenty of knowledge to the young ones.

Patchpaw drifted into the clearing, her tail and head down. "I'm sorry, Tuskblood and Pebblefur." She started, ears burning with shame. Truthfully, the nightmares had grown stronger each night and she accidentally lost track of time. Not to mention, her mother's passing had taken quite the toll on the formerly-cheerful apprentice.

Tuskblood would usually reprimand an apprentice for showing up late, but given the circumstances she chose to let the gentler Pebblefur handle it. She gave a brisk nod to the apprentice before waving her tail to Crimsonpaw. "Why don't you two go ahead and start practicing. A little extra learning before the others get here will put you at an advantage. Crimsonpaw, why don't you show her some defense moves while Pebblefur and I watch?"

Patchpaw gave Pebblefur a grateful glance, glad that the warrior was understanding and that the deputy didn't scold her. "Oh, okay." She responded shyly then turned to face Crimsonpaw.

"Sorry I'm late!" An apprentice practically the size of an average cat came running into the clearing, her long black fur disheveled and filled with feathers. She had been up since before the sun doing some hunting practice and had some difficulties with a bird in particular. "What should I do?" She asked, looking up at Tuskblood, her eyes shining with admiration. She was especially glad that the deputy had been made her mentor.

Tuskblood couldn't help but smile at her half-sister. However, she vowed not to treat her more favorably than the rest. "It's fine for today, but make sure you are early next time or you'll be in charge of gathering bedding." She snorted, flicking Fiercepaw on the ear with her tail. "Now, since we are still waiting on others, how about you partner with one of us. Pebblefur, what do you think?"

Patchpaw's muzzle twitch for a moment as she went over the moves she had learned before in her head. "Uh, I'm sorry...I don't think I remember it that well. Would you mind showing me?"

Firecepaw nodded obediently to her older half-sister and glowered at Crimsonpaw. She had noticed his scowl and now he acted as if he were better than the rest of them? Ridiculous. She remained quiet, however, and listened with a hint of annoyance. He wasn't the only one who had been training for a long time after all. "Sure, which one of you should I team up with?" She asked, looking between the two cats. She was already pebblefur's size but tuskblood was bigger than her.