"That's bound to hurt," a gruff voice sounded from behind Tulipkit. Graythorn came forward and stooped down to the kit's level. "I'll tell you a secret little one, the ground always wins in those kinds of battles so don't keep attacking it."

"I did too," came a chuckle from behind Tulipkit. A young black warrior strode forward wearing an amused smile on her face. "But I wouldn't worry too much," Pantherclaw meowed. "I can remember a period of time when stumbling over my paws was common place. But I eventually grew out of it as you undoubtedly will do as well."

"So you're interested in flowers?" Graythorn meowed. "Maybe you should consider becoming a garden keeper when you grow up. I could use more help tending to the herbs I so desperately need. But," he continued. "As for you leaving the camp while you're still a kit, it's is an absolute no. If you want to see some flowers, come over to my den. I just brought in some marigolds and tansy." He waved his tail over toward the medicine den.

Pantherclaw nodded in agreement. "My brother's right. You don't want to get into any trouble now do you?" She looked around and lowered her voice. "I sneaked out of camp once when I was a kit and I was almost held back from becoming an apprentice for a whole moon. I worked so hard at being good - which wasn't easy - so much so that they relented."

Graythorn smiled at the eager kit. If he didn't already have an apprentice he might have considered her. But be as it may, the first two apprentices he had, had died. He would keep an on this Tulipkit. "Come with me," he meowed.

"Yes, they can hold you back if you've been bad," the black she cat replied. "I really wasn't the model kit in the nursery back then so I had those strikes against me as well. Like I said, I had to work hard to make up for sneaking out. But in the end I made it." She ruffled Tulipkit's head fur. "But you're a good kit. You shouldn't worry as long as you don't break any rules."