“Or me.” Swiftbrook twitched her whiskers in amusement as Ashstar mentioned someone with as much energy as Poppykit. “Either way, you'll have a hard job picking her mentor I think.” the senior Warrior agreed, tail twitching absently as she answered her leader’s next question. “I do believe I am...Sandpelt asked me to go with you, and I believe Turtlepaw, Cricketpaw and Sunspot as well?” the black and white warrior curled her tail around her paws as they waited for the rest of the patrol to join them. 

***

“Oh, cool!” Cricketpaw sprang back to his paws, tail arching over his back as he nudged his littermate impatiently with a paw. “Come ooooonnn Turtlepaw! We haven't got till sunhigh for you to get up, lazy furball!” 
“Alright, alright! I'm up!” Turtlepaw grumbled in protest, swatting both cats away from her as she rolled slowly out of her nest and got to her paws. After Cricketpaw had batted the stray scraps of moss from her pelt, they trotted out to join the rest of the patrol. 
“Morning, Ashstar!” Cricketpaw greeted the leader cheerfully. “Which border are we patrolling?” 
“I think that's up to Ashstar to decide.” Swiftbrook reminded her grandkit, getting to her paws. “Let's find out and get going shall we?” 
***
Tucking the last leaf wrap safely away again, Icerain gave his apprentice a nod and padded out of the medicine den. Seeing that the dawn patrol was about to leave, the medicine cat quickly raced over with Dapplefern hot on his heels.
“Wait up!” he called to the patrol as they made their way towards the bushes that concealed the camp entrance. “Mind if Dapplefern and I tag along with the dawn patrol?” he asked, knowing that Ashstar was unlikely to refuse. “We won't get in the way.” That wasn't what made Icerain nervous though...he couldn't shake the ominous feeling that something would happen whilst out on this patrol. Was today the day? Should he stay in camp and send Dapplefern out to gather herbs instead? 
Steeling his nerve, Icerain silently scolded himself. No. If there was going to be a battle then his Clanmates needed him to do his duty. As a medicine cat he was privileged to share the bond he did with StarClan, he should accept the fate they had laid before his paws with dignity and respect.