never quite as it seems (c)

Despite having lived in ShadowClan her whole life, Hedgepaw was often surprised at just how little she knew several of her Clanmates. It was her fault for spending every minute of free time possible with her family, of course, but why wouldn't she want to? She had her Mamma, and then big brother Silver, and Fern and Wolf and Hawkmist to hang out with. The recent addition of her new best friend Fishpaw left her with very little extra time to spend. There were so many cats who were important to her, and she was so busy that any time she wasn't working or patrolling, she wanted to be with them. So there were several warriors who had been around for moons, even her whole lifetime for some, and she only knew them as acquaintances. Lilyvalley was one of these. The two of them were on a patrol together now, walking through the marsh as old, dead leaves blew in from the neighboring territories. A patrol was as good a time as any to get to know someone! But... what little Hedgepaw had heard of Lilyvalley didn't really paint her in a good light.

To be completely fair, she had only heard from Nettleweaver. But he was her friend, and he wouldn't have any reason to lie to her. All she knew was that the two of them had fought, and Nettleweaver thought he came off unfairly in the exchange, and most other cats didn't believe him. So Hedgepaw believed him! It did keep a certain wariness about her as she padded alongside the older warrior, but after a few minutes or so of walking, she couldn't contain her curiosity. Did Lilyvalley still hold a grudge? What kind of a cat was she anyway? Wide green eyes peered upwards, and eventually, the apprentice asked a question. "Do you still hate Nettleweaver?" It occurred to her, belatedly, that that might not be the best way to begin a conversation. The first conversation she'd ever initiated with Lilyvalley. How embarrassing. Hedgepaw winced. "I mean, that's prolly rude to ask. Sorry. But are you? 'Cause Nettleweaver's my friend, and you hurt his feelings, but I've never really talked to you before and that was a long time ago."

Hedgepaw let out a quiet breath when Lilyvalley confirmed that her questions weren't rude. But then, the knowledge that she didn't hate Nettleweaver left the apprentice confused. She kept quiet and listened to the explanation. It appeared that the argument, whatever it had been, was obviously in the past for them both. Of course, that wouldn't quite how hurt it had made him, but it seemed good enough for Hedgepaw. Not that she was the arbiter in this case; she was only trying to understand things for her friend's sake. Whatever the warrior was talking about with kits, though, she had no clue how to approach. "Um..." A sound of hesitation left her. White paws squashed through the mud as they walked, and she briefly focused more on the squelchy sound than on the conversation. Taking in the cool evening winds and the familiar scents of the territory for a bit cleared her head. "I hope that works out for the two of you," Hedgepaw said sincerely. "And... all the other stuff you said, too. I don't know anything about all that. But I hope the stuff you worry about gets better soon." She didn't want to leave the conversation on an awkward note like that, so she switched tacks, casting her mind back to a long-ago discussion with a fellow apprentice who'd vanished a long time ago. "What's your favorite kind of prey to eat?"