Cherrypaw was only recently starting to swing around health-wise. After coming down with the sickness that bogged down half the clan and took the life of her sister, she didn't think she would ever get better. But miraculously, she improved, even if it was slow. She was initially worried that her apprenticeship would be delayed, but now she was worried she wouldn't be able to keep up with the training expected of her. She'd do her best though, enough for both her and Mothkit. Her expression was bitter as she rose from her nest, and with unsteady steps she walked to where she knew Reedshadow would be waiting. She saw him at the entrance and lifted her tail in a half-hearted greeting. "I'm ready for what you have planned today," she said, smile tight.

Cherrypaw thought for a moment on Reedshadow’s proposition. It sounded fair, and while she knew she wouldn’t be able to handle anything too strenuous, it still did upset her that she wouldn’t be able to train like a normal apprentice would right from the start. But she supposed it was better than Mothkit’s fate. The red tortie shook her head and murmured in affirmation to her mentor. “That sounds suitable. I’ll let you know when I’m getting tired.” She glanced towards the camp entrance, trying to envision a successful day before it even started. That had to count for something, right? “Where will we go?” she asked as she started to walk through the camp entrance.

She nodded in understanding. The marshes were close by, so it wouldn't take them long to get there, or to return if she needed it. Cherrypaw took a deep breath in, then let it out slowly. She focused on what was directly in front of her--the willow trees, the tangles of undergrowth, and the soft earth beneath her paws. She watched as the undergrowth changed to peat moss, before giving way entirely to tussocks of reeds and pools of water. Willow trees stood at the edges, their branches draping down to ground level. She edged around them alongside Reedshadow, ears perking up when she heard the bubbling of water nearby. The red tortie felt a little bit of energy at the prospect of doing something useful. "I can see why there would be a lot of prey here. It's so full of life."

Cherrypaw surveyed the area around her before she turned back to her mentor. "Yes. That sounds like a good way to start." She drew closer to the bubbling sound, and after cresting a slight rise in the earth, the ground dipped away sharply towards a stream that flowed past. She watched it for a moment, seeing if she could spot something in the water, but nothing immediately caught her eye. She changed direction to an area with several small pools and watched the surfaces. They were still except for occasional ripples, and it caught her attention enough that she wandered closer. "Do you think there are frogs in those pools?" she whispered, cautious of being too loud or getting too close without knowing for sure.

Her eyes were fixed on the pools directly in front of her as Reedshadow spoke, and she didn't turn to look at him as he pointed out the vole. She could see his position from the corner of her eye, but she was determined to find it herself. Her eyes trailed over the ground before her, and she found the vole nosing through a few reeds a short distance away. "I want to try," Cherrypaw said, storing his lessons away in her mind. Now that she was out, she didn't think she could take any more standing around. Sinking low to the ground, paws itching to move, she inched forward, gaze locked on it. She moved past sticks and other objects, leaping when she felt she was close enough. Unfortunately, Cherrypaw fell just short, and her claws grazed it. It immediately bolted, and she recovered quickly enough to dash after it without a second thought.