Dead grass rustled beneath Heathertail's paws as she stalked through the moorland. She could smell the rabbit; feel its heartbeat in her ears. She kept low. Suddenly, there was a crash from beside her and a great black tom thundered towards her rabbit. She watched in horror as Breezepelt yowled as he sprinted after the rabbit. She could see his amber eyes glinting in triumph as he tired his prey, no her prey. She hissed in frustration and felt her claws automatically unsheathe, she charged through the short grass, not caring how much noise she made as she followed Breezepelt's black shape. She finally caught up to him, and overtook him; with a great leap she pinned the rabbit down and bit the back of its neck. She turned around and looked at Breezepelt, seeing adoration in his eyes. Heathertail had only chosen to hunt with him because the clan needed food.

"I wore it down for you," Breezepelt panted playfully. Heathertail snorted.

"You wouldn't have needed to if you'd just kept your claws to yourself and let me catch it," She argued, frustrated at his arrogance. Breezepelt puffed out his chest and trotted towards her.

"Eat now or give it to the clan?" He offered carefully. Heathertail couldn't believe it. Eat? And break the warrior code? Though she didn't like it, his offer to eat now was tempting, they were both pitifully thin and the chances of a good meal like this again were slim. She puffed out her chest and picked up her rabbit.

"I'm donating it to the nursery," She insisted. Breezepelt's whiskers twitched in amusement.

"Okay," he said, a flirtatious edge to his voice. Heathertail simply rolled her eyes and made off back to camp. She flattened her ears to try and drain out the noise of Breezepelt's non-stop chatter about kit related things. She growled in annoyance quietly and tried to think of the astonished faces of her clanmates when she put the rabbit on the fresh kill pile. Where the fresh kill pile used to be.

As she trotted into camp, the familiar scents made her feel better. She dropped her rabbit on the fresh kill pile and lay down in a nest by Crowfeather. She watched his flank rise and fall in the rhythm of sleep. She put her head on her paws and closed her eyes and attempted to embrace sleep. Suddenly a low moaning stirred her. She perked her ears and listened to Crowfeather's spoken thoughts.

"Leafpool…" He murmured softly, "I'll always protect you my beloved."

Heathertail faced away from Crowfeather. She knew he still loved the ThunderClan medicine cat, even after Hollyleaf's announcement at the last gathering. Thinking about Leafpool reminded her of Lionblaze. She shook her head. No. She told herself. He's from ThunderClan, he gave up everything we had when we were apprentices. He's probably got a mate and kits by now anyway. No matter how hard she tried, the golden tom always walked in her dreams. She was haunted by the days when they played together in the tunnels beneath their territories. She put her paws over her ears to blot out Crowfeather's wishes and gradually fell into an uneasy sleep filled with longing for Lionblaze.

"Heathertail!"

Heathertail was woken by Breezepelt jabbing his paw into her side. She lifted her head and shook her head until Breezepelt's blurry image came into focus.

"Heathertail!" He hissed, louder than before.

"What?" She spat. Breezepelt sat down beside her. His fur fluffed out in pride.

"Nightcloud and Crowfeather are taking me on a patrol, want to come?" He asked. Heathertail thought about it. At least if Crowfeather is there, Breezepelt might keep his obnoxious thoughts to himself. Heathertail didn't answer; she just nodded her head and slowly clambered to her feet. Breezepelt padded out of the camp and Heathertail followed. She thought she could detect relief in Breezepelt's scent. Nightcloud and Crowfeather were sharing tongues by a bush when Breezepelt padded up to them. Crowfeather wasted no time in standing up and examining his son and former apprentice. He nodded briefly.

"We're patrolling the ThunderClan border," He said, "There might be some rabbits there, drinking or washing."

Breezepelt hissed in annoyance. Heathertail knew that Breezepelt had despised ThunderClan ever since he had found out that he had half brothers in their group. He had been happy when he found out that Hollyleaf had been killed. Heathertail despised him all the more for that. Hollyleaf had been her friend when they were apprentices; she had introduced her to Lionblaze. Heathertail pushed her thoughts of Lionblaze aside. She also knew that rabbits probably weren't the real reason for patrolling the border, Crowfeather hopes he will see Leafpool.

"Let's go," Nightcloud said. She trotted towards the stream with her tail held high, Crowfeather next to her. Breezepelt walked beside his mother. Heathertail padded behind them, she didn't want them to know that she was thinking of Lionblaze. Everybody thinks that she will eventually take Breezepelt as her mate. The thought of it sickened her. Heathertail barely noticed when Breezepelt brushed his pelt against hers and entwined their tails. For all she cared, Breezepelt could do anything he liked.

When they reached the border, Breezepelt and Nightcloud went hunting together and Heathertail walked beside Crowfeather. She could sense his sadness and hopefulness every time he glanced over the stream. Heathertail almost felt sorry for him. Suddenly, she heard the sound of distant laughter. Crowfeather stopped and looked over the stream. A gray she-cat Heathertail didn't recognize was yelling something to a golden tom up a tall tree. She perked her ears to listen to their conversation.

"Okay Lionblaze! You can come down now!" The she-cat yowled. Lionblaze. She felt her heart quicken. Lionblaze expertly bounded down the tree and landed squarely next to the she-cat. He purred loudly and rubbed his head against hers. She couldn't help but watch the golden tom and the she-cat lie down together, sharing tongues and purring loudly as their tails entwined.

"That's Cinderheart," Crowfeather whispered, "She's a nice cat, she'll make a good mate to Lionblaze." Heathertail watched Cinderheart enviously as she licked Lionblaze's face. Lionblaze rested his head on her stomach and purred. Heathertail knew that they hadn't been seen. She was so distracted with Lionblaze and Cinderheart that she didn't notice Crowfeather's heart quicken or his tail swish anxiously. Lionblaze looked up and spotted them. He puffed out his chest and padded importantly towards the border, Cinderheart following him like an apprentice. Heathertail turned to look at Crowfeather, his gaze was fixed on something. Heathertail followed it. A pretty brown tabby was stalking something not far away. Heathertail tasted the air and identified Leafpool. Her train of thought was interrupted by Lionblaze's voice.

"Crowfeather," He said, "Heathertail."

Heathertail nodded at him. She detected worry in his eyes. What's bothering him? She wondered. Cinderheart turned to Lionblaze.

"I'm going to collect the prey we found," She said softly. Cinderheart turned around and ran towards the ThunderClan camp. Lionblaze watched her leave then turned his attention back to her and Crowfeather.

"Do you wish to talk to Firestar?" He asked.

"No," Crowfeather said, "This is just half of a border patrol."

"Oh, where's the other half?" Lionblaze questioned.

"Right….here…"

Heathertail turned around and saw Breezepelt running towards them, fury in his amber eyes. He jumped over her and faced Lionblaze, snarling. Lionblaze hissed back.

"Get away from us you filthy piece of fox-dung!" Breezepelt hissed. Heathertail could see Lionblaze's muscles rippling. Surely they won't attack each other? Breezepelt unsheathed his claws and stood defensively in front of Heathertail.

"If you dare lay a paw on her…." Breezepelt snarled. Lionblaze snorted.

"What would I want from a WindClan she-cat?" Lionblaze retorted. Heathertail felt crushed. She stared into Lionblaze's eyes and saw a short flash of hurt in them. She hoped that meant he didn't mean what he just said. Breezepelt smiled in triumph and brushed his pelt against hers.

"How can you bare to see your sons fight like this?"

Leafpool walked out of the bushes and stared straight at Crowfeather. Crowfeather tried to disguise that he still loved her.

"Matters concerning my sons are not for you to tell me about, Leafpool," He said harshly.

"Crowfeather has only one son…"

Heathertail looked around. Nightcloud was growling at Leafpool. Heathertail knew that Nightcloud would kill Leafpool if she got the chance. Crowfeather seemed to know it too.

"Warriors, let's go, we have no business here anymore," Crowfeather ordered.

"Crowfeather? May I stay and hunt here for a little while?" Heathertail asked, she saw a spark of interest on Breezepelt's face, "Alone?"

Crowfeather nodded and began to walk back to camp, Breezepelt and Nightcloud reluctantly following. Heathertail heaved a sigh of relief as Leafpool turned and began walking away. She was alone with Lionblaze for the first time in moons.

She tried to ignore Lionblaze as she padded to the stream. She took a quick drink and put her paw in and quickly withdrawed it. She looked at her reflection, a light brown tabby with heather blue eyes stared back at her. To her dismay she saw the reflection of a golden tom that was too familiar.

"What are you doing here?" Lionblaze said gruffly.

"I could ask you the same question," She retorted.

"Chasing off WindClan cats that are too curious," He said angrily. Heathertail flicked her ear apologetically and started walking back to camp.

"Heathertail!" Lionblaze yowled. Heathertail turned around to look at him.

"Lionblaze…..I-" Heathertail started.

"I know," Lionblaze cut in. If anyone but him had done that, she'd have clawed their ears off.

"I miss the days we used to play together…in the tunnels," She said nervously.

"Me too," Lionblaze admitted, "I was wrong to end it."

Heathertail didn't think she'd ever felt so relieved in her whole life. Lionblaze signaled for her to follow him. She felt the familiar rush as she waded through the stream, barely noticing the cold water lapping on her belly fur. She padded towards him. Lionblaze cuffed her gently as a greeting before playfully pouncing on her. Heathertail purred in delight as she nipped his legs and face. She felt like an apprentice again, carefree and happy. She wasn't Heathertail anymore, she was Heatherstar of DarkClan with Lionclaw as her loyal deputy. She didn't realize how long they'd spent together until she heard Breezepelt's yowling.

"I'll see you at the Gathering soon I suppose," Heathertail said. Lionblaze nodded and licked her ear one more time. Heathertail rolled in a small patch of tansy before running up to Breezepelt. He licked her ear then cast his tail casually over her shoulders and started leading her back to camp. Heathertail cast one look at Lionblaze before padding happily next to Breezepelt, swimming in happy memories.