A/N: This isn't the Tigerpaw from the books, so don't assume!

Prologue

Tigerpaw licked his claws and put his paw down as Russetnose, his mentor, padded up to him. He dipped his tabby head and stood as Russetnose studied him carefully.

"So this is my apprentice," he purred, with an undertone of something Tigerpaw couldn't quite pick out. "At least you aren't all scrawny and clueless, like some other kits I've seen." Tigerpaw immediately swelled with satisfaction; he had always managed to get a good first impression out of cats.

"Thank you, Russetnose," he said politely, dipping his head again. He had to work on his behavior. Being the deputy's apprentice was quite an honor. "What are we going to do today?"

Three moons ago, and Tigerpaw still recalled his first encounter with Russetnose. Now, he was a skilled apprentice, one of the best fighters that StormClan had seen in some time. Russetnose had said so himself during training the previous day: "Tigerpaw, you show promise beyond your age. Keep it up, and I could easily imagine seeing you lead StormClan one day." Tigerpaw had greatly appreciated the compliment.

The young tom was about to leave to go and hunt for Fadedflower, the medicine cat, when he heard Russetnose call his name. He turned and saw the tom walking toward him, and dipped his head. "Yes, Russetnose?"

"Come with me. We're going to patrol the LakeClan border." Tigerpaw perked up and followed his mentor as he left the camp.

Russetnose wasted no time to explain the trails to Tigerpaw, as his apprentice already knew the very trail they were on by heart. The two cats moved almost silently toward the LakeClan border, pricking their ears as they got closer. But the scent hit Tigerpaw much earlier than he had expected. The border was still a hundred tail lengths ahead of them. Russetnose growled, the fur on his shoulders rising. "LakeClan warriors," he breathed to Tigerpaw, flattening himself to the ground. Tigerpaw copied him.

Two toms and a she-cat were clumsily picking through the forest. One of them hissed and snarled, "This is ridiculous! They don't have any prey either! C'mon, Lizardwing, let's go back..." The tom speaking to the she-cat yowled in surprise as he stepped on a thorn, and the other tom shoved his tail into his mouth.

"Shut up, before they find us!" he growled quietly, turning around. Tigerpaw felt a rush of rage, so sudden he had to fight with himself to stay silent. Russetnose hissed quietly and then stood up, spitting at the patrol. The cat named Lizardwing turned first, then the tom, then the she-cat. Russetnose puffed up his chest, anger flaring in his eyes. Tigerpaw watched him with wide eyes as he snarled.

"Leave StormClan territory at once!" he snarled, unsheathing his claws. The deputy had rage scrawled over his expression, and Tigerpaw mirrored it to perfection. The apprentice knew how outnumbered they were, but he hid his doubts well. He was a truly gifted fighter. He could survive this.

"Make us," hissed Lizardwing, tail lashing. He lunged, barreling straight into Russetnose. The other tom leapt in to help him, and the female went for Tigerpaw. Tigerpaw braced himself and ducked suddenly as the she-cat flew at him, shoving up with all the force he could muster as she passed over him, slamming into her stomach. She gasped and Tigerpaw snarled in satisfaction, taking the upper hand and slashing at her shoulders as they hit the ground. He hissed as she kicked his belly but he continued to pummel her, desperate to survive.

Tigerpaw froze, though, as an earsplitting howl ripped through the air around him. He shoved the she-cat away and turned to face Russetnose's fight, but horror nearly stopped his heart.

Russetnose was dead.

The two toms that had killed him were standing over him, shock plastered on their faces. They hadn't meant to kill him. But Russetnose had been fighting too hard, it was apparent to Tigerpaw. But the shock dawned on him. Russetnose was dead, and it was Tigerpaw's fault.

"I failed you," he breathed, and his world went dark.