Talonpaw stretched lazily in the sunlight that invaded the laid beside him his eyes flickering from side to side wearly at the other was on the other side of the clearing towards the leaders den talking to Rowanclaw and Blackstar about the badger that had invaded their territory near the swampy area around the lake.

Tawnypelt was crossing the clearing towards the nursery with a mouse in her jaws for Snowbird,who was expecting disappeared inside and came back out and Tigerheart were sharing some prey in the evening padded over and whispered something and they both purred.

Charpaw flicked his ear," at least they have a happily family."

Talonpaw flicked his tail over Charpaw's ear,"hey ,we have a family."

"well lets take a look, Ivytail doesn't care for us,and lets not forget we don't even know our own father!" he retorted sorely while stretching his was looking at them until she realized they were looking at her and she ran over to Rowanclaw.

Talonpaw let out a growl of frustration. It was as if nothing could cheer up Charpaw at the worst or happiest times. Well if they did know there father, Charpaw would be his best let out a snort and started padding over towards the entrance of camp.

"Talonpaw!" Ratscar called and Talonpaw turned to see his mentor running over to him, his paws throwing up some dust, that turned golden in the evening.

"Yes?" he meowed with an was annoyed from his brother and the fact he was trying to do something.

Ratscar blinked, "i was only gonna say, stay away from where the badger is." he meowed calmly then turned away and raced back towards Blackstar to talk again.

Talonpaw saw Charpaw flash him a thoughtful look then he ran into the followed a well trodden path. he stepped nad hopped over mud puddles to try to keep his fur clean as he neared the lake edge. half of the sun hit the lake spreading a warm feeling through the darkest forests.

He sat down at the edge and let the water rush over his paws and he thought about his father who he didn't know. He thought about Blackstar and Ratscar and Tawnypelt. why had she flashed him that look? hatred?Sadness? He didn't know…

Charpaw!why was he always so sour and rude? It's like we're complete opposites.

Talonpaw outstretched a leg and moved a pebble from the mud from under the ! He was always acting weird. was he mean because he was afraid? Is he mean because he wants to act cool? well thats not working for him either!

Bracken rustled behind him and he turned his ears,his eyes narrowing. Soft pawsteps followed near clattered down into the lake sending several ripples across the surface.

A white cat sat next to Talonpaw, but Talonpaw didn't turn to look."Talonpaw." said a soft voice.

Talonpaw flicked an ear then noticed who he was sitting by,"Hi Whitewater." he meowed steadily.

"i saw how upset you were and i came to check on you… if that was okay." she meowed quietly while licking up some water from the lakes edge.

Talonpaw turned his head and wanted to scream,Yes! It's Okay for you to check on me!But he looked at her and smiled,"If you want to."

"i know how you feel about your parents and Charpaw, he's mean to me even," she purred horsley."i had a brother i never knew, and my parents… they were both rogues, i had to prove my loyalty more than other cats. it was a lot of work, but i think you can do it, in fact i know you can"

Talonpaw turned to the lake and wanted to tell her everything, the way he felt but he couldn't find the words so he meowed instead,"thank you very much."

Whitewater purred,"No i should thank you for taking care of us elders."

"it's no problem,you served the clan long enough, it's your time to rest before you go to starclan," talonpaw meowed and quickly licked her ear and turned towards the lake again.

He could tell Whitewater was happy, he knew she was smiling at him. He smiled then Whitewater stood up and padded back up the shore, grunting with effort from her old bones.

As soon as her scent was gone he peered around quickly then turned and started back to camp as the stars took over the dark cloudy sky. rain was starting to fall through the pines and he hurried to camp.