A/N: Thank Erin Hunter for the marvelous Warriors series!


Ch. 2: Alertness

He kept glancing at him out of the corner of his eye.

Fireshade opened his jaws, trying to detect the nearest prey. As he lowered to the ground on light feet, he felt puzzled. Tigerclaw had taken to giving him strange looks the past few days. He could feel the tabby's mysteriously tense gaze pricking his pelt ever so often but he didn't try glance back. The ginger tom had actively tried to ignore it, hoping his former mentor would either explain himself or stop.

More than anything, he just didn't want there to be something wrong between them so soon after patching things up. The deputy had promised to change, after all. No more unjust accusations of treason and misplaced anger. In exchange, Fireshade would try not cause strife among his Clanmates if it could be helped. Those seemed like easy oaths to keep, but this didn't feel like a promising start.

Deep inside, he suspected the tabby knew he'd killed Clawface, even if he didn't know how. He didn't think it should matter to the deputy after what the crow-food had done to Spottedleaf, but-

The warrior noticed the slightest movement in the grass as the smell of shrew wafted to his nose. There!

With all the speed of the wind, the shrew darted through the grass. Fireshade gave chase and just as the rodent was about to shoot back down into his hole, he batted it through the air with a hard paw. Pouncing, he finished it quickly with a sharp bite.

He kicked dirt over his catch, determined to come back for it later. He would catch a few more things before rejoining the rest of the hunting patrol. As soon as they were back at camp, he would ask the tabby what was going on.

It would be better to do it sooner rather than later.


"You've been acting weird, lately." Tigerclaw's ears flicked at the sudden voice and the bluntly accusing tone it was made from. He turned his head from his chaffinch to look into the piercing eyes of his friend and now fellow warrior.

"Most cats would start their conversation with 'How are you doing?'" The deputy retorted with minor annoyance, trying to ignore the sudden weight in his chest. He could tell by the suspicious twitch in Fireshade's tail that the ginger hadn't just decided to approach him with this out of the blue; this encounter was premeditated. Alarm tickled Tigerclaw's mind. What does he know?! "What are you talking about?"

"You keep staring at me when you think I'm not looking and you're doing it more and more," his apprentice expressed matter-of-factly, his gaze not faltering in the slightest.

"Have I?" No, seriously, had he? If so, he was losing his grip on his mask of indifference. He seethed inwardly at himself for being auspicious without his own knowledge. It was crucial now more than ever that he didn't become sloppy. Something told him he'd was long ways away from no longer needing to keep secrets.

"Yes, you have," Fireshade meowed with impatience, his tail beginning to twitch in irritation even as his voice remained calm. Calm, yet edged. "I was hoping you could tell me what's been on your mind the past couple of days. Maybe put you at ease." Green eyes softened slightly.

Tigerclaw could see the underlying message in the younger warrior's words and his ears almost went flat with guilt. He doesn't want us to be at each other's throats again. The scarred tabby didn't want that either. But what do I tell him? That I'm somewhat terrified of him and what he could become if I screw up? StarClan is telling me he could kill all of us without even trying? That he's some freakish demon? I still don't understand exactly what he is myself!

"If you're waiting for me to become a mind reader, you'll die of old age first," Fireshade deadpanned after Tigerclaw was silent for a few seconds too long.

"I'm concerned about what the future holds," he spoke a half-truth. "To be deputy is more trying than being a warrior. I hold the lives of my Clanmates in my paws more than ever before. Lionheart had more experience than I did." His tone grew quiet as he absorbed his own words, realizing the validity of them. I have no idea whether I'm the one to do this now, any of it. What if I can't shake my anger? His chest stung him as the image of Redtail's limp form pierced his mind. He narrowly avoided twitching."When I look at you, I see at least one thing I did right. If just barely…"

Fireshade's green eyes became unreadable for a moment before he sighed. "I don't want us to just keep finding ways to piss each other off," he meowed honestly as he moved closer to Tigerclaw. "Next time, don't make me worry. I'll understand where you're coming from or at least try." He purred lightly, comfortingly. "Remember: I'll always have your back if you have mine."

Tigerclaw nodded graciously, wondering if he could keep such a promise. Things would surely get more dangerous from here. He'd have to remain wary of the ginger tom, if the omens he received were correct. StarClan, please don't let me end up hurting him. Thankfully, Fireshade meowed goodbye and went off to get his own meal.

The scarred warrior exhaled tiredly. His pelt nearly flew off him as he heard an unexpected meow behind him.

"Are you staying out of trouble?"

The tabby spun around with a hiss. His fur laid flat when he saw who it was. "Ravenfeather," he sighed in relief. "How did you sneak up on me like that?"

"As Fireshade pointed out, you seem kind of distracted," the black warrior gave rebuttal as he licked his chest. His green eyes narrowed at the tabby. "You're not up to something, are you?"

"No," Tigerclaw replied with a roll of his eyes. He wasn't pleased that his former apprentice was doting on him. But he supposed his actions had earned him his predicament. Still, Ravenfeather seemed as though he'd be fair but not let the older warrior fall back into treachery without consequences. As loathe as the tabby was to admit it, he may end up needing such a cat looming over his shoulder. However different it was from his original intent, he still walked a dangerous path.

The dark tom eyed him for a moment longer before growling, "Good. Keep it that way." He stalked away just as quickly as he came.

Tigerclaw's talons sunk into the earth indignantly, his pelt bristling. When had Ravenfeather become so condescending? That little…Whatever! Once again, his coat laid down and he went back to his dinner. Against all odds, he hoped things that would get better soon.

But deep in his heart, he knew he would have to wade out a storm before anything was truly settled.


A/N: No, we're not dead in the water! I've just been taking time to read Super Editions, (Yellowfang's Secret, Tallstar's Revenge, Crookedstar's Promise, Bluestar's Prophecy, Etc.) I want to be able to properly utilize every character and their history. That being said, it may take a while between updates until I've read them all. So I appreciate you stickin' with me.

Read, Fav, Follow, and Review! Thanks so much for all that you do!