Chapter.21.

"Tinypaw, use your paws." Flurrystar called. "Scramblepaw, stay on top of her."

"Who's side are yo on/" Tinypaw muttered.

"I'm teaching you to be better fighters. Dovesong, go with Specklepaw. Voleclaw, you can go with Shinypelt. Sandsong go with Ivytail, and Tigertail with Whitetail." Shinypelt leaped onto Voleclaw, claws sheathed. Voleclaw was strong, but Shinypelt was stronger. Voleclaw went limp. Shinypelt thought she won, but then Voleclaw jumped on her.

"I win!" He called.

"Shinypelt, don't be fooled next time." Flurrystar's voice was stern. "I know you can do better. Go join patrols."

Shinypelt walked away. "Wait!" Flurrystar called. "We need to talk."

"About what?" Shinypelt asked.

Flurrystar surprised her. "Your father."

"Why?"

"I can tell you miss him."

"How?"

"I miss my father too."

"Are you half-..."

"No! It doesn't matter what happened!"

"What are you gonna do about it?"

"I'm not sure. But, you need someone to talk to. I can be that someone." Shinypelt felt comforted.

"Thanks."

"Now, your coming on patrol with me. Take Scramblepaw, Tinypaw, and Sparrowpaw."

"OK." It was good, patrolling with Scramblepaw without Tigertail. He wasn't always watching her. Although, she wished they were still close. They couldn't be. They came to the Shadowclan border. There was a patrol of Shortpaw, and two other cats. A black tom flicked his tail in greeting.

"Hello. I'm glad you're here." Tinypaw looked confused.

"Why's that?" As Tinypaw spoke, she noticed a flash of panic, on Shortpaw's face.

"Shadowclan would like to thank Riverclan for all the help they gave, and how Berrypaw saved Ravenpaw. He is OK now."

"Oh." Shinypelt murmured. "We'll pass the message on."

Flurrystar nodded, looking uncomfortable. After the Shadowclan cats were gone, he asked:"Does anyone know what they meant?" Everyone shakes their heads. "I think we need to talk to Berrypaw."

"I didn't think it was that important!" Berrypaw protested.

"That's not like you." Flurrystar stated. "I know your loyal, and you would tell me everything. Why was this different?"

"I-I-I don't know." Flurrystar, and the apprentices leave her alone. Tigertail comes in.

"Shinypelt. I need to speak to you." Then, he added. "Alone."

Shinypelt led Tigertail into the woods. "What's this about?"

"I've met Moonbeam."

"What's new?"

"I'm surprised you still didn't walk away."

"What do you want?"

"Moonbeam told me something. Your sister is helping her with her medicine training."

"Moonbeam told you that?"

"Yeah." Tigertail was confused.

"I never thought she would be disloyal to her mentor."

"She just told me!" Tigertail defended her.

"Why are you still with her?"

Tigertail's eyes clouded with pain. "Because I'm not with you."

"I want to be with you." Shinypelt told the truth. "I just don't like being second best."

"Your not second best! I mean it." He promised. "I love you. Moonbeam could be my friend. I could tell her anything, but I love you."

"You could tell me anything."

"You don't understand how much I love you."

"Me too. I'm sorry." Shinypelt looked at him.

"I'm sorry." He echoed.

They walked back to camp together, pelts brushing. Tigertail brought her a carp, and they settled down together. She saw Berrypaw come out of her den. She wouldn't tell her what moonbeam said. She knew Berrypaw would like to help Shadowclan. Tigertail went to his den.

Scramblepaw came up to her, from patrol. "I fished this just for you." He gave her a fish. Shinypelt took it. There was nothing she could do. She hoped Tigertail didn't see her. She didn't understand how to tell him.