This was going to be more difficult than he'd hoped since Firepaw had trained all day with Bluestar, but the plan was still possible. In a way it was better; now Tigerclaw wouldn't be associated with the kittypet at all before the events of the night.
The sun was setting, casting a warm orange glow over the clearing. Tigerclaw passed the time by staring at the camp entrance. Settled inside the warriors' den, Lionheart and Whitestorm were talking, while Redtail rested a short ways off, basking in the last rays of sun before dusk shadows worked their way into the camp. All three warriors occasionally gave him confused looks; whenever this happened Tigerclaw made an effort to appear not so focused on the gorse tunnel. Bluestar and Firepaw couldn't train all night, could they? Feeling a flash of anger, Tigerclaw grumbled to himself. He needed to sabotage the kittypet tonight because tomorrow ShadowClan was going to steal the ThunderClan kits. Hopefully.
Glancing around, he saw Spottedleaf talking with Goldenflower next to the medicine den. Ignoring the odd twinge in his chest at the sight of his former mate, (Tigerclaw figured he must have eaten a bad mouse) he studied the tortoiseshell medicine cat instead. If things went how they had the first time Spottedleaf would die, but Tigerclaw knew it might not be so simple. Besides, it wasn't necessary for Spottedleaf to die for his plan to work; it just needed to be clear that Yellowfang had ran after the ShadowClan cat that stole the kits.
But he needed to make the kittypet look like he betrayed the Clan first, and the kittypet and Bluestar were taking their time.
Ravenpaw and Graypaw were playfighting by the tree stump; after a long day of training they still somehow had a kit-like level of energy. Tigerclaw found it hard to believe that at this point in his old life, Graypaw had been one day away from earning his warrior name. The dumb tom didn't have the maturity for a warrior name yet, and had only earned it the first time by chance. Tigerclaw shook the distracting thoughts from his head. Firepaw could get back at any moment now. The first stars of the night began to flicker faintly as the sun continued to sink.
Finally a ginger head poked out of the gorse tunnel, followed closely by Bluestar. Tigerclaw made sure not to appear interested in the kittypet's sudden appearance; for his plan to work, they couldn't be seen together, or cats would start asking questions.
He still needed to get the kittypet's attention though. Turning his head, he let his gaze sweep across the camp until he met Firepaw's eyes, and then held the ginger tom's gaze. Firepaw stared, and Tigerclaw subtly jerked his head toward a secluded corner of the camp.
The kittypet slowly padded over and settled himself in front of Tigerclaw. Flicking his tail, Tigerclaw lowered his voice to a whisper. "Come with me."
Firepaw twitched his ears. "Are we hunting?"
Saying nothing, Tigerclaw dipped his head, trying to imbue the gesture with hidden meaning, and padded to the gap in the camp barrier by the nursery. He pushed his way through with his broad shoulders, and when he turned around he was pleased to see that the kittypet had followed him.
Leading the way across the territory, Tigerclaw struggled to contain his impatience. They passed the training hollow, then trotted alongside the stream and left it behind.
Once they had made it a few tree-lengths from the stream and were in an unremarkable part of the forest near the Owltree, Tigerclaw halted, turning to face the kittypet. The ginger tom watched him expectantly. It was time. "Firepaw," he began, "you were born a kittypet, but you have adapted to our Clan for the last few moons. However, there are many traditions you are still unaware of. One of these traditions- an assessment to be precise- is an important part of becoming a warrior." The kittypet sat up straighter and Tigerclaw suppressed an amused purr. "It will determine if you have what it takes to earn your warrior name. It is time, Firepaw, if you wish to be a true warrior, for you to take part in this task."
Ears pricked, Firepaw looked up at him with fiery green eyes.
Tigerclaw gave Firepaw a challenging stare. "Are you ready?"
"Yes, Tigerclaw."
"Come." Without another word, Tigerclaw flicked his tail for Firepaw to follow. He led him past the Owltree toward the Thunderpath.
The gray outline of the Thunderpath began to appear through the trees, and Tigerclaw sat down. Firepaw settled himself a few tail-lengths off and looked up expectantly.
"Tonight," Tigerclaw growled, indicating the stretch of land in front of him with a nod, "you will hunt in ShadowClan territory."
The kittypet tried to hide his shock, but failed. His ginger fur began to bristle along his spine, and his green eyes which had been filled with determination just moments before gained a nervous gleam. "Tigerclaw," he mewed finally. "What if ShadowClan finds me? Wouldn't that cause a war?"
"It could." Hopefully the kittypet would get caught, since if that happened it was very likely that ShadowClan would kill him. In that case ShadowClan would surely start a war with ThunderClan, but it would be worth it if the kittypet was dead. "Bring back three pieces of prey, and whatever you do, don't get caught." Tigerclaw supposed he should add that in so Firepaw didn't get too suspicious.
Firepaw nodded, and Tigerclaw shoved his way through the undergrowth, picking out the dead tree he had told Darkstripe to find, and sat beside it.
"You will cross the Thunderpath here." Tigerclaw glanced around, opening his mouth to taste the air. No sign of Darkstripe and Longtail yet, just the tang of monsters as they rumbled past just fox-lengths away. "Return on this same part of the Thunderpath."
"Did..." Firepaw paused. "Have Ravenpaw and Graypaw done their assessments yet?"
Tigerclaw whipped around. "If they have, they wouldn't have told you. Tell no one; that is of utmost importance. Speaking of it would bring dishonor to your name." Tigerclaw felt his spirits soar when Firepaw gave a stiff nod. The kittypet was buying it!
"What if ShadowClan finds me?"
"Are you afraid?"
Firepaw dug his claws into the ground and stared up at Tigerclaw with a defiant expression. He gave a tiny shake of his head.
"Then go."
Sounds of the forest at night permeated the air all around them. Firepaw crept forward, waited for a lull in the stream of monsters, which didn't take long since it was so late, and with one last determined glance at Tigerclaw, hurtled across the path.
Tigerclaw crouched at the edge of the Thunderpath as the moon rose, waiting for the kittypet to return. The best outcome would be for Firepaw to be captured by ShadowClan, but Tigerclaw didn't allow himself to hope. After all, in his previous life Ravenpaw of all cats had managed to trespass on ShadowClan land without being noticed, and Tigerclaw had to admit to himself that Firepaw was more competent than Ravenpaw... at least the one from his first life. Tigerclaw was making excellent progress with his apprentice this time, even though the tom was still a cowardly mouse-heart. Ravenpaw was shaping up to be a useful follower.
There was one point of concern distracting Tigerclaw at this point- where were Darkstripe and Longtail? It was long past sunset. The forest was pitch black now, and he realized that he couldn't tell if the shadows were caused by the shadow cat or if the night was particularly dark.
The breeze shifted, and Tigerclaw picked up the scent of Darkstripe and Longtail being carried in it. Finally!
He could hear bits and pieces of their mews as he crept up.
"-don't see why it had to be here." That was Longtail's voice.
"This spot always has the best hunting."
"Really? I've never noticed."
"Wait here. I'll be back." Darkstripe had apparently seen Tigerclaw's eyes glowing in the darkness, and the dark tom quickly padded toward the tree.
Tigerclaw sidled up to Darkstripe, out of view from Longtail. "What took you so long?" he hissed.
"Longtail wanted to hunt on the way," Darkstripe hissed back out of the corner of his mouth.
"Darkstripe?" Longtail called. "Who are you talking to?"
"No one!" Darkstripe raced back.
"Then why were you meowing?" Longtail trotted closer to the tree, and Tigerclaw slipped away to watch them from a few fox-lengths back.
Darkstripe lashed his tail. "I was working out my hunting strategy! Now keep still. I'm going to find a prey trail."
Tigerclaw flexed his claws. Darkstripe and Longtail had reached the tree at the perfect time; at that moment the kittypet's bright ginger fur appeared from the thick forest across the Thunderpath. Darkstripe's eyes were dark green slits as his gaze tracked the kittypet.
"What is he doing?" Longtail hissed. "Why is he on ShadowClan territory?"
"I don't know," Darkstripe meowed. "Betraying ThunderClan probably."
Carrying an assortment of prey in his jaws, Firepaw cautiously looked down both sides of the Thunderpath and then trotted across. "He has prey!" Tigerclaw had to hold back a purr at Longtail's outraged growl. "He's been hunting on their territory!" They watched as the kittypet as he adjusted the prey between his teeth and trudged past them in the direction of camp, his tail held high. "I can't believe it! That kittypet is going to cause a war. How long do you think he's been hunting on ShadowClan land?"
Darkstripe shrugged. This was going perfectly; when Tigerclaw revealed the kittypet's treachery he would have multiple cats to back him up.
Longtail was bristling. "We need to tell Bluestar about this. Come on."
Darkstripe froze, and Tigerclaw was glad; clearly Darkstripe recognized that Tigerclaw needed to handle this. "Wait, I will ask Tigerclaw. He will know what to do."
"Tigerclaw?" Longtail sounded confused, and Tigerclaw didn't blame him. The clear course of action would be to tell Bluestar; Darkstripe should have been more subtle even if Tigerclaw had hoped to talk to them first.
The dark tom spun around, and after a quick glance around raised his tail in obviously feigned surprise. "Tigerclaw, you're here," Darkstripe meowed, sounding delighted. Tigerclaw rolled his eyes at his former apprentice's stupidity; surely Longtail didn't believe that he had just randomly happened upon them. "We've just seen something!"
Tigerclaw gazed down at them, letting his expression fall into one of mild, concerned interest. "What is it?"
"The kittypet! We were just walking around the Thunderpath when we saw him running across from the ShadowClan side!"
"Really," Tigerclaw meowed, flicking his ears. Longtail was watching the exchange, looking confused.
"He's clearly spying on us," Darkstripe meowed savagely. "That was probably the traitor's plan all along! He had prey; it was probably his payment for sharing ThunderClan secrets." Tigerclaw frowned thoughtfully. "You don't believe me?"
"It's not that I don't believe you," Tigerclaw began slowly. "It is just that those are very serious accusations to make against a Clanmate."
"We both saw him in ShadowClan territory," Longtail put in.
Heaving a sigh, Tigerclaw watched Longtail as his tail gave a worried twitch. "Are you quite sure? Perhaps he doesn't know he crossed the border; he is a kittypet after all." Tigerclaw felt a mrrow of laughter tugging at his whiskers. "I will handle it, Longtail, do not worry."
Longtail seemed satisfied. He got up and turned around to go back to camp. Tigerclaw strode ahead of him so that he was in the lead, but still close enough to speak to the other two cats. They walked for a short distance before Longtail gave him a thoughtful look. "Are you going to tell Bluestar-"
"Bluestar is Firepaw's mentor," Tigerclaw growled, narrowing his eyes. "Trust me, Longtail. Tomorrow, she will certainly be informed."