Shinestar blinked open his eyes slightly, staring off into the large opening to his den. Stretching out his limbs before him, as he weakly rose up onto his paws to wobble out of the den. Sitting down perched up above his clanmates that were leaving the camp, flopping down to lay across the cold smooth stone.

"Poor Shinestar, he can hardly walk." He could hear one of his warriors whisper.

"Probably waiting for the stars to come, he certainly looks like it."

Shinestar looked in their direction, and the two ducked their heads. But Pinestar flicked his tail for them to step forward, both warriors avoiding his gaze as they sat down.

"Wonderful morning isn't it?"

Both warriors looked down at their paws. "S-sorry, we didn't mean to…"

Shinestar shrugged it off as he looked down at them through narrow eyes. "I cannot deny that I am waiting for our ancestors, but at the same time you must remember that such gossip should be kept to yourself."

"Yes Shinestar…"

"Sorry Shinestar."

Shinestar flicked his tail, dismissing the two toms as they headed off. Pinestar then lay his head down on his paws, and drowsiness overcame him.

…

Jaypaw felt his jaw hit the ground, as the mouse cuffed dirt into his muzzle as it scuttled away. He flicked his tail impatiently as he rose back up onto his paws, just as the mouse disappeared into its den. Jaypaw leaned forward as he stalked forward, peering down into the hole, before he turned and stormed off; mumbling curses under his breath as he pressed on. The quiet sun rising over his head as he tasted the air for something of use hunting; turning his head from side to side with ears perked.

But a loud yowl caught his attention; it roared on the wind and sent shivers down his spine. Something pulling at his chest as a feeling of dread overcame him, the cold intensified its assault and he curled up to warm himself.

But as soon as it came, the yowl slowly softened. And the dread quickly turned to annoyance, as he looked around for whoever caused it.

As if on cue, from out of the undergrowth, a rabbit burst through which was quickly followed by Pinepaw who slammed into Jaypaw; Jaypaw digging himself in to brace for impact; "Oof, hey watch what you're…" Pinepaw groaned, before he was shoved by Jaypaw.

"I thought you were supposed to remain quiet when hunting, are you back to an apprentice again?"

Pinepaw's expression went from frustration, to confusion. "What do you mean? The moors have been quiet all day, and I never made a sound." He asked, his eyes darkening with concern. "Are you feeling okay? Should I get Dawnpool? I don't know if hearing things is a symptom of anything, but we shouldn't be too careful."

Jaypaw placed a paw on his head, shaking it as his mind fluttered about. "No… no, I am perfectly fine. Probably just not enough sleep last night, that's it."

Pinepaw still looked skeptical, but he brushed it off. "Just be careful, and make sure to not interrupt my hunting… I almost had that rabbit thank you."

Jaypaw flicked his tail in response, as he too went back to his prowl. His eyes turned towards the sun, the dark clouds now covering it and the light was dimmer now. He lifted a brow and turned his tail, heading across the moors as the hunt continued.

…

Jaypaw returned to camp with his catch, it was very little as he could barely focus on the hunt. Something was always catching his attention, and he would mistime his pounces. He flicked his tail as he sulked over to the prey pile.

"Looks like Pinepaw's been getting better."

"Look at squirt, he's getting worse."

Jaypaw lifted his head, looking around the clearing. Every cat was way out of earshot, and the only two cats nearby were Goldenpaw and Flamepaw. Both she-cats were not paying attention to him, so he turned back to the prey pile.

He dropped his catch on top of the prey, and turned tail towards the apprentice's corner.

"Jaypaw used to be so better… I wonder what happened."

Jaypaw flipped his head around; he could now see Birdcatcher and Larksnout looking at him. Both leaned in closely, but they were well far away from him.

'Am I losing it?'

Jaypaw turned tail and headed straight for the medicine cat den, pushing through and sitting down at the edge of the clearing. Dawnpool pushed out of the den and stopped to look at him. "Is something wrong Jaypaw?"

The silvery gray tom stepped forward. "I was hoping you could help me with something?"

"Well yes, I can help you with a great many things… what is wrong?"

Jaypaw turned to look over his shoulder. "I think I may be losing my mind, but I am hearing strange things recently."

Dawnpool's gaze darkened. "What kind of things?"

"Well…" Jaypaw paused, thinking on how he could describe it. "it started on my hunt, I heard a yowl from far off… but no-one else heard it. And just now I feel like I could hear cats all around me talking about… well, me."

Dawnpool sighed. "Did you get enough sleep last night, from the gathering?"

"I… I'm not sure, but that was my first guess."

"Come see me again before bed, and I will give you some poppy to help you sleep better."

Jaypaw dipped his head, and turned tail. "Will do, thank you."

Dawnpool nodded, as Jaypaw left the den and she was out of sight.