It wasn't that he was avoiding Ravenpaw per say.

They still went on patrols and trained together. They just... didn't talk. Or make eye contact with each other unless they absolutely had to.

After about the fiftieth time scarfing down his food and fle-leaving before his brother can join them with his own prey, Sandpaw tracks him down and smacks his head with a paw.

"What. Is going on between you two?"

"Nothing!"

Sandpaw's annoyed glare turns frosty and it takes everything in him not to squirm under it.

"It's uh. Complicated? But uh, few more days and it'll be nothing. Promise."

Sandpaw snorts. "Right. And the past moon has been what? A game? Arguments don't just 'go away' magically mousebrain."

Dustpaw frowns at her, a smidge offended. "We're not arguing."

"Right." This time Sandpaw rolls her eyes. "And I'm not stuck in the middle with one of you stuck to my side while the other hides."

"We don't-" his words die at the flat look Sandpaw throws him.

"Make up or I swear, I will fill both your nests with so many thistles you'll have something new to cry about."

With an annoyed huff, Sandpaw turns, smacking his face with her tail and storms off.

Dustpaw, for his part, remains sitting where she left him. Fuming.

They're not arguing. At all.

It's just. He knows Ravenpaw blames him for what happened at Sunning Rocks. He wasn't there to support either his mentor or his littermate when they needed him the most and Redtail...died.

It's barely been a moon since it all happened and everything still hurts. Maybe in another moon or several or even when they're both warriors it'll hurt less and he can face the confirmation of what he knows to be true. But right now, he can't.

He can barely keep himself going under Darkstripe's mentorship and pretending everything's fine. He just knows, the second he meets the scorn and disappointment in Ravenpaw's eyes, he'll fall apart for good.

And the clan can't afford another loss.

Slumping slightly at the wave of exhaustion hitting him, Dustpaw pulls himself up and makes his way tiredly to the apprentice den.

Sandpaw doesn't know what she's talking about. The system between himself and Ravenpaw works just fine. It's not like their little...whatever is hurting the clan.

She'll get over it.

It's just a little bit longer before things can relax between the two of them again.

...

The next morning Dustpaw finds himself woken harshly with a sharp jab to his side.

Quickly blinking the sleep from his eyes, he looks around the den for his attacker only to find Sandpaw grinning innocently at him.

"What's going on? Are we on dawn patrol?"

"I am. You." impossibly, Sandpaw's grin grows wider. "Are going on a special patrol."

Dustpaw's eyes widen as he scrambles to his paws in a panic. Darkstripe hadn't mentioned going on some sort of patrol yesterday but that didn't mean there wasn't one.

The past moon under his new mentor had only shown how really lucky he had been with Redtail. Darkstripe, while okay, wasn't really the most focused or attentive of cats.

Dustpaw was finding it easier to believe that Longtail had lost to a kittypet kit each day he spent with the dark-furred tabby.

Pushing past a smug Sandpaw, Dustpaw nearly fell out of the apprentice den in his hurry to get out and froze at the sight of his mother waiting patiently with his brother by her side staring intently at the ground.

"...Rosetail? You're my patrol?"

Rosetail smiled. "Me and your brother."

He blinked. "But but but you're an elder. You can't. You can't do patrols."

Rosetail's smile became a smirk as her eyes lit up with amusement. "Just for today I'm a warrior. I've already talked with both your mentors and Bluestar about having you two for the day. Now, come on."

Dustpaw would have stood there all day if he hadn't received a hard shove at his back pushing him forwards.

"Go on you stupid furball."

Sandpaw looked torn between bemusement and annoyed. "It's just a day with your family, how bad can it be?"

Dustpaw bit back a grimace as he avoided her eyes. With the guilt and shame weighing him down, he couldn't help feeling the answer was obvious.

...

To his great surprise, the walk was quiet.

Abnormally so.

Ravenpaw hadn't opened his mouth once since Sandpaw had pushed him out of the den and Rosetail herself hadn't so much as hinted at what exactly the patrol was for.

Idly, Dustpaw wondered if his mother had been an elder for so long she'd forgotten what you were supposed to do on one.

Eventually, they came to a small clearing in the forrest. If he strained his ears, Dustpaw could faintly hear the rushing of the river past the surrounding trees.

Without warning, Rosetail suddenly stopped and it was only by pure luck that he didn't crash into his brother and leave the both of them as a tangled mess of fur and limbs on the forrest floor.

Confused and slightly worried, Dustpaw met his mother's eyes. "Is...something wrong?"

Rosetail gave a heavy sigh as she looked between the two of them with an unreadable look.

"I'm afraid there is. My kits...are avoiding each other."

Dustpaw pulled back, insulted. "We're not- We're fine! We go on patrols and and train together!"

"But do you talk to each other? Share prey? There's more to being in a clan than just warrior duties you know."

"I do! We do! Right Ravenpaw?"

Ravenpaw, the idiot, didn't respond. Instead the mousebrain stood staring at his paws like he wasn't even paying attention to the conversation. Dustpaw felt like he could hit him. Didn't he realize that if he didn't speak up now, more cats would start poking their noses where they didn't belong? Stars forbid, what if Bluestar herself was the next cat to try to get them to talk?

An annoyed huff broke his line of thinking and Dustpaw found himself staring at his mother again. Rosetail's brow was furrowed as she looked over her kits thoughtfully.

"Ravenpaw." She began softly, waiting for the named cat to look up from his paws and meet her gaze before contuining. "Would it...be easier...if it was just you and your brother here? We're far enough from camp and any regular patrol routes to be overheard if that's what you're worried about. I can even leave you two for as long as you need to work things out. If, that is what you'd like."

Ravenpaw stared at him with wide eyes before turning back to Rosetail and nodding. Seemingly satisfied, Rosetail leaned forward to lick the top of Ravenpaw's head before turning to do the same to Dustpaw.

A sudden rush of fear struck him as he felt the roughness of her tounge brush his fur back. He wasn't ready to have this talk with Ravenpaw, to admit out loud how much he'd failed his former mentor. Childishly, he wanted Rosetail to stay, to ease his pain with soft words, or better yet, keep Ravenpaw from dragging the harsh truth from him for at least one more day.

But he bit his tongue and kept his thoughts to himself.

Maybe. Maybe it was for the best that it was just the two of them right here, right now.

Get it all out in the open, and Starclan willing, come to some sort of agreement to keep the rest of the clan from prying too deep.

Rosetail stepped back, and with one last look at the two of them, bounded out of the clearing and into the trees so that they could 'talk'.

He didn't want to do it.

Stars above, he didn't want to, but he had a feeling Rosetail would insist they stayed out here all day and night until they did. Steeling his nerves, Dustpaw opened his mouth to speak first only for Ravenpaw to beat him to it with the last words he ever thought would come out of his brother's mouth.

"I'm sorry."

Dustpaw blinked. And blinked again as he stared slack-jawed at his littermate.

Ravenpaw shrank back at his look, as if hoping the ground beneath him would swallow him up if he made himself small enough.

"I'm so sorry Dustpaw. Redtail should still be your mentor and if I'd been fast enough or or a better fighter like Tigerclaw and every cat kept telling me, he'd probably still be alive today."

Dustpaw felt as if the heavy weight pressed against him was suddenly lifted.

Ravenpaw didn't blame him.

"And and I know nothing I do can bring him back, but I promise, I'm doing everything I c-can to make sure something like that never happens again and I understand if y-you can never forgive me, I-"

Horror raked through him as he realized that his brother blamed himself.

Almost without thinking, Dustpaw rushed to Ravenpaw's side so that their pelts were touching and tried not to let his brother's flinch bother him.

"I don't blame you." He blurted harshly, interrupting Ravenpaw's panicked spiel.

Ravenpaw's eyes widened. "Y-you don't? But I was right there!"

Dustpaw pushed against him harder. "I don't. If...if any cat should be blamed, it should be me. Redtail was my mentor, as his apprentice, I should have been right there by his side, defending him."

This time, Ravenpaw pressed closer in an attempt to stop the flow the rush of words.

"It's not your fault. Redtail knew what he was doing. It was just supposed to be a border check. Riverclan ambushed us. Even...even if you were there, I don't know how much a difference it would have made..." Ravenpaw paused as his gaze darkened. "...there were a lot of cats."

Dustpaw pressed closer and realized with start that he'd missed this. Missed talking to Ravenpaw and sharing warmth, taking comfort in knowing his brother was nearby if he needed him.

Sandpaw was right. He really was a mousebrain.

...

By the time Rosetail returned to the clearing, he and Ravenpaw had dozed off after sharing tongues for the first time in nearly a moon. Their mother's soft laugh and the scent of fresh-kill stirred them from their slumber.

"I see things went well between you two then?"

Ravenpaw nodded. "Yeah. I guess it did."

Rosetail smiled as she pushed a vole and a mouse towards them. "I'm glad to hear that. The bond between littermates is one of the greatest gifts Starclan can give to a cat. It'd be an insult to them and yourselves to let it fall apart over a disagreement or misunderstanding."

Dustpaw exchanged a look with Ravenpaw before looking back at Rosetail. "I think I understand."

Rosetail purred. "Good. Now. Eat up; I imagine your mentors are eager to get back to your training today before it gets too late."

….

Dustpaw would have to be blind and deaf to not notice something was amiss in the clan upon setting foot in the camp.

Warriors were darting between each other sharing snippets of conversation with each other before moving on while Bluestar could just barely be seen by the base of Highrock deep in conversation with Tigerclaw and Lionheart.

Sharing an uneasy look with Ravenpaw, Dustpaw felt the fur of his tail begin to bristle. He didn't want to regret the day spent mending his relationship with his brother but had they taken too long getting back? Was the clan in danger?

Rosetail seemed to share their apprehension as she shot them a concerned look. "You two stay here. I'll be right back."

Before they could even agree; Rosetail was bounding over to the elders' den and ducking inside.

To Dustpaw's surprise, Ravenpaw was looking around as if he of all cats was planning to ignore a senior cat's instructions.

"What are you doing?" He hissed.

Ravenpaw blinked. "Looking for Sandpaw. You don't think we'll get any answers just standing around do you?"

It was Dustpaw's turn to blink. "I guess not…"

"Then come on! I think I saw her by the stump."

Not even waiting for a reply, Ravenpaw rushed ahead, leaving Dustpaw to scramble after a heartbeat later. Lose track of your littermate for a moon and suddenly they're a different cat. Who'd have guessed?

True to form, Sandpaw was sitting by the old stump looking as if she'd swallowed a prickle bush.

"What's going on?"

Sandpaw gave a small jolt at Ravenpaw's question before glaring at them. "You two back on speaking terms?"

"Yeah." "MmHm"

Sandpaw's glare lessened slightly. "Good. That's one good thing to come out of today."

Dustpaw glanced at Ravenpaw, who looked just as lost as he felt. "What uh. What happened today?"

"The kittypet brought home that."

Dustpaw looked over to where Sandpaw was pointing, half expecting to see a badger or a fox judging from the pure venom in her voice and saw...a half starved, scowling, old she-cat who looked like she hadn't been fed in moons.

"...that just looks like an old cat Sandpaw. I don't think it could even fight."

Sandpaw spun around to glare at Ravenpaw. "Oh sure. Let's adopt another soft mouth into our clan. Maybe tomorrow you can prance around Twolegplace with Firepaw and collect more kittypets and strays to join our clan."

Ravenpaw's eyes darkened, but before he could fire back a retort of his own, Bluestar had jumped onto the Highrock to call the clan together for a meeting.

"I am sure you have all heard about the prisoner we brought back with us today, but there is something else you need to know." Bluestar paused to gaze down at the dark gray cat in the center of the camp. "Can you hear me from down there?"

"I may be old, but I'm not deaf yet!" the she-cat, the prisoner, Dustpaw realized with a jolt, shot back.

Bluestar nodded, unfazed by the old cat's tone and continued. "I'm afraid I have some grave news. Today, a patrol and I traveled into Windclan territory. The air was thick with Shadowclan scent, every tree and bush marked by them while we found no trace or scent of Windclan even though we traveled deep into their heartland."

A hush fell over the clan at her words.

Hesitantly from the elders den, Smallear spoke. "Do you mean to say, Windclan has been chased out?"

"We can't be sure." Bluestar replied, expression grave, "Shadowclan's scent was certainly everywhere. We found blood, and fur, the signs of a battle, but no bodies from either clan."

Murmurings and yowls erupted from the older warriors. Dustpaw wasn't sure what he was supposed to say or do. The idea of a clan being chased out was unthinkable. There had always been four clans, three just...didn't feel right.

"How could Windclan be driven out?" Wailed One-Eye, leaning closely against Rosetail as if in support against this onslaught of world shattering news. "Shadowclan's fierce, but Windclan is many. They've lived in the uplands for generations. How could they have been chased out?"

Bluestar slowly shook her head, eyes sympathetic. "I don't know the answers to your questions. All I do know is that Shadowclan's new leader, Brokenstar, gave no hint of a threat when we met him at the last gathering."

Dustpaw flashed back to the last gathering and seeing Brokenstar for the first time. The tom had seemed big and imposing, boasting about being challenged at every border and yet winning every battle. Warning the other clans not to step paw into their territory. He held back a shudder. If Bluestar didn't consider that a threat, he'd hate to see what an actual threat from Brokenstar looked like.

"Perhaps Yellowfang has answers." Darkstripe sneered from his spot. "She is a Shadowclan cat after all."

The ratty she-cat's, Yellowfang presumably, fur bristled. "I am no traitor!" She hissed. "Nothing would make me share Shadowclan secrets with a brute like you!"

To Dustpaw's alarm, he watched as his mentor settled into an attack stance, eager to fight a cat who was probably too old and weak to defend herself properly.

"Stop!" Bluestar yowled on top of her rock; half poised to leap down on her warrior to stop an unfair fight if need be. "That's enough." She growled and Dustpaw was relieved to see Darkstripe step back and settle into a more relaxed position. Satisfied that the dark tabby wouldn't attack Yellowfang, Bluestar relaxed as well.

"This situation is too dire for us to be fighting amongst ourselves. Thunderclan must prepare itself. From this night onward, warriors will travel in larger groups. Other clan members will remain close to camp while patrols travel the borders more frequently. All kits must remain in the nursery."

Below her, the gathered cats nodded and murmured their agreement with the new terms of clan life.

"Our need for warriors is our greatest obstacle. We shall get around this by speeding up the training of our apprentices, who need to be ready even sooner to fight for and protect our clan."

Dustpaw felt a rush of excitement sweep through him at the mention of being made a warrior faster. Looking beside him, he saw that Ravenpaw looked just as thrilled as he did and Sandpaw's earlier disgruntlement at Firepaw was gone at the idea of being named a warrior soon.

Atop her rock, Bluestar continued "One young cat has been sharing mentors with Graypaw and Ravenpaw. By taking Firepaw on as my own apprentice, I shall speed up the training of all three apprentices."

Dustpaw shot a look at the orange kittypet. He was staring up at Bluestar, eyes wide in amazement, as if he knew how big an honor it was to be named apprentice to the clan leader.

"So Firepaw is to be rewarded, not punished for feeding an enemy warrior instead of his clan?" came Tigerclaw's distinctive growl from near the front of the crowd. Dustpaw, for his part, stared in confusion at Firepaw. When had the kittypet even found the time tofeed another clan?

So lost was he in his thoughts and musings over the kittypet's outings, that he missed Bluestar's quiet reply to Tigerclaw.

Raising her voice so the rest of the clan could hear her next words, Bluestar stood tall. "Yellowfang will be allowed to stay in Thunderclan until she has recovered her strength. We are warriors, not savages. She is to be treated with respect and courtesy."

"But the Clan can't support Yellowfang.'' Darkstripe whined where he stood. "We have too many mouths to feed already."

"I don't need anyone to care for me!" Spat Yellowfang, glaring at Darkstripe. "And I'll split anyone who tries."

Bluestar tilted her head slightly. "We shall kill two prey with one blow as it were. Firepaw, as punishment for breaking the warrior code, it will be your responsibility to care for Yellowfang. You will hunt for her, tend to her wounds, fetch fresh bedding and clear away her dirt."

"Yes, Bluestar." Firepaw replied, bowing his head in submission to Bluestar's demands. Beyond that, Dustpaw wasn't sure how Firepaw really felt about his punishment. The kittypet's tone had been respectful and there was no resentment or bitterness in his eyes or expression. He didn't seem to care that he'd been given such lowly tasks.

Annoyance sparked through him. Was there anything that got to this cat?

"Good idea!" He hissed at the kittypet, watching carefully for any sort of reaction. "Firepaw had better be good at cracking fleas!"

"And collecting moss. Wouldn't want to get his face clawed off because he left rocks and twigs in it" jeered Ravenpaw beside him.

"And hunting!" Sandpaw gleefully added. "That sack of bones is going to need some fattening up!"

"Enough!" Bluestar yowled down at them, eyes narrowed in disappointment. "I hope Firepaw finds no shame in caring for Yellowfang. She is a healer and his elder. For those reasons alone he should respect her." Her tail flicked as her gaze sharped as she raked it across the three of them. "And there is no humiliation in caring for another cat when they are unable to care for themselves."

Bluestar turned away from them to address the rest of the clan. "This meeting is over. I would like to speak to my senior warriors now."

Leaping down from the rock, Bluestar motioned for Lionheart, Whitestorm, and Tigerclaw to follow her to her den. Meanwhile, the rest of the clan had gathered around Firepaw to congratulate him on his official apprenticeship or whatever.

Must be nice, Dustpaw thought bitterly, ears still burning from Bluestar's reprimands. Firepaw brings home a ex-shadowclan cat and gets to be Bluestar's apprentice. He makes a small, innocent comment and gets chewed out in front of the whole clan.

"Dustpaw. Ravenpaw."

A deep growl snaps him out of his thoughts and draws him to Rosetail's furious face as she storms towards them.

He can feel Sandpaw tense beside him before quickly scrambling to her paws and begin backing away. "I uh. Just remembered I promised Frostfur I'd help entertain her kits today. Gotta go. See you guys tomorrow!"

Faster than he can blink, she's gone. He can't even bring himself to be mad at her. If he could avoid an infuriated Rosetail with no repercussions, he'd flee too.

"Never." She growls, now towering over her kits. "Have I been more embarrassed by you two. I thought I raised you better than this." Ravenpaw tries looking at his paws again before a sharp jab from Rosetail draws his attention back to her. "Look at me when I'm talking to you." she hisses. "Not only do you insult a clanmate, you insult an elder. A cat who deserves your utmost respect."

"But. She's Shadowclan!" Dustpaw can't help protest.

Rosetail's eyes flash. "I don't care if she's a loner from Twolegplace! She has lived many moons longer than the two of you combined and deserves the respect and patience that warrants! Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes Rosetail." They mutter in unison.

Rosetail's tail flicks as she studies them with an unreadable look. "Good. Now, go to Spottedleaf and ask for some mouse bile to care for the ticks in the elders' den. I'm sure your mentors would approve of you taking such vested interest in the care and well being of our elders since you were so vocal about it that even Bluestar herself had to pause the clan meeting to hear your views."

Nodding numbly, Dustpaw rose to his paws and slowly followed Ravenpaw to the medicine cat den, silently vowing to himself that if he ever spoke to Firepaw again, it would be where neither Bluestar or his mother could hear him.