Crowfeather sighed in pleasure as he gazed over his kin. He had spent the last couple of nights watching over them protectivly and looking fondly down at them. Between his warrior duties of course. Now he had regained his high status in the clan he couldn't jeopardise it by slacking off patrols and hunting missions. His whole body ached from the excessive amout of duties he had done just to make sure the clan trusted him.

Now that he gazed down at his kin he felt sure he had reached the place in his life he was destined to be. Happy. No more heartbreak over losing his loves. Two he had lost now. The sweet, kind Feathertail died bravely saving everyone from the dreaded Sharptooth and gentle, loving Leafpool, caught in a vicious pull between her love and her duty, loyalty to her clan. While Feathertail visited him in dreams Leafpool roamed his dreams, never allowed to come near him for the strong sparkling hold StarClan had on her. But he still held both she-cats near to his heart. But all he had been thinking after Mothwing talked to him had disapeared because he had a family now. And their needs came first.

Stretching out he flexed his shoulders. He couldn't wait around here all day. He knew the sun would break through the black shroud and light his way so he could hunt. He used to prefer hunting at night, but now. He liked being out in the sunlight. He loved the way it warmed his fur and made his eyes shine. He loved his life now. Gone was the misery of losing Feathertail. His firey love for Leafpool had been extinguised. By one cat, Nightcloud.

At first he didnt actually think he loved Nightcloud. He hadn't been sure over what he had been doing. He thought he was getting the clan's trust back, but somehow in the process his heart had been stolen. I shall find Nightcloud the plumpest, juiciest piece of fresh kill. Now that his kits were getting stronger, he knew Nightcloud needed to keep her strength up, so she had to eat well to produce enough milk.

He nodded to Onestar who was sitting outside his den, basking in the early sunlight before he set off on a patrol. Onestar nodded and flicked his tail signalling Crowfeather to go to him. As he walked over Crowfeather thought he scented something strange, another cat but not from one of the clans but it was gone so quickly he dissmissed it and carried on.

"Crowfeather." Onestar greeted, "You are going to lead the evening patrol later, take Owlwhisker and Weaselfur."

"Sure, shall I tell them." Crowfeather inquired, pleased that Onestar trusted him enough to let him lead a patrol.

"No need, I told them earlier, just be here in time to meet the Midday patrol and take the border they didn't cover"

"Sure thing." Crowfeather called back as he headed out of camp. Gives me plenty of time to find that mouse.

He was enjoying the warnm sun and found a warm rock to lie on. It sent rippling waves of comfort through his fur. Once the sun was firmly in the sky he set off in search of his massive catch. Deciding that on such a warm day most prey would've taken to the shadows he tried the small stretch of shady woodland by the stream. Soon a plump mouse was in his sight and it hadn't seen him. Crouching low he stalked forwards watching carefully over where his paws fell. Hardly daring to breathe he pulled himself closer to the mouse. He was so close... Timing his attack well, he leaped silently out of the bushes and with a swift flick of his paw, broke its neck.

Burying his prize he ventured further into the wood. Along his route catching two more mice, one sparrow and a thrush he decided to go back, knowing that he would get back in time to eat something and gather the patrolling cats.

As he walked across the moorland he caught scent of a rabbit. Time for one more He thought as he dropped his catch and sprang quickly towards it.

He re-entered the camp and dropped his catch on the fresh kill pile. He picked up the plump mouse and entered the nursery. Nightcloud was sat up and his kits were tussling among themselves. They weren't yet strong enough to be a nuisence but that didn't mean they had no imagination.

"Quick, get that Shadowclanner!!" Crystalkit cried as she hurled herself on Smokekit.

He growled playfully and leapt back at her. "You may be strong Windclanner but your powers are nothing to mine"

The two kits rolled around playfully batting each other with their paws. They yelped in happiness as they rolled right into Fogkit.

"Watch it!" He snapped.

"Hey are you all right Fogkit?" Crowfeather asked.

"I'm fine. I don't want to join in with their kit games. I want to go hunting."

"Fogkit, nobody said you had to join in with them." Nightcloud meowed. "But you can't go hunting, you're too young"

Fogkit turned around and curled up tightly closing his eyes.

"Here, I caught this today, for you" Crowfeather dropped the mouse for Nightcloud who looked up at him and replied.

"Sorry Crowfeather. I've already eaten, and so have the kits. You eat it."

Crowfeather flicked his tail in farewell and took the mouse out of the nursery feeling rather put out. He'd taken alot of time finding the perfect mouse. As he gulped down the catch the sound of Crystalkit and Smokekit playing restarted and Crowfeather let out a mrrrwwwww Of amusement when he heard the names the two kits were calling eaxh other.

Getting up he padded to the clan entrance and was closly met by the rest of the patrol. Owlwhiska nodded and Weaselfur sat down. Soon the midday patrol returned and Ashfoot greeted them.

"We've just been up the Riverclan border. No sign of trouble there. Try the Thunderclan border, they've been quiet a while." She told her son.

"Do you think it's wise to let him lead the Thunderclan border patrol" Weaselfur asked.

"I'm sure he's perfectly capable of that" Ashffot growled as she entered the camp.

"Come on then." Crowfeather meowed and lead the patrol away into the darkening sky.