Crowfeather stood at the top of the hill and gazed evenly acroos the land infront of him. The stretch of woodland was only a few foxlengths down the hill and a small sparkle of the stream glinted through the dense trees. He was truely glad that Firestar had let Windclan keep this patch of territory as it never failed to give a hunting patrol something to take back and in Greenleaf prey there would be plentyfull.

At the moment though it was Newleaf. And an abnormally cold one. Though the flowers were budding and leaves were beggining to creep back onto the branches of trees. He flicked his tail to his companions beckoning them forward with him. He lead them towards the lake where they would start their patrol and they would weave their way with the stream scent marking all the way, catching whatever they found to take home.

Weaselfur stalked forwards into the trees scenting the ground. His ears pricked up and zoned in on a mouse scuffling about. The young warrior looked towards Crowfeather for permission to go after it and eat it. Crowfeather nodded. We're not on a hunting patrol and he must be starving. I'm glad he respects me enough to ask for permission. My clan must be accepting me again He thought to himself.

Weaselfur returned shortly and he and Owlwhisker shared the mouse in quick gulps. Soon they were on their way again. They caught another mouse and a shrew, and buired them for later. Soon they were at the lake.

"We'll start here and follow the stream up to the edge of our territory." Crowfeather announced "Renew the scent markers wherever possible and keep and eye out for any Thunderclan patrols. We don't need any trouble, if you see them nod and we'll move on quickly."

Weaselfur nodded enthusiastically, and Crowfeather realised that it was his first patrol since he was made a warrior.

"Right lets go!" Owlwhisker meowed loudly.

Setting off up the stream the three cats wound backwards and forwards, never walking next to each other but always rotating around the same course. Crowfeather heard an owl flapping over head and looked where it was heading. Three mice were scattering around. In their panic to get away from the owl they were running into Crowfeathers path. Almost overwhelmed at his luck he scooped the first one up and killede it swiftly, the second he bit down hard upon its neck and as he leapt for the third the owl swooped down. Startled Crowfeather shrinked and the mouse escaped into the undergrowth.

Cursing he buried the other two mice and stalked back to the stream. He saw Owlwhisker and Weaselfur staring at something in the water. Padding forwards to join them he crooked his neck to gaze wonderingly at the water.

Brambleclaw was fighting agaisnt the current whilst knawing through some weeds.

"Brambleclaw what are you doing." Crowfeather growled. "Why are you so close to the border?"

"You'd think the Thunderclan deputy would have some brain cells the stupid furball." Owlwhisker laughed.

"I have to get this herb. Squirrelflight needs it for her kits" Brambleclaw meowed as he dragged himself out of the water, herbs in mouth.

"Shouldn't your medicine cat be getting that?" Weaselfur asked.

Crowfeather stiffened at the mention of Leafpool. Unbeknown to everyone he knew he still had feelings for her, but he buried them deep. Ignoring them, denying them, going to all costs to make it seem like he hated her again.

"Leafpool is with her. Squirrelflight is kitting. Kits are the most inportant thing to anyone. To their mother and the rest of their clan." Bramleclaw replied defding his clan.

"Shouldn't you be with her then?" Crowfeather asked

"A father doesn't run from his resposibilities. He goes to all lengths to help them no matter where he is or what the circumstances are" Brambleclaw meowed. He looked meaningfully at Crowfeather.

Why is he looking at me like that? Crowfeather wondered I am a great father to my kits. What is he trying to hint at? Crowfeather straightened his back. "You ought to be getting back to her then. It is your kin in question" Crowfeather meowed "Come on, we still have a while to go before we can rest. This border won't patrol itself"

As the rest of the patrol set off Crowfeather glanced back one last time at Brambleclaw who was still looking at him as if he was caught up between telling him something. Shaking his head Crowfeather followed his clan mates, but the look Brambleclaw gave him hung about in his mind. All the way home he pondered what Brambleclaw could've meant by his guarded answers.