As Crowfeather lead the patrol back to camp, across the windswept moors he pondered the strange behaviour of Brambleclaw that night. He could understand why Leafpool wasn't getting the herbs, she had to be with Squirrelflight. But why had he given so many guarded answers and what was in his expression when he had looked at him. Crowfeather was sure there had been sadness in his eyes, but why. He was deputy of a strong clan, he had a loving family and new kits. He had the respect of every cat in the forest and was a powerfull warrior. What more did he need?

Weaselfur was carring back the freshkill they had caught. His tail was held high as the neared the camp and he walked ahead to show off their catch. Crowfeather could see that Owlwhisker was longing to run back to camp, to get rid of any spare energy. When Crowfeather caught his eye he nodded slightly and the young warrior hurtled after Weaselfur.

Crowfeather, being the last to enter the camp hesitated for a while. A chill came over him, the sense of danger. He paced around th camp untill he was behind the medicine cat den. The ground he stood on radiated and eriee, deathly sense. Although his fur prickled like he was being watched by all the eyes in silverpelt, he couldn't scent anything. He dared not tell Onestar for two reasons, he didn't want to be thought of as a loony prophetic warriors and it felt more personal anyway.

He walked into the camp and took a glance around, at the clan. His clan, and his pride. His head held high he padded over to Onestar who was cleaning his face whilst keeping an eye on the kits playing outside the nursery.

"You've got a good litter there!" Onestar commented "They'll make fantastic warriors for the clan, but I ought to warn you I think Barkface has got his eye on Crystalkit for medicine cat apprentice. He was telling me earlier that he needed a new apprentice."

"That would be fantastic!" Crowfeather looked at Onestar "Not much to report on the border patrol side. As always Thunderclan is staying within their boundries. We caught a fair amount of fresh kill though."

"Good. I know Thunderclan always respect borders, I agree with Firestar on that point. I do feel sorry for those with Shadowclan as their neightbours though. They've been very quiet and that is not good with Shadowclan"

Crowfeather murmered and agreement and bowed his head as he turned around to join his family. He lay down next to Nightcloud who was grooming her shoulders in smooth motions.

"For premature kits they certainly are growing quickly!" Crowfeather commented

"Oh yes. I am so proud. I can see that Fogkit will be the strongest warrior here!" Nightcloud purred

Crowfeather narrowed his eyes, was she leaving out the other kits on purpose or was that how she felt? "And Smokekit will be quick! I see that Crystalkit will be caring. We certainly do have a good litter!"

Nightcloud nodded "It's late, I told them to go to bed but they wouldn't have it. They wanted to wait for you to come home."

Crowfeather padded over to where the three kits were tumbling in and out of their play fight, but the obvious dominance in the fight was Fogkit. He wiggled his tail and leapt onto Smokekit's back who twisted quickly and landing on him. Laughing he bent in and batted them away with a paw playfully. All three kits tumbled into him and hung off his ears and tail.

"Right now that I'm back you'd better go to bed." He meowed

"But..!" Smokekit began to complain

"No buts you're up much later that the other older kits!" Crowfeather pointed out

"'Spose so. That's good! We are stronger!" Fogkit meowed and launched himself through the opening of the nursery his kin follwing in pursuit. After Crowfeather had purred good night to his family he retired to the warriors den. Curling up in his nest he rested his nose in his tail fur.

The night sky above him shone as the warriors of silverpelt sparkled down, watching over the clans and keeping them safe from any danger over night.