Tigress shook her head, mentally chiding herself. She didn't know why she was helping that damn tom-Sherlock was his name, or something-but she was doing it anyway. Oh starclan, if Lion found out what I was doing...I'd be clawed to death in a heartbeat.

She would have liked to think that she would only be kicked out of the gang, but she knew it wouldn't be so. Lion was ruthless-known as one who never kept prisoners or let anyone go. Tigress was well aware of it. She also could see his logic, though; if one cat who knew about the gang told three others, who would each tell three others, who would each tell three others...Easily, every clan could know about them within a fortnight.

So if the risks were so high, why was she still doing it...? She didn't know Sherlock at all, and he had done nothing to benefit her. She didn't owe him anything. And yet, she still felt the desire to help him, in any way she could.

Dammit, what is he doing to me?! I'm supposed to be a ruthless assassin...not some love-sick kit. She scowled at her own reflection in a puddle as she walked past.

Could it be that she had...actual feelings for him?

No, no, no. That wasn't possible. Tigress, the Tigress, did not fall head-over-paws for charming loners. He was probably just using her, anyway. Tricking her into thinking she felt something towards him so that she would help him. She did have a lot more experiance and resources, after all.

She so desperately wanted to believe that. She wished she could. But there was always the nagging voice at the back of her mind that said it wasn't true.

She shook her head in an effort to clear it. It didn't really work, but it did succeed in making her take her eyes off the path she was on...and end up head-butting a tree.

Dammit dammit dammit. She thought, stepping back and shaking her head again, though gentler this time. What was happening to her? She was never clumsy like this. She never second-guessed herself. And she cretainly never showed mercy or concern for anycat other than herself. But now, everything that she was, everything that made her who she was- or at least she though -was gone.

She was so confused. She didn't know why she was acting like this. The only reasonable cause would be that she...liked the tom.

No. No. No, no, no. She growled quietly at herself. There had to be another reason. She would just have to think about it. For a while. Maybe ask Bear about it- Wait, what?

No, she couldn't ask Bear. Even if she didn't mention names, he'd get suspicous. She could not let any cat know about this, not even her brother. That would be...no. Just. No.

She picked up her pace, hoping to reach camp before the sun rose. Even as she ran, by the time she had reached the little ravine, the sun had already risen and Bear was scurrying about. He looked nervous.

"Something wrong?" Tigress asked quietly.

Bear noticed her only then, and quickly ran over. He lookd her over quickly, worry clear on his face.

"Where the hell were you? I was worried, you idiot!" He said, but as soon as he had deemed her healthy, he stepped back and regained his composure.

"I was...Erm." She coughed, trying to make time to think of a lie. "Checking how much the river rose."

"And?"

"And what?"

Bear looked at her like she had grown antlers. "How much did it rise?" He asked.

"Oh. Ah, darn it. I saw this bird on my way back to camp and tried to catch it, but couldn't, and I totally forgot about the river. Sorry." Tigress replied, swallowing the lump in her throat. She was certain Bear would see right through her lie.

He gave her an accusing look, eyes narrowed. He opened his mouth, as if to say something, but just then Lion came out of his den and cleared his throat loudly. Bear and Tigress ran over and stood at attention in front of him. They both waited silently for orders, if indeed he was going to give any.

"Go scout the forest. Report back here with the damage." Lion said to bear, who turned and ran out of camp immidiately. Lion then turned to Tigress, who stared back at him defiantly.

"You go collect the herbs that were washed away." He ordered, his voice almost a growl. He offered no list of herbs or where to find any of them, but Tigress didn't mind. She kept a careful watch of the herb stock, and knew where to find most of them. She simply nodded and ran out of camp, pushing the issues with Sherlock to the back of her mind.

A/N: I don't like this chapter at all, but i knew I had to post /something/. So here ya go. Again, I love reviews. As always. They motivate me to write. So if I get reviews, you guys get chapters. That's fair.

-hugs everyone reading- Thanks guys! I really am thankful to everyone who has read, reviewed, followed or favorited this story. You are all amazing. Cyber-cookies for everyone! -throws cookies in the air-