Sandstorm had stayed true to her word and several of the warriors had complained to Tigerstar about Fireheart and Graystripe not being allowed on patrol.
"You two," Tigerstar snarled at them as they stretched, having just woken up and emerged into the dawn sun, blinking sleep from their eyes, "Are coming with me on a patrol."
Graystripe and Fireheart shared a look, before padding reluctantly over to their leader.
"Darkstripe, Dustpelt!" Tigerstar snapped. The two cats were sharing a squirrel and pricked their ears before leaping obediently to their paws and trotting over.
"Yes, Tigerstar?" Mewed Darkstripe, bowing graciously. Tigerstar purred, and Graystripe let out a snort. Fireheart shot him a warning look, but his friend shrugged with a grin, Tigerstar hadn't noticed.
"Bring your apprentices, we're going to patrol the ShadowClan border." Tigerstar proclaimed. Ashpaw and Fernpaw had been made apprentices a quarter-moon ago.
"Very well," Darkstripe replied, "Fernpaw, Ashpaw!" He yowled. The two apprentices peeped out of their den eagerly, before prancing over to the group.
"We're patrolling the ShadowClan border." Dustpelt told them.
"Okay!" The two apprentices mewed in unison.
With a nod, Tigerstar led the patrol out of the bramble tunnel and into the woods. They veered right as they left the camp, until they met the stinking Thunderpath.
All was quiet.
"Renew the scent markers!" Tigerstar instructed Dustpelt and Graystripe. Graystripe rolled his eyes but followed Dustpelt unquestioningly.
He's deliberately split us up, thought Fireheart, interesting…
"Now," He meowed to the apprentices, "What do you do if you see a ShadowClan cat close to our border?"
"Attack them!" Yowled the apprentices. Fireheart stared at them with astonishment, warriors weren't meant to attack the other clans unless they crossed the border. The siblings had been taught wrongly, influenced by the ThunderClan leader's thirst for blood.
Now I can see why Tigerstar chose two of his closest friends to mentor these two, thought Fireheart, it explains why he didn't pick Sandstorm, she would never agree to this!
"Good," Mewed Tigerstar approvingly, Fireheart let a low growl rumble in his throat, "And what do we do if they dare cross our border?"
"Kill them!" Chorused the apprentices, their innocent eyes shining. They didn't know this went against the real warrior code, as they had been taught Tigerstar's version.
"Oh, that's right." Tigerstar growled. He turned to stare at Fireheart, daring him to object. Fireheart looked down at his paws, feigning submissiveness but growling to himself.
"Let's see if we can find a ShadowClan cat to scare off then, shall we?" Tigerstar meowed.
"Good idea." Darkstripe nodded, bowing to his leader yet again. This time Fireheart almost snorted, it's ridiculous, he thought, how could a warrior worship such a horrific leader?
As the group started padding away from where Dustpelt and Graystripe were setting the markers, Fireheart felt a lump in his throat. Oh StarClan, please don't let us find a ShadowClan warrior near our border! He prayed. The flame-coloured warrior knew that he wouldn't have Graystripe's support if Tigerstar chose to attack. He would either have to go along with it or rebel against Tigerstar. Fireheart shook the idea from his head, we won't meet a ShadowClan cat! He thought, trying to reassure himself.
They were still plodding along the Thunderpath when Darkstripe pricked his ears and hissed loudly. Fireheart froze.
"What is it?" Tigerstar demanded.
"I smell ShadowClan!" Darkstripe announced, puffing out his chest like a proud apprentice. Tigerstar opened his mouth to scent the air.
"Me too." Purred the massive tabby, sliding out his unusually long claws. They glinted dangerously in the newleaf sun.
Firestar's pelt bristled, and he felt bile in his throat. He had to decide what to do. Suddenly, he spotted Whitethroat padding along with his nose to the ground, oblivious to Tigerstar's evil version of the code. As far as he knows, he's an innocent warrior minding his own business and looking out for his clan, Fireheart thought as pain burned in his heart, I won't let him get killed.
There was a screech of fury as Darkstripe raced across the quiet thunderpath and flew at the black and white warrior with Fernpaw and Ashpaw not far behind. Tigerstar watched with satisfaction as Ashpaw bit down hard on Whitethroat's tail and Fernpaw raked her claws down his back.
After a moment's hesitation, Fireheart sprinted over to the one-sided battle and shoved the apprentices away, pinning Whitethroat down. Loudly, so that Tigerstar would hear, he yowled, "He's mine!" Then he pummelled Whitethroat's belly with claws sheathed and hissed in his ear, "You need to get out of here. Tigerstar made us do this, warn your clan."
A look of understanding flashed across Whitethroat's face and he nodded, pretending to strike the side of Fireheart's head with one of his white paws. Fireheart rolled off him, pretending to be dazed, as Whitethroat got to his paws. Instantly, Darkstripe attacked him with a hiss but Whitethroat managed to throw him off with a grunt and onto the approaching apprentices. Without looking back, the ShadowClan warrior slunk quickly off and by the time Darkstripe had regained his stance, he had disappeared.
What a powerful warrior, Fireheart thought, I'm just glad Tigerstar didn't join in…