Squirrelflight walked around the busy Thunderclan camp in the bright warm sunhigh on the last moon of green leaf. She stopped by the warriors den that was being fixed by Brightheart, Brackenfur, Graystripe, Hazeltail, Blossompaw, and Toadstep. She remembered that Firestar had told her to help and rushed over to Brackenfur's side, "What is there for me to do?" Squirrelflght asked calmly.
Brackenfur turned to her and nodded toward the far east side of the wariors den, "We need to expand that side of the warriors den," he began, "Help Toadstep, Graystripe, and Brightheart over there." he commanded.
Squirrellight nodded solemnly and went to the far east side. She stood beside Graystripe, "Graystripe," she said to get his attention, "Brackenfur told me to help you expand the east side, what should I do?" she asked.
"Help Brightheart gather some moss from the forest, we need some for the new nests inside the den." he ordered and called louder, "Brightheart!" and when Brightheart came racing over, he nodded to Squirrelflight, "Help Squirrelflight gather moss from the forest and bring it here for the new nests."
Right before Squirrelflight and Brightheart left the camp, Brambleclaw climbed the high ledge and stood there. He looked down on the gathering warriors and apprentices and Squirrelflight whispered to Brightheart, "Should we stay and listen to the patrols or just leave because we have already been given a task?"
Brightheart walked toward the high rock and said over her shoulder, "We should hear what Brambleclaw has to say first." she advised. Squirrelflight nodded with a sigh and walked after Brightheasrt toward her old mate perched on the high ledge. Once all of the warriors and apprentices were gathered, Brambleclaw began to speak.
"I must organize the Sun high patrols," he announced, "First we will have Thornclaw leading the first hunting patrol. Bring Briarpaw, Berrynose, Cinderheart, and Icecloud with you, remember to bring back as much fresh kill as you can, we need to stock up for leaf fall." he commanded and when Thornclaw gae a respectful nod, he went on, "Another hunting patrol will be led by Birchfall. Bring Mousewhisker, Bumblepaw, Cloudtail, Dustpelt, and Foxleap with you." he ordered and when Birchfall dipped his head in acknowledgement, Brambleclaw went on, "I want Sorreltail to lead a border patrol along the Shadowclan border and look for any scent beyond the scent lines with Sandstorm, Lionblaze, and Leafpool. That will be all for now." he announced and jumped down from the high ledge onto the ground below. Everyone started to pad away from the ledge, most gathering into patrols and some going back to work on the dens. Squirrelflight saw Brambleclaw pad up to Sorreltail and heard him tell her, "And while you're out, I'd like you to check along the Windclan border as well, just to be sure." he said calmly. Soreltail gave a nod and her patrol left through the thorn tunnel.
Squirelflight and Brightheart left shortly after the patrols out into the woods in search of moss, "Follow me," Brightheart said, "I know where there's a lot of moss nearby." and so Squirrelflight did as she was told. In no time, Squirreflight and Brightheart had collected paw fulls of moss and were carrying it carefully back into the camp. Squirrelflight placed her bunch right outside the warriors den and decided to go hunt. She walked up to Brambleclaw after noticing that the border patrol had already returned and asked, "Can I take some cats out hunting?"
Brambleclaw looked up at her from the vole he had been pawing at, "Of course," he said with none of the affection they used to share. Her heart throbbed but she didn't take any notice of the coldness behind his words, she simply nodded and went to find Lionblaze and Ashfur. She found Lionblaze quickly outside of the apprentices den with Cinderheart and padded over.
"Lionblaze," she began, "would you and Cinderheart like to join me in some hunting?" and Lionblaze looked up, surprise and anger flashed in his eyes for a moment and Squirelflight sensed his muscles tense but he replied, "Sure, Cinderheart?" he asked. Cinderheart let out a light purr and nodded, standing up beside Lionblaze.
"Is anyone else coming?" Cinderhear asked to break the awkward silence.
"Yes," Squirrelflight answered, "I was going to invite Ashfur." she told Cinderheart. Once again, she sensed that Lionblaze had been slightly shocked at what she had said, his musceles tensed and she heard his teeth doing a light grit, his eyes betrayed his hatred for Squirrelflight as well as Ashfur. Squirrelflight looked away from him as not to show her understanding of betrayal, she paded over to Ashfur, "Ashfur," she said calmly, "would you like to come hunting with us?" she asked. Ashfur's eyes became slits, pointed directly to Squirrelflight but he showed no emotion in the words that came next, "Fine."
And so with the hunting patrol made up, Lionblaze, Cinderheart, Ashfur, and Squirrelflight made their way through the thorn tunnel but it wasn't until they had almost reached the Windclan border when they heard the screech. The high-pitched mewling of a kit in agony, that they all stopped where they were and looked around to see 4 vicious badgers lumbering on the rise that led to the Thunderclan camp.