Tigerstorm padded next to Cindershade with their clanmates back to camp. The broad shouldered tom seemed happier now with a piece of prey hanging from his mouth. Nutclaw was behind them with a finch in his mouth. She entered camp with the toms behind her and smiled.

"It's nice to be back in camp." She stated

Nutclaw nodded and bounded toward the fresh-kill pile. Cindershade placed his at her paws and mewed,

"Take it. You did a lot today, helping the elders out when the apprentices were busy."

"Thanks Cindershade." She replied

"Anytime."

She spotted Hazelstar padding out of the elder's den. Tigerstorm spotted her sluggish movements as their leader headed for the fresh-kill pile.

"She looks terrible."

"Of course she does! She's old and should retire soon." Cindershade said with a hint of anger in his voice

"How can you say that!" Tigerstorm exclaimed, "She's a wonderful leader!"

"So? Icebird is much younger than her and needs to become leader before that old thing does something stupid." He growled

Tigerstorm hissed at Cindershade and padded away from him. How can he even say that about Hazelstar? She's a fantastic leader and Icebird will serve her until she dies. She entered the nursery and sighed. It's odd seeing the nursery empty. Leafpaw and Airpaw were the last kits in here two moons ago, but now it was empty. She exited and purred as a warm breeze ruffled her fur. The sunlight warmed their camp as the fresh air of new-leaf decorated the air.

"Tigerstorm?"

Dawnstream's mew startled her as she spotted the pale brown tabby padding up to her. Goldfur was at her side and looked much happier than he had the previous night.

"What happened? I saw you arguing with Cindershade." She meowed

"Nothing big." Tigerstorm muttered

"It must have been." Goldfur said, "You looked pretty mad back there."

"Look, it's nothing."

Goldfur shrugged and licked Dawnstream's cheek and padded away. Her sister returned her blue gaze to Tigerstorm and nodded, saying nothing. She got up and bounded toward her mate, leaving Tigerstorm alone.

...

Tigerstorm headed over to the warrior's den when she spotted Cindershade.

"Tigerstorm.." He began

"Yes."

"Look, sorry for what I said earlier. I didn't truly mean it. I just feel bad for Hazelstar. She's old and look at how much she has to endure." He explained

She smiled and nuzzled his side. I can't stay mad at him...

"It's alright. I should have let you explain yourself."

She heard a purr rumble in his throat as his tail dragged across her back. She breathed in his warm scent as she looked up at him. His icy gaze was beautiful and calm.

"Let me go get something to eat for us." She told him

He nodded and entered the warrior's den as she ran toward the pile. She reached for a fish as a black paw reached for the same one. Their paws hit and she jumped back.

"Oh! Sorry about that.." Tigerstorm murmured

"It's all right." Nutclaw returned, "I should have seen you."

She smiled and picked up a different fish and padded away. She saw Cindershade looking outside of the den, looking directly at her. As she entered she felt his body next to her.

"Why were you talkin' to Nutclaw?" He asked

"I just was. It's no big deal."

"Alright. Hey, wanna go to the stream later on?"

"Sure!" She exclaimed

She took a bite out of the fish and purred as Cindershade did as well. She spotted something inside his eyes. Was that jealousy? Or anger? She shrugged. It's probably nothing.

...

Night came shortly and Tigerstorm was laying happily on her nest, grooming her matted fur from the long day. Her belly was full from the freshly caught carp she had gotten on the dusk patrol. She glanced up and saw Cindershade walking in. The muscular tom didn't look tired at all. He looked up at her and Tigerstorm spotted that same flash in his eyes.

"Hey, wanna go now?" He asked

"Why wouldn't I?" She purred

She got up and padded over to him. She nuzzled his soft, glossy fur as he began to pad out. Tigerstorm spotted Goldfur near the fresh-kill pile. He flicked his tail and she nodded. She heard a scraping noise and looked toward Cindershade, who looked completely unfazed. He exited the camp with her right behind. She bounded ahead to catch up. Weird..he seems..irritated. She headed up one of the hills and purred as a warm wind blew across her freshly groomed fur.

"I love this weather." She said

"Same."

Her tail lashed. What is wrong with him? He seemed perfectly fine earlier. I'll ask him when we get there. She began walking again and smiled as she broke into a run.

"Come on!" She shouted toward the tabby

Cindershade reacted quickly and began running toward her. His powerful strides propelled him far as the rushing of the stream approached her. She slowed her pace and stopped near the beautiful stream. Looking up, she could see the beautiful outlines of the trees.

"Tigerstorm."

She turned and saw Cindershade sitting down. The tom was glaring at her, his icy eyes standing out against the shadows.

"Wha-" She began

"Explain to me why you were talking to Nutclaw."

"Why? There-"

"I said to explain to me why you were talking to him." He growled

"Cindershade! I am allowed to speak to one of my clanmates and it was just about prey!"

He jumped at her and glared into her dark gray eyes with pure rage.

"Don't yell at me."

"Why not? I'm aloud to yell if I want to." She retorted

A sharp pain slashed across her face as Cindershade's unsheathed paw moved across her face. She was so startled, she couldn't even make another noise.

"You spoke to Nutclaw and laughed as though you were flirting. And Goldfur! Ignore that tom! He's with Dawnstream! How would you feel if I flirted with Dawnstream?" He hissed

Tigerstorm couldn't reply, still to shocked at what he had done. Blood dripped from the wound as Cindershade's lip drew up in a snarl as he took another step forward. Great Starclan! He lashed again at her shoulder and pain exploded in it.

"You filthy she-cat! You're my mate, not any other tom's! Stay away from any tom in our clan and all the clans!"

He cuffed her ear sharply as a few drops of blood fell from that wound. A few tufts of her fur were scattered upon the ground as more blood fell from her two claw wounds. Cindershade's eyes were full of malice and looked like poison.

"Nothing happened here tonight." He told her, "If anyone finds out, you'll be in Starclan much sooner."