The pale sunlight made it's way through the trees as Tigerstorm walked with the patrol. Cindershade was there as well even though he was originally placed on an earlier patrol. He had spoken to Icebird earlier, though Tigerstorm didn't know what he had said to her, but now he was on the patrol with her, Redpelt, Grayfrost, and Milkfur.

"Hey Tigerstorm," Milkfur whispered.

She turned to face the sleek furred she-cat. "Yeah?"

"Why do ya think Cindershade wanted to come on this patrol so badly? We're just hunting." She mewed

Tigerstrom shrugged, "I dunno."

Milkfur rolled her eyes and padded away. Tigerstorm watched Redpelt, waiting for the senior warrior to stop. He knows this is just a hunting patrol..why are we going so far from the lake? The reddish brown tom continued walking, making the patrol trek farther from camp. She looked over at Cindershade, who had slowed his pace. He looked at her and smiled. He just wanted to spend time with me. How sweet.

"Tigerstorm, want to go near the lake together?" He asked

She nodded, her tail flicking with content. The dark gray tabby licked her cheek and padded forward as Redpelt halted. "Three of us shall remain here and two can hunt by the lake. We meet back here at sunhigh." He said

Cindershade padded over to her as Milkfur and Grayfrost joined Redpelt. Tigerstorm felt his tail lay on her back as Redpelt nodded.

"Very well." He meowed

The three cats padded away as Cindershade got up and padded back toward the lake. She followed him toward the large body of water, feeling the warmth of the sun fall onto her pelt.

"Thanks for coming." She told him

"It's fine. I just wanted to be with you." He replied

Their was a different tone to his voice..as though he had to think of what to reply with. She stalled, watching him walk farther away. It doesn't seem right..She thought. Tigerstorm started walking again, staying a bit farther behind Cindershade. It was still a bit weird, being near him. He apologized and it won't happen again.

"The lake's right ahead!" He called, "Let's go!"

That's the old Cindershade. She thought happily. She bounded toward him, hearing the gentle lapping of waves as she approached the lake. The island was right across from there and she smiled at the memory of her first Gathering as a warrior.

"You coming?"

She walked next to him and looked into the calm waters, seeing the flickers of fish swimming under the water. Cindershade got into a position and in a matter of heartbeats grabbed a fish from the water and placed it on the ground next to him.

"Nice job." She meowed

Cindershade smiled as she turned her attention to the water. She felt his gaze upon her, making her a bit unfocused. She watched the water, trying to ignore him.

"What was Milkfur talking to you about?" He asked

"Nothing important. She was just wondering why you wanted to go on this patrol so badly." She answered

"Why does she care?" He said.

"She was just wondering."

"Stupid nosy she-cat. Just like the rest of her family. She should have just stayed in the nursery." He muttered

Tigerstorm's claws dug into the ground. Why does he speak like that about his own clanmates? Hazelstar wouldn't stand for this. She thought back to the last time she'd talked back. He's just annoyed. She returned her gaze to the lake and jumped for the opportunity when she found a fish. She gripped it in her paws as she placed it down next to her.

"You scared the fish away." Cindershade told her

She shrugged, "Sorry, it's new-leaf though. It's not-"

"We've been starving all leaf-bare. Few birds and the rivers were frozen almost all the time. Now we actually have some prey and you think it's okay to let our clan starve because of your ignorance." He hissed

She shrank back as his claws slid from their sheaths. He looked at her and growled. He then got up and padded away, taking on last glance at her.

"Think more about your clan." He growled as he bounded away.

Tigerstorm watched him and curled her tail around her paws. Thank Starclan he didn't hurt me again. She looked back at the lake, seeing the gentle waves hitting her paws. She sighed. He's right..he's always right.

...

As dusk started to appear, Tigerstorm entered the clan with Leafpaw, Airpaw, Hazelstar, and Icebird. Hazelstar looked at her and smiled.

"Thank you Tigerstorm for helping with the training practices." She said

Tigerstorm nodded as she padded away from the group. She watched Leafpaw and Airpaw chatter about the training session as Icebird and Hazelstar entered her den. She thought back to Cindershade. How can he even think that way about Hazelstar. Thanks to her kindness and wisdom, we haven't needed to fight anyone in moons! At least not with me alive. She padded toward the warrior's den and found only a few of her clanmates in there. Blizzardtail, Cloudfall, and Redpelt were missing along with Cindershade.

"If you're looking for him, he's out with his friends again. Probably practicing their fight skills again." Goldfur mewed

She nodded and laid down in her nest. She purred at the soft moss under her belly and tired paws as she laid her head down.

"Why do you look so unhappy?" Dawnstream asked.

"I'm just tired."

Tigerstorm started to groom her fur, wanting to untangle it from the training session . Her eyes felt heavy and her strokes went slower. She stopped and shut her eyes, wanting to sleep.

"...she'll have to die first."

That voice..It sounds familiar.

"We all know that she's the deputy because of her friendship with Hazelstar and she's younger than me!"

Cloudfall?

"I'm thinking that she should die in a few moons." A deep voice said, "We need to lay low and prove ourselves even more. We need to spark a battle between something or I have to do something great."

"Why you?"

Blizzardtail?

"Because," the voice growled, "I got this group together! I made sure that we didn't kill each other, and I'm the closest to Hazelstar and the closest to becoming deputy!"

Everything in the dream went quiet as Tigerstorm strained to see anyone.

"When I'm leader, whoever I find fit to be my deputy will become it. They might not even be in this group. But, things will be very different. And by different, I mean bloodier.."