Sandra sat in camp with Alex and Madoka talking. Sandra still hadn't shared anything she knew to anyone but Gingka, and she hadn't even told him about Doji.
"I saw Lionblaze and Cinderheart head out last night. Cinderheart came back but Lionblaze didn't. I hope he's alright," Madoka meowed.
"I keep hearing the warriors say that Lionblaze is their best warrior. It's very unlikely that he got hurt," Alex explained.
"Don't be too sure about that," Sandra meowed, grimly.
"Along with Lionblaze disappearing," Alex continued, ignoring Sandra, "Kyoya and Masemune woke up this morning with some wounds. I swear, they must have gotten hurt yesterday and opened up their wounds again."
Sandra's eyes widened and she got up and dashed over to the medicine den. She felt Alex and Madoka's confused looks fixed on her. Sandra poked her head inside the den and saw Jayfeather in there. "Jayfeather!"
Jayfeather fixed his blind gaze on Sandra. "What's wrong?"
"Did Kyoya and Masemune come in here yesterday with wounds?" Sandra asked.
"No, they didn't," Jayfeather answered simply. Jayfeather narrowed his eyes. "Is something wrong?"
Sandra's eyes widened as she realized she had forgotten to close her thoughts off. Jayfeather could see her thoughts right now is he tried. "No!" she replied quickly.
"You know about us, and Firestar knows you know," Jayfeather meowed. "Gingka does too. And you're worried that Kyoya and Masemune are training in the Dark Forest now."
Sandra sighed. "Ok, you got me, but don't tell anyone else, please? I'm trying not to worry anybody."
Jayfeather nodded. "Fine, but I'm going to have to tell Lionblaze and Dovewing, you know."
Sandra nodded. "I know. Now I'm going to find Kyoya and see what he thinks he's doing." Jayfeather nodded and followed her out of his den.
"I'll tell Lionblaze and Jayfeather when I get the chance, but take my advice, Sandra; Dark Forest apprentices always have a reason for training there. Be careful of Kyoya and Masemune's reasons. My advice is to get another cat to help you," Jayfeather advised.
"But I don't want to make the others worry," Sandra protested.
"It doesn't have to be one of your friends. It could be a Clan cat," Jayfeather snapped.
Sandra said nothing. She just dashed off out of camp in search of Kyoya. "Kyoya!" she called.
"Sandra?" Sandra turned and saw Kyoya emerge from a bush behind her. "What's up?"
"We need to talk," Sandra meowed, seriously.
"Did something happen?" Kyoya questioned.
"No, but I know what you've been up to," Sandra answered. "How could you?"
"How could I what?" Kyoya asked, looking confused.
"You're training with Tigerstar! How could you do that? You know what he did to ThunderClan before!" Sandra growled.
"He's changed!" Kyoya retorted, looking angry. "He told me everything. He said that every cat that was rejected by StarClan have realized their mistake and want to make it up to the Clans by training their warriors so they can better protect their Clans and acheive their goals."
"You can't possibly believe that!" Sandra snarled.
"And what if I do?" Kyoya challenged.
"I don't want to fight with you, Kyoya! I'm trying to help you! Can't you see that?" Sandra asked, feeling mixed emotions rising inside her.
"If you were you'd let me train with Tigerstar so I could become the strongest I can be! I'd be better use to the Clans in a battle then," Kyoya growled, sheathing and unsheathing his claws. "Once I'm done training with Tigerstar then nobody will be able to beat me! Not even Gingka!"
Sandra gasped and took a step back from him. She had never seen him like this. True, he could be rough and always acted tough, but he had a sweet side to him, too. Now that side seemed to have all but vanished. Sandra stared at him, not seeing the cat she loved, but a Dark Forest apprentice, itching for a fight.
Sandra backed away from him. "No...no!" she wailed as she whipped around and dashed away, tears welling up in her eyes. Kyoya called after her but she didn't look back as she ran. She didn't care where he paws took her. She just needed to get away.
She soon found herself at the lake. She flung herself to the ground and cried, not knowing what else to do. She rolled onto her belly and covered her eyes with her paws. What do I do now?
She hear pawsteps behind her and looked up, finding herself hoping Kyoya had come after her, but surprisingly it was Hollyleaf. "Hey. I heard your argument with Kyoya."
Sandra rested her head on her paws again. "What do I do now?" she asked.
Hollyleaf padded over and sat beside her. "Jayfeather filled me in on everything you know. I really feel bad. I know Kyoya doesn't really know what he's doing. If he knew the truth he'd never fight beside the Dark Forest."
"I don't know how to make him see the truth," Sandra rasped, sitting up and turning her tear filled gaze on Hollyleaf.
"I don't either, but I can see how much he means to you," Hollyleaf meowed. "I want to help you out, Sandra."
Sandra raised her ears a little. "Really? You'll help?"
"Of course. You're a really nice cat, Sandra, and when you're sad it's sort of hard to watch," Hollyleaf admitted.
Sandra smiled, mustering all the joy she could. "Thank you, Hollyleaf. It really means a lot."
Hollyleaf nodded. "And don't worry. We'll make Kyoya see the truth," she vowed.
Sandra looked at her paws and nodded. "Yeah." But will Kyoya listen? He didn't even listen to me back there. Then again, I haven't told anyone everything yet.
"Let's head back," Hollylead mewed, nudging Sandra to her paws. Sandra nodded and followed Hollyleaf back to camp, her head down.