Tigerclaw

The first light of dawn was beginning to filter into the warriors' den, shining through gaps in the roof formed of thorn branches.

Tigerclaw awoke with the sun. Just the same as every other morning. He dragged himself wearily to his feet, stretching with a groan. Then he exited the den, careful to avoid stepping on tails. Even the biggest cat in the forest would be stupid to wake Mousefur. Period.

A few Warriors were already awake. Willowpelt was on her way back to the den after a long night guarding the camp. She gave Tigerclaw a tired greeting before disappearing into her nest. Tigerclaw spotted Darkstripe on his way to the apprentice's den.

"Hey, Darkstripe! How've you been recently?"

The dark tom purred in return, "Busy. I never knew being a mentor would be so hard."

"And all of those apprentice's put together are easier to handle then you were," Tigerclaw mewed, not untruthfully.

"Ah, don't be so dramatic, Tigerclaw. You enjoyed it!"

"Up until you almost started the largest war the Clans have ever seen by trying to attack a leader at your first gathering."

"Oh, he deserved it. Anyway, I'll see you later. I've got to get the training day started." With that, Darkstripe turned back towards the apprentices' den. Tigerclaw was glad that he had friends like Darkstripe to watch his back.

The sun was almost at it's zenith by the time the patrols had all been organized for the day. The warriors and apprentice's each went their way, eager to start a hard days work. Tigerclaw, for the first time in a long time, had almost no idea what to do with himself. Maybe he could do a quick sweep across the borders, just to double check that the border patrol didn't miss anything. It was better safe than sorry, after all. Those rogues might want some revenge.

The forest seemed unusually quiet without the usual patrol of younger cats behind him. He watched a pair of blue jays flit through the trees high above his head, unaware that Tigerclaw was even there. He strayed towards the abandoned Twoleg nest that marked the end of ThunderClan territory, sniffing the air for any sign of intruders. All seemed safe. Just like I thought it would be. ThunderClan warriors don't miss much.

Just when he was about to travel back down to the lake, he stiffened. A cat was watching him. He could feel the eyes boring into his back, almost like a primeval sixth sense. He slowly turned around and scanned the receding treeline near the Twoleg nest. There! A pair of bright eyes were watching him from the cover of a rotting log. He caught a bitter scent, like a Thunderpath. This was definitely no Clan cat. Rogues.

Tigerclaw unseathed his wickedly long claws, "Who goes there?"

"So," the strange cat purred softly, "This is one of the Wildcats that I have heard so much about. I must say, you do look rather barbaric." A light brown tabby she cat stepped out of the shadows eyeing Tigerclaw critically.

"What are you doing so close to the border? Who are you?" The ThunderClan deputy growled.

"Oh, I'm merely here to admire this beautiful forest you have here. Too bad it isn't as pretty as it looks."

"What do you mean, trespasser?"

"No need to be rude. I was merely referring to the fact that you just recently banished some of the most skilled warriors in this forest, merely because they were led astray by Brokenstar." Tigerclaw took an unconscious step forward.

"Wait," he mewed, "How do you know about Brokenstar?"

The she cat cocked her head to the side, "Oh, I just happened to hear about it. I am good at digging up information, if I do say so myself. I have found that cunning is far more useful then claws." Tigerclaw laid his ears flat against the sides of his head. This cat wasn't telling the whole truth. And Tigerclaw didn't like it.

"Get out of my site, fox heart, or I'll rip you to shreds." A brief shadow of doubt flickered across the she cat's eyes, but it was gone so fast that Tigerclaw wondered if he had only imagined it.

"Alright, if you're going to be so nasty about it, I'll go."

"Good."

The she cat turned to leave, but then halted, "You know, Tigerclaw, the trouble inside of the Clans isn't all Brokenstar's fault."

"What do you mean?" Tigerclaw asked warily. How had this stranger known his name?

"If you want to find out, meet me back here two sunrise's from now. I'll be waiting." Then the she cat began to trot back away from ThunderClan territory.

Just as she was about to disappear from view, Tigerclaw called out, "Wait! What's your name?"

The she cat turned her sparkling green eyes towards the ThunderClan warrior, "You can call me Princess." Then she melted back into the shadows, and was lost from view.

Sorry for the delay. I got sick, so it took me longer than usual to post up this chapter. Again, thank you all for reading!