Disclaimer: I don't own Warriors

Chapter 24: Loyalty

"Do you remember Mistkit as well?" Nightkit went on. A grey kit with blue eyes stepped out beside Nightkit.

Tigerclaw hissed at them. "Bring me back to my camp! Now!"Nightkit flinched. "Not now brother-"

"I am not your brother!" Tigerclaw spat. Mistkit sprang in front of her sister. "Don't talk to us like that Tigerclaw! You do not understand why we have brought you here!"

Fury surged through him. They are just pathetic kits! "You guys weren't strong enough to survive like I did. I can't believe I'm related to you two. You have no right to order me around like this!" Unsheathing his claws, he slashed them across Mistkit's face.

Mistkit gasped. Silvery blood dripped out of the wound. Nightkit spat defiance at him. "Listen!" She sprang at him, and hit him with surprising force. Tigerclaw was knocked to the ground, digging her claws into his chest fur.

"The path of the stars is where you can't stay. Fire and gold may shine in the way. Smallest of cats can block all the right. Know who is friend, who you should fight." Nightkit yowled.

"Nightkit! We can't just reveal it like that!" Mistkit yelped. Nightkit ignored her. Tigerclaw knocked his sister- she's not my sister! - off his chest. Nightkit thumped to the ground, but got up quickly.

"Tigerclaw you mouse-brain!" She rasped. "If this is what you want to be... I, I..." She slumped to the ground, eyes glazed, breath coming in strangled gasps.

"Nightkit!" Mistkit licked her sister's head. The grey she-cat glared at Tigerclaw. "Remember our words. You go now! Go away! You are not the brother we wished to have. You don't deserve to have us watching over you, you should be more grateful!"

"I don't want you anyway!" Tigerclaw spat. Mistkit let out a chocking noise, and bit back tears. Turning away from him, stars spun around, wind whipping his dark fur-

"-storm, if you could lead a patrol tomorrow, watch the borders till early Sunhigh, that would be great. Try to catch some prey too. Lionheart, send a patrol to relieve them." Bluestar was continuing where Tigerclaw had no longer heard her voice.

He was trembling slightly and forced himself to stop. Don't be so weak! It was just a random piece of StarClan nonsense. No time had passed at all in the real world.

Bluestar ordered a few more things before dismissing all of them. Tigerclaw got up to his paws, trying not to shiver, before padding off.

• • •

A couple days had passed since Tigerclaw's strange vision. He no longer had dreams from the Dark Forest, which he was now realizing was much preferable to him rather than the confusing and startling dream of StarClan.

Ravenpaw, Greypaw, and Firepaw were padding into the camp, jaws full of freshkill. Lionheart went up to them and Tigerclaw followed.

"Well done you three, I hear you've been busy." Lionheart praised the trio. "The store is almost full. You might as well add that last lot to the pile of fresh-kill for tonight. And take some of it back to your den with you, You deserve a feast!"

Something like at can always be a cover up for something else. Tigerclaw thought irritably. "I hope you haven't been neglecting Yellowfang with all this hunting Firepaw." He growled.

Firepaw shook his head, still very pleased with himself and his hunting. Stuck-up kittypet.

Tigerclaw watched them pad away to take their share of freshkill while he went off to wash him self, settling down near a patch of daffodils which were near the apprentices. So I can keep an eye on that kittypet.

A sudden loud yowl sounded from Yellowfang. Aha! Kittypet was too busy eating to realize he didn't give Yellowfang her food. He'd better go there right now.

But instead of grabbing a piece of prey and dashing to the cranky she-cat, he began talking to Greypaw, though more hurriedly than their causal chatting. Tigerclaw narrowed his eyes. What are they doing...

Greypaw stood up and with two mice in his jaws, began creeping towards Yellowfang.

That sneak! Carrying out Firepaw's punishment when Firepaw should be the one actually getting punished!

He stood and yowled to the grey apprentice, "Stop Greypaw!" Greypaw froze. When Tigerclaw reached him, he shrank back. "Where are you going with those mice?"

Greypaw spluttered nervously. "You aren't helping young Firepaw by feeding that greedy traitor over there are you?" Tigerclaw hissed dangerously.

"I, er, I was just feeling hungry. I was going to take them off and eat them by myself. If I let that pair get a look in, they'll leave me with nothing but bones and fur." Greypaw explained in a rush.

Trying to lie your way out hm? Well that's not going to work. "Oh, really? Well, if you're so hungry, you might as well eat them here and now!" He spat. Greypaw looked up at him in alarm. "But-"

"Now!" Tigerclaw repeated. But what huh? What were you going to say, 'I'm actually helping Firepaw with his punishment'? Stupid apprentice!

Greypaw ate the two mice, getting slower and slower with every bite. Tigerclaw glared coldly at him. That's what you get for helping the kittypet when you weren't supposed to. Have fun with a bellyache.

"Better now?" He asked in mock sympathy. "Much." Greypaw rasped, as if he was about to vomit all the prey back out. "Good." Tigerclaw growled, and walked back to where he was sitting previously.

Another yowl came from Yellowfang, and Tigerclaw's amber eyes followed Firepaw as he grabbed a squirel and raced toward the prisoner.

• • •

"I need you to asses Ravenpaw, Firepaw, and Greypaw today in their hunting skills." Bluestar spoke to Tigerclaw.

"Fine. When?" Tigerclaw asked. The sun was just beginning to rise.

"Asses them today, at late morning, we need them ready to be warriors as soon as possible." Bluestar flicked her tail. "Go tell them now."

Tigerclaw nodded and walked to the apprentice's den. Sticking his head in, he prodded Greypaw. The apprentice lifted his head blearily. "Hi Tigerclaw." He mumbled sleepily.

"I'm going to asses Ravenpaw, Firepaw and you today on your hunting skills. Tell him," Tigerclaw turned his head to Ravenpaw, "and the- Firepaw about the assessment." I almost called Firepaw a kittypet in front of Greypaw! Don't make that mistake Tigerclaw...

I suppose I have to call him his apprentice name from now on, even on my own, I need to get used to it. If I say that in front of Bluestar my chance of deputy is gone.

Tigerclaw called out to Lionheart. "Can I join a border patrol?" The deputy nodded and replied, "Longtail, Willowpelt, and Darkstripe will go with you. You can lead."

Tigerclaw waved his tail in understanding and went to wake his patrol up.

• • •

The patrol had made him a little late for the assessment, so he sprinted to sandy hollow. The whole time he was on the patrol he was thinking about the kitty-

Firepaw. He reminded himself. You can't call him the kittypet however much you want to.

Firepaw had been getting too many chances! Getting let into the clan, bringing that filthy Yellowfang into the clan... Getting a leader as a mentor... This was perhaps what made Tigerclaw the most angry and jealous.

If my father hadn't left to be a stupid kittypet I could've had him as a mentor! The leader as my mentor, there would be no greater honour... I could've been deputy sooner! He knew Thistleclaw had taught him a lot but...

Thistleclaw betrayed the Dark Forest by going after Snowfur. How could my mentor do that?

Shoving thoughts of the Dark Forest out of his mind, he focused his thoughts on Firepaw.

He fed Yellowfang when she was clearly an enemy cat. If he didn't know ShadowClan scent he would've at least known it was a threatening stranger. He shouldn't have given her that rabbit! How can Bluestar really know where Firepaw's loyalties lie?

Tigerclaw slowed to a walk as he neared the sandy hollow. When he pushed through the bushes the three apprentices were crouched under a rather short pine tree nearby.

"Hello." Tigerclaw meowed shortly. "Lionheart and I have spent the last two wekas trying to teach you how to hunt decently. Today you'll have a chance to show me how much you have learned. Each of you will take a different route and hunt as much prey as possible. And whatever you catch will be added to the supplies in the camp." He explained quickly.

"Ravenpaw," Tigerclaw turned to his apprentice who shrank back. "you will follow the trail beyond the Great Sycamore as far as the Snakerocks. That should be easy enough for your pitiful skills." It wasn't exactly a easy route but... I hope he gets bitten, then I'll be free from training a pathetic apprentice who acts like a mouse for at least a little while.

"You Greypaw, will take the route along the stream, as far as the Thunderpath." Maybe you will get crushed by a monster.

"Great, wet paws for me!" Greypaw joked. Tigerclaw glared at him. He doesn't take anything serious does he! Stupid!

"And finally you, Firepaw. What a shame your great mentor couldn't be here today to witness your performance for herself."

Tigerclaw thought for a couple long heartbeats, looking at Firepaw. Where do I put you kittyp- Firepaw? Almost as the word 'kitty pet crossed his mind, the idea leapt into his head. That will prove Firepaw's loyalties!

"You shall take the route through the Tallpines, past the Treecut place, to the woods beyond."

Also known as 'close to the Twolegplace'. Tigerclaw thought gleefully. Making sure the happy thought didn't show on his face, he gave all the apprentices a last word. "And remember, I'll be watching you."

His amber eyes fell onto Firepaw. Maybe watching some cats a little more than others.

Ravenpaw instantly squeaked and whipping around, shot through the bushes and his white-tipped tail vanished from sight. Want to escape from me as quick as you can eh?

Tigerclaw turned around, leaving the two other apprentices alone in the clearing.

• • •

Firepaw dropped into the hunter's crouch. Tigerclaw watched from a tree above. The flame coloured apprentice crept forward slowly. Then he leapt, killing the mouse he was aiming for and buried it.

Tigerclaw had taken a quick look at Ravenpaw, who was jumping at every sound and scaring away a good squirrel, before looking at Greypaw. The grey apprentice was doing okay, though he slipped on a patch of mud and scared away a blackbird.

Now that I've taken a peek at the others I can finally see Firepaw's skills.

Firepaw trotted ahead, across the two-leg path. Oh now we can see where his loyalties lie... Do you want to go back to your kittypet home Firepaw?

Tigerclaw climbed quietly down before continuing to follow Firepaw on the ground.

A group of twolegs were playing in the woods, but not too loud to scare the prey off. Firepaw stood, hind-legs close to the floor and forelegs stretched high, smelling the air.

Tigerclaw froze as a twig snapped near him. Looking around, he saw it was a sparrow which had not noticed him. Firepaw swung his head around at the noise, but didn't spot nor scent the bird.

White fur flashed around the bushes. Tigerclaw stiffined, alert. An intruder! Oh yes... How will Firepaw deal with you?

Firepaw evidently spotted he movement and dropped to a crouch. The shape moved closer until... The flame coloured apprentice pounced, stirring some leaves which gave him away. The cat leapt into the air, bristling, and dashed off.

Firepaw gave chase, and Tigerclaw ran silently after him. Firepaw was making leaves fly around in his wake, and Tigerclaw knew Firepaw wouldn't hear him if he made a little rustle or two.

When the apprentice was close enough he tackled the black and white intruder, who let out a terrified yowl. Tigerclaw jumped onto large oak and quickly scrambled up. When he reached a branch and made sure Firepaw wouldn't be able to smell him, he looked down.

It's a kittypet! The cat's red collar with blue stripes showed clearly on his black and white fur. Firepaw had let go of him. Fool! You should attack him! Not knock him down and then just leave him be!

Firepaw was staring at the kittypet with confusion and interest. He nose was twitching, trying to smell something. The apprentice suddenly meowed loudly, "Smudge!"

Smudge? What kind of name is that?!

"H-ho-how d-d-do you know my n-name?" Smudge was trembling madly. Firepaw flicked his tail, "it's me!" The kittypet still looked confused and scared.

"We were kittens together. I lived in the garden next to you!" Firepaw insisted eagerly. The ki- Firepaw found his old friend! This is more perfect then I could've asked for! Now we can see if he is loyal to ThunderClan!

"Rusty? Is that you?" The kittypet gasped in disbelief. Rusty? That's Firepaw's kittypet name? Ha! Great Dark Forest, what a stupid name!

"Did you find the wildcats again? Or are you living with new housefolk? You must be, if you're still alive!" Smudge mewed excitedly. "I'm called Firepaw now." The apprentice purred.

Well you are going to be called 'traitor' when I tell Bluestar! Firepaw and his friend continued talking for quite a while, and all the time Tigerclaw stayed clutching the tree bark, waiting for their conversation to end.

It didn't take long, for Smudge and Firepaw soon said their goodbyes when a twoleg's voice called through the trees. Must be Smudge's twolegs. Firepaw stood alone a moment longer, watching he ferns bobbing up and down where Smudge had been, before turning around and trotting away.

• • •

Tigerclaw got to the Sandy hollow, luckily before any of the apprentice had come. He sat down, carefully rehearsing what he was going to tell Bluestar.

'All the apprentices did quite well.' That should make sure that I'm not doing any biased reports on a particular apprentice and only the facts. I guess I'll tell her what they brought and a little bit of how the hunted.

A rustling made him look up to see Firepaw with a chaffinch in his mouth.

"You're the first back." Tigerclaw commented. "Yeah," Firepaw replied, "but I've got loads more prey to fetch. I've buried it back-"

"I know exactly what you did." You spoke with your kittypet friend! "I've been watching you." Suddenly Greypaw bounded out of the bushes with a squirrel in his mouth, perhaps the squirrel Ravenpaw had frightened off.

"Yuck!" Greypaw spit the squirrel out. "Squirrels are too furry. I'll be picking hairs out of my teeth all evening." Ignoring the apprentice, he looked around. "Ravenpaw's late. We'll give him a little longer before we head back to camp."

"But what if he's been bitten by an adder?" Firepaw meowed, concerned. Then that wouldn't be very horrible would it? Just one less mouth to feed, he is barely any use to the clan anyways.

"Then it's his on fault. There is no room for fools in ThunderClan." Tigerclaw growled. The apprentice's exchanged looks. Mouse dung! You shouldn't have said that in front of them. They better not tell any cat about what I said, Bluestar will never approve.

The three cats fell silent. Tigerclaw once again began rehearsing in his head of what he was going to say to Bluestar.

About Firepaw, well I'll just tell her he found his kittypet friend and instead of chasing him off like any other intruder, they stopped and chatted in a friendly manner. I can drop hints of that he may not be loyal to the clan and wants to go back to his old life.

"Ravenpaw! Are you okay?" Firepaw's meow cut through his thoughts. Turning his gaze away from the ground, he saw his apprentice stepping out into the sandy hollow. Dangling from his mouth was an adder.

"Did it bite you?" Greypaw motioned to the snake. Ravenpaw purred in delight. "I was too quick for it!" The black apprentice suddenly noticed Tigerclaw and fell silent, eyes wide.

Greeeaaat, good for you Ravenpaw. You caught a small snake that's smaller than the size of your tail. Amazing. Tigerclaw thought sarcastically. "Come on. Let's get back to camp."

• • •

The trio of apprentices entered into the camp, chattering like starlings. Tigerclaw brushed passed them and immediately headed to Bluestar's den.

Bluestar was there waiting for him. He dipped his head to her respectfully, and she motioned for him to sit down. Tigerclaw did so, and began his report on the assessment.

"All the apprentices did quite well." Tigerclaw recited from his rehearsing in the sandy hollow. "Ravenpaw was a little jumpy and scared away prey by brushing against leaves, but managed to catch an adder, and a mouse."

Bluestar pricked her ears in calm surprise as she heard about the snake. Tigerclaw went on. "Greypaw caught a water vole and a squirrel, but let a robin fly off when he pounced too early."

"Firepaw did excellent in his hunting too." More like moderate hunting skills. "He caught a wood mouse, a robin, and a chaffinch. He almost let the robin escape though, it was lucky the robin was a little injured."

Now for the good part! Tigerclaw's eyes flashed. "However..." Bluestar narrowed her eyes. "Firepaw saw an intruder on our territory. He chased and attacked him, before stopping and beginning to share tongues. The intruder was a kittypet. Probably his old kittypet friend, maybe Firepaw missed him."

Bluestar stayed silent. Tigerclaw watched her carefully to see any other reaction, but her expression was unable to read. "I can only hope that Firepaw still may have loyalty to our clan. First feeding Yellowfang and then talking to his kittypet friend, his loyalties may stray but I sure hope not. He would be a big lose to ThunderClan." He murmured.

A big lose, probably like a big relief. Bluestar was looking at him intently. Hmm, maybe a laid it a little thick on the whole 'Firepaw's loyalties may waver' thing.

Finally the leader spoke, "Thank you, Tigerclaw. The information will be very useful to our clan. All three apprentices seem to have done great according to your report. Now about what you said about Firepaw, I will speak to him now. Please send him to my den."

Tigerclaw nodded and wanted to skip out of the den in triumph. She knows the Firepaw's loyalties may not be with ThunderClan! She could kick him out!

Calm down though, Bluestar may give him another chance, don't get so excited yet. Tigerclaw reminded himself. Forcing himself to cool down, he padded up to the apprentices who were sharing tongues.

"...Gathering will be an important one. It'll be the first time the Clans have met since WindClan disappeared." Firepaw was saying to his friends. "No cat knows what ShadowClan is going to say about it."

Show respect to him. How ever much you don't want to, he added silently as a wave of dislike washed over him. "Quite right youngster." He agreed. "By the way Firepaw, Bluestar wants to see you."

Firepaw looked bewildered. "Now-" Tigerclaw added more sharply. "If you can spare the time." Firepaw nodded and bounded to the leader's den.

"Why does Firepaw need to see Bluestar?" Greypaw meowed. Tigerclaw flicked his ear. "On the assessment I saw Firepaw sharing tongues with a kittypet." Tigerclaw growled disapprovingly. "You two must learn from his mistake, don't let your loyalties waver."

AAAAND another chapter done! :o

Thank you for reading and please review!