"We found it," Leafpaw's ears pricked at Tornear's report. "It's in the forest past TigerClan, just where Leafpaw said it would be." Firestar nodded, an annoyed look coming across his face.

"They could have made it easier for us," His tail lashed. "Have it be on our territory again – there's no need for this."

"It's meant for every Clan," Barkface put in quickly. "Firestar, we should let them know." The leader's ears went back.

"They won't let Runningnose and Littlecloud work with you," His voice was low. "There's no reason for them to know." Following their discovery, Leafpaw had told Barkface of this pool. Though, she framed it as a dream. There was no other way she could tell them about it. Tornear had taken a patrol out to search, they were in the leader's den now.

"Firestar, Barkface is right," Tornear spoke slowly. "As you said, they have no desire to go there. Unless Leopardstar or Tigerstar die, they won't." Firestar rose to his paws, tail lashing.

"Then they have no reason to know about this," He growled. "If one of their leaders die, let them come to us."

"Firestar," Leafpaw spoke up. "The half-moon meetings are sacred, I imagine Leopardstar at least has enough sense to know not to mess with that."

"They're Clan cats, these warriors know better than to disrupt a meeting," Barkface meowed. "They all know better. StarClan gave Tigerstar his lives, he knows to not mess with their wrath." Fury flashed across the leader's face. Tornear looked to the medicine cats, alarmed. They all knew he had been resisting any herbs since the Gathering. Firestar rose to his paws, tail lashing.

"Fine," He growled. "If it's their will, so be it." Firestar looked at his medicine cats, "You are taking a guard with you." Leafpaw glanced at her mentor, expecting him to protest. This was beyond Clan rivalry – this was improper. Instead, Barkface dipped his head.

"Yes, Firestar."

As they left the den behind, excited chatter rose in camp. Leafpaw's ears pricked as she approached where warriors had surrounded the fresh-kill pile. Her eyes widened.

A reddish-brown animal about the size of a cat lay dead. It was round, with short legs and a stubby tail. The apprentice smelled it, her tail raising as she recognized the scent as that of what they kept smelling around the territory.

They had finally caught it.

"Who caught this?" Firestar asked, stepping around the creature as he sniffed it. His demeanor had shifted. He was calmer now.

"It was our patrol," Thistlefoot piped up. "We had to hunt it like a hare – it was Shrewleap who killed it." Attention went to the newly made warrior.

Firestar had given him his name the night prior. The black tom's ears went back. "I couldn't have done it without the patrol," He meowed. "They-we all caught it," His tail twitched.

"It seems I have made a good warrior." Shrewleap's head raised at Firestar's praise. The leader looked across the gathered cats. "Where's Daisy?"

"Here," The queen dipped her head.

"You wouldn't happen to know what this is?" She moved forward, looking puzzled as she caught sight of it.

"That's a marmot. Haven't you ever seen one before?"

"We didn't have marmots back in the old territory," Bounceheart answered. His tail lashed excitedly. "We'll eat good tonight!" Yowls rose from the warriors.

"No." Attention went back to Firestar, who looked down at the marmot. "We're going to stick it underground. That should keep it fresh until we need it." He looked to Tornear expectantly and the deputy dipped his head, calling two warriors to help.

Leafpaw looked back to the leader. It was Greenleaf, prey was plentiful and they had enough of the tunnels to get out if need be. This was not necessary. An uneasy silence had fallen over the Clan.

"Daisy," Firestar looked to the loner as he stepped off the stone. He seemed to pay the Clan's change in attitude no heed. "Come – I want to know more about these…marmots." The crowd began to dissipate as Daisy dipped her head, following Firestar toward a different part of camp.

"The stream is on our territory, isn't it?" Tigerstar was saying as Crowpaw approached. The apprentice lowered his head, pausing a few tail lengths back. Jaggedtooth nodded.

"It comes onto our territory and stays here until it goes past the borders."

"Then they most likely wandered onto our territory during their quest to find this." Tigerstar did not look pleased. A border patrol had met with a patrol of outsiders earlier. They had found the new Moonstone. Jaggedtooth had brought out a patrol to find it. "Was there any sign of them?" the ginger warrior shook his head.

"If they did, they covered their scent," He reported.

"Strengthen patrols along the border," The leader ordered. "Make sure it is known that trespassing will not be tolerated." The warrior dipped his head, stepping away as he was dismissed. Crowpaw padded up cautiously.

"Nightcloud said that you wanted me?" The leader seemed to be studying the young tom as he rose to his paws. It was the day after Tawnyclaw and Tigerstar's fight. Tension had been thick in camp and Leopardstar was still in the medicine den.

"Yes," The tabby turned, starting toward the entrance of camp. "Come – let us assess your skills." Shock jolted through Crowpaw as he followed. His tail rose.

He was getting assessed!

Brambleheart sighed as he reached up the tree's trunk. He extended his claws, digging them deep into the bark as he began to rake his claws down. Rockfall and Squirrelflight were watching.

"Should we leave you alone with the tree?" The she-cat asked. "We can go mark the border in a more effective way."

"There's nothing good to dig your claws into on this territory," Brambleheart grunted. "Mine are getting dull from digging." There were very few trees on their territory, this border was the only place with big enough trunks for scratching. "But go ahead – I'll catch up."

"The next mark is just up here," Rockfall nodded ahead and the pair started along the tree line. Brambleheart glanced after them before continuing in his scratching. They were visible still. They could not make it too far ahead before he finished.

It had been a while since he had last been on a border patrol, he did not know this part of the territory too well because of that.

Brambleheart lowered himself, shaking his pelt. He looked to the forest as movement caught his eye.

The warrior stepped away from the border. There had been very little sign of TigerClan outside of border marking since they had arrived. Very little conflict. He relaxed as he recognized Hawktalon.

"Hi," the TigerClan warrior mewed, padding up to Brambleheart.

"Hey," he answered. "What are you doing here?" Hawktalon stopped just at the border.

"I'm on my territory," He replied. "There's nothing wrong with that, is there?" Brambleheart shook his head and Hawktalon continued, "It's been a minute, how are you?"

"I'm good," Brambleheart responded. "My Clan is adjusting well."

"I haven't seen you along the border much." Brambleheart gave him a puzzled look.

"I've been busy." He asked, "Have you been looking?"

"Yeah," he said it like it was obvious. "I wanted to see you again, Brambleheart!" He tilted his head, "What have you been doing to be too busy to go on patrol?"

"Just stuff around camp," Brambleheart replied. "We're building a camp." Hawktalon would not be allowed to know about the tunnels. The only reason he was out here was that storm clouds were forming. He glanced ahead, he should catch up with Rockfall and Squirrelflight.

"Still?" Hawktalon looked surprised.

"That's certainly not something that can be completed in a day," Brambleheart replied.

"Yeah, but you've gotta be mostly done by now," The TigerClan warrior meowed. "It's been almost half a moon."

"Well, I'm here, aren't I?" Hawktalon looked like he wanted to say more but turned. Brambleheart followed his gaze.

Squirrelflight and Rockfall had returned. Both were eying the enemy warrior. "You took a while," Squirrelflight meowed. Rockfall nodded.

"We were able to finish this border."

"Good," Brambleheart replied. "I was just about to head after you guys." He looked at Hawktalon, surprised to see that he was holding Squirrelflight's stare. "Bye, Hawktalon." The enemy warrior looked to the brown tabby.

"See you around."

They started on their way. "He didn't cross the border, did he?" Rockfall glanced over his shoulder. The older warrior shook his head.

"He didn't leave the trees."

"What were you guys talking about?" Squirrelflight asked. Brambleheart shrugged.

"He was just asking how I was."

"What'd you tell him?" Brambleheart looked at her.

"Just that I was good. What's it matter?"

"He's their deputy," Squirrelflight replied. "Why would he just ask that?" The tabby warrior shrugged.

"We became friendly," He replied. It wasn't that deep. Squirrelflight made a face.

"I don't trust him." Brambleheart stumbled in his step.

"You trust me, yeah? Nothing is going on." He shook himself as they continued along the border.

"He's their deputy," Squirrelflight repeated. "Something is going on. He's Tigerstar's son. He's not trustworthy." Brambleheart turned around to face her.

"Blood isn't everything," he said. Why was she saying this?

"I'm not saying it is," She held his gaze. "He's going to listen to Tigerstar!"

"You don't know that." She did not know him. Brambleheart knew what Hawktalon thought of Tigerstar's rule.

"Either way, there's no reason for you to talk to him," Squirrelflight shook her head. Realization dawned in the tom. This was about Ashfur, wasn't it?

"You're petty," he said. Much to Brambleheart's surprise, a puzzled look came across Squirrelflight's face before realization replaced it.

"You're a hypocrite."

"It's different." He knew Hawktalon – he knew that the warrior was not going to scheme against him regardless of what Tigerstar ordered. Ashfur was a random warrior who Squirrelflight should not be trusting.

"It is," Squirrelflight agreed. "Because Hawktalon is Tigerstar's son."

"Guys," Rockfall began, glancing toward the forest.

"And what does that make me?" Brambleheart's tail lashed. Something between hurt and anger was filling him.

"I already said that this isn't about blood!" Squirrelflight exclaimed, "I'm not talking about you."

"What is the difference?" He asked, "We are related to Tigerstar in the same way." He could feel his voice getting louder.

"No, you are not." Squirrelflight retorted. "Listen to me! You're not –"

"Hey!" Rockfall put himself between the two warriors. "I don't think fighting near the TigerClan border is a good idea." Brambleheart looked at Squirrelflight over Rockfall's back. The she-cat glared back at him.

"Let's just finish marking the border," He growled, turning away. A haunting chill had come over him.

It took a lot to keep up with Tigerstar, who moved swiftly through the undergrowth. Crowpaw's head was spinning. He could not believe it; he was being assessed again!

"I've spoken with Leafpaw," The apprentice said after some quiet. "I'm gaining her trust – she's agreed to meet with me tomorrow night." His tail swished anxiously. Rain was beginning to fall.

"What have you learned?" Crowpaw faltered.

"She's…they're settling into the hills," He answered. "Their territory is a lot bigger than their prior." Tigerstar did not look impressed. Crowpaw continued quickly, "I'm still trying to gain her trust – she's a bit hesitant." The leader did not respond. Crowpaw's heartbeat quickened.

He was surprised as they stopped. They were near the border where the brook was, at the back of the territory. Why were they here?

"Well?" Crowpaw turned as Tigerstar spoke. "Go on – I would hope you haven't forgotten how to hunt."

"Yes, Tigerstar," He took off into the undergrowth quickly. This was not what he had expected, Crowpaw had thought they were going to the training hollow. Hunting assessments were not normally with leaders.

Although, with Mothwing dealing with her kits and Mudclaw being put in charge of patrols recently, perhaps no one else was available. Determination filled Crowpaw. They would do the fighting later; he had gotten good at forest hunting.

Frustration almost immediately gripped him as the rain grew heavier. Even with the trees overhead, it was beginning to make the ground muddy. He could not hear nor scent anything presently.

Crowpaw's chest tightened as he looked back to where he had been. Tigerstar had not given him any real instructions. Was he waiting for him in that clearing or was the apprentice being trailed? He could not smell the TigerClan leader.

Thunder boomed overhead and the rain turned torrential. No patrol would be expected to find prey right now. Anything with any sense was tucked away somewhere. Crowpaw's chest tightened as he gave another sniff around. There was no hope right now. Surely, Tigerstar would understand.

Crowpaw's tail drooped as he started back where he had come. He paused as he came to the opening, surprised to see it was empty. He was certain this was where he had left the leader.

The ground was becoming muddy. Perhaps the leader had gone somewhere more sheltered? Or he was trailing Crowpaw? The apprentice raised his nose, opening his mouth as he tried to catch a scent. There was nothing but rain and mud. It was dark under the canopy.

He looked to the bracken and brambles around him, trying to figure out if he could find where the TigerClan leader had gone. He could not have gone far. Lightning lit up the sky above.

Crowpaw started across the clearing, toward a path between some ferns. Something landed on top of him.

The apprentice was shoved into the mud. He let out a yowl as claws tore into his shoulders. Thunder almost caused the forest to shake around him.

Teeth dug into the back of his neck. Crowpaw gasped, struggling as he tried to push himself around to face this opponent. The mud caused him to slide back onto his belly.

His head was forced into the mud as claws tore down his sides. Crowpaw yowled in pain as the teeth dug deeper into his neck. A dark leg went over his head, grabbing it with sharp claws. The apprentice did not have time to respond.

Crowpaw's head was jerked to the side. A crack echoed through his head and all the pain disappeared.

The rain was lessening as Tigerstar returned to camp. Mothwing stepped out of her den as meows rose from those still in the clearing.

The leader's legs were caked with mud. He set something down in the center of camp. Warriors quickly surrounded. Horror gripped Mothwing as she made her way to the front. The scent of fear rose through the rain. Silence filled the camp. Crowpaw was dead.

Mothwing could not help but stare. She had never seen a body so broken. There was blood on Tigerstar's muzzle and chest, though it could easily have been from carrying the apprentice.

A groan came and Mothwing turned, her chest tightening as she caught sight of Ashfoot. The gray she-cat stared at her son in horror though did not come closer. Willowtail was pressed against her side.

"I…was giving him a chance," Tigerstar's voice was quiet when he spoke. The camp's attention went to him. His gaze had locked onto Tawnyclaw. Her side was covered in cobwebs still and she was the closest to the apprentice. "Assessing his hunting skills. I lost him in the rain and found this."

"What would have done this?" Someone asked, Mothwing was unsure who.

"A fox would have eaten him," Tigerstar responded. "A badger could do this, perhaps – though," He looked down, brushing some fur aside on Crowpaw's side.

Claw marks were clear along his ribs. Only a cat could make these. He looked back to Tawnyclaw, who held his stare. "It was right near our border with the hills that I found him. If Rusty had this done to him, who knows what it would do to an actually loyal cat?" Silence answered him.

Runningnose pushed his way through, breaking the silence. "Let's get him cleaned up," The gray and white tom meowed. "For his vigil –" Tigerstar interrupted.

"No, he betrayed our Clan." The leader looked to Tawnyclaw again. "You can bury him." Tawnyclaw lowered her head.

"Yes, Tigerstar."