Graystripe, still self-conscious with Bluestar's decision, and the other warriors almost hate-filled gaze towards him that he almost doesn't notice Cloudpaw coming up to him. Shaking himself out of thoughts, he notices Cloudpaw looks rather excited at the prospect of spending time with him. "So, what are we going to do today?" Cloudpaw asks, eagerness in his voice.

"Well first I have to sort out the patrols. Then maybe we can continue training afterwards."

Cloudpaw nods, and turns away to go visit with the other apprentices. Sadness grips him as he remembers him and Fireheart's apprentice days. But he pads away, shoving the memories down. Right now he has duties to fulfill.

Going up to Whitestorm, he meows, "Would mine taking a couple of cats to do a Border Patrol. We mustn't show the other clans, especially Riverclan that we are weak."

"And who would you like to take with me?"

"The cats who are able to. Though I'd like Sandstorm to lead a hunting patrol. She is one of our best hunters."

Whitestorm purrs, "I couldn't agree more. Though would two patrols be enough?"

Graystripe sighs, "Probably not. But the Clan is still reeling from the loss of Fireheart. And many of our warriors have wounds that are not fatal but are still pretty serious. I don't want to stretch them thin….."

"Good idea. Though I assume most of us want to return to business as usual to not think about Tigerclaw's betrayal."

"I know. But with some of them injured its best if they rest. Yellowfang and Cinderpaw will let them know when it's time to continue. Though the apprentices training should still be continued. If another attack comes by Tigerclaw it will make sense they are prepared."

Whitestorm dips his head, "Yes. If I take any cats with apprentices with me I'll let them know that afterwards they can continue training as normal."

"I'll find Sandstorm." Graystripe meows, confused by the amount of respect Whitestorm shows him from their brief conversation. Whitestorm was the most senior warrior out there besides Tigerclaw, and Lionheart. Sadness again grips him as he remembers his mentor's death. Such an untimely death too. If he had not died then… Fireheart would still be alive. Looking back at Whitestorm, he can't help but feel he robbed him of the deputy's possession. Whitestorm was wise, caring, and understanding. And he had truly trained an apprentice, unlike him.

Spotting Sandstorm he puts the thoughts away. Bounding up to her, Sandstorm looks up from washing.

"I was wondering if you would lead a hunting patrol."

Sandstorm meows, "Of course I will lead a hunting patrol. The clan does need freshkill. Who would you like to take with me?"

"I can join you, alongside Cloudpaw."

"Is that wise?"

"The other warriors need rest from the battle. I'm sure Tigerclaw's betrayal was hard for all of you and some of the other warriors of injuries that need some delicate care."

"And for the fourth cat and fifth cat?" Sandstrom asks.

Looking back at where the other warriors are resting, he notices Longtail and Dustpelt. The two cats who bravely stood up against Tigerstar. But Longtail has an apprentice. Swiftpaw. But it would work. Apprentices do need a close bond to each other like his, Fireheart and Ravenpaw's bond when they were apprentices.

"Longtail and Swiftpaw."

Sandstorm nods, "Then I'll meet you outside the Entrance."

He nods and pads over to where Longtail is sitting grooming his fur. Longtail looks a bit apprehensive as he approaches, his yellow ears with black tips drawn back. As if he's scared. It must be because Longtail and Tigerclaw were close friends. Often seen hanging around each other and Darkstripe.

Playfully he meows, "Don't worry Longtail. As deputy I am not here to chew you out for being friends to a traitor. But rather have you join me, Cloudpaw, Sandstorm, along with your apprentice on a hunting patrol."

Longtail still looks unsure, but stands up. "Are you sure? Some of the others have been giving me weird looks all day for just being friends with Tigerclaw." "Pfft. That's nothing. I broke the warrior code with having kits with Silverstream. And some of the warriors don't like me being deputy either because of it. Like I got rewarded for bad behavior…" But it's not like he ever asked for the position. Rather it was given to him by Bluestar, for no apparent reason other than he was friends with Fireheart and knew the truth about Tigerclaw.

He digs his claws into the ground and exhales, "You aren't the only one being judged for something you did. Besides, you are an asset to the clan. You are a skilled fighter and a great mentor to Swiftpaw." he then mutters to himself, "At least better than I was with Brackenfur."

Longtail's ears go back down in sympathy, "I'm sure you weren't…."

"All bad? I spent more time focused on Silverstream than my own apprentice. And now I have another one to train, because…" His head dips down, "because my only friend is dead."

But before Longtail can say something else, he meows changing the subject, "We better get on patrol. I'll find my apprentice and we can meet up with Sandstorm outside the entrance."

Finding Cloudpaw, they both pad out of camp and wait at the ravine for Longtail and Swiftpaw. The soft greenleaf breeze rustles through his fur, making his mind go back to his apprenticeship with Fireheart. How could he have ever made a she-cat more important in his life, than his best friend who was by side his whole life? But he never knew that Fireheart was going to die in battle.

Standing up straight, he breathes in relief when Longtail emerges from the entrance with Swiftpaw. They pad up together and Swiftpaw briefly shares noses with Cloudpaw before they embark on their patrol.

The scents of the forest and the group padding through the forest briefly relieve his mind of the thoughts that plague him.

Swiftpaw meows, "The battle was so exciting. I just wish Fireheart didn't have to die at the paws of those filthy rogues!"

Cloudpaw nods, replying, sadness in his mew, "Yeah. He was a great warrior."

"Yes, but let's focus on the task at hand."

When Sandstorm glares at him, Longtail adds, "I just meant that, ah, well the clan needs to be fed. Yellowfang has most of the warriors confined to camp. Fireheart was an excellent warrior for a kittypet and we will honor him. But there is a time and place to do so."

Cloudpaw meows, "I know. But Fireheart was my only blood kin in Thunderclan and now I've lost him forever. He was also my mentor!"

Longtail brushes his tail against Cloudpaw's white fur. "I know. But many cats have passed on. But they look down on us through Silverpelt and are always watching us, even if it doesn't seem like it. And we will see them again when we pass…."

"But I want Fireheart right now!"

Longtail murmurs, "Sadly that can't happen Cloudpaw."

"But if Starclan can commune with the Medicine Cats then they can commune with us! Or they should have at least warned us about Tigerclaw's attack!"

"Starclan doesn't hold all the answers Cloudpaw. They are just our ancestors looking out for us and guiding us along the right path."

"But they can block the moon!"

"Just because they can block the moon does not mean they are all knowing," Graystripe adds, agreeing with Longtail. Though the light golden tabby seems surprised at his statement. Tilting his head, he wonders why that is? But before he can process it further, Sandstorm mews, "Graystripe and Longtail are right Cloudpaw. Besides death happens all the time, whether it be in leaf-bare due to sickness, or in greenleaf due to clan tensions over borders."

"But….."

"I loved Fireheart too, Cloudpaw. I, as much as anyone who sat vigil with him, wishes for him not to die in a battle sprung by Tigerclaw's ambition." She then goes over to the white apprentice and lays her head over his neck. "But Starclan couldn't have prevented it by warning us. Sometimes death happens to cats we care about. That doesn't mean we won't see them again. Just that they are watching over us from Silverpelt, patiently waiting for us to join them."

Swiftpaw mews, "Then why does Starclan bother with sending signs in the first place?"

Longtail responds, "To guide us in this life to make better decisions. But enough about Starclan. We should be hunting."

"Agreed," he mews.

They then pad forth, silence once again encompassing the group. Was it really fair for Fireheart to wait for him and his other friends to join Starclan in Silverpelt? He feels the same as Cloudpaw, he would rather be with Fireheart right at this present moment. Watching over his kits and bonding together as they did as apprentices.

Shaking those thoughts away, he focuses on the hunt and lets the forest make his thoughts drift away.