Author's Note: I don't really like time skips all that much considering I used them in Kwamis and Lions Intro Arc not too well. But since Rising Storm starts a quatermoon after Tigerclaw has been banished and I couldn't think of more to add during that time I figured why the heck not. I also got a hold of a copy of Rising Storm so I will be using that as a refernece for my chapters. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter:)

~Leafbranch

Warm shafts of sunshine filtered through the canopy of trees warming Graystripe's pelt. He crouches forward aware that his gray pelt might give him away to the prey he is hunting. The mouthwatering scent of pigeon fills his lungs and moving closer he sees the plump bird pecking among the ferns of the forest.

Hunger aches through his stomach. He swipes his lips in anticipation, he was hungry after leading the dawn patrol and hunting all morning with Sandstorm. The clan needed to be fed and some of the warriors' physical injuries still haven't fully healed yet from Tigerclaw's treachery.

At least greenleaf has been plentiful despite the newleaf floods. Tensing his muscles he goes to leap, but a different scent catches his attention on the dry breeze. He pauses and looks at the pigeon. It had caught the scent too. It's head shoots up in alarm and unfurling its wings but a blur of white fur came through before the pigeon could take off.

Recognizing it as Cloudpaw he purrs as he pads up to his apprentice. The kill laid neatly at Cloudpaw's forepaws.

"Well done. You were very fast to catch it upwind." Graystripe meows looking at the pigeon. "Though next time you might want to downwind of your prey so you have more time to actually catch it."

Cloudpaw ears fold back in embarrassment, "I just wanted to test my hunting skills. Hunting has been so easy in Greenleaf, that I….."

"Forgotten the thrill of the hunt? Don't worry I'm sure many warriors have felt the same way with the abundance of prey. But it never should be wasted."

"I know. I have a bigger catch back there," Cloudpaw points with his tail to where he came from when diving for the pigeon earlier.

"And it's for the elders?"

"Yep. The clan must be fed first."

Graystripe purrs, "If I didn't know any better I'd think you and Sandstorm could be related with how well you hunt." Cloudpaw's blue eyes shine with the compliment. "Really?"

"I know so. Now why don't you take your catch to the elders and then we join Swiftpaw and Longtail for training." His belly rumbles, "Of course as soon as I get something to eat."

"Well you're a part of the clan right? So have the pigeon. I bet Brightpaw has caught some prey too for the elders. And I have caught four pieces already."

"I guess so. As long as the elders don't go hungry…."

"They won't, I made sure of it." His eyes then glitter with sadness. "I wish Fireheart were here. I can't believe it's been a quarter moon already since he….."

Graystripe sits close to his apprentice and Firestar's kin and wraps his tail around Cloudpaw. "I know. I wish he were here to."

They sit in silence for a couple of moments before Cloudpaw shakes himself. "Anyway I'd better go and get the rest of the catch and bring it back to camp. Don't want to make the elders wait any longer."

"Good idea, and be careful."

Cloudpaw snorts, "We haven't seen a lick of that traitor for a quarter moon. I doubt he's around."

"Just in case. I do not want to lose you too."

Cloudpaw's gaze softens and he meows, "Nor I you." He then turns and disappears into the undergrowth. Graystripe softly mews, "May Starclan light your path."

Turning to the pigeon his apprentice left behind he digs into it gratefully. The pigeon satisfies his hunger and he licks his lips. Looking at the trajectory of the sun he shoots up. It's almost time for the Sunhigh patrol to go out. Racing back to camp his paws skim the undergrowth.

He makes it just in time to hear cats arguing.

"So who's going to lead the Sunhigh patrol?" Darkstripe's querulous mew asks.

"Graystripe will decide when he returns from hunting." Whitstorm calmly mews, trying to appease Darkstripe's irritation.

Dustpelt complains, "But he should have been back by now. It's almost Sunhigh!"

Graystripe over the baked earth pads toward them. "I am back now. And as for leading the Sunhigh patrol, how about Whitestorm. Darkstripe, Dustpelt you can go with him."

Darkstripe glares at him, but a little bit of shock colors his gaze as well. Did he not think he was up to the task of deputy? Well since the three were complaining, minus Whitestrom, they could all go on patrol since they were so eager. Plus their wounds had long been healed. And Whitestorm, besides Longtail and Sandstorm, were one of the cats he could trust to lead a patrol without it ending badly.

"Then we shall take our leave then," Whitestorm murmurs as he dips his head, beckoning the two other cats to follow him with his tail. As they head out of camp Graystripe breathes a sigh of relief. Looking at the camp he notices that the hot rays of the sun have erased the dew from this morning.

He also spots Cloudpaw and Brightpaw coming out of the elders' den. Padding over to them, Brightpaw meows, noticing him, "Graystripe your apprentice is amazing! He caught three squirrels and a mouse."

Cloudpaw butts his head into her shoulder, "Hey you were great too. You caught a squirrel and two sparrows and birds are one of the harder prey. They're so jumpity."

Graystripe purrs, "But you were fast enough to catch a pigeon upwind. I'd say that counts for something."

"Really Cloudpaw?"

Cloudpaw's ears folded in embarrassment again, "It was no big deal…. I just wanted a bit of challenge since most of the prey has been relatively easy to catch….."

"But still you managed to catch it while it scented you? You must be brilliant."

"It was nothing….really."

Brightpaw rolls her eyes not believing a word his apprentice said. "If you say so."

"I do say so."

"Sorry to interrupt your banter, but I think it's time to train your battle moves Cloudpaw."

Brightpaw's tail wags in excitement, "Can I come?"

"I just sent your mentor out on a patrol….. But I'm sure he wouldn't mind if you, Cloudpaw and Swiftpaw sparred together. With tensions in the clan high, it would be good for you apprentices to be prepared in case our clanmates' wariness is proven right."

Brightpaw mews, "You mean about….." Her blues scan the area for other warriors who might be listening and she whispers, "Tigerclaw?"

He affirms her assumption with a nod.

"That makes sense," She mews in response.

Mousefur bounds up to them, "And what about the evening patrol?"

Graystripe muses to himself. Brackenfur still has a limp, and he's not too sure about the other warriors.

"You can lead it if you like. And take any cat who can manage a patrol right now."

"Do you think once you're done training with the apprentices, Longtail and Swiftpaw would like to come?"

"I'll ask for you and I'll let Longtail know to let you know if he and his apprentice will be joining you."

"Thanks Graystripe. You're turning out to be a fine deputy despite…" Mousefur trails off, her ears pricked back in discomfort. "Well I'll be off. You three enjoy training together."

Graystripe shakes away the unease at Mousefur's discomfort. He's well aware that the cats in the clan aren't too happy with him being deputy. And with him being good at the role despite everything must be making it more uncomfortable for them. He shoves those thoughts down and beckons for the two apprentices to follow him.