That night, Graystripe dreamed again, but it wasn't the same dream as before with the fire. Instead his dream swept him over the forest, with the clear night sky shimmering with stars. Its starry talons held him until they reached Fourtrees and he's put on the Great Rock. Feeling the ageless strength of the stone as he sits where the leaders are, relishing the coolness of the rock beneath him. Scenting Fireheart, he is relieved to know that he will not be abandoning him in this dream like the last, which was a quatermoon ago.
"Graystripe," the familiar voice whispers in his ears and Graystripe spins around hoping to find his friend's fiery coat shining in the moonlight. But he's not there.
"Fireheart? Where are you?" he calls out, hoping to see his old friend.
"Graystripe," the voice murmurs again. "Beware an enemy that seems to sleep."
"What do you mean? Beware who?"
"Beware." the voice echoes.
Startled awake, he flutters his eyes open, heart racing from the dream. Pushing himself out of his nest, he goes out. Only to find it still nighttime as the sky glitters with stars. Walking out of the camp entrance he climbs up the rocky ravine, cool from the night air. Sitting down on the ridge of the ravine, he looks up to Silverpelt.
What had Fireheart meant by beware an enemy who seems to sleep?
Pawsteps are heard from behind him and he smooths his pelt once he notices its Sandstorm.
"Bad dream?" She asks, sitting beside him as he returns to gazing at the stars.
"More like an omen," he admits.
"An omen?"
"Fireheart told me to beware an enemy who seems to sleep."
"It must be Tigerclaw, but it's been a moon and there has been no sign of him."
"Hence the seems to sleep part of his warning."
Sandstorm opens her mouth to retort then closes it. "Good point," she mumbles.
She leans against his fur, "But why did you tell me?"
"You're my friend Sandstorm, one of the cats I can trust in Thunderclan with everything because you accepted me when most cats didn't."
"Really? You trust me?"
"With my life. And the truth is I'm also worried about Bluestar. If Tigerclaw is biding his time, who knows what more mental damage he could inflict on Bluestar. She visited the nursery today, she's making progress to be her usual self again. And if Tigerclaw returns, the damage might be permanent. I've only been deputy for a moon, and despite me easing into it, I want Bluestar to be leader as long as she can so I can learn from her. But so far the only thing I'm learning is not what to do."
Sandstorm puts her head under her chin, "You're supporting her, and helping her out when she needs it. She might be her old self now, but given time she might be."
"I know. I'm just worried. Thunderclan is vulnerable right now, and despite the others best intentions of hiding it, they still hate Tigerclaw and are giving his kits glares because of it and the cats who were friends with him. Bluestar too. They have done the same thing to me, before I proved myself, but kit's shouldn't experience that, especially for something they didn't do. And Longtail and Dustpelt have proved themselves loyal by not aiding him during the rogue battle and refusing him after the rogue battle."
"Longtail is your friend. You two have grown close by training your apprentices. I'm sure the others will see what you and I see that he is a loyal Thunderclan warrior just like you."
"Thanks, Sand."
"Sand?"
Graystripe looks away as Sandstorm looks at him, curiosity in her pale green eyes.
"I thought I should give you a nickname. Since we're so close."
"I like it, Stripes."
He turns around, confused.
"Since you gave me one, I gave you one."
Purring, "It's perfect Sand."
"And about Tigerclaw, Gray we'll deal with him when he turns up. We don't know when that nasty tabby will come back, but when he does we'll face him together."
They both lean on each other looking up at the night sky. Despite Fireheart's prophetic warning, with Sandstorm's support he knows they will beat Tigerclaw together, along with the whole clan by their side.