Silvershy's POV:

"How did you escape?" Flamefur asked, her eyes wide in awe. Metalclaw sat beside the flame coloured she cat, a curious look on his face. The three were seated in the shade of the warriors den, away from any unwanted attention. That way they could talk freely without anyone listening.

Silvershy licked her lips thoughtfully before speaking, her green eyes narrowed as she replayed her escape in her mind. "NoName was preparing another nightmare for me, and out of the blue I decided to rebel against her... I used my powers to escape her. I found a sheltered area and fell asleep." She left out the bit where Silverstar appeared. Flamefur might understand Starclan's interference but she doubted a Dark Forest cat like Metalclaw would understand.

"Did you kill NoName?" Metalclaw meowed, a hopeful look on his face. Silvershy knew the grey tom wanted to return to the Dark Forest; it was where he felt he belonged. To a certain extent, he was right to want to go back. It was his home. But Silvershy didn't want him to leave Lightclan. He was a valuable member to the clan no matter what the other warriors said against him. Instead of speaking, Silvershy just shook her head mutely. She didn't want to crush his hope, but it was the truth.

Metalclaw hissed under his breath and looked down at the sand beneath him, scuffing it with his claws. Flamefur leaned against the grey tom, her blazing amber eyes sad. "Don't worry, Metalclaw. You're okay."

"I can't live my life as an outcast." Metalclaw hissed in reply, his tail lashing as he began ranting. "The Senior warriors never trust me to hunt alone. They watch me like hawks, waiting for me to slip up. Silverwing won't trust me with her kits. Stormstar refuses to let me out of camp alone. I'm not allowed to battle train with other cats. Every mouse-brained cat in this wretched clan hates me!" He glanced at Silvershy and Flamefur and added under his breath. "Sorry for saying those things your clan mates."

Silvershy shook her head. "It's fine. If Lightclan cannot accept a cat in need, then they are not my clan mates anymore."

Flamefur nodded firmly. "The same goes for me."

"What about Tigerstripe?" Metalclaw asked. "And Cheetahpelt and Bluesnow? They don't like me. They think I hurt you."

Flamefur took a while to reply. Silvershy saw the ginger she cat's paws working on the ground, claws unsheathed. Her tail twitched as she fought for a good reply. It was easy to see that she was torn between loyalty to her litter mates and loyalty to the tom she loved. At last, she hissed. "My litter mates should be more understanding. We were also outcasts once."

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Flamefur's POV:

"My litter mates should be more understanding. We were also outcasts once." Flamefur hissed in reply to Metalclaw. She was annoyed that everyone, even her siblings, thought that Metalclaw was nothing better than a fox-heart. He was more than that. Much more. He was kind and gentle but also protective and brave. Although his past may be dark, his future as a Lightclan cat was bright.

Silvershy had left silently as Flamefur locked herself inside her own mind to rage in silence. Metalclaw murmured soothing words to Flamefur as she kneaded the ground with her claws. She was so frustrated. She needed to let off some steam. She lifted her head and looked at Metalclaw. "Battle training?"

"Now?"

"Yes, now." Flamefur hissed, already on her way out of camp. Metalclaw trotted behind her, his eyes wary. She had barely made it to the camp exit when Blackleap stepped in her way.

"Where are you headed with him?" The black tom spat, sending a glare at Metalclaw.

Flamefur curled her lip in a snarl. "None of your business!"

"I'd be careful with who you trust if I were you. You're playing with fire, Flamefur. Soon enough you'll get burned." Blackleap growled, stepping aside to let them leave camp.

"I'd rather trust Metalclaw than a crazy leader's son!" Flamefur snapped in reply, haring out of camp. Metalclaw followed her silently, their thundering pawsteps in sync with each other.

They reached the beach in no time, slowing to a stop near the crashing waves. Flamefur breathed in the salt-tainted wind and sighed. "I miss the old territory."

Metalclaw nodded slowly, his gaze wary. "Um.. I guess I do as well."

Flamefur rolled her eyes. "You were never in it."

"I watched you in it." Metalclaw replied.

"Stalker." Flamefur chuckled.

"I'm not a stalker!" Metalclaw huffed. "I was watching over you to protect you!"

"Yeah right. I know you fancy me." Flamefur grinned and stalked closer to Metalclaw, swaying her hips as she did so.

Metalclaw eyed her as she got closer, his gaze glued to her eyes. Once Flamefur stopped, she was less than a mouse-length away from his muzzle. Metalclaw leaned forward to close the gap between them but Flamefur scooted away just in time. Her blazing amber eyes bore into his and she purred in amusement. "Fighting now, sharing tongues later."

Metalclaw rolled his eyes. "Fine by me." He crouched down and readied himself for Flamefur's attack.

Flamefur grinned and paced around Metalclaw, her tail whisking the sand behind her. She crept closer to him, but still far enough away that he couldn't swipe at her. Then, she kicked at the ground with her forepaw, shooting sand into the air and straight into Metalclaw's eyes. He yowled in surprise and fell over, bringing his paws to his eyes. Flamefur chuckled and leaned down to look at the grey tom. "Having fun?"

"What is it with you and blinding cats?" Metalclaw hissed, still trying to rid his eyes of sand.

"I honestly don't know." Flamefur shrugged. "But it works every time."

Metalclaw sighed and straightened himself. "Now I get to make the first move."

"Sure." Flamefur grinned and crouched down with a playful growl.

Metalclaw bunched his muscles and leapt for her. Flamefur narrowly dodged his attack and rolled onto her back, kicking him with her hind legs. Metalclaw stumbled from her kick but regained his balance swiftly, turning to swipe at her. His unsheathed claws met her cheek and she winced with a small whimper. "No claws!" She hissed, feeling the blood drip down her face.
"Claws never seemed to bother you before." Metalclaw pointed out with narrowed eyes.

"That was when NoName loomed over us like a hawk, waiting for us to slip up. Now you're in Lightclan territory. We train with sheathed claws." Flamefur growled, getting to her paws.

Metalclaw looked down at the ground. "Sorry.."

Flamefur felt a stab of pity for Metalclaw. All of this was unfamiliar to him. He was used to the short and brutal life of a Dark Forest warrior. He didn't understand Lightclan ways. She padded up to him and pressed her nose against his cheek. "Why don't we stop the training now?"

Metalclaw still looked down at his paws. "I'm sorry that I ruined everything. I'm trying to fit in, I swear. But it's just so hard and I-"

"Stop." Flamefur hushed the grey tom up. "There is no need to apologise. Now, let's get back to sharing tongues. I'm sure you can do that."

Metalclaw sniffed. "Of course I can. I'm the best."

"I'll be the judge of that." Flamefur chuckled.

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Yey longer chapter this time :3