Silvershy's POV:

When Blackleap, Ashleg and Foxclaw returned to camp, claiming that Flamefur had fled to Smallclan, Silvershy breathed a sigh of relief. She didn't want Flamefur to be killed. The young warrior didn't deserve such a fate.

Tigerstripe now stood on the Highboulder, fuming. His green eyes glimmered in the dying sunlight, the bright orange sun glowing behind him. His voice boomed around the small gathering clearing. "Unfortunately Flamefur has escaped to enemy territory. I will double the patrols around the Smallclan border for the next few days incase she plans to return and reek havoc on us. For now, Hazefang and Trueheart shall rejoin Lightclan as honored warriors. But if I see any signs of trouble, they will both be kicked out."

The two loners dipped their heads in understanding and Silvershy saw Hazefang flash her a worried glance. What was she worried about? As quickly as the worry came, it vanished and Hazefang put on a fake smile as she looked up at Tigerstripe.

The brown furred deputy dipped his head and climbed down the Highboulder, following the cats as they left the clearing and padded back to the main camp.

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Nutwhisker's POV:

Nutwhisker peeked his head slowly into the darkness of Stormstar's den. His nose wrinkled in disgust as he took a breath of the den. It reeked of old bedding and crow-food. As Nutwhisker's eyes adjusted, he found the source of the smells. There was a small pile of uneaten prey near Stormstar's nest. Nutwhisker could barely tell what animals they were- they were rotting with green filth growing on them.

Nutwhisker's gaze travelled from the repulsive pile of prey and landed on Stormstar. The black tom was seemingly asleep. His bones poked out from under his thin fur and Nutwhisker cringed when he saw that Stormstar had done his dirt in his own nest. He wasn't this bad when I was with him...

Suddenly, Stormstar's eyes shot open and he snapped his head up at an unnatural speed. "Silverstar?"

Nutwhisker flinched as Stormstar's ice blue eyes bore straight into his. The two wide, glowing orbs shone with exhaustion and insanity. The brown tom tried to remind himself why he had come in the first place. It was startling to be around Stormstar. "Uh, no. It's me, Nutwhisker."

Stormstar clearly looked relieved that it wasn't Silverstar. Has he been having nightmares of her? The black tom was noticeably shaking, his whiskers and ears constantly twitching. Nutwhisker saw his thin black tail flicking quickly behind him at a swift pace. "What do you want?" The Lightclan leader asked, his voice raspy.

"I just came in to check on you. You seem to be alone most of the time, so I felt the need to make sure you're okay." Nutwhisker spoke slowly, picking his words carefully.

Stormstar let out a loud and forced laugh. "Okay? Do I look okay to you?" His normal-sounding laugh quickly developed into an insane one, his icy blue eyes tearing up by the time he was finished with his outburst. "Oh, I'm doing great! I throw up everything I eat, I haven't gotten a wink of sleep for these past two moons and I'm all alone in this dark den." His voice lowered, as if he was talking to himself. "I think I'm going blind... Can't see a mouse-brained thing in here."

"Why don't you-"

Stormstar interrupted Nutwhisker with a bitter grin. "-Use my fire powers? I haven't been able to since I stopped eating. Don't have the energy for it."

Nutwhisker licked his lips uncomfortably and shuffled his paws, avoiding Stormstar's cold gaze. "Would you like me to help? I can clean your nest and take away the rotting prey."

Stormstar giggled like a she cat. "Oh what a nice thing to suggest! Too bad for you, though, because I quite enjoy sleeping in my own filth."

"Please Stormstar." Nutwhisker sighed, changing the subject. "Reach inside of you and find that last string of sanity left. The clan needs you. They are in trouble and they need a leader to help them."

"Dawnheart is doing fine. Nightmare Silverstar told me Dawnheart has gone to get her nine lives already. I'm practically dead now! Not needed in the clan at all!" Stormstar traced his forepaw over the soil beside his nest, staring creepily at Nutwhisker as he spoke.

"Silverstar-"

"Nightmare Silverstar." He growled, suddenly unsheathing his claws and pinning his ears back aggressively.

Nutwhisker frowned as he spoke again. "Nightmare Silverstar was lying. Dawnheart is an elder now after she shattered her paws in a fox attack. Tigerstripe is deputy and he exiled Flamefur, Hazefang and Trueheart."

"No, Nutwhisker. You're the one who's lying. My nightmare's show the real truth about this world. It shows me everything." Stormstar seemed to zone out, reaching with his forepaw for an invisible object before him.

Nutwhisker sighed and stood up for one last attempt. "You need to get better Stormstar." He didn't answer so Nutwhisker headed out but just as he reached the exit, Stormstar spoke.

"It's too late." The black tom whispered, his voice barely audible.

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