Sandstorm was speechless for a moment. Her heart sped up and she felt a blush surface on her cheeks. "Tigerclaw, I…"

"It's okay Sandstorm. Ever since the accident I've felt a burning guilt. It was my fault. Then I realized something. Power isn't everything, like my mentor taught me when I was an apprentice." Tigerclaw looked down remorsefully. "I feel horrible that I didn't see through him."

"Tigerclaw, I forgive you." She brushed her flank against his and continued, "I never blamed you. It was certainly not your fault."

Tigerclaw whispered into her ear, "Thank you."

"Hey, you want to go for a walk in the woods?"

He purred. "Great idea."

As they padded out of the den and up the ravine, their tails twined unwittingly. A slight breeze rustled the leaves as they entered the forest. A starling sailed overhead but they paid it no attention.

A nearby bush rattled raucously. "Who's there?" Questioned Sandstorm.

Tigerclaw pushed her out of the way. "Shhh. I smell fox." He wrinkled his nose.

"Fox?" Sandstorm nearly screeched; she had managed to keep her voice at a troubled murmur.

The muscular dark brown tabby tom pushed her further out of the way as the shrub shook even more. "Run. I let you get hurt. I won't let it happen again."

"No. I may get hurt, but I couldn't live knowing that you were killed because I ran like a mouse-heart."

He growled but didn't argue further. A bright orange shape slowly emerged from the bush. Tigerclaw leaped into action. He sliced the fox's ear open while Sandstorm bit into its foreleg. It yelped in pain but lashed back ferociously. Bounding onto its back, Sandstorm sank into the fox's scruff and using her hind legs, she raked her thorn sharp claws across its back. The fox wailed. Tigerclaw took a blow to his side; he rapidly spun around and clamped down on its forepaw. The young fox was easily outmatched by two seasoned Warriors. It backed away a few paw steps before turning tail and sprinting.

"Phew. Glad you're okay." Huffed Tigerclaw.

"Yeah. Better get that gash looked at by Spottedleaf."

They slowly made their way back to camp. The setting sun gleamed in the distance. They were both bone tired and ready to sink into sleep as soon as they lay down, but they had a fox to report.