"Hey Ravenstrike, want to come hunt with me?" Crystalflight's voice sounded nearby.
  "Of course," Ravenstrike responded, turning to face the she-cat.
  In the past few days they'd been hanging out more often. Sparring, hunting, and just talking had been common. Ravenstrike took note of how close their spars were. He won most times, but only by a bit.
  "You better come back with a good contribution to the Clan!"
  Ravenstrike's demeanor changed at his mother's voice. He was about to accept it and head on, but an impulse inside him didn't let him. To his surprise, a retort slid out of his mouth.
  "I will bring back what I can, and if you think it isn't a good contribution, you can go catch what you think will suffice!"
  Dewfang's eyes lit in surprise, and Ravenstrike could feel Crystalflight's pelt bush beside his. Regret burned through his pelt afterwards. Dewfang was a senior warrior.
  "Let's go." As quickly as he had spoke, he headed off with Crystalflight by his side.
  "That was brave of you. Standing up to Dewfang like that," Crystalflight was the first to speak once they had left the camp.
  "It was stupid," Ravenstrike corrected her. "I shouldn't be talking to senior warriors like that."
   Crystalflight's jaws opened to reply, but she was cut off as grass rustled nearby. Ravenstrike opened his jaws to taste hare. He looked to Crystalflight, swishing his tail go tell her to stay here. The large tom bounded around the hare's position to end up behind it.
The rushing winds of the plain were blowing his scent to the hare. He padded forward, placing his pawsteps silently as if he were trying to hunt it. It's small brown head popped up, eyes wild with fear. It looked to Ravenstrike and, with a squeak of surprise, pounded towards where Crystalflight lay in wait, her pelt blended to some bracken. The she-cat leapt out, landing on the hare and biting down quickly.
  The black tom padded up to the she-cat, a smile on his face.
  "Good catch."
  "We caught it together."

~~~

  Ravenstrike and Crystalflight padded back into camp. They had caught a shrew and another hare before coming back and the sky was darkening with dusk. Cold wind sliced through his pelt, reaching his skin briefly. He shivered. Leafbare really was here. The tom reminded himself tonight was the night Dust Whips would attack and, as he had predicted, two guards would be stationed.
  "Who wants to take guard duty tonight?" The two cats had come back just in time as Heatherbreeze launched the question.
  Ravenstrike quickly sat his prey on the pile and went to join the Clan.
  "I will," he offered immediately.
  Surprised eyes turned to him, but Heatherbreeze just nodded.
  "And who would like to accompany Ravenstrike on tonight's watch?"
  Ravenstrike's yellow eyes glistened. He'd be able to take on anyone who offered. The plan the Dust Whips had come up with was flawless.
  "I will!"
  Ravenstrike's breath froze on his throat at the voice.
  'Crystalflight.'