The cloud covered sky above twisted ominously above the forest, torrential winds sweeping across the land. The trees creaked with the force against them, sounding almost like screams of pain. What prey had been left was now hiding deep inside their burrows, far out of the hungry grasp of any predator daring to brave the storm. It was now coming to the end of green-leaf, although the prey ran better in any leaf-bare of the past than it had during this season. Almost every cat in every clan was beginning to look and feel listless.

A slender, dark tom wove his way through the forest, branches creaking and swaying high above his head. He didn't care that, if one could not withstand the strain and fell from the tree, he could be crushed. True, it was quite dangerous for any cat to be wandering about in this weather, the tom did not care. In the depths of the forest he was almost completely hidden; with dark brown fur a shade lighter than the colors of twilight, it would be nearly impossible to spot him as he lurked amongst the shadows.

If he were to disappear, no one would miss him, or even notice that he was gone, but his loyalty to his Clan was the one thing that kept him going. RiverClan needed as many able warriors as it could have to hunt, and if necissary, fight for it. The queens and the kits would starve, and they were some of the only cats which Bolstrike had a soft spot for.

His electric yellow eyes flashed coldly as he neared the gorge. It always had fascinated him to stare into its depths during a storm, for the fury of the water below was unimaginable. As he got closer, however, he noticed that he was not alone. A young she-cat looked as if she was preparing herself to jump, and subconsciously his paws began to carry him toward her. She knew as well as any that doing so would result in her death, poor troubled soul. He had known the feeling... when you feel like you can't go on, feel like everyone would be better off without you, he felt that every single day of his life. No one took the time to understand him, but perhaps today was his chance to reach out to another.

Hey, he cried, yellow eyes wide with fear. He padded up alongside the she-cat, doing all he could to keep from trembling. W-what're you doing?

The almost black time turned his head momentarily, strengthening his grip on the sharp, rocky edge of the gorge. He closed his bright yellow eyes for a second, trying not to let the pain of his past overcome him while he was trying to help another cat. True, he probably wasn't the best for the job, but the way she had spoken of herself, she too was an outcast. Perhaps words would make more sense coming from one outcast to another.

Have you ever seen another cat speaking to me? He asked, but he had already answered for the she-cat in his mind. Ever since I was born, I had always been the quiet, brooding type,,, and no one ever bothered to try to get to know me. Every time I get close to having a friend, someone to count on and share things with .. they either die or disapear, so I have stopped trying. Its not always easy being alone, I know .. and I have contemplated doing the very same thing as you came here intending on accomplishing today, but the truth is, your Clan really does need you. Warriors make the Clan, they need us to help hunt..especially in these harsh times, and to help protect the less able amongst us.

Boltstrike took a step forward, so that he was closer to his fellow warrior. If she were to make any life-threatening moves, he might be better able to stop her. The way he saw it was that it was his one chance to do something right for his Clan, and he would not let Skyshade take the leap, not if he could help it.