The light peered into the den and into the closed eyes of a fluffy, pale gray feline. The young cats' ear twitched as it started to wake up slowly, 'ugh not morning already...' she thought before forcing her eyes open. "Morning Dovewing," a voice mewed from beside her. Dovewing turned her head to face a pale gray tom with black stripes along his pelt, "morning Bumblestripe…" she mewed lightly. The tom's ears lowed against his head, feeling a little hurt not hearing the cheer in his den mate's voice. What was wrong with Dovewing? The she-cat shook her head and padded out of the den without saying another word to him, "Bumblestripe don't feel bad okay," Dovewing's sister Ivypool mewed as she sat in her nest beside Blossomfall. "She's just being a little moody everything will be okay, you'll see." Ivypool was always being positive now after becoming a warrior and it was good to see her like that. It almost made Bumblestripe feel as if he was in love with her instead of Dovewing but, his heart knew it belonged to Dovewing and no other.
The sun had risen higher in the sky above the trees of the beautiful forest, "Dovewing can you go with Cherrypaw, Molepaw, and Toadstep on a patrol along ShadowClans border? " Brambleclaw mewed from beside Firestar and his mate Squirrelflight. Dovewing purred and nodded quickly bounding over to the gathered cats, "let's go!" she mewed happily. Toadstep flicked his tail signaling the cats to leave, Bumblestripe watched the cat he was in love with follow the older warrior. His heart was breaking watching her walk away like she did. It felt like he was walking out of his life. Why are you being so cold to me Dovewing? What did I do? I need answers now! Bumblestripe followed the patrol without being noticed by any other cat in the clan. He was determined to gain his answers one way or another. Even if that meant spying on Dovewing.
Bumblestripe's paws thudded against the forest floor as he ran quickly through the forest following the first patrol. What was so special about patrolling the ShadowClan border? Did Dovewing have a friend in the clan, or was she hiding something from her clan? No, she'd never betray ThunderClan Bumblestripe knew Dovewing was a loyal cat. Why would he even consider that she'd be breaking the warrior code at all? He continued to follow them until he heard Dovewing's beautiful voice. "Toadstep I'll check over here while you, Cherrypaw, and Molepaw look over there." Why'd Dovewing want to be alone in the forest so close to ShadowClans territory? That didn't make any sense at all! Bumblestripe followed the she-cats sent and found a bush where he could hide easily without Dovewing picking his scent up. "Tigerheart, Tigerheart are you there?" she meowed softly. Tigerheart? Tigerstar's grandson, what did she want with him? "Dovewing!" a powerful voice mewed from ShadowClans side of the border, the dark brown tabby shape of Tigerheart padded from the darkness. "Hey my love!"
The two touched noses and Bumblestripe felt his heart die, she was breaking the warrior code by being in love with Tigerheart! "I missed seeing you, I'm sorry I didn't come to the last gathering. Firestar wanted me to stay home..." Tigerheart purred happily "That's alright! I'm happy I get to see you all." You all? What does that fur-ball mean? He's only talking to Dovewing! "We're happy to see you too Tigerheart." What is going on? Bumblestripe couldn't wait any longer it was time to stop this meet and greet session! He jumped from the bushes and raced toward the two standing between the two warriors growling as he faced Tigerheart. "B-Bumblestripe!" Dovewing gasped. He didn't take his eyes off of Tigerheart, "leave Tigerheart. Leave Dovewing alone. Just leave!" he ordered but Tigerheart growled back unsheathing his claws, "you'll have to make me kit. I love Dovewing and she loves me so back down." Bumblestripe's heart sank as he felt his body tremble with sorrow as he looked at Dovewing, "y-you love him Dovewing… I-I thought you would end up loving me…"
Dovewing lowered her head, "Bumblestripe I'm sorry but I'm in love with Tigerheart not you… A-And I'm expecting his kits…" With a growl Bumblestripe stepped from between them and stared at the love of his life with shocked eyes, "H-How could you Dovewing… I would've been the perfect mate for you!" Tigerheart growled at Bumblestripe and stood beside Dovewing staring at the pale gray tom. Dovewing couldn't look into her friends eyes, it hurt too much to have him find out like this. "Bumblestripe I-"Dovewing mewed lightly. Bumblestripe looked at her with a cold stare, "what?" he snapped angrily. The fluffy she-cat lowered her ears, "please don't tell anyone of this… If any cat asks me please as my best friend please say these are your kits…" Bumblestripe was angry and he wanted to tell Firestar and Brambleclaw but he knew that he couldn't because he still loved Dovewing. "Fine." He agreed, "Leave now Tigerheart and Dovewing," the tom paused staring at her angrily. "Get back to the patrol." The two went to touch noses but Bumblestripe growled and stood in between them, "NOW!"