A Triangle of Complicated Love

Created By: The Moonstar9

Characters Owned By: Erin Hunter

Last Update: 10/3/2012

Chapter 1: Tigerheart Arrives

Narrator: Cinderpelt

Tigerheart's POV

Birds were chirping in the distant. The sun was shining brightly in the sky and there was a cool breeze in the air. Tigerheart was padding through ShadowClan territory, alone. He made sure he wasn't being followed by any cat. He had said goodbye to his sister and Tawnypelt before he left camp. They had assumed he meant he'll be going out for a while type 'goodbye'. But they didn't know that wasn't true. Tigerheart wished it didn't have to be this way. He would miss Dawnpelt, Tawnypelt, and his father very much. But at least they still would be able to see each other. They would see each other at Gatherings and perhaps on a patrol.

Tigerheart was heading towards the ThunderClan border. This was all going to be for Dovewing. Once he joined ThunderClan then she'll have to be with him again. The only reason why she left him was because they were in different Clans, right? Hopefully, she didn't already have Bumblestripe as a mate.

In the battle against the Dark Forest a half a moon ago, Tigerheart saw Dovewing and Bumblestripe sitting so close together when he was leaving ThunderClan camp. When he saw that, he knew that something was going on between. He tried to forget that and made himself believe that they were just Clanmates comforting each other. That's what he had to believe. Because if he joined ThunderClan and Dovewing already had a mate then he would have joined ThunderClan for nothing.

Tigerheart stopped right on the edge of the ShadowClan border. He let out a sigh and crossed into ThunderClan territory.

Dovewing's POV

"That was a good hunt." Thornclaw mumbled, mouth full, as he padded through the thorn tunnel. He was carrying four fat mice by their tails in his mouth.

Dovewing and Spiderleg padded after him, their mouths filled with prey. Dovewing had caught a plump squirrel and a starling. She was pretty proud of herself. It was tough catching the squirrel. There was so much pretty in the forest this time of season. It was newleaf after all. All of the Clans were recovering well since the Dark Forest battle that took place two moons ago.

"It certainly was." Spiderleg muffled to Thornclaw. He was carrying a crow and a couple of voles.

The three cats set their prey onto the fresh-kill pile. Bumblestripe came running towards Dovewing, looking excited. He rubs his cheek against hers, purring in delight. "Hi, Dovewing! How was the hunt?"

Dovewing purred in returned and replied, "It was great actually. There is so much prey in the forest!"

Bumblestripe and her relationship wasn't yet official. Their Clanmates always assumed that they were mates. If one of them asked Dovewing if they were mates, she would either laugh or give a simple shrug. He was always so sweet and kind to her. She honestly didn't know if she was ready to become his mate. After her breakup with Tigerheart two moons ago she wasn't yet ready to take on another mate just yet.

"Bumblestripe!" whined a small voice. Dovewing turned her head to see Bumblestripe's apprentice, Lilypaw, marching towards them. "You said we were doing battle training today!"

Sorreltail's kits, Lilypaw and Seedpaw, had recently become apprentices. Their mentors being Bumblestripe and Blossomfall. Dovewing envied them both during the ceremony. She had thought that she would mentor one of Sorreltail's kits. Then she told herself that Bumblestripe and Blossomfall were older than her and had more warrior experience. Dovewing guessed she might have a chance with Brightheart's kits. They would become apprentices any day now.

Bumblestripe nods to Lilypaw, pulling away from Dovewing. "We are."

"When?" Lilypaw demanded.

"Right now."

Lilypaw bounced up and down excitedly. "Great! Can Seedpaw come too?"

"Yes. She and Blossomfall are already in the training hollow." Bumblestripe replied in amusement.

"Awesome! Let's go!" Lilypaw then raced towards the camp exit.

Bumblestripe looked towards Dovewing and licked her cheek. "See you later!" he runs off to catch up with his apprentice.

Dovewing watched him go. Sometimes those two are more like friends than mentor and apprentice. She thought and shrugged. She glances around the clearing. Everything seemed peaceful now. Squirrelflight was busy organizing patrols as usual and Cloudtail was playing with his kits near the nursery as his older kit, Whitewing, watched. Cinderheart was now in the nursery, heavy with Lionblaze's kits. Mousewhisker, Brackenfur, and Hazeltail were making the warriors' den bigger since Cherryfalls and Molefur moved in. Those two received their warrior names the same time Lilypaw and Seedpaw became apprentices.

Graystripe, Dustpelt, Sandstorm, and Millie had all moved into the elders' den not too long ago. Purdy died of old age a few days after they joined him. That upset Dovewing a little. She had liked Purdy even though he always kept telling stories constantly. Some of those stories were interesting.

"Dovewing!" Squirrelflight called her over.

Dovewing rushed over and skidded to a halt in front of her. "Yes?"

"Do you mind going on another patrol?" Squirrelflight asked.

Dovewing nods. "Sure."

"Okay, I need you−"

Squirrelflight's voice was cut off by a cat yowling, "Intruder!"

Dovewing's fur immediately stood on end when she heard the alarm. She should've been using her senses and she would've known that the intruder was coming.

Mousewhisker had been the cat who yowled and he was bristling when a cat walked through the thorn tunnel. It was a cat that Dovewing did not expect to see in the ThunderClan camp.

"Tigerheart!" Squirrelflight exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"

Bramblestar suddenly came charging from his den and stood on top of the Highledge, glancing around. "Who's the intruder?" before anyone could respond his eyes fell on Tigerheart. He narrowed his eyes at the ShadowClan cat. "What are you doing here?" he demanded.

Tigerheart stared steadily up at Bramblestar and spoke calmly. "I come in peace, Bramblestar."

"What are you doing here though?" Thornclaw demanded pushing his way through the crowd of cats that were forming around Tigerheart. "Have you come alone?" he peered behind Tigerheart as if expecting to see anymore ShadowClan warriors.

"I'm alone." Tigerheart replied.

"Why are you here, Tigerheart?" Bramblestar questioned calmly. "Is ShadowClan in trouble?"

Tigerheart shook his head. "No. ShadowClan is well."

"Yeah, yeah, get on with it…" Dovewing heard Cloudtail hiss quietly.

"Well what is it then?" Bramblestar demands.

Tigerheart blinked slowly at him and responded, "I've come to join ThunderClan."

There were several gasps of shock in the clearing. Dovewing was one of them. Tigerheart, wants to join ThunderClan? She thought in disbelief. But why...? But she already knew the answer to that question. He wants to be with me. No! How could he leave his Clan for me?

Bramblestar was quiet while his Clan yowled in outrage. He waited for them to quiet down a little before he spoke again, "Come see me in my den, Tigerheart." He turned away. "Squirrelflight!" he called before disappearing into his den.

Tigerheart began climbing up the rocks to Bramblestar's den with Squirrelflight right behind him.

Dovewing's Clanmates were whispering angrily to each other.

"I think he just wants to spy for ShadowClan." Rosepetal growled.

"I agree." said her brother, Toadstep.

Ivypool came up to Dovewing with an unknown look on her face. "I know why Tigerheart wants to join ThunderClan."

"Why?" Dovewing questioned, pretending not to know.

"He wants to be with you, of course!" she snapped quietly.

"Surely that's not the reason?"

"Well duh! Of course it is. It's the only reason."

Dovewing shrugged. "I don't know."

Ivypool stared at Dovewing suspiciously. "You aren't going to be with him are you?"

"I never said that!" Dovewing said quickly.

Ivypool didn't seem to believe her. "How could you do this to Bumblestripe? I thought he was your mate!" she exclaimed.

"Bumblestripe is not my mate and I didn't do anything!"

"Whatever!" Ivypool huffed angrily and padded away.

Dovewing glared at her sister. She was such a pain sometimes. Dovewing then looked up at Bramblestar's den. Her anger disappeared and was replaced by worry and nervousness. If Bramblestar allowed Tigerheart to join ThunderClan…things would be complicated.

Cinderpelt (Narrator):Tigerheart wants to join ThunderClan? How could he do this to his family and ShadowClan? I could never leave my family behind…but I can understand what love feels like. It's the strongest emotion. But the real question remains…Would Bramblestar really accept Tigerheart into the Clan or drive him back to ShadowClan?

End of chapter 1

Author's Note:If I get about three reviews I will update chapter 2.Thanks for reading!