DISCLAIMER: I do not own Warriors. I do own my OCs, like Sunpaw, and this particular plotline.

"Littlecloud, I think I'm coming down with something."

The medicine cat was rather annoyed to hear his leader's words. "What's wrong?" he asked, turning to face the large tom.

"Nothing's wrong." Blackstar's voice was cross. "I'm not sick, but I think I might have an allergy."

"Too what?"

"Well, whenever I'm around this one she-cat, I feel weird." Blackstar flattened his ears and looked at his paws, appearing rather embarrassed. "I feel nervous and… happy. And warm."

"And the problem with that is…?"

"Well, I've diagnosed myself." Blackstar regained his haughty composure in a heartbeat.

"Then why did you come to me?" Littlecloud muttered.

Blackstar didn't seem to hear. "I think I have an allergy to she-cats."

Littlecloud's whiskers twitched, and he let out a purr of laughter. His leader shot him a scornful glare, and the medicine cat regained his composure, his body still shaking with amusement.

"An allergy to she-cats? That's mousebrained!"

"Well, it sounded rather plausible when I thought of it." Blackstar mumbled, his ears flat once again. Louder, he added, "So I'm not sick?"

"Well, some cats refer to love as a sickness." Littlecloud suggested. "Though I've never-"

"Wait, wait. You're talking about love, that fox dung those ThunderClanners are always talking about? That love?" Blackstar growled.

Littlecloud nodded, his smirk of amusement still not gone. "Yes, that 'fox dung'."

"Impossible." Blackstar looked away. "ShadowClan cats don't fall in love."

Littlecloud laughed again, and his leader held back a growl of annoyance. "Oh yes, they do, Blackstar. How do you expect our Clan gets kits every Greenleaf?"

Blackstar didn't answer, only narrowed his eyes.

"Look," Littlecloud nudged his leader's gaze to Smokefoot and Snowbird, who were sharing tongues and gently batting each other. "That's love."

"Disgusting," Blackstar twitched his whiskers in annoyance. "They're acting like kits."

"Yes, courtship is a tricky business. It certainly twists your mind around. That's why we medicine cats have a saying. Do you want to hear it?"

Blackstar sighed. "Fine."

"Well, Runningnose used to say, 'Who needs she-cats when you can have herbs?'" Littlecloud's mew was rich with pride. "Of course, then… that sounded rather wrong, and lonely, didn't it?"

Blackstar nodded.

"Well, then." Littlecloud changed the subject quickly. "Who's the lucky she-cat?"

"No one. I'm not in love." Blackstar hissed. Quieter, he added, "Like I'd tell you."

Littlecloud rolled his eyes. "Typical."

"Blackstar!" Toadfoot came running forward. He had a few scratches covering his back, and a large bitemark on his shoulder. "Tawnypelt attacked me."

"I did not!" Tawnypelt growled, strutting forward. "I was only…"
"Protecting your precious ThunderClan, again. Of course-" Toadfoot snarled.

"No, what actually happened-"

"I'm telling him!"

"It's my story! I should get to-"

"I'm the victim here! She's not loyal-"

The two cats rambled on and on until they were out of breath.

"Okay, what happened?" Blackstar snapped. "Toadfoot, you may speak first."

"Well, I was just there minding my own business, on that border patrol, with her, when this ThunderClan apprentice crosses the border. I was scolding her-"
"You were about to claw her to pieces." Tawnypelt hissed.

Toadfoot ignored her. "When this whole ThunderClan patrol comes out. Then the deputy, Brambleclaw, started going on about something about the code- I wasn't paying attention, really- and well, lets just say it turned into a little border skirmish."

"You had him pinned down-"

"Anyways, I could have chased off that deputy- for the record, he's Tawnypelt's brother- but then this traitor launches herself at me. She gave me this bite," Toadfoot motioned towards his shoulder.

"I'm sorry!" Tawnypelt exclaimed. "He was going to hurt Brambleclaw, and… I don't know… I'm loyal, I really am!"

"This… calls for a punishment." Blackstar hissed. Littlecloud saw fear flash in Tawnypelt's eyes, and he stepped forward to reason with his leader.

"Silence, Littlecloud." Blackstar snapped. He raised his head high. "Tawnypelt, your punishment is that for as long as I feel needed, you will not be allowed out of my sight."

Tawnypelt seemed shocked, then rather relieved.

"What kind of punishment is that?" Toadfoot screeched. "I demand exile!"

Blackstar didn't answer. "Your punishment starts tonight, Tawnypelt." He began to walk away, black paws kicking up pine needles.

"Oh, and I hope you don't see it as a punishment," he added, turning around. "But as an opportunity."

Tawnypelt cocked her head but nodded slowly.

"Tawnypelt…" Littlecloud mumbled. "Who would've known…"

XXX

…No comment.

-Lukos