Vixonpelt padded into Thunder Clan camp carrying a mouse in her jaws. She dropped it onto the fresh kill pile satisfyingly. Shimmercloud, the deputy of Thunder Clan, walked over. He shook his head.
"Vixonpelt lately you have been bringing less prey than a warrior of your skill can. Are you feeling ok?" Shimmercloud asked worriedly.
Of course I feel ok. I feel great! Vixonpelt thought to herself. She had just seen Braveheart. His flame eyes and golden pelt could capture the heart of any she-cat, but he had had his eyes on Vixonpelt, and he had won her.
"Yes, I'm fine. I was just a little tired when I went hunting today. I'm sorry Shimmercloud, I'll do better tomorrow, I promise." She lied.
"You'll do better all right, but not tomorrow. You're going out right now." Shimmercloud ordered. Vixonpelt nodded and padded back out of camp. It didn't bother her; it gave her another chance to see Braveheart.
She started towards River Clan borders for the second time that day. Braveheart would catch her scent and return before he even made it back to camp.
Vixonpelt caught a mouse and buried it for her return journey. She got to the river and saw a vole on the banks. She crouched down low and creeped forward. The vole tipped its head to scratch it with his hind leg. Vixonpelt pounced seeing her chance. She landed on top of the vole and bit into it. It was dead less than five seconds later. The sweet blood poured into her mouth but she buried it knowingly. She was already braking warrior code by seeing Braveheart; she didn't want to make it worse by feeding herself before the clan.
"Nice catch." It was Braveheart. Vixonpelt jumped up in surprise. When she saw his red eyes and golden pelt she relaxed. She took her paw off the vole and strode over to her handsome boyfriend. He purred in amusement. "Why have you come back so early? You just can't bear being away from me, can you?" Vixonpelt chuckled; Braveheart often joked about their love, she was used to it.
"Shimmercloud made me go hunting again because I didn't bring back enough prey." She explained. Braveheart's eyes flickered.
"I'm not bothered by it; more time to see you." Braveheart's expression returned to warm and smiling after that. He purred once again enjoying the attention. But then his face changed.
"Vixonpelt do ever feel wrong about this?" he asked. Vixonpelt sighed and replied, "I always have, but I love you too much to care. It's sort of sad isn't it?"
Braveheart's eyes looked relieved. "Well I have too. Vixonpelt do you think we should have kits?"
Vixonpelt was shocked. She knew she loved him, but how could she go through mating and having kits with him? It was worse than seeing him. She nearly was found out earlier. And if they did have kits, how would she keep them? Brightstar would be furious. She might even banish Vixonpelt from the clan!
"I don't know, it would be really risky don't you think?" Braveheart sighed. "I know, but most she-cats are expecting kits and sooner or later some tom is going to ask you. I just thought it might as well be me."
Vixonpelt understood his point, but having kits with him would be the worse thing she could do. "I'm sorry Braveheart, but having kits could make it even harder to see you. I would probably not be allowed to leave camp without another warrior and no one would trust me anymore." Braveheart sighed. "Ok. Well we should be getting back before we're missed." Vixonpelt nodded sorrowfully. If she could, she would have kits with him.
Vixonpelt trotted back into camp and dropped the mouse and vole onto the pile. Shimmercloud nodded his head thankfully. Vixonpelt walked into the nursery where her friend Dawnflower was laying down. Dawnflower knew about Braveheart and promised never to tell anyone.
"You stink of River Clan!" she meowed playfully. Vixonpelt rolled her eyes. "So who is the lucky tom?" she asked. Dawnflower smiled, "Flamefur. He is perfect for being the father don't you think?" she replied. Vixonpelt nodded, if only her relationship could be that easy.
"I know what you're thinking, and you better not." Dawnflower said seriously. "What am I thinking?" Vixonpelt asked. "You want to have kits with Braveheart don't you?" she said nervously. Vixonpelt sighed, "Yes, but I'm not going to. Its bad enough I see him everyday." Dawnflower let out her breath in relief. "I knew you wouldn't do anything stupid. Well, anything stupider than seeing him." She added teasingly. Vixonpelt gave her a shove and then reluctantly left. The moon was high in the sky and she was ready to sleep.
