Hey, everyone. I've had a lot of 'little moments' come to mind, and I decided to start a collection of one-shots.

I know that a lot of you out there agree that Thornclaw needs a she-cat. I have mixed feelings about this. In the Warriors books, most cats have mates, and it's kind of cliche now. But Thornclaw stands out because he's one of ThunderClan's favorite/important warriors, and yet he's just a one-cat show. I hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Warriors.

I rise to my paws, giving my pelt golden-brown dappled fur a good shake, and look around the camp. I see Squirrelflight and Foxpaw slipping out of camp, maybe to battle train. Ferncloud and Dustpelt are sharing tongues right outside the nursery, their kits tumbling around them as they play. Sorreltail and Brackenfur are sharing a meal together near the fresh-kill pile. I feel a small twinge of envy for my brother. He has a beautiful she-cat for a mate, and a litter of kits to prove their love. Nearly all the cats in ThunderClan have mates, but I'm alone. My sister, Cinderpelt, is dead, and my brother and I don't speak to each other often. He's always busy with Sorreltail, and his kits. And my other kin, Brightheart, spends most of her time with Cloudtail.

I, personally, never felt love for any she-cat in my life before. Until now.

Looking around the camp, I see a small gray and white she-cat emerge from the warriors den. She blinks those pretty blue eyes of hers, then looks around. I catch her eye and nod to her in greeting.

"Good morning, Thornclaw," she mews as she began to make her way toward me. "How are you?"

My tail curls in delight, but I try to hide my emotions. "I'm doing fine, thanks," I reply, nodding again.

She purrs, and I can't help but admire that soft, melodious voice of hers. As she glances around, she asks me, "Have any patrols gone out yet?"

"Dawn patrol just left," I inform her, flicking my tail. It brushes only a whisker-width from her shoulder, and I glance down at her before continuing, "I'm leading the hunting patrol. Would you come with me?"

To my delight, the pretty she-cat replies, "Of course. Who else will be coming?"

I think for a moment. Brambleclaw told me to lead the hunting patrol, and he'd asked someone to come with me. Right. "Birchfall," I answer. "He should be up soon."

As if on cue, the tom emerges from the warriors den, stretching his forelegs. He blinks up at us, then meows to me, "Are we going hunting?"

I nod in reply. "Hazeltail is coming with us."

Birchfall shrugs. "All right. Could I go check on Whitewing for a moment? I usually go visit her in the mornings."

"Well, you should've woken up early," I say, trying to keep my patience as my eyes narrow. "We should really get going."

"Oh, come on, Thornclaw, it's Greenleaf, there's plenty of prey," Hazeltail coaxes. "Let him go."

I glance over at her. I can't say no to her. Turning to Birchfall, I tell him, "Okay, go ahead. But hurry back."

"Sure thing," Birchfall replies as he turns and lopes toward the nursery. His mate, Whitewing, is swollen with kits. I'd worry if I had a pretty she-cat carrying my kits, too.

I look over at Hazeltail, and can't help but feel drawn to her. I glance away quickly, my heartbeat quickening. I'm old enough to be her father! I remind myself, shaking my head.

"Are you okay, Thornclaw?"

Hearing her say my name makes my heart swell. "I'm fine," I reply hastily, curling my tail around my paws.

Before she can reply, though, Birchfall races over. His hackles are raised in alarm. "I'm sorry, Thornclaw. But could you go on without me?"

"What's the matter?" I ask. I hope Whitewing's all right. "Did something happen to your mate?"

He shakes his head and explains, "Whitewing's fine, she just has severe stomach cramps." His eyes are wide as he mews, "What if she has her kits while I'm gone? I don't want to leave her."

Hazeltail's eyes are soft as she mews, "Oh, I hope she feels better. Thornclaw and I can manage, right?" She looks up at me, and her clear blue eyes hypnotize me for a second.

"Um, yeah, go ahead, Birchfall," I stammer, shaking my pelt. "Come on, Hazeltail. Let's go."

"Thank you," Birchfall mews, dipping his head. Then he dashes back toward the nursery, his tail fluffed out in alarm.

As we pad out into the forest, I mutter, "In my opinion, I think he's just overreacting."

Hazeltail chuckles. "Maybe, but it seems so sweet that he cares that much about his mate."

I shrug casually, but I take her words to heart. If I'm ever in a situation like that…

"I smell mouse," Hazeltail whispers, dropping into a hunter's crouch. She stalks forward slowly and silently, an air of grace about her. I drop down, too, and watch her.

The mouse is nibbling at some sort of seed, and is oblivious to the beautiful she-cat approaching. But at the last moment, it squeaks and begins to dart away. With a surprising burst of speed, Hazeltail shoots forward and snags the prey with her claws.

I'm awed.

"Great catch, Hazeltail!" I exclaim, coming out of hiding in the bushes. I can't help but flick my tail across her shoulder in affection.

"Thanks," she mewed quietly, purring in satisfaction.

Now it's my turn to show off my hunting skills. I hope she'll be impressed.

***

I return with a squirrel and two voles in my jaws. Hazeltail has caught a sparrow.

"I think that's enough hunting for today," I say. "Good job, Hazeltail, you did well." As a senior warrior, I feel the need to commend the younger she-cat.

"Thank you, Thornclaw," she replies with respect.

I flick my tail over her shoulder and nudge her playfully with my muzzle. She blinks up at me in surprise, then laughs and paws at me with her small, gray and white paws.

"Hey," I growl playfully as I push her down to the ground.

She struggles underneath me, kicking with her hindlegs. "No fair!" she squeals as she writhes in my grasp.

After teasing her, I get off, allowing her to get back up. "Are you all right?" I ask, nudging her.

"No," she hisses tartly.

I flinch at her bitter tone. "Look, Hazeltail, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to—"

She laughs at me, and I feel hurt, until she meows, "I'm just playing, Thornclaw." She reaches up to give me a lick on the muzzle.

I blink in surprise and look down at her, my head tilted to the side. "H-Hazeltail?"

I suppose she took herself by surprise, too, because her pelt is flushed with heat. "Let's go back to camp," she says hastily, picking up the fresh-kill in her mouth.

I nod and pick up the rest, then gesture for her to go on in front of me.

On the way back, my eyes are glued to her back, and I'm deep in thought. As we enter camp, a smile stretches across my face, and I bound forward to walk beside her.

So, what did you think? Let me know please. You can make requests if you'd like.

By the way, I was meaning to title this chapter, but i can't think of anything good besides for really unoriginal things like, "Thornclaw's Hunt." Any ideas?