DISCLAIMER

I don't own warriors...otherwise I wouldn't be sitting here writing fan-fics about it :P

Enjoy! (However, I do own Jewel :P)


~Dustpelt's POV~

I stretched in my nest, letting out a long yawn. Watch, I thought, With my luck, somebody'll need me. Right now, they're gonna call my name. And...

"Dustpelt?" It was Firestar.

I groaned, and stood up. "What is it?!" I snapped, tired and worn out, and just realizing there was white all over my nest now.

He chuckled hesitantly, then padded into the den. I felt my fur heat when he sat beside me and saw my nest. "Oh...um, was I um..."

I laughed tiredly. "Trust me, it's not what it looks like."

He looked relieved, then meowed, "Listen. I'll just get to the point. You've been annoying Sandstorm with constantly going in there."

I lay my ears back and felt my heart being crunched by Firestar's big, greedy paw. "Oh."

He sighed. "I'm not asking you to stay away. Just...give her some space, okay? She has a lot of work with the kits."

I frowned, and twitched my ear up. "Easily done," I mewed coolly.

He bit his lip and nodded, seeming to notice that I just wanted to be alone. "By the way," he added over his shoulder on the way out, "Brambleclaw wants you on the evening patrol later."

I simply replied with, "Mmhmm."

He looked forward again and left me alone to collect my thoughts. I once again thought over what had happened with Jewel. I shifted my paws wearily, and wondered: was it a mistake? Why did I just mate with a complete stranger? What am I coming to?

I stood up and made my way over to my nest. I might as well replace the bedding, I thought, wouldn't want to sleep in that stuff...

I carefully picked it up by the dry part with my teeth. I padded to the den exit, then carefully proceeded to the camp entrance tunnel; I made sure nobody else noticed me carrying a nest dripping with...well...white stuff...

As I edged out of camp, I began to realize something. Maybe I shouldn't regret it, I thought, I don't have any chance with Sandstorm. She was annoyed by me! I might as well have some fun anyway. It's not like any other she-cat has her eyes on me...


~Snowbird's POV~

Same old boring Shadowclan...on a same old boring day, I thought. I can't wait until the gathering tonight though. I get to go!

I stood from beside the fresh kill pile and shook out my ruffled white fur. I felt glad it never grew long until leaf-bare and leaf-fall; greenleaf heat was currently unbearable. I looked around the camp; at all the cats I knew and cared about.

I decided to go take a walk; perhaps I would even run into my crush at their border...

As I approached the tree stump and I sniffed the air, smelling pine scent grow stronger, I wondered what he thought of me. Probably nothing, I knew. He looked strong and reliable. He wasn't afraid to voice his opinion on things...I let out a puff of air. I had no chance with him...Besides, we were from two different clans. Even if I could get him to be friends with me, that would always be in the way.

I shot my ears up when I heard a familiar, slightly agitated sounding voice.

"Why does everything in my life go wrong?" He grumbled.

I crept behind a tree and watched as he sat by the border. I felt my heart begin to race. What luck! His smooth striped brown fur glistened in the sun, and the light reflected off of his amber eyes. I felt almost as if he could see me...

I stepped out boldly, and cleared my throat.

He looked up, his eyes widening in alarm. "This isn't some sort of ambush, is it?!" He howled, jumping to his paws and darting his glance around hurriedly.

I chuckled. "Of course not!" Ambush? Peh!

He lay his fur flat and sat back down. "Just in case you're wondering...um..."

"Snowbird."

He nodded, then continued, "I'm not trying to trespass. I'm just thinking things through. And this is my favorite spot to think lately."

I nodded in understanding, and felt sympathy well up for him. "Me either, I just figured I'd come out and take a walk. You're Dustpelt, right?"

"Yes," he meowed, "Hey, why don't you sit with me? I don't care really if you just cross the border a little bit. If anyone comes, you can leap right back, can you not?"

I purred. "Sure!"

I treaded carefully over the scent markers and settled down beside him. "So, Dustpelt...what are you thinking about?"

He sighed. "Let's just say the she-cat of my dreams has a mate and five kits, and she is really happy. My mate is dead...and, well...I have nothing much else left that I care about. I have only my kits, friends, and clan."

I frowned. "I'm sorry about that. But I'm sure the right cat will come around for you. You just have to be patient." I smiled.

He showed me the faintest of smiles. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

I smirked jokingly. "Of course I am. I'm always right."

I brought up my paw and licked it nervously. He laughed along with me, and mewed , "So, you must be from Shadowclan?"

I laughed and nodded. "Yeah, boring, ugly Shadowclan."

He blinked. "You sure aren't ugly." He purred. "You're really pretty...uh..."

"Snowbird..."

He nodded, then smiled. "Sorry; I guess it's just that I don't know you too well."

"Right," I sighed, feeling hurt. "Well, I...um...have to go," I whispered, standing and stepping over the border and stretching out my fore legs. "Bye..."

"Bye," he meowed. I felt his stare burning into the back of my neck. "Snowbird."