"And who would that be?" Birdcry asked, voice quavering.
"Who else, bird-brain?" Birdcry rolled her eyes at the pet name.
"Would I know, Pebblebutt?"
Pebblestep chuckled and continued.
"We all know Foxbreeze is sweet on you, admit it."
"Do I know? Oh wait… NO. And I don't like him!"
"Aww, that's too bad. He really likes you. He told me he was going to ask you to go hunting with him someday. Did that ever work out?
Birdcry was filled with guilt as she rembered. His forlorn glances at her when she talked to some other tom. His pelt always neat and smooth whenever she was around. Was that meant to impress her? She shook the thoughts away. Surely her brother was just teasing.
The next morning, she was woken to the sounds of kits squealing. Not the best way to wake up.
"Birdcry, Birdcry,Birdcry!" Mistkit, Rosekit, and Emberkit jumped all over her.
Birdcry groaned and then laughed as the kits pounced on her tail. A black tom entered the nursery and made a beeline towards Soulfog, a queen who had recently kitted, and began sharing tongues. Could that be me? Birdcry wondered. Will I ever have a mate? She was suddenly aware of a dark shape at the nursery door, before she could flatten her fur, Foxbreeze stepped into the nursery on his white paws.
"Hey," he said, and Birdcry noted he smelled of catmint.
"Uh, hi?"
Foxbreeze shifted uncomfortabely.
"Can I talk to you for a sec?"
"Sure." and with that she heaved herself out of her nest.