Chapter 1
Bumblestripe squeezed his way through the thorn barrier with his squirrel and thrush after going hunting by himself. He had had enough of endless streams of cats speculating, when will Dovewing have her kits, I wonder how many there'll be, Dovewing this, kits that. He was sick and tired of it and it seemed like it would never stop. Sure enough, before he was a fox-length into camp Thornclaw hurried over "Dovewing-"
"I don't care, OK!" Bumblestripe snapped and stormed towards the fresh-kill pile. "Who put thorns in his nest" Ambermoon muttered, listening from behind Thornclaw. Bumblestripe quickened his pace, all he wanted to do was put down his fresh kill and sleep, the only way to escape everyday life, although many a dream was haunted by Dovewing, at least he had a chance of peace. In the waking world there was no way he could stop thinking about her. On his way over he was intercepted by Blossomfall, "I don't know why you're being so grumpy these days," she sighed
"Well you would know what it's like to be ignored by someone you love," he mewed "That's why you joined the Dark Forest, right?" Pure sadness suddenly flared in Blossomfall's eyes, "I know some cats still don't trust me but I thought I could at least depend on my own brother," she mewed, and trailed her tail as she padded towards the nursery. Moons ago Bumblestripe would have felt bad about upsetting his sister, but now all he felt was anger, that was all he felt these days. He settled himself by the fresh kill pile and watched the clan go on. Every one of these cats used to have a special place in his heart, but now that place was simply cold and dark. Every one of them seemed to have forgotten he and Dovewing had been mates, they mentioned her without a seeming second though, could they not be sensitive? Suddenly he heard Jayfeather mew "I just thought you should know that Dovewing's kits have been born," he paused a moment, before adding, "They don't keep mentioning Dovewing because they forgot you were her mate, they mention it because they don't want to act like they're trying to be careful about it,"
"Stop prying into my mind!" Bumblestripe mewed crossly.
"I lost my powers, remember, it's plain to see on your face how upset you are, but just remember this, if you dwell to long on the past, it could consume the present, and the cats around you now could end up meaning nothing,". Hearing it out loud, Bumblestripe knew that that was what was happening to him, but he couldn't help but think about how great life had been when Dovewing had loved him back.