Talonpaw's POV

I walked after Briarpaw, shaking my head, and glaring back over my shoulder. What was it with Lilypaw? She had never acted like this around me. And besides, I'd never let her again. I didn't like her that much.

I think she was too overbearing, whiny, and annoying, not to mention she suddenly turned snobbish when Briarpaw was at my side. And she also got in trouble for daydreaming. That's the reason I was so close to Briarpaw. She was like me, quiet, caring, and really understood my feelings. But I don't think I could have worked out with Lilypaw because she was just too fanciful. I sighed as I walked up the trail, following Briarpaw's scent-trail. I shouldered past the ferns, and there she was, in the clearing, waiting for me, perfect ears poised with grace. My heart fluttered. I walked closer to her, and she to I. We sat close, rubbing and purring. Suddenly, she sidled up to me, and butted my chin with the top of her head, and a stab of guilt reminded me that Lilypaw had done the same. I pushed it away, however, and licked the top of her head.

"Only one more moon," Briarpaw purred, "Then we will become warriors."

A teasing smile played at my lips, "And then?" She cuffed my ears gently.

"Then we can become mates."

"Yes," I breathed out loud, "We were a mateship made in Starshine."

"I- I love you, Talonpaw." I smiled, real, this time.

"And I, you."

xXx

Briarpaw's POV

I loved him so much. We were perfect together, and I knew that we had always been destined to become mates. It was almost written in the stars, and it was so hard to wait until our warrior days, because then, we could announce our mateship. We had decided that we would have maybe three kits, two females and a tom. So pretty, with one she-cat with brown and black, and the other brown and white. The tom would be black and white, just like his father. They would all have blue eyes.

I suddenly thought of what Lilypaw would feel, and I buried my face in Talonpaw's fur to hide my grin. Oh, she'd be surprised! She'd always longed after Talonpaw, even when he was a kit. I had relished the look of despair on her face when I and Talonpaw were sitting close together.

"Oh, dearest," I purred, "No one will get in the way of us being mates, will they?"

"No, Briarpaw," he mewed back awkwardly, "No they won't."

I butted his head again, relishing what Lilypaw's face would look like on the first day of our warriorship. Distraught, angry, sad, disappointed. Why did I want to make her feel bad? I don't know. I was always afraid that she'd steal Talonpaw away from me, so I kept on trying to steer him away from her, and make her think he has eyes only for me. So far, it was working. And I had only one more moon left. If it kept on going this way, Talon and I would be mates for life. Without a hitch. What could go wrong?

xXx

Lilypaw's POV

I had followed Talonpaw after I stopped crying, hoping to say that I was sorry. I didn't MEAN to make him feel bad, but I so wanted some attention like he gave to Briarpaw! Was that wrong? I stopped as he padded into the clearing. The needled trees shaped a rough circle around the two cats. I sneaked around, hopeful. Then, I saw them embrace, and Briarpaw did to Talonpaw what I had done earlier, and he liked it! He didn't even look like he regretted doing it to me, or even if he remembered me at all! Fresh tears filled my eyes, threatening to spill out and follow the same path the old ones had. No, I was just- I couldn't- This wasn't happening.

Then, as if Briarpaw had know I was there, she purred loudly, "Oh, dearest, no one will get in the way of us being mates, will they?"

My heart lurched at his response, "No, Briarpaw. No they won't." I turned tail and ran back to camp as if running could erase the hurt. I had been so stupid! So blind! How could I not have seen that little Briarpaw trying to get in the way between us? Between me and him? The tears flowed like icy streams down my face. I hurried into camp, not caring if anyone stared, then nearly flew into the apprentice's den. I sobbed for what seemed like moons and moons. After a while, when I couldn't cry anymore, Petalpaw squeezed in.

"Hey, you ok?" I just whimpered. She sat at my side, then gently licked my head to calm me down. "Lilypaw, everything's going to be all right."

"No! No it isn't! I've been so bli-hi-hi-nd," I wailed between gulps of air, "Now look what's happening!" More tears trickled down my cheeks.

"Shh, shh," she soothed, "You're just over-reacting."

"Over-reacting?!" I shrieked, "If I'm over-reacting, then you haven't seen ANYTHING yet!" She sat in silence, then, when I had calmed down, held out a leaf that had a tiny black seed on it.

"Here," she mewed, "It'll help calm you and help you sleep." I sniffed, then looked away, "EAT IT." I reluctantly lapped it up, then relaxed, and finally fell asleep.

I wonder, I had mused as my eyes closed, I wonder what she is thinking right now. But then, I dropped off to sleep.

xXx

Petalpaw's POV

I watched as my sister fell asleep. She had always been over-dramatic, but this time, a small part of me agreed with her. Talonpaw was blind to such a good she-cat. And us being sisters, I could pick out her faults easier than any other cat. But I also saw the soft side she never showed to any other cat. She was a goofy, funny, tender, and emotional cat. Just one more little slip could push her off the edge. And I had to make sure that that wouldn't happen.


Ahem. And now? A few questions:

Who is your favorite? Least favorite?

Suggestions?

What's Petalpaw going to do?

Does Talonpaw really think that he and Lilypaw are not right for each other, or is Briarpaw just tricking him into that?

Anything else?

Ok, have a good time, and now, bye!