Chapter 9

Jayfeather lay in his nest awake. He couldn't keep Mossheart off of his mind. Is she suspicious that I walked in her dreams? Does she know how I feel about her? Jayfeather wasn't sure, but he was sure he knew that Yellowfang would have plenty to say about it. But he'd just tell her she couldn't say anything. What's the worst thing that could happen? It's not like I could have kits!

Suddenly, Leafpool padded into the medicine den.

"Are you alright Jayfeather?" she asked concerned. "Is something on your mind?" Jayfeather yawned.

"Why are you here Leafpool?" he asked ignoring her questions.

"Well, I've noticed recently that you've been a little, distracted." Jayfeather stared blindly at her. She was acting like she suspected something.

"Like, what?" he replied.

"I don't know. You just remind me of when I was Cinderpelts' apprentice." Jayfeather gaped at her. He knew exactly what she meant by that.

"Like when I was in love." She finished.

"You think that I would make the same stupid mistake that you did?" he tried very hard to keep his voice a whisper.

"Jayfeather, I've seen the way you treat Mossheart, you're in love with her!" she accused.

"Can we talk about this somewhere else?" he panicked. After all, Briarlight was sleeping right there.

Both cats walked silently into the forest, Jayfeather following Leafpool. Once they came to a large bush, Leafpool gently laid her tail on Jayfeathers' back motioning for him to enter. Once they were in the bush, Leafpool sighed.

"I know its hard Jayfeather. But you can't be with her." She mewed gently.

"Like you have anything to say! Look at me! I'm living proof of your mistake." Leafpool sounded as though she was having a hard time talking about this subject.

"And see, you're still mad at me, after all this time. Do you really want your kits to have to live knowing their father was a medicine cat? Or worse, not know at all? Do you really want your kits to have to go through the same thing you, Lionblaze and Hollyleaf went through?"

Leafpool was very upset now, her voice was cracking.

"Do you really want to go through what I went through?" She whispered.

"Knowing my kits didn't know I was their mother? Thinking Crowfeather hated me? Losing Cinderpelt and my only sister losing her mate because of me for a while? Jayfeather, nothing good will come of it."

Jayfeather had heard enough. He ran away, far away from Leafpool and everything she had to say. Until he stepped in a mouse hole, and sprained his paw.

OW! Great StarClan that hurts! Jayfeather thought as he limped the rest of the way back to camp. Why won't cats just stay out of my business? First Yellowfang and now Leafpool! Jayfeather thought angrily.

As he settled down in his nest, he thought of what Yellowfang had said. 'Beware your heart,' she had said. Was she trying to warn me about Mossheart? He thought to himself. What was the last part, something about leaving the path I've chosen, is that supposed to mean my medicine cat path? Well I didn't choose to be a medicine cat! I wanted to be a warrior! If I had been, this wouldn't have been a problem! Then he thought about what Leafpool had said. 'Do you really want to go through what I went through?' I know what I'm doing! Besides, who ever said we'd become mates? Who could like me anyway? After all I am just a 'mouse brained medicine cat!' I heard Flowerpetal, I was right there! As Jayfeather fell asleep, he had one last thought.

Half Moon loved me…