Disclaimer: Warriors isn't mine.

A.N.: This will be one of a few chapters told from multiple points of view.

Chapter 9

Falconheart padded down his scent trail, making sure to cover it with his fresh scent. It was worth repeating this journey every few days if it meant he got to see Ciara. He reached the fallen tree and relaxed. He'd do a bit of hunting around here, the lightning struck rotting corpse for whatever reason attracted plenty of prey. He pricked his ears, listening for the skirting of mice's claws on the wood but heard nothing.

Of course he hadn't exactly been quiet on his way here, mostly because he hadn't been hunting. Falconheart got into a crouch, prowling along the ground, closer and closer to the fallen tree.

With a dull thud a black shape dropped onto the ground in front of him. Falconheart let out a startled yowl, jumping backwards, growling for a heartbeat until he recognized almost amber gaze of Pantherstar.

"StarClan, Pantherstar, what's with you and scaring my fur off these days?"

Pantherstar looked at him for a long moment and Falconheart realized he hadn't smelled his brother on the way here. "How did you get here?"

"I came from the other way." Pantherstar flicked his ears and Falconheart unsheathed his claws, holding him to the earth.

"What are you doing here Falconheart?"

Falconheart struggled to lie, his voice strained. "Hunting."

Pantherstar looked away, with a pained look. "Do you know how many flaws I could point out in that story?" he whispered, causing Falconheart to bristle slightly. He looked back, his yellow eyes filled with hurt. "Why won't you tell me the truth?"

"I did."

"About her?"

Falconheart's world tilted beneath him and he was suddenly grateful he had unsheathed his claws or he might've fallen over. Oh StarClan, Pantherstar knew. It was in his brother's eyes, on his face.

Pantherstar swallowed, and asked softly. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I don't have to tell you everything." Falconheart snapped at him, lashing his tail.

Pantherstar blinked, and shrugged. "No, but I thought we did. I would've understood Falconheart."

"Please!" Falconheart snorted, curling his lip to reveal one fang. "You know nothing about being in love. You would've made me stop seeing her!"

"Maybe but you didn't give me the chance did you!" Pantherstar snarled, tail lashing once. "Did you really think I wouldn't work with you on this?"

"You would've made me put the Clan first!" Falconheart glared at his leader, "I have Pantherstar, I have time and time again. I just want someone who puts me first and you aren't that cat anymore!"

Pantherstar flinched, actually stepping back. "I trusted you."

Falconheart growled, Pantherstar no longer trusted him then? Fine. He spat at the black tom, before shoving past him. Charging down his faint scent trail. A few badger-lengths later, when he realized Pantherstar wasn't following him, he looked back. Pantherstar was looking in the direction of camp, and Falconheart felt a stab of hurt. His own brother wouldn't chase him down? He looked ahead once more, but his stride had slowed, and he couldn't bring himself to lengthen it.

XXX

"I trusted you." Pantherstar murmured. He had, he trusted his brother's judgment above any other cats, except maybe in this case.

Falconheart gave him a hurt look, and spat at him. Pantherstar let himself be shoved as Falconheart ran past. He could only stare at the ground, wondering. Was Falconheart right? Would he have made him stop seeing the she-cat? He didn't think so… He didn't think he'd hurt his brother like that, and he could see what she meant to him.

He looked around, and realized Falconheart had probably run off to see her. With soft sigh, the leader began making his way to camp, slowly. He needed to compose himself.

The argument hurt him, and he flinched. Falconheart must have misunderstood him. When Pantherstar had said he trusted him, he didn't mean he no longer did. He meant he'd trusted Falconheart to tell him things like this.

"Put you first, StarClan, Falconheart I try." He whispered, closing his eyes briefly. He had, all his life, put Falconheart first. Sure he'd be friends with Skykit and Kestrelkit. Only if Falconkit could be their friend too. If both of them were having trouble with a move, he'd work with Falconpaw before he worked on his own problem. As warriors, hadn't he asked that Falconheart led the first patrol? Hadn't he saved Falconheart from that fox, even though it meant he'd been in the medicine cat den with him for the next quarter-moon?

It wasn't his idea, Pebblestar had chosen him for deputy, and he had to put the Clan first now! Falconheart was part of the Clan. Had his brother felt betrayed for so long?

"Hey Pantherstar!" he lifted his head, realizing he'd come closer to camp. Lightpaw, her golden pelt hidden in shadows had greeted him. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah." He lied, swallowing when his voice sounded rough. "What are you doing out here?"

"I'm on a hunting patrol." She replied.

Pantherstar looked at her. "Really?" he teased, since she had no prey. "Tell me, are you hunting Clan leaders?"

"No, they taste horrible." Skyheart's muffled voice informed them, as the gray tom arrived, carrying several pieces of prey. "You can carry some now."

Lightpaw grabbed a large thrush. "I caught this."

"Well done!" Pantherstar was in a world of pain, but he made himself excited for the young she-cat. "Give that to the elders, and tell Thistleleaf I said you earned a story."

"Yay!" Lightpaw's eyes lit up, everyone knew Thistleleaf told the best stories. "Thanks Pantherstar!"

She hurried to camp, carrying the thrush. Skyheart hadn't picked up his prey.

"What happened to Falconheart?"

"What?" Pantherstar sounded stunned, how had Skyheart known?

"It was a joke." The gray tom told him. "It's just you look…" he paused then decided his friend could hear it straight. "You look awful."

Pantherstar shook his head. "Had a fight with him." He admitted softly.

Skyheart gave him a sympathetic look. "You two always work them out." He grabbed his prey. "Now come on. It's a gorgeous day; I'm sure everyone's outside."

Pantherstar helped him carrying the prey, as Brindlewing and Sparrow-wing appeared, carrying a few pieces of prey.

Skyheart eyed the tom, and muttered. "I'm telling your brother."

Sparrow-wing shrank, looking embarrassed, and Brindlewing glanced at Pantherstar sheepishly.

Pantherstar eyed his former apprentice. "What?"

"Nothing!" they ran into camp, and Skyheart chuckled.

"I think they'll admit to being mates soon enough." He twitched his whiskers. "After you, oh great leader."

"I ought to order you to always address me like that." Pantherstar muttered, entering camp. Skyheart was right, everyone was out. Thistleleaf was talking to Lightpaw, who looked thrilled, while the elders ate. The warriors were lounging around, Sootleap and Smokeflight batting at each other, Beechwhisker lay out in the sunlight. Pantherstar dropped the piece of prey he'd grabbed on the prey-pile and padded towards Thistleleaf. He'd listen to the elder's story.

A low rumbling made him raise his head. His eyes darted around camp, until he saw it. A great wall of water, spilling over the banks of the creek heading straight for them.

XXX

End A.N.: So that was the day of the flood.