Chapter Fourteen

Barley's P.O.V.:

"You look comfortable," I commented as Ravenpaw's eyes fluttered open.

Immediately, my best friend's head shot up. His eyes met mine, and he tore apart from my niece as swiftly as lightning tears away from the clouds. "H-how was your walk?" Ravenpaw stammered, shifting his paws.

"Fine," I answered. "How was your nap?"

"Fine," he replied, looking uncomfortable. My whiskers twitched in amusement. I hadn't seen him so jumpy since he had left ThunderClan. And now his nervousness didn't come from death threats or bloody claws. Apparently desperate for a change of subject, he meowed shrewdly, "Why did you really walk by yourself?"

I shrugged. "I thought that perhaps you two would like some time alone."

His jaw dropped. This was obviously not the answer he had been expecting. "That's ridiculous!" he snapped, uncharacteristically defensive. "Sunny and I are just friends!"

"I didn't say otherwise," I reminded him.

Ravenpaw opened his mouth as if to speak, but no sound came out. By the baffled expression he wore, I knew it was time to ease up. "It's getting pretty late," I hinted. "Would you mind catching a couple mice?"

The black tom couldn't nod quickly enough. "Of course," he agreed without hesitation, running off to the other side of the barn.

Once he was out of sight, I turned toward my niece. Nudging her gently, I murmured, "It's time for dinner. Wake up."

Her ear twitched, and she began to stir. "Ravenpaw?" she whispered groggily.

"No, Barley," I corrected her as she got to her paws. "Ravenpaw is hunting." Her stomach let out a loud grumble. "It sounds like you could use a good meal," I purred.

"I haven't eaten all day," she admitted as her stomach moaned once more. "I'd better track down a mouse or two."

Ravenpaw was suddenly at her side. " 'at 'nt ee 'sarry," he mumbled around two mice he had managed to stuff in his mouth.

"What?" Sunny wondered, tilting her head in confusion. "Sorry, I don't speak confused dog."

Ravenpaw dropped the fresh-kill at her paws, ignoring her teasing. "That won't be necessary," he clarified before announcing, "Dinner for three!"

Sunny stiffened, her pelt of fire bristling. "I am quite capable of catching my own prey!" she snapped. "I'll prove it to-"

"Just eat," Ravenpaw ordered, cutting her off.

The orange she-cat glared at him for a long moment, lashing her tail. Ravenpaw met her stare unwaveringly with a confidence I had never truly seen in him. It was as if he knew that, one way or another, he was going to win. Finally, Sunny spat, "Fine. I'll eat," and stiffly took a large chunk out of one of the mice.

Unlike my fiery niece, I didn't have to be told twice. Making room for Ravenpaw to share, I took a large gulp. I felt a wave of contentment. My niece was on one side, my best friend on the other. We were warm (well, as warm as we could be in leaf-fall), full, and most importantly, together. Taking my final bite, I leaned back and asked, "Did I ever tell you about the time those two dogs chased me from the barn to the WindClan border?"

Sunny's eyes lit up curiously. "No. What happened?"

"It all started when..."

We spent the rest of the afternoon and most of the evening sharing stories and exchanging jokes. But, despite my happiness, something felt off. Everything appeared to be perfectly in place. I had kin once more, and I knew now that Ravenpaw would not be alone when I passed. Withstanding his protests, I knew that he was quickly falling in love with my niece, and I suspected she held similar feelings toward him. I should have felt nothing but relief and satisfaction, but instead, I felt a sense of foreboding. I pretended it was nothing more than the thoughts of senile old cat, but, somewhere deep inside, I knew something wasn't right.

A/N: Cue the dramatic music! (da,da,daaaaa) Oh snap. Something's happening, folks. Read and find out in chapters to come! So review, review, review! Tell me your thoughts, critiques, compliments, guesses, comments, ect! :)

P.S. Sorry for the rather short chapter!