I scrambled after the robin, nearly tripping over my own paws. It was just out of reach! I had to catch it, for Smokecloud! I launched myself into the air, missed it by a fox-length, and landed on my back in the grass, tail fluffed up.
"Hunting going okay?"
Every muscle in my body relaxed as Smokecloud stepped past two fronds of grass and into view.
"It's going fine," I said, giving my bristled shoulder fur a lick. "Just a few small mishaps along the road."
Smokecloud purred. He turned around, starting poking around at the dirt and grass, and then threw a frog at my paws
"You got a frog for me!" I exclaimed. I couldn't hold back a purr.
"I did," he said. "I was out hunting - I have the sunhigh patrol - and I saw it in a little puddle, amongst the reeds. I couldn't not go after it! So I caught it, and I went out to find you."
"I was hunting, too," I said. "I had a bit of free time and Larchflight wanted me to practice." I glanced at the robin, who had perched on a nearby tree and was glaring at me fiercely.
"I should probably get going," Smokecloud said. " I think the patrol is returning soon."
"Me too," I said. "I need a good nap before the battle Rainstar's been planning for tonight."
"I thought you would be hunting birds," Smokecloud said with mock anger. "You still owe me quite a few!"
"I caught four for you," I purred. "How many frogs have you caught for me?"
He grinned at me. "One. And it's right here."
"Let's head back to camp, then," I said.
I picked the frog up in my jaws and we started to the camp. I wanted so desperately to twine his tail around mine, but I forced the urge done. What would Smokecloud think? He didn't seem to know that I liked him. For the time being, I wanted to keep it that way.
Ferntail padded up to us as we entered.
"Hey," she said. "I'm going hunting. Smokecloud, do you want to come?"
"Sure," he gave me a glance. "Do you mind?"
I dropped the frog. "I'm fine. Go on ahead."
He was just hunting, I thought bitterly as they left the camp together. He doesn't need to go out hunting again. And especially not with her. I cast the thought away almost as soon as it entered my head. They made each other happy; I could see it in their eyes whenever they were together.
I am fine. Just because Smokecloud would never be with me, and I'm terrified of hurting him or Ferntail, and my dream of being a medicine cat is dead and everything is falling apart -
The point is, I'm fine.
The last thing any cat needs to do is worry about me.