I don't own Warriors.
Riverpelt wanted to meet her in privet. It suddenly didn't matter what Minnowpaw felt, as long as Riverpelt cared for her, as long as he wanted to meet her, just to talk.
They would stay behind after the gathering. Tanglepaw wished for a moment that she had Minnowpaw to cover for her, but the thought was gone. She didn't need Minnowpaw, the lying, betraying brat.
A swift glance around the clearing told her that Birchpaw was watching her, but she didn't pay attention to him. Now that she wasn't in ThunderClan he hardly mattered. He'd been a pawn during her final preparations, and now she had no need for him. He was worthless now.
xxx
Birchpaw stared at his reflection in the puddle. He had seen them. Tanglepaw and the WindClan warrior. He had heard them. They were in love. Tanglepaw had looked so happy. She never looked that way in ThunderClan, not even when she talked to Sparkpaw or talked to him. Maybe when Sparkpaw had returned, but that was the only time.
He felt sick again. Tanglepaw never could love him, he knew that now. She'd never act that way around him.
Birchpaw slipped through the undergrowth to the tallest tree in the forest. He hooked his claws through the bark and started to climb. He rose higher and higher, until he was at the very top. He looked down. The forest looked so small. He could see two cats coming.
His heartbeat quickened. They couldn't see him. If they did they would get help, and he would be in trouble.
They were coming toward the tree, and were going to be close to it in moments. The lump in his throat grew as he recognized Dustpelt. It must be dawn patrol. Secret and Shadowflame were with him.
"I love you, Tanglepaw," Birchpaw whispered, knowing nothing could hear him. Birchpaw sucked in a breath, preparing himself for what came next.
Birchpaw flung himself from the top of the tree.
xxx
The body fell out of the tree just before Secret stepped there.
"Birchpaw?" Dustpelt said, stepping forward.
"He must have fell," Shadowflame said uncertainly. "But then…"
"He jumped," Secret said.
Dustpelt didn't say anything, nosing his son's body in shock.
"How?"
"Well, this isn't exactly the best climbing tree around," Secret replied. "You wouldn't chase prey up there either."
"Stop!" Dustpelt snapped his voice cracking.
"Tanglepaw?" Secret asked. "He loved her, but she's with someone else?" Birchpaw's mind practically screamed everything. "He committed suicide because of her." Secret shook her head. "That's kind of creepy."
Tears leaked through Dustpelt's closed eyes. "Shadowflame, help me get Birchpaw back to camp."
Secret followed them back to the camp. She didn't really like clan life. It was boring. She could do everything as well as Firestar if she chose to, and there wasn't any point in that. Ranger's lessons challenged her; there was a point to them. Learning to fight was stupid, especially since she could kill thirty cats within two miles of her.
Plus, Sparkpaw was here, and he didn't even know who she was.
Poor Birchpaw. I feel kind of bad for him. I feel worse for Minnowpaw and Ivypaw though. I'm going on vacation Saturday, so I won't be able to update until I get back.