Another chapter!!!

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The clearing was filled with exhausted, scrawny, bony physiqued cats that listlessly went about their duties. Mothwing herself felt like she was more fur than anything else with how hungry she was. But she didn't complain, not when her Clanmates were going through the same problem.

From where she crouched underneath the nettle patch, watching as the warriors came and went, she could see just how much the Twolegs were affecting them.

There was always a nervous energy now, cats glancing over their shoulder in paranoia. Waiting as though the Twolegs would raid their camp with their monsters at any given moment. Mothwing herself was keeping an extra eye on her surroundings when she was out collecting herbs.

Movement from the elders' den caught Mothwing's attention, stepping out from the den was Brambleclaw covered head to tail in old moss. Mothwing felt a stab of sympathy for her brother, stuck on apprentice duty for hunting in Twolegplace for his pregnant mate.

Mothwing glanced over at the nursery where Cinderpelt, Brambleclaw's mate, sat outside the entrance. The queen gave her paw a lick and wiped her face, body turned away from Brambleclaw's direction, but Mothwing happened to notice the quick side-glance the dark gray she-cat gave Brambleclaw when he had emerged from the elders' den.

Brambleclaw shook off the clumps of moss that clinged to his pelt, clearly he was rusty in changing the elders' nests. Mothwing felt that it was unfair that Brambleclaw and Brackenfur were once again reduced to the chores of an apprentice, all they had done was hunt food for the starving Clan. Mothwing found that the punishment was uncalled for.

The golden-dappled tabby she-cat watched her brother stretch his legs, he was a warrior and his skills were clearly being wasted on apprentice tasks, and as soon as he caught sight of Cinderpelt outside the nursery den his amber eyes lit up. He made long strides towards her, his tail waving in the air but his meow of greeting went ignored; however, as Cinderpelt abruptly stood up, her head turned away from Brambleclaw as she dismissed his attempts to engage in conversation with her. The soon to be mother then left Brambleclaw behind in the clearing, disappearing back inside the nursery without even acknowledging him.

Mothwing sadly watched her brother as his tail dropped in disappointment, he looked more and more haggard and disheveled with each passing day Cinderpelt refused to speak to him.

The golden-dappled she-cat turned her head as she watched in a state of discomfort as Sorreltail came padding up to stand by Brambleclaw's side. Mothwing didn't know what Sorreltail

was saying to Mothwing's only ThunderClan brother but it caused him to relax somewhat and he briefly brushed his tail against Sorreltail's shoulder.

Sorreltail preened under the attention, but looked to be struggling to contain the obvious fondness that was directed towards the giant dark-brown tabby. Luckily it didn't seem that her brother took any notice of Sorreltail's affections for him, instead he meowed a farewell to her as he headed back towards the elder's den. Oblivious to Sorreltail's longing gaze that followed after him.

"I feel so sorry for Brambleclaw," Mothwing jumped in surprise as Leafpool suddenly appeared at her side, Thornclaw accompanying her, "Cinderpelt hasn't been talking to him, not since we found out about him and Brackenfur hunting in Twolegplace."

"Cinderpelt is just being stubborn," Thornclaw meowed, his tail flickered out behind him, "she knows why he did it. It's understandable with what we're currently going through. She's just upset by him hunting more so for her than the Clan, she'll come around soon."

"Hopefully," Leafpool added, "Sandstorm has already forgiven Brackenfur. Though I suppose it's hard not to stay mad when it comes to those two. And Sandstorm needs a lot of support right now with the kits."

"So does Cinderpelt, especially in the delicate state that she's currently in." Mothwing butted in, expressing her worries, "Cinderpelt needs Brambleclaw more than ever. But she keeps on ignoring him."

"Maybe you can talk to her, Thornclaw." Leafpool meowed, turning to the golden-brown tabby, "Your littermates after all."

Thornclaw gained a thoughtful look in his pale blue eyes when Leafpool made the suggestion, and slowly he nodded his head, "I can try, and if I can't get her to talk to Brambleclaw then perhaps we can get Sandstorm to persuade her."

"That sounds like a good idea," Mothwing felt somewhat relieved that someone was looking out for Cinderpelt's wellbeing, and having both Cinderpelt's brother and former apprentice talk to her might just convince her, "no one should be fighting right now."

"I agree," Thornclaw replied, his gaze traveling across the clearing, "have you seen Rainwhisker recently? He was supposed to come with us on a hunting patrol but he never showed up."

Mothwing was taken aback, "No," Mothwing replied, "I haven't seen him."

Thornclaw let out a low hum, but didn't comment further, "there's going to be a burial for Larchkit."

Mothwing felt grief on top of her sadness for Brambleclaw, though she wasn't there to witness it, Mothwing knew that due to Ferncloud's struggle to produce enough milk Larchkit died from starvation.

"I've heard," Mothwing said softly, "it's a tragedy. But she's with StarClan now."

"I fear that soon more of us will soon be joining StarClan." Leafpool exclaimed suddenly, her head dipped in despair, "what with those terrible Twolegs hanging about, destroying our territory and forcing us all to starve."

Thornclaw brushed his tail down Leafpool's back and pressed himself comfortingly up against her side, from his expression this didn't seem like the first time he's heard Leafpool say something like this, "and who knows what's going to happen next. This all started since Spottedfeather went missing, if the Twolegs are responsible for her disappearance then who's to say we aren't next?"

Mothwing felt instantly guilty at the mention of Spottedfeather, unaware to Leafpool and everyone else, Spottedfeather had been chosen by StarClan to fulfill a prophecy with three other cats. Only Mothwing knew about the reason behind Spottedfeather's disappearance, but not only that but also an omen sent by StarClan and given to Spottedleaf about 'a cawing crow, its wings were on fire. Fire and crow together, igniting the fire, fueling its growth.' Whatever that meant was currently eluding some of ThunderClan's finest cat's.

"Why don't we go and find Rainwhisker," Thornclaw suggested to Leafpool, "see where he's been all day?"

Mothwing could see that Thornclaw was trying to divert Leafpool's attention onto something else, Leafpool obviously could tell what he was doing but she agreed and Mothwing watched as the pair padded off across the clearing. Watching them leave made Mothwing feel lonelier than usual, she felt conflicted and anxious on her own, and knowing what she knew was slowly clawing away at her. StarClan, bring Spottedfeather home soon.

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Sorry it's been so long!!! I've been busy elsewhere and I just recently got back into the fandom again!!! But I'm back and better than ever! (And I finally learned how to publish chapters on my phone through an app where before I couldn't!!!) And so it begins!!!

Poor Brambleclaw am I right? He only wanted to take care of his mate!

We all know Sandstorm can't stay mad...okay Sandstorm can stay mad at Brackenfur but she doesn't want to; reason 1) she loves him. 2) father of her kits! 3) in these trying times and uncertainty they need each other more than ever!!

Cinderpelt and Brambleclaw's relationship may seem doomed but they still really love each other. Cinderpelt is just upset and stubborn/proud at the moment!!!

Poor Mothwing!

Oh no! Don't give up hope, Leafpool!!! (Got to love Thornclaw!)