Disclaimer: I do not own Warriors. What's on the dessert menu?

So, here we are. Short chapter, I know, there will be those, but we are nearing a big clan-versus-clan battle. After this is over, I might make a sequel or something.

There are going to be delays more often. I'm going to start school soon. I went to orientation yesterday to get my schedule, and SURPRISE! The school lost my schedule! And about 100 other schedules too! I guess I don't exist. Well, it doesn't matter, because if they don't have my schedule ready on Monday when my dad goes, he's going to yell at them! Yay!

Enjoy Darkbranch acting totally un-Darkbranch and Spikefur and Yellowpaw being...themselves, I guess. Maybe.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go to youtube and look for clips of the CSI: Miami episode: Lost Son (is it too much to ask for to see how my favorite actors die these days?)

Chapter 15: Seriously

Stripedtail walked out of the warrior's den, where she met up with Darkbranch.

"Good morning, Stripedtail!" he said to her cheerfully.

She yawned and half-smiled. "You really are a morning cat, aren't you?" She straightened up a little and shook the tiredness out of her eyes. "Um, I forgot to ask, yesterday was a little crazy for me…how did the gathering go?" Stripedtail could tell by their faces when they came back that it was not pleasant, but she needed details.

Darkbranch's eyes hardened. "That mouse-brained Cricketstar. He seemed proud of the ambush he had his warriors do to us." He paused and sighed. "I just hope he doesn't launch a bigger attack on us."

Stripedtail could feel her spine and tail stiffen. "Do you think he would? I mean, seriously-"

"Seriously, he could. I wouldn't put it past him." Darkbranch interrupted.

Stripedtail pushed past him when she saw Yellowpaw.

"Hey, Yellowpaw! Do you want to go on the hunting patrol? With Hawkfur, Goldenlash, Galewind, and I?"

Yellowpaw sighed before answering. "I can't. I have apprentice training to do with Cloudynight…"

"Oh, okay. Maybe later."

Yellowpaw walked off with a sad look on her face. Stripedtail felt bad for her. She knew she would be sad too if she was still an apprentice when her brother and best friend were already warriors.

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That evening, Spikefur went across camp with a spring in his step. He made his way over to the stump in the middle of the camp and grabbed a mouse off of it.

"I suppose you're going to share that?" Yellowpaw came up from behind.

"Maybe I want it all for myself," he teased.

She laughed and followed him into the warriors den. He turned around. "Unless you'd rather us eat somewhere else?" he asked.

"No, here is fine," Yellowpaw looked happy to be welcomed into the warriors den by any cat, even if it was her brother.

After a few bites of the mouse were gone, Yellowpaw turned to face Spikefur.

"So, tell me, what's happening between you and Stripedtail?" she looked curious and a little excited.

Spikefur looked a little embarrassed. "Um, I guess we're…" he thought for a minute on how to continue. "…more than friends…?" he said awkwardly.

Yellowpaw laughed at his response. He was obviously caught off guard. He too, let out a purr of amusement.

"I like it! You two make a seriously cute couple! And she's been waiting for it!" Yellowpaw exclaimed. She took another bite of the mouse and stood up. "Got to go,"

"Apprentice jobs?" her brother teased.

"Just you wait when I catch up to you!" She purred, and walked out the entrance, leaving a half-dazed Spikefur.

"Seriously cute…couple…?" he mumbled to himself.

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I'm building up suspense. (-: