INTERMISSION 2

"What in StarClan's name are you doing?"

Featherpaw leaped back, alarmed as he heard Badgerpaw's laugh from behind. "Nothing!" he protested quickly.

Badgerpaw's twitching whiskers told him that she wasn't convinced. To be fair, Featherpaw thought, he hadn't been rather convincing.

Badgerpaw tried to look behind Featherpaw's back. Featherpaw leaned to the side to block her view. Badgerpaw leaned the other way; Featherpaw blocked her view. Badgerpaw's eyes gleamed with amusement.

"That's how you want to play, huh?" she purred, dropping into a low crouch. Featherpaw felt his ears go hot - this was, in fact, not how he wanted to play. But once Badgerpaw had her mind set on a game, that was that. It had been that way since they were kits. If she wanted to play Clan leader, she was Clan leader. (Which had always been fine for Featherpaw; being Clan leader was too much responsibility, even in a game.)

Featherpaw copied Badgerpaw's stance, anxiety pulsing through him. Badgerpaw's whiskers twitched as she wriggled her haunches, prepared to spring. Featherpaw halfheartedly lifted a paw.

"Ambush!" a voice yowled.

Sunpaw exploded from the nearest bush, using both of his giant front paws to careen into both of his littermates. Badgerpaw and Featherpaw were knocked sideways. Badgerpaw purred with amusement, while Featherpaw squealed.

Sunpaw landed on top of them both. Badgerpaw pushed his limbs off of her. "Get off, you big badger!" she teased.

"Oh, I'm the badger?" Sunpaw purred, flicking his tail at Badgerpaw.

Featherpaw pushed Sunpaw off of him. "Get off!" he hissed.

"Oh, come on, Featherpaw! Lighten up!" Sunpaw mewed. "I saved you from a fight with Badgerpaw!"

"By attacking me yourself. Great, thanks," Featherpaw muttered.

"You're such a soggy-paws," Sunpaw sighed, rolling onto his back.

Badgerpaw purred. Then she broke off, catching sight of what was behind Featherpaw all along.

"Featherpaw, have you been chewing on ferns again?"

NOTES

Short chapter, because it's an intermission. Hope you enjoyed!

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