Jayfeather scented the air to make sure no one was around. He shook his head, confused by what had happened. 'What was that? I've never felt that before, but the feeling was familiar...' He shook his head again and went out of his den to get some fresh-kill. He quickly grabbed a vole. But then, in the clearing he felt that feeling again, but this time it wasn't his own. He traced it to its source and found that it was coming from Bramblestar and Squirrelflight, who was expecting Bramblestar's actual kits. He wanted to find out what that feeling was, so he went over to a shady spot in the clearing that was close enough to Bramblestar and Squirrelflight that he could hear them.
"Our kits will be perfect Bramblestar."
"I know they will, Squirrelflight. They are yours, after all."
"Don't forget, they're yours too, Mouse-brain."
"There's what I was waiting for."
"I love you Bramblestar."
'I love you too Squirrelflight."
Jayfeather's pelt prickled with surprise. The feeling was stronger now. He forced his fur to lie flat. 'That feeling..could it have been love? No! It couldn't have! I'm a medicine cat! I don't love Briarlight! I can't!' Jayfeather quickly finished the vole and tried to look calm as he returned to his den. He began pacing around the den, trying to come up with an explanation. He couldn't think of any. "Jayfeather?" a voice called. Jayfeather jumped and turned to face the sound. He caught Briarlight's scent. 'Great! That's just what I needed! More confusion!' Jayfeather could feel the confusion coming of her, but also hope, and worry. He wondered why she was worried. He replied," I'm here Briarlight, just tired." He could hear the sound of dragging and knew that Briarlight was coming closer. She chuckled nervously and asked," Could I talk to you? Out in the forest? I need to do my exercises anyway." Jayfeather felt the hope and worry become more prominent. Jayfeather sighed," Sure Briarlight. Let's go." 'I hope this doesn't make things worse.'
Briarlight began to lead Jayfeather to the Sky Oak, where they normally trained. She was worried about what was about to happen, and worried about how Jayfeather would react. They soon reached the Sky Oak and Briarlight began kneading the ground nervously with her claws.
Jayfeather asked, annoyance creeping into his voice," Ok, we're here. What do you want?"
Briarlight took a deep breath. She asked," Jayfeather, did you...feel that back in your den?"
Jayfeather blinked. He asked, a bit worriedly," What do you mean? Feel what?"
'What if he didn't feel it?! What if it's just one sided?! How could I live with myself then?!' Briarlight shook her head to try and clear her thoughts. She mewed gently," That feeling when our paws touched in your den."Jayfeather's fur stood up, bristeling in shock and surprise. "Jayfeather?" she asked worriedly. He shook his head and his fur began to lie flat. He sighed," Yes, I did feel it. And..I think I know what it is." Briarlight's eyes widened in surprise. "You do?! What is it?!" she exclaimed excitedly. Jayfeather's ears flattened in embarrassment. He murmured embarrassed," Well, I think it was...love." Briarlight's fur stood up in shock. She exclaimed," It couldn't have been love! You're a medicine cat!" He flinched. Briarlight felt bad for snapping. She went over to him and sat as best as she could next to him. She felt great. 'Maybe, maybe we can make it work. Maybe we an love each other.' She smiled. As if he had read her mind, Jayfeather sighed," How can we make it work?" Then she remembered that, in a way, Jayfeather could read her mind. Her pelt grew hot in embarrassment. She mewed," We can make it work. We'll find a way." They sat like that for a while before finally returning to camp. Briarlight laid down in her nest and fell asleep, into a dream.