A/N: Yay! You get to meet Tearpath's mate in this chapter. BTW, sorry it took me so long… got grounded…
Tearpath peeked into the medicine den. Silverfawn was panting heavily in her sleep. Whitetiger was already asleep beside her. Tearpath was as worried for him as she was for Silverfawn. As she was looking at him brown tabby fur flashed out the corner of her eye. She turned. Eclipsefur was behind her, the same worried look in his eyes, but she had a feeling it wasn't for Silverfawn or Whitetiger.
"Tearpath?" her mate asked quietly. She stayed facing away from him. "Tearpath, please," he begged. She turned around and stared into his bright yellow eyes. They were filled to the brim with sympathy and love. She stepped forward and licked his muzzle comfortingly.
"Do you miss Spiralpaw and Autumnpaw?" he asked. She nodded and began sobbing into his shoulder. He licked her head while she cried. "Mallowspot promised she would take care of them," Eclipsefur reminded her, but she shook her head. Somehow she knew that wouldn't happen anymore.
Spiralpath's POV
Spiralpath snagged Shadowpaw out of the way seconds before Longstar crashed onto the ground where the kitten had been seconds ago. Shadowpaw scrambled under Spiralpath, quivering and whimpering pathetically.
Longstar turned on Spiralpath with a growl of frustration. "What did you do that for you idiot?" she yowled at him. "I almost had him!" She turned to Shadowpaw. "And you!" the kit cringed. "Don't EVER," she screamed, "Run away from your opponent!"
Spiralpath closed his eyes as he remembered how he'd learned this lesson. He knew the kit wasn't going to get away with running off.
Back in the den, away from Longstar's training with Shadowpaw, Icepaw, and Meadowpaw, Spiralpath greeted his mate with a soft lick to the head. She looked up from grooming Seapaw and smiled at him.
"How did training go today?" he asked Seapaw. The kit scowled.
"Orchidfur scratched my neck!" he said in a squeaky voice.
Longstar had begun a rotation. One day, a kit would be with their mentor, and the next day, they would train with Longstar.
Spiralpath peeled back Seapaw's scruff to examine the kit. It didn't look bad. There was a small cut where Orchidfur had managed to strike the kit.
There was a loud squeal from outside and a cry from Meadowpaw. "SHADOWPAW!"
Spiralpath threw himself at Longstar and pinned her to the ground. In an instant he was found on his back, thanks to the help of Longstar's loyal warriors – Shadowface, Thornpad, Summerstreak, and of course, Oakleaf.