Ghostface blinked, stunned. Beside him, Fawnshadow tensed up and he heard a faint hiss. What was he supposed to say to this news? It would be safer for him to be mates with Prairieheart because they were from the same tribe, but he loved Fawnshadow. And Starclan had spoken to them. Ghostface tried to organize his thoughts. Suddenly he remembered Mossclaw. The way he stared fondly at the golden she-cat, how he followed her, any cat could see he loved her. Mossclaw had been Ghostface's first friend and Ghostface couldn't hurt him.
Turning to Fawnshadow, he said, "Fawnshadow, can I talk to her alone?"
She nodded, looking confused. Ghostface whispered into her ear before she left though and said, "I love you, don't worry. I'll sort this out."
When the HillsClan cat was gone, Ghostface drew in a slow breath and said, "Prairieheart, are you blind? Can't you see that Mossclaw likes you?"
She looked down. "No… Yes. But I'm scared. Mossclaw had a mate before you came. They were young. And then she was killed during a battle with WoodClan. He was devastated, the whole clan was. I didn't think he could ever love again."
Ghostface was surprised by the news. "But can't you see he's moved on? He's willing to love again. He likes you. Any cat can see that. I love Fawnshadow. There's nothing any cat could do to stop that."
"But
Ghostface…" She began, but he cut her off.
"Do you like
Mossclaw?"
She turned and stared out onto the expanse of grass and clusters of trees. After a moment she answered, "I'm not sure."
"Don't you think he deserves a chance?"
She didn't answer his question. Instead, she said, "Mossclaw is a great warrior. Loyal to the death. Brave. Kind. I don't think I'm good enough."
Ghostface padded forward and touched her shoulder kindly. "He likes you."
Prairieheart nodded her golden head. "You're right, Ghostface. And I can see that you can't be stopped from seeing Fawnshadow. I will keep you're secret."
Ghostface stood up. "Let's head back to camp."
When they returned, Shrubfoot approached him. He followed her into her den. She looked tired and he could see that she had put a clay poultice on her pads.
"What did StarClan say?" He asked curiously.
She took her time and settled down in her den. Slowly she said, "They just showed me the same prophecy, except this time Highstar said it." A hint of disappointment rung in her voice like a faint mourning dove's call through a chorus of cawing crows.
"What are we going to do now?"
"I don't know. I'll decide later. For now you should continue you're warrior duties."
He nodded and left. Prairieheart was nowhere to be seen, and neither was Mossclaw. 'Good. Perhaps she's talking with him.' He thought.
"Ghostface!"
Ghostface turned to see the deputy padding up to him. The black tom gave him a suspicious look and said, "Where were you? I was looking for you at dawn to send you on patrol."
"Oh." Ghostface cleared his throat and said, "I was just out hunting… and checking out the territory."
Shadedpelt narrowed his eyes, "You should have been out hunting and 'checking out the territory' on patrol!"
Suddenly Prairieheart appeared beside him. "I'm sorry Shadedpelt, it's not his fault. I went out with him."
At the golden warriors voice, Shadedpelt nodded. "Fine. But when we're this close to a raid on HillsClan, we need every cat doing his duty." Ghostface's stomach tightened. That meant that the raid would be soon.
"Ghostface, you are to go on patrol now with Mottledsong and all the apprentices. I'd like you to patrol the border between Marshclan." Shadedpelt said. "And bring back some fresh-kill, we're getting low."
Ghostface dipped his head, though he felt nervous. He wasn't sure how Mottledsong would react to going on patrol with him. He was glad that Icetail wasn't coming at least. He padded off to go get the cats.
There were three apprentices, Thunderpaw, Woodpaw a longhaired ginger tom and Rosepaw a tri-colored she-cat. Thunderpaw was the oldest out of them. Mottledsong set off on a brisk pace, not seeming upset at all when he told her they were to go on patrol. They headed down a trail, Mottledsong in the lead followed by Ghostface while the apprentices followed behind.
Suddenly they stopped. "Let's stop to hunt and eat here." Mottledsong said. The apprentices excitedly dashed off into the grass. Ghostface smiled and disappeared too. He returned a minute or two later with two mice. Mottledsong had returned already and was crunching down on a pigeon.
He set his kill down and began to eat also. After a minute or two she said. "I'm sorry how I treated you when you first came."
Ghostface was surprised that she was apologizing. He coughed and looked up.
"I was wrong, and slightly jealous."
"Jealous? Why?"
"I don't know, but now I realize that we're kin, no matter what. Don't listen to any of the other cats. I trust that you're loyal to GrassClan." She said, looking at him directly.
'If only you knew.' He thought, thinking about what she'd think if she'd found out about Fawnshadow. "Thank you Mottledsong, but it's not you're fault. I understand that I'm just some foreign cat that appeared out of nowhere."
The apprentices arrived and settled down beside them to eat.
"Do you think I'll be made warrior soon?" Rosepaw said, looking at Mottledsong.
"Ha! I'm older than you and I still haven't been made warrior. You'll have to wait." Thunderpaw said, chuckling.
"Well you never know." Mottledsong said between bites, "The clan needs more warriors…"
Woodpaw stood up, "I wonder what my warrior name will be!"
"Slow down there, Woodpaw. I didn't say you're all going to be made warriors now." Mottledsong laughed. Ghostface smiled at the eager warriors-to-be. The patrol finished their meal and then continued their march.