Disclaimer: I based the Clan structure on the Warriors books by Erin Hunter.

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Chapter 10

Tonight was the night she had agreed to meet Bouldertail. Falconstar still felt that she was breaking the warrior code, but she had promised the dark gray HedgeClan tom to be there. She couldn't turn him down again. Her word would be worth nothing, if she'd never keep it. Moonhigh was close. Her Clanmates were sleeping in their dens, except for Grayfeather who was guarding the camp entrance. Falconstar went to the dirt place passage to sneak out of the camp. She tried to walk casually and to not draw any attention to her. After all, she was the Clan leader and could go to make her dirt.

Once she was outside, she took a detour to the ForestClan border in case someone was following her. She had reached the HedgeClan border just past moonhigh and scented the air for Bouldertail.

"You really came." The dark gray tom exclaimed.

Falconstar was startled and turned around: Bouldertail sat half a fox-length from their border. She went closer to him.

"I didn't mean to make you wait. Did you hide your scent?"

"Yes, I brushed through some wet ferns. We have a stream that runs through our territory. Lots of herbs and bracken grow there." The huge gray tom sat down more comfortably on his side of the border and flicked his tail to indicate to Falconstar to sit beside him. The black-and-ginger she-cat wasn't sure whether she should stay and shifted her paws nervously.

"Do you still think we're breaking the warrior code?" Bouldertail voiced her concerns.

"Yes, I do."

"We'll both stay on our territory and chat a little. How could we possibly break the warrior code?"

"By exchanging information that could be used to harm our Clans." Falconstar mewed.

"Then we won't do this." Bouldertail mewed swiftly. "So, how are you?"

"You're asking a Clan leader how she is?"

"No, I am asking you."

Falconstar was still a little unsure whether she should stay or leave. But Bouldertail made everything sound so easy. Perhaps they weren't breaking the warrior code. Perhaps she could enjoy a little talk with someone other than her sister. Falconstar had realized that she only ever had decent conversations with her sister. Her Clanmates would talk with her about their patrols or how well the apprentices' training went. They never talked with her about any personal things. Even Grasswhisker only comes by to tell her about his dreams and visions. Falconstar thought that she missed something in her life. Perhaps it was that: having someone to talk to. And if that someone was Bouldertail, what harm could come from it?

"Thanks, I am fine." She replied the tom's question. "And I believe you are fine, too."

"Yes, I am great. Ever since I become deputy, my life has changed quite a lot. But I am fine."

xxx

When Falconstar returned to her den, the first signs of dawn were near. She and Bouldertail had talked for hours. Falconstar was happy as she curled back in her nest to get some sleep before the dawn patrol was leaving. She had agreed to meet Bouldertail again in four days. She was looking forward to it.

Falconstar felt a prang and flicked her ears in annoyance. She felt it again and opened her eyes. Hawkfeather was standing next to Falconstar. Her paw lifted to prod her sister again if she wouldn't get up.

"Are you going to sleep all day?" the deputy asked. "It's almost sunhigh."

Falconstar woke up with a start. She had been so tired after meeting Bouldertail, she didn't realize that the sun was standing high in the sky.

"I am sorry. Why didn't wake me earlier? I didn't sleep well last night."

"It's ok. I took care of the patrols. But you are to lead the hunting party that leaves soon."

"Yes, I am ready for that." The Clan leader stretched her still-tired legs and quickly licked her fur to clean it a bit.

Falconstar felt embarrassed. A Clan leader should have been up and keeping track of what is going on in the Clan. She left her den and met with Stormtail, Mudheart and Pebblepaw.

"Is everyone ready to leave?" she asked her Clanmates.

"Ready when you are." Stormtail replied.

"Okay, let's go then. Perhaps Pebblepaw can show us what she has learned so far. Did you assess her hunting yet, Mudheart?" Falconstar mewed.

"No, not yet. I was going to wait for another couple of days. But she is doing very well." The young warrior replied. Pebblepaw's eyes shone at her mentor's praise.

xxx

Half a moon had passed. Falconstar had gone to meet Bouldertail a few times. She enjoyed it a lot and couldn't wait for the next time to see him. After she had slept in so badly on their first meeting, they had met for a shorter period. Falconstar had to run a Clan and Bouldertail had responsibilities as well. The day had been busy and now Falconstar was in her den with Hawkfeather.

"Grayfeather and Sweetcloud have become mates." The deputy mewed.

"I've noticed that, too. And Birchheart is padding after Shinyflower. The Clan needs more kits. Let's hope we'll have some soon."

"Oh yes, Birchheart and Shinyflower. They would make a cute couple." Hawkfeather agreed.

"Are you still seeing Talonwing?" Falconstar asked after a moment.

"Yes, we are still mates. I don't think that will change. Don't be mad at me, Falconstar. We love each other."

"As long as you are careful that you are not seen by anyone."

"You don't need to worry, we're careful. Talonwing has been very busy lately. We haven't had a chance to meet in a quarter moon. Apparently there is some kind of problem with HedgeClan." Hawkfeather mewed concerned.

"Leafstar was bound to cause trouble. Let's hope he stays out of our fur."

"Don't you know anything about it?" the deputy asked.

"What would I know about HedgeClan?" Falconstar replied confused.

"Well, I just thought you might know something. You seem distracted very often."

"I am not distracted. Why would you say that?" Falconstar was still confused by her sister's remarks. She had been very careful herself not to be seen together with Bouldertail, the HedgeClan deputy. Did Hawkfeather know that Falconstar secretly met with the gray tom?

"Every couple of days you are unusually tired. If I didn't know you any better, I'd say you are meeting with someone from another Clan." the black deputy mewed slily.

Falconstar didn't know what to reply. Yes, she was tired after her meetings with Bouldertail. Those would be very short nights.

"I don't know what you're talking about. I am not tired. That must be your imagination."

"I thought you trusted me, Falconstar. I would never tell any cat if you met with someone from another Clan; I wouldn't even tell Talonwing." Falconstar thought her sister sounded hurt.

"I do trust you, Hawkfeather." The Clan leader replied.

"Then tell me who you are seeing. I can help you cover it up."

Falconstar remained silent. She trusted her sister, but she wasn't sure whether she should tell her.

"Are you seeing someone from ForestClan or HedgeClan?" Hawkfeather pressed.

Falconstar shuffled her paws, but didn't answer.

"So it is true. Is it a handsome tom?"

"What are you talking about?" Falconstar stammered.

"You are behaving the same way I did when I first met with Talonwing." Hawkfeather explained.

"It's nothing like that. I am not mates with Bouldertail, we are just talking."

"So it's Bouldertail! Well, he is handsome."

"We are not mates." Falconstar insisted, but her sister didn't seem convinced.

Continues soon...