I'd like to thank the Fanfiction writer Sushifishie for helping me out a tad with this chap.
Once again, sorry for the inquality of this chapter - once again, I think I might be dishing them out a tad fast...-sniffle-
Daklotles85- I choose...the name...Baykit! Thanks for your long reviews - continue with them! I love long reviews almost as I love Tigerstar...and I LOVE Tigerstar. Trustie me.
Swanfeather- Flamekit? I love that name, but there is a character - Flamesoul - that already has that beginning name. I'd like to keep the names in a wide variety. I love the name though! Oh, and Petalkit...I like that name lots!
Pearl.H.Sweden- Thankies for the namies!
Oceanwind- I might...one day. But I won't lie to you - it won't be for a while...
Anyways, thank you all for reviewing! If you review this time, you will receive a Graywhisker plushie! Okay, so it looks a lot like Thorntail - exactly like the Thorntail plushie - but I haven't given a Thorntail plushie, so...if you want a Thorntail plushie...pretend that Graywhisker is Thorntail! YAY!
Shadenight dug her dark muzzle into Thorntail's chest – and for once, the gray tom didn't shove her away. Applefur let out a soft hiss of fury, and muttered something in Rosethorn's ear but she paid no attention. Shadenight's words kept ringing in the medicine cat's mind, 'I'd rather die…I can't stand to lose you.'
Rosethorn recalled the incident that had happened just a few heart-beats ago. Shadenight stepping out onto the frozen river…clearly hoping that it would break, and send her to her death. And then Thorntail had run after her…and grabbed her scruff just before…
'How could she do that?!,' Rosethorn thought, enraged. 'One false move…and they both…' she shivered, thinking of seeing Thorntail disappear under the ice along with Shadenight. Shadenight could've taken Thorntail along with her!
'Oh, StarClan,' Rosethorn thought, 'I'm afraid.'
Thorntail's blue eyes were concerned as he gazed at his former mate. Rosethorn at first thought that he was just worried that as soon as he left her side she'd leap to her paws and kill herself, but then the pungent scent of blood entered her nostrils.
"She's bleeding," Thorntail spoke the obvious, and pointed with his muzzle at Shadenight's leg. Rosethorn wondered for a flash how she could have cut herself – but then she figured that when the ice broke, a jagged piece had scraped across Shadenight's leg.
"Rosethorn," Thorntail meowed suddenly, "Can you treat it?" Before Rosethorn could answer, he went on, "I smell RiverClan nearby. I bet they could help Shadenight home…I'll go meet them,"
Rosethorn sniffed the air as well, and realized that Thorntail was correct. For an instant she thought that there were enemy cats on ThunderClan territory, but then realized that the wind was coming from RiverClan territory – and they were just scenting a nearby patrol that was not in fact on ThunderClan territory.
Rosethorn confirmed that she could Shadenight's wound, and Thorntail rushed off, and the medicine cat felt a pang. Thorntail was so worried about Shadenight – it was painstakingly obvious. First he risks his life for her, then he run off to find her Clanmates.
Rosethorn flickered her gaze away from the gray cat, and examined Shadenight's leg more closely. She would might need cobwebs to stop the bleeding – however, cobwebs were the few and far between in Leaf-bare…and the camp, where Rosethorn kept her stocks, was far off. Luckily, however, the bleeding was starting to slow because of the cold, and might be able to get off with a few licks.
Rosethorn did just that, though her instinct screamed at her to just let Shadenight bleed – and she thought that Applefur might've been literally yowling it, but she ignored both her inner voice, and the outer voice of her friend. She was a medicine cat – it was her StarClan given duty to help cats in all Clans.
"You must think that I'm a piece of fox-dung," Shadenight meowed, as Rosethorn began to treat the injury, "And wish that I've never come here. But…you don't know what I've been through."
Rosethorn stopped licking, not only because the wound had been such that it didn't need much, and because she was listening intently to the RiverClan cat.
"I've been waiting this whole time to see Thorntail again," Shadenight explained, "To be with him again. Rosethorn, I've dreamed of the time when I would since long before you two were…mates…and possibly since long before you two even met!"
Applefur let out a ferocious hiss at this – as if her own mate was the one Shadenight was coming in towards. Rosethorn herself just flicked her gaze down at her own paws.
"If…if only Graywhisker was still here," Shadenight choked out, "Thorntail and my relationship never would've ended! So…" Shadenight's blue eyes became round, and pleading, and Rosethorn felt some sort of motherly instinct to wrap herself around Shadenight and give her a lick on the ear, as though Shadenight was some newborn kit – though Rosethorn chased the thought away. "Please, please give Thorntail back to me!" Shadenight pleaded. Rosethorn wanted to answer, but Shadenight went on, her voice thick with sorrow, "You know why I first became a medicine cat, Rosethorn?" she asked, and before Rosethorn could answer, she explained, "Because once Thorntail left…toms started to lust after me! I wanted them to stop…I wanted to remain pure for when Thorntail and I met again in StarClan – I was going to be his and only his!" Shadenight sniffed. "Give him back!" she begged.
Rosethorn felt Applefur's eyes dig into her crimson fur like fangs, but she attempted to ignore them – for she knew that what she was about to say would disappoint her friend. "I…I…don't…" Rosethorn began, but instantly pivoted her sentence, and changed it to another, "It's not like I'm holding…Thorntail's tail in my teeth to keep him back…" Rosethorn meowed, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm just with him, because I love him." She pointed out truthfully. She stared into Shadenight's longing eyes, and she knew that they both wanted the same thing – Rosethorn didn't want to leave Thorntail's side…and neither did Shadenight.
"I don't really think…giving him back or not is my decision," Rosethorn went on, and as she uttered the words, Applefur let out a furious hiss. 'Oh, Applefur…I want to stay with him forever…but I can't…hold him back…' she thought hopelessly.
As Rosethorn finished, Shadenight's eyes widened even more so, with that warm feeling of hope. "So…so you don't mind if I'm in love with Thorntail?" Shadenight choked out, and Rosethorn forced herself to shake her head, and Shadenight continued, "You wouldn't mind…if I saw him again?"
"I…I don't have the right to be," Rosethorn meowed truthfully. Shadenight's eyes suddenly filled with a mixture of sorrow and joy, and Rosethorn begged her silently in her mind, 'Please don't look at me like that!' She expected the black cat to say something, and when she didn't, Rosethorn couldn't help but beg in her mind, 'Don't make me say more!' but since Shadenight was so quiet – and clearly expecting an answer…Rosethorn forced herself to go on, "Thorntail's the one who has to decide," she finished firmly.
Shadenight's gaze softened, and suddenly clouded with a memory. "Oh…" the RiverClan cat mewed softly. "I knew you reminded me of someone! You remind me of Graywhisker."
Rosethorn's eyes widened.
"…Graywhisker said the same thing," Shadenight choked out, "When I told him that I liked Thorntail…He said, 'It's your right to like whoever you want to…I don't have a right to blame you,'" Shadenight let out a pitiful mew as she finished her quote. "Graywhisker said that he'd forgive me…but now he's dead."
Shadenight was silent for a moment, when suddenly her eyes clouded with a realization, "You're not going to die too, are you?" she asked Rosethorn. "Please…Please don't do anything like that," Shadenight begged, "Or Thorntail will just go away again! He'll leave me and go away!"
Rosethorn's blue orbs rounded as Shadenight's words hit her, but before she could answer Shadenight, she heard Thorntail meow, "Over there," and fresh RiverClan scent – other than Shadenight – hovered in the air. Instantly Rosethorn realized that the patrol Thorntail had sought for had arrived, and she flashed her gaze over to them.
No…flashed her gaze to her. Not them. Apparently, Thorntail could only find one of Shadenight's Clanmates – a pretty tan tabby she-cat.
"Mother!" it was Shadenight who let out the surprised mew, and Rosethorn blinked, and looked at the RiverClan cat more closely. She never would've guessed by looking at the cat Shadenight had just called her matriarch that they were kin – not at first glance. However, once she examined the cat more closely, she realized that their build was almost exactly the same – and what's more, the cat's eyes were the exact shade of blue that Shadenight held in her blue orbs. The main difference was their pelts – Shadenight's fur was as black as the river was wet, while her mother held a tan-colored coat.
"This is Listeningecho," Thorntail explained, nodding at Shadenight's mother. "She can help Shadenight get back to the RiverClan camp, while we can go home," he emphasized the last sentence; as if he had to make it clear to Shadenight that they weren't crossing the boundaries to be with her.
"Shadenight, are you okay?" Rosethorn had been about to meow a greeting to Listeningecho, but she didn't seem to give a mouse-tail about the ThunderClan cats, and had her eyes fixed on Shadenight as she asked her daughter the question.
"I'm fine, Mother." Shadenight mumbled, struggling to her paws. "Thorntail protected me."
Listeningecho flashed a glance at Thorntail. "Oh…Thorntail…" she murmured softly, "How are you?"
"Dandy," Thorntail answered an edge in his tone. Rosethorn could tell that he was eager to get home.
"That's good," Listeningecho answered, and Rosethorn noticed that her voice was strained. Why were Thorntail and Listeningecho being so formal, and so unfriendly to one another? Usually, when Thorntail was with RiverClan cats he seemed even freer than he was with his own Clan – like he had been with Puddlespots, Speedtail, and Owlpelt.
"Thanks for helping my daughter," Listeningecho meowed, as she padded towards her Clanmate. "Let's go, Shadenight."
"I'll escort you to the border," Applefur meowed, leaping to her paws and trotting over towards them. Rosethorn half-expected the RiverClan cats to object, but neither of them did. However, Shadenight did pause before following Applefur and her mother, and stared at Thorntail, "I'll see you again, right Thorntail?"
The gray cat didn't answer, and Rosethorn felt his fur touched hers as he settled himself down beside her.
"Thorntail…" Shadenight's voice was a pitiful mew, and when Thorntail still didn't answer, she snapped – colder – "Thorntail, Rosethorn's just a convenient partner for you – I know it! She's quiet, and never gets mad…But that's not a mate! That's…that's just a she-cat who likes to sleep around!" Rosethorn's eyes widened at how harsh Shadenight's words were, and she felt Thorntail stiffen beside her. Applefur left Listeningecho's side and rushed over to the black cat, and snapped something that Rosethorn couldn't hear – though it must've been threatening because Shadenight let out a startled squeak, and instantly charged ahead to go with her mother, Applefur hesitated before chasing after them, and meowed to her two Clanmates, "You two can go back to camp without me." Rosethorn was about to say that they could wait all night, but then she realized that Applefur was just trying to give her and Thorntail some time alone.
"Alright," Rosethorn mewed softly, and Applefur purred, before she started to lead Listeningecho and Shadenight away.
Once the three cats had padded off, Thorntail meowed, "I'm not going to see Shadenight anymore,"
Rosethorn blinked. Her heart should've been swirling in the air with joy that Thorntail had finally chosen her over Shadenight…but her heart remained firmly in her chest.
"Shadenight doesn't think that, does she?" she asked carefully, thinking about how Shadenight had just tried to kill herself earlier.
"I think Listeningecho's going to be keeping an eye on her," Thorntail meowed carefully, "Now that her mother knows where I am too, Shadenight will probably never even see the ThunderClan border again – let alone enter it." Thorntail let out a purr of amusement. "Listeningecho doesn't like me very much," Thorntail's voice lost its cheerful tone, "She thinks I'm cursed, or something."
Rosethorn blinked in surprise. Why would Listeningecho think something like that? "She…she said something that awful to you?" she gasped, and Thorntail shook his broad head. "No," he answered, "But I can see it in her eyes." Thorntail shivered. "She looks at me with the same eyes my father does."
Rosethorn's tail jolted into the air. She hadn't ever really heard Thorntail mention his father. All she knew about the tom was that he was a ShadowClan cat. "Your…your father…is afraid of you?" she meowed, surprised.
"He seems to be," Thorntail growled darkly. "He doesn't think I'm normal."
"Not normal?" Rosethorn echoed, and Thorntail turned to begin padding back to camp, so she followed him – keeping up with his brisk pace. "You mean…because you're half-Clan?" She wouldn't understand why that would bother the father though. If it hadn't been for the tom's disloyalty, Thorntail wouldn't have been around for him to be afraid of!
"No…it's just because I'm brutal and aggressive," Thorntail answered, batting her playfully with his tail. Rosethorn blinked. Somehow she couldn't believe that. ShadowClan were the most brutal and aggressive cats in the forest! However…she had to admit, Thorntail had his frightening moments.
However, something seemed to be bothering her tom, so she decided not to press the matter further. Instead, as he batted her with his tail, she used her own, and intertwined them playfully. "Well, you're not scary to me at all." She purred, giving him a quick lick on the ear – which was hard to do in motion. "Cats like Runningstar and Spottedlight are much scarier to me."
Thorntail let out a purr, and was silent. Rosethorn was left to her own thoughts. Oddly enough, she found that she couldn't dwell on Graywhisker or Shadenight for long, and instead found herself wondering about Thorntail's father…what kind of tom was he? And which cat in ShadowClan was he? Had she met him before? And…Thorntail's mother…
"Hey, Thorntail," Rosethorn meowed carefully, "When did your mother die?"
Thorntail stopped padding for a moment, as if in thought. "I don't remember," he sighed at last, flicking his tail. "I remember a little bit about her – but not much. I know it was sometime when I was a kit…"
"Oh." Rosethorn mewed, and thought for a few moments. "How did she die?" she knew that this could be a touchy subject…but she couldn't help but be curious.
"You know, I'm not sure about that either," Thorntail meowed, and Rosethorn blinked, curiously. Wouldn't some cat tell him? "I was so young when it happened…I remember…that she stayed in the medicine cat's den for a few moons before she joined StarClan, and I was suckled by another ShadowClan queen," Rosethorn recalled that Thorntail had been born and spent his first couple of moons in that Clan's nursery, before his father had him and Graywhisker sent to their mother's birth Clan, RiverClan. "So I suppose it was something slow…" Thorntail's eyes started to widen, as if he just remembered something. "I remember…going to see her every once in awhile, in the den, with Graywhisker, and she would try to touch me – you know, rub my cheek with her tail, or lick me…but I'd always step away, or something…thinking about it now, I suppose that was kind of cruel."
Rosethorn was about to mew an agreement, but decided that Thorntail probably didn't want to hear that. Instead, she meowed, defending him, "You were just a kit."
Thorntail grunted an agreement, and the subject clearly made him uncomfortable, because he picked up his pace slightly, forcing Rosethorn to break into a run to keep up with him.
She watched his muscles bunch together as he leapt over one of those pesky-low hanging branches. He was so strong…and in proportion, she realized as she gazed at his whole body. She hadn't even truly noticed before. She now knew why Applefur, Shadenight, and all those other she-cats threw themselves at him. He looked perfect!
Rosethorn watched him thoughtfully, just admiring his beauty. Suddenly, her vision seemed to cloud – and she could see Thorntail – and Thorntail alone. She couldn't see the forest around him, just the muscular tom speeding through the forest…and then…she saw two Thorntail's. Racing side by side, their pelts brushing one another they were so in step.
Two Thorntail's? Rosethorn shook her head. No…the other identical cat she was seeing had to be…Graywhisker…?
Before she could question it, her vision returned to normal – and she wasn't seeing double anymore.
A shiver crawled down her spine, as she recalled Shadenight's words. 'I knew you reminded me of someone! You remind me of Graywhisker.' And then the image of Thorntail rushing forward to save Shadenight's life flashed in her mind…
Rosethorn stumbled to a halt, and Thorntail flashed her a curious glance – before he too, stopped padding along.
"Rosethorn?" he asked, touching her side with his tail. "Are you okay?"
Rosethorn didn't answer, and just closed her eyes. Why hadn't she seen it before? The similarities between her and Graywhisker…had been so similar! I should've known… she thought, as she meowed, "I just have the shakes all of a sudden,"
I'm just a replacement for Graywhisker… All those kind things Thorntail had done for her… it was just because she reminded him of his dead brother! I was right, Rosethorn thought desperately, s pain started well up inside her; there are only two cats in Thorntail's heart! Shadenight…and Graywhisker…
"How about you lap up some of the snow – for the water? Maybe you'll feel better," Thorntail offered, licking her ear lovingly.
"No…I'll be fine if I just rest for awhile…" Rosethorn mumbled. The only reason…Thorntail's so nice to me is because I remind him of Graywhisker.
"Could…could you just…snake your tail around mine, and sit with me for awhile?" Rosethorn asked, staring up at him pleadingly, "Like you did in the Forest of Reeds?"
Thorntail let out a purr – clearly enjoying the thought of having their tails mingle, and settled himself right beside her.
Slightly comforted, she dug her muzzle into his chest, and closed her eyes – just enjoying the safety of the big gray tom. However, she could feel Thorntail's blue eyes digging into her fur.
"Rosethorn," he breathed into her ear, "About Shadenight…I know it won't help anything if I tell you not to worry about it," he meowed, and Rosethorn grunted – it wouldn't, but he continued, "But don't worry about it."
Rosethorn let out a purr at that. "I'll try, Thorntail." She sighed, her anxiety about where she was placed in Thorntail's life still a thorn in her side…but…she couldn't do much…about it now… Just like she couldn't do anything if – when – Thorntail realized that his heart lay with Shadenight and RiverClan…
Rosethorn chased her morbid thoughts away like they were trespassers on ThunderClan territory. Maybe things would be alright…maybe…
…
"I can't believe it!" Applefur spat, once Rosethorn was safely back in the camp – and safely in the Medicine Cat's den…with Ebonypaw just enjoying herself with the other apprentices outside of their den – a rare treat for one training to be a medicine cat. "She tried to kill herself – just because Thorntail refused to give her a second glance! Shadenight's out of control." Applefur sighed. "I know she's pretty – but I can't believe that Thorntail had even considered such a crazy cat!"
Rosethorn sighed. She was realized – of course – that Applefur had come up with a good excuse to why Shadenight had gone back to RiverClan…and she could understand why Applefur wanted to talk about the RiverClan cat…but Rosethorn wasn't in the mood for gossip.
"But…she's really cute…" Rosethorn murmured, after Applefur had finished her tirade. "The way she tried to get Thorntail…was insane…but…she loves him, Applefur. She really means it…"
"Oh, great StarClan!" Applefur sighed, exasperated, "Why are you so impressed? She might steal Thorntail from right under your muzzle!"
"To Shadenight, it's the opposite," Rosethorn explained, as she sniffed at her herb stocks suspiciously, "I'm the one who stole Thorntail from her. I'm the one who's in the way." Rosethorn's let out a sigh. "Shadenight's feelings are just as they were when Thorntail was still an apprentice in RiverClan." She flicked her tail. "If you get into a fight…and start hating each other, and go your separate ways…it's easy to let go. But…"
"So you're saying they were forced to break up?" Applefur mewed. "Rosethorn, you were taking all of Shadenight's words to heart. You deserve Thorntail – Shadenight doesn't."
Rosethorn chuckled at how blunt Applefur was. If only she could have the groundless confidence that her friend did.
…
"Shadenight?"
Shadenight heard her mother's voice, but blatantly ignored it. She had no intention of moving any time soon.
"Shadenight, the Clan's starting to get worried. You haven't come out of the Warrior's Den since we came back," Listeningecho hissed in her ear, and Shadenight rolled her eyes. Did she really expect her to answer?
"Are you sick?"
Go away! Shadenight thought bitterly, and almost yowled the words out as loud as she could, but before she could, she heard her mother's footsteps trot away.
"If I don't eat or drink anything…" she mumbled to herself, "Maybe I'll wither away into nothing…and…" she trailed off, her breath hitched in her throat. How could Thorntail have done that to her? Not answered when she called out to him – instead he had just gotten closer to that…that…Rosethorn!
You love me! She wanted to scream. If Graywhisker had never died, I would've already given you so many kittens!
And for whom had Thorntail left her for? Who? For Rosethorn – of course! A medicine cat! And she didn't even show her true colors to him! She put a sweet-kitten act in front of Thorntail, and probably his friends…but deep down, she was nothing but a she-cat who used the medicine cat title to play hard to get with toms! Shadenight purred at this, and couldn't help but wonder how many other cats in ThunderClan Rosethorn had played around with.
How could Thorntail fall for such a cat? It had to be…some sort of…trickery! She had somehow wrapped Thorntail right around her paw… The piece of fox-dung!
Turning miserably onto her back to stretch, Shadenight let out a hiss of fury. She wouldn't let Rosethorn get away with Thorntail! Thorntail was hers to begin with. He loved her – he probably couldn't live without her! Graywhisker certainly couldn't! He had died because he couldn't let go of the love he had for Shadenight! That meant… that in a way…Rosethorn was killing Thorntail! She was forcing him to kill himself!
And…if Thorntail did kill himself…then Shadenight would have to take all the blame! Shadenight dug her claws into her moss.
Why had Thorntail even looked at Rosethorn in the first place? If he hadn't, then Rosethorn couldn't have tricked him into falling in love!
Because she reminds him of Graywhisker, Shadenight reminded herself. Thorntail was so confused! Thorntail now didn't see the ones he – clearly –loved, he only saw Rosethorn. Rosethorn, and only Rosethorn.
But soon Thorntail will realize that he needs me, Shadenight purred, and he'll come back…until that day…
Shadenight yawned, and curled up to rest.
Sleep didn't come to her right away. Almost as soon as she closed her sapphire eyes, memories flooded into her brain, and took over.
She remembered the first time she had laid her eyes onto Thorntail…when he had been a kit, joining RiverClan…
"Hey, Shadekit," Owlkit's squeak had rudely awoken Shadekit from her nap… furious; she glared up at Owlkit, with blue-fire in her eyes.
"I saw the two ShadowClan kits," Owlkit declared, his voice was a soft purr. "They're outside of the Nursery."
Shadekit, curious, instantly scampered to her paws, and gave her ebony fur a quick lick, before toddling out of the Nursery.
And then it happened… Shadenight purred at the memory.
She had laid eyes on the two kits – her two true loves. They looked exactly alike! Not a fur was different on either of them! Their pelts were a smoky-gray – she hadn't been able to see their eyes yet, because they were turned away from her…
But it wasn't long until they peaked.
Thornkit had been the first to notice her, and his beautiful…blue eyes met Shadekit's for the first time… They gazed at each other for a few heart-beats, before Thornkit jabbed his brother in the side with his paw – startling him a great deal.
"Graykit, look at her," Thornkit had then flicked his tiny tail over to Shadekit – and her heart rose in embarrassment, "What does she remind you of?"
"A black cat?"
In the present, Shadenight let out a purr, as she recalled how kind Graywhisker had been – as a kit, and growing up…
"Well, duh," Thornkit snapped, "But doesn't she also look like Goldpaw when he fell into the black tar by the Thunderpath?"
Graykit looked at her more closely then, and suddenly he blinked in surprise – as if realizing something – before he let out a purr of amusement, and turned to Thornkit. "That's mean," he growled, and Thornkit flicked him playfully with his tail. "You purred," he pointed out.
A sob welled up in Shadenight's throat. Things had gone so well after that…until Graywhisker had killed himself. And now…Rosethorn had stolen her tom!
"No…He loves me!" Shadenight mumbled to herself, curling to sleep. Sure, when Thorntail had first met her he compared her to an apprentice that fell into tar…but he had been a kit! And he had only made fun of her…because he had loved her even then!
Just as he loved her now!
…
"Okay, Ebonypaw," Rosethorn meowed to her apprentice sweetly, "Say…you had a suspicion that Aquapaw had a fever…how would you check to see if you were sure or not?"
Ebonypaw paused for a moment, as if deep in thought, "I'd feel if her pad is warm," she meowed after thinking for a few heart-beats, and Rosethorn let out a purr and batted at Ebonypaw's ears with her tail. "Good!" she chuckled. "Now…what would you do to cure the fever?"
"I'd use borage leaves, and feverfew," Ebonypaw answered instantly, and Rosethorn's eyes widened. How did Ebonypaw remember everything so easily? "Good!" she let out another purr. "That's exactly right, Ebonypaw. Now…it's getting late out. The moon is starting to rise high," she murmured, "I think you should go rest."
Ebonypaw looked like she wanted to protest, but then thought the better of it. "Alright," she sighed, and scurried into her nest, "Night night, Rosethorn."
"Good night." She flashed a sapphire glance behind her, to make sure Ebonypaw was, in fact, going to sleep, and was relieved to see that the black cat had fallen her order – and was at least, pretending to nap.
She slithered from the den, and felt relieved as the night air touched her pelt. She had been stuck in the den with Ebonypaw for a long time, teaching her different herbs and remedies – and was surprised at how quickly the cat was catching on. She was indeed, a born medicine cat.
The sun had risen and fallen three times since Shadenight had returned to her camp, and since then, things were going more-or-less as the usual. Applefur was always sneaking out of the camp to hunt or such – she couldn't stand being cooped up in the camp. Occasionally, Applefur would go along with Sandpelt – and would hunt, or even go as far as to join a patrol…much to Rosethorn's distain. Why couldn't the queens just stay in the nursery? Sandpelt was getting close to kitting – and Applefur would follow shortly after. While Sandpelt was on one of her patrols, she might suddenly start to have her kits early…and Rosethorn would probably be at the camp. Who would be able to help the deputy?
She shook the thought away, and as the moonlight dappled her pelt with light, she started to pad towards the Nursery, but stopped mid-step when she felt a cat place his tail on her shoulder. Curious, she flashed a glance over to him.
"Shadenight said that you were a convenient she-cat," Thorntail meowed softly, and Rosethorn's eyes narrowed. What did he want now? "That means you'll do whatever I want…right?"
Rosethorn hesitated for a moment, but finally let out a sigh. "Yeah," she mumbled. "I'll do whatever you tell me too."
"Okay…" Thorntail flicked his tail. "Don't get fed up with me. I know that I'm not a nice, loyal, kind warrior like Blackshadow… I'm reckless, I have no integrity or respect for the Warrior Code, and on top of that – I sleep with any she-cat who asks, and I'm a mouse-brain…But…" he leveled his gaze with hers. "Stay with me anyway?"
Rosethorn blinked, startled. Why was Thorntail so worried? Then she remembered – she had been avoiding him for the past few dawns because every time she saw him, Graywhisker – and her being a replacement – popped into her mind. She hadn't known that Thorntail had sensed it.
"If you think about it," Rosethorn meowed thoughtfully, "You've got a lot of bad points, Thorntail." Thorntail looked startled by her words, but suddenly seemed to catch the playful glow in her eye, "But I like you," she meowed – and instantly wished she could take the words back. She had meant to say, 'I love you' but before she could correct herself, Thorntail flicked his tail to the Gorse Tunnel. "Want to take a walk?" he asked, curiously.
Rosethorn blinked, surprised at his random activity, but finally she shrugged. "Alright," she purred. Thorntail muttered something that she couldn't hear – but it was sweet, so she took it as a compliment, before the two cats padded out of the Gorse Tunnel together.
…
"Anyways," Thorntail purred, licking Rosethorn's ear playfully, "That's when I decided to hide in the Heather…not the greatest idea," he sighed. "My gray pelt was able to be seen as clear as day – and it wasn't long before the kittypets saw me…and ran to their Twolegs. Did you know that Twolegs can control things – and make them fly at you?" he asked her curiously, and he purred at Rosethorn's intrigued expression. "Well, they can." He confirmed, and then mewed in a softer tone, "I didn't know kittypets could be so pretty…all I was going to do was look…"
He saw Rosethorn roll her eyes at his tail, and he batted her playfully with his tail. "Did you like it?" he asked. "True story – I swear."
"I doubt any mentor – even a RiverClan one would force her apprentice to go all the way to Twolegplace…just so some random loner that called a kit a name wouldn't come back."
Thorntail twitched his whiskers, amused by Rosethorn's insight. "So I took a few creative…liberties here and there." He mumbled, and Rosethorn rolled her eyes. "Thorntail, you went to Twolegplace to look at that kittypet – Precious. Don't deny it."
Thorntail sighed heavily. How did Rosethorn always figure him out? "How'd you know?" he gasped, and Rosethorn rolled her eyes. "You spent at least three sunrises describing her eyes, Thorntail."
"That's an exaggeration," Thorntail purred, "It was only two."
Rosethorn opened her mouth to say something else, but he stopped her with a flick of his tail. "Wait…" he flattened his ears against his head. "I smell RiverClan."
"Yes…you do…" Owlpelt slithered from the shadows, and Thorntail let out a sigh of annoyance. Why couldn't the brown-pelted RiverClan warrior just leave him alone? "I'm glad I found you, Thorntail." Thorntail stared doubtfully at his friend, slightly miffed at Owlpelt's existence right now, but Owlpelt didn't seem to notice. "It's Shadenight," the warrior meowed. "I have to talk to you about her,"
…
"What's wrong with Shadenight?" there was no denying the concern in Thorntail's voice, and Rosethorn's heart plummeted. Any time she and Thorntail got some alone time together, a RiverClan cat reared its head and ruined it for them!
"The thing is…she hasn't been out of the Warrior's Den…for …awhile." Owlpelt explained. "And she hasn't eaten anything either…And she keeps asking for you."
Rosethorn felt Thorntail stiffen beside her, and twitched her whiskers. Was it anger that Thorntail was stiffening for…or excitement?
"Listeningecho came to me…and she was really worried. She knew that I used to be friends with you, so she ordered me to come and get you to come to the camp – just to see Shadenight real quick," Owlpelt added, "Maybe speak to her…"
"Listeningecho gave the order?" Rosethorn meowed, surprised. "Isn't Duststar the leader of RiverClan?" beside her, Thorntail grunted agreement, and Owlpelt let out a sigh. "I don't know if Duststar knows about my mission…but Listeningecho's the deputy…so I followed her order."
…
"Can't you two just give me a break?" Thorntail hissed, digging his claws into the earth. He was painfully aware of Rosethorn's gaze digging into his pelt, and he tried to ignore it. "I have my own life to live," he informed Owlpelt smoothly, narrowing his eyes. "And I'm a ThunderClan cat. I can't go crossing that border whenever I feel like it – as if my Clanmates won't suspect a thing!"
Without waiting for Owlpelt to reply, Thorntail jerked into another direction, and started to pad away – and he was happy to hear Rosethorn's soft, light paw-steps following in his tracks.
"Are…are you okay?" Rosethorn asked, padding towards his side. "Just leaving her alone?"
"I can't be bothered with her little antics!" Thorntail snapped, lashing his tail in rage.
"But…" Rosethorn began, but Thorntail cut his mate off sharply. "With Shadenight, it's the same as a kit flipping out – throwing a tantrum…because she can't go listen to the Elder's tales that day! Or…or an apprentice pretending to be sick, so he can miss his hunting assessment!" Thorntail shook his head violently. "She's not a kit, and I'm not her mother – I'm not even in her Clan, Rosethorn!" he snarled, and he felt rage boil throughout his blood. "Why should I deal with her kitten-like behavior? She should grow up! She's a warrior! She should start acting like it!"
Thorntail let out a sigh – calming down a little. "I'm…I'm tired of having her keeping a collar on me – like I was some sort of kittypet! I've worried about Shadenight far more than I cared to, Rosethorn." He leveled his gaze with hers. "Isn't that enough?" he pleaded. "I just want it to be over, Rosethorn. That's it."
"But…" Rosethorn murmured softly, meeting his gaze unflinching, "It's not over for Shadenight." Thorntail rolled his eyes – as if he hadn't known that, but Rosethorn went on, "And it's not over for you either!"
Thorntail stumbled back a few paw-steps, shocked. "How would you know?" he snarled, curling his upper lip.
"Because you're purposely avoiding her!" Rosethorn snapped. "The reason you're purposely avoiding it and trying so hard to get away… is that you're completely wrapped up with her! You can't help but be interested in her!"
Thorntail felt his eyes round as Rosethorn's voice started to intermingle…with another, that sounded so much like his own.
"No, Graypaw," he had meowed cheerfully, "I didn't intertwine my tail with Shadepaw's…or lick her ear…okay, maybe I was, but that's just because I'm irresponsible, Graypaw!"
"Why are you so worried about me, Thorntail? Do you not want to hurt me?" Rosethorn asked her mew loud and pitiful.
Thorntail's eyes widened, as Graywhisker's voice echoed in his mind, "What are you so worried about me for, Thornpaw?" Graypaw – just before his Warrior Ceremony, had shrugged his shoulders, "I knew you liked Shadepaw. And I knew she was attracted to you."
"Thorntail," Rosethorn meowed, "I don't want to hold your tail between my fangs, and keep you from the one you love! I don't want to hold you back."
"Thornpaw," Graypaw had continued, "I don't want to hold you back from the one you love."
The similarities were so similar, that before Thorntail even knew what he was doing, he snapped, "Don't sound so much like Graywhisker!"
Rosethorn's ice-blue eyes widened in surprise, and she literally recoiled as if he had slashed at her. She looked like she was trying to speak, but no words were coming out. Finally, she was able to choke out, "I'm…I'm not…" she shook her head gently a few times, "I'm not Graywhisker."
She turned tail then, and before Thorntail could stop her, the ginger she-cat started to rush off into the night, yowling, "Don't confuse me with Graywhisker!"
You want that Graywhisker/Thorntail plushie. Review! I hope you all liked this chapter!
If you review in the next five minutes, you'll get ANOTHER Thorntail/Graywhisker plushie! Then you can have both of the brothers! Maybe you can duck-tape a hallow to Graywhisker's head, so you can tell that he's dead...whatever floats your boat.