I woke up from the vision extremely relieved that it wasn't real, that I was loving and forgiving instead of a vengeful murderer. I looked at Jaspershade with new meaning and that I had nothing to fear.
"Ahem." Briarpool growled, snapping me out of looking at Jaspershade.
"Um...you four can go I need to talk to Jaspershade privately-"
"No, I'm going to talk to you privately." Briarpool hissed. "Rest of you go."
Jaspershade looked at me disappointed and him and the three apprentices leaving me wondering what the heck was happening.
"Can we be friends?" I asked hoping that was what this was about.
"No I don't want to be friends!" Briarpool snapped, making me flinch. "Starlingmask, you don't understand do you? I've made a terrible mistake."
"How could you have made a terrible mistake? You have a kind mate and two adorable kits." I comforted my former best friend.
"That is the mistake!" Briarpool cried, burying his face in his paws. "I was so caught up in Jasminepetal because she likes me and BOOM! She got pregnant and then almost as soon as that happened you came back..."
"You mean you didn't want to be a father?" I asked him.
"...no. I should have never pursued her in the first place." Briarpool sighed, he walked closer to me and forced his amber eyes to look into my eyes. "Starlingmask, I was a fool. And now you've come back with that fat joke that shouldn't even call himself a warrior."
"Starlingmask...I love you." Briarpool admitted.
I felt like the world was crashing down on me, I almost thought the situation couldn't get any worse.
But it did.
Before I could reply, I heard a cry that could only be Jaspershade's. Briarpool reached a paw out to stop me, but I felt my heart leap out of my stomach.
JASPERSHADE!
Briarpool had disappeared completely from my mind along with everything else, only Jaspershade mattered. I ran away from Briarpool and the Moon-Den and leaped over the river in one desperate leap.
There was Jaspershade fighting off the fox I've seen once before.
The one that killed Acorndapple.
And Mallowpaw.
And probably Sprucebelly too.
That was it.
I. Was. Done.
"GET YOUR CLAWS AWAY FROM HIM!" I screeched, I had never felt more anger in my life. Not even when Briarpool betrayed me all those moons ago.
I leaped colliding right into the fox and crawling onto her shoulders and clawing her so hard blood fell in waves from her orange pelt. I saw her beady black eyes look at me angrily.
What...what was this? Was this fox smarter than I know?
I wouldn't get to know anytime soon, as the vixen shook me off and bolted away from us. Speaking of us...I looked back at Jaspershade.
He was barely standing, not even that. Jaspershade's legs were wobbly as he gave a weak grin, slashes and cuts all over his body. My heart plummeted, and suddenly everything was clear as day.
Nothing made sense without him...I loved him too.
"Jaspershade you...you idiot! You could've gotten killed!" I cried. "You...you big dumb, reckless, brave, beautiful idiot."
Jaspershade fell over and I ran to his side licking the cuts that were still bleeding.
I was just helping him up when I smelled Briarpool right behind us. He heard every word, but I didn't care. He could deal with it.
"I...the apprentices scared...told them to run..." Jaspershade tried to explain, but I shh'd him gently. The last thing he needed was to wear himself out trying to tell me what happened.
Our friends were gathered around Jaspershade along with other warriors such as Cupcake and Ebony while even more warriors were in the leader's den. Apparently the fox attacked Vixenstar after us and she lost three of her lives.
While visiting Jaspershade, Minty looked sad. Probably because her love interest Rabbitsong was visiting his mate and would be very attentive to her recovery.
That reminded me of Jaspershade, who was out like a light. Minty's situation reminded me that any of us could run out of time. That time spent with the ones you love is priceless, and that you could lose them any moment.
Myrtleflower was taking great care of Jaspershade, and I remembered that he saved my life when I left AngelClan. And that I barely made it in time to save his.
As soon as Myrtleflower left to tend for our leader, I laid beside Jaspershade. I definitely wasn't going to leave his side anytime soon.
We were alone as the night arrived, and I leaned against my dear Jaspershade to make sure his heart was still beating. I cursed myself for ever denying his affection.
Then Briarpool walked over to us as we were in the medicine cat's den. He looked furious and puzzled. I unsheathed my claws ready to protect Jaspershade if I had too.
"Him?" Briarpool mouthed the one word with such bitterness. "Starlingmask, we go so far back remember? You're going to regret this you know."
"I don't have time for this. My friend is in pain and I don't have time for your manipulation." I growled.
Briarpool gave me a hard look before turning away and walking to the warrior's den. Yep, definitely staying with Jaspershade.
"Are you staying the night with Jaspershade?" Myrtleflower meowed as she returned to the den.
"As many nights as he is." I admitted. Which sounded like a commitment as opposed to an answer, but I didn't care.
Myrtleflower looked at me oddly and I remembered she's Briarpool's sister. Of course. At least she wasn't crazy.
She looked away and walked near her pile of herbs and curled up in a little ball to go to sleep. I looked to Jaspershade who was looking comfy sleeping in cobwebs that were neatly wrapped around his wounds.
"I love you, you big goofball." Were the last words I whispered before I fell asleep beside him.
