Chapter Thirteen (PREPARE FOR LAMENESS I AM SO BRAIN DEAD)

The battle had devastated the camp. The nursery had suffered the least of it, thankfully. The warriors den was a bit battered, the gorse tunnel was completely ruined, the wall of plants surrounding the camp was trampled, and you couldn't even tell an elder's den had ever existed. The nights were still warm though, so the elders would sleep under the tree that grew beside their former den until it could be replaced.

Talonclaw glanced sadly over to the center of the clearing. Mossflower lay there, her fur neatly groomed and fragrant herbs rubbed into it. The elder had died protecting Mumblefoot, who had twisted his paw fighting.

Two deaths... Two deaths over nothing. Nothing at all.

She still couldn't believe Pinestar had lost a life. Why in StarClan's name would Heatherstar kill, over a few pieces of prey?

Prey we didn't even steal! Talonclaw thought angrily.

No one in ThunderClan had any idea of what the WindClan leader had been talking about that one Gathering. The only time ThunderClan ever crossed the moor was to speak with StarClan, at Highstones. Pinestar hadn't done that since Talonclaw was a newly named apprentice though.

"Where is he?" Talonclaw padded up to Sunfall who was gathering what was left of the elder's den.

"With Shadowclaw."

"How is he?"

"I don't know." Sunfall said truthfully. "He's in bad shape though." The deputy's eyes hardened. "WindClan -" He stopped, and thought better of speaking the angry words. "Go help fix the fern wall. Tawnyspots is organizing it."

Talonclaw nodded and trotted briskly away. She would check in on Pinestar later. Her leader would want her to help the Clan first.

She found Tawnyspots conducting warriors and apprentices in stacking and weaving branches, leaves and twigs to make a temporary barrier. StarClan willing, the ferns would grow back before the strong winds of leaf-fall took them.

"Anything I can do to help?" Talonclaw asked the senior warrior.

"Help Dapplepaw."

"Hey." Talonclaw greeted her as she set to work beside her.

"Hi." Dapplepaw mewed. She kept her eyes on her paw, which were weaving leaves through a jumble of sticks. "Look at Thrushpelt." she muttered out of the side of her mouth.

"Uh..." Surprise made Talonclaw dense at the moment. She glanced over at Thrushpelt. "What about him?" She turned back to Dapplepaw.

She mrrowed with amusement. "He looked like a kit who's toy blew away. He was the picture of dejection!"

What is she blathering about?

Oh.

OH.

"Do you have any idea how much he likes you? He looks at you constantly. He's completely love sick!" Dapplepaw's eyes were brimming with merriment.

Talonclaw looked at her paws. "I like him too."

"Yeah, well that's pretty obvious too." Dapplepaw nudged her.

"It is?!" the tabby gasped.

"Uh, well... Hey, relax Talonclaw. It's okay if you like a tom. Has he said anything?"

"No. But I wish he would."

"I think he will. Soon." Dapplepaw flicked a leaf at her. "Now get working, dozypaws!" She teased.

"Dozypaws yourself, Beebrain!" Talonclaw purred.

***

Cool night breezes stirred the leafy foliage of the trees. Night had descended, much to the relief of the working cats. Most of the cats had settled down to sleep, but Talonclaw lay awake outside the den, gazing at Silverpelt.

Crickets chirped as the nocturnal creatures awoke. A coyote on the open moor let out a mournful howl, making Talonclaw shiver.

The branches of the warrior's den rustled as a cat stepped through. Thrushpelt lay next to Talonclaw and tucked his tail around his paws.

"What a beautiful night." he remarked, glancing at the sliver of moon hanging in the sky. He turned and looked at the tabby she-cat. "You were incredibly brave to attack Heatherstar today."

"Well... some one had to get her." That sounded really dumb. She stared at the ground. She couldn't help but add, "But Pinestar still lost a life."

"Think of what we gained though. We beat WindClan today, because you attacked their leader. We should thank you for our victory." Thrushpelt suddenly looked down and took a deep breath. "Talonclaw..."

At that moment, Snowowl walked out of the den. "Oh, uh, hi guys. I was just going to use the dirt place." He ran hurriedly toward the place.

"You know what?" Talonclaw asked. "I think he's up to something. He's been acting distracted."

"Really? That's strange." He poked the ground with a claw.

"Hm." She stared at the entrance to the dirt place tunnel, where a linchen curtain hung.

"I don't think he's in that dirtplace." she declared.

I want to follow him, don't I?

Yes.

She stood up and padded out of camp and up the slope that led into the forest. Sure enough, Snowowl's scent led this way.

"Talonclaw, wait!" Thrushpelt suddenly ran up the slope and stopped in front of her. "I've been trying to tell you something for a long time. I just, I don't know how to say it.

"I've liked you for a long time. Ever since we were apprentices... But now, Talonclaw, I just - I know it's something more. I really care for you."

Talonclaw gaped. He had said it. She had been waiting, and now he said it. The forest floor seemed to rumble, or maybe her paws were just shaking. She looked into his forest green eyes. They were full of mixed emotion. Suspense? Relief? Love? Love.

"Thrushpelt, I..." She choked out the words. "I care for you too."

Joy flooded his features. "You do?"

"Yes." She whispered, brushing her muzzle along his face.

A screech rent the the still night. Talonclaw wrenched away from Thrushpelt and another cry shattered the silence. The warriors jumped up and plunged through the forest, tracking the desperate cries.

A sickening feeling entered Talonclaw. Was it my imagination, or did that sound like my brother?