"When do I stop doing that?" Mothwing asked. Littlecloud looked up from where he was licking Tigerkit.
"They don't start doing it by themselves until they're a moon old," He replied. The queen looked at him, surprised.
"Really?" She had never heard of this before.
"Yes – most queens know this," He nudged Falconkit toward her. "You try with him." Mothwing did not respond, beginning to lick the little tom. She had not been able to talk to any experienced queen. She did not know how he expected her to know this.
"Can we go outside?" Tigerkit squeaked as she finished with Falconkit. Her yellow eyes were bright.
"Yeah!" Falconkit's eyes were wide, "Outside!" Mothwing looked to Littlecloud. They had yet to go outside.
"It's warm out," Littlecloud meowed. "It'll be good for them – you, too, after that storm."
"Okay," Mothwing decided. "We're just going to stay right around the den, understand?"
"Yes, Mama," Falconkit scrambled over to Tigerkit and Mothwing followed them outside. That…was still strange. They did not seem real. None of this did.
Little tails were stuck straight up in the air as they crept out. Littlecloud stepped away, heading into the medicine den.
"Where'd he go?" Tigerkit asked.
"That's the medicine den," Mothwing explained. "Don't go past there, okay?" It was better if they were not underfoot, especially right now.
The storm was yesterday. Crowpaw was buried and gone. The shock hung over the camp, especially her warriors. This, on top of Leopardstar's lost life, was tense. Mothwing was unsure what to do. They were not allowed to mourn a traitor.
She lay down, forcing herself to relax in the sun. Nothing could be done and nothing was happening. It was better to focus on what was going on now.
Falconkit's tail lashed as he approached his sister. His eyes narrowed as he crouched, wriggling his haunches before springing onto her. Mothwing watched as they began to wrestle on the warm stone.
Tigerkit forced herself free and the queen sprang to her paws as she darted away, heading into the medicine cat den.
"Tigerkit!" She looked to the tom-kit, who had paused in his chase after her. "Stay with me, let's get your sister." Falconkit stuck to her paws.
They entered and Mothwing was stopped as Tigerkit backed into her paws. She followed the tortoiseshell's gaze.
Tawnyclaw was seated by Leopardstar, who had raised her head. Both looked surprised. "I'm sorry," Mothwing began. Tawnyclaw shook her head.
"It's fine," She crouched down, tucking her paws under her chest as she blinked at the kits. "Come here, you two. You haven't met Leopardstar yet, have you?"
"Hello," Falconkit squeaked as they approached, sniffing the leader. The tabby slowly blinked at them.
"You must be Falconkit." She looked to Tigerkit, "And you Tigerkit." The she-kit puffed out her chest. Leopardstar sounded tired.
"We should head back out," Mothwing meowed. She did not want this to be a habit. The kittens had no reason to be coming in here. Tawnyclaw shook her head, turning onto her side.
"Do you two want to hear about what happened as I was out on patrol today?" The kittens rushed to Tawnyclaw eagerly and Leopardstar looked to Mothwing.
"I hope they aren't tiring you out too much," The leader said. Mothwing shrugged. She felt more restless than anything. She was spending too much time in her den.
"How are you feeling?" She asked.
"Better," Leopardstar replied. "I should be out of here in the next day or so." That was good. With Leopardstar back, some normalcy would return.
"Mothwing." Both she-cats turned as Littlecloud poked his head out of a break in some rocks, "Is there anything you need?"
"No – I'm sorry, the kits ran in here." She rose to her paws; they were taking up space and should go.
But Tawnyclaw still had the kits tucked away. Leopardstar gestured for Littlecloud to come closer.
"Teach her." Both medicine cat and warrior looked to their leader in surprise. Tawnyclaw did not react. Littlecloud glanced at the kittens.
"But Leopardstar," he began. She interrupted.
"You and Runningnose are being run thin, she is willing." The leader ordered, "Teach her. Tigerstar does not need to know." Mothwing and Littlecloud looked at each other. The medicine cat looked more worried than anything.
"Okay," He finally agreed.
Thistlefoot blinked, lifting his head. "That's great, Feathertail!" It took everything in Feathertail to not grit her teeth.
"Yeah," She looked at the mouse she had set down. It had surprised her when she had caught it. Especially following the pain from the storm.
She used to be able to catch one like it was nothing.
"It'll be good to have you on patrols again," Squirrelflight commented, looking to the other she-cat. Feathertail nodded as she began to lick the Squirrelflight's back.
"It'll be good to be back on it." She was hoping that Tornear might assign her today, but the tunnels were still deemed too dangerous to go into after the storm. She might have to wait.
The sun was halfway down and the sky was clear. It was hot, a good day for lazing around. Squirrelflight stretched out against Feathertail as she began to groom her friend.
The silver warrior turned her attention to the mouse. She had yet to eat today. She glanced up as Stormfur came trotting over, Brambleheart followed after him with a trout in his jaws. Both toms were wet.
"Go sit over by Thistlefoot," Feathertail meowed, swallowing her bite. "I don't want to be wet right now."
"Hey!" The black and white tom shot her a look.
"You have very short fur," Squirrelflight paused in her grooming. "It dries faster. Especially in this sun."
"Do any of you want some fish?" Stormfur asked as they settled. Feathertail shook her head, finishing the last of her mouse.
"I just ate," Thistlefoot meowed as Squirrelflight pushed herself up.
"Sure." Stormfur nudged Brambleheart, who still had the trout. The tabby paused in his grooming, looking to Squirrelflight as he began to tear a hunk off of it. Alarm shot through Feathertail as he passed the fish to her. Both warriors glared at each other.
"Woah," Thistlefoot looked at them both. "What is happening here?"
"She keeps jumping to conclusions." Squirrelflight's ears went back.
"Oh, that's rich coming from you. Stormfur," Squirrelflight looked at the gray warrior. He looked surprised. "Your mate doesn't know how to listen."
"There's no reason to include him," Brambleheart hissed, rising to his paws. She looked up at him.
"He might –" A yowl sounded from across camp. Feathertail pushed herself up as she saw Firestar approaching. His gaze was locked onto Brambleheart.
The leader stepped in between them, growling at the tabby whose ears had flattened. He backed away. Warriors rose, alarmed. Firestar took a step toward the tom, tail bristling.
Sandstorm, who had followed Firestar over, stepped in his way. She shoved her shoulder into Brambleheart, pushing him toward the camp entrance. "Come on, let's go!"
As they disappeared, Firestar turned to face Squirrelflight. "What did he do?" He demanded. The she-cat's ears had flattened.
"Nothing – we're just having an argument! You didn't need to growl at him."
"What about?"
"It doesn't matter," Squirrelflight answered.
"Squirrelpaw." Firestar's tail was lashing.
"It's Squirrelflight," She corrected. "And it's nothing." The leader turned abruptly away.
"Come on – let's talk." He started away. Squirrelflight shot Feathertail a look but followed her father.
There was a moment of silence before Stormfur spoke.
"I wouldn't have suggested we come over here had I known they were arguing," he said.
"Do you know what about?" Thistlefoot asked, looking in the direction their leader had gone. Stormfur shook his head.
"Some sort of misunderstanding." Stormfur sighed, "They'll get over it in a few days." Feathertail rose to her paws.
"I'm going to go get Barkface," She meowed. Firestar had forgotten Squirrelflight was a warrior. Something was happening with him.
"I'd be surprised if he hadn't heard," Thistlefoot responded.
"Better to make sure he knows." Feathertail stepped away.
Brambleheart lowered his head, ears flattened. Green eyes glared at him. Sandstorm did not look pleased.
"Here I thought you two were doing better," She began. They had stopped in a down not far from camp. Brambleheart had not seen Firestar that angry with him in a long time. The look he had given him conjured old memories.
"I'm sorry," he said, unsure what to do. Typically, it was the other way around. Sandstorm would deal with Squirrelflight and Firestar with Brambleheart. It had been so fast, it felt like his head was spinning.
"Firestar had nightmares last night, the last thing he needed to see was you two arguing." She sighed, "I had just gotten him out of the den!" The tom crouched down.
"I didn't know that," He meowed. "I'm sorry." The older warrior shook her head.
"What caused this?" Brambleheart did not respond. This would end badly for both him and Squirrelflight if Sandstorm or Firestar knew. He hoped Squirrelflight would come to the same conclusion. Sandstorm's eyes narrowed.
"If you won't tell me," She spoke slowly. "Then I expect you to resolve it yourselves – like mature warriors."
"Yes, Ma'am." His response was instant.
"I expect better of both of you – especially right now and especially of you." Her tail lashed, "You are older and you have more experience with the threat we have at our borders. It is not the time for petty arguments."
"I understand." Sandstorm stuck her muzzle closer to him.
"Then make up." Brambleheart mewed his agreement. The pale tabby sat back and the younger warrior spoke again.
"Was Firestar okay? – before this." Guilt was beginning to form in him. He never wanted to upset Firestar. Sandstorm sighed.
"He does not want to take his medicine," She meowed. "He hasn't since the Gathering."
"If you ever need help," Brambleheart began. Sandstorm shook her head.
"He…keeps asking for you," Sandstorm revealed. Brambleheart's ears pricked. Why had he not heard before? There was a serious look in her eyes, "and this morning he woke up and he thought I was guarding him." The fur on the tom's back rose. "Barkface agrees with me. For now, we want you to stay away." A nagging voice echoed in the back of Brambleheart's head. He nodded.
"Yes, Sandstorm."
"Good." Sandstorm turned suddenly. He followed her gaze, surprised to see Stormfur and Squirrelflight heading down. Sandstorm called out to them.
"Berry's wandered off," Stormfur explained as they approached. "His scent is going this way – Firestar sent us out to find him." Sandstorm turned to Brambleheart.
"Why don't you go with them?" Even though she worded it as a suggestion, he knew it was an order. The warrior rose, glancing at Squirrelflight. He knew what Sandstorm wanted him to do.
Squirrelflight was a few tail lengths ahead as they left Sandstorm behind. Brambleheart opened his mouth, catching the kit's scent. "How long has he been missing?" He asked. Stormfur shrugged.
"Long enough to get this far. The kits had been taking a nap, the queens didn't realize." He touched his nose to the tabby's shoulder, "You didn't tell me you got close to Hawktalon." Brambleheart jerked his head toward him, alarmed.
"What did she tell you?" Anger rose in him as he looked ahead to Squirrelflight. Why was she talking to Stormfur about this? She had no place to speak of him like that. Stormfur shot him a look.
"Would you have preferred she told Firestar what was going on?" He asked. Brambleheart's chest tightened. "She told me because she cares about you – and I know you care about her. I think you two just need to talk."
"Sure." He had already told Sandstorm he would. Stormfur eyed him.
"You know, I don't mind," he said. "I get it, he's your brother. If Feathertail was in another Clan, I'd do anything to see her."
"He's not my brother," His response was instant. "And I haven't been meeting with him, you'd know that. Has she been with Ashfur?" That had to be how Stormfur had gotten the idea that he was. Brambleheart looked ahead to Squirrelflight, opening his mouth.
"No, she hasn't." Surprise had lit up Stormfur's gaze, "You don't consider them to be your kin?" The other warrior stumbled in his step.
"I have no reason to," Brambleheart responded. Stormfur nodded.
"Okay." Brambleheart looked at him, puzzled "You know, you should hear her out, I think you might like –" Stormfur turned suddenly, interrupting himself. Brambleheart followed his gaze.
They had moved across the territory, closer to the lake. Squirrelflight had started ahead but she came back. "He went into the forest."
Stormfur's ears went back and Brambleheart gritted his teeth. How had Berry gotten this far?
"Let's…cover our scents," Stormfur suggested. Brambleheart opened his mouth but paused. This could easily cause an incident between the Clans.
But they needed to get the kit. It would be easier to go in and out quickly than getting the leaders to organize a meeting.
"Why don't we use their scent markers?" Squirrelflight suggested as they started over.
"That sounds good," Brambleheart responded. "If we run into anyone, let me deal with them, alright?" The she-cat shot him a reproachful look. He ignored it. If any of them were likely to be listened to, it would certainly not be Squirrelflight or Stormfur.
Brambleheart took the lead, following the kit's scent. It was fresher than prior. He had to be close.
The warrior paused as Stormfur signaled for it, crouching behind some brush. His ear tilted, trying to hear what the others were hearing. Squirrelflight crept forward, peering into an opening. The toms followed and Brambleheart had to stifle a gasp.
They were near the shore. Berry was there, his tail stuck in something the warrior had never seen before. A few TigerClan warriors were looking at the exhausted kit.
"What are we going to do with it?" One asked. Another sniffed Berry. Whatever fight he had was gone. The kit was huddled against the ground.
"He doesn't have any sort of Clan scent," she said. "This isn't something Tigerstar is going to care about."
"Well, we'll see what happens when he gets here." Brambleheart's ears flattened. They needed to get this kit out of here.
No matter what, this was destined to be an incident. He waved his tail at his Clanmates, signaling them to stay still before stepping out. Brambleheart raised his head and wide eyes turned to him as he stepped between the warriors and the kit.
"Haven't you got something better to do than tease a hurt kit?" Berry did not respond as he turned, sniffing the kit. He eyed the silver tendril, stuck around his tail. He had no clue how he would get that off.
"It's a rogue," a warrior meowed. "What's it matter to you what happens to it?"
"It's a kit," He replied, leering at them. "Clan cats protect kits no matter where they're from or have you forgotten the warrior code?" Neither responded, eying him as though unsure what to do.
"Brambleheart." He turned as Tawnyclaw appeared, flanked by another two warriors. He groaned inwardly as he recognized Blackfoot. "Does this kit belong to your Clan? They said it's a rogue."
"He belongs to one of our queens." He forced himself to relax. There was no sign of Tigerstar, at least.
"Are there more of you?" She asked, flicking her tail at the TigerClan warriors. They did not quite relax, to Brambleheart's surprise. "I imagine they did not just send you to find the kit." He glanced toward where his Clanmates were hidden, tail twitching. Cautiously, they crept out.
Warriors eyed each other. The WindClan cats were outnumbered. None of this looked good for them.
"Have you seen one of these before?" Tawnyclaw stepped toward Brambleheart and Berry. She carefully tapped her paw on the ground a few times as she approached.
"No," Brambleheart admitted. He had no clue what this thing was.
"Here, I know how to get it off." Her muzzle lowered to the kit's tail. Her ear twitched and he lowered his head as well, giving the kit a lick. Berry pressed against his paws, eying the tortoiseshell.
"Have you seen these?" Brambleheart asked, making sure his voice was loud enough for everyone to hear.
"A few times," Tawnyclaw answered. "Though, we haven't had a cat get stuck in them. Move him closer." She stuck a fang before the tom-kit's tail and tendril. Brambleheart obliged, licking the kit as he mewled.
The tendril loosened and Brambleheart eyed the tail as it came out. He had no clue what Barkface would do for it.
That is, assuming they were going to leave now. As Tawnyclaw raised her muzzle, she whispered into his ear quickly, "Midnight, tomorrow. This border. It's about Crowpaw." She pulled away.
Shock jolted through the warrior. He almost thought he had misheard her. What did she have to say on Crowpaw? He picked up the kit and she held his gaze.
He knew he had not misheard.
Brambleheart padded back to his Clanmates. They were staring down the TigerClan warriors. Tawnyclaw meowed, "We'll escort you to the border."
"We should be bringing them to Tigerstar," Blackfoot began.
"They were after the kit," Tawnyclaw looked at the warrior. "I'm sure they'll keep a closer eye on their kits in the future."
"What about last time?" Another warrior asked. "Tigerstar will not be happy to hear about them being on our territory again."
"We haven't been on your territory," Squirrelflight's ears flattened. Growls rose from the enemy warriors. Tawnyclaw shot her a look.
"Let's just get you across the border." She was staring down the white warrior. Blackfoot held Tawnyclaw's gaze but eventually ducked his head. Brambleheart was alarmed. What was going on?
It was silent as they started back toward the border. Brambleheart dipped his head to Tawnyclaw when they crossed.
"That…was something," Stormfur meowed as they crossed the first hill. Squirrelflight touched her nose to Brambleheart's shoulder and he turned.
"Tawnyclaw said something to you." The tom tensed, had the others seen that, too? It was one thing for them, but the TigerClan warriors were undoubtedly not meant to hear it.
But Stormfur's ears had pricked, curiously. He had not noticed that.
"Let's get Berry back first," Brambleheart meowed. "Feathertail should hear this."
