Oh my, it's been a while since the last chapter.

I had exams and I was tired, you know the drill. I'm not one of these authors with a crazy life.

Mumblepond was very proud to take part in patrols as his former mentor's equal. Even the dawn patrol, though it was admittedly the worst one of the day. Leaving a warm nest for the chill of an autumn's early morning – or was it late night? – was a difficult thing to do, but duty always pushed him in the end. Even more now that he had something more concrete to protect than the Clan's traditions.

It was still a little too early to begin the patrol, so he took the opportunity to peek inside the nursery. His attention instantly zeroed on his mate, the most beautiful she-cat he had ever seen. Alderwhisper was sleeping peacefully, chest rising and falling slowly, her breath even and, half hidden by her protectively curled tail, he could see the top of Honeykit's head – his black tabby fur contrasting starkly against his mother's tortoiseshell pattern – and between her front paws, Springkit and Baykit squished together.

Having only one kit had been a slight disappointment – Mumblepond had always dreamed of a big family and he couldn't be more grateful that his mate chose to indulge him. So when her best friend's daughters had reached MistClan, they hadn't thought twice before stepping in to take care of them. They would never truly be their daughters, the way they talked about their mother or tracked Heatherrump's movements made that clear enough, but they would be loved and that was all that mattered. And with their light brown tabby pelts, the twins looked a bit like him – a coincidence that made Alderwhisper cackle loudly when she watched them play together.

Fearing to wake the whole nursery if he stayed any longer – his mate would forgive him for sure, but he didn't know Crookedflight well and Bluestripe had enough on her plate – so he backed out discreetly. From the other side of the clearing, his former mentor greeted him far too cheerfully for the early hour.

"Done checking on your little family, kit?"

"Yeah… All so cute that I would have gladly stayed inside to watch over them, instead of spending my time with an old tom like you."

"You young cats have no respect for your elders," Grasslilac grumbled good-naturedly. "We leave when Webhollow is ready."

"What's she doing?"

"Same as you. Checking on Hootpaw, look you can see her tail from here. She's been doing that ever since he went back to his den after recovering from the hawk attack."

There was a pause before the older tom spoke again.

"You know, I wondered… Why not Webhollow?"

"That's a very private question, my venerable mentor. But if you must know, and ignoring the fact that we don't love each other like that, it would have been a terrible match because we don't want the same things. Don't get me wrong, I adore her. I've known her forever, she's my best friend, and yet, I don't think I really understand her," he stopped to think. "Maybe she doesn't understand herself either. Sometimes she feels… far away. Wise beyond her seasons. It's both impressive and sad to see her like that, don't you think?"

Grasslilac only hummed so he continued.

"You know me, I'm not like that at all. I don't question my very existence at every turn. I don't worry that each of my actions will have a consequence in three seasons. I do what I think is right without thinking. And I have simple wants. A happy mate to live with, healthy kits to dote on. As friends, we work well together, but as mates?"

Just as he finished with a little growl, Webhollow turned from the apprentices' den, trotting to join them. She rubber her shoulder against his and nodded at Grasslilac.

"Sorry for the delay. We can leave whenever you want."

"No worries, kit. Let's go."

They made their way out, chatting softly as they went through the entrance. They had to patrol along the eastern border. It was one of the easiest routes: a good chunk of it followed the Thunderpath, and no creature was stupid enough to try and live there. Between the noise and the smell, it was a terrible place, and that was without taking the monsters into account. That was what made it a good border. Its worst downside was how smelly everyone was after the patrol.

Anyway, patrols were relatively simple as far as MistClan was concerned. They didn't have neighbours, so it was often more of a traditional thing if you asked Mumblepond. Usually, nothing disturbed them so they sometimes had the time to hunt or bring something back to the medicine cats – Webhollow was good at finding this stuff.

Maybe it was because they had grown carefree, or because the thunderpath covered the scent, but they didn't notice the fox until they stumbled upon it in a clearing. For a moment, everything was still, except for four pairs of eyes blinking in surprise. Then a monster came roaring on the Thunderpath, the fox let out a yelp and the fight began.

With its long legs, it was upon the nearest cat in the blink of an eye. Luckily, Grasslilac was the most experienced of the three of them, and he managed to avoid the clacking jawsby jumping to the side at the last second. This narrow dodge shook Mumblepond out of his stupor and he threw himself in the battle.

The fox wasn't that big, but it was swift and it was difficult to reach it without ending up in its range. As it was turned towards his former mentor, the young tom seized the opportunity to attack. He landed a hit, his claws catching in the side of his enemy's neck, but couldn't back away in time.

Pain exploded on the left side of his head and he fell heavily.

However, before he could get up or roll away, a pained shriek rang and he noticed Webhollow, teeth biting firmly in the fox's rear, gripping his thigh with her front paws while her back paws kept her anchored to the ground.

Not leaving it the time to twist away, Grasslilac jumped on its back, frantically digging his claws in the skin and, eager to help, Mumblepond caught the closest front paw and bit hard.

The fow made another high pitched whine and trashed in their hold, just as the she-cat relaxed her jaws to issue a warning.

"I can't hold on anymore!"

She fell backwards as the canine shook itself, also managing to dislodge Grasslilac, and Mumblepond immediately stopped biting. It took off between the bushes and across the Thunderpath so they didn't bother to follow after it.

Something warm and a little sticky dripped along his cheek, but as he was about to clean it of with his paw, the older tom stopped him.

"Don't touch it, you could make it worse. Webhollow, are you alright?"

"Two of my claws were torn off and at least another one looks twisted…"

"I'm the less injured then," he marked a pause, taking his time to think. "Can you stop Mumblepond's bleeding?"

"Yes," she answered confidently, "I just need cobwebs."

"I'll look for some. After that, patch him up. And you," Grasslilac turned towards Mumblepond, "Once she's done, help her back to the camp. Take the shortest way. I'll leave first to warn the medicine cats to get ready."

Finding no faults in the plan, he nodded.

There were only a few cobwebs around, but his friend assured him that for a temporary bandage it would be enough. As there was no water in sight, she kicked his ear carefully to inspect the wound before it began bleeding again and he saw her wince from the corner of his eyes."

"That bad?"

"Not Hootpaw's scars bad, but it looks like a part of it was torn of, or cut at the very least."

"Well, I'm going to look like a fierce warrior, it'll make a story to tell the kits… Do you think Alderwhisper will still find me handsome?"

"Ha!" she snorted, applying the cobwebs. "You two are the most disgustingly in love mates I have ever seen. That stupid fox could have gotten you in the face and you would still have been the only one in her eyes."

He purred in contentment and she swatted him with her tail.

"Here, it's done. We can leave, but my back paws hurt so we'll have to go slowly."

"You wouldn't have been half bad as a medicine cat," he mewed.

"No, it's not made for me. For you neither," she scrunched up her nose as he cocked his head inquisitively. "Blood takes forever to clean out of long furs like ours. And don't make me think about burdock."

He supported her and made sure the places where they stopped were safe as they made their way back. When their were in view of the camp, Pricklesong rushed out to meet them but he only listened distractedly as Webhollow described their injuries.

Even if he was proud to have been part of the first real fight of MistClan, Mumblepond was worried. Foxes were never good news; they tended to live in small families and driving off one adult was complicated enough so two…

He really hoped that it had been a lone one, or his family and the whole Clan's safety would be put in danger.

Do you like these cats?

Personally, I love them.