Batpaw carried his mouse over to Snakepaw, who was being fanned by Eggpaw holding a fern leaf. "Thanks, kittypet-licker." Snakepaw grunted. Batpaw frowned. Why was he so rude? Batpaw was tempted to rip his fur out. Starclan, give me strength... He snorted and sat beside Cherrypaw, who was glaring at the gray tom.
"He's mean! Why does Iciclepaw like him?" She grumbled, jealousy flashing in her amber eyes.
"Do you have a crush on Iciclepaw?" Batpaw teased. Cherrypaw's fur fluffed up. When she didn't respond, he snorted. "We're too young to be thinking about mates, Cherry-Berry!"
"Oh, shut up." Cherrypaw looked embarrassed, "You love Berrypaw."
"I do not!"
"Do too!"
The two siblings wrestled in the grass, rolling around Snakepaw's paws. Eggpaw hissed at them, and Iciclepaw looked at Cherrypaw, her gaze unreadable. "You two kits, stop messing around. We're going to have an apprentice meeting soon. A serious one." Snakepaw sniffed unhappily.
"You don't tell me what-" Batpaw's retort was silenced by Cherrypaw's tail.
"Okay. Iciclepaw, can we go hunting later?"
Iciclepaw exchanged a glance with Snakepaw before nodding slowly. "Okay."
Birchpaw stared at Iciclepaw jealously. Jeez, why are these cats so interested in mates? At least Eggpaw is normal. Batpaw thought, flicking an ear. Eggpaw was licking his paw, staring directly at Skystar, his expression unreadable. Don't tell me he's crushing on Skystar- she's five times our age! Probably more! He stifled a sigh. At least Berrypaw didn't come to him with romance drama.
Do I love him? He asked himself, No. He's a nice cat, but I want to be nothing more than his friend. He didn't want to mess up their relationship, like how Mudwave and Sugarglow had rushed in too quickly, resulting in Mudwave breaking up with Sugarglow and becoming Honeybranch's mate. His fur bristled at the thought of him leaving Berrypaw alone with an adoptive kit. His heart ached with pain. He hated his father for hurting Sugarglow.
I'll never be like that.
He was so wrapped up in his own anger that he didn't notice Snakepaw nudging him with his muzzle. "So, what do you think?"
"What?"
"Of our plan. What do you think of our plan." Snakepaw rolled his eyes, as though he wanted to add obviously. Batpaw blinked, and he continued, "The next time he leaves his sick clanmates, we're going to attack. Last time, I wasn't able to drown him. But this time, we'll succeed. We're going to lead him to a badger den. Batpaw, you pretend like you're injured and Birchpaw, lead him to Batpaw. Berrypaw likes you, he'd go try to heal you. Eggpaw and Iciclepaw, you lead him there. Pretend to be rogues or Seaclan cats. The rest of us, Cherrypaw, Flowerpaw and me, will make sure he stays in the den long enough for the badger to have a good meal." His eyes glowed, and Batpaw shuddered.
"What if someone finds out? And what if he figures out I'm not hurt?" He asked worriedly.
"I'll give you a scratch. Or two. Or three."
Batpaw hesitated, glancing over at Berrypaw happily taking care of Whiskerfur. I can't stop Snakepaw from doing this, but maybe I can stop Berrypaw from getting hurt... "Okay..." He agreed, murmuring softly.
"Don't tell me you're padding after him!" Snakepaw gasped, "Oh, Batpaw, you have the worst taste in toms."
"He's really nice! You need to give him a chance." Batpaw squeaked, though his body trembled. Snakepaw was so unfair! Yet he was still scared.
"You're disgusting. Berrypaw probably hates you." Snakepaw spat, the fur along his spine bristling. Batpaw flinched. He knew it wasn't true, but it still hurt.
