𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒 ──── 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘰𝘰𝘯 1.

𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚡𝚟.

DOVEPAW SHOOK OUT her pelt. It was a quarter-moon after Foxclaw's exile, yet she thought about him everyday. She tried to empty her mind of him by taking walks in the forest of just sorting herbs even though they didn't need to be sorted. But tonight was the meeting with the other medicine cats at the Moonpool, and she would be able to talk to Swallowpaw again.

Dovepaw laid beside the medicine den, letting the sun warm her pelt. She rested her head on her paws, gazing around at the cats in the clearing. Flowers were beginning to bloom now, and the sweet fragrance of blossoms filled the camp.

The arc that led into the camp rustled and Blizzardpelt, Hollyfern, Whitefoot, and Mousepaw entered the den. Dovepaw almost expected to see Foxclaw follow.

What is wrong with me? I can't seem to forget about him, and somehow I don't feel any hatred towards him. But he betrayed me! Maybe Mousepaw can help. Dovepaw watched as Mousepaw dropped her fresh-kill in the fresh-kill pile. Dovepaw stood up and limped over to her brown-and-white-furred sister. "Mousepaw?"

Mousepaw turned around, her blue eyes shining. "Dovepaw! It feels like forever since we had a decent talk . . . er . . . is that what you wanted, or am I just desperate?" She tilted her head to one side curiously.

Dovepaw couldn't stifle a purr, though it came out dry. "Do you want to share some fresh-kill?"

Mousepaw shrugged. "Sure, but Skypaw—"

The dark gray apprentice was just walking past when Mousepaw said that. He flicked his tail over her ear. He mewed compassionately, "Go ahead, whatever makes you happy." Then he walked away.

Mousepaw stared after him until he disappeared into the shadows, then she sighed dreamily. Dovepaw stifled a snort of laughter. "You say you want to share fresh-kill? I caught a plump squirrel, maybe you would like that." She dragged the carcass from the pile and laid it down. "You do seem kind of . . . sad. What's wrong?"

Dovepaw gazed at her littermate. I trust her. I can tell her. "It's Foxclaw. I miss him." She cringed, turning her gaze to her paws, waiting for Mousepaw to start spewing accusations at her.

But instead Mousepaw just let out a soft mrrow of sympathy. "Why? He's a traitor to the Clan."

"I-I know, but I've realized that I really did love him, and that's why I can't forget about him, even though I try to push him to the back of my mind." Dovepaw studied Mousepaw's gaze. "I just never told anyone because I knew that it was against the code, and . . ."

"Dovepaw! It's time to get ready to go." It was Badgertooth. He was standing at the edge of the medicine den, gazing at Dovepaw and her littermate.

Dovepaw glanced back at Mousepaw. "I'm sorry, but I have to go. You can finish that. You deserve it, catching such a delicious squirrel." She purred, waving her tail in the air, and joined Badgertooth.