(✓) Warriors ▸ Shadows of the Domestic [1]

Chapter 11

Before long, Harepaw and Firepaw had returned from their respective missions, and Tigerstar watched their approach over the modest rise with a scrutinizing eye. His whiskers twitched with a hint of impatience. "I presume you have more prey to contribute?" he snarled. Harepaw nodded, her mind barely tethered to the present, haunted by the unexpected witness of Leopardfur's clandestine rendezvous—the prickling sensation along her pelt had lingered all morning, unsettling her more than she cared to admit.

Yet she held her tongue in Tigerstar's presence, depositing the fresh catch at his paws with an adept flick of her head before spinning on her heel and bounding away to collect the doves and rabbits they had stashed earlier. In the whispering grass behind her, she could hear the cadence of Firepaw's strides aligning with her own, their shared purpose steering them towards the small hollows that cradled their quarry.

Unearthing the bounty with meticulous care, they resurfaced with their spoils and trotted back toward the camp. Ravenpaw boasted a viper clenched firmly between his jaws—a sight that failed to impress Harepaw but elicited a reluctant smirk of admiration. The viper was a perilous catch; they would strike with lethal precision if given the chance, their venomous bite enough to snuff out the light of any warrior not swift enough to evade it.

"Impressive haul," Graypaw mewed cheerfully as the band of warriors made their way back into camp, the fruits of their labor in tow. Harepaw returned his smile with grace before setting her quarry among the pile of fresh prey.

Ravenpaw, still grappling with his viperous burden, turned to address Tigerclaw. "Where should I place this?" he mewed, his voice muffled behind the serpent's scaly length. Tigerclaw flicked his tail dismissively towards the waste spot. "A catch as that belongs with the inedible discards. Go clean out an apprentice's den. You underperformed today," he retorted, the brusqueness in his tone causing Ravenpaw's ears to press down against his head in dismay.

Harepaw felt a flare of indignation towards Tigerclaw. His callousness, his severity with the apprentices—it chafed against her sense of justice. She was relieved to have been mentored by Lionheart, whose golden character was now barreling towards them, a flash of righteous anger kindling in his eyes.

"Tigerclaw, I see you've taken my apprentice out without any asking," Lionheart boomed, his voice like the rumble of distant thunder. Tigerclaw merely sniffed in retort. "She sought tasks, and I provided some. You should pay her more mind, otherwise she'll be becoming a warrior much later than the nurslings," he sneered, his manner dripping with insinuation. The tension between the two senior warriors crackled in the air like the static before a storm, each cat resolute in their stance with the fate of the apprentices wavering uncertainly in the balance.

Lionheart let out an exasperated sigh, his ears giving a slight twitch. "I care for her more than you could fathom," he said, glancing at Harepaw as he nodded approvingly. "Now, my dear, go and get some rest. You've hunted well today." Harepaw gave a grateful nod and slipped into the apprentices' den, pushing her way underneath the ferns that acted as a makeshift entrance, and coiled into her nest.

There she observed Ravenpaw tidying up the adjacent bedding, those belonging to Firepaw and Graypaw. Harepaw tilted her head quizzically. "Need any help?" she offered, but Ravenpaw jerked his head up, his eyes sudden beacons of vexation. "No, no, I'm quite alright," he stammered, and Harepaw chuckled before she circled herself with her tail and swiftly fell to slumber.

Harepaw's reprieve was short-lived as she was soon roused by Firepaw's call. With a grumble, she rose to answer, only to be halted by Ravenpaw's tail. "Just a moment," he mewled, his gaze drifting away. Harepaw's whiskers bristled with impatience. "Ravenpaw, dear, I really must go. What if it's important?" she urged, but Ravenpaw just shook his head. "Is it ever truly important with Firepaw, hm? You're scarcely here anymore, not with me or with Graypaw," he noted, his tone touched with a trace of melancholy.

Harepaw blinked in surprise. Was Ravenpaw... jealous? And if so, why in the name of StarClan? He had no reason to be... Oh. She pondered, her claws kneading the soft moss beneath her. He sees my fondness for Firepaw, and it stirs jealousy because he, likely, harbors similar sentiments towards me. His reticence holds deeper significance than I ever considered.

"I'm sorry, Ravenpaw, truly," Harepaw meowed sincerely, casting her gaze downward. Heart-to-heart talks were never her forte. Ugh, I shouldn't be. I have Lionheart, for StarClan's sake, she exhaled in a soft sigh, shaking her head before offering a gentle smile and pressing her nose against his cheek.

"I'll tell Firepaw that I can't be with him right now, and stay with you while you clear out this den. How does that sound?" she inquired, her pulse quickening with a thrill of joy upon witnessing the newfound brightness in Ravenpaw's eyes. "I-I would like that," he murmured, averting his gaze to hide the burgeoning warmth in his expression.

Harepaw chuckled, allowing her tail to affectionately twine around his. "Then it's settled. I'm happier for it," she purred out her decision, her heart lightened by the simple, shared task that drew them closer as companions beneath the dappled light of the den.