𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐒 ──── 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘰𝘰𝘯.

𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚡𝚡𝚒.

THE NEARLY-FULL moon floated low in the sky, stars twinkling all around it as it sank into the horizon. Relief brought Spottedsong back to life when she realized it was almost dawn. It was almost time until she could sleep. And talk. Even though interacting with other cats wasn't exactly on her list of interests, she needed someone to talk to. She needed to make things up to Gorseberry, no matter what it took. What if he never spoke to her again? Or at least, motioned to her again. Whatever he did to communicate.

Spottedsong glanced toward the middle of the clearing where several cats were gathered around Owlheart's body, groomed and doused in lavender, sleeping quietly. Spottedsong felt a stab of guilt and regret at the sight of the cobwebs wrapped around the wounds she left behind. But right after the guilt had passed, loathing for Cypressstar and maybe even herself took its place. It was my choice to do this. He didn't have to be in charge of me, but I let him be in control of me.

***

Spottedsong found herself impatiently pacing back and forth, her heart racing with disquiet. Even though Mousetail's kits had been returned unharmed two days ago and she had one less thing to worry about, she knew that it would be anytime that some cat would uncover Spottedsong's secret because Cloudsky could spill it, or Gorseberry would finally find a way to tell the Clan what he saw, or her scent would be found on Owlheart's body.

It was early in the morning, and it wasn't time for the patrols to be sent out yet, but Spottedsong simply couldn't sleep, even after a long night standing vigil after being chosen as deputy and decided to stay out in the chilly clearing while she waited; at least it was quieter out here. It wasn't exactly warm, though, even though, as a FrostClan cat, she had a thick, cold-resistant coat of fur.

"Why so stressed?"

Spottedsong turned around sharply, her shoulder fur beginning to rise, to see Skystorm standing behind her.

"First of all, your vigil's over. Second, keep your fur on," Skystorm mewed. Then he tipped his head to one side. "I know I said, 'Why so stressed?' but are you even stressed?"

"Yes, and it's none of your business," Spottedsong snapped.

"Well, you must be pretty overwhelmed if you didn't go straight to sleep after a long night," Skystorm pointed out.

Spottedsong sighed in exasperation. "Again, it's none of your business. Why must you stick your tail in every cat's business? Sometimes you have to leave it alone and be okay with it because one's concern is their concern."

"I'm just worried about you. I'm your older brother, I should be allowed to worry. It's also in my nature, so, there's two reasons why I should be worried."

"Okay, but older by what? A heartbeat? That doesn't even matter. What matters is you should be minding your own business. Emphasizing that so you go away," Spottedsong retorted.