Seppuku

Chapter 12

The sun was setting below the horizon.  Twistedsky sat to take his place in front of the Grandwillow. 

"Nettleskip, what're you doing?"  Twistedsky called to his sister.  "We don't sleep there anymore, silly!  Besides, we have a watch to take care of."

Nettleskip looked slightly embarrassed.  "O-oh!  Silly me!  Forgetting everything already."  Nettleskip tried to sound amused as she took her spot beside her brother.  Eyes glowing suddenly, she whispered to her brother, "Once everyone is asleep, I-I want to tell you a little something."

Nutclaw and Brookmist said their final goodbyes for the night to their kits, nuzzling them and cooing over them.  Then, finally, they left and went back to the warriors' den.

"Well, that was an ordeal," Twistedsky exaggerated as his parents left.

"Its fine.  They just love you and I, Twistedsky!  Have some heart!"  Nettlepaw snapped.

Soon, all the cats in the clearing had left; only the two newly-made warriors remained. 

"So," Twistedsky whispered.  "What did you want to tell me?  Quickly, because we're breaking the warrior code by talking!"

Nettleskip made this quick.  "Look... Twistedsky, I-I... well, I'm in love, with Badgerstripe."

"Oh-y-yeah, I know.  He told me."  Twistedsky had to choke the words out.  He forced his eyes to gleam with pride.  "Your kits'll be wonderful," he lied.  A burning jealousy creeped into his body and exploded his insides.  This is so... wrong!  I can't--no, we're both toms, Twistedsky firmly told himself.  But no matter how many times he reminded himself, the jealousy would only grow worse and worse.  He had to cough, but halfway through it he sneezed violently.

"Are you okay?"  Nettleskip fretted.

"I'm fine,"  Twistedsky rasped.  Only so disappointed of how life can be so difficult!  If only I were a she-cat, it would all be okay.  I could love Badgerstripe easy, no sweat.

~

Twistedsky had fallen asleep through his vigil.  Hazelstripe roused him.  "Wake up, sleepy," she purred.  "Its time for you to start your first day as a warrior."

Twistedsky scrambled to his paws.  "Y-yes, Hazelstripe," he murmured.

A horrible night was all.  Hazelstripe didn't even need to know.

Twistedsky padded over to the Clan deputy.  Duskpelt was still in a very slight daze from his sister's death, but he still efficently did his work.

"Hey, Twistedsky!" he called.  "Want to lead a hunting patrol?"

Twistedsky was shocked.  "Do I ever!" he beamed.  "Who am I taking?"

"Nettleskip, Badgerstripe, and Honeywillow," he meowed.  He gave a curt nod to each cat as he named them.

~

The cats all trekked by the GrassClan border.  By this point the grass was getting tall even on the PineClan side.  Honeywillow sniffed the air. "Ugh," she growled grumpily.  "I don't smell a single mouse over here!"

"Why does it always have to be a mouse with you?"  Nettleskip sighed.  "Can't you smell all of the vole and bird we can catch instead?  And if we cross the border just a teensy bit, there's going to be a barn with what they call loud bir--"

"I've heard enough.  We are not causing trouble for the other Clan!"  Badgerstripe spat.  "Have you learned nothing from our quarrel with CreekClan?  Weren't you there when it all started?"

Nettleskip flinched; she was clearly just struck right through her soul.  Twistedsky thought Badgerstripe didn't have to be this rude...

A thought struck Twistedsky right out of the blue.  Maybe Badgerstripe didn't like Nettleskip--in that way.
But... was it possible he felt, maybe, sorta--kinda like Twistedsky felt?