Warriors: Flesh-Sickness

Chapter 2

Author's Note- 

Hey, it's me; Gigi! Just wanted to mention that the picture in this chapter is Volewhisker, and the previous chapter has a picture of Shocktail. Anyways- enjoy!

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The night was quiet as usual as Shocktail and her half-brother Stormfire sat at the entrance to the camp, but something seemed off. Stormfire was grooming his black-and-ginger patched fur, and he didn't seem to mind as the clouds began to drift in front of the moon. "Hey... so, um..." Shocktail began, her fur pricking with anxiousness. Stormfire looked up, his wide amber eyes studying her thoughtfully.

"Yes?" "...You're Volewhisker's friend, right?" He flicked his tail, smirking slyly. "You're wondering how he's doing?" Shocktail's fur prickled. "Of course not, mouse-brain!" Stormfire purred. "Of course that isn't why you asked. I can just see you two deputies huddled around your own litter of kits; I bet they would be two sons and a daughter." Shocktail rolled her eyes. "I would love to be a queen. But I just don't have the time to have a mate, and neither does Volewhisker. Besides, who's ever heard of two deputies falling in love?"

"I bet you would make the perfect pair!" Stormfire decided to tease her more, and he got to his paws, batting at her ears. "C'mon, go talk to him!" Shocktail growled playfully and swiped at him, pushing the tom back. "If I do this, will you shut up?" Stormfire grinned, padding around his half-sister. "Mm.. perhaps. If you really tell him that is!" Shocktail shook her head, getting to her paws. "Fine."

Leaving her brother's side, the tortoiseshell she-cat padded away, approaching Volewhisker where he sat under the oak tree in the edge of camp, eating a lizard. She gently prodded him with a paw and he lifted his head, swiping his tongue over his jaws.

"Oh. Evenin' Shocktail." Her shoulders sagged at his curt reply- how would she get anywhere tonight after their confrontation earlier? "I..." She paused briefly, "I wanted to say that I'm sorry, Volewhisker. I shouldn't have teased you; I have as much respect for what ShadowClan lost during the attack as any other Clan did." Volewhisker closed his eyes and sighed, then opened them again to look at her. "Thank you, Shocktail. I understand that ya were just playin', and I shouldn't have gotten so mad at ya." Shocktail smiled, sitting next to him with her tail wrapped around her paws. "Well... want to talk about something else?" "Yes, please!" Both of them mrrowed in laughter, the mood lightening rather quickly.

After a short while of talking, the two deputies set aside their differences rather well, and as they got up to go to the warrior's den sleep, their pelts brushed against the others when they walked. Stormfire watched them, his amber eyes glowing with pride in the dim light. "You two doves go to sleep- I'll take over, for now, Shocktail." She smiled at her half-brother, her own yellow eyes soft. "Thank you. I'll send another warrior to relieve you soon."

Volewhisker laid in his nest in the back of the nest and was pleased to find Shocktail had followed and laid in the nest next to his. After he was sure she was asleep, he got up soundlessly and pushed the scraps of moss forward until it was almost one nest, then crawled back inside and closed his eyes. After they had only been asleep for a few minutes, Anteye replaced Stormfire and he padded into the den to see them in what appeared to be the same nest. "Stormfire, you sly devil, you did it again." The tortoiseshell tom purred and got in his nest, watching them until he drifted off.

The next morning, when the other warriors saw Shocktail and Volewhisker, the whole camp was alive with speculation. Elders discussed whether or not they were really secretly mates or not like the sight suggested, the warriors debated on waking them or not, and the queens whispered about names for their kits they would suggest. Either way, it seemed there was no question that the two deputies may be more than just friends.

Shocktail was leading a patrol with Stormfire, Hollythorn, Roseleaf, and Whitewhisker. Whitewhisker, Volewhisker's brother, was trying to choke down his questions like a stale piece of prey as he padded beside Shocktail. Shocktail couldn't help but notice the white and brown tom's gaze, and she finally slowed to look at him. "This is about Volewhisker, isn't it?" The tortoiseshell finally asked. Whitewhisker smiled. "Perhaps. But, from your standpoint... do you really love him?" Shocktail's tail tip twitched. "Of course I do!" Before Whitewhisker could reply, Roseleaf let out a yowl.

"It's the Infected!"

"RUN!"

Hollythorn and Roseleaf shoved the other warriors forward, the two senior warriors starting to run. Shocktail pounded back to camp as the other cats shot past her, and she ran she could feel the hot breath of an Infected on the tip of her tail. He's right behind me- StarClan save me!

"GET AWAY FROM HER!" Shocktail risked a glance over her shoulder as she saw Volewhisker tackle the Infected chasing her, tearing at its flesh with his claws. She skidded to a halt and spun around, leaping on the Infected cat and clawing at him as well. Once it was dead, they turned to see more cats surge out of the camp in a mass of pelts that became mottled as they raced shoulder-to-shoulder. The other five Infected began to take off into the forest, screeching in terror. Volewhisker crouched next to Shocktail, panting and gritting his teeth. He leaned his head down and whispered in her ear. "I'll never let anyone hurt ya, Shocktail. Not now.. and not ever."