WattyWarriors Fan Magazine 6.0

SCA | Bumblestripe

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Bumblestripe crept through the dark foliage, his fur bristling. He couldn't believe that Dovewing had left the camp once again, at night too- the worst time to leave camp alone. Where was she off to this time? The tom thought to himself as he paced back and forth at the edge of ThunderClan camp.

He wasn't sure if he should follow her or not – She could've been hunting for all he knew or taking a walk... but something couldn't shake the fact that it was something more.

Bumblestripe had seen Dovewing go off before alone, several times actually, creeping away into the darkness of the territory. He stifled a sigh and glanced around before quickly hurrying away from the camp. If anyone asked where he'd gone then he would just say that he was hunting and what not.

As the striped warrior ventured deeper into the depths of ThunderClan's vast territory, he started to recognize the familiar sweet scent of Dovewing. Taking a quick breath, he followed it without a second thought.

After a few moments, Bumblestripe soon came to the ShadowClan border and noticed that her scent disappeared. What the- The tom stiffened as he soon realized that her scent continued again into ShadowClan territory.

"She crossed the border," Bumblestripe hissed quietly aloud, "Does she not realize that that's breaking the warrior code?" He spat angrily to himself.

Bumblestripe sighed, he needed to know what Dovewing was doing, she could be in danger for all he knew! He slowly placed a paw over the border, glanced around to make sure no cat was around, and then sprinted across.

Bumblestripe continued to follow Dovewing's scent, picking up his pace a bit as he was vaguely aware that he was lurking about in enemy territory. The uncomfortable sensation lingered around him as the tall pines loomed high above him. He stifled a growl as an owl hooted in the distance, making the whole experience even creepier.

Why would ShadowClan even decide to live here? It's a frog-ridden swamp for StarClan's sake! Bumblestripe thought to himself as he neared an old abandoned Two-leg nest before he scented another cat, mingled with Dovewing's.

Dread creeped along Bumblestripe as he remembered this scent belonged to Tigerheart. The dark brown tabby warrior always would stare at Dovewing at the Gatherings, Bumblestripe recalled, and approach her towards the end. Bumblestripe never thought anything of it, only thought they were mere acquaintances, or friends at the least. He never thought that they would do this.

As he came closer, Bumblestripe could hear Dovewing laughing, and then Tigerheart yowling something about catching her eventually. He felt a twist of envy deep in his chest as he continued to listen to the two giddily enjoying themselves.

But he soon felt a pang of sorrow, why didn't Dovewing ever act like that around me? He shook his head before furrowing his brows and moving closer once more.

Bumblestripe watched as the two pounced and chased each other around the clearing, all the while smiling and laughing. He watched as Tigerheart playfully nipped her tail and he watched as Dovewing affectionately licked his ear. He watched as they laid together under the stretch of silverpelt and he watched until he couldn't stand to watch any longer.

Dovewing had broke his heart yet again, and now he knew why she never was really with him, she was always distant, probably thinking about Tigerheart. Bumblestripe turned away with a distressed hiss before snapping his muzzle shut. Fox-dung. The striped tom cursed to himself as both Dovewing and Tigerheart snapped their heads towards where he was hiding.

"Did you hear that?" Dovewing mewed worriedly to Tigerheart, "What- What if someone's found us?" She shot to her paws and swung her head around to look back at Tigerheart whom was still laying on the ground.

"It was probably just the wind.." Tigerheart purred wearily, "Or a fox."

Bumblestripe watched as Dovewing hissed and lightly thwacked Tigerheart's shoulder at the mention of a 'fox.' He sniffed before bounding away, running as fast as he could, the trees a blur and the border nearing with each paw-step.

Bumblestripe didn't stop before he was safe on ThunderClan territory. He breathed deeply, not just because he was running so hard, but because of what he just saw. It was forbidden to see cats from other Clans and Dovewing was acting like it was the most normal thing to do which absolutely disgusted Bumblestripe.

He waited close to the border, and tilted his head towards the sky, watching silverpelt twinkling here and there. The tabby warrior wasn't sure what he would say to Dovewing when she came back this way, just that he needed to talk to her.

It felt like ages before he heard the cracking of a twig and he looked towards the border to see Dovewing hurrying back to ThunderClan territory. Bumblestripe gathered himself to his paws and stared at the pretty grey she-cat with hurt visible in his eyes.

"Oh, Dovewing, it's you. I thought you were a ShadowClan cat, since you came right from their territory," Bumblestripe meowed with an edge to his voice.

"Bumblestripe! You nearly scared the fur off me!" Dovewing hissed, her fur bristling, "What in the name of StarClan are you doing out here this late?"

"I could ask the same thing," Bumblestripe huffed, looking away, "If you must know, I was hunting."

Dovewing tilted her head, amusement glinting in her eyes, "Then where's your prey?"

"Never mind that!" Bumblestripe flicked his tail, "What were you doing in ShadowClan?"

"Oh, er.." Dovewing casted a nervous side glance, "I got lost?" She laughed nervously.

"Yeah, right." Bumblestripe snorted, "I bet whoever ShadowClan cat you were with was just wallowing over you."

"No, Bumblestripe, I-"

"No, Dovewing, I get it really," Bumblestripe frowned, "You don't feel the same way for me as I do for you, and I know why. Just don't expect me to sympathize you once you get your heart broken. This can't go on forever, you know." He growled before turning away, leaving Dovewing with her jaw open in surprise.

Bumblestripe dropped to the ground when he was far away from Dovewing, he heaved a shaky breath. It was not fair. It was not.. It was so unfair. He squeezed his eyes shut and covered his muzzle with his paws.

As Bumblestripe laid there, he couldn't stop thinking,

Why couldn't she have picked me?

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Ayy so this was written by Aqua. Remember to comment below for which cats need some more attention and your idea will be put into consideration!