So There

Relationship Challenges Part 1

Voletooth's POV

When Splotchstar interrupted me on the night of the warrior ceremony, I was actually grateful. Get this, I was going to tell my best friend that I love her. And when I was sitting in the darkness in complete silence, I realized that it must have been the heat of the moment that almost made me say those things.

About two moons had passed since that night, and everything had undoubtedly spiraled out of the Clan's control: stupid Jioveheart got preggers, Weaselberry killed herself after the fact, Redblossom was given the responsibility of fulfilling the dumb prophecy, and greencough was beginning to plague our Clan. And guess who was affected? Yup, Songpool.

It got even worse when I heard Clovertalon shouting. I ran out of the warrior's den to see Morningpool leading my mother and two of her kits to the elder's den with the rest of the sick cats. My mother, who I never forgave or apologized to. I...couldn't. I didn't know how to feel, not when I was losing the most important cats in my life.

Somehow, I was still able to briefly put my tail on Clovertalon's shoulders as he wept, avoiding the upset gaze of my brother. Then, I quickly took a fish from the fresh-kill pile and tried to get into the elder's den, only for stupid Rowanpelt to block me from entering.

"Hey!" I growled. "I'm trying to visit Songpool! She needs to eat too!"

"You can't get greencough Voletooth." Rowanpelt told me firmly. "You're one of our best hunters."

"I won't hunt crap for you if you don't let me in there!" I snarled truthfully, unsheathing her claws.

Rowanpelt flinched and bolted the other way. Heh, what a pussy.

I slowly walked inside the den of confined sickness and looked at Songpool. She looked thin and frail, and the sight made me feel...

"H-Here Songpool." I stammered, dropping the fish at her paws. "I'll come back soon okay?"

Songpool gently placed her paw on mine, and it felt as light as a feather. My heart soared, and I left the den and glared at Rowanpelt.

"If she dies, I'll make sure that you'll never see the sun again." I hissed at him. "I'm going to take a nap, and I better not see her get worse when I get back."

I had no idea how I was supposed to sleep knowing that Songpool was fatally sick, but I needed energy to hunt for RiverClan. I sprawled on the floor and thought over my feelings.

I remembered how I felt when she gently placed her paw on mine and frowned. Did I really love Songpool? I thought that maybe we had a really deep friendship at best, and I simply didn't want to lose my best friend.

But my emotions were too intense to deny it anymore. Was it possible that I was never straight? I was so tom-crazy as an apprentice, not realizing that my love was right next to me all along.

What terrible timing to realize my feelings; when all of this messed up stuff was unfolding in RiverClan. But did enough time pass for me to see Songpool and tell her how I feel? No, I should wait until the greencough blows over.

I left to the elder's den and Rowanpelt was sleeping near the entrance. Morningpool was searching for catmint in the territory. I was able to sneak in with no problem.

Songpool looked beautiful when she was curled up in the corner, and I pressed her paw lightly, expecting the same feathery touch that she gave me before.

She didn't.

"Songpool?" I whispered, trying not to wake anyone else, then I stopped caring. "Songpool!"