Warriors: A New Beginning #1: The Beginning

Chapter 36

"Is something bothering you?"

Wavepelt glanced up. Bushtail was standing there, his pelt sleek and well-groomed.

"No, not really." In reality, Wavepelt was thinking about her encounter with Windclaw a quarter moon ago. He was the third cat in my dream! It had to mean something... Bushtail, Flamefur, and Windclaw. They must have all something in common.

"Oh." Bushtail's gaze turned away. "Okay, then." He padded away from the fresh-kill pile, where Wavepelt was lying with an untouched vole in front of her. Bushtail and Flamefur have been acting... different around me lately, she admitted silently. I wonder why.

She noticed Dapplecloud leave the warriors den, her pelt straight up and her eyes clouded.

"Dapplecloud?" Wavepelt sat up. "What's wrong?"

Dapplecloud saw Wavepelt and her fur fell back, giving her a calmer appearance.

"Oh...nothing." She avoided Wavepelt's gaze.

Wavepelt knew something was up.

"Are you sure?" she asked.

Dapplecloud nodded vigourously. "I'm sure."

Wavepelt shrugged. "Okay." She stood up and noticed her vole. I guess I have to eat this.

She finished it in a few swift bites and swiped her tongue over her jaws.

Then Wavepelt saw Bushtail and Flamefur, facing each other, pelts bristling. They were saying something to each other, but the two toms were too far away for Wavepelt to hear.

It's the scene in my dream! Wavepelt's fur stood on end. I need to figure this out.

She sprinted to the bristling cats. "Stop! What are you doing?"

Bushtail and Flamefur both glanced at Wavepelt, and their fur fell back. They looked warily at each other, then at Wavepelt.

"It's okay," Flamefur meowed calmly. "A simple disagreement."

Bushtail cast a glare at the ginger warrior, then his gaze returned to Wavepelt.

"I think it was more than a disagreement." Wavepelt looked at Flamefur, then at Bushtail. "We need to talk."

***

"I need to know what's happening," Wavepelt pleaded. "You both have been acting strange, and I want ot know what's going on."

Bushtail and Flamefur were both silent. Bushtail's gaze was frustrated, as if he didn't know what to say. Flamefur's eyes were staring at the forest floor.

Maybe they seem uncomfortable around each other, Wavepelt guessed.

"How about I talk privately with each of you?" she suggested.

"That would work!" Flamefur immediately seemed like his normal self again. "Bushtail, you can go first." He tried to look cheerful, but his eyes betrayed his nervousness. What was he worried about?

"Okay." Bushtail shrugged.

Wavepelt padded off deeper into the forest, away from Flamefur. I still don't get it.

When Flamefur was out of sight, she stopped.

"We're alone," she mewed. "Now what is it?"

"I...I want..." Bushtail's sail-tip twitched, and then he blurted out:

"I want you to be my mate!"

Wavepelt's eyes widened. The second mate proposal in less than half a moon. So that's why he seemed weird lately!