Warriors: A New Beginning #1: The Beginning

Chapter 46

"Where's Frostclaw?"

The voice of Blossomleaf woke Wavepelt up.

"Who knows?" she muttered, sitting up in her nest in the medicine den. "She's probably still snoozing in the warriors den."

"I checked there already," Blossomleaf protested.

"Did you ask Flamefur if she was on a patrol?" Wavepelt commented drily.

"Well... no," Blossomleaf admitted. "I'll go ask him."

She darted out of the den. In a few heartbeats, she came back. "He's not there either!"

Wavepelt's suspicions rose. She didn't like it that both Frostclaw and Flamefur were out of camp. They're probably out together, she thought bitterly. Stay away from him, Frostclaw. Flamefur's my friend. And you can't stop that.

***

Wavepelt stretched happily. Finally, she could relieve her warrior duties along with Wheatwing. To think I spent almost a quarter moon there! She had made herself useful, of course, by helping Mintleaf every so often. But it wasn't the same as hunting or patrolling.

She padded out of the medicine den to see Flamefur organizing the patrols.

"Could I join a hunting patrol?" Wavepelt ran up to the deputy. "Mintleaf said I can assume my warrior duties now."

"That's great." Flamefur's eyes shone. "Frostclaw and I were going to go hunting. You can come too if you want."

"Okay." Wavepelt bounded over to him, ignoring the glare Frostclaw sent her way. I don't care what you think, Frostclaw.

"Where are we going?" she asked as the other patrols left camp.

"I was thinking that we could go to the Twolegplace border, with this freezing leaf-bare," Flamefur mused.

"That's a good idea," Frostclaw supported. Flamefur's fur prickled nervously with her gaze.

"Uh... should we go?" Wavepelt broke in. Flamefur obviously felt awkward with Frostclaw.

"Yes...yes, let's go." Flamefur relaxed and strode confidently to the gorse tunnel. Wavepelt followed him and fell in step with him.

"Listen, you can tell me what it is about Frostclaw," she whispered urgently. "I know you feel awkward around her."

"Well, you shouldn't care," Flamefur murmured. "You actually have what you want. You don't need me."

"Wha... what do you mean?" Wavepelt glanced back and saw Frostclaw approaching. This had to be quick. "I still want you as my friend! Why are... you going with her?" She knew that Flamefur understood what her was.

"Didn't—" Flamefur was cut off by Frostclaw pushing Wavepelt aside.

"Let's get on with this hunting patrol." The black and silver she-cat nuzzled Flamefur, who tensed but didn't pull back. He just lowered his gaze.

Um... who exactly is leading this patrol? Wavepelt glared coldly at Frostclaw. Not you.

"We're going, we're going..." Flamefur walked through the forest, staring at his paws. Wavepelt had never seen him look so uncertain.

At Tallpines Wavepetl saw a squirrel running through the snow. The Clan needs it! She dashed off, ignoring Frostclaw's "What are you doing?" The squirrel wasn't that far away. She should be able to catch it.

Wavepelt couldn't believe her luck when the squirrel stopped. With a leap, she caught it and nipped its spine. She picked it up and brought it over to where Frostclaw and Flamefur were standing.