Pineshade's Loss

Chapter 20

Pinepaw pads out of the apprentices' den, taking a look around the sunlit camp. It is much warmer now and new leaves have started to grow on the deciduous trees. His pelt tingles at the sight of Spikepelt and Snowpetal, clearly flirting around with each other. Pinepaw decides to be nosy and listen in on their conversation.

"I've spoken to many toms in the Clan, but none of them have made me felt the way you do," Pinepaw hears Snowpetal purr, which makes Pinepaw feel ill. "Russetblaze has tried with me, but he never made me feel anything. You do make me feel a lot of things, Spikepelt, and none of them are bad things."

"You're the only she-cat in my eyes, Snowpetal," Spikepelt responds, giving her a forehead lick.

I can't believe my eyes. I knew they were close, but not this close! This makes me wonder if they had something going on while Spikepelt was still an apprentice. Pinepaw thinks.

"Revolting, right?" Pinepaw hears a familiar voice meow beside him. He spots Milkpaw from the corner of his eye.

"It is. She's not his age," Pinepaw responds with a flick of his tail.

"Can't they step outside of camp for this?" Milkpaw responds. "I wish Spikepelt went for some cat closer to his age," she adds.

"Does he have any other choice, though? There's no she-cats near his age that he could be mates with," Pinepaw questions.

"He does have other choices. Mousepaw is closer to his age than Snowpetal. They could've become mates once Mousepaw becomes a warrior," Milkpaw responds. "Or, he could've gone for Hawktalon or Ebonyfrost, who are even closer to his age than Mousepaw," she adds. "But, I guess it's not something I have a say in. He can love whoever he wants," she meows.

"You have a point," Pinepaw responds. "I can't wait until we can become mates," he meows.

"Why can't we now?" Milkpaw asks. "I mean, we're old enough. We would've been warriors by now," she points out.

"You keep making more good points," Pinepaw meows, starting to get flustered.

"So, are you up for it?" Milkpaw asks boldly.

"Milkpaw.." Pinepaw responds with a purr. "I-I'd love to," he meows.

"Yay!" Milkpaw cheers. Then, the cream-and-white she-cat's purple eyes widen. "By the way, I recommend that you don't look behind you."

However, Pinepaw, not taking his mate's advice, turns his head anyways. Right there, he spots Beetlenose getting up close with Stormmist.

Oh StarClan. We're all getting mates it looks like! Pinepaw thinks. After a little bit more chatting, Beetlenose touches noses with the she-cat before turning around to pad over to Pinepaw and Milkpaw.

"Ooh, Beetlenose!" Pinepaw teases. "I see you, you have feelings for Stormmist, don't you?"

At least there isn't a large age gap. Stormmist and Jayflight are only a little bit older than Hawktalon and Ebonyfrost. Pinepaw thinks.

"Be quiet," Beetlenose grumbles. "It's none of your business."

"You and Spikepaw loved to tease me about Milkpaw, but now I finally get me revenge on the two of you," Pinepaw meows with a purr of amusement and satisfaction.

"How did you two get close?" Milkpaw asks curiously.

"Snowpetal and Stormmist are best friends, so since I'm Spikepelt's best friend, Snowpetal set us up. I'm finally getting to know her better and I think I'm in love with her, Milkpaw," Beetlenose answers, heavy emotion evident in his amber eyes.

"How cute!" Milkpaw squeals. "I wish you two the best of luck! Stormmist is nice, a lot like her mother."

"She definitely did get her empathy from her mother," Beetlenose responds. "I think she's the sweetest cat I know."

The mention of Stormmist's mother, Bluepelt, made Pinepaw think back to when she insisted that ShadowClan should take in Frogpaw and told Pinepaw to take him back to camp.

It's sad that we lost such a good cat. Her mate, Gorsefall, was also a very sweet cat. It's sad to see them gone. Pinepaw thinks. Mousetail was her brother and he saved Juniperleaf from drowning. They must've had really great parents. We lost three great warriors to greencough.

"Pinepaw, are you there?" He hears Milkpaw meow, snapping him back into reality.

"Oh, sorry," Pinepaw meows. "I was spacing out."

"It's okay!" Milkpaw purrs. "Again, we have something to announce as well," she meows.

"Are the two of you finally mates?" Beetlenose asks confidently.

"How did you know?!" Milkpaw responds. Pinepaw lowers his ears with embarrassment as he could feel his face getting hot.

"I just assumed. Well, congratulations! Hopefully you two can finally become warriors soon," Beetlenose responds.

"Thank you," Milkpaw responds for the both of them. "I'm trying my best!"

That was the most embarrassing experience I've ever had. Pinepaw thinks.