Warriors: Deerleap's Loss (Complete)

Chapter 18

 A few days passed since the truth has been revealed to Iceskin. The tom stopped talking to Deerleap, Ferretbounce, and Turtlepond. He didn't talk to Irissmoke either, which saddened the she-cat.

 However, the three cats were always there for Irissmoke, especially Deerleap, and he promised to never leave the she-cat's side.

 Deerleap padded back in camp with a frog dangling in his jaws. He couldn't stop thinking about what Iceskin said. He's such a fox-heart! First, he was worried about his sister, and then he stops talking to her!

 The pale brown tom padded over to the fresh-kill pile and dropped the frog. Then, he padded over to his friends. ''Did something happen while I was out of camp?'' He asked.

 Turtlepond shook his head. ''Nope, nothing at all.'' He meowed. 

 Ferretbounce nodded. ''The Clan is so boring now.'' He rolled his eyes.

 ''At least there's peace.'' Irissmoke mumbled. She hasn't been herself lately. 

 Deerleap sat next to her. ''Are you still thinking about Iceskin and what he said?'' He asked. 

 Irissmoke nodded. ''He still hasn't talked to me.. I don't think he will ever forgive me.'' She sighed.

 Ferretbounce hissed. ''Your brother is such a snake-heart! He shouldn't forgive you, because you did nothing wrong. You should forgive him.'' He meowed.

 ''Iceskin is crazy, though.'' Turtlepond meowed. ''He wanted to attack Deerleap. And he would have, if Irissmoke didn't stop him.''

 Irissmoke was still silent. She just rested her head on Deerleap's shoulder. ''Thank you for being by my side.'' She purred.

 ''And I will always be.'' Deerleap vowed.

 Irissmoke sighed, relieved. ''I'm glad.''

 ''You two are a great couple.'' Ferretbounce purred. ''I'm happy for you both.''

 ''Y-You are?'' Irissmoke blinked. 

 Ferretbounce nodded. ''Of course! I'm not like your brother.''

 ''Me neither.'' Turtlepond smiled. ''Also, when are the kits coming?''

 Deerleap froze. He looked at Turtlepond, who had an innocent look on his face. ''Turtlepond!''

 ''What? I was just curious.'' His friend purred. ''You two would be great parents.''

 ''Thank you.'' Irissmoke purred, flicking her tail. ''Ferretbounce, Turtlepond, you two are great friends. And Deerleap.. you are the best mate anyone could have. Thank you everyone, for being by my side.'' She purred. 

 ''No problem!'' Ferretbounce and Turtlepond meowed at the same time, then looked at each other.

 ''No problem. It's my pleasure, really.'' Deerleap smiled. 

 Irissmoke purred.

 ''Will there be new kits soon?'' Cactuskit asked, padding towards them. 

 Deerleap looked at the spiky-furred she-kit. ''Maybe.''

 ''We won't be the youngest kits anymore!'' Blackkit exclaimed, jumping up and down. 

 Their father, Mallowstripe, rushed over to them. ''He didn't say 'yes', so you still are the youngest kits. You have to wait.'' He meowed. 

 Eelkit huffed. ''Not fair!''

 ''It doesn't matter if you're young.'' Deerleap meowed, looking at the three kits. ''Sooner or later, you will all be the best warriors in ShadowClan. It won't be long until you're apprentices.'' He smiled.

 Cactuskit's eyes sparkled. ''Are you sure?'' She asked.

 ''Yes!'' Deerleap smiled.

 ''I'll be leader one day, just you wait!'' Eelkit purred. ''Eelstar, leader of ShadowClan!'' She smiled.

 ''And I'll be deputy one day!'' Blackkit smiled. ''Maybe not your deputy, Eelkit, but I'm sure I will be!''

 ''You have to work hard to become deputy.'' Echoflower meowed, padding towards the kits.

 ''Well, we will work hard!'' Cactuskit purred. 

 ''I'm sure you will. Now come on, your mother is waiting for you.'' Mallowstripe meowed.

 ''Aww! Goodbye!'' Blackkit meowed towards Deerleap, then rushed towards the nursery. His sisters, Cactuskit and Eelkit, followed. 

 Mallowstripe looked at Deerleap. ''Thank you for having so much patience with them.'' He meowed. ''I sometimes lose my patience, but you always seem to be calm. You're a good cat, Deerleap.''

 The pale brown tom nodded. ''Thank you for saying that, Mallowstripe. I always try to be as calm as possible.'' He meowed.

 Mallowstripe nodded, then turned and padded over to the fresh-kill pile. 

 Deerleap flicked his ears and noticed that Ferretbounce and Turtlepond were arguing once again. He rolled his eyes.

 ''Yes, they're arguing again.'' Irissmoke let out a short laugh. 

 Deerleap looked over at her. ''Do you want to go for a walk?'' He asked. 

 The she-cat nodded. ''Sure.''

 Deerleap got up and padded out of camp, with Irissmoke following him.

 ''The territory sure is beautiful, isn't it?'' Irissmoke asked, looking around. The birds were chirping in the trees. All kind of prey lurked around the territory.

 Deerleap nodded. ''It sure is.''

 Then, the tom noticed a blue flower. He rushed towards it and carefully picked it up with his teeth, then padded over to his mate.

 ''Irissmoke?'' He asked. 

 The she-cat turned, and right then, Deerleap placed the flower by the she-cat's right ear. He purred. ''You look beautiful.''

 Irissmoke blinked with surprise, then broke into a purr. ''Thank you. You're so kind, Deerleap. I don't know why Iceskin doesn't like you.''

 Suddenly, Irissmoke looked sad as she thought of her brother. Deerleap gave her a lick on the ear. ''Don't think about him, it's his loss if he isn't happy for us.'' He meowed.

 The dark blue-gray she-cat nodded. ''I.. I guess you're right.'' She whispered.

 They continued to walk for a while, then it started to rain and they took shelter under a tree by the edge of the territory.

 ''Do you ever miss RiverClan?'' Irissmoke suddenly asked. 

 Deerleap looked at her. ''Well, I sometimes do, but I never regret joining ShadowClan.'' He meowed. ''What about you?''

 ''Not really.. I feel more protected in ShadowClan than I ever was in RiverClan.'' Irissmoke meowed, then she looked worried. ''Would you.. Would you ever leave me to join RiverClan again, to be with your parents?'' She asked.

 Deerleap looked at her, surprised. ''Of course not! I love my parents, but I love you too. I would never leave you alone here.'' He meowed.

 ''A-Are you serious?'' Irissmoke asked.

 Deerleap nodded. ''Yes, I am, Irissmoke. I love you with all my heart, and I would never forgive myself if I left you.'' He meowed.

 ''Thank you.'' Irissmoke purred, sitting next to her mate. She watched the rain.

 ''You know, I'm starting to get over the fact that Iceskin stopped talking to me.'' Irissmoke meowed. 

 Deerleap sighed, relieved. ''I'm glad. He didn't bother you after that, did he?''

 Irissmoke shook her head. ''No, he didn't.''

 ''I'm happy to hear that.'' Deerleap purred. ''I promise to never leave your side. I'll always protect you, no matter what happens.''