Warriors: Deerleap's Loss (Complete)

Chapter 28

 A few moons have passed since the badger attack. The Clan hardly moved on, but Deerleap was still grieving. After Irissmoke's and the three kits' death, Deerleap started sleeping in the nursery with Bearkit, then returned to his warrior duties during the day. He tried to play with her as often as he could.

 Deerleap padded back to camp with Eelpaw, forcing a purr. ''Your battle moves are improving.'' He meowed.

 Eelpaw looked at her mentor, her eyes sparkling. She purred and then padded away.

 Deerleap then looked at his paws and padded towards his friends and sat down.

 ''Hello.'' Turtlepond greeted him quietly.

 Deerleap looked at him, hesitant to speak. After a while, he finally spoke. ''H-Hello.'' He mumbled.

 ''Are you still grieving?'' Iceskin asked, worried.

 ''Aren't you?'' Deerleap hissed. ''She was your sister!''

 ''I know, but I tried to move on.'' Iceskin whispered, emotion lighting up his eyes.

 ''How can you just, move on?'' Deerleap wailed.

 ''Deerleap, look.'' Ferretbounce sighed. ''Would Irissmoke, Acornkit, Coalkit, or Featherkit want you to sulk around, or move on?''

 Deerleap froze, considering Ferretbounce's question. He looked at his paws, thinking.

 ''Move on, I guess.'' Deerleap sighed and looked back at his brother. 

 Ferretbounce sighed. ''Look, I know it's hard, but try to move on, all right? They're all watching over us from StarClan. Besides,'' He looked at Bearkit and Maplekit, who were playing in front of them. ''They both need us. Bearkit needs you.''

 ''I.. I will try.'' Deerleap sighed, and then looked towards Bearkit and Maplekit.

 ''You're the badger now!'' Bearkit purred. 

Maplekit shook her head. ''No, you are!''

 ''No, you are!'' Bearkit purred, jumping around Maplekit. ''Roar! I'll catch you!''

 Maplekit let out a playful shriek and jumped on Bearkit. 

 Deerleap purred. ''It's great how fast kits can move on.''

 ''True.'' Iceskin sighed. ''We should learn from them.''

 ''I agree.'' Turtlepond whispered. ''But Bearkit still looks like she's grieving.''

 Deerleap looked at his daughter. Turtlepond was right. Bearkit looked like she was expecting the badgers to come back any time now, because when Maplekit pinned the kit down, Bearkit began shrieking and pushed Maplekit off.

 ''Hey!'' Maplekit got up on her paws. ''It's me!''

 ''Oh, sorry.'' Bearkit got up and shook her fur. ''I was thinking about something else.''

 ''It's all right.'' Maplekit sighed.

 Deerleap looked at the kits. Maplekit seemed to understand what Bearkit was going through, because she was very patient with her.

 After a while, Bearkit looked tired. ''Can we stop playing? I'm tired.'' She yawned.

 ''Sure.'' Maplekit agreed. 

 Deerleap got up and padded towards Bearkit, but Sunflowershade was faster.

 ''Deerleap, you deserve a break. I'll take care of Bearkit for the rest of the day.'' Sunflowershade meowed.

 Deerleap dipped his head gratefully. ''Thank you.''

 ''No problem.'' Sunflowershade gently picked up Bearkit by the scruff and padded towards the nursery.