Warriors: Deerleap's Loss (Complete)

Chapter 36

 ''Father, father!''

 Deerleap blinked as he saw Bearcreek rush over to him. He purred. ''What is it, Bearcreek?''

 ''Do you think Blackfang likes me?'' She asked, looking anxious. 

 Deerleap looked at her, and then at Blackfang. ''I'm sure he does.'' He purred and looked back at his daughter. ''You two have been really close, and I'm sure he likes you. But the question is, do you like him?"

 Bearcreek blinked in surprise, then nodded. ''Of course I do! But I think we're too young to be mates.'' She whispered.

 ''You two sure are too young to be mates yet, but soon enough, I'm sure you two will be together.'' Deerleap purred.

 ''Do you really think so?'' Bearcreek looked up.

 ''Of course! You're a great she-cat, Bearcreek. Just believe in yourself.'' He purred.

 Bearcreek purred and nuzzled her father. ''Thank you. You're the best father a cat could have wished for.'' She purred.

 Deerleap broke into a purr. ''Thank you.''

 Bearcreek backed off, purring. Then, she turned and hurried toward Blackfang.

 Deerleap looked after her, then padded toward his friends.

 ''What did Bearcreek ask you?'' Iceskin asked, tilting his head.

 ''Well, she asked me if I think Blackfang likes her.'' Deerleap told him.

 ''It's obvious he does! I was patrolling the territory with him yesterday. He kept talking to me about her.'' Turtlepond meowed.

 Deerleap purred in amusement. ''Then, they will surely be mates one day.'' He purred, then looked at Iceskin. ''By the way, did you ask Featherheart to be your mate?''

 Iceskin blinked, then nodded. ''I did.''

 ''What did she say?'' Turtlepond asked.

 ''She said yes.'' Iceskin purred. 

 Deerleap purred. ''Congratulations!''

 ''Congratulations!'' Turtlepond purred, flicking his tail.

 ''Thank you! I would spend time with her, but she's on a patrol now.'' He meowed, then looked at Deerleap as if he was silently blaming him.

 The tom blinked. ''Well, sorry, but all cats have to go on patrols.''

 ''That's true.'' Iceskin meowed, then stretched his paws.

 ''So, when are you two going to have kits?'' Turtlepond tilted his head.

 Iceskin froze, then looked at the black-and-ginger tom. ''I- Turtlepond! We just became mates!'' He hissed.

 ''Well, you kept asking me when I will get a mate, so it's my turn to ask you questions like that.'' Turtlepond purred.

 Iceskin huffed.

 ''You two act like kits sometimes.'' Deerleap purred in amusement.

 ''So do you!'' Turtlepond looked at him.

 He blinked. ''That's true, I guess.''

 ''Well, yesterday I saw you run after a butterfly like crazy.'' Iceskin meowed.

 Deerleap looked at him. ''Are you sure you weren't dreaming?'' He asked.

 ''Of course I wasn't!'' Iceskin huffed.

 ''Well, yes, I was running after a butterfly.'' Deerleap whispered, embarrassed.

 ''And you're also the Clan's deputy.'' Turtlepond teased.