~chapter 1~

Rosetail strolled across the barren clearing, passing Bluefur. She noticed her walk in the other direction toward the warrior's den. Bluefur always seemed to mope around these moons. She hesitated to strike a up conversation and just continued walking. She stopped under the shady part of Highrock, gazing at Thrushpelt. He watched Bluefur's tail disappear into the bramble walls of the warrior's den. "I've never seen a tom that... Longing before." Rosetail thought to herself, she wished she had a tom that would moon over her like how Thrushpelt mooned over Bluefur. Bluefur was a lucky cat. She sighed and lowered her body, laying down. She rested her head on her paws, drifting into a nap. She woke up with a stir, flicking the snow that had fallen onto her fur. She screwed her eyes and gazed around for Bluefur. She lifted her nose. No fresh scent. She gazed up at the blue-yellow sky and pink clouds. It was half-sun. She stretched as she rose up, padding to the warrior's den, tail flicking as she thought about Bluefur. She couldn't get her out of her mind. She couldn't tell if she was jealous or... If this was something more. When she stepped in her heart shook as she stared at the blue-grey warrior. She felt her heart flutter as she watched her flank rise and fall in her sleep. She then directed her gaze to Thrushpelt. He also was sleeping. She took a deep breath, trying not to step on any warrior's tail. She curled up into her nest, resting her head on her scruffy red tail. She glanced at where Snowfur once slept. Snowfur's death really had an impact on Bluefur. She never had a good relationship with Snowfur, but she knew how much grief Bluefur must've had. Rosetail shook her head, trying not to think about Sweetpaw. She closed her eyes, slowly drifting to sleep. She woke up to the darkness around her, hearing the skittering of Bluefur. Bluefur jolted out of her sleep and awoke with a scream "WHITEKIT!". Roseftail was worried for her but didn't want to say anything, she would just get in her way. She gazed at Bluefur as she disappeared into the nursery. She sighed, resting her head on her paws again. She glanced at Thrushpelt again who had managed to stay asleep. How could a tom who moons over her sleep like a kit?... Thrushpelt would be an obvious mate choice for Bluefur but... It didn't seem right. She felt her eyelids droop and closed them, going back to sleep once more. She could've sworn she felt a tail brush her nose but she opened her eyes to see... Most of the warriors had exited the den. Even Bluefur. Her tail flicked to the other side as she rose, feeling the yew branches graze her ear tufts as she padded out of the den. Her ears perked up seeing Bluefur. She steadied her gaze on Sunstar. They were conversing for a few minutes but Bluefur suddenly had a face of anguish, as if she'd been told horrible news. Rosetail was concerned for her, but Bluefur only nodded to Sunstar. She turned to the nursery and out came Thistleclaw. Rosetail didn't seem too worried, Thistleclaw was always nice. He was Snowfur's mate before she died. She drew her attention to Bluefur's expression. She didn't seem too happy, but she always had a spark of confidence in her eyes... "Oh, Starclan what am I doing?" Rosetail's thoughts cut in. She stared down at her paws, Bluefur probably knew she was watching her. She was always so smart like that. She took a deep breath and shook her head. After a few moments of silence, she gazed around. It was usually quiet around High-sun. She sighed and kicked the dirt a little, heaving up and padding across the bleak, dusty clearing. She stopped beside the Fresh Kill Pile, scanning the clearing for any cat. She lowered her head, shuffling the other prey aside. She landed her gaze on a vole. It was fresh and juicy. She picked it up, making sure not to drop it when she got up. She always had a habit of not having a good grip on her food. She began to make her way across the clearing again. She flinched at Bluefur's call "There's Rosetail!" She sounded oddly relieved. She tossed the vole back onto the Fresh Kill Pile, Bluefur never was a big fan of voles. She glanced around awkwardly for a moment "You and Thrushpelt make such a great couple!" She exclaimed, trying to make conversation. Bluefur began to back away and Rosetail felt her stomach sink. She didn't want to say that and she hoped Bluefur knew. But Bluefur just looked uncomfortable. "He-he's a good friend," Bluefur blurted and stumbled over her words. "But we're not a couple."
"Really?" Rosetail tilted her head
"I'm too busy with Whitekit to worry about stuff like that," Bluefur muttered, her ears flicking.
"But you must have time to look for a mate," Rosetail spoke with a desperate tone. She searched in Bluefur's eyes for some type of sign before continuing. "And Thrushpelt is obviously interested in you." She felt horrible saying that, Bluefur cutting off her thoughts. "Snowfur's kit is more important," Bluefur insisted. "Now that he's got no mother, it's up to me to look after him." Bluefur scowled. Rosetail shifted her paws. Rosetail stared at Bluefur as she seemed to zone out into her own little world. "I've just seen Tawnsyspots," Rosetail started, "He's in the medicine den. Say's he's too sick to eat. Maybe he'll stop being clan deputy."
"What?" Bluefur snapped from her thoughts. "Sunstar will have to appoint someone else." Rosetail shrugged, shifting her paws. She wanted to look calm like how Thrushpelt did. Bluefur blinked. "Stormtail?"
"Or Adderfang?" Rosetail suggested. Bluefur narrowed her eyes, going into deep thought again. Rosetail thought about the cats who could be deputies. Bluefur would be an amazing choice, she's smart, loyal, and cunning. She's such a minx. Rosetail broke out of her thoughts and spoke up, her brother would also be a good candidate. "Maybe Thistleclaw." Bluefur gasped at Rosetail's suggestion. Her face made her heart sink. "He's too young!" Bluefur exclaimed, relief washed over Rosetail. "He says he's going to be the youngest deputy the Clans have ever seen." Rosetail lifted her paw, settling it over her heart, imitating Thistleclaw. "No way." Bluefur shook her head. "He talks about it all the time, deputy!" Rosetail snorted, fixing the tuft on her head "As if Sunstar would give him the chance to lead us all into battle at the flick of a tail!" Bluefur's whiskers twitched with amusement. Rosetail's heart shook, she felt... Happy that Bluefur found it funny too. "I've got to go clear out the elders' den." Bluefur sighed, she suddenly sounded so disappointed. "See you later?..." She smiled at Rosetail, she felt herself shaking, paws jittering. "S-sure, Bluefur!" She watched Bluefur turn with a look of confusion painted on her face. She must think she's so weird... Rosetail facepalmed as the sun started to sink.

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Pub: 17 Jun 2023 04:34 UTC

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