Where Loyalty Lies

Dreamstar glanced up as she saw Singe and Burst pad into the camp. Singe was carrying the lifeless body of Silhouettegaze. Her eye's widened, and she stared at the young warrior. Singe stare at the ground, tears flowing quietly. Dreamstar glanced at the Nursery. She saw Strongspirit look out of the den, and winced as the queen's eyes filled with disbelief. She wailed and ran over to her kit.

"Silhouettegaze! W-what happened?"

She looked up at Burst and Singe. Burst spoke.

"We were attacked. I couldn't see who it was, but we fought them off. But Silhouettegaze was too badly injured. She died before we even got close to the camp. We came straight back, so I don't know where the rest of the patrol is."

He spoke to Dreamstar, not Strongspirit who had her face buried in the she-cat's fur.

"This is the second warrior that has died this moon. The clan shall mourn for her, and honour her spirit. We'll prepare her for vigil."

Nestflame padded up to Silhouettegaze and Singe. He gave Strongspirit some poppy seeds and thyme. She licked them up self-consciously. Singe stared at the herbs, and licked them up, but only because Nestflame was watching carefully. Crowkit, Featheredkit and Sweetkit watched from the den, their eyes wide as they watched their mother grieve. Silhouettegaze's siblings padded up to Strongspirit, and lied down next to her. Wanderpath licked her mother's ear.

"She's with Markstar now."

Strongspirit nodded slightly, and Maple swept her three young kits away from the entrance back into the den.

"She'll be okay, come sleep. It's getting late."

The three kits nodded and curled close to Maple and her two kits.

The rest of the patrol soon came back, little bits of prey in their mouths. Ridgefeather saw Silhouettegaze then looked at Burst who was still standing near by. This was the first time Burst had every looked directly at Burst. He gasped and stumbled backwards. Burst narrowed his eyes and turned his tail and walked away to the warriors den. Ridgefeather shook, and ran to Nestflame's den. He hesitated though, then took a deep breath and padded in. Nestflame was preparing herbs for Silhouettgaze's vigil. He looked up, his eyes flashing.

"What do you need Ridgefeather? I'm busy."

He took a shaky breath and spoke.

"I just saw Burst. His eyes. I've seen them before. Not just in the clan. Before that. I would never forget those eyes.  I-i think he was the one who attacked us. He tried to kill me."

Nestflame's head snapped up.

"How can you be sure? You could have been imagining stuff. You were mere tail lengths away from StarClan. Burst has been a loyal warrior ever since he came."

Ridgefeather looked shocked.

"Y-you don't trust me?"

Nestflame sighed, then his voice turned sharper.

"You left the clan Ridgefeather... You left your duties, and you broke the Warrior Code. So no, I don't trust you. How can I? I want things to be like they used to. I miss you. Like I miss Rosedawn. I lost you and her. How do you think that makes me feel as a mentor and a friend? You both had kits. It's not fair. I've always wanted to be a medicine cat, it was my dream. I don't want any other life. But sometimes, I wish I could fall in love. It's not fair how you both got off the hook when you broke the Warrior Code. If you can break the Code, then why can't any cat?"

Ridgefeather looked away.

"I never wanted-"

Nestflame shook his head.

"I'm busy. I have a clan to look after, as you saw a warrior just died. The last time I checked you had kits to go and see."

Nestflame flicked his tail and turned away, not wanting Ridgefeather to see the deep sorrow that was in his eyes. Ridgefeather shook slightly, and started to pad out. He just caught the quiet whisper of Nestflame.

"Though, I'm proud of you Ridgefeather. You've turned into a fine cat, and you make a good father."

The warrior in training didn't respond as he padded across the clearing. Licking Silhoettegaze's pelt before he went to the Nursery.