ϟ ThunderClan ϟ The Fierce and Caring ϟ |☾ ☼ ϟ ≈ ☁| ϟ

Darktail shook her head, settling back into their nest. "No, no need to go bother them now. I'll have Peachdapple look at it later when I get back from patrol. Thank you." he replied softly, his heart swelling with affection for her. He curled back up, pressing against her as he closed his eyes. He sent off a small prayer to Petalsky, wishing for sweet dreams for Midnightstream and himself.

Jaytalon gave a nod of his head, it was a new concept to him, but he felt that he could get used to it. But would Wolfshadow agree to something like this? He shuffled his paws and looked back at Autumnfall, “Do you really think Wolfshadow would want this?” He asked.

Jaytalon’s fur warmed as Autumnfall brushed against him and returned the gesture, “I… I don’t mind.” He said, giving her a smile. Taking a deep breath, he turned to their current problem, “Well, I guess there’s only one way to find out. Did you want to go talk to Wolfshadow now? If you don’t want me to come, I understand. But I will if you want me too.” Jaytalon mewed

Jaytalon gave Autumnfall a smile and pressed against her, “Alright, let’s go together then.” He purred, moving back towards the camp. He truly hoped Wolfshadow would be okay with what Autumnfall was suggesting.

Hollowpaw lifted her head, catching first Yellowpaw’s scent, then Scarletpaw’s leaving the camp. She flicked her ear, wondering where those two could be sneaking off to. Hollowpaw hesitated for a moment before giving a firm shake of her head and scowling. If those two could sneak out, why shouldn’t she? She was tired of not having anything to do just because her mentor didn’t think she could do what the other apprentices could. Standing up, she waited for a moment, listening to the camp before moving towards the camp entrance. She just had to hope no one’s attention was on her at the moment. Following Yellowpaw’s and Scarletpaw’s scent, she pushed through the camp entrance and out into the forest.

“Well, considering we left at the same time, I’m sure the others would think we got into an argument or something if we came back separately.” Jaytalon chuckled, teasing her back. He nudged her gently, going back to his normal easygoing attitude now that they had finished with the serious talk.

Hollowpaw paused, not far from where Scarletpaw was. Was the other apprentice hunting? She lashed her tail and started moving again, feeling with her paws as she walked. As she took another step, her paw snagged on a root that she hadn’t felt and tripped over it. Letting out a hiss and a curse, Hollowpaw shook her paw out to get rid of the stinging pain.

“Oh, I know that already.” Jaytalon purred, following her into camp. His eyes scanned the camp, searching for Wolfshadow. Perhaps he was away on patrol already?

Hollowpaw licked her paw and tested it on the ground before answering Scarletpaw, “So what if I did? You gonna do something about?” She snapped back. It didn’t seem like she had sprained her paw, so that was good. She didn’t want to explain to Silentflare that she had tripped, it would only give him another excuse not to train her.

Wolfshadow had been grooming himself on the edge of camp, just enjoying some quiet for a few moments. He let out a yawn before glancing around camp. He spotted Autumnfall and Jaytalon. He frowned, seeing how close they were. Did that mean… he sulked inwardly.

Jaytalon turned his head when Autumnfall said she found him and quickly followed after her. He felt a sudden rush of nervousness as they approached Wolfshadow, suddenly feeling unsure.

Hollowpaw huffed, giving a harsh shake of her head at the mention of her mentor, “When has Silentflare ever given me anything to do other than stupid chores?” She growled, swiping at the roots of the bush that had tripped her in annoyance, “Besides, if you and Yellowpaw can sneak out, why can’t I?” Hollowpaw added, turning her blind gaze towards Scarletpaw.

Wolfshadow looked away from them as they approach. He moved to give his shoulder a few licks, wanting to seem busy. “Yeah I’m fine. Why?” He asked, voice clearly tense.

Jaytalon shuffled his paws at Wolfshadow’s look, suddenly feeling guilty even tho there was nothing for him to feel guilty about. He decided he would let Autumnfall do most of the talking, since she seemed to know more about what she was proposing than he did.

Hollowpaw gave a shrug, “Well… if you’re hunting, do you mind if come with you? I haven’t been able to work on my hunting skills lately, but I’m pretty good at tracking them down.” She said hesitantly, not sure if the other apprentice would even want her there.

Autumnfall glanced around, humming in realization that Wolfshadow did have a point. He would choose the quieter spots in camp. She looked back at him before taking in a breath.

“Okay, so. Uh. Jaytalon and I just came back into camp, but I had pulled him out because… I needed to tell him that I had feelings for him, for a very long time. See, going on that mess of a border patrol with Ghostscreech and Frostmoon, please don’t ask, made me realize that this entire time I’ve been holding back on feelings that just… need to be told honestly. So I told Jaytalon I had feelings, and he returned them.” She looked back at Jaytalon with a warm look again, before looking at Wolfshadow.

“But… the thing is, he wasn’t the only cat that I felt this way for…” She trailed, trying to imply it was him too.


Scarletpaw was tempted to tell the younger apprentice to buzz off, though the snappy she-cat reminded herself that Hollowpaw was in the same ditch she was. Even worse, Scarletpaw would have hated being minimized in training for being unable to see. It made her feel cross on Hollowpaw’s behalf.

“Know what? Yeah, you can join me. In fact, maybe we can help eachother out. If you can track the prey, I can catch it. I can even show you some sparring drills too, Southmist is decent enough at fighting to at least give me some challenges.”

“Huh? Won out…” Autumnfall was surprised at the words, before her eyes widened with realization and she shook her head quickly. “Oh, Wolfshadow, that- That’s not what happened. Look, I… Okay. I liked you, both of you, ever since I was an apprentice. A long, long time. You know that I’m not one to be shy, but… I didn’t say anything until now because I felt the same way about both of you, at the same time. There was no picking. I couldn’t. I still can’t. I know this isn’t the normal thing here, even if it was how my mother had her relationships in Twolegplace, but…” Autumnfall took a breath.

“Jaytalon and I talked, and I asked him if he was willing to accept that I loved him and I loved you… and if you’re willing to, I want you here, in the same way. It’s the only way I can explain it. You’ve been here for as long as I can remember. Every time you challenged me when we were apprentices, I fell deeper and deeper for you. That… I couldn’t ever change that.”