I wanted to write in Dovewing's POV so here!
“I don't like this. At all,” Dovewing murmured. “It feels really bad to now be... useless to our clan.” She clutched onto her ears. “Why couldn't we just keep doing what we always had? Why did they have to be taken away?”
Jayfeather answered dully. “It's probably for the best. I don't think the other clans would've liked if ThunderClan had a short but potential spy, a mind reader and an invincible warrior.”
Lionblaze only nodded, and it made Dovewing's heart twist and caused her to briefly ignore the slight on her height. They had taken the loss of their sister harshly, becoming more secluded each day. And now the loss of their powers.. She felt almost a bit more unwelcome with them now then she had in the start, Dovewing wasn't nearly as close to them as Hollyleaf had been. She was close with them, but not that close. They were littermates, their bonds were obviously meant to be tied with their sister, not their younger and wimpier cousin.
But then again, she was just playing the victim card. They were grieving, she knew that they were allowed to. She bounced up and giggled mischievously.
“I don't think you can call me short when I'm taller than the shortest and scrawniest tom in ThunderClan,” Dovewing's eyes twinkled with hope as Lionblaze snorted with laughter while Jayfeather hissed in exasperation.
“The second you got taller than me,” he muttered under his breath. “Also the second I lost all hope in reality.”
“There's still Hazeltail,” Lionblaze pointed out. “That is, if she doesn't get a growth spurt.” Jayfeather glared at him before sighing.
“She got one. Last sunrise.”
Dovewing bit back a snort of laughter. Jayfeather was officially the shortest cat in the whole clan. It was very amusing, as he would now be recognised by her as a small ball of anger.
“Dovewing, no,” Jayfeather poked her face. “I am not small.”
“I beg to differ,” Lionblaze smirked. “You were scrawny and small the moment you were born.”
Jayfeather seemed to have given up on arguing, and just laid in self pity as she and Lionblaze lamented about how short and small he was and how it made him seem so nonthreatening.
“Hey,” Ivypool appeared from the bushes and slowly walked to Dovewing. “Whitewing really wants to… talk with you.”
She seemed uncomfortable in the others presence, and Jayfeather seemed to be looking straight at her.
“Okay!” Dovewing said, keeping up the bubbly persona as to pretend to not have noticed. “Lead the way.”
“Bye Dovewing,” Lionblaze waved his tail in farewell while Jayfeather merely nodded. She waved her tail in farewell and bounced after her littermate.
“So, you’re still with Bumblestripe?” Ivypool sniffed as they moved along the forest, not hesitating to hide her distaste. “Didn’t he really mess with you, and like, pressure you into it? Is he really better than Tigerheart?”
“Yes, he did do all of that. And maybe even Tigerheart was a better choice” Dovewing responded carefully. “But he won’t give up. And if being his mate makes him happy, I’ll risk my own. For a while. Don’t worry, I will stop it once it gets worse.”
“If you say so,” Ivypool reached to a stop. “She’s over here. Please hear her out on some of it Dovewing, I know you probably won’t like it, but try to understand where she's coming from.”
Okay, that doesn’t get my hopes too high.
Dovewing nodded and moved towards her mother. Whitewing turned towards her, eyes kind and understanding.
“It’s nice to see you,” Whitewing smiled. “I really haven’t seen much of you lately, as you’re always off with Lionblaze and Jayfeather one way or another.” There was no scorn, only a bit of hurt in her voice.
Dovewing blinked. “Well, they’re my friends, and I like to believe I’m theirs as well.”
“Yes, but you also seem to be neglecting Ivypool, and your mate…”
Dovewing blinked rapidly, shocked. “I don't mean to! Ivypool never seemed upset. Do you think I-”
She sighed. “Do you… like Bumblestripe? You never seem to be close to him, and he is your mate after all.”
Dovewing hummed. “Is that all you wished to tell me?” She tried to keep her ears from twitching impatiently, not keen to discuss her mate with her mother of all cats.
“Yes,” Whitewing said, and with the dismissal Dovewing bounded away, back to camp where she could surely get away from Bumblestripe by hiding in the elder's den with her friend, Purdy.