CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER CW: Purposeful misgendering
Dahliapaw could tell Petuniapaw was hiding something.
Despite the two’s punishment being over for about a moon now, he noticed that they were still leaving camp in the early hours, usually taking a piece of prey or small herb bundle with them. At first they lied and said they were heading to the dirtplace, but eventually they stopped telling the lie and just outright said nothing when they returned in the early hours.
Dahliapaw growled. Leaf-bare had begun just days prior, and according to Blossomstar, it was bound to be a harsh one. Snow was already beginning to cover the ground, and cats huddled in their dens at night to keep warm.
Once again Petuniapaw had left their nest and stalked out of camp, and this time, Dahliapaw followed.
He made sure to stay far enough behind for his scent to be faint, but close enough to see where his sibling was going. He kept his pawsteps light, trying to avoid the usually satisfying crunch of the snow beneath him.
The two walked for a while, and Dahliapaw could feel his paws beginning to grow sore. He didn’t like walking much, and was relieved when Petuniapaw finally made it to their destination. He crouched behind a large rock, resting his front paws on his tail to avoid getting too cold. He was confused when Petuniapaw slipped into a makeshift bush den, and even more confused when he heard voices.
“Thank you again for doing this, Petuniapaw.” The voice was gentle, a hint of a purr in the speaking cat’s tone.
“It’s no problem, Amber.” Petuniapaw purred in reply. They could be heard settling down. “How are the kits?”
Kits? Dahliapaw’s fur bristled, and he held back a growl. Petuniapaw was helping outsiders! Surely this was against the rules!
“They’re fine, sleeping now,” Amber was saying. “It’s about time I gave them names. Would you like to name one, Petuniapaw?”
Dahliapaw heard Petuniapaw gasp. “What? Me? Are you sure…?”
“I’m sure. You’ve helped me so much, without you…I think we wouldn’t be here.” Amber chuckled. “Go on, name whichever one you’d like.”
“They’re both she-cats, correct?”
“Mhm.”
“Okay,” There was a brief silence, and Dahliapaw assumed they were thinking. “I want to name the black one. Maybe…Briar? Her fur is all fluffy, and it looks kinda spiky…”
“Briar is a good choice.” Amber said. “I suppose it’s my turn..I’ll name my other daughter Maple. Her colors…The name fits her.”
“Briar and Maple…Those are good names!” Petuniapaw laughed, and Dahliapaw’s ears pinned against his head.
“They are,” Amber murmured. “I hate to cut our meeting short, but I feel tired…I don’t want you to get caught out here. I think you should head home, for your own good.”
“Okay…Bye, Amber. Bye, kits!” Petuniapaw could be heard standing.
“Goodbye, Petuniapaw.”
Dahliapaw watched as Petuniapaw exited Amber’s den, and when they started to walk home, he followed.
…
“Great StarClan, how much sleep did you two get?”
Dahliapaw sleepily blinked up at Hazelcrest as she spoke. It was the dawn patrol, and he had been sent along with Hazelcrest, Rosewing, Petuniapaw, Lilyeye, and Treewhisker to check the borders.
He hadn’t slept much since returning home. He was too busy thinking about Amber, and how his own littermate was blatantly breaking the warrior code!
He didn’t know what to do, who to tell.
Rosewing puffed out her chest at Hazelcrest’s comment. “They’re growing toms, they must need more rest than us warriors!” She purred.
Lilyeye scoffed. “Petuniapaw isn’t a tom anymore, Rosewing.”
Dahliapaw could see Rosewing’s demeanor shift in an instant, and she gave Lilyeye a glare. “Are you claiming you know my kit better than I do?”
“At this point, Rosewing, maybe I do.”
Rosewing’s claws unsheathed, and she growled, only to be interrupted by Treewhisker’s voice.
“Stop it, you two. You’re acting like a couple of squabbling kits. Look, an EagleClan patrol.” The tom’s voice was soft, yet still stern as he gestured towards the border.
The group of cats stopped to speak with the three EagleClan cats, dipping their heads in greeting.
“Yewsplash! Hello!” Lilyeye exclaimed, stepping forward to touch noses with the calico she-cat.
Yewsplash responded with a purr, nudging her friend. “Good morning, Lilyeye!”
“How’s EagleClan?” Treewhisker asked, stepping forward.
The expressions of the EagleClan cats dropped, and they shuffled their paws awkwardly before one of the warriors, Tansystone, spoke.
“So far…Not well.” He said quietly, his gaze fixed on the ground. “Valleystar’s kits are sick with kittencough, and I’m afraid Gorgefeather isn’t doing too well either.”
“Oh, so sorry to hear that.” Lilyeye murmured, a solemn look crossing her face. “I do hope they recover. If there’s anything we can do, please let us know.”
“Thank you. I knew we could rely on CraneClan.” Yewsplash smiled, before looking down at the smaller she-cat by her side. “Oh! Mistpaw, would you like to say hello to the CraneClan cats?”
Mistpaw, who Dahliapaw noted to be only about seven moons old, shook her head.
“That’s alright.” Yewsplash looked up at the CraneClan patrol. “I apologize, she’s a bit shy…Still getting used to apprentice duties and all.”
“Oh, we completely understand. Our apprentices aren’t talkers either.” Treewhisker chuckled. “Well, we don’t want to keep you long. We’ll be on our way now. Goodbye!”
“Bye, now!” Tansystone meowed, and the two groups remarked their borders before parting ways.
“Sounds like EagleClan is weak,” Dahliapaw said when they were far enough away. “We should invade their camp! Take their herbs, their prey, their-”
“Don’t be mouse-brained, Dahliapaw.” Lilyeye snapped.
Rosewing lashed her tail. “Never speak to my son that way again!”
Hazelcrest groaned. “Save it, both of you. Stars, my head hurts…”
The rest of the patrol was silent, with many unspoken words lingering in the chilly air.
