Post by :c a i: on Jul 27, 2010 8:26:25 GMT -6
Tigerheart felt as though he had been rushed off his paws all day long. For some reason he had had very little peace and quiet over the past few days, since there was always some chore to be done or a patrol to be carried out or a fresh-kill pile to restock, and then there was the important job, welcome though it was, of training young Patchpaw. Of course, there was one extra task which had been half-present on his mind. Watching out for Rivermist's kits. Without realising it, he found himself making sure they were safe whenever he was in camp, though he quite determinedly ignored the reason for doing so.
After all, ThunderClan cats did not respond to idle demands from other Clans.
With all those things to be doing, it was a miracle that he had found a moment to himself this afternoon. With a sigh, Tigerheart realised it was to be expected. With numbers as few as they were, each ThunderClan cat would have to pull their own weight and probably someone else's as well. They didn't have the luxury of plenty of spare paws like ShadowClan, or a convenient and reliable source of prey like RiverClan. Though nobody dared say it aloud, ThunderClan was in a weak position. But if they all worked hard and-
How in StarClan's name does that lazy idiot have the time to do that?
Tigerheart's original train of thought was promptly aborted when he saw a giant golden-and-black figure slumped out in the sun, languidly licking its fur in apparent idleness.
"Flameclaw, you lazy old dog." Tigerheart rolled his eyes as he promptly padded up to his brother. "The rest of us have a hundred and one things to do, yet you still manage to lie here like an elder?"
Flameclaw only grinned up at his brother. "Now now, Tigerheart. What's got your tail in a twist? You've been brooding even more than usual lately."
"Absolutely no idea what you mean," came Tigerheart's short reply.
"Tell me, or I'll start a rumour about you and Doveheart."
Tigerheart glared at his brother, and for a long moment he seemed not to be about to reply. He licked a forepaw, letting the silence stretch out. Then he suddenly spoke, apparently switching the subject.
"D'you know any WindClan cats?"
"Erm... A few, I suppose. Why? Who've you been speaking to? Because if Firepool's complaining about that bet I made with him, I swear, he's-"
"No, you furball. Not Firepool." Tigerheart half grinned and half sighed at his brother's antics. "No, I just wanted to know whether you'd ever met a she-cat called Doveclaw before," he spoke nonchalantly, idly inspecting a paw as he did so. The picture of light conversation...
Unfortunately Flameclaw immediately grinned impishly. "Why? Have you been seeing a WindClan she-cat?Doveclaw? Ah, has a she-cat got you all hot and bothered, Tigerheart? Oh dear oh dear, little brother. Are you falling for a WindClan cat?"
"Be quiet, Flameclaw." Tigerheart said witheringly, scowling at the bigger tom. "Honestly. I can't talk to you about anything. Did you ever leave your apprentice days behind? You know, I think I'll make a up a rumour about you and Doveheart."
Flameclaw laughed gaily. "Well Doveheart is definitely out of your league," he grinned cheekily. "But to answer your question... never heard of her. Sorry, brother, you'll have to do your digging somewhere else. Just don't get mixed up with a secret lover or anything daft like that. I'm too busy watching that Lionclaw to keep an eye on you too."
Tigerheart cuffed his brother round the ear playfully, his bright golden eyes gleaming with amusement. "Get some work done like the rest of us instead of spying on Patchpaw's friends. Speaking of Patchpaw, have you seen her? I want to take her out for some battle training. It's been a while since we had a session..."
Flameclaw uncurled his great limbs and stood, stretching. "I think she's in camp somewhere," he yawned, looking around before yelling across camp.
"Swallowfang! You want to go hunting? Apparently I'm lazy, so I'm going to at least pretend to do some work!"
With a final roll of his eyes, Tigerheart bade his brother farewell and set off to look for Patchpaw.