Forestblaze trotted up to Oakfur and flicked his tail at him warmly. 

            "Have you eaten yet?" he asked lightly. 

            "Not yet, would you like to share a mouse?" replied Oakfur kindly. Forestblaze nodded and the two brothers took a mouse to share in the shadows of a few brambles. 

            "Oakfur," said Forestblaze excitedly. "I need to tell you something..." Oakfur nodded, slightly worried. 

             "What is it? Good news or bad?" he asked. "Please don't tell me if it's bad." Forestblaze's eyes sparkled. 

             "Brightbramble and I..., we're mates!" cried Forestblaze. Oakfur sprung up at the news and nuzzled Forestblaze happily. He purred loudly. 

             "That's great!" he exclaimed. "I'm so happy for you." And he was. His face stretched into a happy smile and he purred loudly. 

             "Thanks," Forestblaze said. "But that's not all, we're going to have kits!" Oakfur's eyes almost popped out. He licked Forestblaze on the forehead. 

              "That's great!" He shouted happily.

              "Thanks," Forestblaze purred. They settled down and ate the mouse, both of them talking excitedly about kits. 

               "What are you going to name one?" asked Oakfur. 

               "I don't know, but I was thinking Larchkit," said Forestblaze. "But of course I'm going to have to chose with Brightbramble." 

                "Did I hear my name?" said a voice. Oakfur turned to see Brightbramble slip in next to Oakfur and Forestblaze. Forestblaze nuzzled her lovingly. It warmed Oakfur's heart to see Forestblaze so happy. He smiled and slipped away to give some time alone for the two mates. 

                 "Oakfur!" called Softpaw, the sleek apprentice raced to Oakfur's side. 

                 "Yes Softpaw?" inquired Oakfur. 

                 "Finchjump asked me if you wanted to come on patrol with us. You don't need to," explained Softpaw. 

                  "Yeah, who's on the patrol?" nodded Oakfur. 

                  "Finchjump, Wolfclaw and Silentwhisker," said Softpaw. "And me of course." Oakfur crinkled his nose and apologised. 

                  "Sorry, I can't come actually," he said, looking away. He felt slightly guilty but he did not want to be anywhere near Wolfclaw. 

                   "Right, ok, thanks," smiled Softpaw before trotting away. Oakfur slipped into the warrior's den. He felt a gloom settle over him. His thoughts clouded over. How much he hated Wolfclaw.