"Mistcloud is dead!"
Sparkstorm's grief filled voice rang out. The sickness in the Clan had only gotten worse, and the cold night must have killed her. Sparrowflight padded out of the den to see her body laying, motionless and lifeless, at the entrance of the medicine den. Her litter mate, Badgerstep, laid down next to her with his nose pressed into her fur. Since Heathersong had fallen ill, Sparkstorm had to deal with most of the sickness by herself. The greencough was spreading like wildfire. Sunpelt hadn't gotten any better, and her daughter, Lilystem, had also caught the deadly sickness. Tigerpaw was in the medicine den often, since her and Lilystem had become close friends.
Mistcloud's body was carefully dragged into the center of camp where everyone paid their respects. "This is awful." Sparrowflight turned to the voice to see Gingerpaw next to him, staring with wide eyes. Sparrowflight rested his tail on her back comfortingly "Let's go hunting." He whispered, trying to distract her from the death.
      They both padded towards the Shadowclan border to hunt. Suddenly, Gingerpaw's ears pricked up. "I hear something." She whispered, trotting ahead of Sparrowflight. Once Gingerpaw disappeared over the hill side, Sparrowflight began walking faster to try and catch up. Once he reached the top of the hill, what he saw made him gasp. Gingerpaw was bristling with anger, staring down a Shadowclan cat. "What's going on?" Sparrowflight asked, dashing down the hill to join Gingerpaw. "That Shadowclan cat stole my rabbit!" She hissed. The Shadowclan tom lashed his tail. "The rabbit crossed the border. That makes it Shadowclan prey." Another voice joined the tom's "Yeah, so back off mouse brain." Sparrowflight's eyes widened when he recognized the voice and scent of Blissnose. Her eyes widened as well, as she didn't realize this was his apprentice. "I'm no mous-" Sparrowflight put his tail over Gingerpaw's mouth, silencing her growl. "These Shadowclan cats are right. Gingerpaw you can go ahead and see if you can find more prey. I'm going to stay and mark the border." He said, with a glance at Blissnose. Blissnose nodded in understanding "Uh, Firestep, you can go ahead. I need to check something." Firestep narrowed his eyes "Do you need my help?" He asked. Was that concern in his gaze. Sparrowflight narrowed his eyes, feeling a twinge of jealousy. Blissnose shook her head. "I'm fine." She insisted. "Suit yourself." Firestep grumbled, turning and dashing away. Sparrowflight looked over at Blissnose "What was that about?" He asked. Blissnose giggled innocently "Sparrowflight, you know I would never be disloyal to you." She said, nuzzling into his neck fur. Sparrowflight looked around awkwardly, to make sure no one was there, before nuzzling her back, breathing in her scent. "It's been too long." Sparrowflight whispered. "Then meet me here tonight." Blissnose replied, licking his jaw. Sparrowflight nodded and pulled away "I will." Blissnose smiled "Then I'll see you then." She purred, brushing her tail over his cheek, before dashing away. Sparrowflight smiled, watching her leave. Once her pelt disappeared, he turned and ran in the direction Gingerpaw had gone. Sparrowflight kept running, but by the time he saw Gingerpaw, she had crashed into him, knocking them both to the ground. Sparrowflight got up, shaking out his pelt "What in Starclan was that for?" He asked irritably. "Sparrowflight, I smelled cats! On our territory!" Sparrowflight narrowed his eyes "Show me where." Gingerpaw nodded and took off in the direction of the smell, with Sparrowflight pelting after her. Once Gingerpaw stopped, Sparrowflight smelled the air "There were definitely cats here." He murmured. "We should follow the trail and report back to Hawkstar." Gingerpaw nodded and pressed her nose to the ground, trying to find the trail. Sparrowflight nodded in approval when she did and followed her. They walked for a while, Sparrowflight letting her take the lead to test her tracking skills. The trail led to the very outer edges of Windclan's territory. Gingerpaw stopped once they approached the thunderpath "The trail stops here." She meowed, looking back at Sparrowflight. Sparrowflight smelled the air, just to be sure, and realized she was right. He shook his head and sighed "We will go back and I'll go report this to Hawkstar." Gingerpaw nodded and followed her mentor.
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"So you smelled rogues?" Hawkstar questioned. Sparrowflight nodded "Yes. The trail stopped at the thunderpath." Hawkstar stayed silent for a moment, before speaking "We will step up our patrols near that side of the territory, but other than that, there's nothing we can do." Sparrowflight nodded "Am I dismissed?" He asked. Hawkstar shook his head. "I need to ask you one more thing." Sparrowflight tilted his head, confused "What is it?" Hawkstar cleared his throat before speaking "Someone reported to me that you weren't in your nest a couple nights ago." Sparrowflight gulped nervously. This was exactly what he'd feared would happen when he started meeting Blissnose. "Is there anything you'd like to tell me?" He asked. Sparrowflight immediately shook his head. Hawkstar sighed and flicked his tail "If it happens again, I'll want to know why. You're dismissed." Sparrowflight nodded "Yes Hawkstar." He stood up and turned around to exit the leader's den. Sparrowflight took in a breath. That was a close one.
        Once Sparrowflight left the den, he was surprised to see that the Clan seemed rather happy. Badgerstep was the only one still laying by his dead sister, despite everyone having paid their respects long before. Sparrowflight craned his neck to see that the cats were crowded around Antfoot and Icesplash. "They're expecting more kits!" Gingerpaw told him excitedly, standing next to Tigerpaw. "We're gonna have brothers and sisters!" Tigerpaw replied, sharing her sister's excitement. Sparrowflight smiled. Kits were always a thing that could cheer up a Clan, even in the worst times. Sparrowflight had noticed that the only cats who weren't congratulating the two were Badgerstep, who was still in grief, and Blazefire, who was whispering to Badgerstep. Sparrowflight shrugged it off and went over to go and congratulate Antfoot and Icesplash.
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Once the Clan was asleep, and Mistcloud's body had been removed, Sparrowflight looked around to make sure that everyone was sleeping. He hoped he wouldn't get caught, and part of him knew tonight was a bad night to sneak out. But he told Blissnose he'd be there, and he didn't want to let her down. He slowly crept out of the den as silent as he could be before stealthily squeezing through the dirt place tunnel and out onto the moor, running to meet his lover, and not caring about the consequences.