Brookpaw came scrambling out of the medicine den when she heard that Rainfeather was back.

"I was so worried for you! I can't do this alone!" She meowed to her mentor. Rainfeather suppressed a mrrow of laughter.

Once Brookpaw and Rainfeather were back in their den, Rainfeather told Brookpaw all about the journey with Moonfall. Brookpaw was calm again, and she knew everything would smooth over.

Or she thought she knew.

***

Three sunrises had passed since the return of Rainfeather, Moonfall, and the kits, and Thornflower was as frustrated as a ShadowClan cat stuck in a patch of brambles. Ever since Autumnfrost found out Rainfeather had his kits, he paid little to no attention to Thornflower,

She was lazily watching her kits play, when an idea came to her. If he won't pay attention to me, I'll just have to pay attention to him.

So she began to think of a plan to ruin Rainfeather.

Later that day, Thornflower talked to Moonfall. Moonfall mewed that Birchleaf left her, and when Thornflower asked if Autumnfrost or Rainfeather knew, Moonfall replied that Rainfeather knew, but she didn't think Autumnfrost knew.

Wow. Thornflower thought Birchleaf is one of Autumnfrost's best friends, so this is working out nicer than I thought it would.

When the time had come for Thornflower's plan to unfold, she told Autumnfrost to go to the sky oak, and she told Frostfoot to get Rainfeather and Birchleaf there.

Once Autumnfrost, Rainfeather, and Birchleaf were at the sky oak, Thornflower launched her plan. She had told Birchleaf what to do.

Autumnfrost and his mate were murmuring to each other, when Birchleaf stepped out of the bracken "Rainfeather, could I talk with you? Alone" he added as Autumnfrost stepped forward.

Birchleaf and Rainfeather went just out of earshot from Autumnfrost, but they were still visible.

"Oh, Rainfeather" Birchleaf mewed "you've heard how Moonfall left me? She took the kit, too!" His mew was filled with mock-sadness.

"That's not the story I heard" Rainfeather hissed "I heard you left her for Frostfoot"

"Only because she left on the journey with you. I thought she had left me!" Birchleaf replied cooly "your sister betrayed me, so I did what I had to."

Autumnfrost's watching! Perfect... Thornflower thought happily. My plan's coming together!

"You were the one that betrayed her! Rainfeather growled, flexing her claws

"you're just like your sister, you know. A pathetic, insensitive fool. It's your fault I left Moonfall" Birchleaf sneered

"liar! Traitor!' Rainfeather screeched, launching at him, with her claws unsheathed. That was the one part Autumnfrost heard, and he watched, horrified, as Rainfeather clawed his best friend in the shoulder.

"Rainfeather!' Autumnfrost yowled "stop!"

She looked at him, rage smoldering in her eyes "he left my sister, Autumnfrost! How could such a fox-hearted liar be your friend?"

Autumnfrost held her angry gaze evenly "I know you're sensitive about your sister, Rainfeather, but you've just shown that our kits aren't safe around you." he mewed angrily.

"Autumnfrost!" Rainfeather spat, more furious than ever "how could you?! How are they going to be fed?" Her eyes were tearing up

"easy" Autumnfrost replied "Moonfall can feed them." And he turned around, heading back to camp.

Mouse dung! Thornflower thought. she'd hoped he wouldn't leave so soon 

"Autumnfrost!" Thornflower called, stepping out of the holly where she'd been hiding "come back!"

He turned around, startled, and padded back to her

"there's something I want you to know" Thornflower meowed, while the three other cats gathered around her "my kits" she began "you're their father."

All three cats around her gasped

"you betrayed me, Autumnfrost!" Rainfeather hissed "how could you have kits with someone else?" Tears were streaming from her eyes

"I- I didn't think i had other kits..." Autumnfrost replied "I'm sorry..."

Birchleaf backed silently away. no one except Thornflower noticed.

"Rainfeather, I can't stand you!" Thornflower hissed "you think your life has ended when Autumnfrost so much as turns away from you. How do you think I felt when you came back with his kits? He didn't even glance at me. He was too busy caring for you."

"I didn't think you were so upset..." Rainfeather whimpered.

"I hate you!" Thornflower growled, and sped back to camp

"Thornflower-" she heard Autumnfrost mew, but the rest Thornflower didn't hear. Whatever it took, she would separate Rainfeather and Autumnfrost.

A/N:

Brook: hey u can't just leave me (an inexperienced child) to take care of a whole community by myself for 3 days

Rain: lol haha but i did

side note to myself: please stop trying to write analogies.

Thornflower is giving mad scientist in this chapter.

dw if u dont understand whats happening. i dont either.

anyway hope u had a fun silly time + are looking forward to the next book !!