Chapter 10

 

Nettlepour looked at them in shock, “WHAT?!”

 

Tango flinched at her loud tone, “We’ve been seeing each other for maybe four-ish moons. You’ve never noticed her coming here?”

 

“No! Wait, aren’t she and Soulstream a thing?” Emberstrike meowed, turning towards Nettlepour.

 

“I thought so too…” Nettlepour replied, puzzled.

 

“Oh, I actually have an answer for that.” Tango interjected, “Foxheart said that her best friend could cover for us whenever we needed it. I only met them once, but I’m pretty sure it was a light grey tom with maybe green eyes? Wait, no. They were brown!”

 

“Ohhhhh, yep that’s definitely Soulstream.” Nettlepour meowed with relief.

 

“We should probably deal with the matter at paw.” Emberstrike  suddenly said, approaching Tango, “Why do you have Chattermoth and what in the world happened to him?!”

 

“I can answer part of that,” Nettlepour said softly, sitting next to the dead tom.

 

Emberstrike took a deep breath, “Okay, then what happened?”

 

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Emberstrike’s fur bristled as Nettlepour finished her tale. Tango dipped his head grievingly for the cat he hadn’t known. Why in the world would Slatestar do this?! My mother and my best friend? Why does he hate so many cats?!?

 

“Now, I can answer the first part,” Tango meowed, laying his tail softly on Nettlepour’s back for support as the she-cat grieved. “I come here from time to time, usually looking for or meeting Foxheart. Tonight we agreed to meet, and I decided to come a bit early. I was walking along, and saw this poor cat, practically drenched in blood. I couldn’t leave him for the crows, so I decided to bring him up here as I waited. Then you both came and we had this conversation.”

 

“Thank you for taking care of him,” Nettlepour said softly, “But I believe it’s time to bring him home.”

 

“Of course,” Tango said with a dip of his head, “I wish you good luck in figuring this out.”

 

A sudden thumping sound came from the log, the sound of pawsteps, “Tango? Are you here?”

 

Foxheart! Emberstrike recognized the ginger she-cat’s voice in an instant.

 

“I’m here!” Tango replied, seeming much happier when he heard her.

 

Foxheart made her way up to Carrionplace, “Are you okay? I smelled dried blood near the log- CHATTERMOTH OH MY STARCLAN!!!” She yelled in shock.

 

Emberstrike winched as Foxheart shouted, “Hello to you too.”

 

Foxheart’s eyes widened with panic, “Wha-what are you two doing here?” she asked nervously, gaze flicking back and forth between Emberstrike and Nettlepour. 

 

“We scented Chattermoth,” Nettlepour said softly.

 

Foxheart padded up to the dead tom, “How will Lilystream and Scorchclaw deal with this?” she murmured, “How will Frondpelt?”

 

Tango settled next to Foxheart, “I’ll be here for you for as long as you need me.” he meowed quietly.

 

Emberstrike watched the grieving cats, his own heart aching for he had lost his best friend, “Nettlepour, Foxheart, I think it’s time to bring him home.”