His heart did a childish flip flop of disappointment that he really was the problem, and his ears lowered. But how was Sunfrog flirting with him his fault? He hasn’t really done anything, had he? He felt a flare of annoyance. He’d barely been there a few minutes before she’d run off!

“We were just talking, Dawnmemories. And how was I supposed to know it would upset you? I didn’t even know you two were friends! Maybe you should tell your friends not to flirt if you don’t want me involved with them.” Sootstep clenched his jaw as he glared away, irrationally angry at her again. “Am I that bad I can’t even talk to cats you know? You think— what, that I’ll hurt them? Is there something so wrong with me you don’t trust me around them?”

"So what? She's too good for me? If she wants to settle for flirting with someone beneath her that's her initiate, it has nothing to do with you," he snapped back. He had no interest in Sunfrog as a potential mate, he didn't really see anyone that way, he was too busy trying to be a good warrior and wasting all his energy fighting with Dawnmemories all the time. He thought they were past this, but now he was starting to wonder if they ever would be. She couldn't let him do anything without criticizing it, could she?

Sootstep pulled away from her and pushed himself up into a sitting position, his tail tip twitching with rage that he was going to have to walk away from his own nest because she was still in it. Who insulted a cat while sleeping in their nest?!

he's big idiot

He stared at her hard, growing frustrated. What did that mean? She was making less and less sense with every word and it was making his head spin. He couldn't even be relieved that it wasn't his fault because he didn't understand why she had suddenly changed her mind. Sootstep glared at the edge of the den, clenching his jaw. This wasn't fair. She had no right to stop him from seeing other cats, especially if it wasn't even because of him, it was because she could't figure out her own feelings. That wasn't something he could influence. Was he supposed to give everything up just to keep her happy?

He hated how tempted he was.

"That's your problem," he dragged out, flashing her a cold look. "We're not together. You can't stop me from spending time with whoever I want. We were cuddling because it was cold and I was dying, that's all, so get your head on straight."

Sootstep was bristling. He knew he hurt her and he hated it, but he was too angry to care. The peace between them had been broken and he didn’t see that changing anytime soon. Maybe they just weren’t meant to get along.

“Great. I wish you a happy life,” he hissed, torn between bitterness and jealousy. He spun around and stumped out of the den.

Sootstep returned late that night to his nest and said nothing as he settled into it. He was careful to keep his distance from her nest, and there was no way he going to admit his nest had a nice smell to it after she'd laid there. Actually, he'd been careful not to say a word to her when he came in, or for the few days after. The dark gray tom kept to himself and kept an eye on her, especially who she was keeping company with.

But. The inevitable.

After a heated argument with the leader and deputy about changing patrols, he finally admitted defeat and sulked back to stand outside the camp. He was late for the patrol but who cared at this point?

The dark gray tom stiffened when he saw her drawing near, preparing himself with a sharp intake of breath, but she walked right past him. He frowned slightly, brow drawing together as he watched her head to the kill pile and then back out of the camp. Didn’t she know he was on her next patrol? Or was she just avoiding him?

She had been different lately. He had noticed that even as he tried to ignore her. He had missed much of her withdrawl, but he’d seen some of it, just enough to concern him. Not that he had any right to be concerned, he reminded himself sternly. He bit his lip, then reluctantly trailed over to give her a stiff nod.

“Ready?”

He followed after her quietly, but they had only gone a few steps before they were joined by a sleek bronze tom. “If I didn’t know any better I’d think you two wanted some time alone,” Ragingspire quipped as he settled into between them. “Unfortunately for you, I’m on this patrol as well.”

Normally Sootstep would have been relieved to see the friendly face, but he wasn’t sure how to feel now. He didn’t know what to say. It was like the last few moons were erased /again/.

“Great,” he muttered, “I’m thrilled you’re here.”

The older warrior pouted. “That’s it? What am I, dead fish?”

"I appreciate that. You're a very kind cat, Dawnmemories, unlike this oaf," he remarked with a smug grin. He spotted the she-cat in the distance."Sunfrog, good hunting?" Ragingspire called over to her, not seeming to care if he was disturbing prey - or maybe trying to flush it out for her, if they were extraordinarily lucky.

Sootstep caught her glare and rolled his eyes as he looked off. Trust Dawnmemories to insult his manners. He knew she didn't mean it that way and it wouldn't normally have bothered him, but with her being so strange lately, it ruffled his fur. He was still glaring moodily into the trees when Sunfrog appeared, and would've missed her completely if Ragingspire didn't call out a greeting. Ears pricked, his head snapped up, and he gave her a quick nod.

Ragingspire laughed, none too concerned that she was likely right, and ignored Dawnmemories as she passed on as well, rolling his eyes. "Someone must've spit in her nest this morning." Still, as the she-cat fled the bronze tom trotted after his patrol, swishing his tail.

Sootstep's smile was friendly enough, but it quickly faded as he looked after his friend, and his brow creased as his mouth fell into a frown. What was up with her today? She wasn't still upset with Sunfrog for the other day, was she? He thought he'd made it clear he could talk to whoever he wanted and it was none of her business. Thoroughly rankled now, he stalked after her with his tail swishing low between his heels. "What is wrong with her?" he muttered out of the corner of his mouth. The other tom glanced at him but didn't reply, just smiled knowingly as he led them to rejoin Dawnmemories.

"You know this is a group patrol. I'd rather not sprint all the way to the border, I was up late last night," Ragingspire told her as they drew near. "You really are eager to be done with us, huh?"