Veil of Shadows/Chapter 20

==Chapter description==
:Rootspring is crouched beneath a clump of ferns near the ThunderClan border. He tastes the air for ThunderClan scent, hoping that as long as he doesn't cross the border, he won't be in trouble if he gets caught. Rootspring's legs start to ache from crouching for so long, but he forces himself to wait for Bristlefrost. Finally, a cat emerges from the long grass. It isn't Bristlefrost, but Bramblestar's impostor, who heads along the border. Rootspring notices that the impostor's pelt looks dull, as if he hasn't groomed in the last moon. He briefly wonders where Bramblestar is going, but quickly dismisses the thought, knowing that it isn't time to confront the imposter yet.
:Once he is sure the imposter has left, Rootspring creeps closer to the border. He spots Bristlefrost on a hunting patrol with Molewhisker and Hollytuft. When the patrol is close to the border, Bristlefrost drops the vole she's carrying. Rootspring notices that, despite being too far away to hear what the gray warrior is saying, the older warriors look uncomfortable as they are given instructions. Rootspring risks padding a bit closer. He bushes out his fur to make himself look as big as possible. Bristlefrost's eyes land on him and they widen slightly. Rootspring motions for her to meet at a nearby tree, but the ThunderClan she-cat looks back toward Molewhisker and Hollytuft. Rootspring is relieved she doesn't give him away. Rootspring is now in earshot, and hears Bristlefrost mew that they have hunted well and the prey can be taken back to camp. Hollytuft asks, a little coldly, if Bristlefrost is going to come with them. Bristlefrost shakes her head and says that Flipclaw had asked if she could bring back a few sprigs of chervil if she could find any. Molewhisker says that they'll meet her back at camp, and he and Hollytuft collect their prey and head back to camp.
:As Bristlefrost waits until the warriors disappear into the undergrowth, Rootspring leaps onto a low branch of the tree, hiding among the leaves, and waits for her to join him. When Bristlefrost finally claws her way up onto the branch, she asks Rootspring if he has bees in his brain for showing up on the ThunderClan border. She also displays concern over the possibility of Bramblestar's imposter spotting him, and Rootspring asks where Bramblestar was going. Bristlefrost, irritated, replies that she has no idea. Rootspring then informs her that every cat, except maybe Squirrelflight, thinks she is a traitor, and asks Bristlefrost if it's true. Bristlefrost hisses indignantly and denies it. She says that she'd promised Squirrelflight she would protect Bramblestar's body, and that she is still on Rootspring's side. The gray warrior states that she never wanted to be named deputy, but figures that it'll be easier to defeat Bramblestar's imposter if she's close but working against him. Rootspring believes every word Bristlefrost says, but thinks that other cats might not. He asks again if she hasn't betrayed the Clans, and Bristlefrost snaps that she would never, and admits that it hurts that cats would think that of her. She tells Rootspring that she would never have thought so badly of him.
:Rootspring instantly feels guilty, but is relieved to know that Bristlefrost really is on their side. He apologizes for doubting her and says that if he hadn't liked her so much, he wouldn't have felt so angry when it seemed she had turned on them. Bristlefrost is shocked, and Rootspring's pelt is on fire from embarrassment, but he mutters that he can't help it. Bristlefrost tells him that they could never be together, and reminds him of the situation they're in because of cats breaking the code. Rootspring hesitates before asking her if she likes him back. Bristlefrost admits she does have feelings for him, but says there is nothing they can do about it.
:Rootspring painfully accepts the truth and changes the subject to the problem of Tigerstar and the attack on ThunderClan that is planned for the following day. Bristlefrost is surprised to learn the attack is going to be so soon. Rootspring replies that Tigerstar would have liked it sooner, and that they can't let Bramblestar's body be destroyed. Bristlefrost says that it's no problem to keep an eye on the imposter. Wistfully, she adds that she'll be glad when all the strife is over and everything can return to normal, and Rootspring agrees. Bristlefrost pauses, and then asks him if he thinks the rules will be looser, and that things that aren't possible now could become possible then. Rootspring realizes that she is talking about their future together, and he replies that it might happen. Bristlefrost suggests that if they both survive the battle, they could be together on the other side, and Rootspring enjoys the moment they are able to spend together.
:When Rootspring returns to SkyClan's camp, he sees Blossomheart and Nettlesplash escorting the imposter, bringing him to speak with Leafstar. Bramblestar asks if the SkyClan leader knows about the rumors of Tigerstar's planned attack. Rootspring briefly panics and wonders if Bristlefrost told Bramblestar about the attack, before reassuring himself that she wouldn't do that. Leafstar tells him she doesn't know anything. Bramblestar announces that he will be leading ThunderClan, RiverClan, and WindClan in a surprise attack against ShadowClan, and suggests that surely SkyClan will join the alliance as well. The assembled cats mutter among themselves in surprise, and Bramblestar spots Kitescratch, declaring in shock that that the SkyClan warrior was one of the cats involved in the attack on him. Kitescratch denies this before Leafstar sternly forces him to admit it and tells Kitescratch to leave the camp, to the shock and outcry of the SkyClan warriors.
:Leafstar tells Bramblestar that he should know where she stands, and that she greatly values the honor of the Clans. After he leaves, believing that she has agreed with him, she agrees with Hawkwing that Bramblestar is out of control and sends the deputy to fetch Kitescratch back, to Rootspring and Hawkwing's relief. Leafstar declares that no cat can tell her how to control her warriors, and says they will be fighting on ShadowClan's side in the upcoming battle, to the overwhelming support of SkyClan. She says that she has hesitated to partake in the conflict, but has finally chosen a side, and is determined to stop Bramblestar.
==Characters==
===Major===
===Minor===
===Mentioned===
==Notes and references==
Category:Chapter subpages
Category:Veil of Shadows
Category:The Broken Code arc