Darkness Within/Chapter 13

==Chapter description==
:It begins to become dark as Bristlefrost rests after the Sisters' ceremony. Rootspring and Needleclaw are out hunting while Spotfur and Bristlefrost are lying down in the Sisters' camp. Spotfur is beginning to feel calmer, like she had been reassured by the big she-cats' ceremony. The hunting patrol returns with lots of prey. Bristlefrost notes that the Sisters must have hunted like warriors when they did not look like them. Rootspring pads towards Bristlefrost and asks how Spotfur is doing. The she-cat responds that the queen is fine, while Snow gives Spotfur prey. 
:The Sisters' leader then walks towards Rootspring and tells him that she enjoyed hunting with him, and that his father taught him well. Rootspring explains that Tree was not his mentor. Snow is confused, as per the Sisters' tradition, toms teach their kits how to hunt. Rootspring concedes that Tree did teach him some things, while Bristlefrost adds that their mentors train them mostly. She continues to explain the mentor system.
:Snow is surprised, but takes her leave and goes back to the prey pile to find something for herself. Rootspring gives Bristlefrost some prey, while Sunrise warmly gazes at the two. Bristlefrost stiffens. The Sister comments that the Clan cat does not have to be shy while exchanging glances with Hawk. She says that she is happy that Tree's kin has found someone who clearly has feelings for him. Bristlefrost dismisses it, telling them that she and Rootspring are just friends. The surrounding Sisters seem to be unconvinced, while Bristlefrost and Rootspring repeat that they are just friends. 
:Needleclaw, who is watching, adds that they can only be friends and nothing more. Sunrise questions that statement. The Clan cat explains that Rootspring cannot be disloyal to his Clan. Snow asks why his Clan is involved. Bristlefrost shyly says that warriors cannot take mates from other Clans. Hawk asks what would happen if someone happened to fall in love with a warrior from a different Clan, and Needleclaw crossly responds that warriors are loyal to their Clans above all else. The Sisters question this further, and Bristlefrost says that they cannot protect their Clan if their heart lies in another Clan.
:Needleclaw tells the group of she-cats that the warrior code prohibits them from taking a mate from a different Clan. She brings up the point that the Sisters do not allow toms to live in the group. Snow explains that Sunrise's sister, Ice, chose a tom over the group, but they would welcome her if she ever decided to rejoin. Needleclaw retorts that there is no difference between the Clans' rule and the Sisters', but Snow says that the big she-cats do not shame their campmates for their feelings. The Clan cats start to argue about the rule, while Bristlefrost starts thinking about some other half-Clan romances, but persuades herself to stop finding excuses. 
:The evening begins, while Sunrise tells Spotfur where the queen's nest is. The cats leave to rest in their dens. Rootspring complains that his sister better not accuse him of being disloyal to Bristlefrost. The she-cat notes that they should not be in the clearing long, but Rootspring retorts that they might not see each other for another moon after their mission. The two talk about how they cannot leave their kin to be with a mate. Bristlefrost wakes up to see Spotfur eating a thrush. She notes that there are many Sisters, and asks Rootspring if he thinks Leafstar will not let them be on SkyClan land. Rootspring thinks that maybe some of the Sisters could stay behind, but Snow, overhearing the conversation, firmly tells them that they travel as a group together. They follow the Sisters across the fields, heading towards Twolegplace.
==Characters==
===Major===
===Minor===
===Mentioned===
==Notes and references==
Category:Darkness Within
Category:The Broken Code arc
Category:Chapter subpages