Needing to Speak

Deadfrost sighed, and laid his head against the tree branch. The sun was poking through the branches, and warming his fur. He stared down at the slushy snowmelt. That snow is melting like my life.
He began to sway one paw off the side of the branch. Why is life so hard, StarClan?
No answer. The scarred warrior frowned. He was being foolish. Why have I lost so much? Questions raced through his head like birds on a windy day, but they always ended in one question:
Why did Featherfall leave?

Leopardheart sat on a high branch, green eyes like twin emeralds. She stayed silent.

Deadfrost heard a bird chirp from somewhere above. Some quick prey for Firefly would do. I can't sit here all day.
He sat up, and gazed upward. He jumped, spotting a golden-spotted pelt. The bird fluttered away, shrieking an alarmed call. "Oh..hello, Leopardheart."

Leopardheart blinked in responce. "Hello."

Deadfrost fell silent for a moment. "Have you ever felt like...you life's falling apart?"

Leopardheart smiled grimly. "What do you think?"

He pondered. "I suppose you have." He sighed, and looked into the horizon. "I've felt like that lately...with the tension, Sunset hating me, the betrayal...sometimes I think it's all my fault. I don't know why." He looked at the deputy. "Am I worth anything anymore? To you? To the Clan?" He lowered his gaze once more. "I probably sound like an idiot."

Leopardheart yawned. "If you're an idiot, then the clan is full of idiots. You're not, Deadfrost. The clan needs everyone. Except for the traitors."

He allowed a tiny smile, but it only lasted for a moment. "You would have made her deputy, wouldn't you have?" he asked, more curiously.

Leopardheart shook her head. "No. Ever since I trained her...I saw something in her that would make her weak."

Deadfrost was surprised. "All cats has some sort of weak spot, but...running away from their Clan? You should have heard what she said to me. The lies. She said I was overwhelming her, and yet, I wanted to impress her. But no. She has to run away like a coward, and makes an excuse that she needs to protect those pathetic cowards!" His words were cold and spat out like grit. "And...and she took all the kits. She left not one. She is a jerk and a coward and a cheater. I bet she was mooning over Bramblestar for her whole life."

Leopardheart stared ahead silently. "Hear me, Deadfrost. When you least except it, your closest friends will betray you."

Deadfrost thought. Darkshadow...she's remembering Darkshadow. He dug his claws into the tree branch. When his mouth opened, nothing came out. He felt a gust of wind buffet his flanks. "Thank you," he said finally. "You are the only one who understands." He hopped nimbly onto another branch, and onto the ground. He took one last, long breath, and headed back to camp.

OCC: ENd?

OOC: Yesh.