Folly of the Altruist

"A lean leaf-fall faded into a desolate leaf-bare, each hunting patrol’s meager catch celebrated like it was the most food the clan had ever seen. [...] Thrushpelt went out with nearly every patrol despite the ache of his limbs and the growling of his stomach. [...] Before he makes it [to his den], Swiftbreeze passes by with a tired slump to her shoulders, on the way to the fresh-kill pile; Thrushpelt knows she’s recently had another litter, and the three kits must be hungry… [...] he sets the mouse down and calls to her, [...] 'Here, you can have this mouse - there’s not much over there.' [...] Glancing back at the fresh-kill pile, he confirms his suspicion that there is no longer a fresh-kill pile. Unfortunate, but he’ll be okay - he’ll just have to wait for the next patrol."A take on Thrushpelt's death, based on the idea that he may have starved as a result of not eating, in favor of leaving prey for his clanmates.Other characters (Swiftbreeze, Bluefur, and Featherwhisker) make appearances, but Thrushpelt is the only major character, so they're not tagged.