Turning of the Moon

The full moon's pale reflection danced upon the river's surface. Silver tongues of water lapped hungrily at the paws of two cats whose shapes were silhouetted against an expanse of stars.

The darker cat, a tom, playfully nudged the she-cat towards the river. He purred with amusement as his mate stumbled back, shaking off the chill water droplets that clung to her tawny fur.

"Coldstream! You now that I can't swim!" She took another cautious step back from the swirling water, her amber eyes narrowed.

"C'mon, Lilyfall, you know that I wouldn't risk your safety." Lilyfall turned her back to him, forcing Coldstream to take another step closer, resting his muzzle lightly atop her head. "I'll always be there to rescue you, love," he murmured.

Lilyfall snorted. "MistClan cats must think that they're immune to drowning."

Coldstream buried his nose in her fur, breathing in her scent. "No, but I'd do anything for love," he mewed.

She leaned into him, her gaze bright. "As would I."

Coldstream stood beside the river. Dusk had fallen and starlight dappled his dark pelt with silver in the gloom. His claws unfurled before him, tearing up grass with a quiet fury.

The moon shone brightly above them, a full wreath of light in the sky, unblemished by clouds. Coldstream sat across from Lilyfall, his pelt twitching as cats from other clans swarmed around them. Their chatter was maddening.

"What happened to us?" Coldstream asked, his green eyes burning with vexation.

Lilyfall shook her head, avoiding his accusatory gaze. "It just wasn't right, Coldstream," she mewed softly. "We're from different clans. A relationship between us is forbidden."

Coldstream's claws slid out, unbidden. Lilyfall took a step back.

"Then why did you keep meeting me in secret?" he snarled, attracting the attention of other cats nearby. "Why did you pretend that you loved me?"

"I didn't know how to tell you no," she hissed, glancing at his claws. "I was afraid that something like this would happen."

Coldstream jumped forward, claws gleaming. In response, Lilyfall shrank back, but the strike that she expected never came. Another cat had forced his way between them, his reddish fur rippling with anger.

"How dare you strike at another warrior under the truce of a gathering," Foxstar bellowed. "You shame yourself and your clan." The AshClan leader turned to Lilyfall, his blue eyes wide with concern. "Are you okay, my love?"

"I'm fine," she murmured, leaning into Foxstar's muscular frame. "Don't fret about me."

"I can't help it," he replied. Foxstar shot a dark look at Coldstream before nudging his mate away from the MistClan warrior.

Coldstream growled up at the night's full moon. There were still no clouds in sight, but his mind wished desperately for them. His body trembled with rage.

Coldstream sat up as another figure moved among the undergrowth. It was the pale figure of a she-cat, treading lightly toward him. His heart twisted in his chest.

"AshClan welcomes new kits! Lilyfall has recently given birth to my kits, Flamekit and Birchkit." Foxstar's eyes gleamed with pride as he stepped back from the center of the Oak Stump. Cheering followed his words, drowning out Spiderstar's news as the MistClan leader took Foxstar's place.

Coldstream slipped away, disappearing easily into the forest. No one would miss him at the Gathering. Everyone's thoughts bubbled happily with the joy of new kits, whereas all Coldstream could see was an infuriating red.

"Coldstream?" Lilyfall called. "Is that you?" She padded closer to the river. "Why are you on AshClan's side of the river?"

"What are you doing back at our old meeting place?" he challenged, standing up. "Shouldn't you be back at camp taking care of your kits?"

Her ears twitched. "I needed to clear my head," she mewed, blinking at him.

Coldstream growled. "Isn't it dangerous to be near me without your protector?"

Lilyfall snorted. "Do you mean Foxstar? He worries too much sometimes." Her eyes narrowed at the turned up grass at Coldstream's paws. "But I find protectiveness a more charming quality than jealousy."

There was little time for Lilyfall to react before Coldstream was upon her, his sharp claws raking trails of blood down her flank. She rolled with him to the river's edge, where she finally managed to push him away. Her whiskers trembled.

"Why did you lead me on?" Coldstream demanded, stepping closer to her. "I loved you with all of my heart, and yet you never loved me. Why is that?"

He was so close that Lilyfall could feel his breath hot upon her face. She took a step back. River water sprayed her bloodied flank. "I did love you, once, Coldstream. But you've changed. I could never love the cat you are now."

"Liar!" Coldstream snarled, ramming into her with all of his strength. Lilyfall screamed as she fell into the river. Her sharp cry was cut off swiftly as she was impaled upon a dark stone, previously hidden beneath the water's surface. The river of tranquil silver soon turned to a murky crimson, its waters lapping hungrily at Coldstream's paws, staining them with blood.

Coldstream took a step back and raised a paw to his muzzle. His eyes gleamed with cold satisfaction as he cleaned his claws, spitting out tufts of tawny fur into the water.

...

I'm considering turning this piece into a full-length story. Let me know what you think in the reviews!