Runningpaw huddled in on herself, intimidated by the large crowds and many cats. Softpaw waved from her group of CreekClan and SunClan apprentices. Runningpaw was considering joining them when a dark brown tom tapped her sister on the shoulder and she turned back. The she-cat felt herself sag with disappointment and decided sulkily to seek out her mother and take her up on her offer to spend the Gathering with her.
"Oof!" A voice exclaimed, causing her to spin around in shock, fur puffed up. A lanky golden brown tom, obviously close to becoming a warrior, grinned up at her from the ground, foot caught in a root that was sticking out of the soil.
"I'm Duskpaw," he meowed, scrambling to his paws and shaking out his pelt. Runningpaw stared at her black paws, feeling strangely embarrassed and self conscious.
"Runningpaw..." She muttered, aware that her fur was heating up. Duskpaw tilted his head to one side, confusion glittering in his yellow eyes. "Why is your—"
The rather adorable brown tom pitched forward again, almost colliding with her chest fur—an action that caused a wave of heat flood her fur and her face to redden-as a dark tomcat, the same one that had hauled Softpaw away earlier, slugged his shoulder rather hard.
"Ouch." Duskpaw murmured as he gave a couple swift licks to the aforementioned shoulder fur. "Nightpaw...why in the name-"
The darker brown tom, who, now that Runningpaw thought about it, bore a striking resemblance to the senior apprentice before her, jabbed a paw in the direction of her sister and the group of mingling apprentices. "You gonna join us or what?" He demanded, tone sour.
Duskpaw flashed a quick grin at Runningpaw before following his denmate across the cramped Gathering grounds. Runningpaw felt strangely giddy, a unknown feeling churning deep inside of her. Those eyes...those golden eyes...
A/N : Runningpaw, you so have a crush on him!