Chapter 2

The words flowed around her head like water around a rock. Ripplemask didn't pay any attention to Jackalstar as he spoke about the gathering that had happened the previous night. Ripple mask never cared what the other clans were up to. She didn't see why they needed gatherings, but, she still enjoyed going to them to talk to her friends from the other clans, and she was quite disappointed to hear that she hadn't been allowed to go.

"And apparently Yarrowstar has had her kits, two toms." Jackalstar spoke about the golden she-cat cat. "I wouldn't be surprised if we see her next moon."

The cats that were gathered chuckled. Though from Thunderclan, everyone knew how dedicated she was about being leader.

"Riverclan is also doing well." Jackalstar continued. "It seems like there will be a late leaf-bare."

There was a hum of gracious mews as cats thanked Starclan that there wouldn't be a harsh leaf-bare. Ripplemask was among them, not wishing for cold nights.

Jackalstar dismissed the clan, and Ripplemask walked over to the fresh-kill pile, which had just been stocked by the morning's hunting patrol. She grabbed a pigeon and sat down nearby on a warm rock. As always, Timberstorm walked over, though he carried no prey.

"You're not eating?" Ripplemask asked before taking a bite of the bird.

Timberstorm looked at the ground and shook his head. "I couldn't sleep last night, so I went hunting, brought back some prey, and ate a mouse."

"Wouldn't that mouse have worn of by now?"

Timberstorm shrugged. "I'm just not hungry I guess." He looked into the distance, seeming to be focused on something else.

Ripplemask leaned over to him. "Whatcha thinking about?"

"Oh, nothing." He looked back at the ground, then at her and gave a faint smile. "I guess that mouse did wear off."

Ripplemask looked at him, pondering the truth. "Maybe." Ripplemask finished her pigeon, still looking at Timberstorm. "You know you can tell me anything, right?"

Timberstorm looked at her through the corner of his eye. "Can we go for a walk?"

Ripplemask was taken aback by the look of desperation in his eyes. "Of...Of course."

They stood up, and, following Timberstorm, Ripplemask walked out of camp. As they exited, Ripplemask trotted up to Timberstorm's side, worried and eager to know what was going on.

Timberstorm let out a large sigh, one that seemed to have been held in for a long time. "We've been friends since what, we became apprentices?"

Ripplemask nodded. "Yeah, for like 15 moons."

"Have you...um" Timberstorm paused. "Have you been...um...thinking about getting a, uh..."

Ripplemask chuckled. "Just spit it out."

Timberstorm shook his head. "Have you thought about having a mate?"

Ripplemask looked at him, confused. "What do you mean?"

Timberstorm shook his head again. "I've seen you looking at Jaynose. Do you like him?"

"Well, he is a handsome tom, but, why are you talking about this?" Ripplemask looked at him in confusion.

"I don't know how to say this, Ripplemask. How to express how I feel."

Ripplemask stopped walking. A small wind picked up, brushing the pale grass against their legs. "Just tell me."

Timberstorm looked at her. "I want to be be with you Ripplemask." He shook his head. "No, I need to be with you."

Ripplemask knew he liked her, but never would have thought this much. She never had thought much about him, well, she had sometimes thought about what they had done together while drifting off to sleep, or dozing in the sun. She had often times wished they could be on patrols together. Ripplemask hadn't realized how much she had really thought about Timberstorm until right now, where the rest of their friendship would be determined.

"Timberstorm...I...I need you, too." Ripplemask still wore a face of shock, but her ears felt warm and she kept her eyes locked onto him as she spoke.

Timberstorm took a step forward. Ripplemask could feel his breath on her face.

"I don't know what I'd do without you." It seemed as if Timberstorm hadn't heard her.

Ripplemask put her head on his chest. "You don't have to know. I will always be with you."

Ripplemask could feel Timberstorm's head rest on hers. They stood there in silence as the wind picked up. Ripple mask wished they could stay his way forever, with their fur brushing and their tails intertwining.

Ripplemask slowly pulled away. Though she didn't want to, they had to get back to camp before it got cold. She gave him a faint smile. "Come on, let's head back to camp."

Timberstorm groaned and smiled back. "Do we have to?"

Ripplemask licked him on his cheek. "I'll get you something from the fresh-kill pile."

"Wow, trying to bribe me with food?" Timberstorm smiled.

Happy that the sappy stuff was over, Ripplemask laughed. "Yep!"

Timberstorm raced ahead, laughing. "Come on then!"

Ripplemask smirked and took off after him.

They raced through the grass, the wind pushing them along. Ripplemask caught up to Timberstorm and soon they were running side by side. Looking at him, Ripplemask held out her paw as she ran and tried to trip him, only succeeding in falling over.

"Oh! Ha ha, nice job." Timberstorm skidded to a halt and pranced over to her. "Pretty sure I won for stopping to help the disabled."

Ripplemask snorted. "Oh, the great and noble Timberstorm stopping to help me, I'm honored."

Timberstorm dipped his head. "No need. It is only my duty."

Ripplemask chuckled and stood up, shaking out her fur. "How am I ever to repay you?"

"I don't know? Maybe...um... sharing a mouse with me when we get back to camp?"

Ripplemask flicked her tail. "Well, i already ate, but I can certainly get you a mouse."

Timberstorm sighed. "I guess that will due."

Tails entwined and fur brushing, Ripplemask and Timberstorm walked side by side to camp.