I could not be any happier to know how many read this story and like it. Thanks for my supporters and friends who push me to write. If anyone has any ideas on how this story should work feel free to tell me. I am open to options.
Eagletail couldn't help but stand and wait for a sign that Snowowl was returning. "Maybe you should go and find her." Ashflame said.
"No. She doesn't want me right now. She needs to be alone to think. But I will wait. She waited for me; now I'll wait for her." Eagletail said. He continued his watch for his mate for what felt like moons. But she never returned.
"Come over here Eagletail. The fresh kill pile may be gone if you don't eat now. I can see Leapstride eyeing another mouse and Darkfleck trying to sneak another bird." Duststar said.
"Not until Snowowl comes back." Eagletail growled.
"Do you want us to send a patrol to search for her?" Duststar asked.
"No!" Eagletail yelled. All cats in the clearing stopped eating fresh kill and stared at Eagletail. "She has to come back on her own!" Eagletail took position again and stared at the gorse tunnel.
Duststar padded away and everyone continued to eat and share tongues. Eagletail didn't feel hungry but he knew that it wouldn't last forever. But he refused to eat a single piece prey unless it was with Snowowl.
As nightfall came around and the almost full moon peeked over the trees most cats turned towards their dens for sleep. "Hey Eagletail! Come on!" Berrywhisker called out.
"You need sleep like the rest of us!" Lichenwing called out after his sister. (If I ever mentioned[past tense] Lichenwing as a girl I apologize)
"No! I will wait until Snowowl returns!" Eagletail snarled. No one argued with him anymore.
As the sound of sleeping cats slowly filled the empty clearing so did Eagletail's empty stomach. His stomach roared and begged for food but Eagletail ignored it. He'd starve countless moons if he had too. He'd stay awake endless nights to see her again.
Then an awful scent hit his nose. "She ran Eagletail. I watched her. She said she hates you and never wants to see you again. She hates you so much she's joining Riverclan. Just across the border. She plans to learn how to swim and hunt like they do."
"Go away Peachblossom. Just leave me in peace. I'm tired of putting up with your lies. I don't believe a word you have told me. I have to see it with my own eyes."
She disappeared this time. Without another word. Eagletail heard some light paw steps next to him and turned his head expectantly then his heart sunk. It was just Poppykit. She looked so much like her mother. The only slight difference in their appearance were the flecks of dark ginger going down her legs and back.
"Eagletail. I had a bad dream and momma has been needing some sleep for a while and your awake so I was wondering if I could sleep next to you. Please." She squeaked.
"Of course Poppykit." Eagletail said. She curled up under his belly and she purred.
"How much do you love Snowowl?" Poppykit asked.
"More than my heart can bare to see her leave."
"How much did you love momma? Papa said that at one time you wanted Dawnstripe to be your mate."
Eagletail sighed before saying, "I loved your mother very much. In fact after she chose Dustfur which was his name before he became leader I hated him. And her. But now I cant help but love him again and you kits."
"I'm glad. I hope Snowowl comes back. I like her. She makes you happy." Poppykit yawned and snuggled up tighter against his stomach.
Soon she was purring in her sleep. The cat keeping watch outside tonight was Blackheart. Occasionally he would move and make a slight rustle that brought Eagletail's hopes up but in the end only disappointed him.
By the time the sky was turning milky and all the Starclan warriors were beginning to hide Eagletail was losing hope that Snowowl was going to return.
As the dawn patrol was beginning to leave Poppykit woke up and yawned. "Morning Eagletail. Did Snowowl come back?"
Eagletail held back a sob and shook his head no. The little kit brushed up against him in an attempt to cheer him up. Tears fell down Eagletail's cheeks.
"Maybe she just fell asleep in the forest. Maybe she'll come back later today." Poppykit mewed.
"She's gone Poppykit. There's no hope."
"Don't think like that. As long as Starclan is real there is always hope."
"You talk like an elder Poppykit. But thank you." Eagletail said smiling at her.
She smiled and Eagletail couldn't help but purr. She was so beautiful. Her amber eyes sparkled in the rising sunlight.
"Poppykit! Poppykit!" Dawnstripe yowled.
"I think your mother is looking for you." Eagletail told her.
"Then I better go." Poppykit mewed with the big smile lighting her face. She scurried off and her mother scolded her but Poppykit didn't seem to care.
Lovely kin you have there. Sure hope nothing bad happens to them. Peachblossoms voice echoed in his head.
"Touch them and I'll kill you." Eagletail snarled.
Her laugh filled him with extreme hatred and an unwelcome desire to murder her. You can't kill a cat who's already dead.
"Starclan will protect me." Eagletail growled.
Continue to dream Eagletail. Because very soon everything will become reality.
Peachblossom vanished from his mind. And a heavy dread filled his heart. What if everything Peachblossom told him...was true?
MWHAHAHAHAHAHAHA...HA. Cliffhanger.
