Chapter 6
Sagepaw was tired. Her claws ached and her belly rumbled. It was a half-moon since the clan had left the forest. Sagepaw had lost hope. There was no place for her clan. Now she and her clan were slowly starving. Right now she and her clan camped by the river. Sagepaw was lying beside Fogpaw. She and he had spiraled closer, Oakpaw a distant memory. Sleep washed over her and she closed her eyes.
She sat up and looked around wildly. She was back in the place where Runningpaw had first visited her. Sagepaw sniffed the air and breathed in the warm scents of prey. Her belly rumbled, reminding her of her furious hunger. Sagepaw was about to drop in a hunting crouch when a voice sounded behind her. "Sagepaw, I need to talk to you" She spun around and saw Runningpaw walking towards her.
His expression was dead serious and he seemed impatient. "Runningpaw! How are you?" Sagepaw asked, she couldn't help her-self from being jealous of his smooth coat and fine muscles. She felt awkward and scrawny in comparison. Runningpaw ignored her question and said "Forget about Fogpaw" Sagepaw froze and stared at him in confusion as he continued. "The prophecy has no room for mates. When you and Oakpaw grew distant Starclan was relieved. But now Fogpaw has come to replace him. You are the Sage and you can't have him in your way. Your destiny twists away from his, far away. Peace won't come if you're too busy with him. He and your clan will die in a river of blood! He will be your downfall!" Runningpaw lectured furiously.
Sagepaw pulled away and stared at him. "Why should it matter if I am with Fogpaw? My destiny doesn't have to do anything with him; he matters more than some stupid prophecy!" Sagepaw hissed and was aware of Runningpaw's look of growing horror. "You don't understand, do you? He will cause your down-fall! Love killed you the first time and you still go to him!" Sagepaw felt frozen. Killed you the first time… "What do you mean, killed me again? I've never died before!" Pity clouded Runningpaw's gaze as he rubbed his muzzle against hers. "Dear Sagepaw, how could you have not known? You are the reincarnation Sageleaf. She was supposed to save Skyclan but failed, because of this tom named Lightningflame. He was charming and loved her very much but in the end that killed her. There was a forest fire and he was trapped. Sageleaf saved him but in the end she died. We waited for so long for the right cat to come. You know Lightningflame, he loves you, very much." Runningpaw spoke slowly, as if he was afraid she wouldn't understand.
Sagepaw's head spun and she realized that Runningpaw was fading even though his voice stayed. "From the Quickest breeze and the clever Raven, peace will come with the fall of Sage, and only the Fog can get in the way…" Sagepaw sat bolt upright in her nest, staring around in horror. Night was falling and Sagepaw could hear the murmurs of her clan as it started to sleep. The few stars shined as the moon rose.
Sagepaw turned to look at Fogpaw, his gray fur turned silver in the moonlight. How can you be the end of me? Sagepaw couldn't resist licking him on top of his head, Fogpaw mumbled in his sleep. Sagepaw turned and started to creep away when she heard a grunt from behind. Turning her head she saw Fogpaw on his paws, yawning. He glanced around sleepily until he spotted her and padded to her side. He brushed his tail against her side and said "Hey, why are you up?" He added a yawn at the end and briefly closed his eyes. Sagepaw wanted to answer but her throat felt tight. She closed her eyes and breathed in the scent of him, so warm and familiar.
"Really, what's wrong?" Fogpaw asked again, his voice dropping in worry. Sagepaw forced her-self to relax and let out a strained purr. "Nothing is wrong, I just had a nightmare" Sagepaw flinched when she heard her voice crack. Stop it already! This is your last night to be with him like this, so make the best of it! Sagepaw shook out her fur and turned to him, forcing her eyes to be bright. "You want to go down by the river? It's nice out tonight. We could try to catch a fish…" Sagepaw trailed off as Fogpaw let out a large purr, his tiredness forgotten. "Let's go" he exclaimed and dashed off. Sagepaw raced after him, till they reached the river.
"Wow" Fogpaw's breath stirred her fur as Sagepaw watched the river with shock. It was beautiful. The star's reflected perfectly on the swirling dark water. The moon hung in the sky, a small white egg in the rivers wavering water. The rushing sound of the water soothed Sagepaw, her fur smoothing along her spine and her fears disappearing. "It is pretty" Sagepaw stammered, even though pretty hardly described it. Fogpaw made a sort of growl in the back of his throat. "I'm not talking about the water silly, I'm talking about the lovely she-cat beside me" Fogpaw murmured, nosing her gently. Sagepaw looked down at her paws, feeling stupid. Trying to cover up her embarrassment she muttered "Where's Graypaw?" Fogpaw purred and shook his head. "Graypaw is beautiful in her own way, but not like you" Sagepaw heart twisted and she couldn't bear to look at him.
Fogpaw sighed and murmured "I needed to tell you something… I'm going to be a warrior, isn't that great!" Sagepaw's heart fluttered with joy. It was the only thing Fogpaw seemed to like more that her. She purred and rubbed her muzzle against his blissfully. Right now the prophecy was behind them and it seemed so fake. What if I told him… Sagepaw turned to him excitedly. "Fogpaw!" the words died on her tongue. Why would he believe her?
A rustle and a snap made them spin around only to see it was Ravenfeather. The black tom sighed in relief and hurried toward them. "Thank Starclan I found you! You shouldn't be out here. The clan has a lot of traveling to do tomorrow so you need your rest. Come on" he exclaimed circling them and leading them up the bank. With one last glance toward the swirling water Sagepaw pressed forward. The stars stared coldly down, little specks of ice in the sky.
