I have returned! :D Yes, yes, I am not dead, I am just lazy. Feel free to yell at me, I deserve it. It's been months and a bunch of stuff I had written down apparently expired. Whaddaya know.
Well, I'm reaaaaaaaaaaaaaaally sorry for the wait. I hope I can make up for it with this new chapter that is actually relatively long!
yaaaay
Nightpaw crept across the forest floor, careful not to let her tail brush the fallen leaves. She held her breath and walked slowly, afraid to make the single mistake that would give her away.
Her target padded lightly through the trees, not bothering to be quiet now that they were outside of the camp. Their nose sniffed the air hopefully. They seemed to be looking for something.
As they walked, Nightpaw noticed that the trees were thinning out. There should have been moonlight to light the path now, but there was no moon tonight. The darkness felt cold and unwelcoming, as if the forest was telling her to go away and stop butting into this cat's business. Nightpaw kind of agreed with the forest, but this was important. This cat could be a spy, or a killer, or a... uh...
Nightpaw ran out of ideas for things that her target could be doing just as they slowed down. The cat looked rather excited now- at least Nightpaw thought. She couldn't exactly tell what they looked like right now.
As she watched, the cat glanced around cautiously. Nightpaw closed her eyes and crouched down, thanking StarClan for her black and burdock root-scented fur. The cat's eyes passed over her and, deciding there was no threat, the cat pressed onward into a clearing. Nightpaw followed, filled with suspicion.
The cat entered a clearing. Nightpaw noticed that there was a gap in the trees where moonlight should have filtered in, but there was nothing. The forest was still as dark and empty as before. To brighten the mood, flowers were growing around the edges and willow trees blocked the area from view. It must look beautiful in the day, Nightpaw thought.
"Goldenshine?" A voice whispered. Nightpaw nearly jumped in surprise as the cat she had been following spoke. It was a male, definitely, and their voice was young and clear. Their eyes searched the clearing hopefully.
Who was Goldenshine? Was Nightpaw's only thought. What was going on? Why was this cat meeting with this "Goldenshine"? This was a mystery, and Nightpaw was going to get to the bottom of it. Maybe if she found out what was going on, the cats in the clan would finally treat her nicely.
"I'm here." A female's words could be heard amid rustling as a second cat entered the clearing through the underbrush. Her voice sounded smooth and young, as though sweetened by honey. She carried a strange scent. It didn't smell like the pine and marsh scent that the ShadowClan cats held. Instead it smelled like flowers and the wind.
"I've missed you so much."
"So have I. If only we didn't have to meet if secret, maybe we could meet more, we could..."
"We could be together."
The male sighed. "I wish that was true, my love, but I'm afraid it must stay like this. With any luck, our clans will never know. We can stay in peace."
Our clans... Realization hit Nightpaw and she was filled with shock. They're from different clans! They're going against the warrior code! This was it. This was her chance to prove she wasn't just a kittypet. If she revealed these traitors to the clans, she would be rewarded. There was only one problem- she couldn't take on these warriors on her own. She would have to wait and gather information. It would give her proof and it would give her time to gather her strength.
"Come and lie down. We can look at the stars." There was the sound of shifting leaves and dirt as the male settled down.
"This is nothing compared to the stars we see in WindClan!" Goldenshine purred quietly as she laid herself down next to her mate.
So the female is from WindClan, Nightpaw realized. That's why she smells different.
Nightpaw could feel the anticipation building up inside of her, and it took all of her determination to not leap out and yell accusations at the two cats.
"When can we meet again?" Goldenshine spoke.
"Already asking? We just got here!" The male sounded amused.
"I'm always one step ahead."
"That's just because you're faster than me."
There was a purr of amusement. Nightpaw smirked. They wouldn't be amused for much longer.
A breeze rustled the leaves of the trees, ruffling Nightpaw's fur slightly. Nightpaw's heart skipped a beat.
Wind. What was it Stormheart had said about wind and your scent?
"Hm, smells like burdock root over there. Larkwing is running low, she'd be very grateful if I got some for her." Goldenshine was getting up.
"Go on and get some, I don't mind."
"Alright."
They were going to find her! Nightpaw threw caution to the winds and ran for it. She dashed between trees and through bushes, only stopping when she had reached the exit at the dirtplace. Panting, Nightpaw scanned the area. No one was there.
Nightpaw crawled through the hole in the dirtplace and collapsed in her nest. Tiny beams of sunshine were peeking through the trees, and Nightpaw realized it was practically dawn. She moaned quietly.
Stormheart is going to kill me...
Hahaha okay that was not long at all
*cries in shame*
Well, you got plot development! Congrats! Things are starting to get interesting... And in the next chapter, things get even MORE interesting! Nyeheheheh!
To give you a sneak peak, I'll give you a line from the chapter:
"Nightpaw hissed in agitation as someone bumped into her, presumably on purpose. 'Watch it!' she snapped, glaring at the cat who had bothered her.
'Sorry!' A voice squeaked back. Nightpaw looked down slightly, surprised to see a small, fluffy kit with cream-gold fur. Her ice-blue eyes stared at her with guilt and something else that she couldn't identify for a moment, because she had rarely seen it on anyone's face."
Hmm, what could be happening here? :D
I'd also like to announce that I'll start replying to your reviews! :D Any review posted after this chapter is posted will be replied to! If you don't want me to comment on your review, just tell me.
The wait for the next chapter should not be as long :) I'll try not to go on another hiatus.
