CHAPTER EIGHT:

Leaves winged their way to the ground around Skypaw, turned gold and red by leaf-fall frosts. Around her, the forest was alive with twitching whiskers and fluttering wings as small animals scurried to find food for the winter. Her claws itched with want. I know I'm looking for herbs, but who said I couldn't practice my hunting skills along the way? she thought.

But just as she was preparing to leap on a large, plump squirrel, a loud rustling nearby startled Skypaw and made her tail twitch, stirring dried leaves on the ground. Mouse-dung, she cursed inwardly. Then she stalked quietly towards where the sound had come from, hoping to catch whatever it was.

It wasn't what - or who - she expected.

It was Brackenpaw, purring as he kicked up leaves at - Iceheather. Iceheather squealed and flung some back at him, then leaped back to avoid his pounce.

Horror kept Skypaw motionless.

"Beware, Skypaw." The cool, familiar voice of Lightfeather writhed around her. "Ice can break."

"What do you - " But Skypaw's words were cut off as a particularly strong gust of wind picked up the leaves around her and sent her into a confusing, whirling void of darkness.

Skypaw woke with a start.

Thin, leaf-bare sunlight touched her back with it's sharp, bright claws. Outside, she could hear the normal sounds of camp - squealing, quiet talking, purring... But as the memory of the dream came back to her, Skypaw shivered. Is Iceheather really meeting Brackenpaw secretly? she wondered.

"Skypaw! Skypaw! Will you take us out of camp?"

The excited mews of four kits wafted towards her as she exited her den. "You know I can't do that," she mewed, purring slightly at the disappointed looks on their faces. "But you know what? I'm sure the apprentices would love to show you a few fighting moves if you asked really nice."

"Really?" Grasskit, a tabby and white she-kit, didn't wait for a reply before taking off. Lilykit and Sunkit quickly followed her.

"Skypaw?"

Skypaw looked down to see Cloverkit looking up at her with big, pleading eyes. "Yes?" she asked gently.

"Can I help you with something? Anything?" Cloverkit meowed. "I really want to - I - " She stumbled to a halt in her speech, looking embarrassed.

"Sure you can," Skypaw purred. "Follow me."

But her happiness was tainted slightly when she noticed Iceheather out of the corner of her eye, sharing tongues with Duskflower and looking content. Then she shook it off; Cloverkit was three moons old now and seemed to be realizing where her destiny was taking her. She should be happy. "You can help me make a poultice for Yarroweye's paw," meowed Skypaw, fishing leaves out of her supplies. "Here are the herbs you need..."

A moon later, Iceheather asked Skypaw to walk with her. "I need to talk to you," she murmured, looking excited and maybe a little nervous.

"Okay." Skypaw twitched her ears and led the way out of camp.

Icicles hanging from branches dripped, making little holes in the wet snow. "Newleaf is on its way," Skypaw remarked, starting conversation as they walked towards the lake.

"Yes. A perfect time for kits," added Iceheather.

"Mm," Skypaw agreed. And then the meaning hit her. "Wait. You mean - ?"

Iceheather's eyes glittered with happiness. "Yes."

A choking sound escaped from Skypaw's throat as she stared at her friend.

"Are you okay?" Iceheather's expression turned anxious. "Skypaw?"

"Is - " Skypaw swallowed. "Have you told Brackenpaw?"

It was Iceheather's turn to stare. "How did you - ?" She closed her eyes. "Are you mad at me?"

Skypaw gazed at the icicles for a few moments. "I had a dream about it," she meowed finally. "A moon ago. How long have you been seeing him?"

"Ever since the kitting." Iceheather glanced down at her paws. "When I was hunting one day, I saw him by the border. I guess maybe, subconsciously, I'd been looking for him, but - " She sucked in a deep breath and then looked Skypaw right in the eyes. "I love him, Skypaw. It's a sin, but I love him."

"It's not a sin to love someone." Memories of Ashpaw's kind face flashed through her mind. And then, inexplicably, Coldpaw's. You should forgive Coldpaw. He really does care for you, Ashpaw had said. But Skypaw couldn't even remember the last time she'd spoken to Coldpaw; it must have been moons ago.

"Do you really believe that?" Iceheather looked hopeful.

"Yes. Just - " Skypaw sighed. "Be careful, Iceheather. That's all I ask." The betrayal to StarClan and the Code pricked at her paws, urging her to rebel against Iceheather, but she refused to listen.

"Thank you." Iceheather pressed her cheek against Skypaw. "I didn't know how to tell you, but I'm so glad you know."

Skypaw gave an unfelt purr. "So am I."

Iceheather left Skypaw standing there, snow melting into icy water around her paws as she stared bleakly out at the forest.

Ice can break.

What could StarClan possibly mean by that?

Author's Note

So, updating a little sooner tan last time. Yay! Anyway, was it a good chapter? I trying to start to bring in a little bit more of a plot/prophecy type thing - but take note! The big prophecy has yet to arrive! Mwah ha ha. Love y'all, and please keep the feedback incoming!