Chapter 10! This is the chapter were there contest ends. So if you have reviewed every chapter since chapter 1 all the way through to this chapter you will get a spoiler of whatever kind you like. If you don't know, I answer every review through a PM, also alerting for a new chapter. When alerts were out I will also tell you which chapters you haven't reviewed yet in case you want to win a spoiler.
I also want to send a huge thanks to everyone who has reviewed. Literally, I wanted to reach 50 before this chapter. I am bordering 70. So, anyway, I'm aiming for 85-90, and would appreciate help to reach the goal!
One more thing. This posting isn't on Monday like I said they would be on. School starts for me and I realized Monday is a difficult day for me to post, so I will either be switching it to Saturdays or Sundays. Review which one you would prefer.
I have two facts. One is sort of a not relating to the actual story, but the other will be like normal.
Fact 1: If you have put any sort of idea in one of your reviews, there is a very high chance you will see your idea in some form in the story. I always try to listen and every new idea makes me think of new ways to write the story.
Fact 2: Dapplepaw, Creampaw, and Rainpaw's mother is dead. She died kitting and another queen raised them after her own kits died.
Dapplepaw's mind was abuzz. Why was this happening? Why did Rainpaw have this fantasy that she and Ashpaw were in love? Dapplepaw and Ashpaw were far closer, and they weren't even in love. Well...maybe not. Ugh! Why is this so complicated? Do I love him or not? No! I don't. I definitely don't. I mean, he's from a different clan, and it's not like we could ever be together. I don't love any cat!
Dapplepaw shook her head to clear her thoughts. Sitting in her nest, she stared across to see Creampaw and Rainpaw. They had all agreed to be close again. It was more of Rainpaw's idea, and while Dapplepaw consented, Creampaw took some persuasion. Though it was apparent she liked confiding in her sisters by the amount she spoke.
While they spilled out everything on their mind, Dapplepaw kept to herself and didn't share much. Sure, she said she met Ashpaw every night and how Foxstep thought she was Sweetpaw. But she couldn't share much more, such as her conflicting feelings for Ashpaw because that would hurt Rainpaw, and how Foxstep thought he was in love with her since that would hurt Creampaw.
"Rosepaw is so arrogant!" Rainpaw complained, giving her paw an important lick before glancing at her two listening sisters. Her eyes were slightly dark as she mentioned the SunClan apprentice. "Isn't she?"
"You met her at one Gathering," Creampaw pointed out, shifting around in her nest until she was more comfortable. She turned to Dapplepaw, who met her gaze. "Has Ashpaw said anything about her?"
Dapplepaw shook her head. "I don't know, Rainpaw. He said they're pretty close." That was another thing she stayed silent about. When she told Rainpaw that Rosepaw and Ashpaw were in love...well, she was lying. Dapplepaw had just spit out the lie before even thinking about it, hoping it would stop Rainpaw's obsession with Ashpaw. And I was just trying to protect her, Dapplepaw justified to herself.
Rainpaw snorted, her tail starting to flick slowly. "Yeah, well you two are close too, but you're not in love." She watched Dapplepaw closely to see her reaction.
Dapplepaw nodded her head, seeing a flash of relief in Rainpaw's eyes. Dapplepaw had grown used to hiding emotions. Ashpaw was skilled at that already, but she had suddenly realized how important of a skill that was. It wasn't long before she mastered it and no cat could tell what she was thinking.
Creampaw sighed, closing her eyes. "I can't seem to get any closer to Foxstep. He must still be in shock from knowing Sweetpaw isn't alive." She opened her eyes, exasperated.
Dapplepaw frowned. "I forgot to mention, before, that I may or may not actually be Sweetpaw..."
"What?" Rainpaw exclaimed, nearly getting to her paws. Her blue eyes were wide and curious. "What do you mean?"
"I mean that I had these memories of my past...as Sweetpaw. I saw myself in a puddle, and I was her clone. I kept have clips of her life all day. I saw how I was raised...and how I died. I saw everything in short visions." Dapplepaw paused, meeting both her sisters' gazes. "I am pretty sure I am Sweetpaw."
Creampaw's head perked up. "And do you still feel like she did?" she questioned. Dapplepaw knew she meant, 'Do you have feelings for Foxstep like she did?'
"No, not really. I remember them, but I just don't...it doesn't feel like me anymore. I swear that I was her in a past life! I can't stop remembering...thinking about my past. I can just remember, think back to it like it was a hunting trip yesterday. I don't feel as...sweet as I once did as her. Great StarClan she was had a good heart." Dapplepaw looked at the two cats to see if they understood.
Creampaw eyed her, but then spoke up, "Well...okay." She peeked outside the den. "It's turning dark. Flowerpaw and Blackpaw are going to be here soon, since they're out on a patrol. Are you going to meet Ashpaw now?"
Dapplepaw shook her head. "I only go once every cat is in their dens and it's completely dark." She glanced at Rainpaw. "I can say 'hi' for you?"
Rainpaw shook her head. "No, I have to get rid of Rosepaw first." She rested her head on her paws. "Hey, can you try and get him off the Rosepaw path? For me? And for him, too. He doesn't deserve to be stuck with that self-indulgent brat. I really wouldn't want to take real action either." She shut her eyes without waiting for an answer.
Dapplepaw sighed. Sure, Rainpaw, sure. I have to talk to him first. Should I tell him about how I may feel? I can't keep going every night if I don't. Should we just not meet at all anymore? That would probably be best. Dapplepaw felt a stab of pain in her heart. She didn't want to stop meeting Ashpaw, but she needed to. It was best for the clan, herself, and Ashpaw.
"There you are!" Ashpaw meowed, lifting his head. Dapplepaw met his golden eyes before springing on to the lowest branch in one leap. "I've been bored. And I kind of want to talk to you."
"We talk every night," Dapplepaw said, reluctant to get the point. I just have to say it. I can't keep dodging around my problems! "But yeah, I wanted to talk to you, too." She settled on her branch, though she didn't know why. She'd be leaving soon. It was just a force of habit, she guessed.
Ashpaw's ears perked at her seriousness. "What is it?" he asked, concern in his voice.
Dapplepaw sighed, closing her eyes. She could not look at him and say what she was about to. "I think...," she paused, finding it harder to say than she imagined. "We need to...we need to stop meeting."
"What? For another night? Are you tired again?" Ashpaw sounded troubled and confused, and maybe a touch hurt.
Dapplepaw forced her eyes open to look at him. "It's hard, you know? It's not like we can actually be friends forever. Let's face it, we're in two different clans. It'll never work out." She turned to the ground, avoiding his stare. "Anyway, what were you going to say."
Ashpaw was silent. "I was...never mind." He got to his paws, preparing to jump. He hesitated before sitting back down. "No, I'm actually going to say what I wanted to. Since we won't be meeting anymore, I might as well just speak." He turned and faced her, making Dapplepaw flinch. "I think I might care for you."
Dapplepaw dug her claws into the bark of the tree. Her ears flew up with surprise and her eyes lit with delight. She was happy for a split second before his words sunk in. Why did he have to say that? This is bad! She thought of excuses, just like she had done when Foxstep tricked himself into loving her. "I'm rude, selfish and not pretty!"
Ashpaw paused, then shook his head, meeting her gaze confidently. "No, Dapplepaw. You're bold, not rude. You recognize your importance, but not too much. And you are pretty, but I suppose you've never looked in a pond at yourself before."
Dapplepaw blinked, stunned. She had told him the exact thing she said to Foxstep, but Ashpaw's answers were far different. He had not only denied what she said, he had countered it!
Dapplepaw's heart melted. It was clear in her head now. She did like Ashpaw, yet she only realized now. She wanted to be with him, but it was obvious they couldn't. Still, caught in the moment, she sprung forward to touch her nose to his.
"Me too!" she meowed, hitting her nose against his. She recoiled. "Ouch." Shaking her head to clear away the pain. Dapplepaw stared at him, hope in her heart. "I feel the same way, I'm sure of it!"
Ashpaw brightened. "How could you not? I am stunning!" he meowed, making Dapplepaw laugh. She felt happy, and she didn't feel happy a lot. He decided to speak again, but was slightly more serious. "How could this work, though?" he asked. "We're from two different clans."
"I'll join SunClan," Dapplepaw replied immediately. She nodded. "I'll join now, or at the next Gathering."
Ashpaw frowned, shaking his head. "No, I don't think so. I can't ask you to do that. Plus Rosepaw would have something to say about it. I can't really listen to her complain for moons. We could just keep meeting, you know? It's like we're with each other during the day, except at night."
"Yeah, I suppose," Dapplepaw agreed, a little crestfallen. She nodded. That'll work. He's right. It'll just be like we're with each other for the whole day. She paused, a certain sister coming to mind. "Rainpaw."
"What?" Ashpaw asked, turning to face her.
"Rainpaw," Dapplepaw repeated, dread hitting her. "I've never actually said this, but I think you know. She thinks she's in love with you, and thinks that you love her back." She looked up at him.
Ashpaw sighed. "I know. I was just hoping it was a joke. I seriously don't get it. We met once at the Gathering, and then the next Gathering she practically asked me to run away with her!" He shook his head, confused. "I mean, I know I'm fantastic and everything, but still."
Dapplepaw let out another mrrw of laughter. "I've been trying to talk to her. We're starting to get close again, though I never share anything with her, much. Both of them, my sisters, like complaining about their problems. I like to keep them to myself, mostly."
"You're complaining right now," Ashpaw pointed out, giving her a lick on the cheek. "It's okay, I don't mind."
Rainpaw was awake when Dapplepaw slid into the den that dawn. Dapplepaw could feel her gaze burning into her pelt as she walked to her nest. "Yes," Dapplepaw asked her, tired.
"Well? Does he realize how terrible a cat Rosepaw is?" Rainpaw demanded quietly. She watched Dapplepaw closely, making Dapplepaw pause. She hadn't really brought up the topic at all. In fact, she was only mentioned once by Ashpaw.
Dapplepaw shook her head. "No." She hesitated. "Maybe I got it all wrong. Maybe he doesn't love her at all. Maybe he just doesn't feel the same way as you do." She looked over at Rainpaw, who looked hurt, then upset.
"You," her sister snarled, her ears flattening. "All this time it wasn't Rosepaw, it was you!" Her eyes darkened. "You won't get him, Dapplepaw. You're trying to stop true love, and it won't work. I just want you to know that."
Okay, as usual I want to know what you thought. Most people have been rooting for Dapplepaw and Ashpaw, so this chapter hopefully meets the expectations.
Side note: Since this conclude the contest, I will likely be putting up another one soon. Any time you're reading the story you can still participate, just write in your review that you completed the ten reviews and you will be granted a spoiler. There is likely going to be a chapter 20 one as well, where if you have reviewed form chapter 1-20 you get two spoilers.
Next chapter: Rosepaw's suspicions are answered when she follows Ashpaw. In her rage, she causes an event that could end the lives of many cats she knows.
Question: Does Dapplepaw actually being Sweetpaw change any opinions you have? Why?