I am so sorry that I have not been updating, but I had this HUGE book report due, so I was pretty busy. Anyway, I also need more reviews if I am going to update faster! I need a minimum of 10 reviews for each chapter if you all want me to update! Ok, one week (moon) has passed…here's Redstorm!
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Redstorm could hardly believe himself. He hardly trusted himself anymore! He couldn't believe he was doing what he was doing, but he was. He couldn't believe how he had gotten in this, but he was in it, and there was no going out – not that he wanted to.
He was in love with Ratpaw. Plain and simple, right there in front of him. It felt so right to be next to her, to talk to her, to joke with her, to lie next to her and just listen to her soft breathing as they fell asleep beneath the stars. It felt so…perfect. But she was an apprentice! And he was a warrior, with great pawsteps to pad in…
"Hey! Hey, badger-brain! We have dawn patrol, remember?"
Redstorm lifted his head, pretending to wake from a deep sleep.
"Ratpaw," he couldn't help but purr.
"What?" she mewed back, raising her eyebrow.
Smiling widely, Redstorm growled, "I love you."
Ratpaw, as if bored with the subject already, gave him a quizzical stare and mewed back, "I know, Blunderbelly. Now let's get going!"
Ratpaw threaded her way past him into the open air, and he followed dutifully behind, watching her fondly as she pounced on a leaf that crossed her path.
"So, where are we going, since you seem to have all the answers?" Redstorm asked her as they crossed the camp.
"Why should I know? Ask Lionstar. Surely he who organized the patrols would know where they're going?" she snapped in a drawling tone.
Redstorm licked her ear affectionately, not bothered in the least by her scalding tone.
"You know, I hate it when you do that," she quipped as he made his way to the leader's den.
"Do what?" he asked innocently, preparing to call out to Lionstar.
"When you just lick me after I've said something that's supposed to make you mad."
Redstorm shot her a sideways glance. "Why would I be mad at the she-cat I love?"
Ratpaw heaved an exasperated sigh and trudged away, rolling her eyes, though Redstorm could see the glimmer of delight that shone in their centers.
Redstorm turned back to the lichen-draped entrance and took a breath, gathering himself to yowl out a greeting to his leader, when Lionstar himself appeared swiftly at the mouth of the den, looking around.
"Lionstar?" called Redstorm, before he could stop the words from flowing out of his jaws.
"I was just looking for-" Lionstar's meow sounded at the same time, and he blinked, surprised.
The two cats stared at each other. Then Lionstar meowed. "That's uncanny. I was just about to go look for you, and-"
"I was just looking for you," finished Redstorm. "Odd."
"Indeed. Anyhow, what were you wanting to know?" Lionstar asked.
Redstorm opened his mouth, then, as if changing his mind, meowed, "You first. It's probably the same thing."
Lionstar smiled. "Alright. I was going to tell you that the patrol should head for the lake and the WindClan border, and that Bearclaw won't be joining you – he's come down with some sort of cold and Bloomfrost has insisted on keeping him in camp. Is it the same thing you wanted to know?"
Redstorm couldn't help but chuckle. "Actually, yes. Thank you Lionstar."
"You're very welcome," Lionstar replied curtly. "And now I must go speak to my mate about Owlkit's apprentice ceremony."
Redstorm's eyes widened. "Already! Great StarClan, time passes quickly."
Lionstar smiled and turned to leave. Redstorm got up as well, but Lionstar, as if remembering something, paused, and then turned back again.
"Redstorm?"
"Yes?"
Lionstar twitched his whiskers. "Would you like to mentor Owlkit?"
Redstorm couldn't believe his ears. He hadn't been a warrior for very long, and he was already being offered an apprentice – the leader's son, no less!
"I…er…of c-course, Lionstar!" Redstorm stammered, surprised. "I would be honored!"
Lionstar smiled distractedly. "Excellent. That's settled then."
Lionstar walked away quickly, not looking back, and Redstorm stared after him, shocked and excited. I am going to mentor Lionstar's own son!
"Redstorm! Hurry up, we're waiting!" called Ratpaw, annoyed. Redstorm shook himself and hurried to the gathered patrol, relaying Lionstar's instructions as they started out of the camp.
"What's got you looking so happy?" asked Ratpaw, falling into step beside him.
"Lionstar just asked me to mentor Owlkit!"
Ratpaw's eyebrows twitched. "He's Lionstar's son. Shouldn't that be Scarletspirit's responsibility?"
Redstorm shook his head. "I would think so, but he decided he would give it to someone else, I guess."
Ratpaw nodded. "Okay, fair enough. Congratulations. You'll be a great mentor, I know it."
Redstorm purred. That was one of the things he loved about Ratpaw. She was always supportive, no matter what.
"Owlkit's going to be a great apprentice too, I bet."
Redstorm nodded, thinking about it. Owlkit was the son of two incredibly strong and noble cats – Lionstar, the leader, and Ambertail, a strong, courageous, and kind cat. Owlkit was strong and healthy, with a golden pelt similar to his father's.
"Yeah, I bet he'll be great. StarClan, I'm excited."
Ratpaw smiled wryly, with a twinkle of amusement in her eye. "Don't tell me that he'll be taking up all your attention now?"
