First of all: I'm really sorry that I'm so late. Motivation is really hard to conjure up lately, and I'm driving myself into the ground by staying up until two in the morning, melting my brain… I don't ever want to feel like there isn't enough time for fanfiction; I don't want to lose this story. I have so much planned, and I really hope you're going to see it through 'til the end.
Second: HOLy SWEET MOTHER OF SWEET POTATOES. We're at 200 reviews. I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT TO SAY ANYMORE!
I'm just going to say… y'all are the best. Seriously. Give yourself a hug right now from me through cyberspace. I DON'T CARE IF ANYONE'S WATCHING, DO IT! Okay great ;)
Your prize will be along shortly.
Also- I'm starting a Wings of Fire collab with SilverMidnightMoon, it's gonna be awesome, keep an eye out for it.
Review Replies to my favourite kitties:
SilverMidnightMoon: I'm keeping y'all on your toes.
A Cascade of Raining Ice: Good idea! I got one planned, though, and I think y'all are going to like it.
Rainmist: Yeah, Team Owlclaw! *Begins handing out t-shirts with Owlclaw's face on them*
Waterpool: Drama is queen. Drama queen. Heh. Get it?
Cheshire Assassin(Cool name, bro!): Coming right up!
Birchfeather: 0 v 0 mmkayy.
Lightningstrike: Well, answering everything you covered there would take about a chapter and a half, so I guess I'll just say, thanks :D
Okay, so I've come to a decision. I'm going to make the whole plotline one book. It's going to be a HUGE book, but it's going to be ONE. Then, if y'all are still interested, I'll make a sequel, but it'll be a new cast with the oldies as supporting characters, okay? And I've got four novella ideas, Burning Up, Freezing Over, Shining Out, and Washing Away. (And NO they're not about Lightningpaw, Breezepaw, Darkpaw, and Wavepaw. Other cats.)
Okay. So. Gathering. From Breeze's POV! So you can see the heartbreak on a whole new level! YAYAY!
Enough of my blathering, ONTO THE STORY!
Chapter 34.
"Jump, duck, now roll!" Icestorm shouted. "No! ROLL!"
"Oops," Breezepaw shrugged, scrambling to his paws after a practice bout with Scarletpaw.
She was shaping up to be a vicious fighter, picking up the moves as soon as Icestorm and Copperspots taught them to them. Copperspots was the perfect mentor for Scarletpaw, Breezepaw reflected. She could match her russet apprentice's enthusiasm with more enthusiasm and could invent new moves faster than Scarletpaw could master them. Barely.
Breezepaw panted, trying to regain the breath that Scarletpaw had just kicked out of him.
"Let's do it again!" Scarletpaw leapt to her paws, boundless energy radiating from her.
Breezepaw's mouth was drier than the sand they were practicing on, but he nodded smartly, holding the standard fighting stance. Scarletpaw whipped at him, a red blur, faster than Breezepaw could ever be, and the golden tom ducked instinctively as Scarletpaw swept her paw at his ear.
"Faster, Breezepaw!" Icestorm snapped, her ice-blue eyes watching him like a hawk.
Nodding, breathing heavily, and shedding sand, Breezepaw danced to the side as Scarletpaw launched another attack on his ears. He shot forwards, kicking out with all four legs, trying to unbalance her before she shredded his ears.
Suddenly, a force with the strength of a badger smashed his head down into the sand.
As quickly as it had come, it lifted, and Breezepaw lifted his head. He spat out sand as he blinked vehemently, trying to get the sand out of his eyes.
"Breezepaw? More like Sandyfurpaw," Scarletpaw teased, her paw still hanging guiltily in the air.
He scrunched his face up at her and jumped as high as he could. As he landed, he flattened himself to the ground when Scarletpaw sliced her paw over where his muzzle had been a heartbeat before.
Not wasting a moment, he rolled forwards, not caring how much sand his fur accrued, and swept her paws right out from under her. She toppled forwards, crashing head first into the sand.
Smirking with satisfaction, Breezepaw quickly pretended to strike her side, when suddenly something fluffy and soft wrapped around his eyes.
"Huh?" His perplexed words, brought on by sudden loss of vision, were muffled by Scarletpaw's bushy brown and red tail that was tightly strung around his face. "Hey! Get your stinky tail off of me!"
In reality, her tail actually smelled quite nice, like she'd just rolled in sweet-smelling flowers, but flowers that had some sort of spiciness drizzled over them, but he wasn't going to tell her that.
Scarletpaw puffed with laughter and Breezepaw felt another swift kick profess its love to his stomach, throwing him across the clearing again.
"Breezepaw, get it together or you can forget going to the Gathering," Icestorm's irritated mew chased away his dizziness as he lay, stunned at the edge of a heather bush.
The Gathering! The thought propelled him to his feet and before Scarletpaw could even react to his miraculous recovery, he darted across the clearing and delivered a fast nip to her front-leg before spinning away and kicking out hard with his back legs.
"Yowch!" Scarletpaw snapped, and Breezepaw felt her tackle him from behind.
Her grip was like stone, immovable and crushing, as she kicked his back into herb-mush.
Surprised at her sudden vicious turn, Breezepaw wheezed out a breath and used her own trick. This time, instead of blocking her vision, he quickly tickled her nose with his tail, causing her to sneeze.
Taking advantage of the brief distraction, he bowled her over and reared over her, about to slam his paws down into her stomach when Icestorm called:
"Alright, alright, that's enough. Littlepaw and Morningpoppy have enough to deal with without you two crippling each other."
Breezepaw's fur felt hot as he scrambled out of the compromising position. Scarletpaw's dark amber eyes blinked up at him as he quickly cleaned the dusty sand out of his golden fur.
"Good fight!" Scarletpaw complimented him, eyes shining as she stood gracefully. "Didn't think you had it in ya."
Her accent had almost disappeared, but little remnants would rise to the surface every so often.
Suddenly, her amber eyes snapped wide open, then slowly, her eyelids slid back down until she looked normal once more. What was that? Breezepaw wondered, narrowing his eyes at the now-washing Scarletpaw. She's a strange cat…
Ever since they'd found her on patrol, she acted perfectly normal and slid into Clanlife like a fish diving into water, but every so often, she would say something, or do something, that would make Breezepaw rethink everything he thought he knew about her.
Every time RiverClan would come up in passing conversation, she would suddenly get a strange look, a feeling that Breezepaw would almost place as… guilt.
"You've got time to grab something from the fresh-kill pile and say hi to your little friends and then we're going hunting!" Copperspots declared. "I'll fetch my lazy brother."
"I'll go get Nightpool and Tumblestep… and Dustpetal," Icestorm said, quirking an eyebrow at Copperspots at the mention of her previous, strict mentor. "That's alright, yes?"
"Fine," Copperspots shrugged casually, but her eyes narrowed ever so slightly at the prospect of going toe-to-toe with her harsh mentor. "I think I'll snag something to eat as well."
Icestorm nodded easily, looking grateful that Copperspots hadn't kicked up a fuss about her mentor. Breezepaw flicked his ear to Icestorm and then stepped away to join Scarletpaw at the fresh-kill pile.
"Hey," she greeted briefly, hooking a thick vole and pulling it away from the furry clutches of the rest of the prey.
"Voles? I'm a rabbit tom, myself," he joked, snatching up the aforementioned hare and leading her to a shady, secluded spot of the camp.
It was a beautiful day, just the way he liked it. The sun had calmed down as green-leaf had rolled into leaf-fall, clouds caressing the sky and blocking the heat from boiling them all alive. A cool breeze rustled through the camp, prickling over their fur before whisking away into the land beyond the territories.
"You're wrong," Scarletpaw huffed, digging into her meal. "Voles are much better. Then again, fish trump both."
"Fish?" Breezepaw gasped, bemused. "When have you had fish?"
"Before," Scarletpaw bit her lip, and Breezepaw shut up, remembering from earlier that moon.
'What was your life like before you joined the best Clan ever?' Breezepaw had joked.
'But I never joined RiverClan!' Scarletpaw had said, faking confusion.
'Shut up!' Breezepaw remembered swatting her, then waiting for her answer.
'I… I don't want to talk about,' she had sighed, eyes filling with memories.
'When will you want to talk about it?' Breezepaw had questioned her.
'Never,' she had been deadly serious. 'Never ask again. Please Breezepaw, if you value our friendship at all, don't. Don't ask.'
He just nodded softly before changing the subject.
"So, training was fun today," he smiled at her. "Probably would have been more fun if I'm not so sure that my back is going to feel like a badger had its way with it for the next moon."
Scarletpaw purred, flicking him with her bushy russet tail.
"Drama queen," she rolled her deep amber eyes. "By the way, do you think any muscle's ever going to grow in those bony little twigs masquerading as legs of yours?"
"Good question," he faked seriousness, stretching his legs out, inspecting them. "Hmm… nope. Real shame about that one."
Scarletpaw threw her head back and purred. Breezepaw's heart fluttered, but he ignored it. There's a Gathering tonight, and I'm going to see her. Focus on her. Focus. He seized the image of her golden eyes boring into him and tried to keep it in front of him, but it kept slipping sideways, replacing itself with dark amber eyes, glimmering suggestively at him. Is that… Darkpaw? Or Scarletpaw?
"I have a solution," Scarletpaw interrupted his thoughts.
"To what?" He asked, his mind immediately jumping to the conclusion that she meant about him having conflicting feelings.
"To your puny little legs," Scarletpaw rolled her eyes at him, flicking her tail across him. "Broad shoulders, strong forelegs, hard belly, who cares about all that if your legs can't support a blade of grass."
Breezepaw trembled a little as her tail weaved around him, but nodded at Scarletpaw, pretending nothing out of the ordinary was happening. Is this normal for rogues? He wondered in alarm as Scarletpaw drew her tail softly across his side.
"This might surprise you… but…" she smirked at him, her dark amber eyes slits of amusement. "Swimming is the answer."
Before he could stop himself, he burst into a fit of purrs, totally caught off guard by her unorthodox statement.
"Don't laugh!" Scarletpaw snapped, her voice laden with amusement. "Swimming, really though. You'll probably already be okay at it, for a WindClan fleabag, since your shoulders are in fine shape and your forelegs are good even if your back legs are a little…"
"What are you trying to say?" Breezepaw faked hurt. "Gosh, Scarletpaw, never thought you would do this to me!"
"Force you to swim?" Scarletpaw smiled smugly. "I'm not gonna force you to do anything; I'm just sayin', if you ever want to beat me in a fight, outrun Jaypaw, or generally stop embarrassing your Clan with your little stick legs, you're going to need to make 'em a little stronger."
Breezepaw held her gaze a little longer, then dropped it, self-consciousness flooding his fur with heat. She always watched him like she could see into his soul and change it if it didn't please her.
"Okay, but where am I going to learn?" He entertained the idea of swimming for her sake; he couldn't care less if Jaypaw was going to outrun him for the rest of his life.
"The lake, of course," Scarletpaw paused suddenly, eyeing him with diabolical glee. "Or we can sneak over and pay a visit to our favourite fish-faces."
Never a dull moment around this one. He thought, stifling a purr.
"I think the lake will be fine," he grinned nervously. "I'd rather not have my head stuffed with feathers and mounted on a stick."
"Chicken," Scarletpaw murmured, leaning closer to him.
He discovered her breath smelled the same as her tail; spicy flowers.
"Chicken?" The word was new to him.
"Scaredy-bunny, I believe, is how y'all Clan cats say it," Scarletpaw grinned devilishly at him. "It means… you're too scared to try something new. Too chicken."
"I'm not scared of anything," his voice wavered involuntarily.
Except you. He whispered silently.
She studied him for a moment, then turned away.
"Meet me by the lake as soon as you're done that rabbit," she smirked. "I'm going to teach you to swim."
"But- but- we're supposed to go on hunting patrol!" He protested futilely as she sashayed away.
She threw one last smug look over her shoulders that bobbed and dipped as she walked doing funny things to Breezepaw's insides.
Lightningpaw. He reminded himself, then paused. But… Lightningpaw… she isn't from WindClan, and we aren't even technically… 'together'. So why am I so worried that being around Scarletpaw is 'betraying' her? It's not like I like Scarletpaw in that way.
He pictured her smirk and his breath sped up for the briefest of heartbeats. Don't I?
…
"First lesson of swimming!" Scarletpaw announced, slamming her paw into the water for effect. "The cold is your imagination! Once you're in, you'll adjust! Just forget about it until you're good."
Breezepaw nodded, grimacing at the thought of the freezing iciness seeping into his fur.
"What are you waiting for, a prophecy?" Scarletpaw demanded suddenly, whipping behind him and giving him a shove that sent him staggering forwards. "Get in the dang water, already!"
He gritted his teeth, bracing himself for the frozen embrace of the lake-water and walked right in.
"Sweet StarClan, that is cold!" He gasped. "Rabbit droppings and lizard tongues!"
Scarletpaw watched him as he writhed in the frosty waters, waiting for him to adjust to the chilly kiss of the lake in leaf-fall.
"This water feels like- oh… there we go," all the fight went out of his voice as his skin gently numbed. "Hey. This isn't so bad!"
"There you go," she smiled encouragingly. "Now for the fun part."
"Huh?"
She leapt into the lake beside him, sending water cascading over his head.
His body was adjusted, but his head hadn't touched the water, and now it was passing through the symbolic ritual of feeling like it was turning into an icicle.
"Ah!" He yelped. "Why would you do that?"
"Because it's hilarious," she deadpanned. "Don't worry, Breezekit, you'll be alright, oh, won't you, wittle Bweezy?"
He glared at her, but couldn't hold it and just melted into a purr.
"Okay, I admit, it was hilarious, but that wasn't the only reason," Scarletpaw relented. "This is the next part. So. You're feeling good. Freezing cold, but you can't feel it, so you're good. Next. Put your head under."
"What?!" His eyes went as wide as moons. "Heck no!"
"You do it or I'll do it for you," Scarletpaw warned. "I'll count to three."
He gulped. Either way, his head was going to end up under the cold surface of the lake, it may as well be on his own terms. Summoning every speck of courage inside him, he sucked in a breath and ducked under the water.
Panic immediately seized him with thorn-sharp claws, sending all the fur on his spine up stock-straight and rushing iciness down his back and through his body. Aiee! He immediately forced himself upwards, trying to resurface as soon as possible.
"Good try," Scarletpaw rolled her eyes at him.
"What? But I went underwater!" He protested.
"For a heartbeat," Scarletpaw gave him a patronizing look. "Good job; really."
"Shut up," he wrinkled his muzzle at her. "It's cold!"
Scarletpaw said nothing, just looked at him with cool amusement. "I'm shocked."
Breezepaw scowled at her, but his bad mood evaporated under her look.
"Fine! What was it that you wanted me to gain from this enlightening experience?" He demanded. "I'm freezing!"
"Well, now you have to swim!" She announced dramatically, provoking a hiss from Breezepaw.
"I am swimming!" He snapped. "I'm in the water, I'm not drowning, what more do you want from me?!"
Scarletpaw gave him a disbelieving look. "That doesn't qualify as swimming, you're just standing in the water! That's like looking at a mouse and saying 'look! I'm hunting, see? There's a mouse! I'm watching it! It totally counts!' Let me break it to you; it doesn't."
He pouted at her. "Fine then, oh wise one, what does constitute as swimming?"
"Well, you gotta be going somewhere," Scarletpaw explained, her voice taking on a tone that implied it was obvious. "It's hardly swimming if you're just hangin' out in the lake."
I guess… He thought, nodding slowly at Scarletpaw. He was starting to shiver in the icy water, but he didn't want to look weak in front of the thunderstorm of a cat that Scarletpaw was.
"So come on then!" Scarletpaw's amber eyes glittered at him expectantly.
"What am I supposed to do?" Breezepaw protested.
"Swim!" Scarletpaw's exasperation shone through in every movement. "Come on, it's not that hard! Just… swipe like you're collecting moss with all of your paws."
Breezepaw narrowed his eyes, testing it out. Within moments, he was floating through the water, his paws beginning to ache horribly almost instantly.
"There you go!" Scarletpaw exclaimed, lurching forwards and gracefully cutting straight through the water towards him.
He wanted to scream out loud at how easily she seemed to find moving through the frigid water while he was struggling to make a fox-length without dropping dead from exhaustion. It seemed to happen a lot around her. He caught a rabbit, she caught three. He could go on four patrols every day, she could go on ten. It wasn't fair, but he figured he would just have to deal with it. Sometimes he felt like he wasn't even meant to be in WindClan.
He was as loyal as the next cat; WindClan was the best Clan, how could he not be? But every so often, a little doubt would creep into his mind. He hated it, but he couldn't help it. WindClan just felt so… rigid and set. There was no room for him to twitch his whiskers sometimes.
It was just an endless, forced routine of drilling the same fighting moves over and over again. Losing races to Jaypaw, fights to Scarletpaw, and arguments to Icestorm. It wasn't fair! He just wanted something new and exciting. Scarletpaw was the only thing he could count on to not be able to count on. Everything else was so predictable.
"Well?" Her expectant mew brought him back to the present. "This is swimming. What do you think?"
"It's- it's really tiring," he panted. "Am I supposed to feel like I can't breathe?"
"Well, breathe," she said, like it explained everything. "Then you won't feel like you can't breathe."
Breezepaw rolled his eyes, but purred. Continuing to churn his burning paws in the water, he pushed his way over to Scarletpaw.
"Shouldn't we go back to camp?" He asked reluctantly, imagining Icestorm's furious tirade if he skipped out on too many patrols. Not to mention that he would never be allowed to go to the Gathering…
And I wouldn't see Lightningpaw… He thought.
"I guess," Scarletpaw sniffed, seeming perturbed that he didn't want to stay.
I just don't like swimming! He yelped inwardly.
"Want to see a cool trick before we go back?" Scarletpaw invited, a mischievous gleam in her eyes.
He squinted at her, not sure what she meant by a 'trick'.
Intrigued, he replied. "Sure…"
She gave him a quick grin before spinning around and standing absolutely still. The wind could have blown and Breezepaw was convinced that every single hair on her pelt would stay stationary.
He squinted at her, confused as to what exactly she was demonstrating. Her gaze was fixated on the water in front of her, searching for StarClan knew what.
"What are you-" Breezepaw began, but silenced himself as Scarletpaw cut him off with a loud 'shhhh'.
He didn't say anything, just watched her.
She didn't move for the longest time, and Breezepaw began to wonder if she was asleep on her paws.
Eventually, her paw slammed down faster than lightning, flicking something glimmering and silver up in the air. Just as quickly, Scarletpaw jerked her paw forwards and stabbed her claws into it.
"Uh- uh- what?" Breezepaw was confused.
"I caught a fish!" Scarletpaw cried triumphantly, glancing at him with a wicked look in her eye. "Want some?"
"But the Clan has to be fed first!" Breezepaw protested, glancing hungrily at the fish and the tempting smell wafting off of it. "I can't eat that!"
"I can," Scarletpaw snickered, digging out a giant mouthful of the shimmering silver fish. "Besides, remember on my first patrol, when Icestorm told me that it's okay to eat if you're not on hunting patrol?"
"But still… there are hungry cats back at camp!" Breezepaw argued weakly, his stomach rumbling as he looked at the fish. "We can't just eat-"
"There are hungry cats right here," Scarletpaw interrupted, then at his expression, added: "And besides, there are worse things to be than selfish."
From the look in her eyes, he didn't want to ask. So he didn't.
"Fine," he sighed heavily, but he could practically hear his stomach cheering.
The rabbit from before hadn't filled him up and he was aching to hook the fish away from Scarletpaw and make off with it.
She looked at him invitingly, drawing back to let him have a couple bites.
Excited and a little doubtful, he leaned forwards gently and sank his teeth into it. Salty and fresh flavour immediately exploded all over his mouth, singing about swimming through the reeds and dodging the larger water predators.
"W- wow," he mumbled thickly, chewing slowly, savouring the rich flavour of the fish. "Thish fish ish… really good!"
Scarletpaw purred in amusement at his wonder. She leaned forwards and snapped up a morsel for herself.
They sat together for many heartbeats, sharing the fish, Scarletpaw purring at his dumbfounded, blissful expression, Breezepaw focusing solely on the silver delicacy.
…
"Come on, Breezepaw, we're going to be late!" Icestorm snapped. "I can't believe Spottedstar let you attend after that…"
Breezepaw rolled his bright green eyes. Icestorm was going on about nothing. It's not like I betrayed the Clan. He thought, wrinkling his nose at the fierce, moon-lit silhouette of his annoyed mentor.
"I'm coming, I'm coming…" he sighed. "If she didn't let Scarletpaw go, she shouldn't have let me go."
"Life ain't fair, suck it up," Icestorm growled.
What fox made dirt on her prey? He wondered, sauntering into the middle of camp in time to see the rest of his Clanmates that had been chosen to go to the Gathering leaving.
"Hurry up! We'll get left behind!" Icestorm snapped, lashing her tail irritatedly.
He closed the rest of the distance between them quickly, his ear twitching placidly. It was a pleasant night, the freezing claws of leaf-bare having yet to close onto the forest.
Breathing deeply the aroma of twilight, Breezepaw fell into stride with his mentor easily. She sighed.
"Sorry if I've been all grumpy lately," Icestorm looked down, either embarrassed or frustrated with herself. "I don't know what's gotten into me. Well…"
"What?" Breezepaw looked at her, genuinely curious. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong, I just… I shouldn't have waited this long," she darted her gaze up to StarClan, as though summoning strength from them. "Breezepaw, I'm expecting kits."
His mind paused for a moment, perfectly still. Then it started to whirl. Kits? But… she has to train me! I've still got at least three moons left in my apprenticehood, if not more! And, and, and she can't train me with kits hanging off of her!
"Congratulations," he managed.
She smiled for real. "Thank you, Breezepaw. I know I shouldn't have sprung this on you, but there wasn't an easy way to do it."
"Who's the father?" He asked, trying to sort his thoughts into manageable sentences.
"Logfall," Icestorm replied quickly. "I know he's technically an elder, but he had to retire early because of a bad bout of green-cough that damaged his lungs, not from age, so he's actually younger than me. On the other paw, I'm no fresh leaf either."
"Logfall," Breezepaw repeated, "congratulations. And when did you find out about this?"
"Last moon," Icestorm sighed.
"They're coming soon, then," Breezepaw guessed. "Exactly how long do kits take, anyway?"
Icestorm pondered the question for a moment. Breezepaw took the second to think. Logfall. And last moon. Kits. I wonder who my replacement mentor will be? I don't want a replacement mentor! Icestorm's a fantastic one already!
"There's no exact amount of time… but I think Morningpoppy estimated…" Icestorm bit her lip, thinking. "Uh… two moons. So… if one moon has already passed, and I'll need at least a half moon in the nursery, if not more… I won't be your mentor for much longer."
Breezepaw tried not to gape. Everything was fine! I mean, Oatpad was acting weird, but that's not new. And I still don't know who my father was, but that's not new either. But there was- still is- Lightningpaw, now there's Scarletpaw too, and everything was good! He thought, blinking back bitter tears. But… how could everything go south so fast?! Icestorm's expecting kits? And she's known for a moon? How didn't I notice?!
"It's a lot to take in," Icestorm said gently, laying her thin tail across his shoulders. "But I believe in you. You're a strong one; you'll make it through. I wouldn't be surprised if it's you I'm taking orders from one day."
She blinked warmly at him. She's right, I'm strong. But strong enough to let her go? He thought, pain scorching him. I don't know…
"I have to go," he choked.
She nodded sadly, turning away from him.
He sped up, trying to outrun his thoughts. You can't outrun anything. His mind taunted. I can't even swim. Where's Scarletpaw?
He just needed her to tease him again, tell him he was a fluff-brain, remind him that some things hadn't changed. You're pathetic. His consciousness whispered. You've barely known her for a moon and you already can't live without her. Wow.
He tried to deny it, but he knew it was probably true. She just made the world a little brighter, like being around her made him remember everything might not be so bad after all.
She was a good friend.
"Breezepaw!" A familiar voice, spunky and sarcastic, called to him.
Scarletpaw? He turned. Oh. Nope. Nevermind.
"Hey Jaypaw," he muttered.
"Woooow, sorry," she drawled, rolling her almost invasively-blue eyes at him. "Just coming over to say hi… we haven't seen each other much. Icestorm keeping you busy?"
"I don't want to talk about Icestorm," Breezepaw murmured despondently.
Jaypaw nodded understandingly. She doesn't know, but she'll still accept that I don't want to talk about it… Breezepaw smiled softly. Thanks.
"Well, uh…" Jaypaw seemed at a loss for words.
Hey, don't look at me! He thought. I've never been the greatest at breaking silences…
"Leopardpaw's been a good replacement," she joked. "She's just like you, you know."
"I probably wouldn't like her much, then," Breezepaw purred. "Just kidding. How is it you like her?"
"Hey! Don't tell me who to be friends with!" Breezepaw thought she was actually annoyed, but there was a teasing note in her voice that made him relax. "I'll like Leopardpaw if I so wish to!"
Breezepaw rolled his eyes at her teasingly.
"Yeah, yeah," he allowed. "She seemed nice when I talked to her. Really laid-back. It's a nice break from every cat expecting you to be on your toes all the time…"
Jaypaw nodded easily. They slipped into companionable silence as they trudged towards the island. Breezepaw felt like some cat was watching him, but he couldn't place who.
Eventually, as they were jumping up onto the bridge, Breezepaw broke the silence.
"Do you think Snowstar's going to stir up trouble again?" Breezepaw asked, flicking his tail at Jaypaw.
"I wouldn't put it past the fish-face," Jaypaw responded, narrowing her eyes to slits of blue ice. "Too bad we haven't seen any more of that tiny little silver cat. Or the white one, come to think of it…"
Breezepaw nodded absently, thinking of Scarletpaw, stuck back at camp.
"Breezepaw? Are you listening to me?" Jaypaw snapped.
"Sorry, sorry," he mumbled, hopping up onto the tree bridge. "Let's cross."
…
Every cat's here already… Breezepaw realized, scanning the clearing for what, he didn't know. We're so late! I hope I get a chance to talk to Lightningpaw before the Gathering ends…
He shuddered at the thought of not seeing her for another moon. And that's only if I get to go next moon.
Leaders are starting. He thought as Thornstar cried out giddily. Uh, what got into him? I suppose I should listen.
"Breezepaw!" A raspy but enthusiastic permeated the island. "I haven't seen you in moons!"
"It's only been one," he objected, but purred. "Hey Darkpaw. How've you been?"
"Clearly not as good as you!" The little tortoiseshell bumped his shoulder playfully. "Look at you; all grown up. It's like standing next to a tree."
Breezepaw's fur felt hot. Had he really grown that much?
"Oh, come on," he rolled his eyes, but he was flattered. "I'd say the same to you… but you haven't grown at all."
"Oh, shut up," she snarled playfully. "I have too. Look, I can see you without tilting my head so far up that I break my neck!"
"Barely," he made a big show of looking way down so he could see her.
He took a moment to study her. She hadn't grown much; in that respect he was correct. However, looking closer, the kit fluff around her ears was completely gone, she held herself with a certain air of quiet confidence. Perhaps not the sweeping audacity that others had, but just as though she had convinced the war to rage outside her little bubble of perfect peace.
The feeling was alluring and Breezepaw felt… envious? Perhaps a little, but that wasn't exactly right…
"So how's WindClan?" Darkpaw interrupted his musings.
"They're, we're, uh, good," he stammered.
She nodded slowly, but her intensely amber eyes dug into his green ones as though they knew something he did not. It was unsettling, but fascinating. Pretty much summed up how Darkpaw makes me. Unsettled and fascinated. He rolled his eyes inwardly. Yeah right.
"And how's ShadowClan?" He offered, hoping to keep the conversation going.
"Wonderfully," her eyes glinted darkly. "So many secrets and such delightful gossip."
Breezepaw threw his head back and purred. "Wouldn't have pegged you as the gossip cat."
"There's plenty you don't know about me… Breezy," Darkpaw looked at him again, her eyes swallowing his whole, and he was falling, falling, falling.
Suddenly, his heart gave a hard tug, stopping him halfway. Wait. The tiniest whisper. You've forgotten her.
Darkpaw paused to, her eyes narrowing to sharp little blades of amber, then she continued to speak, not even a hint of anger or negative emotion at all in her voice.
"My denmate, Primrosepaw, has been after the deputy," she leaned closer to him, like it was a secret. Breezepaw noticed her breath smelled of the pines; not intoxicating like Scarletpaw's, just honest and fresh. "She's a real… romantic. Always trying to matchmake me up with my Clanmates."
She looked away, the darkness sheathing her features.
"I wish her good luck in her battle to win… what's his name? Crowflight or something?" Breezepaw joked.
"Ravenwing," Darkpaw corrected, narrowing her eyes teasingly. "Lizard-brain. That's what your name should be. Lizardbrainpaw. Suits you."
"Breezepaw? More like Sandyfurpaw," Scarletpaw teased, her paw still hanging guiltily in the air.
Breezepaw blinked hard, the memory dissipating fast.
"Uhuh," he nodded absently.
"Primrosepaw will never be Ravenwing's mate," Darkpaw changed the subject fluidly. "He's like, a million moons older than her."
"And what if she suddenly ages?" Breezepaw offered half-heartedly.
"I hardly think that she ever would have-" Darkpaw was interrupted as a familiar cat stormed over to Breezepaw.
And then he was gone, gone, gone.
Gone.
Lightningpaw. Every beat of his heart. Every hair on his pelt. Every step from his paws. It was all for her. It's Lightningpaw. Lightningpaw. His heart throbbed. Nope. ThunderClan. Lightningpaw. I- I- I can't live without her!
She had a murderous glint in her golden eyes, but it didn't scare Breezepaw. I'm safe. She'd never hurt me.
"Heeeey, Darkpaw," she smiled sweetly. "Breezepaw, can I borrow you for a couple heartbeats?"
"Sure?" He was confused, but he trusted her.
She paused once they were out of Darkpaw's earshot and began. "Listen, Breezepaw, I know that it's not like we're mates, or even in a romantic relationship at all, but-"
"What do you mean?" Breezepaw recoiled, puzzled and worried. "Lightningpaw, I… we're-"
"This isn't about Darkpaw," Lightningpaw stated quickly. "Breezepaw… you remember last moon, when we met up, by the border?"
"Yeah…" he felt the smile fell from his mouth. "I-"
"Shush!" She exclaimed, then continued. "It- you have to understand, this isn't fun to do… we're from different Clans. Maybe during that first Gathering we were both a little tired, everything seemed brighter and sparkly, but… I don't love you."
"What?! I- I don't expect you to!" His eyes widened with shock. Of course she doesn't, Breezepaw, you moron. You're just an unlovable traitor. His mind scoffed.
"But you want me too," Lightningpaw narrowed her eyes expectantly at him, and at his silence, added: "and you figured that I would eventually. I'm not saying you love me, but I do know that we both expected there to be something between us. And Breezepaw… one infatuated kit-crush isn't that 'something'."
"What are you saying?" The bottom of his stomach dropped out and he felt dread wash over him "You- you don't like me?"
"I like you enough for this to be hard to tell you," Lightningpaw smiled sympathetically and he breathed a little sigh of relief. She did like him. "Breezepaw. We're from different Clans. We don't even get along that well. We were six moons old. There's hardly even anything to break off. Breezepaw… we're not even friends."
"But we can be!" He exclaimed desperately.
"Yes! We can!" Lightningpaw breathed in, hoping he was beginning to understand. "But nothing else!"
He blinked slowly. So she was telling him… that she didn't love him? She didn't depend on him? I thought I could trust you to always be there for me! You were the only one for me! I'll stop talking to Darkpaw, I'll join ThunderClan, whatever it takes, I'll do it! His lovesick mind cried, but the spell had been broken. It's infatuation. She's a pretty ThunderClanner. ThunderClan. There's nothing there.
He could feel his mouth moving, but his voice had died along with his dreams of them together.
…
"Breezepaw."
"Leave me alone," he breathed venomously.
"Breezepaw," the same insistent voice.
"Go away!" He snapped.
"Talk to me," the same voice, this time softer and more inviting.
He turned to finally acknowledge the cat pestering him and he felt his jaw drop. It was the very last cat he ever expected to comfort him.
"Wavepaw?" He gaped.
The thick-furred silver tom lifted a paw and flicked out his glinting claws, inspecting them. "In the flesh."
A little smile curved across his muzzle. It was as gone as fast as it came.
"Come to gloat?" Breezepaw hissed injuredly. "She's all yours. I don't care. I can't care. She can't just- she- she carved open my heart, and now she's just left me to bleed- bleeding- everywhere…"
"Drama queen," Wavepaw rolled his eyes, the blue in the darkness like ghosts. "Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Get up, mouse-brain. Well, go on!"
Breezepaw blinked hard, snivelling as he staggered to his paws.
"Why- why are you doing this?" Breezepaw sniffled.
Wavepaw looked away. "I can't just look at a tom leaving his pride out in the forest for all the creatures to devour, now can I?"
"Now who's the drama queen?" Breezepaw quipped through his sniffing.
Wavepaw looked down at him, a struggle in his eyes, when finally a little shudder went through him and he relaxed. Breezepaw wasn't sure what had just happened, but Wavepaw's stiff and aggressive manner seemed to have melted away.
"Sorry if I've been a fish-brain to you," Wavepaw finally apologized, not meeting Breezepaw's eyes.
"Yeah, what was up with that?" Breezepaw couldn't resist demanding.
"I…" Wavepaw's cerulean eyes were torn.
Breezepaw swallowed, unsure of whether Wavepaw would spill his true feelings to him or rip out his throat. He shot a quick prayer up to StarClan that it was the former.
"I…" Wavepaw swallowed hard, blinking quickly. "I didn't have the happiest kithood. My… my mother and my father… I don't know if you know them, but their names are Cloudfall and F- Fallowspots. They… Cloudfall and Fallowspots don't have the nicest relationship."
Breezepaw nodded softly, hoping to keep Wavepaw talking. I guess I never really wondered why he acted like that. Seems like there might be more to the story than I know…
"Cloudfall is the best mother a cat could wish for," Wavepaw declared vehemently, and Breezepaw didn't argue, thinking of Oatpad's neglectful time in the nursery. "But… I think something happened between them. Cloudfall… she's just really jealous, but I can't figure out why! Fallowspots always seems to have a burr in his fur, but I couldn't begin to guess why. My only theory is that Fallowspots might have cheated on Cloudfall with another cat, but… I don't know, Breezepaw! I don't know!"
Watching Wavepaw break down in front of him had a sobering effect on all the thoughts spiralling through Breezpaw's mind. His father doesn't love his mother? He thought. And so Cloudfall is angry at Fallowspots because she thinks he was cheating? Or he was cheating?
"That… sounds awful," Breezepaw managed, laying his tail comfortingly across Wavepaw's shoulders. "I'm really sorry."
"To make matters worse," Wavepaw sniffed, "Fallowspots is my mentor. I have to see him every single day until I'm made a warrior. I just hope I'm good enough to become a warrior quicker than most. It hurts, Breezepaw, when your father doesn't care."
"I've got lots of problems, but a father isn't one," Breezepaw shared, sighing morosely. "That's not exactly mice and moonlight either. I hear some of the older warriors gossiping sometimes. 'Oh, Oatpad was always too friendly with the kittypets. Oh, remember when Oatpad would disappear out of training for moons at a time? Oh, isn't she just awful, poor Breezekit, whatever shall we do'."
Wavepaw managed a snicker through his gradually fading sobs. Breezepaw smiled tentatively. He isn't so bad. Maybe I was wrong about him. Friends are better than crushes anyways. I always wanted a brother.
"Come WindClan! We must return!" Spottedstar yowled.
The other leaders called out similar summons directed at their respective Clans.
"Gathering's over?" Breezepaw asked in surprise.
"Yeah, but nothing important happened," Wavepaw's eyes suddenly iced over. "Nothing at all. I'll see you around, Breezepaw."
Well, that was weird. Breezepaw thought to himself. At least I know he's not a good-for-nothing pile of sheep-dung. He smiled at the thought, and bounded away towards his Clan.
…
What's that? Breezepaw wondered, hearing the continual hrak-hrack from behind the bushes. No cat in the Clan seemed to mind though, all of their minds fixed on sinking into a soft nest of moss after the Gathering.
They were almost back to camp, having taken a detour after two-legs were spotted a little closer to the lake. The Gathering patrol had swerved off course, nearer to the two-legs place than Breezepaw was thrilled about.
Who's coughing like that? They sound like they're dying or something! Breezepaw felt a surge of panic.
"Uh, Icestorm?" His mentor turned to see him. "I'm just going to make dirt. I'll see you back at camp."
His mentor nodded, seeming spaced out. Whatever. I need to see who's making that choking sound. It might be a cat in serious trouble!
Wary of being attacked, Breezepaw peeked around the bush, not entirely sure what he was expecting to find. Whatever it was, certainly not what was right in front of him.
Familiar, russet-amber tabby fur coated the cat that was bent over a flash of bright ruby. Scarletpaw? What's that thing? Breezepaw wondered, peering closer at the little item. It's a flower of some kind…
It was redder than Scarletpaw's pelt. She continued to do whatever it was she was doing to the flower… What's she doing? He wondered again. Trying to figure out what kind of flower it was, he studied it closely. It looks like a lily with a million little petals, like a spider. And it's red. I think Sweetberry was talking about some kind of flower she called a spider lily, but she said they were white. Huh. Breezepaw puzzled over scene.
He suddenly realized something strange. She's… she's eating the flower. He thought in alarm. Is it some kind of medicine? But what if it's poisonous?! And why does she keep coughing?
Suddenly, Scarletpaw turned to the side and made an awful, heaving noise, like she was throwing up. Then Breezepaw realized she had.
As soon as she stopped coughing and vomiting, she turned tail and ran, straight towards the camp. Where's she going now? Breezepaw wondered. Probably just back to camp.
He crept out of the bush, still curious as to what was going on, and investigated the strange scene.
There lay a little patch of the red, spider-like lilies. One of the flowers had no bloom, just a green stem. Revolted, Breezepaw spared only a glance at the vomit. It confirmed what he had guessed; Scarletpaw had been eating the flower.
That left only one question.
Why?
Why indeed, little Breezy.
I know. Do you? A quick google search about the legend of this particular flower will give you a strong hint as to what mysteries may be surrounding Scarletpaw. And certain other cats that shall remain unnamed.
So the QOTC is: You may have noticed… but all three of the other cats have voices in their heads at this point in the story. Wavepaw's got Pondfrost, Darkpaw's got Ripple, Silver Memory, Moonripple, or whatever the heck name he's sporting at the moment, and Lightningpaw has Whiteshadow. Breezepaw has no one. Any guesses as to why?
Anyways. Random side note. I now have a document bookmarked on my computer listed as '#Spoilers'. (I don't know if the hash-tag will show up, but yeah.) It's got… a lot of information about this story on it.
P.S. If you don't want everything to be spoiled DON'T HACK MY COMPUTER. Thanks guys. Luv ya. The document's actual name is 'Everything'. XD I like looking at it and cackling like a maniac. Mhmh.
Okay, so y'all will have your special chapter sometime in the next week, hopefully tomorrow, but knowing me, no promises. I really am super thankful for everything and all the support y'all have pumped into the story. I would be on chapter ½ if you guys hadn't stepped in and helped. *Cyber-five*
~Pondfrost