Chapter ten
Sagepaw loped at the side of Fawnpaw with curious eyes. His tail flapped in the air like a stray dandelion.
"So, I take it you like Shadowpaw." She gave him an annoyed glance. Did he really have to bring this up? If anything, now was the worst time to do so. How could Shadowpaw lie to her? He told her he would never see his parents again...and after all she's done for him! She risked her apprenticeship just to help Darkpaw.
"Why do you want to know? I thought you had your eyes on some other cat."
"Darkpaw? Yeah...but she probably likes Antpaw," His green eyes filled with disappointment,"I've seen how she acts around him." The emotions he radiated made her heart ache for him. Poor Sagepaw. He only wants Darkpaw to reciprocate his feelings. They walked in silence for a little longer until coming upon a group of cats. Smoke and Shadowpaw were laughing at Darkpaw who was tossing around a mouse. Gross. The limp mass was now nothing more than mush.
"Hey Darkpaw. That fresh-kill is for eating. Not for playing with." Sagepaw pointed out. She immediately dropped the mouse and pushed it away from her.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Hey Sagepaw, have you met my father yet? This is Smoke." Fawnpaw stared up at the gray tom. She noticed how his muscles bulged from beneath his pelt. Round in shape and strong in power, he could easily strike a cat down. Sagepaw glared at Smoke with uneasy eyes. Fawnpaw couldn't blame him. There was just something about him that wasn't quite right.
"So you must be Sagepaw. My daughter has told me much about you." His voice was low and gruff. In an instant, Sagepaw's pine green eyes lit up. He had enjoyed hearing that Darkpaw talked about him. Fawnpaw shuffled uncomfortably on her paws.
"How are you liking Clan life, Smoke?" She asked. His claws flexed as he stretched out.
"Its going quite well. Iris has a bit to go before she's used to hunting." Iris...she seemed nice enough. More than her mate for that matter. A twig snapped behind them and Tallsky can padding up to the group.
"Would you all like to go on a hunting patrol? Stormflash and Oceanflight have gone out to mark the borders already." Sagepaw hopped to his feet swiftly. He obviously wanted to go. Fawnpaw, despite wanting to ease the hunger that had been gnawing at her belly, had other ideas
"They can go. I want to stay behind for now." Nodding, Tallsky sent them on their way.
"Fawnpaw...is there any reason in particular as to why you chose not to go? You seem a bit bothered by something." Tallsky asked suddenly. Fawnpaw stared blankly into the deputy's yellow eyes. She didn't want to answer him. But there was something on her mind.
"I was just wondering...could I accompany Ripplepaw on her way to the Starstone? It's not too far away...and she's my closest friend. I'd like to be there with her for her special moment." She stayed proudly. Tallsky seemed dumbfounded by her request and did nothing but blink at her.
"Well, I suppose you could. But you will need a warrior to go with you as well," he added,"Perhaps Deerleap would like to join you. She hasn't been out lately so it would be good for her. Will you fetch her? I think she's in the elders den with Krestelflight." She nodded happily and skipped away. Hopefully this trip would get her mind off of the whole situation. Nearing the elders den that was nestled comfortably beneath a bushel of ferns, she could hear the chatter of Deerleap and Krestelflight. It was a happy sound that warmed her heart.
Perhaps things wouldn't be so bad after all. Maybe the situation would resolve itself.