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Chapter 7
Stormpaw's POV
Stormpaw impatiently waited at the tree-bridge, excitement sweeping over his pelt. The island stood in the lake, full moon shining down onto it. He could just make out the shapes of moving cats scattered on the bank or pushing through the bushes. I hope Rainpaw will be there, he thought eagerly. He hadn't seen her last night, and he had started to get worried.
Finally Bramblepaw leaped onto the trunk, clawing his way along the bark. Stormpaw followed him, and was relieved when he made it to the shore without falling in the cold, dark water.
He raced into the clearing, but slowed when he smelled ThunderClan hadn't arrived yet. Suddenly he felt a pelt brush against his side. "Hey Stormpaw." Meowed a high-pitched voice. Stormpaw inwardly sighed, then faced his Clanmate, Runningpaw. She was staring at him strangely, eyes sparking with some emotion.
She glanced from side to side, then meowed loudly, "Wanna go sit and talk?"
Stormpaw shivered. That was the last thing he wanted to do. Her obvious flirtations never worked on him.
"Looo, uh, Runningpaw." He began, when suddenly a bright golden pelt pushed in between the two cats.
Sunpaw's POV
She found herself staring at him. His neat gray pelt shone in the moonlight, green eyes giving away nothing. He must be feeling it too. Love.
She had noticed him looking uncomfortable talking to that she-cat... What was her name? Flypaw? Swimmingpaw? Oh yeah, Runningpaw! ... And had decided to barge her out of the way and talk to him.
And there they were.
Sunpaw flashed Stormpaw her best purr, hoping he would notice her. "Hi Stormpaw!" She squealed. Stormpaw glanced around and slowly backed away, looking a bit startled. Surely he remembered her!
"Uh... Hi?" He meowed slowly.
Sunpaw rolled her eyes. "Remember me? Sunpaw? The one who was telling you all her great accomplishments last Gathering?"
Stormpaw snorted. "Yes, I remember, O great leader." He meowed sarcastically. Sounds a lot like Rainpaw. Sunpaw pushed away the thought.
"Have you seen Rainpaw?" He mewed hopefully. Was that affection in his eyes? Sunpaw thought with horror. With a flick of her tail, she pushed away the suspicion. No, it can't be. We're supposed to be in love.
"Rainpaw's back at camp. She lost a lot of blood after the battle, and is recovering. She should be back in training in a half-moon. Did I tell you I defeated a rogue twice my size and strength? After I sent him squealing into the bushes, I took on a tabby with very long claws. And then I attack a tortoiseshell. And a silver cat. And I defeated every cat I met! And..."
Sunpaw continued to talk non-stop about the battle, unaware that a few apprentices had crept up to listen.
Suddenly one interrupted. "So you are weak because of the battle!"
Sunpaw glared at her. Runningpaw. "No, we are not because we are too good at fighting to be weak." The she cat narrowed her eyes.
"You ThunderClan cats always think you're the best!" She mocked. "WindClan can prove otherwise."
Sunpaw snorted. "Maybe it's because we are the best? Huh? Ever think about that?"
That was enough to infuriate her. She snarled and leaped at Sunpaw, spitting insults. Stormpaw, who had been watching the quarrel with thoughtful eyes, suddenly stood up. "Look!" He hissed, and pointed his tail at the moon. "Clouds are drifting over it! Stop fighting!" He was right. A smal wisp of cloud hovered just in front of the moon. As the cats stopped arguing, it flew away.
"StarClan was anrgy. Don't fight anymore!" Stormpaw growled, then stalked away to the center of the clearing. Sunpaw chased after him.
"Wait, Stormpaw! I'm coming!" He didn't turn to look back. Sunpaw stopped, crestfallen. Apparently she had done something wrong.
Stormpaw's POV
Stormpaw sat in his nest, deep in thought. The Gathering was over, and Sunpaw hadn't caused any more trouble. The leaders had nothing new to report, although Featherstar had mentioned nothing about the rogue attack Sunpaw was boasting about.
He was troubled. He wanted to see Rainpaw soon, but according to Sunpaw she had to stay in the medicine den for a half-moon. How will I ever get to see her before then? Stormpaw shifted in his nest.
Suddenly, he sat bolt upright. I could sneak out to see her! He triumphantly flicked his tail, when a little voice in the back of his mind said, Don't be such a mouse-brain. You could get caught! Stormpaw pushed it down. But at least I would be caught on ThunderClan territory! Before he could change his mind, he pushed out of the den and raced out of camp.
Suddenly a voice stopped him in his tracks. "Where are you going, Stormpaw?"
Stormpaw groaned inwardly. Not Runningpaw! He turned around, expressionless. Runningpaw dashed up to him, her long legs easily clearing the few fox-lengths between them. "Where are you going?"
"For a walk." He replied. Runningpaw purred.
"I'll come with you."
She didn't even ask if I wanted her to come! "Fine." Stormpaw hesitantly agreed. Fox-dung! I've got to wait until tomorrow.
Rainpaw's POV
Rainpaw sniffed in disgust. She was confined to the medicine den for the next half-moon, and Littlelight had told her to check the elder for ticks. Again. She bit her lip to hide her distaste and picked up the mouse-bile that lay at her paws. It smells like crow-food.
Rainpaw stumbled outside the entrance. She lashed her tail with frustration. Ever since the battle a few days ago, she had walked with a limp, constantly tripping. Littlelight said it would heal over time, but Rainpaw wasn't so sure.
As soon as Rainpaw had finished the elders, she limped back to the medicine den. The sun was already going down, and she curled up in her nest, exhausted.
A small noise awoke Rainpaw. The sound of a pebble falling into camp. It clattered down the stone wall, and landed a few mouse-lengths away from Rainpaw. Was that a rabbit? Another pebble fell down into camp. No, it would have fled at the first crackle. Are the rogues back? She drew a breath to warn her Clan, when suddenly something heavy landed on top of her. "We're under attack again!" Rainpaw tried to call out, but thick, gray fur was muffling her voice.
"Be quiet! Do you want to bring the whole Clan here?" Rainpaw gasped. Stormpaw! The weight lifted, and Rainpaw scrabbled up to find Stormpaw staring at her, embarrassment shining in his eyes.
"What are you doing here?" She hissed, pleased that he had come to see her, but scared they would get caught.
Stormpaw looked taken aback. "I... I thought you would be happy I stopped by to say hi. You must feel lonely in the den." He mumbled.
Rainpaw purred, and brushed against him. "Of course I'm happy." She whispered. "I just don't want you to get caught."
Stormpaw sighed, relieved, and gave her ear a quick lick. "So how are you?" He murmured anxiously.
Rainpaw, forgetting all about her limp, answered, "I'm fine." She ducked her head self-consciously and Stormpaw entwined his tail with hers.
"I've missed you."
Rainpaw let out a soft mrrow of amusement. "It's only been a few days!" Remembering that they were standing in the camp, Rainpaw added on, "And you might want to go now. Littlelight sometimes wakes up to check on her herbs."
Stormpaw narrowed his eyes with laughter. "Why does she do that?"
"I don't know, and now is not the time to ask." Rainpaw relied. "You should go."
Stormpaw nodded. "Right. Bye."
Rainpaw watched as he began climbing up the cliff face, using a series of small ledges and pawholds to draw himself up. Finally, when he reached the top, he turned back to Rainpaw and softly called down, "When you are fully healed, meet me by the border at moonhigh. I will be waiting." Without her reply, he turned around and sped through the bushes, leaves shivering as he brushed against them.
Rainpaw stared after him, well aware of the lightning that crackled between them. "I will come to where you wait." She whispered, looking up at the stars that peeked through the clouds. They looked back at her, cold white light bathing the clearing. Something small, cold and white landed on her nose. The first snowflakes of Leaf-fall, she thought. Soon the entire clearing was coated in the small flakes, Rainpaw watching them with wonder.
Sooooooooooooo I do not like Sunpaw. How about you? Oh and by the way, can anyone guess what Rainpaw's second dream meant?
Question of the day:
In what way is Feathertail related to Goosefeather? (this'll be a hard one)
Question 2 of the day:
Really, do you like or dislike Sunpaw, and why? I want to know.
