Chapter 5

Thunderclan had just arrived at Fourtrees. All of the other clans were. Runningwind scanned the area for Runningpaw but she was hard to find. He walked around looking, greeting warriors as they walked by.

"Hello!" a startling meow came from behind him.

He turned around. "Runningpaw?"

"Of course it's me. I just wanted to thank you for saving me in the river." She mewed.

Runningwind nodded. "Oh, I didn't catch your name." the young apprentice mentioned.

"It's Runningwind." He responded. Knowing that she was safe and happy made him feel better. They said their god-byes and took off. The rest of the Gathering went well.

Once they returned, Runningwind found Willowpelt chewing on a pigeon. He thought it was time for him to apologize. He grabbed a mouse and laid down next to her.

"The Gathering went well." He started.

"Any news?" she asked without looking at him.

"No, nothing much." He said. "I did meet a few new warriors and apprentices today." He added.

"I see." She responded. She still didn't look at him.

"I'm sorry." The young tom said, breaking the silence which surrounded them. "I shouldn't have been so mean."

"Well, you wouldn't let me talk." Willowpelt mewed. "But I forgive you." She purred.

"Thank you." He mewed happily. The two cats touched noses and purred.

Friends again, that makes me happy. I only wish it were more. Runningwind said to himself.

It had been a few moons since Runningwind was forgiven by Willowpelt. They were off doing daily things but Willowpelt seemed to hang around Whitestorm more. It bothered Runningwind but he said nothing. As long as Willowpelt was happy then he was happy.

It was time for another gathering. Bluestar gathered all the cats and they marched off.

Runningwind couldn't wait. At every Gathering he would meet Runningpaw and they'd talk for a little. He found her to be very nice and kind. Maybe he liked her even more but love between two clan cats was forbidden and Runningwind was a loyal cat.

"I can't wait to hear the news tonight." Willowpelt meowed excitedly.

"Neither can I." he said.

Once they got there Runningwind took off to search for Runningpaw. There she was. Her sliver fur glowed in the moonlight.

"Runningpaw!" he yelled out but the she-cat did not turn to look. He got a little closer and yellow out her name. But she wouldn't turn her head. "Hey! Runningpaw!"

The she-cat slowly turned her head, suddenly her face lit up. She walked over to greet him.

"I called you a few times but you ignored me." Runningwind said.

"I'm sorry. It's just my name is now Runningbrook. I didn't really hear your voice." She apologized.

"You're now a warrior? Wow!" Runningwind congratulated her.

The she-cat nodded. Suddenly her face saddened. "What's wrong Runningbrook?" the worried brown tom asked.

"I want to run away. I want you to come with me." She whispered. Shocked, Runningwnd stepped back a few steps.

"Leave? Why?" he asked with disbelief.

"I love you. I want to be with you but I can't be disloyal to my clan. We should run away together, make our own clan! It would be the perfect life!" she explained.

Runningwind fancied her idea. But he didn't want to leave his clan. He turned to Willowpelt's direction, she was sitting and talking with a few other warriors. He didn't want to leave her.

"I'm sorry Runningbrook, I can't leave." He finally said.

"Do you love another?" she said. Runningwind could tell she was heartbroken.

"Yes, but sadly she doesn't love me back." He mewed.

"Then come with me." She urged him. Runningwind shook his head.

"But I can't live without you. I need you." She cried.

"I'm sorry Runningbrook. I must remain loyal to my clan. I really like you too, but in the end we weren't made for each other." He finally said.

"I understand." She sighed. The sad young warrior turned away and moped for a bit. Then she began to talk with other warriors.

Did I do the right thing? There's really nothing left for me in Thunderclan. Willowpelt loves another, I'm all alone. But I just can't leave. He turned around and went to join Willowpelt in her conversation. He did fell guilty about Runningbrook, but it was for the best.