Blackstar's pov
As he woke up in the morning, the last night's events came flooding back to him. Shadestorm actually asked to share a nest with me.
Right now he could feel her back pressed against his. She was snoring gently, a peaceful expression on her pretty face.
Does she like me?
But his sifting had woken her up, and now she opened her eyes drowsily. "Is is dawn yet?"
She asked, her voice still blurry from sleep.
He looked towards the waterfall, and the faint light of dawn. Several other cats were beginning to wake up, too.
"I'm afraid it's already dawn." He replied.
Shadestorm looked up, annoyance in her green eyes. Did I say something wrong?
But then he noticed her anger wasn't directed at him, but the cats around them. All of them were staring.
He felt that same feeling, and wanted to yowl; Mind your own business! But he knew that would only make things worse for them. So he kept quiet.
"Tawnypelt is never going to stop teasing me about this." Shadestorm mumbled as she got up, shaking bedding from her pelt.
He did the same, and soon he was walking alone towards the other leaders, who were waiting for him.
They didnt say anything, but he felt their amused glances. His pelt ruffled self-conciously.
But he shook them off, and mewed briskly; "Whats the plan?"
Shadestorm's pov
As the clans left the Tribe behind, stormclouds began to gather by the mountainpeaks. Night was beginning to fall when the mountains gave away to forest.
There was tension in the air. Nobody knew whether to go on or not.
But as they began to climb up a hill, the dawn light was starting to flicker through the trees.
Shadestorm spotted Blackstar. He was walking with the Thunderclan leader, Firestar.
She sped up until she reached them. "Hi!" She mewed cheerfully.
Both of them turned. She saw Blackstar's amber eyes starting to glow as he recognised the newcomer. "Hey!"
The three cats walked alongside eachother for a moment, but then Firestar slowed down, walking beside Cinderpelt and Sandstorm.
Shadestorm was very aware that she was alone with him.
Then they reached the top of the hill, and she drew in a sharp breath.
There was a wide pool of water. Stars were reflected in the calm surface. And around the water she could see forest, moorlands and loads of small rivers.
She smiled at the white and black tom beside herself, and he smiled back.
This is where we need to be.
...
When the sun started to go down the next day, Shadestorm was eating a squirrel while laying in the fading light with Tallpoppy and Ferncloud.
Ferncloud is nice, even if she is from Thunderclan.
The three cats were watching the two litters of kits playing. It's like watching kits from the same clan! She realised with shock.
But her thoughts were once again interrupted by Blackstar. "Hey, can I have a word with you?" He asked.
"Sure."
Shadestorm guickly gulped down the rest of her prey, and followed him to a more guiet corner of their makeshift camp. She was very aware of Tallpoppy's and Ferncloud's curious eyes on her. "What did you have to say?"
"I was thinking we could go night hunting together. That could help with your fear."
"If you're sure. But my fear is mainly of being alone in the dark."
Inwardly she was dancing with happiness. And she was sure her glowing eyes betrayed that to him.
"I'm sure if you are." He replied.
"Only if your with me." Shadestorm said, purring slightly.
He didn't seem to be unaware of her dancing eyes.
"I think you won't have to worry about that. But I'll meet you here at moonhigh."
And with that, he swiped his tail along her back, and headed away. The Shadowclan leader looked back once, and smirked. She grinned back at him.
What have I gotten myself into? She wondered, still smiling.
...
Shadestorm laid awake on her makeshift nest. She hadn't had the time to make it comfortable yet.
It was almost moonhigh, and her heart was racing with anticipation. But her mind was doubtful.
Does he really like me back? Or is this just a game for both of us?
Well, I could ask Tallpoppy about it. She's really good with these types of things.
The only problem with that is the fact she would never stop teasing me about it. And Starclan only knows what's going to happen tonight.
...
When the moon reached it's peak, Shadestorm headed out of the small den. She met Blackstar on the way to the place.
"Let's go then. " She whispered briskly. But her eyes betrayed her nervousness.
He led the way as they wove their way between bushes and grass. And soon all of the sounds of the cats faded. To her surprise, Shadestorm wasn't so fearful when she was with him.
There was tension between them. But she broke it by a simple trick.
"Race you up that tree!"
Shadestorm jumped straight to the first branch, Blackstar following close behind. The two cats climbed up alongside eachother, their pelts brushing from time to time.
They were equals, both reaching a high branch at the same time. And they stayed on that branch, their flanks heaving.
"I could have beaten you if I really wanted to." He said suddenly.
Two pairs of eyes, green and amber, were filled with amusement and mischief.
"Yeah right. And spotted toads are flying over there." She replied, laughing.
Just now they got a good look at their surroundings.The lake was shining underneath them, reflecting the silverpelt.
"I wonder if Redpaw is out there." Shadestorm said suddenly and quietly.
"I'm sure she is." He murmured. His voice was like riverwater. Smooth and deep, so impossibly perfect she felt she could drown into it, and fall asleep at the sound of it.
They glanced at eachother for a long moment, seriousness in their eyes. The Shadowclan leader looked away first, his expression thoughtful.
"Something's bothering you." She stated.
He was quiet for a while. Then he spoke, his gaze at the ground.
"Technically yes. I just feel quilty. The subject of Starclan has come up a lot recently. And I can only think about the cats I've hurt in the past." He glanced up at the star speckled sky.
"Well, Starclan must know you regret it all. They wouldn't have made you leader otherwise." She reasoned.
He looked away. And Shadestorm pressed against him comfortingly.
"You know, I feel quilty about Redpaw's death."
"That's not the same. You didn't just watch when she died. You begged Tigerstar to go with her." He growled. She flinched and moved away, but the Shadowclan leader kept on.
"And it wasn't even your fault."
Her green eyes were sparkling with anger and grief. "It's not the same! You don't know how it feels to feel quilty every time you remember your loved one. You don't know how it feels like to lose the cat you promised to always be sisters. And you don't know how it feels to know you could have easily prevented it!"
Shadestorm quickly climbed down the tree. She flattened her ears and hardly heard his pleas for her to come back or wait.
She ran through the forest, eyes lowered to hide the tears.
She curled up in her nest. I tried, at least. Now it will probably all be gone by the next morning.
