Spiritpaw knows she should be focusing on the training session, but she can't take her eyes off Breezepaw, the lithe and beautiful light grey she-cat that battles Blackpaw nearby. And so that is how the small silver tabby is tackled to the ground by her tortoiseshell sister, Rosepaw. She yelps in shock, but quickly laughs it off as she sees Rosepaw's triumphant green gaze above her, but even her sparkling eyes don't compare to the beautiful amber ones that shine in the moonlight like stars belonging to Breezepaw. Spiritpaw is slightly ashamed that her sister was able to take her down so easily, but hey, at least she got to see Breezepaw even more!
I should really stop thinking these things about her. I don't know what it is, but it's distracting me every single day.
She sighs inwardly as Rosepaw got off her and got to her paws, shaking dust off her fur. Her sister is much taller than her, and her build specifically for fighting. Spiritpaw is small and lithe, a bit like Breezepaw, and is told that her body is fitted for extremely good hunting, though when she is constantly distracted by the beautiful she-cat she trains with she feels useless compared to her swift, precise movements. Rosepaw doesn't seem to notice that she was distracted, and neither does her mentor Ivyrain, who congratulates her on her win and begins going over what she did well and what she could improve on. Spiritpaw's, however, has caught onto her constant watching of Breezepaw (which sounds horrifically weird the more she thinks of it, and when the she-cat begins to notice they'll probably never talk again) and she approaches, silent with narrowed yellow eyes. The small silver tabby swallows anxiously.
I'm done for
"Spiritpaw, do you mind coming with me for a second?" Hollyshade asks, her expression unreadable. Spiritpaw nods slightly and follows the black tabby out of the sandy clearing that they train in. Her head droops and her tail drags as her mood drops. She'll probably be told off for this, and then she'll have let Lilypool down. She's set herself a goal with Rosepaw to make her the proudest mother ever now that their father Nightwing is dead.
The walk isn't that long, and Hollyshade sits down opposite her under the branches of a sturdy oak tree. Spiritpaw mirrors her, though she keeps her gaze firmly on the floor, not particularly wanting to see the expression of disappointment that's probably in her dark green eyes. Her mentor sighs -is that amusement she detects?- and begins speaking.
"Y'know, when Owlstar asked if I was okay to mentor you, I had the feeling I'd be a teacher and not a relationship advisor."
Spiritpaw looks up in surprise to see her mentor smiling awkwardly down at her. "W-what do you mean?"
Hollyshade laughs. "Well, isn't this a classic! You have a crush on Breezepaw and you don't even know it."
The silver tabby she-cat reels back in shock. "A c-crush? No no no, that can't be it! I just think she's pretty! And super nice! And...we're the same gender Hollyshade!"
"There doesn't have to be a she-cat and a tom in a relationship, Spiritpaw. It can be two toms or two she-cats. You're okay with that, right?"
Spiritpaw is stunned. "Well, yes, it just seems as natural as anything else, but no one else...I thought..."
"Oh honey, just because no one else is in a same-gender relationship in the Clan doesn't mean it's wrong! You like she-cats, or maybe both, that's up to you to decide, and you really, really like Breezepaw!"
Spiritpaw thinks over this for a second before a smile creeps onto her muzzle. "I do...I love Breezepaw!" but her expression quickly changes into one of horror "Oh StarClan, please don't tell her! What if...what if she's weirded out, or she doesn't like me back, or she avoids me for the rest of my life, or-"
"Oh Spiritpaw!" Hollyshade laughs, "It's not my place to tell her. I won't, I promise. But I want you to tell her by the end of today or I'm putting off your warrior ceremony."
"W-WHAT?!"
Her mentor has dissolved into a fit of laughter by now, and she barely manages to gasp out "R-relax...I can't do that. But please, don't let this be a distraction for the rest of the day! Don't be distracted for ever..."
Once she's caught her breath, she flicks Spiritpaw's ear with her tail. "Come on now, sweetie, let's go back to training. You've still got the rest of the day to plan your confession."
Spiritpaw was more focused in training after that, winning two fights against Rosepaw but still being knocked down three more. Oh well, she can take it. She's built for hunting, not fighting, and in the end nobody's perfect. She returns to camp with the three other apprentices and four mentors clutching a vole in her jaws. It was just luck that it ran out in a panic at the wrong time, but no matter what she said, Breezepaw insisted that it was an amazing catch, and that she was a brilliant hunter, like usual. That made her feel warm inside, and she couldn't help but match her friendly smile.
It's Dustpaw, Sunpaw, Blackpaw and Featherpaw's turn to do apprentice duties tonight, leaving Spiritpaw, her sister and her crush free. Breezepaw heads off to share a meal with her mother by the Warriors' Den, and so the sister duo share their own in front of the Apprentices' Den. They eat in mostly silence, until-
"So...who's the handsome tom?"
Spiritpaw jumps in surprise, and she feels her face heating up. "Wh-what? I-I don't knowwhatyou'retalking'bout!"
Rosepaw's eyes narrow and smirk increases into a slightly smug look. "Like heck you don't, I saw you distracted today. Soooooo?"
"I don't have a crush on a tom!" she insists, her face scrunching up to avoid her green gaze twinkling with amusement. While that's technically true, she still feels like Rosepaw will get to her real crush extremely soon, and she wants to deflect that as much as possible. But...should she? She'll have to get it over with eventually, she doesn't want to be stuck a lovesick she-cat forever...
"Oooh! A she-cat then?" ah, that was fast, "Who is it? Come on, you can trust me, right Spiritpaw?"
Okay then, she'll admit. She'll confess tonight, as well, and if Breezepaw rejects her then she can just learn to live with the embarrassment forever.
"Okay, okay! I have a crush on Breezepaw. And I only figured it out today." she admits, her voice dropping to below a whisper extremely quickly.
Rosepaw still hears this, and her smile increases, eyes alight. "Ooooooh!" she squeals, "I knew it! I knew you'd realise someday! You're such a mouse-brain, Spiritpaw, why haven't you confessed yet?"
"You can't say anything, have you seen the way Sunpaw looks at you? And you feel the same way so ask him!" Spiritpaw retorts, thankful that she has something to use against her sister.
The tortoiseshell apprentices' blush is slightly visible through her white cheek fur. "Uh-ah, well...if you confess today I'll confess to him tomorrow."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
Spiritpaw sighs. "Well, guess I've got to go ask her on some romantic, sunset walk now, haven't I?"
"I think she's beating you to it."
Spiritpaw looks up and shrinks slightly as she realises Breezepaw is trotting over to them, smiling and eyes shining.
Oh damn, she looks beautiful as ever...I have to get this over with soon...
"Hey guys!" she greets, tilting her head to the side slightly.
"Hi, Breezepaw!" Rosepaw replies.
"H-Hi!" Spiritpaw stammers in response, cursing herself inwardly. Come on, I've never had trouble speaking with her before! Why is it changing now? Well...maybe because I want to confess my feelings for her...
"Hey, Spiritpaw, I was wondering if you wanting to go for a walk along the shore?"
Her heart stops. Oh StarClan she actually wants to go...what if it's just to hang out and I ruin everything?
But she still replies, "Yeah, of course!"
Breezepaw chuckles. "Thanks! Also, sorry Rosepaw."
Rosepaw smiles knowingly. "'Tis fine, my good friend, 'tis all fine."
"Okay. Come on, Spiritpaw!"
Breezepaw leads the way out of camp, trotting happily. Hollyshade, on guard, flashes her apprentice a wink as she bounds after her, and Spiritpaw gives her a small, nervous smile. They run through the forest, and Spiritpaw feels alive and exhilarated as she goes, happy that she has someone she loves nearby even though she's worn out from a full day of training. They are neck-and-neck as they race, laughing as they race along the path. The little silver tabby feels truly happy for the first time since her father died, and she wants the run to last forever and to never tire and to stay by Breezepaw's side. Forever.
But they slow down as they reach the little grassy dip that leads out to the sand and then instantly to the smooth water of the ocean. It's a calm dusk tonight, the waves lapping lazily at the shore and the sun sinking steadily below the horizon, painting the sky a beautiful mixture of colours. Breezepaw leads her onto the soft ground and then over to the water where they walk in the shallows. It's mostly silent as they go, walking close so that their fur, silver against light grey, brushes occasionally, sending sparks up Spiritpaw whenever it happens.
Dammit I really have to get this under control
She closes her eyes to enjoy the soft breeze carrying the scents of salt and forest all at once, cool in the growing greenleaf heat, when suddenly a splash of water coats her left foreleg. She jolts back to her senses and sees Breezepaw giggling, and smiles herself as she connects the dots.
"Hey, what was that for?" she asks good-naturedly, nudging the light grey she-cat and then splashing her herself.
Breezepaw squeaks and then splashes her back, sending a larger amount than before. She laughs again, then begins giggling uncontrollably as Spiritpaw splashes her once again. The small silver tabby can't control her laughter anymore, either, and they begin prancing and dancing around each other, sending up little waves of cool water to splash the other and laughing, altogether having fun.
Then Breezepaw nudges her a little too much, as she collapses backwards into the steady current. Spiritpaw squeals again and catches the amber-eyed she-cat on the shoulder as she falls, sending her tumbling down too next to her, and creating a large splash. As they are in the shallows, laughing still and trying to regain breath as they lie there, the waves only lap up to past their ears, though as Spiritpaw is smaller they almost touch her eyes. She doesn't mind, this is the most fun she's had since they all played mossball together as kits. Their laughter eventually dies down as they lie there calmly, watching the sky as the stars begin speckling it, and relaxing in the tranquil air. Spiritpaw could stay like this forever, lying in the peace with Breezepaw by her side.
She smiles and rolls over onto her side facing the other apprentice. The sea swallows half of her face but she closes her eye and ignores it.
"Hey Breezepaw?" she asks, and the beautiful she-cat rolls over to face her. Spiritpaw is aware of how close their muzzles are to touching, but she doesn't mind.
"Yes, Spiritpaw?"she replies, eyes shining in the twilight...well, light.
"I think I love you." That was damn smoother than she had in mind, and she doesn't mind if Breezepaw rejects her anymore. She doesn't think she will. There's something inside her telling her that this love is returned.
And it is. Breezepaw's lovely amber eyes seem to glow even more, and she smiles a wide, happy smile. "I think I love you too, Spiritpaw."
"Will you be my mate?"
"Of course."