Chapter 28

Silvertear's eyes were slits as Snowyowl groomed her. She purred contentedly. The camp was empty except for Lichenheart. The mottled brown she-cat glanced at them from time to time. Silvertear was beginning to feel awkward with her watching them. She flicked her ear.

"Something wrong?" he asked.

"Do you want to go for a walk?" she glanced at Lichenheart, hoping Snowyowl would understand. He nodded. Getting to her paws she walked towards the mossy boulders to exit camp. Lichenheart stopped them.

"What are you two up to?" she asked.

"Just going for a walk," Snowyowl answered. Lichenheart smiled understandingly. She stepped out of the way to let them pass. Snowyowl took the lead when they entered the forest. Silvertear walked next to him.

"So where are we walking to?" she asked, letting her gaze travel over the darkening forest. Snowyowl glanced at her. His blue eyes were bright.

"It's a secret," he mewed. Silvertear tipped her head. Snowyowl didn't say anything else. They remained silent through the whole walk. Suddenly Snowyowl stopped next to a rather large bush laced with tiny purple flowers. "Come on," he mewed ducking under the bush. Silvertear followed him under.

The grass beneath it was soft and squishy. The dark leaves of the bush hid them from prying eyes. A gentle breeze blew through and made the flowers dance. It was breath taking. Silvertear gasped at its beauty. A strong sweet smell rolled over her. It was from the flowers. She breathed deeply.

"Oh Snowyowl," she purred. He grinned at her. The moon pierced through the branches and made his pelt glow. "You look so handsome," she smiled.

"You look beautiful," Snowyowl mewed. Silvertear grinned and rubbed against him. He wrapped his tail around her and pulled her close. Silvertear breathed in his comforting scent. It was laced with the scent of flowers and smelled truly wonderful.

"It's so beautiful here. Why don't the rest of the clan come here?" she asked.

"I don't think they know where it is. Most cats don't go looking under bushes," he mewed. Silvertear's whiskers twitched.

"And you do?" she teased. Snowyowl smiled.

"I tripped and happened to fall into this bush," he explained. Silvertear giggled. She licked his cheek.

"Your too clumsy," she joked.

"I know," he mewed. Silvertear closed her eyes and laid her head against his chest. Snowyowl sighed. "You have no idea how long I've waited for this," he mewed quietly. Silvertear glanced at him.

"For what?" she asked.

"For you. Orcafin always had Foamfur. I never had anyone, until I met you. I felt something for you every sense that first day I met you," he confessed. Silvertear's heart raced. She had no idea Snowyowl had carried feelings for her for so long.

"Do you feel the same about me?" he asked.

"Yes," Silvertear breathed. Snowyowl looked relieved. He licked her head. Silvertear snuggled back against him.

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Snowyowl was curled around Silvertear as she slept. Her flanks slowly moved up and down as she breathed. Snowyowl watched with soft eyes.

They were still under the bush. It was moonhigh and Silvertear had fallen asleep. Snowyowl was too scared for her to go to sleep. Not to mention he was scared of what he would dream. He shrugged away the thought. He didn't like to think of such evil things when he was with Silvertear.

Just then a shaft of moonlight broke through the branches and touched her fur. Her pelt seemed to ripple like water. It shone brightly in the dark place. Snowyowl was mesmerized by her beauty. Then something caught his eye.

A pair of eyes watching them. They glowed in the shadows. Snowyowl glared at them. "Leave her alone," he ordered. The eyes blinked. They lingered. Snowyowl unsheathed his claws. They disappeared. Snowyowl glared at where they had been.

"Snowyowl," Silvertear yawned. She was awake and looking at him worriedly.

"Yes Silvertear?" he asked his mate.

"Is everything okay?" she asked, looking where he had been staring. Snowyowl protectively wrapped his tail around her.

"Yes my dear. Everything is fine," he purred. Silvertear smiled.

"I love you," she whispered as she settled back down.

"I love you too," Snowyowl mewed as he settled next to her.

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Duskpaw yawned and stretched tiredly. Twigshade was still sleeping in his nest. She glanced at him before walking to the entrance. Looking outside she gasped.

The camp was covered in a light dusting of snow. Everything was covered, nothing had escaped the frosty flakes. She blinked in surprise and looked up. The sky was covered in grey storm clouds. She couldn't even see the sun.

"Leaf-fall has arrived," Twigshade mewed. Duskpaw jumped when he spoke. The old tabby was standing beside her now. His yellow eyes trailed over the camp. "I'll go see if there is anymore catmint to collect," he mewed as he headed outside of camp.

As he disappeared Shardclaw popped his head out of the warriors den. He looked around in surprise. Shaking his head in disappointment he headed towards the bottom of the White Tree. He was followed by Tundrafoot and Lichenheart. Stormstep had taken over Lichenheart's guard duties last night. He hurried over to his deputy. Duskpaw also joined them.

Shardclaw scanned the crowd. "Where are Silvertear and Snowyowl?" he asked. The warriors exchanged looks. Duskpaw looked around for her sister and Snowyowl. They were nowhere in camp from the looks of it. "Oh well," Shardclaw sighed. "Tundrafoot can go hunting with Heronpaw while I'll go on a complete border patrol with Stormstep and Lichenheart," he mewed. The cats nodded and headed out of camp.

Duskpaw watched them leave before heading back towards the medicine cat den. Grabbing a mouthful of borage she walked to the nursery. Whitefox was still sleeping but Foamfur was awake. Duskpaw dropped the herbs next to her.

"Eat half of these. They'll help your milk come and keep you from getting a fever. Whitefox should eat the other half when she wakes up," Duskpaw mewed. Foamfur nodded and began to chew on the herbs. Duskpaw returned to the medicine cat den.

This time she grabbed some tansy. She walked past the nursery and went to the elders den. Paletree looked up when she entered.

"Hello Duskpaw," she greeted her. Duskpaw dropped the herbs in front of her.

"Good morning Paletree. I need you to eat these herbs. They'll keep you from getting a fever," she mewed.

"Oh I don't need any herbs. Save them for the younger cats," she sniffed. Duskpaw sighed and pushed them closer to the old cat.

"I still have enough herbs for the younger cats. I'll give them herbs when they return from patrols. You need to eat yours now," she coaxed the old white she-cat. Paletree considered her words. Finally she liked up the plants. Duskpaw smiled. "Well done," she praised. Paletree flicked her ear.

"I'm not a kit. I don't need praises," she hissed. Duskpaw hid her aggravation.

"Good bye Paletree," she mewed. Paletree shrugged and settled back into her nest. Duskpaw turned and left the den. As she entered the camp Silvertear and Snowyowl walked back into the clearing. Their eyes were bright and cheerful. They didn't seem to notice Duskpaw as they headed towards the freshkill pile. Duskpaw approached them.

"Where have you been?" she demanded. Silvertear glanced at her.

"We were on a walk," she mewed.

"Shardclaw was looking for you. He's already sent out the patrols. Now only three cats are patrolling the whole border and two are hunting or the whole clan," she informed them. They glanced at each other guiltily.

"Let's hunt then," Snowyowl mewed. Silvertear nodded. Together they bounded away. Duskpaw lashed her tail in annoyance when they left. Warriors, she thought irritably.

A/N:

Sorry this chapter was short. I focused most of it on Silvertear and Snowyowl and didn't really know what I was going to write after that so I just kind of came up with something. Sorry. Well I hoped you liked it anyway. I enjoyed writing it. Please review and thanks for reading for so long.