Chapter 10: Greyleaf

Three moons ago, she would have found it strange to sneak out at this time of night, especially with the light drizzle of rain, but three moons ago, Greyleaf hadn't known Pinestar.

As she approached the abandoned twoleg den, the eager she-cat quickened her pace.

I can't wait to tell Pinestar what happened today! He'll be so proud of me!

As soon as Greyleaf entered their meeting place, her eyes found Pinestar waiting for her. She started purring happily, glad to see the Shadowclan tom that had become her loyal, loving mate, and trotted over to him before rubbing her muzzle across his.

"Hi, Pinestar. I missed you," She whispered, glad to be in his company yet again.

"I missed you too," He replied softly, licking her cheek, "It's been too long since I last saw you."

She chuckled, twining their tails together. "It's only been a day, Pinestar."

"Exactly!" He sighed, closing his golden eyes and licking a paw, a habit Greyleaf had discovered meant that he was nervous about something.

"Pinestar," Greyleaf chastised, "What is it you're not telling me?"

"I-I just," He stammered, "I think that maybe, just maybe, if you joined Shadowclan, we wouldn't have to do this."

"Do what?" She rounded on him, slightly annoyed that he would hint at these meetings being a hassle.

"Leave each other all the time," He spat, lashing his tail, "I hate it!"

Understanding flooded Greyleaf. "Oh," she paused, suddenly guilty that she had snapped at him, "Um, well..." She searched for a response, but found none. "Oh! Hey!" Greyleaf exclaimed suddenly, remembering what she had wanted to share and pushing away from Pinestar. "I fought off a WindClan patrol today!"

She sat up high and proud because of her accomplishment, and Pinestar purred.

"Good job! Did you send 'em running!" He asked excitedly.

"Yeah! They never stood a chance!" Greyleaf yowled.

Pinestar smiled, but then got up and began to look her over.

"Did they hurt you?" He asked a bit worriedly.

"Nah, I only got a few scratches on my legs, one above my eye, and a bitten tail. Featherheart said that I'm fine." The tom didn't look convinced, and began to sniff at her pelt. "I'm okay, Pinestar, really. There's no need to worry about me." Greyleaf tried to soothe, licking his head comfortingly.

"Okay," he mewed, "If you say so."

Suddenly, the loud boom of thunder and the gigantic crash of lightning sounded through the night, startling the two cats and sending their tails a-fuzz and eyes to the sky. The light drizzle that had accompanied Greyleaf here turned into pelting raindrops that fell through the many gaping holes in the roof to eagerly soak their pelts.

Greyleaf shivered. I can't walk home in this! I'll be soaked! And cold! And I might get whitecough!

"Do you know a place where we can stay for the night?" She asked Pinestar, anxious to get out of the rain.

He nodded and flicked his tail for her to follow. Her mate led her to an odd looking nest that was under one of the only places the roof was still intact. It was torn with age, but when she rubbed her paw across it, the nest was softer than rabbits-ear moss. It was an odd pink color, but that had been smeared and dulled with dirt.

"What is this?" Greyleaf asked, intrigued by its queerness.

Pinestar shrugged. "I call it a twoleg kittypet nest. I've seen the kittypets in the twoleg den on ShadowClan land sleeping in things like this." He waved his paw over the kittypet nest. "After you," He meowed politely.

Greyleaf tentatively settled in the nest, and Pinestar followed her. They were both still cold, so they huddled close to each other. Greyleaf snuggled her head into Pinestar's chest, and he laid a paw over her back. Eventually, Greyleaf drifted off into a blissful sleep.

Chapter 10: Pinestar

When Pinestar awoke the next morning, Greyleaf was already up and grooming her light grey fur. He stood sleepily, wobbling, and she turned to him.

"Oh, sorry if I woke you. I couldn't go back to sleep." She apologized, rubbing a paw over an ear.

Pinestar shook his head. "It's fine," He answered, stretching, "And you didn't wake me up, the sun did." He looked up at a nearby hole in the shabby roof and raised a paw defiantly. "Flea-brained light maker!"

Greyleaf giggled at this act, the 'flea-brained light' reflecting off of her fur and giving it a silver glow.

Pinestar thought she looked like a Starclan cat, and when he walked to her and purred, she gladly returned the sentiment. They groomed each other for a while, trying to extend their time together for as long as possible, before they reluctantly said their goodbyes.

On the gloomy way back to camp, he rolled in some catnip that he found to mask Greyleaf's scent.

When Pinestar eventually reached ShadowClan camp, he was greeted with cats saying "Where were you?" "Where did you go?" "Why weren't you in camp?" and "Why do you smell like catnip?"

Pinestar told them that he had left to consult with StarClan, and would not answer any further questions. He hated lying to them, but knew it must be done. As he walked over to to his den, a kit attacked his tail, and the leader dramatically fell over.

"You have defeated me mighty warrior!" He meowed energetically, gasping.

Eaglekit giggled, his brown rump wiggling, not falling for his trick fir a second, and jumped on Pinestar's back. "Give me a ride!" He demanded in a high-pitched voice.

Pinestar complied and walked slowly so as to not fling off the small kitten. He made his way across camp before he stopped at the nursery and laid down slowly.

"Here's your stop, Eaglekit." Pinestar mewed, slightly weary.

"Awwww!" Eaglekit whined, but he slid off of Pinestar's back anyways.

Pinestar then tried to go back to his den, but was stopped, yet again, by his deputy, Ravenclaw.

"Where did you go?" The black tom asked, trying to seem nonchalant, and failing miserably.

Pinestar was annoyed. He had already told them his story, and was not keen on repeating it. "I went to the Moonpool," He said swiftly.

Ravenclaw's amber eyes narrowed. "There isn't catnip on the way to the Moonpool. Where did you really go?"

Fox-dung! Why didn't I think about that?! Pinestar decided to tell another lie.

"Fine, I'll tell you." He sighed for dramatic affect. "I've been exploring the land around the ThunderClan border. I thought that, if we ever have to battle, I could come up with more tactics if I knew the area."

Ravenclaw nodded, his yellow eyes lighting up with recognition, and replied, "I knew you were traveling up the border, but I didn't know why. That's a good tactic. May I come with you?"

Thistles and thorns! I blew it! Why didn't I come up with something else! Now I can't see Greyleaf until the next Gathering, and that's almost a moon away! Pinestar kept his appearance calm, even though his emotions were raging like a storm.

"Yes, Ravenclaw, you may come." He replied smoothly, licking his paw.

The dark-furred deputy nodded respectfully, and Pinestar continued to his den uninterrupted, only to crash down into his nest dejectedly.