Chapter 17
Honeywing followed Lionpaw into the deeper part of the forest. She peered through the leaves of a bush and saw him standing right in front of the WindClan and ThunderClan border. She felt concerned for her friend. If he kept this up, he was eventually going to be found out. StarClan wouldn't let him get away with it… but of course, he wouldn't listen to anyone, not even Honeywing. She sighed and watched.
After a while, Honeywing was about to step out of the bushes, but stopped herself when Lionpaw's eyes brightened and bounded over to the border as if there never was one. Her heart dropped. She was hoping Heathertail wouldn't show up. She watched as Heathertail and Lionpaw pressed against each other and purred loudly. She felt her heart drop even more. I can't lie to myself anymore. I-I'm in love with Lionpaw, she thought to herself.
Lionpaw pressed his muzzle against Heathertail's. "I'm so sorry I didn't meet you the other night," he whispered to her. He saw her eyes look to the ground. "You do forgive me, don't you?" he said nervously.
Heathertail's eyes became soft. "Of course I do," she meowed to him, sitting next to him. "I was just worried you were spending time with… Honeywing," she mewed. Lionpaw froze. Did everyone think he loved Honeywing? He sighed.
"I don't love Honeywing, Heathertail. I love you," he told her, licking her ears. He felt her body relax and pressed his muzzle against her cheek. He heard her purr.
He suddenly heard something in the bushes back at his side of the territory. They froze. He heard the voice of Brackenfur, Ashfur and Dustpelt, and… Honeywing.
He heard Honeywing saying, "No, you can't patrol that spot!"
"Why not?" asked her father, Brackenfur, suspiciously.
Lionpaw turned to Heathertail. "Go," he mewed to her. He pressed his muzzle against hers one more time and whispered, "I love you."
"I love you too," she said back to him. "Meet me here tonight," she added and ran onto her own territory.
Lionpaw quickly came back onto his own territory.
Honeywing had told them that they had already patrolled that side, but Dustpelt let out a hiss and pushed past her. Lionpaw had made it over the border just in time. The dark brown tabby warrior eyes Lionpaw suspiciously. "What's going on?" Lionpaw asked him as if nothing was wrong.
"Nothing," Dustpelt said after a while.
"Come on, Dustpelt," meowed Ashfur. "It looks like they've got it covered," Lionpaw's mentor meowed to the brown tom. Dustpelt nodded and the patrol headed onwards. Before they went, Brackenfur gave a warning look to his daughter as if he were telling her to be cautious because she was alone with Lionpaw. Lionpaw felt blood rush to the tips of his ears. Her father thought that he loved her too.
Honeywing rolled her eyes and bounded over to Lionpaw. "You so would have been caught if it wasn't for me," she said to him, her voice kind of frustrated.
"Thank you so much, Honeywing," he meowed. For some reason, he noticed she would not look at him straight in the eye. It was as if she had just discovered something about him and was being cautious of him. He guessed it was because of her father.
How can I look at him after I just found out that I love him? Why did I even try to give Heathertail time to get away? If the Clan found out about his and Heathertail's secret meetings, then he would be banned to see her and maybe… he would love me too, she was telling herself in thoughts.
She glanced at Lionpaw, but looked back down.
"Honeywing, is there something wrong?" he asked. "Why can't you look at me?" he added.
She forced herself to look up at him and was about to say something, but was lost in his eyes for a second. She then shook herself and said, "I'm sorry, I just… with you and Heathertail," she broke off. "I'm worried about you," she meowed.
Lionpaw glared at her. "Because of Heathertail," he said.
She opened her mouth to argue, but realized that was exactly what she was thinking. She nodded.
Lionpaw looked away.
"Lionpaw, listen to me, she said, stepping forward, coming real close to him. She felt nervous. "I don't want Heathertail to become your whole life. I mean, of course I'll keep your secret, but focus on all of the important things that you have right here," she told him. He still wouldn't look at her.
She sighed and added, "Focus on becoming the best warrior you can be. I know you'll be a great one soon. And Heathertail is not going to do that for you. Please, Lionpaw," she said, putting her paw on his. This time, he looked at her.
She looked up at him and he looked down at her.
He felt lost in her eyes for a moment and then moved his paw away from hers and walked a few steps away.
Honeywing felt her heart brake. She looked at him as he walked away from her. She then looked away, wanting to just crawl into her den and never come out.
She looked back at him and walked around him so she was facing him. "Lionpaw, I know you could have better than this," she told him.
"Nothing is better than Heathertail!" he argued, his voice not angry but full of anguish.
Inside, Honeywing was being torn apart.
"I know, but there are other she-cats in the Clan," she told him. "If you would just open your eyes, maybe you could see there may be-" she broke off as he shook his head.
"Let's just get back to camp," he mewed. "Thanks for everything, Honeywing," he said, pressing his muzzle against hers. She felt her heart race. She wished they could stay that way forever, but after a couple seconds, he pulled away and Honeywing felt her heart being lifted for a moment, but then crashed back down when he pulled away.
He led the way back to camp. She couldn't stop thinking of the feeling she had when he touched her. She felt her pelt tingle. She had never felt anything like it. Honeywing guessed this is how he felt about Heathertail.
Just the thought of the gorgeous light brown she-cat made her hear fall. Sighing, she padded beside Lionpaw. "So you really do love her?" she asked him.
"Heathertail? Of course, how many times do I have to say it? I wish I could just tell everyone that I love her and have no one complain. Instead, everyone thinks I'm in love with you," he said, his voice letting her know that he was frustrated.
Her heart completely broke this time. "Would loving me be so bad?" she asked quietly, stopping in her tracks.
Lionpaw turned and looked at her. They stood there, looking at each other for what seemed like forever.