Chapter 2

Leafpool could feel the eyes of her clanmates burning into the fur. She saw them watching her, making sure she didn't run off, making sure she never saw Crowfeather again.

She wanted to see him again… no! She couldn't! She was ThunderClan's full medicine cat now; she couldn't fall in love—especially not with him. A cat from another Clan… a cat who she loved with all her heart…. a cat that she wanted by her….

"Leafpool… you're doing it again."

Her amber eyes shot open to stare into Squirrelflight's green ones. They were full of sympathy but they looked critical too.

"You have to stop thinking about him," She sighed, coming to settle down close beside her sister. "It's not going to work out."

Her tone was gentle, but her words seemed to slash out at Leafpool like claws. "But why?" she wailed, her voice distressed beyond words. "Medicine cats have feelings… so why can't we show them like the rest of you?"

Squirrelflight replied softly. "Because that's the way StarClan intended it to be," Her voice grew harder as she went on. "The Clan was nothing without you Leafpool, we would have died if you hadn't have come back. So if a medicine cat had kits—or even just a mate they would be distracted from their duties… and ThunderClan needs our medicine cat, Leafpool."

Leafpool wouldn't look at her sister. "You didn't just come here to say hello, Squirrelflight. What's on your mind?"

Squirrelflight glanced away guiltily, "Oh nothing but Firestar wants you to come to the gathering tonight."

"Well I'll always be ready when you decide to tell me, Squirrelflight," She meowed as she whisked past her out of the medicine cat's den.

The full moon shed it's unearthly light over the moor as the ThunderClan cats made their way to the gathering. The stars twinkled and shined in the ivory sky above. The clouds floated gently across the moon, making the world fall back into darkness again.

Leafpool walked on with Ferncloud padding at the side. The pale gray she-cat's eyes were warm on the cold Newleaf night. And Leafpool seeked comfort from them, glad to stare into those gentle green depths.

"I'll look after you," She promised, giving Leafpool a quick lick on the head.

"Thank you…." She murmured to her.

Ferncloud purred then turned away to meow something to Whitepaw, who was walking on her other side. Leafpool saw the she-cat look up, delight dancing in her pale eyes before she leapt back to talk to Birchpaw.

"It must be nice for Birchpaw to have a younger cat to play with," Leafpool commented mildly, not wanting to wake the she-cat's grief for her lost kits.

"Yes," She agreed, not seeming to notice. "To tell the truth he was getting quite bored in the nursery!"

"That doesn't surprise me," Brightheart laughed, from where she was padding a few taillengths away. "That kit's as energetic as a mouse!"

Ferncloud's eyes narrowed in amusement. "Probably worse."

Leafpool turned away from the two queens conversation, guessing it was a topic that usually only mothers gossiped about.

She lifted her muzzle to taste the air as they got close to the fallen tree. "ShadowClan and WindClan are already at the island…" she guessed aloud.

Ferncloud nodded her head in conformity after she had tested the air as well. Leafpool watched as the delicate she-cat padded lightly on the rotting tree, careful not to fall into the black water below.

Leafpool followed her, trotting ahead, with her tail dragging behind her. What if Crowfeather was there? What if he still wanted to meet? How would she be able to say no?

The first thing she saw on the island was Brambleclaw greeting his sister, Tawnypelt. Leafpool could see the lean muscles under the ShadowClan she-cat's thick tortoiseshell pelt. She looked a lot better when ThunderClan had last seen her—beaten and worn from fighting with the kittypets on her territory.

Leafpool slunk past the two siblings into the bushes behind them trying to find Mothwing or another one of the medicine cats. But as she stepped into a small clearing the only cat she saw was Crowfeather.

Her breath caught in her throat and she stumbled over her own paws as she tried to back away. But Crowfeather saw her first. He took a hesitant step towards her then stopped and called her name.

Leafpool shut her eyes tightly then ran away. She couldn't bear to face him now.

But the dark gray tom cut her off before she could go too far. "Leafpool," He meowed desperately. "Listen to me… please."

"No…" she whispered, fear flooding through her. "I can't."

Crowfeather backed her up against one of the trees on the island and stared at her through dusky blue eyes. "Leafpool please. We have to keep seeing each other. I can't bear to live without you…"

"I'm a full medicine cat now Crowfeather, I can't," her tone turning harsher every heartbeat. "My loyalty lies with my Clan—not with you…"

Crowfeather opened him mouth to plea once more but Leafpool snapped at him. "Leave me alone!" she cried. Then she fled, trying to ignore the hurt in his blue eyes, trying to ignore the fact that he was losing Feathertail all over again.

Hah! They'll never be together while i live :D Review guys... but please no flaming :(