Hey again! I'm back with another challenge, this time for A Perfect Circle.

It's a twenty stories of love challenge, and I got Shellheart! Well, here goes absolutely nothing!

XDXDXDXDXDXD

Shellpaw could do it. He could catch his first fish. He stared into the deep river water, waiting for a small, or big, fish to appear. I'll show them what a great hunter I am, and I'll soon be one step closer to a greater apprentice, then a warrior, then a deputy! And maybe even a leader...

Shellpaw was confident. He peered more intently, hoping for something to come.

Then, he spotted a flash.

Quick as a lighting bolt, Shellpaw speared the small perch, and meowed triumphantly, bouncing around. But in doing so, he lost his balance and nearly toppled into the river. But the young apprentice was saved.

A quick blur of fur flew at him and knocked him to the side, but away from the deep river.

"Hey! I lost my fish beca-" Shellpaw looked up at the she cat standing over him with wide eyes. "Am I in StarClan!?" Shellpaw asked, taken by the she-cat's beauty. The she-cat snorted and got off of Shellpaw, replying, "I'm Rainpaw, you mouse-brain, and I saved you, thank you very much!" She turned and padded away, a bit flustered over this handsome tom, with his annoying charming ways.

Shellpaw dashed to catch up with her, his fishing practice forgotten. "Wait!", he yowled, slowing beside her. "Thank you, Rainpaw." He purred a little, and Rainpaw grilnned. "Want to go ask our mentor if we can hunt together?" Rainpaw asked, as Shellpaw unknowingly brushed his pelt against hers. Both blushed and separated.

"Uh, sure, but I have a question." Shellpaw looked at her. "How did you know I was falling...were you spying on me?!"

Rainpaw blushed and turned away. "Yeah, I was...but only because...I..like you." She lowered her head. Shellpaw sputtered. "Really!? You like me?" Rainpaw nodded, looking at Shellpaw with those hopeful eyes. Shellpaw blushed. "I think I like you too."

Smiling, the two apprentices returned to the RiverClan camp and went to share a vole. Afterwards, they laid on a low, wide log, sleepily enjoying the warm new-leaf sun and forgetting about everything but each other.

From one simple stumble, a budding romance and a lasting friendship began.

[Moons Later]

It was the night after their warrior ceremony. Shellheart and Rainflower sat in the middle of the camp, standing vigil. The night was still and warm. Both cats stood facing away from each other, nervous. Now that they were warriors, their feelings were more complicated. But bold as ever, Shellheart purred. "Rainflower?" The tom turned to face his longtime friend. Rainflower ruffled her fur. "Yes?"

Shellheart stepped closer. "There's something I want to ask you." He swished his dark tail and whispered, "Will you be my mate? Please Rainflower, you can't deny our feelings."

Rainflower sighed. "I- I don't know Shellheart...we just became warriors..." At this, Shellheart's excpecting smile dimmed, and Rainflower moved even closer, so that they were only a mouse-length away. She looked into his eyes and continued. "But...I love you. So, yes, I will be your mate."

Shellheart purred again, and pressed his muzzle on hers. They sat through the rest of the vigil together, tails entwined. At the end of the night, when dawn peered over the horizon, Rainflower nudged him. "I bet we'll have the most perfect kits."

Shellheart smiled and nuzzled his love. "Of course we will."

Well, I hope that wasn't too bad. *whispers* I haven't read Crookedstar's Promise!

R and R!

Nervously, Clearly