NEW CHAPTER! Who's excited? Special thanks to Hollypaw888 for her reviews, and for favoriting the story. So, who else here thought that Ferncloud has suffered more than any other Warriors character? She has lost so many family members to Tigerstar, to the Twolegs, to things she didn't even have a part of. So this is dedicated to Ferncloud. Oh, and Cory Monteith's family. I hope they're doing OK, despite the tragedy.
Ferncloud ducked her head inside the auditorium, not sure what to wait for. This past year had been hell for her. Her mother, Brindleface, and her six-year old cousins Hollykit and Larchkit had all died in a car crash. Then, there was that short little bout of anorexia that almost landed her in the hospital. She had a huge row with her other cousins, Foxleap and Icecloud, and the three of them weren't speaking. And now, her brother Ashfur was dead, victim of a mugging in an alley. Ferncloud's dad had left her, Ashfur, and Brindleface when she was just a baby. Now, Ferncloud was alone. She had thought that she had Dustpelt. Sweet Dustpelt, who, although known for his barbed tongue, had never said an unkind word to her. Her rock, her anchor during this horrible, tormented year, when she thought she was slipping away from sanity. When she withdraw, hardly talked to her friends. But then, tears starting to pour down her cheeks, she remembered the conversation from yesterday.
Ferncloud hiccupped as another sob racked her body. She wrapped her arms around her knees, and pressed her lips together to keep silent. Suddenly, to shadows came into view.
"Please!" The first voice, a male, begged.
"Who says it'll word?" The second, a girl, asked. Ferncloud recognized the voices. Dustpelt was the first, her perfect boyfriend. The second was Sandstorm, head cheerleader and captain of the track team. She was Firestar's girlfriend, and Dustpelt's best friend. So many people had thought they should be together, before Firestar arrived and Dustpelt started showing an interest in Ferncloud. What were they doing together?
"Please, I'm begging you!" Dustpelt pleaded. "I don't know what else to do."
"It'll be wrong," Sandstorm warned. "It won't fix anything. If anything, it'll make everything worse."
"Why?" Dustpelt asked. "Firestar isn't over-protective, is he?" His tone became defensive, as if the mere thought of Firestar coveting Sandstorm sent him into a rage. Sandstorm laughed.
"Calm down," she said. "He'll be cool with it. But will Ferncloud?" She started as her name was mentioned.
"I hope not," Dustpelt sighed. "I don't want to hurt her. But," he added, taking Sandstorm's hand in his own, "I need you." Sandstorm sighed. Ferncloud cautiously peered around the corner at the two students. Dustpelt had his traditional leather jacket on, and his dusty brown hair was slightly messy. Sandstorm, tall, willowy, chestnut haired Sandstorm rolled her pale green eyes.
"Fine," she sighed, tossing her ponytail. "When have I ever said no to you?" Dustpelt's hazel eyes lit up, and he threw his arms around her. With a laugh, Sandstorm hugged him back. Ferncloud ducked back into her corner, her throat constricting as she put the pieces together. Sandstorm and Dustpelt were having a secret affair, hiding it from their respective attachments. Ferncloud closed her eyes to fight back tears.
"Auditorium, 3:30 sharp," she heard Dustpelt say.
"I'll be there."
Then, not fifteen minutes ago, Dustpelt had asked her to meet him at the auditorium at 3:30 pm. Ferncloud didn't know why. Did he want to introduce her to his new girlfriend or what? Still, despite her better judgment, she had come to the auditorium. She quickly navigated through the seats until she was right by the stage. Suddenly, the stage lights came on, illuminating Dustpelt, who was tuning his guitar.
"Oh hey!" He called. "You're here! Good." Suddenly, a voice called from backstage.
"Dustpelt, if you don't help me with this drum kit, it will fall on me and I will die!" Sandstorm yelled. Dustpelt quickly rushed to help her, and the pair dragged a drum kit onto the stage. Sandstorm sat behind it, idly twirling the drumsticks between her fingers.
"So, Ferncloud, I was thinking," Dustpelt began, sitting down, setting up his guitar and the amplifier. "You've been through a lot this year. And I just wanted to do something to show how special you are, going through all that. Plus, it'll help me rehearse for the End-of-Year Showcase. So I asked Sandstorm to help me with this little number. I hope you like it." With that, he quickly began strumming the soft chords to Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain) by Gary Allan.
I saw you standing in the middle of the thunder and lightning
I know you're feeling like you just can't win, but you're trying
It's hard to keep on keepin' on, when you're being pushed around
Don't even know which way is up, you just keep spinning down, 'round, down…
Sandstorm joined in as the refrain came in, adding her voice to his.
Every storm runs, runs out of rain
Just like every dark night turns into day
Every heartache will fade away
Just like every storm runs, runs out of rain
Suddenly, Sandstorm added the drums, kicking in the beat, expertly hitting the kit with her sticks as the guitar picked up. Dustpelt started again, alone.
So hold your head up and tell yourself that there's something more
And walk out that door,
Go find a new rose, don't be afraid of the thorns
'Cause we all have thorns
Sandstorm joined in again, putting her lips close to the microphone
Just put your feet up to the edge, put your face in the wind
And when you fall back down, keep on rememberin'
Every storm runs, runs out of rain
Just like every dark night turns into day
Every heartache will fade away
Just like every storm runs, runs out of rain
It's gonna run out of pain
It's gonna run out of sting
It's gonna leave you alone
It's gonna set you free
Set you free
Every storm runs, runs out of rain
Just like every dark night turns into day
Every heartache will fade away
Just like every storm runs, runs out of rain
It's gonna set you free,
It's gonna run out of pain,
It's gonnaset you free.
The drums and the guitar finally died out, ending the song. Ferncloud had tears in her big green eyes as she scrambled up on the stage. Dustpelt hadn't been cheating on her with Sandstorm. He was planning a surprise for her, for Ferncloud. And Sandstorm wasn't a lying slut. She just wanted to help out her friend.
"What did you think?" Dustpelt asked, clearly nervous. Ferncloud came up to him, and ran her hand along his arm.
"I didn't know that Sandstorm could play drums," she finally said. Sandstorm laughed in astonishment.
"That's it?" She asked. "Your boyfriend shows his everlasting devotion to you, and the only thing that you can say is you didn't know I played drums." She shook her head, smiling at Ferncloud over Dustpelt's head. "Well, I'm leaving. Turn off the stage lights before they get overheated. Besides, you don't want someone walking in on you doing the nasty center stage, with a big spotlight on you guys." She blew an ironic kiss before walking out. Ferncloud and Dustpelt laughed.
"But did you really like it?" Dustpelt asked, fretting once again.
"I loved it," Ferncloud said with a smile. "I can't believe you would do something like that for me." Dustpelt leaned in closer.
"I did it because I love you," he whispered seriously. Ferncloud stretched up to brush her lips against his.
"I love you too," she murmured, before Dustpelt leaned in for a real kiss.