The medicine cat trekked across RiverClan territory, stopping every once in a while to fling mud from her paws. Her amber eyes gazed into the darkness. The sun was going to be rising within the space of a few hours. If she could just find out why Hawkfrost was going to ShadowClan territory, then she'd be fine. Leafpool feared for his safety - most cats were nocturnal; it was just lucky that none were out tonight. But she was sure there would be some kind of patrol out in ShadowClan around this time...
His scent trail was easy to follow. Doesn't he worry about anyone following him? Leafpool mused to herself. Then his scent abruptly ended. She darted under a nearby shrub to hide, peering out to see if she could spot what had made him come so far.
She smelled ShadowClan scent. She saw Russetfur winding herself around Hawkfrost.
She saw Hawkfrost twining his tail with hers, and repeating the exact same lines he'd used on her.
Leafpool stared. She felt a terrible sense of betrayal. She felt as if her heart had been ripped out and clawed. She felt broken. Unneeded. Unwanted. Stupid. Ugly. Horrible...
The medicine cat suddenly spun and raced back to ThunderClan territory. She was only half-aware that both Hawkfrost and Russetfur looked up, and Hawkfrost exchanged a few hurried goodbyes with Russetfur and began chasing her, calling "Leafpool, wait! I can explain!"
She was only half-aware of the huge racket she made, of how many times she stumbled, of how she launched herself in the river and swam to the other side. She was only half-aware of Hawkfrost catching up to her.
"Please, Leafpool, hear me out."
A snarl replaced the disgusted look on her muzzle as she pricked her ears forward.