Chapter 3: Yet Again
A few days passed. I tried to stay out of trouble and treaded around my father with caution. I hunted a lot after his accusations about me and tried to be nearly perfect. I felt like I had lost his trust and I couldn't let that happen. Finally he seemed to forget the incident and sent me on a patrol around RiverClan's boarders. I lead the patrol along the riverbank, where the ice had layered on top of the water almost completely, and immediately had a flashback from when I saved Graystripe. I tried to shove the gray cat's image out of my mind. I could almost smell the ThunderClan cat's scent. Suddenly I jerked my head up. I could smell the ThunderClan cat's scent.
I looked out over the river and saw a familiar broad gray face peeking out from some bushes. I looked over my shoulder at the patrol.
"Let's split up. I smell ThunderClan close," I said quickly. The cats sniffed the air and narrowed their eyes.
"You're right Silverstream, I smell ThunderClan," Pondfoot, a dark colored tabby said. I took my chance.
"I'll take this riverbank. Shadepaw, you go with Pondfoot and do a once around our boarders."
"Will you be safe alone?" Shadepaw asked me. I nodded quickly. Both Pondfoot and Shadepaw were younger than I and since I was leading the patrol, they were bound to listen to me anyway. The two cats nodded and bounded off, disappearing into the brush.
"What are you doing here, you idiot?" I hissed across the river. Graystripe darted out from behind the bushes.
"Miss me?" With that, he stepped onto the river and crossed using the thick layer of ice. I yanked him up onto the shore quickly and nipped his shoulder.
"Mouse-brain. You can barely swim. Last time you did that you almost drowned," I snapped. Graystripe sat up, smiling.
"I wanted to thank you again," he said.
"You crossed the river into my territory to thank me, once again?" I questioned.
"Sure. Oh and I also wanted to see you again." My heart flipped. "It was really nice of you to save my life. And not squeal on me to your clan leader."
"How do you know I didn't?" I said teasingly.
"Because if you did, I'd be dead by now," Graystripe purred. I flicked my tail, amused. Despite my instinct, I liked this cat. Even though he was from ThunderClan. Suddenly my face became serious and my eyes hard.
"You shouldn't be here. It's dangerous for both of us," I said. Graystripe meowed.
"Don't worry, we'll be fine."
"My father smelled your scent on my coat. And your clan will smell RiverClan on you." Graystripe looked worried.
"I didn't think your father would notice that. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to get you in trouble," he said.
"I know," I said quietly. We sat in silence for a few moments. "You should leave. My patrol will be getting back soon."
Graystripe nodded and then flashed me a smile.
"To get the scent off, roll around in some mud or sweet smelling plants," he meowed. I looked up, surprised, and then smiled.
"Thank you for coming to see me," I said, "Now go!"
Graystripe bounded to the river and walked across on the ice again, almost losing his footing on the slippery bank. When he reached the bushes, he turned around and whispered,
"Meet me here tomorrow night."