The moon was a smooth cresent that gave off a nice amount of light, set in the middle of the sky. Glittering stars surrounded it, although their presence didn't do much to help a certain grey she-cat find her way that night.

Moonpaw slunk through the undergrowth. She let out a quiet hiss when her fur caught in a bramble, but she was quick enough to get herself free and continue. She knew that it was against the warrior code, everything she was doing and thinking and feeling that night. But she also knew that she had to be true to her heart, and that meant that this was worth it.

Her heart quickened as she reached the border with WindClan. Bravely, she padded right up to the top of a small, sloping hill where the border marks could be scented. Moonpaw smelled Rootpaw before she saw him. The young tom was sitting a few tail lengths away from her, and even in the darkness she could tell his eyes were glimmering with excitement at seeing her. Her tail quivered with excitement. It's quite fun to break the rules, she thought happily.

"Moonpaw.." Rootpaw whispered faintly, inhaling her sweet scent deeply, as if he didn't want to forget it. He padded up to her and the two cats touched noses. The gesture wasn't much, but it still made both of their hearts beat faster. A cool breeze swept over the hill, ruffling the two cats fur and chilling them.

"Follow me," Rootpaw mewed quietly, " I found a small shelter where we can sit." He led the she-cat down the sloping hill to a small hollow, shielded from the wind by a small thorn bush. They both squeezed through the opening, and sat down comfortably, very close to each other. The small den seemed to hush the outside noises; all Moonpaw could hear was their breathing. The silence that settled around them wasn't awkward; it was comfortable, but the small, grey, apprentice had to break it. She had to tell Rootpaw how she felt. It was now or live her life wondering what he would've said.

"Rootpaw... I have to say this. I have to say this or wonder what the answer was for the rest of my life. And I can't do that." Moonpaw had meant for her voice to seem confident and strong; instead it sounded small. She went on anyways.

"I can't wait a moon between each time I see you. I can't only spend time with you for a short while before the Gathering starts. I can't be away from you so long. I can't... I can't live without you, Rootpaw. I'm going to be a warrior in less than half a moon, and then I'll have less boundaries. I can sneak out here and see you. I just.." She trailed off, realizing that she had rambled on, as usual. Embarassed, she met Rootpaw's green eyes. He looked at her for a few moments, and then leaned over and licked her ear.

"I know."

Although it was against the warrior code, their secret meetings went on. Their passion for each other grew - and so did the chances of another cat finding out.