Crap! Deadpaw tried to sneak away, but it was too late. Skypaw crossed the border, with the gray tom right behind her.
"Hey! Don't run!"
"Who is that? We're in BreezeClan territory!" the tom yelled.
Deadpaw stopped. He turned around, and Skypaw collided right into him.
"Oof!"
They were right on top each other. He could feel her breath.
"Long time no see..." Skypaw murmured
"Yeh ..."
"What are you doing? Stay away from her!" The gray tom ripped Deadpaw off from underneath. Deadpaw stumbled backwards and fell.
"Hey! What was that for?" Skypaw pushed Stonepaw backwards. "Why would you do that, it's mean!"
"We shouldn't be here! Let's go!"
"Oww..."
Skypaw ran towards him and nudged him with her nose. "Are you okay?"
"Yes... fine. He's right though, you should leave... I'll see you soon. Promise."
"... okay. See ya."
Skypaw shot him one last look. "Sorry" she mouthed. Deadpaw nodded, watching them two of them leave.
(FireClan)
"Are you okay?" Stonepaw asked
"... No."
She stalked away from him. Stonepaw ran to catch up.
"Wait why? Is it because of the BreezeClan apprentice? He even told you to leave!"
"Yes I know! But you didn't have to hurt him!"
"Why do you care? He's not even in our clan, he's an enemy!"
"He's my friend! You can't throw him around for no reason!"
She raced back to camp. Skypaw ran back into the medicine cat's den. As usual, Hawkpaw was lying there on the ground. His ears perked up when Skypaw raced in. She sat next to him.
"What's up?" Hawkpaw asked her
"..."
They stared at each other. Finally Skypaw sighed. "Stonepaw is being ... strange lately."
"How?"
"He's being so rude to everyone!"
"Like..."
"Like Deadpaw!"
"Deadpaw? Who's that?"
"He's my friend. He's in BreezeClan, and we saw him today, and Stonepaw attacked him!"
"Hmm..."
"I mean how could he? Deadpaw is so nice ..."
As Skypaw kept rambling on, Hawkpaw couldn't help but feel a bit ... sad. She's too busy to be fussing over me. What was I thinking? She'll never like a cat like me...
"I'm so glad you're here. You're my best friend... Are you really going to go back to RippleClan?"
Skypaw's eyes were sad. "... I don't know." He replied. As much as he wanted to stay, his loyalties were to RippleClan. But... Skypaw made him feel at home. Seeing her sad deep blue eyes, Hawkpaw was really confused. He really liked being with Skypaw, but RippleClan was his home.
"There's still a while before ... I have to decide. Don't be so sad now."
"Yes... You're right. You're still here, and we'll always be friends."
"You bet!"
Skypaw laughed "I'll see you later!" and paced out of the den.
Hawkpaw sighed. He didn't know what to do. He really REALLY didn't want to leave her. "My heart is being torn!" he cried out loud.
(First Gathering)
(FireClan)
"I will take Leaftail, Thunderstrike, Silverfur, Pinepelt, Stonepaw, Mosspaw and Skypaw. The rest will stay and guard the camp." Thornstar announced.
"Are you going to tell RippleClan that we have their apprentice?" Flameheart questioned.
"Yes." He replied simply.
Skypaw couldn't help but gasp. No! they can't take him! She looked over at Stonepaw, he seemed almost happy. Skypaw wanted to run away. She couldn't stand the thought of losing Hawkpaw.
"Hey Skypaw! You coming?" Mosspaw asked from the camp entrance.
"Yes..."
(Gathering)
"Oh look! There's Deadpaw!"
Skypaw spotted Deadpaw sitting alone in the corner.
"Hey Deadpaw!"
Deadpaw looked up. Skypaw was running towards him. This time he back away, so they won't collide.
"Hi Skypaw."
"How are you?"
"I'm great!" Because I can finally see you!
"Me too! I'm finally getting to talk to you!"
Deadpaw was shocked. She missed him! She wanted to see him!
"Let's sit over there!"
They both scrambled over to the edge of the clearing, just as the leaders started the gathering. Thornstar was up first.
"FireClan gained three new apprentices, Skypaw, Mosspaw and Thistlepaw." He waited for the cheering to stop. "We also rescued a RippleClan apprentice, Hawkpaw."
The RippleClan cats sat rigidly. Thornstar continued "He is severely injured, and we intend to send him back to RippleClan as soon as he heals."
Graystar stepped up. "Thank you Thornstar. RippleClan sends your clan our thanks."
Thornstar nodded. "Prey has been running well in FireClan and we are enjoying a wonderful Greenleaf."
Graystar was next. "RippleClan has made a new apprentice, Hawkpaw, who is currently in FireClan due to injuries. We are sad to say that Foxface has passed away and joined his clanmates in StarClan.
The DuskClan leader, Shadowstar, walked up. "DuskClan are pleased to announce that Frostflake has just given birth to a healthy kit. However, dogs have been spotted near the BreezeClan border and Gingerleaf was injured while fighting them."
Finally, Featherstar spoke. "BreezeClan has been very well for the last moon. Our warriors are recovering from the dog attack and have been gaining strength."
The leaders dismissed the gathering. Deadpaw quickly spoke to Skypaw. "Please, meet me near the dead tree where you fell tomorrow night." Then he dashed away.
"Skypaw! Let's go!" Stonepaw cried
"Coming!"