"Runningwind was a brave and strong warrior." Bluestar's voice rang throughout the camp. I closed my eyes as Mousefur sniffed beside me. Grief filled the air as the clan gathered around Runningwind's body. "He was loyal and never gave up. He died fighting for his clan like an honorable warrior. And we are devastated that his time with us comes to an end." Bluestar meowed. Mournful murmurs spread through the clan and Mousefur leaned into me as tears fell down her cheeks.
"I'll miss you, my friend." she whispered. Tawnypelt sat next to me with her head bowed.
"Thank you for making me the warrior I am today. I will always treasure you in my thoughts." she murmured. I closed my eyes as tears threatened to fall.
"I'm sorry I couldn't save you… you would still be here if I…" I broke off as I sniffed with tears seeping through my eyes. Mousefur nudged my shoulder.
"It's not your fault." she murmured. I sighed and watched as the elders began to take Runningwind's body to his grave. The clan separated to their dens as night fell. I settled down into my nest and sighed.
My nose twitched as a strange scent filled my nose. It grew stronger and more bitter as I took a whiff. I opened my eyes and heard wailing. "Fire! Everyone wake up!" Fireheart's yowl sounded. I jumped to my paws and saw the clan running around the camp as flames engulfed the clearing. I ran out to the nursery and saw Willowpelt leading the queens out the den. I dove through and grabbed the nearest kit.
"Come on!" I said around it's fur. I helped Speckletail out of the den and we climbed up the ravine. Cats streamed past me and made their way to the river. Bluestar ran to my side and looked back at her clan.
"Hurry, everyone! To the river!" she ordered. I burst out into fresh air which was quickly getting swallowed by the smoke. I gave Speckletail the kit and turned back to the camp. I dove back through and saw the elders. I helped Dappletail up the ravine with One-eye leaning on my shoulder for support.
"Come on, you two. We have to hurry." I said.
"Don't rush me! My bones are too old for this and you know it!" One-eye snapped. I sighed and struggled to hurry them up. I led them out the burning camp and to the river. The clan was gathered around the water panting heavily. Bluestar and Fireheart walked among the clan to make sure everyone was here. Then Bluestar's eyes narrowed.
"Where's Patchpelt and Halftail?" she asked. Everyone looked around but the two elders were gone. Dappletail gasped.
"They're still inside the camp!" she exclaimed. Fireheart turned to the burning camp.
"I'll go." he meowed.
"You can't go alone!" Sandstorm protested. Fireheart looked at her.
"I'll go with you." Cinderpelt offered. Yellowfang stepped forward.
"I'm more steadier on my paws than you. I'll go." she said. Fireheart growled in impatience.
"We don't have time for this! Yellowfang, let's go." he snapped. Then they ran off into the smoke. I narrowed my eyes as I tried to follow where the flames were spreading. I sighed in relief as they weren't reaching Sunning Rocks. Prey scampered into their burrows and dens as they fled the burning forest. The clan were waiting in a eerie silence as we waited for Fireheart and Yellowfang's return.
Fuzz's POV:
I opened my eyes as smoke filled my den. I jerked my head up and looked around. Then I darted outside. I turned to see flames swallowing a part of the forest. I widened my eyes and gasped. Leopardstorm! Then I heard voices from the river. I peered through the bushes and saw a group of cats huddled beside the water. I narrowed my eyes and saw Leopardstorm. She was walking among the cats with encouraging words. A brown tom walked to her and licked her ear. I narrowed my eyes and glared at him. Who is that? And why is he sharing tongues with my mate? Leopardstorm brushed her muzzle against his cheek and turned to the others. "Did they come back yet?" she asked the tom.
"Not yet. I hope they're alright." he meowed. Leopardstorm sighed and closed her eyes.
"Brambleclaw, where do you think we'll have to live from now on?" she asked. Brambleclaw flicked his ear.
"I'm sure when the fire settles, we'll rebuild the camp. There isn't anywhere else to go." he mewed. Leopardstorm sighed and opened her eyes. Then she caught my gaze. She looked around then padded over to me.
"What are you doing here? Are you alright?" she whispered. I nuzzled her cheek.
"I'm fine. Who is that cat you were talking to?" I asked. Leopardstorm tilted her head.
"Who? Brambleclaw? That's just my brother." she mewed. I blushed in embarrassment and flicked my ear.
"Oh." I murmured. Leopardstorm scoffed in amusement as she realized the situation.
"Calm down, Fuzz. Don't get your tail in a twist." she chuckled. I rolled my eyes. "Listen. You need to get out of here. I don't know what the clan will do to you if they find out you're here." Leopardstorm murmured. I sighed and nodded.
"Be careful." I mewed as I licked her muzzle. Leopardstorm promised under her breath then padded back to her clan. I walked away to my den as the raging forest blazed behind me.
Leopardstorm's POV:
I sat beside Goldenflower as the clan tried to calm down. Then pawsteps sounded. I jerked my gaze to the forest and saw Fireheart padding over with Patchpelt in his jaws. The clan gathered around him. Patchpelt was wheezing and coughing as smoke clung to the air. Cinderpelt ran over to him but then his coughing stopped. I pricked my ears as silence gripped the air once more. Dappletail whimpered as everyone realized what happened. I widened my eyes in shock as Fireheart placed Patchpelt's body on the ground. The clan bowed their head in grief. "Where's Yellowfang and Halftail?" Cinderpelt asked. Everyone looked at Fireheart as they waited for his answer. Fireheart's tail twitched and he bowed his head.
"Yellowfang was helping Halftail up the ravine. I waited for her but a tree fell and blocked her way…" he meowed. Gasps filled the air and I gaped at him.
"But there's a chance they're still alive right?" One-eye called. Before Fireheart could answer, Cinderpelt spoke up.
"Of course they're still alive!" she snapped. I looked at the ground in thought. There's no way they could've survived. All that smoke… Halftail is too old to breathe it all in… and Yellowfang is getting older… I closed my eyes as I realized I might lose two of my dearest clanmates. Then a tree fell near us. We all gasped in panic. Bluestar flicked her tail to the river.
"Everyone, we have to cross the river!" she ordered.
"But what will Riverclan say?" Cloudpaw asked.
"We have no choice. We just have to pray they're in good spirits." Bluestar meowed. I turned back to Fuzz's den. The fire is spreading faster… will he make it?
"Leopardstorm! Help the kits cross!" Fireheart ordered. I looked at my clan then back to Fuzz's den. I couldn't live with myself if he died… I closed my eyes and looked at Fireheart.
"I have to help someone." I said. Bluestar narrowed her eyes along with Fireheart.
"Who?" Bluestar meowed. I lifted my head with pride as I stood up.
"My mate." I mewed. Then I darted away before they could say anything. I crashed through the bushes and weeds to Fuzz's den. Fuzz was already making his way out of the tunnel coughing as smoke poured out. His eyes were watering and his ears were flattened. "Fuzz!" I called. Fuzz jerked his gaze to me and widened his eyes.
"Leopardstorm! Get out of here! It's not safe!" he meowed. Then orange light flickered through the tunnel. I narrowed my eyes as the light grew brighter… as if something was crawling out of Fuzz's den. Then my eyes widened as I saw the first flicker of flames.
"Fuzz, look out!" I cried. The tunnel gave a loud roar as the rocks crumbled around us. I dodged rocks as one flew at Fuzz. Fuzz grunted as the boulder slammed into his chest, sending him flying into the river. I gasped and ran to the shore. "Fuzz!" I cried. I peered franticly in the water and saw his brown fluffy head bobbing among the waves. I took a deep breath and plunged into the water. I felt the current drag me under as I tumbled forward. I gasped in air as my face hit the surface and I flailed my paws through the water. Then I saw Fuzz bobbing a fox length away from me. I forced myself to claw through the water until I felt fur tickling my paws. I snatched Fuzz's scruff into my jaws and held him over the water. I swam towards the bank and dragged his limp body onto the sand. I spat out water then looked at his unmoving body. "Fuzz! Fuzz, answer me!" I whimpered. Fuzz remained silent with his eyes closed. Panic rose in my throat and I struggled to figure out what to do. I placed my paws to his chest and began to pump out water. "Help! Somebody, please!" I called. I looked down at Fuzz and saw him still not moving. "I need help!" I called again. Then I heard a thundering of paws coming towards me. Fireheart and Cinderpelt burst out of the bushes.
"Leopardstorm! Are you alright?" Fireheart asked. Then he froze as he saw Fuzz. Cinderpelt dove to his body and shoved me out the way as she massaged his chest. Her gaze was hard and focused as she pumped out water from his throat. I watched in panic with bristling fur. Then a cough erupted from Fuzz and he spat out a mouthful of water. I sighed in relief and wrapped myself around him.
"You're alright! I thought I lost you…" I whimpered. Fuzz panted heavily then licked my head.
"I'm fine… I'll never leave you. Never." he murmured. Fireheart looked at us in confusion.
"What's going on?" he asked. Cinderpelt looked at Fireheart with defiance and defense.
"I saved his life, that's what happened. Now let's go before the fire starts spreading over here." she snapped. Fireheart didn't argue as he led us through the bushes. Fuzz leaned on my shoulder for support as he breathed heavily. Cinderpelt kept an eye on him as she walked. Then we made it to Riverclan's camp. I looked through and saw the clan gathered in the clearing with Riverclan warriors around them asking questions.
"Was it scary?" a kit squeaked. Her gray fur was dappled with black and brown patches and her eyes were amber. I narrowed my eyes as she looked like Riverfang. Goldwing pulled the kit back away from my clan.
"Leave them to rest, Splashkit! They had a long day." she scolded. Then Goldwing catched my gaze. She smiled friendly. "Leopardstorm!" she purred. Riverfang padded out of a den at my name. His gaze landed on me then Fuzz and he smiled in welcome. I settled Fuzz a safe distance from my clan and settled beside him. Riverfang and his family walked over to me.
"Are you alright?" Riverfang asked. I nodded and looked at his daughter.
"You had your kit!" I purred. Riverfang smiled in pride.
"Her name's Splashkit." he mewed. Goldwing sat beside him.
"Who are you?" she asked, looking at Fuzz. My neck fur bristled defensively.
"This is Fuzz. Fuzz these are my friends, Riverfang and Goldwing." I meowed. Fuzz looked at the two cats wearily.
"It's nice to meet you all." he mewed. Riverfang narrowed his eyes and looked at me.
"Is he a friend of yours?" he asked. I lifted my chin bravely.
"Mate." I stated. Riverfang's eyes widened in surprise and shock.
"But he's a rogue." he said.
"And? Why should that matter? Last time I checked, you weren't his mate so why are you so concerned?" I snapped.
"Calm down! I was just saying." Riverfang said quickly lifting his tail in surrender. I huffed and looked away. Fuzz smiled at me with pride and I smiled back. Then Bluestar walked over to me. Fireheart was watching with Cinderpelt.
"You left your clan when we needed you. What do you have to say for yourself?" Bluestar snapped. Silence gripped the air as her snap alerted the gathered cats. I looked into Bluestar's eyes.
"I had to help Fuzz." I meowed. Bluestar raised an eyebrow.
"Who?" she asked. I beckoned to Fuzz laying behind me.
"Fuzz. My mate." I meowed. Murmurs spread through the clans. Bluestar looked at me in shock.
"Your mate is a rogue?" she asked in bewilderment. I lifted my chin with pride.
"I know what you're going to say Bluestar and I don't care. I know I broke the warrior code for loving someone out of the clan and I know I might receive punishment or will get judged. But I don't care. He loves me and I love him. And right now, that's the only thing that really keeps me alive and fighting." I meowed. Bluestar's gaze was somber as she looked into my eyes. We stared at each other in silence as if sharing each other's thoughts. We both broke the warrior code loving a cat outside our clan. That's the thing that keeps us so close and in common. You have no right to judge. Bluestar sighed and gave me a brief nod. Darkstripe looked at her in shock.
"So you're just going to let her go? Chase her out like we did Graystripe!" he snapped. Graystripe stepped forward.
"I wasn't chased out, I chose to leave for the sake of my kits!" he spat. Bluestar raised her tail for silence.
"Leopardstorm, isn't perfect. We all aren't. There will be no punishment for something that isn't wrong in the first place." she meowed. Darkstripe gaped at her.
"But it's against the warrior code!" he protested.
"I am aware of that." Bluestar snapped, her gaze scorching over Darkstripe. Darkstripe lowered his head at his leader's gaze. "But it is also part of the code that a leader's word is law. Do you wish to challenge that code Darkstripe?" she meowed. Darkstripe scowled but didn't reply. Bluestar nodded then turned to me. I looked past her and saw Silver Frost and Thunder Light. Their gazes were filled with pride and happiness as they looked at me. Be who you are and say what you feel. Because those who mind don't matter and those who matter, don't mind. I sighed and smiled. Fuzz looked at me with a smile full of pride and happiness. I laid beside him as the clans went back to their normal duties. Then I settled down to sleep with his body curled around me.
"I love you, Leopardstorm. I am so proud of you." Fuzz murmured. I smiled and purred.
"I love you too." I mewed. Then I drifted off into sleep.
Oh look at that. I just used my favorite Dr. Suess quote XD. Hope you guys enjoyed!