Stormfur hit the water with a shock like a thousand claws. The icy cold water washed around him.
Struggling desperately, Stormfur blinked his water-filled eyes. He had lost sight of Squirrelpaw the moment he hit the water, and now he was alone in the swirling waves.
He twisted his head, searching the furious river for any sign of a ginger pelt. But there was nothing but rock and water.
Stormfur churned with his paws, just managing to keep his head above water. It's a good thing I'm RiverClan. Swimming is in my blood. But what about Squirrelpaw?
Straining his eyes, Stormfur thought he saw something farther downriver; a glimpse of a dark orange fur. Forcing his numbed legs to move, he pushed forward.
"Squirrelpaw-"
His words were cut short as a wave slapped him in the face, driving him under. Floundering wildly, Stormfur shoved his head above water. Then he stared in horror.
A huge wave was roaring downriver. Sticks and rocks surged on its crest. The river was in full flood.
There was no place to go, no place to run. Stormfur closed his eyes and prepared to die.
Goodbye everybody. Goodbye Squirrelpaw…
The wave struck with a force that knocked all the air out of his body. The river tossed him like a kit. Images passed before Stormfur's eyes; Graystripe, Fourtrees, the RiverClan camp, Feathertail, Squirrelpaw…
A large rock smashed into his head and he knew no more.
Squirrelpaw worked her paws furiously. She knew she had to get out of the current before all her strength was gone.
Luckily the river was calmer here. It widened into a small pool, the current slowing. Sqirrelpaw was able to get out of the main current and haul herself to the bank. She was soaked to the skin, and more exhausted then she had been in her whole life.
Step by step, she dragged herself farther from the river, flopping down under a rocky overhang.
How can I ever get back to the others?
Then she saw the wave.
"Thanks StarClan I got out when I did" the apprentice muttered. "If I'd been in there another-"
She broke off, staring at the water in horror. She had spotted dark gray fur.
"Stormfur!"
Squirrelpaw could barely stop her paws from dashing down the shore and leaping in the water to save her friend. That would be suicide.
But another thought flashed through her mind, stronger than anything she had ever felt.
I don't care.
She couldn't just stand here and watch him die.
Squirrelpaw stumbled down the shore as fast as her throbbing paws would allow, her green eyes franticly searching for the gray warrior.
The wave had passed, leaving destruction in its wake. Boulders and twisted trees were scattered about the pool. There were a thousand places where Stormfur could be.
Or his body.
Squirrelpaw pushed the thought firmly out of her mind. Stormfur couldn't be dead.
Stumbling through the shallows, Squirrelpaw's paws hit fur. It was Stormfur.
He was lying on his side, his nose barley above water. Blood flowed from a gash on his head, turning the surrounding waters a faint red.
Setting her jaws firmly in the warrior's scruff, Squirrelpaw began to drag him away. Scrambling on the muddy bottom, she finally hauled the RiverClan cat onto the shore.
His chest rose faintly, but he did not stir. Sqirrelpaw crouched beside him, gently licking the wound on his head. She yearned for her sister and her knowledge of herbs.
What can I do for him?
Lie next to him and keep him warm.
Squirrelpaw started. Where had that come from? It was as if somehow Leafpaw had heard her, despite the distance that lay between them.
As long as it can help Stormfur..
The apprentice pressed her side to Stormfur's, green eyes trained on his face.
The gray cat stirred, coughing up a mouthful of water. "Squirrelpaw?" he rasped.
Squirrelpaw sighed with relief. "Yes, I'm here."
Stormfur closed his eyes briefly. "I thought I was going to die."
"Not while I'm here" Squirrelpaw replied. She felt she could stay there forever, gazing into his burning yellow eyes.
Stormfur struggled to his paws, his gaze never leaving Squirrelpaw's.
"Squirrelpaw-"he broke off, coughing. Lifting his head, he gazed straight at her.
"Squirrelpaw, I love you."
The words wouldn't come fast enough.
"I love you too."
Aww. I've been looking forward to this.
The next chapter goes back to Feathertail. :)