Wait a minute, wait a minute... What's this? Pearly, updating one day after her last update?

In all my four years of being on Fanfiction, I don't think this has ever happened. Which on one hand is pretty sad, but on the other hand... Go me :D /shot

Well, here's a surprise for everyone (including me) so, enjoy :)

Recap: Olivepaw goes to visit Cedarpaw in the medicine den, and tries to get him to tell her what's wrong. But before he can, screeches are heard from outside- RiverClan is attacking. Blossomstar asks Minnowstar for land because their Clan is growing- Sagewhisker and the three other warriors from ThunderClan have joined RiverClan. They fight, and Olivepaw fights a young RiverClan apprentice named Tanpaw, who tells her of Blossomstar's plans of taking over the other Clans so there will only be one. Cedarpaw comes and protects Olivepaw, and he keeps attacking Tanpaw until Olivepaw tells him to let her go. Soon, Owlwing is killed by Blossomstar, who then attacks Olivepaw and tells Minnowstar that if she doesn't surrender, she'll kill Olivepaw. Minnowstar surrenders. While cats gather around Owlwing's dead body, Olivepaw thinks about how many have already died and what's in store for them.

LONG RECAP SORRY. Y'all probably didn't even need that because I updated so fast :D *giddy*

Chapter 14

Behind the Dark Clouds

[Ratpaw]

A shiver went down Ratpaw's spine as he lowered his head, teeth nearly chattering from the cold. It was night, the snow having showed no signs of stopping during the day. He sat on the path that separated ShadowClan from ThunderClan, frowning as he thought about the battle that had happened just a few hours ago. Not only was territory lost, but Owlwing's life, as well. And it had been done in cold blood.

Ratpaw's ear flicked as he gazed around. Everything was coated in snow, and the clouds were so thick that he couldn't see far beyond the border because of the darkness. But he knew that somewhere hidden in the sky was the almost-full moon.

A sweet, familiar scent wafted over him, and he lifted his head. A small shape appeared from the darkness, green eyes glowing brightly, a grin appearing on her face.

"Sorry I'm late," she purred as she trotted over to him, pausing to shake the snow from her fur.

Ratpaw smiled softly. "No, it's fine."

Russetpaw looked at the tom and blinked a few times, apparently sensing that something was wrong.

"Are you alright?" she asked quietly, prodding him gently on the shoulder.

Ratpaw looked at her, their eyes locking. He let out a quick sigh; "Our camp was attacked earlier today."

Russetpaw's eyes grew huge, and she stared at him in disbelief.

"Attacked?" she whispered. "By who?"

"Who do you think?" Ratpaw murmured, shaking his head. Russetpaw looked at him.

"RiverClan," she muttered. "What happened? Are you alright? Are you hurt?" She looked over him from head to tail tip.

"I'm fine," he assured her. "I only got a few scratches." He paused, not sure how to put this. "...But Owlwing was killed."

"That's horrible," Russetpaw squeaked, eyes wide. "Who...?"

"Blossomstar did it," he said bitterly. "And then she threatened my sister. She told Minnowstar that if she didn't surrender, she'd kill Olivepaw."

"Oh, StarClan," Russetpaw sighed. She sat down beside him, their pelts brushing. She let her tail fall on top of his. Ratpaw didn't pull away.

"She's fine," the tom said quietly. "Icewhisker was hurt pretty badly and is spending a night or two in Willowfall's den, but other than that, everyone's fine. But the death of Owlwing and losing to RiverClan has hit everyone pretty badly, especially Minnowstar."

"I can imagine," Russetpaw muttered. "It seems like Blossomstar is trying to take more and more territory."

Ratpaw stiffened, suddenly remembering the conversation he and the rest of the patrol had had with Minnowstar shortly before the battle. She'd told them that if Bumblestar didn't agree to give them land at the Gathering, then they would attack. He sent a quick, uncomfortable glance at Russetpaw. What if they were to invade? Should he tell her? He didn't want to have to face her in battle. She could die because of his Clan. But that would be betraying his Clan, wouldn't it? Not that he wasn't, already.

Russetpaw noticed his unease, and looked at him with concern.

"Are you alright, Ratpaw?"

Ratpaw looked away, ears flattening slightly. "Just... be careful," he muttered. "I don't want you to get hurt because of all this."

She blinked, as if initially confused; but she nodded. "Don't worry. I'll be fine. And you will be, too."

Ratpaw turned away, for some reason feeling a surge of guilt.

"I will be," he rasped, his voice barely audible.

It was silent for a few moments. They said nothing, yet they sat pressed against each other, snow falling on them as the cold wind blew.

"Things haven't been so great in ThunderClan, either," Russetpaw admitted in a low voice. "No one is happy with Bumblestar. Some cats even openly disobey him. Our new deputy, Spotfur, has been trying to keep everything in order, but it's hard, especially with food running out."

"Food is running out in ThunderClan, too?" murmured Ratpaw, though he honestly wasn't surprised. Russetpaw nodded, looking at her paws.

"Spotfur is afraid more cats will leave. Especially after Sagewhisker, Lilytooth, Flaxclaw, and Waspfang left."

"They joined RiverClan," Ratpaw mewed, looking at her. "I saw them today. They fought against us."

The ginger she-cat stared at him in shock.

"What?" she breathed. "How could they betray us like that...?"

"You can't blame Sagewhisker for being upset," Ratpaw sighed. "She would've been leader if Honeystar hadn't changed her mind at the last second."

"She would have been a better one, too," Russetpaw muttered under her breath. Ratpaw said nothing.

The two sat in silence for a bit, as they usually did at some point every night they met. It was pleasant. They would just sit together, pelts touching, looking out into the distance or up at the sky. Sometimes they'd ask each other what the other was thinking.

This time, the she-cat twined her tail with Ratpaw's. The tom looked at her, a little surprised, and when their eyes met, Russetpaw flattened her ears and looked away in embarrassment, a small smile on her face.

A few seconds later, Ratpaw stiffened, and he raised his head, glancing behind him.

"What is it?" Russetpaw mewed worriedly.

"Is... Is someone watching us?" he whispered, lowering his head as he scanned the darkness. It was impossible to see.

"I don't smell anyone," the she-cat replied, frowning. "And I don't hear anything. I think we're fine."

Ratpaw flicked an ear and nodded, trying to let her words assure him.

After a little while longer, she murmured, "I should get going."

The tom frowned, for some reason feeling a stronger desire than usual for her to stay with him. He didn't want to be alone, and he wondered why.

But he nodded and got to his paws, murmuring, "Alright. Maybe I'll see you at the Gathering tomorrow night."

"Yeah," she said with a smile before she leaned over and pressed her muzzle to his. A purr erupted from Ratpaw's chest and he licked her ear.

"See you later," she whispered, grinning, turning to leave. Ratpaw smiled gently and waved his tail, watching as she trotted off into the darkness.

He was alone.

Letting out a sigh, he stayed there for a few moments before he eventually got to his feet. He looked out into ShadowClan territory; everything was silent, but he felt uneasy as he began to walk back into the pine forest.

Thoughts flooded his mind. The battle with RiverClan. Owlwing's death. The Gathering tomorrow. Russetpaw...

Guilt flooded through him when he thought about the possibility of Minnowstar leading an attack on ThunderClan, and he didn't even warn her. He knew that he had to be loyal to his Clan, but what if something happened to her?

He flattened his ears, his pace slow as he headed back towards camp. He felt completely torn.

Suddenly, he froze, ears picked as he warily glanced around. He could have sworn he heard a twig snap. Heart drumming, he lowered himself to the ground, amber eyes scanning the woods. There was silence, but when he scented the air, he could detect traces of another cat. Maybe someone had been watching him and Russetpaw after all. His fur prickled with anxiety as he swallowed, calling out, "Who's there?"

A second later, bushes rustled behind him. Whirling around, he dug his claws into the snow as a light gray, almost white cat emerged from the undergrowth.

Ratpaw's eyes widened, but he swallowed again, trying to remain calm. "Willowfall," he murmured as the medicine cat stepped forward, blue eyes gleaming. Maybe she didn't know. Maybe she was only out collecting herbs.

"Hello, Ratpaw," she said quietly. She frowned and looked away, as if contemplating what to say. She looked troubled, but finally she looked back at the apprentice. "How long have you been meeting her?" she asked.

The apprentice froze and looked at her, choking out the words, "What do you..."

"You don't have to lie, Ratpaw," she murmured, almost sadly. "I saw you with that ThunderClan apprentice."

Ratpaw stared at her, at a loss for words. He didn't know what to do, or what would happen to him. Surely the medicine cat would tell Minnowstar, and what then? All his worries that he'd had the first night he met with her came flooding back. He shook his head softly, tail lowered.

Willowfall lifted her head, frowning. "I only want to tell you that forbidden love isn't worth it," she muttered. "You may love her now, but relationships like these never last. I'm telling you for your own good... Stop seeing her or you'll be heart-broken." Her words were soft, not commanding. She had a strange, wistful expression, and for a moment she seemed like she was in her own little world. But she turned back to the apprentice, waiting for his response.

Ratpaw narrowed his eyes slightly and muttered, "You're a medicine cat. What do you know about love?"

Willowfall's eyes darkened as she looked at him. "A lot more than you," she muttered. She sighed, looking up at the sky. "I loved him," she whispered, partly to herself. "Part of me still does. But things happened that never should have happened, and everyday, another part of me wishes that I could erase everything."

He stared at her. "What are you talking about?" he said slowly. "You had a forbidden mate?"

"Yes," Willowfall muttered, lowering her head. "And Graystar died because of it."

The moment she said that, she flinched slightly, apparently regretting it. She glanced up at the apprentice, who was staring back at her wordlessly.

"What?" he breathed, shaking his head softly. He hadn't been born yet when Graystar was alive, but he'd heard about her. She was Minnowstar's mother, and had mysteriously disappeared. After searching for her for a week, she was finally found washed up on the beach not too far into RiverClan's territory. No one had ever figured out exactly what happened, but now possibilities swirled through Ratpaw's head. Could it be that Graystar had discovered Willowfall's secret, and...?

"Did you kill Graystar?" he blurted out without thinking, his heart pounding and mind racing. He watched her, eyes narrowed slightly.

The medicine cat stared at him, for a moment nonplussed, eyes wide and glowing. She opened her mouth, trying to respond, but no words came out.

"You did, didn't you?" growled Ratpaw, his voice louder this time as he took a step back. "After all this time, it was you? Just because she found out you had a mate?"

"It wasn't so simple!" Willowfall shot back, suddenly yelling, lips pulled back. Ratpaw blinked and looked at her. The medicine cat narrowed her eyes, looking away. "I had no choice," she muttered, tail lashing. She looked back at the apprentice, eyes narrowed to slits. "So don't speak as if you have any idea what I went through."

Ratpaw couldn't speak. He'd never seen his medicine cat acting like this. It made him a bit wary, and he wondered what to do.

Both cats were silent for a moment before Willowfall closed her eyes, shaking her head softly.

"I won't speak to anyone of you and the ThunderClan she-cat," she murmured quietly. "In return, I expect that you won't tell anyone anything I just told you." The way she looked at him made Ratpaw resist arguing. He just stood there, speechless as Willowfall shook her pelt, straightening up. "You should go back to camp," she said in a low voice. "I'll be back soon." She paused, frowning, and apparently thinking something over. "Be careful," she muttered at last.

Without any more explanation, the she-cat turned and made her way through the snow, disappearing into the darkness.

Ratpaw stood alone, watching the spot where she'd vanished. He didn't even know what to do. He just stood there, thinking about everything the she-cat had told him. He couldn't even process it all. How could he go on living like normal knowing that ShadowClan's medicine cat had killed their former leader?

But he couldn't say anything. He knew that. Not only would Willowfall tell Minnowstar about Russetpaw, but who would even believe him? He was the only one that knew.

After what seemed like hours, the tom finally lowered his head, slowly and soundlessly making his way back towards camp. The snow kept falling, and somewhere behind the dark clouds, the moon glowed brightly.

So yeah, this chapter's pretty short, and it's mostly dialogue. Think of it what you will.

Reviewers get... Graystar plushies? Sure? And some Nerds. I got some for Easter but I have too much to eat (AKA I've already eaten so much other candy that I can't even).

TNT,

Pearls (;