A splash sounded by the rushing river as Tigerstorm pulled out a flailing salmon. She placed it on the ground and smiled, proud of her catch. Cindershade sat next to her with a small carp in his mouth.
"Nice job." She mewed
He purred and placed his fish down. His tail wrapped around her and smiled warmly.
"I wish I was as good of a hunter as you." He said in his deep voice
Tigerstorm purred happily as she licked his cheek. In the past half-moon, she and Cindershade had become extremely close. Nothing had been said, it just happened.
"Cindershade, wanna go for a quick swim?" She asked
"Why wouldn't I?" He replied
Tigerstorm got up and leapt into the water. The cool water covered her as she pulled her head up to the surface. She paddled around in the river. She felt something brush next to her and she turned to see the dark gray tabby next to her. She mrrowed with laughter and paddled away from shore.
"The water's nice today." Cindershade told her
"It is. I'm glad it's just you and me."
Cindershade smiled, his icy gaze shined like the frozen streams of Riverclan in leaf-bare. The sandy floor disappeared from underneath her. She knew not to freak out, for she'd only go under. Cindershade's powerful strokes brought him further than her and she began to work harder to catch up to her mate. The dusky sky brought the faint outline of Silverpelt into view along with the full moon.
"Cindershade," She began, "We have to head back to camp. The Gathering is soon."
He turned back toward her and nodded. He was back at her side in a mere few heartbeats. She felt a few strands of his fur brush against her's and she nuzzled her head into his broad shoulder. Each stroke of her paw matched his as they swam back the shore. She spotted the lithe outline of a cat near the top of the hill and saw a few more follow.
"Dusk patrol." Cindershade stated
He climbed out of the water and shook out the water of his fur. Tigerstorm joined him shortly and gave her pelt a quick grooming. The scent of her salmon drifted toward her as she picked it up. He grabbed his and they headed back to camp with their tails entwined.
...
Tigerstorm sat in the warrior's den with her sister, Dawnstream. The pale tabby she-cat was with Goldfur and the two were sharing a robin. She saw the happiness in her sister's dark blue eyes. They looked like her and Cindershade. It's a good thing that Dawnstream found someone. She began grooming herself in preparation for the Gathering. Cindershade had gone out with Nutclaw and Blizzardtail to go hunting.
"So," Dawnstream began, "How is it between you and Cindershade?"
"It's great." Tigerstorm meowed, "We're so happy and it's just wonderful."
Goldfur looked uncomfortable right now for some reason. His bright green eyes had darkened when she mentioned how happy they were.
"Aww. What's wrong Goldfur?" Dawnstream asked
"My old mate, Lilywing...We were extremely happy together. But, she died from a flood that came two new-leafs ago."
"You poor thing. Well, you have me now."
Goldfur smiled and nuzzled Dawnstream. At that moment, Cindershade came in with a large pike. He gently placed it at her paws and sat next to her. He nudged it closer to her and she took a small bite out of it, for she wasn't to hungry.
"What's wrong?" He asked
"Nothing. I'm just not that hungry. It is..really good though."
He smiled with pride as he took a bite out of the fish. She returned to her grooming.
"All cats who are attending that Gathering, gather under the Rock Ledge!" Hazelstar called
Tigerstorm stood up as Goldfur and Dawnstream left. Cindershade looked to her with worry in his eyes.
"Are you sure you're feeling alright?"
"I'm just a little nervous. It's my first Gathering as a warrior." She replied
He placed his thick furred tail on her back and licked her ear.
"Look, it's alright. Just go there as though you are an apprentice. You still have friends from the other clans to see and I'll be there too." He whispered
"Thanks Cindershade." She mewed gently
He purred and they left the den to join their clanmates.
...
The full moon cast a beautiful silver light over the island where Windclan was already sitting. Tigerstorm leapt off of the branch and joined the rest of her clanmates. Cindershade was sitting and waiting for her to come down.
"I'm going to see Brightwing." Tigerstorm stated
"Alright. I'm going to wait for Shadowclan to get here before I wander. I'd like to see Tawnyheart again." Cindershade said
She smiled and bounded away toward the moor-scented cats. She spotted the white and gray patched coat of Brightwing, who was talking to Tallheart.
"Oh! Tigerpaw!" She shouted
She bounded toward her and smiled.
"It's good to see you again! How's your training doing?"
"Actually, I passed my assessment a half-moon ago! I'm Tigerstorm now." She mewed
"That's fantastic! Tallheart, come meet Tigerstorm!" Brightwing called
The pale brown tom ran over and sat next to her and wrapped his tail around her. His yellow gaze was gentle as he said,
"It's good to meet you Tigerstorm."
She nodded and stood up, stretching her back.
"I saw you with that handsome gray tom over there." Brightwing giggled, "What's his name?"
Tigerstorm purred and sat down.
"His name's Cindershade. Isn't he beautiful?"
"He is. But, I prefer my sweet Tallheart."
She nuzzled his flank as a marsh and pine scent mixed in with the current scents. She turned and spotted the brown patched she-cat lead her clan over the tree bridge.
"When did Shadowclan get a new leader?" Tigerstorm asked
"I don't know specifically. But, last Gathering, Briarstar was here instead of Pebblestar."
"May she rest in peace in Starclan."
She bid farewell to Brightwing and began looking for Cindershade. She padded through the group of cats as she spotted another group of cats padding toward the bridge.
"Thunderclan is arriving."
She continued her search for her mate. As she walked through the cats, she spotted a dark brown tabby tom sitting quietly by himself. She couldn't remember his name, but she gave him and gentle nod and continued looking for Cindershade.