Chapter 12: Scattered tears

Disclaimer:

Wolfpaw: Neon does not own warriors (then cries himself to sleep, you'll find out why now )

Ravenpaw stared up at the long curved claws that were about to strike her neck, they gleamed in the faint sunlight ready to slice her throat open. Ravenpaw cried out for help, knowing it would be in vain. She wanted to close her eyes but terror kept them wide open. The paw began its decent on her neck, Ravenpaw's blood ran cold. Out of nowhere a ginger blur knocked Hollowflight to the floor. The weight had lifted off Ravenpaw, she glanced at Hollowflight. He was unmoving and covered in blood. A wound ran along his neck, pouring out blood. Ravenpaw shot a look at her rescuer.

It was Swiftpaw. Her friend was panting heavily and blood dripped from her neck, her shoulders heaved from exhaustion. Then her eyes flickered, her eye lids closing, Swiftpaw's legs buckled and she collapsed to the floor. Ravenpaw tensed and dragged herself to her friend.

Ravenpaw guarded her friend, watching the battle around her. Blackpaw was expertly slashing at Dogfang's shoulder, Foxpaw was on Nightcloud's back, tearing up fur, Dewpaw gave Redpaw a blow that sent the smaller apprentice flying, and Amberpaw was rolling with Lightshadow, locked in combat. Lionblaze bit down hard on Dawneyes' red tail and sent the she cat howling as she ran away from him.

Swiftpaw was breathing, heavily and roughly. Her pelt was covered in scratches, her tail fluffed up in distress. Swiftpaw had a long scratch on her neck, not as deep as the one on Hollowflight but blood still streamed out gently. Ravenpaw looked up at Lionblaze who led the patrol to rescue Swiftpaw and Snowpaw, her mentor had chased out the last warrior, there was only Breezestar left. "This is not the last you've seen of us Lionblaze. This is only the first battle. The war is on its way. Keep your eyes open, watch the shadows, and stay in the light because when you're alone, in the dark, you won't see us coming." The Darkclan leader snarled. He grabbed Hollowflight and dragged him into the dark bushes of Darkclan and they disappeared into the growing black.

Lionblaze spat at where the leader disappeared, he glanced at Ravenpaw. His eyes grew round when he saw Swiftpaw. He ran up to his daughter and covered her in licks, in a attempt to wake her up. "Swiftpaw please, don't die, come on stay with us.." he whispered. He shoved his muzzle in her ginger tabby fur and rested his tail on her shoulder. Ravenpaw stared blankly at her mentor. "She saved my life..."

Lionblaze looked up briefly and saw his amber eyes watering. Ravenpaw felt guilt grip her heart stronger than claws. If Swiftpaw dies, I'll never forgive myself, nor will Lionblaze... Her mentor stood up and nodded to Snowpaw, the white apprentice approached and together they carried Swiftpaw. Her friend was too big to be carried so the two toms gently dragged her back to the camp. Ravenpaw, Blackpaw, Foxpaw, Cloudtail, Spiderleg and Dewpaw and Amberpaw padded solemnly behind them.

They entered the camp in stunned silence, the other warrior's gazes were wide and jaws dropped open. Dewpaw ran to get Jayfeather; a second later they dragged Swiftpaw into the medicine den. Snowpaw settled Swiftpaw into a warm, soft nest and curled up beside her, keeping her warm and grooming her ruffled coat.

The other warriors and apprentices left quickly before Jayfeather could snap at them, spreading news of what happened at the border. Only Ravenpaw and Snowpaw remained at Swiftpaw's side. Lionblaze had gone to tell Cinderheart what had happened, Ravenpaw expected them to arrive soon with Wolfpaw.

It was moonrise when Swiftpaw had been fully treated, Jayfeather had ordered Snowpaw and Ravenpaw to leave until he was done. The two apprentices sat outside feeling the warm breeze ruffle their ungroomed coats. Ravenpaw glanced at Snowpaw, his head was low and he was unsheathing and sheathing his claws. Ravenpaw guessed he was trying to keep calm. Ravenpaw glanced at Cinderheart and Lionblaze, curled up together while waiting to see their daughter. Cinderheart buried her head in Lionblaze's thick coat, hiding her face from the clan.

Lionblaze was staring up at the moon, a tiny reflection showed in his large black orbs. He occasionally licked Cinderheart on the head, and then continued glaring at the moon. Ravenpaw guessed he was praying to Starclan, begging them to let his daughter live.

Ravenpaw decided she would use her powers, she needed to practice as Jayfeather had told her too on many occasions. Sometimes giving her lessons in the medicine den. She imagined Jayfeather in his den, and with ease entered his mind.

She was looking through Jayfeather's eyes, for some reason she could see through them, probably because she wasn't blind so his eyes worked for her. She watched him plaster herbs on Swiftpaw's neck, trying to seal the wound. Ravenpaw felt his paws touch the ragged skin around the wound, it made her want to throw up. Get out Ravenpaw, I know you're there... Hissed Jayfeather in her head.

You said I need practice! And I want to know if Swiftpaw is ok!

Well practice on some other cat! I'm working, and I don't appreciate having my head full of your brain when I need to concentrate!

Fine.

Ravenpaw left Jayfeather to do his work, she growled quietly. Ravenpaw suddenly realised she hadn't seen Wolfpaw yet. Her pelt stiffened, he should have been with Swiftpaw ages ago! Ravenpaw speedily stood up, she ran over to Lionblaze panting. "L-lion-blaze"

The golden deputy didn't seem to register her, he just continued looking at the moon, and Cinderheart asleep in his warm pelt. Ravenpaw growled inwardly, there was no time for this! Ravenpaw stood back away from view and opened her mind to receive thoughts. Over the past moon Ravenpaw had concentrated on limiting her power to block out the constant noise of everyone's thoughts, she couldn't do it all the time and it did leave her with terrible headaches.

I just want a mouse.. A nice juicy mouse...

I wonder if my tail looks better if I lick it this way?..

Will this heat NEVER END!?

If I don't eat soon I might end up being a cannibal..

Wow, Lilystream looks so pretty in this light...

Ravenpaw shook her head, she could read thoughts but didn't know how to control her power, she only wanted to hear Lionblaze's voice! Ravenpaw kept a clear image of Lionblaze in her head, focusing on the golden tabby.

Where's Wolfpaw? I thought he was with Ravenpaw... but he's not there..

Ravenpaw smiled quickly pleased of her achievement, but not staying happy for long she decided to look for Wolfpaw in the forest. She pelted out of the camp, ignoring any cat that tried to stop her, she was a 10 moon old apprentice, she could take care of herself. Ravenpaw slowed down and stalked around for a scent, after a while of searching, she found one. Wolfpaw.. Ravenpaw followed the trail quickly, her suspicions growing as she found the trail led into a tunnel. A dark, damp, cold, and scary tunnel. The stories of the ancient cat rock and Hollyleaf's close death whispered in her ears, making her hesitant to enter the hungry darkness of the tunnel.

Ravenpaw looked at the black entrance with wide green eyes. She gulped and quickly walked inside before she changed her mind. Ravenpaw was consumed by darkness, with Wolfpaw's scent trail her only guide. Eventfully Ravenpaw saw light, bounding to the source she found herself in a large underground opening. Ravenpaw saw a lump of grey tabby fur, breathing quietly. Ravenpaw brushed Wolfpaw with her tail, making the amber eyed apprentice look up.

Ravenpaw settled down beside her friend and started grooming his ruffled pelt. Wolfpaw purred and licked her ear in return. Ravenpaw studied he silver tabby tom. "What's the matter, why are you out here?"

Wolfpaw looked up at the hole in the roof of the cave, the moon shone brightly above, cocooning the apprentices in a shell of moonlight. "Blackpaw said that Swiftpaw is going to die, he said she's a freak and if she dies he'll dance on her grave. Wolfpaw unsheathed his claws and growled softly. "I can't believe he's related to you, how can such a monster be related to something so...perfect."

Ravenpaw's eyes widened at Wolfpaw's comment. She glanced at Wolfpaw who stared at the ground, ears pinned back in embarrassment. Ravenpaw purred and buried her muzzle in his long silver pelt, closing her eyes. Wolfpaw was silent for a moment almost consumed by shock but happiness at the same time, he then purred and licked the top of her head, Ravenpaw suddenly felt too close to the grey tom and shuffled away from him.

Wolfpaw's ears flashed forward, his amber eyes full of pain that Ravenpaw couldn't place. Wolfpaw gulped. "Ravenpaw I need to tell you something.."

Ravenpaw shuffled her paws, her suspicions rising. "yeah..." she mewed slowly.

Wolfpaw looked at the ground, his paws trembling. "I well.. care about you.. and I feel I have to protect you.."

Ravenpaw raised an eyebrow. "why?"

Wolfpaw looked up at her, his amber eyes glowing brightly in the damp dark. "because...I love you..."

Ravenpaw looked at her paws, trying to avoid his pleading amber depths. She wasn't sure, she did once have a crush on Wolfpaw. But now she didn't really know. Ravenpaw looked away from him, she couldn't bear to see his face when she mewed. "Wolfpaw, I once liked you.. but I'm only an apprentice.. You're almost a warrior. I'm not ready for that. And...I'm not sure if I feel the same way."

Ravenpaw leapt to her paws and streaked out of the den, she didn't want to face his pain and possible pleading. But she couldn't run fast enough to escape his desperate yowl, tinged with pain and emotion as she neared the exit. "Ravenpaw! Come back!"

...

Wolfpaw stared at where Ravenpaw disappeared, little did the black she cat know, she had just broken his heart. Ravenpaw was one of his best friends, the one he loved. It was heartbreaking. Wolfpaw looked at the moon, its brightness seemed to have dimmed after what she had said. Wolfpaw could tell that it hurt her to say it too. So, maybe, there was hope...

...

Ravenpaw pelted through the forest, the brambles tearing at her skin numbly. She didn't feel them, all she felt was the weight of her heart as it filled with guilt. Ravenpaw couldn't help but feel that she didn't belong with Wolfpaw, no matter how hard she thought, she couldn't work out why. She felt a pull, away from the grey tom. Away from his glowing pain filled eyes.

Ravenpaw stopped running; confident that she was alone she sat down. In a way she missed the warmth he provided. But there was something there that stopped her from running back to him. Ravenpaw pondered on the thought, it was like her heart was already taken. By who?

A shuffle in the bushes caught her ears and Ravenpaw scented an approaching Wolfpaw. Desperate not to have an awkward conversation with him Ravenpaw started running again, she didn't look where she was going, letting her paws be her guide, she looked at the ground as it blurred. Ravenpaw closed her eyes, enjoying the freeing feel of the wind.

Suddenly, Ravenpaw felt herself crash into something, tumbling to the floor in a series of forward rolls. Shaking her pelt she glared at what she knocked into. A black apprentice with blazing amber eyes glared at her. He unsheathed his claws and his hackles raised to their ends. "Who are you? And what are you doing in Darkclan territory?"

Cliffie for life!

Thanks for reading ;)

Read and review plz! :D

Till next time xx

Neon xxxx