I do not own Warriors.

Chapter Two! A moon later!

Chapter Two

Forestleap's POV

A thick drop of rain plops onto my fur as I open my eyes to look around at my denmates. The warriors den wound almost all the way around the hollow because there were so many warriors. I stretch out my paws and pick my way through the warriors to get to the entrance. I growl softly in annoyance at the pelting rain.

In the clearing, the bright golden pelt of Swirlpaw moves up towards the elders den quickly, trying to hurry and not get wet, where Lostwhisker was probably fussing over sore joints. I wouldn't blame her with all this rain! I think semi-bitterly. I flick my tail in greeting to Gorsenettle and Lilypetal, who were sharing a thrush underneath the High Ledge, in safety. I dart over to them, nosing through the Fresh Kill Pile. Unfortunately, all the prey was either soggy or muddy. I shake out my fur and turn to face the rain.

A pair of blue eyes peer out through the storm, and a dark gray she-cat rushes over to us. Ripplefoot hisses angrily at the poor weather.

"Soon we'll all be fish!" She growls. I purr in laughter.

More cats emerge from the den. I pad out into the rain to sit beside Smokefog and Firewhisker, who were exchanging comments about the weather. Their pelts were plastered to their bodies. I look up at Ripplefoot.

"We need two hunting patrols and a border patrol now, three hunting patrols later, and an evening border patrol. We also need some cats to stay behind and help finish adding to the Warriors Den. Echolark, you will lead a hunting patrol by the lake and The Sky Oak. You can take three other cats. Then Silentrock can lead another hunting patrol through the main part of the forest. You can take four cats. I will lead the Border Patrol. Shadestalker, Sedgetooth, Lilypetal, and Scratchtalon, let's go, before this rain gets us colds." The border patrol runs out of the camp, and I turn my attention to Silentrock and Echolark.

Echolark flicks her tail. "Eclipsefeather, Cloudstreak, and... Thrushwave." The first hunting patrol leaves quickly.

Silentrock clears his throat. "Forestleap, Bluewhisper, Duskpelt, and Buzzardmask."

I pad over to Silentrock with the rest of the patrol as the other warriors begin to work on the dens so they can finish. We trot out of camp and out into the forest. The rain dropped from the leaves, so it was even more annoying than in camp. I hear a rustle a few tail-lengths ahead of me. Keeping silent, I stalk up to it until I pounce-

Nothing!

I growl in frustration. "All the prey must be hiding from all this rain!"

We continue on, and I manage to catch a vole. When we returned to camp, all our patrol had was one thrush, two voles, and two mice. I set my prey on the pile and pad over to where Smokefog was weaving the den. I join his side and begin to weave as well.

He turns his head to me. "How was hunting?" He asked, still working.

"All the prey's hiding away in their nests. We only brought back five pieces of prey. I volunteered to go out again later." I finish speaking and continue my work as well.

"Why did you volunteer? You must be catching cold like the rest of us. Leapbrook was sent to the Medicine Cat Den. She was shivering and wheezing. You should stay here and rest while we go out and hunt-"

"But," I interrupt him. "I'm not as old as Leapbrook! I am in perfect health, so there's no question that I'll be going out again!" I say indignantly.

"I insist that you stay here!" Smokefog says a little angrily.

"I can make my own decisions!" I growl at him, and I turn to go ask Ripplefoot if I can lead a hunting patrol.

"Spiritflare, Fleetfoot, Firewhisker, Cloudstreak! Hunting patrol!" The cats I call come trotting over, their fur slicked back from the rain. We head out of camp and to the most prey rich area I know of- The Undergrowth.

I begin to sniff, and then I pick up a trace of squirrel! I begin to pelt towards it, and soon a little furry body is running ahead of me, the rest of the patrol following me quickly. I don't even realize the border until I fall off the edge.

The stream, the border between us and Windclan, was a rushing torrent. I yowl, my claws hanging off of the edge, until I fall.

Ice surrounds me. The current throws me around until I feel calm, and I immediately pull myself to the surface. I was in the lake, several foxlengths from where you could stand.

I swim as hard as I could to the stony beach and collapse, my sides heaving. I cough for air, my body jerking each time. I hear the pounding of paws racing towards me. They look at each other in panic. Fleetfoot and Cloudstreak hoist my body onto their backs. I was still coughing and jerking and struggling for air.

Once at camp, they brought me to Lilacbreeze, who quickly worked the water out of me. After that, she feeds me some herbs. But I keep coughing.

Then I saw worry in the medicine cat's eyes.

She isn't sure if I'll survive!

I take a long nap after that. I don't open my eyes when I awaken. I just listen and recognize the voice ans scent of Smokefog.

"I told you that you shouldn't have gone." He whispers. I am about to reply when he continues.

"Furball. It's good you're sleeping. Maybe that will help."

Oh. I realize. He still thinks I'm asleep.

"I hope you live more than anything. And just to think, I got you all angry. What if that was the last few words I said to you that you heard, yelling at you to stay in camp? Since you're so hotheaded, you must have wanted to go even more after I told you. It's my fault that you are sick and hurt. It will be my fault it you... if you d-die..."

I'm not dying! And it's not your fault!

He stops quickly, and I hear a drop of water plop on the dusty ground. Confused thoughts swirl in my mind.

"If you die, I just want to say... I love you, Forestleap."

What? Okay, I need to wake up.

I twitch a paw, and open my eyes.

"Were you... were you saying something?" I ask innocently.

"No! But... you're alright!" His yellow eyes shine happily. It's obvious he doesn't know that I heard him. I shake out my fur and stand.

"I'm fine now. Every cat falls into a stream sometime. I'll go continue weaving the den." Not waiting to hear his response, I pad out of the medicine cat den and down to the Warriors den. The rain was done for now. I put a layer of bracken around the top for extra support, and I lodge moss into holes so no rain gets in.

After working, I head straight to my mossy nest and curl up. Soon, the darkness of dreamless sleep surrounds me.

Ooh... things heat up! Thanks for reading! Please review!