Chapter Eight

Goldenpaw laid anxiously in her den. In the distance, she was able to hear the faint hoo of an owl, and her den-mate, Scarletpetal's faint breathing beside her. She shuffled to get comfortable under paws. She silently cursed, as she was just getting comfortable when the moon was almost over-head. Goldenpaw let out a breathe of frustration, as she stood up. All the warmth seeped out of her legs, letting it get replaced by the chilly air of leaf-fall. She hastily exited the den, and a cool breeze ruffled her fur tenderly. She glanced around camp tenderly, looking for a sign of life. There was no stirring, except for the trees that rustled softly. Goldenpaw felt her heart racing inside her chest, as she took in a deep breath.

I need to be quick. Really quick. Oh my, what if I get caught? What will I say? Could I just say I'm using the dirt place? Goldenpaw shook her head clear of her thoughts. No. I will not get caught. The important thing now is to meet Hollypaw Goldenpaw built up her courage, and sprinted across the camp. She felt like she was being watched as she came to a halt just outside of camp. Whirling around behind her, she scanned the clearing one more time for cats who may be snooping. Pleased with the sight of no cats, she trailed off, and began the tiring journey to the fourtrees.

As she slowed down to a stop at the fourtrees, she looked for the achingly familiar gray she-cat. The fourtrees was barren, and the only thing she saw were the silhouette of trees against the dark sky. But no sign of Hollypaw.

Weird. I swear I heard her say to meet her here today. If she was lying, I swear to-

Goldenpaw turned around to see wide, gleaming amber eyes watching her intently. Goldenpaw let out a startled cry and stumbled backwards.

"Shh! You're going to wake up the whole forest!" The cat hissed. "H-Hollypaw?" Goldenpaw stammered. She saw her roll her eyes. "Duh. Who else would it be?" Hollypaw retorted. She stepped out of the shadows, and into the moonlight. The moon gave her a blue-gray outline, that seemed to glow enticingly. She sat down, and studied Goldenpaw.

"Soo" Goldenpaw started. She couldn't hold the dark apprentice's gaze. She looked down at her paws, uncomfortable by her stare. Glancing up slightly, she saw Hollypaw tilt her head.

"Yes?" She mewed. Goldenpaw took in a deep breath. "This is awkward" Goldenpaw glanced towards the four, unoccupied giant trees. Hollypaw let out a breath. "It's only awkward if you make it awkward" She replied hastily.

Why is this stupid cat so rude?

"So!" Goldenpaw started, breaking the tense air between the two she-cats. "How's Darkpaw?" Now it was Hollypaw's turn to look baffled. "Darkpaw? What does he have to do with anything?" The confusion in the gray cats voice was evident. For the past few nights, she had noticed her older brother disappearing at night. Annoyance pricked within Goldenpaw.

"Have you not seen Lightningpaw disappear at night when you sleep? You know, how we kind of know each and everything about each other except for our thoughts?" Goldenpaw emphasized the last part of her sentence. Her annoyance with this she-cat was bubbling over the edge. Hollypaw twitched her nose, and let her tongue swiftly run over her black nose.

"Well, sorry for not sleeping long enough to see that!" Hollypaw snapped. Goldenpaw hissed, her fur was bristling. Breathe. Breathe. Breathe. Goldenpaw sunk her claws into the soft, earthy surface below.

I will not rip her fur out. I will not rip her fur out. I will not rip her fur out

"Well, now you know. Maybe you should check up on Darkpaw to make sure he's not leaving camp, either" Goldenpaw advised. She could sense Hollypaw seething with fury. A flash of satisfaction filled her chest at Hollypaw's discomfort. "Don't tell me what I should or shouldn't do!" Hollypaw bared her teeth. Her white teeth glinted in the moonlight. Goldenpaw sat back on her haunches, and watched the gray she-cat.

"I, personally think you should be more aware. More mindful. You don't even know what Darkpaw is doing these days, since you're so caught up with Thistleflake" Goldenpaw remarked, blinking her eyes innocently at the furious she-cat.

"Well, at least I'm more into training than what my brother is doing" Hollypaw sneered, eyeing Goldenpaw evenly.

She shook her golden fur with irritation. How was she ever gonna trust this rude mouse-brain?

Hollypaw narrowed her eyes at the golden she-cat. Her anger was getting dangerously high, and she felt the urge to shred the other cats' ears. Hollypaw sat down calmly. She was doing her best to not let her fury show.

"So what now?" She meowed calmly. Goldenpaw also sat down, eyeing Hollypaw carefully, as if she was going to attack any second.

"I don't know, you tell me" Goldenpaw replied, her tone matched Hollypaw's. Hollypaw pressed her ears against her head. In her dreams, Goldenpaw seemed like a pretty cool cat. Now, not so much. Hollypaw let out a sigh. "Well, let's just figure out the prophecy so we can go our separate ways" Hollypaw suggested. She didn't want to be with Goldenpaw any longer than she had to. Goldenpaw nodded.

"So what do you think it means?" Goldenpaw challenged. Hollypaw's nose twitched.

Goldenpaw is so hostile! What's wrong with her!?

Hollypaw's mind drew a blank.

Lightning … Lightning will strike … Hollypaw looked away thoughtfully, before glancing up to the sky. Barely any clouds hung in the night, not enough for rain, let alone lightning. It is, however still dark out though Hollypaw mused inwardly. Goldenpaw blinked with impatience.

"Well?" She flicked her golden tail, and sat up a little straighter. Hollypaw shook her head. "I don't know" She muttered. Goldenpaw blinked slowly. "You don't know?" Hollypaw's head snapped up to meet Goldenpaw's. Hollypaw's fur was bristling on end, and a her lips drew back into a snarl. "No, I don't know! You're the medicine cat here! You should know!" Hollypaw snapped. She pinned her ears to the back of her head, and Goldenpaw narrowed her eyes, unfazed by Hollypaw's sudden outburst. Goldenpaw let out a sigh.

"Look, Hollypaw, I know we don't like each other, but we have to work together, okay?" Goldenpaw meowed exasperatedly. Hollypaw let out a snicker, but didn't object. She looked Goldenpaw in the eye, and gave her a curt nod.

"I'll see you next quarter moon to discuss further" Hollypaw's voice was cold. As cold as the frosty lining on the trees in leaf-bare. Goldenpaw nodded. "I'll see you then" She replied curtly. The two cats stood up, and walked their separate ways. Hollypaw stalked back into the shadows, and didn't look back.

Ooh that Goldenpaw! She thinks she's soo much better than me! Why do I have to be stuck with a cat like her? Why couldn't I get a good cat? She's so annoying! Why her? Of all cats, StarClan, why her?

Hollypaw let out a small growl as she approached the camp. By this time, the sun was already beginning to rise slightly, letting out a thin red just above the treeline.

It's already dawn! I barely slept! Stupid Goldenpaw! Kept me awake this long now I'm going to be too tired for training! If I get caught from dawn patrol, it'll be her fault!

Hollypaw tried her best to keep low. She skulked back into camp, and quickly moved towards the apprentice den. No cat noticed her. Well, at least it seemed that way. If any cat did see her, they didn't say anything. Hollypaw crept into her den, where she found Darkpaw curled up beside Eaglepaw. The two looked content, and as Hollypaw laid down, she wondered what the two were doing in their dreamland.

Oh well. It's going to be a long day tomorrow. I need to sleep

Hollypaw's jaws parted into a wide, hearty yawn. She tucked her paws beneath her, and laid her head on top of her paws. She closed her eyes and drifted into sleep, with the sound of gentle breathing as a lullaby.