Soulpaw

Soulpaw followed Hunter as she lead her to her camp.

The walk to 'the cave', as Hunter called it was silent for the most part except for the occasional sound of prey scurrying underneath bushes and trees.

After what felt like two sunrises of trudging through the pooping rain, the two she-cats finally arrived to Hunter's camp - or - cave as Hunter called it.

Upon entering the cave, many of the Tribe cats were giving the two of us strange looks: they were mostly directed towards me though, I noticed.

Nothing I can't handle, Soulpaw mused to herself with a flick of her tail. Having cats whisper about me is better than having to deal with Lightpaw and her oh-so-perfect life!

Soulpaw was brought out of her thoughts by Hunter nudging her side with a paw.

"Hey Soulpaw! You coming or inside the cave or not?" Hunter mewed with a glint of amusement in her eyes.

I nodded my head rapidly and Hunter turned back around with a small wink in my direction.

Soulpaw's pelt burned and she felt her heart hammering heavily in her chest. What in StarClan's name is wrong with me? Soulpaw mentally screamed in her mind.

Soulpaw sighed softly to herself and shook her head back-and-forth. Oh StarClan, what is wrong with me? Why am I feeling this way around Hunter? Is there something I'm missing here? Soulpaw shook her head, trying to rap her head around the fact that she might be in love with Hunter.

Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she continued following Hunter through the cave.

As Hunter lead me through the cave, I kept getting stares from the cats. Don't forget the whispers too. Things like 'why's that cat here' or 'we already have enough mouths to feed' as for the latter, I don't think they have enough. The cave also had a weird hole in the top of it. It was perfectly circular as if it were carved. Probably not by them, I thought.

"Hunter!" An older, red tom bounded up to us. "Why are you back -oh? Who's this guest?"

I opened my mouth to speak, but Hunter cut me off.

"Oh, her name's Soulpaw. Comes from somewhere called the 'Clans'. Got a little lost though." She twitched her whiskers in amusement. I felt warm and very embarrassed.

The red tom glanced at me, eyes widening in sympathy. "Oh my, you must be worried huh?" he asked. I nodded. "Well, I'm sure Gol- I mean, Skywatcher could help you!" he offered.

As he turned to presumably get this 'Skywatcher', my attention switched to their fresh kill pile. I licked my lips hungrily. I haven't eaten since this morning.

"You hungry?"

Hunter's question startled me.

"I uh, I mean kinda... if you have enough of course! I-I'm perfectly content to wait if-" she put her paw on my mouth.

"Oh shut up," Hunter said playfully, removing her paw from my lips. "There's plenty for everyone."

I just stood there, speechless. I tried to open my mouth to speak and failed. That warmth was returning.

Hunter's playful expression faded. "Are you okay? You sick or something?"

"H-huh?" Those were the only words I could get out.

Hunter leaned closer. "Your face is red."

That was probably the most humiliating moment in my life. I just, the way Hunter spoke, always full of sass, was... amazing. Right now, I didn't want to return home.

I could stay here, forever.

Lost in my dreamy thoughts, I didn't even pay attention when Hunter started calling my name. Well, I did, it just sounded so far away. Was it just me, or did her voice sound even better when she said my name? I think so.

"Soulpaw! Just say my name!!" Hunter started to tap my shoulder.

Oh, Hunter, don't worry, I will.