"By the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Skypaw, from now on you will be known as Skyheart. StarClan honors your strength and speed, and we welcome you as a full warrior of WindClan." Scorchstar leaped down from the Tall Rock and touched his nose to Skyheart's nose. Russetstripe watched the gray she-cat beam with the force of a thousand suns as she turned to face her Clanmates.
"Skyheart! Skyheart!" cheered the WindClan cats, and Russetstripe joined in, remembering how she had ran around camp with Skyheart on her back, when she was just a kit. She's grown into a fine warrior, Russetstripe thought. And so soon after Sedgefall became a medicine cat, too! Skyheart's assessment must've been given to her early, Russetstripe guessed, so she could join her sister status-wise. Every cat knew it, but no cat said it.
"You must sit a silent vigil tonight," Scorchstar told Skyheart, "so you can think about what it means to be a warrior."
Skyheart nodded. Even though Scorchstar's words were stern, it didn't seem to matter to her as she broke away from Scorchstar and raced over to Aspenstep and Sandfall. Her parents purred and licked her roughly, while Sedgefall touched her nose with pride gleaming in her green eyes. Russetstripe took a step away. Now that the Clan was occupied, she could leave. Wait a minute. Russetstripe spotted Blackdove's sleek black pelt in the distance, and she bounded over to her.
"Hey, could you take Frostpaw for the day?" Russetstripe asked.
Blackdove turned around. "Um, sure. Can I ask why?"
"Oh, I just caught some odd scents of ThunderClan at the border and I want to take a look at them," Russetstripe said. "But it's dangerous, and I don't want Frostpaw around for that."
"Right." Blackdove looked unconvinced, but she agreed anyway. Russetstripe nodded to her and bounded out of camp, remembering the exchange she had with Runningflame before when she had left RiverClan's camp to go back home.
"Meet me near the border in half a moon at sunhigh. I'll be waiting."
Russetstripe should have ignored him, or hissed at him, or told him to stay in his own Clan. But Russetstripe had simply nodded at him and left with her Clan. And now she was going to meet him. I'm so stupid. I'm so stupid. She knew this was wrong – but she just thought that he was fun, and a good friend. Nothing else. There was no other reason, Russetstripe thought as she kicked her thumping heart. She hoped no cat was following her as she moved through the moorland with her ginger tail waving behind her.
As she approached the scent lines when the hills sloped to make way for the moorland, Russetstripe looked around the territory, wondering where the ginger-and-white tabby was. Her heart skipped a beat as she could make him out – there he was, his burly figure nearly crossing the moor. No! What am I doing? He's an enemy on WindClan territory! This was no time to meet him. He was not a friend – he was an enemy. Russetstripe unsheathed her claws and bushed out her fur as she raced down towards him.
Runningflame turned his head, ears twitching as Russetstripe raised her hackles. His eyes widened and he stepped back.
"Get out of here, Runningflame," Russetstripe growled, although it wasn't with the venom she was hoping to have.
Runningflame grinned. "Why don't you make me?" he asked.
Russetstripe lowered her hackles. "Because… I can't," she confessed.
"I wanted to see you again," Runningflame said. "Is that so bad?"
"I see you all the time!" Russetstripe snapped. "You're all I see. When I close my eyes, when I open them. You're all I see. Sometimes I wish I'd never seen you."
"But you did, didn't you?" Runningflame inquired.
Russetstripe sighed. She didn't want to be angry. There was no point. He was here, she was here, and she had such a fun time with him the other day… what was so wrong in wanting to have a little more fun? Russetstripe allowed her fur to flatten and she asked, "So? I'm here. What do you want?"
"What do you say to a little adventure outside of Clan territory?" Runningflame asked, a challenge glowing in his green eyes.
"Adventure outside Clan territory?" Russetstripe countered. "What do you mean?"
"I hate being confined to the borders of the marshes and the river. So, I slip out. A moon ago I went to the Twolegplace and met some pretty interesting cats. They invited me to watch some sort of event. When I sat with them, sudden sparks started to crack in the night sky. It was loud, but I'll be damned if it wasn't one of the most incredible things I've ever seen in my life. There were so many colors, and they burst like the sun itself!" Wonder shone in Runningflame's eyes. "I asked one of the Twolegplace cats the other day and they said the same thing would happen tonight. So, are you in?"
Russetstripe clenched her jaw. So Runningflame was inviting her on a rendezvous away from Clan territory that would last all night? No. Absolutely not. Please… just leave… because no matter how I feel… I have to stay away from you… "Okay. I'll come."
"Perfect. The journey there isn't far, it's just towards the Twolegplace." The ginger-and-white tom ran off with a start, and Russetstripe followed after him, her heart feeling as if it was about to burst out of her chest with every step she took after him. The tom plunged through the marshland and towards the hills, his tail streaming in front of her. Russetstripe flexed her muscles and felt her competitive nature kicking in, finding a burst of speed and reaching his side.
The newleaf sun warmed their ginger pelts and quickened their stride. A sense of danger loomed over Russetstripe – whether it came from the tom besides her or the consequences that would come if Scorchstar found out what she was doing. But it doesn't matter, she thought. I'm having fun. Haven't I always been loyal to my Clan? Having a bit of adventure doesn't make me disloyal.
As the hills slowly began to disappear to make way for the Twolegplace, a warm, strange smell drifted around the two Clan cats. When the ground flattened to make room for paths of stone and rock, Russetstripe could see several Twoleg dens all lined up, stretching for as far as she could see. Large trees overhung the dens and fences separated it from the dirt road that cut through the Twolegplace. Russetstripe was pleasantly surprised – from the nursery tales she was told, she expected Twolegplaces to be grimier, sour, and frightening. But if it hadn't been for the Twoleg dens, she would have never imagined this would be a Twolegplace.
"Angel!" Runningflame called out. Russetstripe narrowed her eyes in confusion as the ginger-and-white tabby tom bounded over to a figure standing over the fence. The figure ended up being a cat, with thick tortoiseshell tabby fur and a white mane around her neck. Her green eyes were piercing, and for a moment, Russetstripe wondered if she was looking at Dapplestar. But this cat had a friendly look in her eyes, and the collar she wore around her neck that jingled was something Dapplestar definitely didn't have.
"Hello, Runningflame!" Angel greeted him, leaping from the fence. "You're back?"
"Well, I hear the show is tonight," Runningflame said. He gestured with his tail to Russetstripe. "Meet my date."
"Your wha?" Russetstripe flicked her tail in irritation as she glared at Runningflame. Angel fixed Russetstripe with a soft pale gaze.
"Hello!" Angel greeted her. "What's your name?" Even though she was facing both Runningflame and Russetstripe – large Clan cats with battle scars over their bodies and hard gazes – the kittypet didn't falter. Russetstripe's whiskers twitched, slightly amused and impressed.
"I'm Russetstripe," Russetstripe said. "So, you know Runningflame?"
"Oh, yeah." Angel nodded. "He's been here a few times before. Last time it was for the fireworks show."
"Is that what it's called?" Runningflame asked.
"What is it?" Russetstripe inquired.
"Fireworks!" Angel gasped, her eyes shining. "They happen once a month, here. They're these big flames and sparks that shoot off in the sky. There are so many colors!"
"Who are you taking tonight?" Runningflame asked.
"I'm going alone." Angel snorted. "I'll be meeting Theo there, though."
"Those two statements contradict each other." Runningflame's whiskers twitched. "Well, do you know a good spot?"
"For you two?" Angel eyed them with a knowing grin on her face, one that made Russetstripe glance down at her paws. "There's a nice tree down the street. It's far away enough to the sounds won't hurt your ears, but you still get a nice view. Have fun, you two!" The calico kittypet leaped down from her fence and away from the Twoleg den. Russetstripe watched her go, the confidence that steeled her steps inspiring Russetstripe.
Runningflame stretched out his paws. "Right, well, let's go find that tree." The tom bounded over towards a rocky path, and Russetstripe followed him as the two Clan cats walked through the Twolegplace. Russetstripe could catch the sight of Twolegs watching them, and her fur bristled as she neared closer to Runningflame.
"What's wrong?" Runningflame asked.
"All the Twolegs are staring at us," Russetstripe said. "Aren't you worried they'll catch us?"
"Yeah, right." Runningflame laughed. "This Twolegplace is ridden with cats. The Twolegs don't touch them. Either they're kittypets or they're rat control. The ones who do touch the cats are insane, and the Twolegs hate them."
"Angel told you all of that?" Russetstripe asked.
"Her and Theo," Runningflame replied. "The Twolegs here love cats, and they let them run around. But sometimes there are Twolegs who come and take the cats."
"And what happens after?" Russetstripe asked.
Runningflame chuckled. "These Twolegs? They follow them and teach them a lesson. They always bring the cat back."
I didn't know Twolegs could be good, Russetstripe thought. Even though the gazes of them bore into her skin and made the fur on her shoulders prick, none of them moved to touch her. But as long as they don't put their filthy paws on me, they can do whatever they want. Runningflame was walking confidently, as if he had lived in the Twolegplace his entire life. He leaped over patches of grass and watched mice scurry away until the two cats reached a massive tree with long, arching branches. Runningflame looked up at the branch, tensing his muscles.
"When does it start?" Russetstripe asked.
"After sunset," Runningflame replied. "So we've got some time to kill. I'll always be a Clan cat at heart, but this Twolegplace is pretty great. They throw out food for the cats."
"Like, the kittypet pellets?" Russetstripe gagged. "No way. Who would ever want to eat that?"
"You'd be surprised at what they give you." Runningflame's whiskers twitched. "Hey, look at this den behind us. I can smell something from there." The ginger-and-white tom turned on his heel and padded towards the Twoleg den. Russetstripe let out a sigh as she followed the tom. I can't seem to keep up with him. But I will. Her paws brushed short green grass, and she looked up to see a Twoleg right at the entrance of the den. She froze to the ground, but Runningflame simply stared at the Twoleg and waved his tail. The Twoleg threw something in front of them and went back inside the den, slamming the door behind her.
"Don't tell me you come here to eat kittypet food?" Russetstripe asked Runningflame, looking down at what the Twoleg had thrown.
"Of course not." Runningflame shook his head. "Just to have fun every now and then. I'm a Clan cat and always will be, but who am I to say no to some chicken that they throw me once in a while?"
Chicken? There were a few shreds of white meat at their paws, and Runningflame nudged the scrap at Russetstripe's paw. "Here. You eat first."
"All right." Russetstripe bent down to take a bite of the chicken, chewing it with her teeth as she savored the taste. It was moist and tender, so much different than a rabbit or a mouse, and she swallowed it after chewing for a few more moments. Runningflame had already eaten his share by the time Russetstripe glanced over him.
"Well, that's dinner," Runningflame said, focusing his gaze on the sky where the sun was melting down into the ground. "Let's get to that tree." He gave Russetstripe a soft look, a look that Russetstripe was unable to describe, but she would knew it if she ever saw it again. She followed Runningflame as they left the Twoleg den, and the ginger-and-white tabby tom leaped onto the lowest branch of the overarching, moss-splotched tree. Russetstripe clenched her teeth.
"What's wrong?" Runningflame asked as he sat on the branch.
"I've never climbed a tree before," Russetstripe said. "Only the Tall Branch, and it wasn't as tall as this."
"Ah." Runningflame's green eyes sparkled with interest. "All right, reach out for my paws, then."
"No way!" Russetstripe shook her head. She didn't need help to climb a tree. "I can get there just as easy as you can."
"We'll see." Amusement tinged Runningflame's voice. "I can—"
"Aren't you always about taking risks?" Russetstripe asked pointedly. "So, I'm going to take a risk right now."
"The goal is, after all, to sit next to me." Runningflame purred loudly in his chest and sat down. "All right, lass. Jump on the branch."
Russetstripe crouched down, tensing her muscles and wiggling her haunches. At that moment, she took a deep breath… and jumped as high as she could. Her claws sank onto the branch of the tree, and for a moment she found herself slipping until she could feel teeth in her scruff and someone pulling her up. Russetstripe huffed with irritation as Runningflame brought her up.
"I could've gotten up on my own," Russetstripe complained.
"Oh, no doubt that you would've," Runningflame said, "but I couldn't let a lass in my care fall, could I?"
"Mhm." Russetstripe's whiskers twitched and she settled herself next to him. She could see in the distance below many other cats starting to gather, and she could see Angel's tortoiseshell pelt in the crowd. But Runningflame and Russetstripe were far away from them, in their own little world. They engaged in conversation about trivial things, about their own Clans, about the Twolegplace, and it was odd how Russetstripe felt so comfortable with him, despite him being an enemy warrior.
The sky was becoming dark, and Russetstripe's heart flipped in anticipation. Any moment now, she thought. Runningflame's pelt brushed against hers as he said, "It's going to be loud. But it's worth it."
"I wonder," Russetstripe said. Runningflame chuckled, and then a loud bang echoed throughout the night sky. Russetstripe flinched at the intensity of the noise, nearly slipping down the branch as every single hair on her pelt rose. Runningflame propped her up, staring at her straight in her eyes. "Let go of your fear. Look where you are. Enjoy yourself. Life is there for you to enjoy it. You can't enjoy life if you spend all your time huddled in camp, within the bounds of your territory. You need to see new things, experience different sights, feel new feelings."
The intensity in Runningflame's burning green eyes started to ease Russetstripe's beating heart, and she found her grip on the branch. She looked up at where the sound had originated from, and just as another bang tore through the night sky, a small bolt of light shot through the darkness. A vivid core of red-and-blue, as it hit the sky, it immediately exploded into multiple sparks of different colors, blasting across the indigo sky. Following it were several more colors exploding through the world around them. Just as the remnants from the original blasts died away, new lights were shot off, in a variety of colors, some colors that Russetstripe didn't even know existed, and rippled through the sky.
"Wow!" Russetstripe gasped. It was the only word that would came out of her, but it would never be able to describe how she felt. All she could focus on was the sparkling colors in the sky, and she had never experienced anything like this. The dazzling colors – the fear of the sound was gone, and all she focused on was the display in front of her. She couldn't tear her gaze from it, but when she felt a burning sensation in her pelt, she forced her eyes to look at Runningflame, who was staring at her.
"Why aren't you looking at the fireworks?" Russetstripe asked him.
"You're a prettier sight to look at," Runningflame commented.
Russetstripe leaned in towards him as the fireworks popped around them. "What are we?" she asked him quietly.
"I don't know," Runningflame confessed.
"Me neither." Russetstripe sighed.
"But whatever it is…" Runningflame gazed into her eyes. "…It's already happening, and I can't make it stop."
Russetstripe inhaled sharply and looked back at the sparkling fireworks. The two cats watched them in comfortable silence, their exchange hanging heavily between them. She was content being here – even if she didn't quite know how she felt about the cat next to her. He was handsome, smart, dangerous, and wild. Was he her friend? An enemy? Or… No. Never. There was no way she could tell him how she really felt.
But, just for tonight. Just for tonight, she could allow herself to be smitten by him, and be glad they met. After this, it's over. I can't risk my life any more by continuing to spend time with him. Even as she made this decision, she could feel Runningflame shift his weight, and his long fur brushed against her side. It sent sparks of electricity towards her, and perhaps a moon ago she would've jumped away at the touch, and maybe claw his eyes out. But now… she was fine with it.
The fireworks slowed until there were no more left. Russetstripe stretched out her paws, blinking the sleepiness from her eyes. It was late, and she looked at Runningflame, who was gazing at her with steady green eyes.
"What is it?" Russetstripe asked.
"Just thinking that I'm going to miss you," Runningflame remarked softly.
How can he say that and not expect me to feel affected? "Well, we don't always get what we want." A teasing smile tugged at the ends of Russetstripe's lips.
"I've met my match." Runningflame jumped down from the tree branch, and Russetstripe followed him, landing on the soft ground. "Ready to go home? I could always sweep you off your paws and take you somewhere far away, you know."
"You can take me to the Twolegplace, but not much farther." Russetstripe grinned at him. "I belong in the moor."
Runningflame laughed. "We'll see. Come on, let's get you home before someone notices you're gone."
"Won't they notice you're gone, though?" Russetstripe asked.
"Nah." Runningflame shook his head. "They know me by now." Giving Russetstripe a feral smile, the one tinged with danger and primal wildness, he started to walk away. Russetstripe followed him, her head in the stars as she thought about what a magical night it had been. She didn't want to leave. She didn't want to stray away from his side. But I have to.
"Oh? Runningflame?" Russetstripe looked up to see Angel racing towards them. "Did you two enjoy the sight?" the kittypet asked them.
"Very much so," Russetstripe replied. "It was stunning."
"As long as my lass is happy, I'm happy," Runningflame said. Russetstripe gasped. "But yeah. I did. It was great. Even better than last time."
"Well, make sure to come back," Angel meowed. "I always look forward to seeing Clan cats. You guys have such interesting stories. See you soon!" The long-furred tortoiseshell rode off into her own Twoleg den. Russetstripe watched her go. She's small but feisty, she thought.
Runningflame quickened his pace just as Angel left, and Russetstripe kept stride with him easily. The two cats raced away from the Twolegplace and towards the hills, where the scent of untamed wilderness began to mix with the musky, heather-tinged scent of WindClan. The scent lines met the marsh, fishy scents of RiverClan, and when Russetstripe saw the border in sight, her heart nearly broke into pieces. I have to leave him, now.
"So." Russetstripe glanced at Runningflame as they slowed down. "This is goodbye."
"Until I see you again," Runningflame said, "that is."
"What are you talking about?" Russetstripe snapped. "I can't see you again!"
"Why not?" Runningflame asked, arching an eye whisker.
"Why not, he says…" Russetstripe narrowed her eyes. "Because it's wrong. It's dangerous."
"Danger is fun," Runningflame said.
"What we're doing…" Russetstripe looked around. "It won't end well. It can't." She was trying to talk sense into Runningflame, but maybe she was trying to convince herself.
"It doesn't have to end," Runningflame replied. "I'd never hurt you."
"We're from different Clans!" Russetstripe exclaimed. "Not to mention that all the four Clans are at war. If I see you in battle, what do you expect me to do? Just walk away?"
"Dapplestar is focusing on unifying the Clans," Runningflame said. "Once she has unification in her paws, then the wars will be no more, and the Clans will be at peace. In the meantime… I'm willing to brave the flames of war. Aren't you?"
Russetstripe sighed. "Maybe that's not the only thing that's worrying me."
"Then what else is worrying you?" Runningflame asked.
"Everyone else!" Russetstripe snapped. "You're not stupid or naïve. We both know this is wrong."
"I…" For the first time, Runningflame looked confused – and maybe even a little hurt.
"But I can't stop it." The words left Russetstripe before she could swallow them. "It's the only thing that's right. You're the first cat who sees me."
Runningflame lifted his head. "All right. Russetstripe, if you tell me to leave, I'll go, and that'll be that. We won't meet each other anymore, we won't have to risk anything. If you want, it can end here."
Russetstripe gazed steadily at Runningflame. I don't want it to end. It would be so easy. All she had to do was say, "This ends now," and Runningflame would walk away and no longer pursue her. But the words didn't come to Russetstripe. Instead, she said something completely different.
"The island," Russetstripe said. "Next moon, after the Gathering. Meet me there."
Runningflame's green eyes sparkled.
"Thank you for today, Runningflame." Russetstripe's head was still spinning. "I appreciate it."
"You're welcome, lass." Runningflame flicked his tail. "I'll see you soon." With that, he turned his rugged figure away and bounded back into the marshland. Russetstripe watched him go, feeling her heart break. She had made a horrible decision – arranging to meet him again. But… He makes the chaos go away. Just one more visit. Then, she would stop seeing him all together. She just hoped that the tugging at her heart wasn't what she thought it was.
