The RiverClan camp was on a lush island surrounded by two streams, and the sand underneath it irritated the burns on Russetstripe's paw pads. But the breeze that swept through the camp and the fresh, cool air that the stream provided didn't make Russetstripe complain. Earlier ago she had been burning in the WindClan camp, and now she had all the water she could ever imagine around her. A good upgrade, if you ask me.
Scorchstar's muscles were tense and rigid as he stood, stone-faced in the clearing. Russetstripe knew why. Any moment know, Dapplestar would leave her den and address him. Speak of the devil. Russetstripe looked over her brother's shoulder to see the tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat emerging from a large bramble bush. Her long fur blew in the newleaf wind as she approached Scorchstar, a dauntless smirk on her face. Even though Dapplestar was considerably larger than Scorchstar, Scorchstar lifted his head and met her gaze keenly.
"Thank you for your generosity in letting us stay here, Dapplestar," Scorchstar meowed, although every single word was forced out of him.
"Is that so?" Dapplestar twitched her tail. "Stay as long until it is safe for you to go to camp, but no longer. If you need anything, ask my warriors and they will provide it. Cause no trouble, and you will not be harmed."
Scorchstar sniffed in irritation as the RiverClan leader disappeared into her den, just as quickly as she had left it. He turned to Shimmerwing, who meowed to him, "I'll have some cats build nests for your warriors, as long as yours help."
"Yes, of course." Scorchstar nodded. Russetstripe looked over her shoulder to see Brambledusk limping through the crowd, and Russetstripe immediately wanted to smack some sense into him. How dare he walk while he was suffering so many horrible wounds? You stupid, stupid cat! The WindClan deputy was staggering and was unsteady on his paws, and he let out a ragged cough. Shellfall from RiverClan had his eyes focused on him.
The WindClan cats started to disperse, following Shimmerwing and Rippleheart, who were showing them to the edge of the island, where apparently they would be staying. Hawkpaw and Redpaw looked around camp with their eyes stretched in wonder.
"It's huge!" Hawkpaw exclaimed.
"I wonder if all they eat is fish?" Redpaw asked.
"Of course they do, rabbit-brain!" Hawkpaw cuffed Redpaw on the ear.
"Sometimes we eat young apprentices," Runningflame remarked from where he sat, studying the apprentices with a grin on his face.
"W-what…?" Hawkpaw stared at Runningflame, her green eyes wide with horror.
"Yup." Runningflame nodded. "Especially ones who don't listen… and small ones, like you." He leaned into Hawkpaw. "I'd be careful if I were you."
"Oh yeah?" Hawkpaw lashed her tail. "I'm the Clan leader's daughter! You can't do anything to me!"
"Is that right?" Runningflame threw his head back and let out a loud laugh. "That just gives me even more of a reason."
Russetstripe's fur bristled. I'm done. She had enough. Runningflame had tested her limits. The she-cat walked over to the ginger-and-white tom, growling low in her chest, "Well, Runningflame, if you want a fight, I can deliver one to you, now."
"Oh, is that right, lass?" Runningflame focused his green eyes on Russetstripe, and for the first time, Russetstripe could get a good look at him – and not while in battle. His ginger-and-white face was rugged and round, and both his ears were torn. There was a flicker of untamed wilderness in his green eyes, and danger rolled off him in waves. The feral tom took one step closer to her, and for a second, Russetstripe felt herself drawn to him. Then she shook her head. What am I doing?
"Ooh, a fight!" Frostpaw exclaimed.
"They won't fight, mouse-brain," Hawkpaw growled.
"Won't we?" Runningflame asked. He flicked his tail towards Russetstripe. "Let's go."
Russetstripe stared at him. She should tell him no. Leaving with an enemy warrior in his own territory was foolish – it was something not even the dumbest of kits would do. This was a cat Russetstripe had fought with multiple times before, and he had nearly killed her one of those times. This was a cat known for his ruthlessness and lust for battle throughout the entire Clans. Russetstripe should stay back in camp – to go to Scorchstar, or to check on Brambledusk, or to help with the building.
But she followed him.
They left the island and approached the stream. Runningflame plunged into the water as if he was a fish and swam through the stream easily. Russetstripe flattened her fur and waded into the stream, refusing to show him that she was scared of water. The water still felt good against her burns anyway as she paddled through the stream and pulled herself on the shore.
"So, where are you taking me?" Russetstripe asked as Runningflame led her through the marshland.
"Isn't it obvious?" Runningflame asked. "We're going to have a rematch."
Russetstripe glared him. "No way. Not on your life."
"Scared?" Runningflame taunted.
"No." Russetstripe shook her head. "But I just came back from – you know – a fire, and fighting is the last thing on my mind now."
"Huh." Runningflame sat down. "Then I guess you need to prove to me that you're strong in another way."
"Prove to you that I'm strong?" Russetstripe lashed her tail. "I have a list of reasons why I'm strong!"
"Not until I see it with my very eyes." Runningflame's green eyes glowed. "And you know what? I've got just the idea." The ginger-and-white tom sped up his pace as he carved through the marshland. Russetstripe rolled her eyes and stayed on his heels, finding it easier at the moment to cave in rather than fight him at every idea. Just as the tom pulled into a luscious glade, the ground sloped beneath them and Russetstripe could hear the pouring of water. She stepped closer and spotted a stream swerving through the ground, and when she walked over to follow the crashing sound, a gasp escaped her body when she saw the water pouring over the rocks and falling into another larger stream below. A waterfall?
Runningflame walked over to where the water flowed over the rock. Russetstripe followed him, hitching a breath in her throat as she saw just how far they were from the stream. That's a jump.
"Scared?" Runningflame asked.
"I think it'd be common sense not to jump into waterfalls," Russetstripe growled.
"You're very quick to judge, lass." Runningflame let out a laugh. "I know it seems high, but it's just the spray of the waterfall giving you that perspective. It's not far at all. And this stream doesn't have a lot of rocks in it."
"But what if I drown?" Russetstripe fretted.
"I won't let you," Runningflame said.
You… what? Russetstripe stared at the tom and snorted. "In your dreams!" She turned on her heel and started to walk away.
"Oh, well. Your loss. See you, lass!" Russetstripe turned around to see the ginger-and-white tom already jumping off the edge. Her heart stopped in her chest as she looked down, watching his pelt disappear into the waves. Oh, no, no, no! I know he's an arrogant furball, but what if he drowned down there? Russetstripe took a deep breath and examined the waterfall. Through the spray of the water she could see some rocks jutting out of it, wide enough for a cat to land on. Praying to the gods, Russetstripe leaped down towards the first rock, and immediately flinched back at the fierce shatter of the waterfall soaking her immediately. Stupid, stupid, stupid tom!
Although she would have much preferred it if she was in Violetheart's den being treated with wet moss or wading in the smallest pool, the boiling pain from the burns started to ease as the water deluged her thick ginger fur and seeped into her wounds. The crashing of the waterfall echoed through Russetstripe's ears and knocked her back to reality as she carefully picked her way down the rocks, searching for Runningflame's broken body in the waves below. Just as she reached the pool, her fur drenched, she leaped onto the shore and examined the water for Runningflame.
"Wow, lass." There was an obtrusive voice behind her, and Russetstripe looked around to see who it came from. She scowled at the big ginger-and-white tabby tom, his fur soaked to the bone and pressed to his face, water dripping from his whiskers, yet still he had a bold, free smile on his face. "I honestly didn't think you'd do it."
"I thought you were going to drown!" Russetstripe growled at him. "That's why I went in there!"
"Oh! So the lass does care about me." Runningflame laughed. "I knew it."
"I should push you into the water myself!" Russetstripe snarled, taking a step closer. But the ground underneath her was wet and slippery, and she found herself sliding off the grass and into the water. Horror turned the world around her into a whirl as her back hit the stream, and the waves took her.
"Runningflame!" Russetstripe called out, flailing in the rough current as it took her where it wished. The powerful waves pushed her forward, no matter how hard Russetstripe tried to fight her way towards the shore. Water misted Russetstripe's vision and stung at her eyes, and her fur was too heavy to keep her afloat.
"I'm coming!" She could hear Runningflame racing towards her, but just as Russetstripe reached for his paws… her desperate grip on him was too tight while another splash of waves pulled her away, and she found herself dragging the ginger-and-white tom into the stream with her.
Oh, no! Russetstripe thought, panicking as she realized she had put her possible rescuer's life in danger. Now the two cats were being swept downstream together. Russetstripe clenched her teeth as she looked up at the sky. Please, please have somebody come for us!
"Russetstripe." Runningflame's voice was rough. "There's a part up here where the current gets softer, but it's only there for a few seconds. When you feel that part, swim like your life depends on it. Because for a little WindClan cat like you, it does."
My life depends on it, he says, while encouraging me to waterfall dive! Russetstripe wanted to claw the tabby tom, but she just focused on his advice and forced herself to stay afloat. When the moment arrived that the water was slower, Russetstripe took the moment immediately to paddle towards the bank and she pulled herself onto the shore. She let out a shaky sigh and watched Runningflame… completely ignore the safe water current and plunge himself into the furious one. Russetstripe watched with open jaws.
Runningflame swam strongly through the tough and furious waves as if it was nothing. He finally climbed onto the island shore, shaking out his ginger fur. And then he began to laugh. Russetstripe glared at him, soaked head-to-toe in river water, her teeth chattering, her ears flattened. What did he have to laugh about?
"What in the gods' name are you laughing about?" Russetstripe snapped.
"The fact that we both just survived the Stream of Death." Runningflame twitched his tail.
"The Stream of Death?" Russetstripe echoed, horrified.
"Yup." Runningflame let out another laugh. When Russetstripe's paws froze, Runningflame grinned. "I'm kidding. There's no such thing as the Stream of Death. But you did show me how brave you are, lass. Come on, isn't that better than hiding in camp, scowling at our warriors? Going on the journey of a life time?"
"The journey of a life time almost ended my life!" Russetstripe looked back at the water and then to Runningflame's face. But the tom seemed so confident, so brave, as if the water had never proven to be a threat to him. I guess I could calm down, a bit. I'm not hurt, and neither is he. Russetstripe took a deep breath… and then found herself chuckling as well.
"There it is." Runningflame broke into a massive grin. "That laugh I've been wanting to see."
"Excuse me?" Russetstripe tilted her head.
"Come on, with a scowl on your face all day you'll start to look like a tortured fish." Runningflame walked over to Russetstripe, and the primal, dangerous ambience that drifted from him made Russetstripe freeze. "I have to say, any smile looks good on you, but you look the best with a natural smile."
"Hey, now." Russetstripe flicked her tail and shook the water out of her fur. "Do you say that to every she-cat you almost drown?"
"No, because none of them are brave enough to go after me when I waterfall dive." Runningflame purred.
"You know, you're going to have to make this up to me," Russetstripe told him.
"Oh?" Runningflame's whiskers twitched. "Why?"
"You want to ask me to be brave by throwing myself down a waterfall?" Russetstripe asked. "Fine. I did it, and I proved to you that I was brave. Now, you're going to have to prove something to me."
Runningflame tilted his head. "What is it?"
"I challenge you to a race," Russetstripe said.
Runningflame's green eyes widened. "I can't say I've ever been challenged before."
"There's a first time for everything," Russetstripe remarked dryly. "So? Are you in? Do you want me to tell my entire Clan how much of a coward you are?"
"Oh, I'm in." Runningflame flexed his muscles. "To the marshes. Remember how to get there? From here, past camp, and towards the big patch of yellow reeds near one of the streams."
"Yeah, I remember passing through that." Russetstripe crouched down, stretching out her muscles. It was odd – she couldn't feel the pain from her burns anywhere. Was it the water that had done that? Or was the sensation she was feeling – a mix between exhilaration and euphoria – overpowering it? "I'll count down. Three, two, one, go!"
And, the minute the last word left Russetstripe's mouth, Runningflame was gone. Woah! Russetstripe thought as his ginger-and-white pelt disappeared into a blur from her. He's fast. But I'm faster. Russetstripe shot off on her paws, hating the way the ground felt underneath her pads but knowing that it wouldn't stop her from beating Runningflame. Russetstripe caught up to the ginger-and-white tom, giving him one of his own grins.
Runningflame's green eyes blazed with determination, and the two cats were neck-for-neck as they ran through the marshland. Runningflame had the advantage since he was in his own territory, but Russetstripe's speed as a WindClan cat rivaled his strength as a RiverClan warrior. Russetstripe tensed her shoulders and found a new wave of speed in her, and with her last stride, she put on more speed and raced past Runningflame, seeing the yellow reeds just a few fox-lengths away. Russetstripe leaped onto the ferns, reaching it before Runningflame could. The ginger-and-white tom finally reached her. Although he wasn't out of breath, he was definitely winded. Russetstripe expected him to be sour about losing, but instead the RiverClan warrior purred, "Nice job, lass. We both have our strengths."
Russetstripe looked up at the sun slowly setting in the sky as Runningflame turned away. "Are we going back to camp, now?" she asked. Why did disappointment prick at her heart? Didn't she want to see Scorchstar and Brambledusk? Brambledusk was injured and she was sure Scorchstar had a lot on his mind. Did they need her – or was that a reason she had to see them?
"I'd definitely hate to, lass," Runningflame said, "considering this day has been eventful. I'm thinking we should do another little competition."
"By the gods." Russetstripe sighed. "Is it safe?"
"I think you know me well enough by now that safe is the last thing I care about," Runningflame said. "Ever been to the greenleaf Twolegplace, Russetstripe?"
"And in what life would you think I'd say yes?" Russetstripe flashed at him.
"Haha." Runningflame chuckled. "I guess that's our next destination." Without taking a minute to rest, Runningflame was on his paws, bounding towards the marshland. Russetstripe followed him, but as she looked up, she could see ominous clouds rolling in the distance, and thunder starting to rumble. Oh, no… this is how the fire started!
The clouds yawned, and rain started to pour down from the sky, coming down in torrents, just as bad as the river Russetstripe had flailed through. Runningflame looked up at the sky, his green eyes narrowed, and for a moment, Russetstripe wondered if he would insist on going to the greenleaf Twolegplace even in the downpour. But the tom seemed to at least have some common sense, as he turned over to Russetstripe and called out, "I know a good place for shelter around here. Come follow me!"
Russetstripe followed Runningflame as the thunder grew worse and the rain became harder. The two cats approached a small rock with a slit in it, much like Violetheart's den in the camp. Runningflame squeezed into it first, and Russetstripe followed him, thankful to get out of the rain. But she wasn't sure their situation was any better – there was barely room for a mouse, never mind two cats. Russetstripe nearly snapped at Runningflame, but he had found them shelter, and she couldn't really complain about that. Russetstripe settled inside the rock, wincing as Runningflame's thick fur brushed against hers. The small gesture sent shocks of electricity through Russetstripe. But Runningflame seemed completely calm, even as the two cats were so close that Russetstripe could feel the warmth of his body underneath his soaked fur. How can he not react? Is he not affected? I think he can hear my heart pound!
"The fire happened with a bolt of lightning," Russetstripe finally found herself saying. "After there was a thunderstorm."
"Really?" Runningflame asked. "You did the right thing to get out of there quickly."
Russetstripe shook her head. "I didn't. I stayed behind."
"Sounds like something I would do." Runningflame's whiskers twitched, brushing against hers. "Why'd you stay behind?"
"I was looking for my brother," Russetstripe explained. "But he was behind the fire, and he was trapped. I jumped over it to grab him, but then…" Her voice trailed off as she remembered what happened.
"Then?" Runningflame asked.
"Our Clan deputy, Brambledusk…" Russetstripe felt herself tremble. "He was trapped under a burning branch. Scorchstar and I pulled him off it, but he was injured, and he couldn't stop coughing smoke."
A shadow fell over Runningflame's face. "But you brought him to the RiverClan camp, where he has three medicine cats watching over him."
"I just hope he'll be okay," Russetstripe sighed.
"He's a strong lad," Runningflame said. "He'll be fine. So will the rest of your Clanmates. And, lass, if you were the cat who stayed behind to jump over flames and save another Clanmate from a burning branch…" Runningflame let out a purr. "Then you're much braver than I originally gave you credit for."
Russetstripe looked down at her stomach fur, where she had paid the price for leaping over a wall of flames. "I got injured."
"Then why didn't you see your medicine cat?" Runningflame asked.
"If you happen to remember, some cat dragged me outside of the island and got me to jump down a waterfall," Russetstripe grumbled.
"Some cat?" Runningflame's eyes widened. "They sound like a pretty cool cat, if they wanted to get you to forget about what happened and to have some fun."
"Fun…" Russetstripe echoed, gazing at Runningflame. She had originally been hesitant to go with him – but she couldn't lie, now that she had thought more of it, the incident with the waterfall had been… interesting. And racing with a cat who was nearly as fast as her gave her a chance to forget about the entire incident. He's right, I haven't thought about it until now. He… he really did all of this, just to get my mind off it? "I guess you're right. Thanks, Runningflame." The warmth in her voice was genuine.
"Ah, don't mention it, lass." Runningflame turned his head away.
"Will you stop calling me that?" Russetstripe grumbled.
"Are you not one?" Runningflame's green eyes glowed.
Russetstripe rolled her eyes. Would the rain die down soon? But, if it does, it means I'll have to leave him… She wasn't quite sure how to feel. He's just some crazy, wild RiverClan cat, who nearly got me killed. I should be happy to leave. The two cats sat in silence, listening to the pattering of the rain. Eventually it began to die down until there was nothing but small raindrops. Runningflame led the way out of the rock, and when Russetstripe left after him, a thick fog clouded her vision and the ground underneath her was wetter than it ever had been before.
"Should we head back to camp?" Runningflame asked.
I don't want to go, she thought to herself. I… I want to spend more time with you. I can't be the only cat feeling this. But the tom's voice was no different than it was from when he challenged her during battle. It doesn't matter. I have to go back. Russetstripe nodded. "Let's go."
Runningflame led the way through the marshland, past the waterfall and through the greenery. His pace was quick and brisk, and Russetstripe found herself running at his side rather than behind him. Runningflame shot her a quick glance, and Russetstripe couldn't quite read what was in it. The two cats reached the stream that sheltered the RiverClan camp. There was no hesitation in Runningflame's stride as he plunged into the water and swam on the other side. He turned on his heel, his intent gaze focused on Russetstripe as she waded in the water. It didn't affect her as much as it did before. She had just been in a waterfall. She was pretty sure she could beat anything water related. Russetstripe paddled her way through the stream and near Runningflame.
"I'm impressed," Runningflame remarked as Russetstripe got to her paws. "Just this morning I saw how much you hated water. Now you look like a RiverClan cat."
"Well, this stream can't be as bad as the waterfall," Russetstripe remarked.
Runningflame grinned and walked away. Russetstripe followed him into the island. As she looked up at the sky, she realized that the dark gray gloomy clouds had drifted away to make way for the setting sun. Russetstripe forced herself away from Runningflame, but every paw wanted to stay back. No. She walked over to the edge of the island, where the WindClan cats were gathered. She could spot her brother, who was sitting down, his amber eyes sharp. When Russetstripe approached her, Scorchstar got to her paws. Anger blazed in his eyes.
"Where were you?" he demanded. "Do you know how worried I was?"
Russetstripe cleared her throat. "It doesn't matter. How is—"
"It doesn't matter?" Scorchstar snapped. "We're in enemy territory, after a fire, that I know very well happened to harm you, and then you go off on me? And I'm not supposed to worry?" Scorchstar flexed his claws. "Hawkpaw told me Runningflame dragged you out of camp. Are you all right?"
"I'm fine," Russetstripe replied. "He was just showing me around territory."
Scorchstar snorted. "That cat is known as the Tiger of RiverClan for a reason. He probably was trying to show you some parts where he wants us to invade."
"He's not that bad." The words came out of Russetstripe before she could stop them. Scorchstar's amber eyes widened with horror, and Russetstripe slapped her tail over her mouth, wishing that she could take those back.
"Did he—" Scorchstar's fur on his shoulders was rising.
"Stop it, Scorchstar." Russetstripe felt her green eyes smolder. "This isn't the time, or the place. Like you said, we're in enemy territory. If Dapplestar hears us quarrel, she'll have a field day. Is everything here okay?"
Scorchstar was silent for a few moments, and even though Russetstripe could see the anger still very prominent on his body, he nodded. "Everything's fine. Rippleheart took out the apprentices to hunt, but they came back with nothing. Which I expected." He snorted.
"And Brambledusk?" Russetstripe asked.
"He's being treated by Starlingfern and Violetheart," Scorchstar replied. "He looked better when I saw him. The water is doing wonders for his burns."
"Good." Russetstripe let out a sigh, and Scorchstar circled around in circles before flopping down and shutting his eyes. He must be exhausted. Russetstripe licked her brother's head before walking away and finding a spot, far away from her Clanmates, to curl up. She was exhausted. It had been a long day – and although Runningflame had been trying to make her feel better, she didn't think she could ever get over what had happened in the fire.
Just as Russetstripe was about to fall asleep, she could feel a shove in her side, and she looked up to see Violetheart. Violetheart hovered over her, dropping a bundle of herbs in front of her.
"Wha…?" Russetstripe rose, utterly confused.
"Runningflame told me you were hurt," Violetheart meowed.
He… he did…? Russetstripe stared at the gray she-cat in shock, but she didn't say anything to her as the WindClan medicine cat prepared a poultice for her burns. Russetstripe looked across the island, trying to catch a glimpse of the ginger-and-white tabby, but he was nowhere to be seen. Russetstripe took a deep breath, shaking away all thoughts of him. He's an enemy. I can't be friends with him. I can just thank him that he brought me out today, but when we go back to camp, the next time I think about him will be how I have to face him in battle.
But why did that break her heart so much?