Note from the author:
Hi! Onyx, here. This is a sneak peak into a fic I am writing about my OCs, Foxleap and Wolfclaw. This short story takes place after the time frame my fic is in, just btw. If you don't want spoilers, don't read past this message!
Anyways, I am currently working on my longer form fic. If it is out by the time you read this, please go check it out! I'd really appreciate it. Now, without further ado, Foxleap's Promise by Onyx, aka x lunamoth x. Enjoy!
The quickly setting sun cast faint rays of orange and purple across the navy sky. The gleaming full moon had begun to light up the sky, followed by thousands of gleaming warriors of Starclan. Foxleap and Wolfclaw, a pair of pair friends, crept through the deep undergrowth, chuckling and pawing at one another. Foxleap's fiery orange pelt and emerald eyes clashed against Wolfclaw's gray and white fur, yet they seemed like the perfect duo.
The two began to pick up speed as the trickling of water filled their ears. Foxleap dove under a small bush, followed by Wolfclaw, and the two emerged on the other side. In front of them was a mossy boulder overlooking a gurgling stream. "It's even prettier at night!" Wolfclaw remarked with joy as he bounded atop the rock. Foxleap followed, but she lagged behind, a strange look in her eyes.
"Gosh, I can't believe we're already warriors!" Wolfclaw exclaimed, Foxleap's sadness still unnoticed to him.
"Right? It seems like just yesterday Honeydew was herding us back into the nursery," Foxleap meowed as she sat beside Wolfclaw, taking in the view of the water.
"Honeydew always babied us so much, didn't she?" Wolfclaw replied, a twinge of bitterness to his meow. Foxleap nodded, her green eyes looking off into the distance.
"Foxleap, what's going on?" Wolfclaw asked. "Remember our promise to never keep secrets," he added after she stayed silent. Foxleap sighed.
"Wolfclaw, I have to tell you something. I don't belong in this clan," Foxleap murmured.
"Foxleap, if this is about Heatherpelt and Reedstar, forget it. You have a place here, with me. Your best friend." Wolfclaw's tone was serious, the usual humor from his gaze gone.
"You know it's not that. The clan doesn't accept me for who I am. But now…now I know I have a home somewhere. A place to belong. In Windclan. That's why I'm leaving to live on the moors with them." Foxleap stared at Wolfclaw, waiting for a response.
"Oh, Foxleap. I knew that you would make this decision eventually, though I didn't think it would be so soon. I feel so selfish for wanting you to stay but…I know that this is best for you," Wolfclaw sighed.
"Thank you," Foxleap purred, bumping her friend affectionately. Wolfclaw gave her a swift lick on the shoulder, his eyes warm yet sad.
"Just…promise me something," Wolfclaw whispered, barely audible.
"Anything," Foxleap agreed.
"Promise me that…whatever happens, we will stay best friends. You won't ever forget me, even if you find new friends and a mate. Promise me that you'll always have my back, and be by my side. Through wars between the clans, through anything at all. Promise me." Foxleap's green eyes gazed into Wolfclaw's light blue ones.
"I promise," she murmured. Wolfclaw's solemn face broke into a smile.
"I'm proud of you, Foxleap. I had my doubts…" Wolfclaw chuckled as Foxleap swatted at him. "Anyways, when are you leaving? Does Windclan's leader already know?"
"Yes, I told Breezestar. I'm planning on leaving any minute now. Will you tell the clan?" Foxleap asked.
"Sure. What do you want me to say? Oh, and does anyone else know?" Wolfclaw replied.
"Just tell them the truth, that I didn't fit in and felt that a better life was waiting in Windclan. And Applefoot is the only other cat, besides you, that knows," Foxleap meowed.
"You told her before me?" Wolfclaw asked, slightly hurt and annoyed.
"Starclan sent her a message. I was planning on only telling you, but she confronted me about it. She respects my choice, luckily." With those few words, Foxleap felt how she had eased Wolfclaw's pain. "Anyways," she added. "I should go."
"Alright. Goodbye, Foxleap." Wolfclaw watched as Foxleap leaped from the boulder, easily clearing the stream, and landing in Windclan territory.
"Goodbye, Wolfclaw."
Here's a few questions for you to think about:
1: Do you ship Foxleap and Wolfclaw, or do you think that they're better off as friends?
2: Why do you think Wolfclaw seemed bitter talking about his caretaker, Honeydew?
3: What do you think Foxleap will miss most about Thunderclan?
That's all! Thanks for reading!
-Onyx