|
|
Post by Dustcloud on Jan 6, 2013 0:50:24 GMT -5
Dustcloud growled to himself as the trio of warriors left the camp. He really couldn't believe Amberstar honestly wanted them to go out hunting in this weather. He understood that it could help the clan, but what prey would be out in this weather? It was colder than it was out during the day! He glanced over at Fairlight, and shook his head. She was beautiful, but she was crazy for suggesting it in the first place.
"Let's get this over with" he growled softly. "The sooner we do this, the sooner we get back to camp, the better"
|
|
|
|
Post by Wolfpelt on Jan 6, 2013 0:56:48 GMT -5
Wolfpelt followed closely behind Fairlight and Dustcloud, who were just a few pawsteps in front of him. He couldn't make out most of the mumbling that Dustcloud was making, but he could clearly tell he wasn't happy and that he'd have to listen to it probably for the rest of the night. He picked up the words "The sooner we get this over with..."
Wolfpelt felt annoyed. He growled, a little louder than his brother was. "Get over yourself" was all he said, then pushed passed his brother to walk ahead of him. He normally didn't speak up, but this was going to be a long night if Dustcloud complained the whole time.
|
|
|
|
Post by Fairlight on Jan 6, 2013 1:02:03 GMT -5
Fairlight padded just beside Dustcloud, keeping her expression neutral and her gaze locked on the path ahead. She had no problem seeing in the dim light, thanks to the dim rays of the moon that lit the swamps in silver. Fairlight glanced at Dustcloud as he grumbled and then let out an exhale that billowed in fog-like clouds from her mouth.
"If we are to catch anything we have to be silent," she said quietly, her eyes narrowing into cold hazel slits. She wished she didn't have to be around Dustcloud. The tom obviously hated her, which irritated her. She could do this alone, so he could go on his merry way if he really couldn't stand being around her. Like she cared.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dustcloud on Jan 6, 2013 1:17:39 GMT -5
Dustcloud felt his face heat up with pure embarrassment, but he disguised it by shooting her a glare of annoyance. He wanted to tell her how he felt, but she obviously would reject the confession. She obviously hated him. She always jumped down his throat. So, he'd keep his mouth shut.
He was in even more shock that the usually quiet Wolfpelt snapped at him.
What was with everyone tonight?
|
|
|
|
Post by Wolfpelt on Jan 6, 2013 1:22:43 GMT -5
Wolfpelt ignored the rest of the comments and focused on scenting the air and listening for anything, but mainly bats since that was Fairlight's idea to hunt those. He scented the air, but didn't pick up anything; however, his ears picked up a faint screeching sound. Those were probably the bats.
He pointed towards the direction of the noise with his tail, hoping the others would catch on.
|
|
|
|
Post by Fairlight on Jan 6, 2013 1:24:14 GMT -5
Fairlight caught the look that Dustcloud sent her and she felt as if something inside her just snapped. All of the pent up resentments she had been holding against the cats who disliked her for no good reason burst forth and she hissed at him, "What is your problem? I'm trying to help my Clan. Can you get past your obvious disdain for me long enough to get through this and help?" she demanded, her voice coming out sharply but not any louder than before.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dustcloud on Jan 6, 2013 1:36:37 GMT -5
Dustcloud stared at the she-cat in disbelief. What was his problem? He fell silent and let her finish her angry rant to him. He could feel anger bubbling inside of him, and he so badly wanted to snap back at her and ask her the same thing. Ask her what her problem was. Instead, he took a deep breath and replied calmly.
"What is my problem?" he shot back the question. "Here is what my problem is, Fairlight. Ever since we were apprentices, you have done nothing but shove your claws down my throat. Any cat would think that someone released a badger in your den or filled your nest with ticks." his voice started getting shaky.
"And, this whole time I've wanted to tell you that I hate you so much. That you are the worst clan mate I've ever had to share a den with. That sometimes, I wish I could just run away because you are such a nightmare to live with!" Dustcloud growled, his voice rising with each word.
He stopped right there, but only for a moment. Then, softly, he said. "But, I can't. I can't tell you that. Because it's not true. The truth is, I love you. And I'm so scared to tell you. I'm so scared to tell you that I love you, because I know the only feeling you'll ever have for me is hate"
And with that, he ran off without looking back.
|
|
|
|
Post by Wolfpelt on Jan 6, 2013 1:39:12 GMT -5
Wolfpelt watched in awe as the she-cat spoke her mind. But, it wasn't her anti-shy remark that got him in awe. It was his brother's reply that got him. He watched as Dustcloud angrily and hatefully shot back at her, but then he really surprised him. Dustcloud loved this she-cat? There was no way! They hated eachother!
But, as normal, he kept his mouth shut tight as he ran off.
|
|
|
|
Post by Fairlight on Jan 6, 2013 1:47:44 GMT -5
Fairlight bristled at Dustcloud's words. She felt as if every hateful remark, ever glare, every snarky comment her Clanmates had ever sent her way were being thrown at her all at once. She had always felt that the Clan judged her for having a hateful father, but that had never been her fault. What could she have done? She wasn't even born! Sometimes the feelings stirred a bitterness inside of her that made her distance herself from others. But she didn't hate anyone. But she hated the fact that cats could be so judgmental towards her for no reason. And she believed that Dustcloud felt that way, from the way he jabbed at her, saying that he hated being her denmate, that he wanted to even run away to get away from her... Fairlight fell as if something were lodged in her throat, and she fought the sting of emotion in her eyes, working to keep the calm facade on her face that had got her through all these moments before.
And then Dustcloud said something that nearly stopped her heart.
He... he loved her? Fairlight's mouth dropped open in astonishment. In all her life, no cat had ever told her that, except her parents. Fairlight pressed her paws into the earth, uncertainty weighing at her. Could this be true? But he seemed... earnest. His words at the end made her want to scream, "But I don't hate you, mouse-brain! I hate that you hate me!"
Or... I suppose I just imagined that you did... How could I have been so wrong? Fairlight thought, feeling the sting of her own prejudice down to her very heart. Perhaps she was in the wrong, too. Perhaps her attitude and the walls that she put up to guard herself against cats who would judge her made her the contemptible figure she assumed she was in other cats' eyes. But here was one cat she had mistreated, and yet... he loved her. Could she believe it?
Before Fairlight could even react, Dustcloud took off into the night. The she-cat felt as if her paws were glued to the ground, and she didn't know what to say. She stood looking like a fool, doubtless, with her jaw fallen slack and her eyes staring.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dustcloud on Jan 6, 2013 1:53:27 GMT -5
'Stupid, Stupid, Stupid' he thought to himself as his paws kept him moving as fast as he could. He didn't know where he was going, he didn't even know if he was still in Shadowclan. His heart was racing faster than his paws here. He had just admitted his love to Fairlight. He promised himself he would never do that.
He stopped, finally, and just thought to himself. How could he ever face her again?
|
|
|
|
Post by Wolfpelt on Jan 6, 2013 1:56:24 GMT -5
Wolfpelt looked over at Fairlight to see what she would have to say. But for once, she was just as speechless as he was. Maybe he'd have to be the one to speak, this time. He cleared his throat, trying to clear his mind of the shock and surprise. This certainly didn't go how he imagined it would.
"So..." he said "Should we..uh...go after him?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Fairlight on Jan 6, 2013 2:02:10 GMT -5
For all her usual outspoken nature, Fairlight could find no answer to the question that Wolfpelt posed. She was shellshocked, hardly able to process what Dustcloud had said to her. It was impossible that he should love her. Why would he? Few cats saw the true cat she was underneath her snappish exterior. Why would he, a cat she had always been cold towards? She did not understand.
Finally Fairlight shook her head and said, "I can't imagine he'll want to see me right now. Not after... that." She gazed into the darkness with a look of uncertainty on her face.
|
|
|
|
Post by Wolfpelt on Jan 6, 2013 2:06:23 GMT -5
Wolfpelt shrugged "You'll have to face him, eventually" he muttered. "Besides, how would we explain to Amberstar if we came back without him? 'Oh, sorry, dearest leader. He ran off after confessing his love to Fairlight, but we didn't bother to go look for him' " he flicked the she-cat with his tail.
"We're supposed to be working as a team, mouse brained. We can't leave a clan mate behind. Starclan knows what could happen at this time of night by himself"
|
|
|
|
Post by Fairlight on Jan 6, 2013 2:10:00 GMT -5
Fairlight glanced uncertainly at Wolfpelt. This was probably the most she had ever heard him speak, but everything he said made sense. And probably was right. She sighed. The last thing she wanted right now was a confrontation. She couldn't even figure out what was happening, it was all... going so fast. Finally she flicked her head and said,
"Okay, let's go find him, then. Keep an eye out for prey, though. We may just be able to catch something to make this miserable trip worth while." She shook her head and sighed again.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mistfall on Jan 7, 2013 21:42:55 GMT -5
Mistfall had been chasing a vole, not paying attention to where her paws were going. Most cats thought it off to be hunting at night, but she thought it was peaceful. A crashing sound came from the bushes, and Mistfall stopped dead. The vole ran away, and the scent of ShadowClan crashed down onto her.
I've crossed into ShadowClan territory![/b] she thought frantically. She looked back at the Thunderoath, not remembering that she had crossed it. Well, there was no going back, the monsters were streaking across the hard black surface every heartbeat. The scent of a ShadowClan Tom washed over her. She looked at him, and realization hit her with a stone.
He looks so much like Dustpaw… no. Dustpaw's dead. she thought. Mistfall crouched down, hoping he wouldn't find her, though it was almost impossible to hide, her scent would be strong.[/color]
|
|
