Shadows in the Night

Chapter Eighteen

I'm sorry for how long this took to come out ;-;

Good news is that I finished mapping the entire rest of the trioligy, and i'm excited to slowly reveal the plot!

Anyways, here's the chapter!

Riverleap felt her heart pounding in her chest as she raced under the forest canopy as fast as her paws could carry her. The moonlight illuminated her silver fur, and she ducked under a bush, before pausing and twisting her head to gaze at Tailfur.

The dark brown tom’s green eyes met hers, and Riverleap felt apprehension tingling down her spine. “Well, I guess this is goodbye then,” Tailfur murmured awkwardly after a long, uncomfortable silence.

“Yeah, see you again sometime.” Riverleap muttered, not meeting the SwiftClan warrior’s gaze. For a moment they stood there in the clearing, each knowing that they had to go their separate ways, but wanting to linger in each other's presence for a little longer.

Riverleap glanced up to see the sun already peeking up over the horizon. I should get back to camp soon… They’ll be worrying and looking for me.

Without a second thought, she whipped around and turned back on her route towards camp. Only halfway through the journey did she realise that she hadn’t said anything to Tailfur before leaving. Mouse dung! I wouldn’t blame him is he hates me for that, she scolded herself, only half aware of the ruckus she was making with her paws heavily stomping down on literally every twig on the forest floor. Oh.. whoops. She glanced around to make sure no one was watching her embarrassing slip up, and sighed in relief as she quickly lightened her pawsteps, taking the less used path to the dirtplace entrance.

Riverleap screwed her nose up as she squirmed underneath the barrier, trying to ignore the foul smells. She was lucky that there was no cat there, and she picked up a piece of stray moss before bouncing into the clearing.

If anyone asked, i’ll say that I went to collect moss. There’s a good place up on the-

“Riverleap!”She gulped and turned to see Gingerstar’s hard amber glare. The newly appointed StreamClan leader’s tail lashed angrily, and Riverleap had to fight the urge to turn away. “You were supposed to be on the dawn patrol! Where were you?”

“I.. um..” All of a sudden, Riverleap forgot her excuse that she had sort of planned. “I went to go collect moss, for..” she stuttered, fully aware of Gingerstar’s gaze boring into her.

Suddenly, Berrypaw stumbled into her, the trout in his jaws sent flying into the air. Riverleap fell to the ground, but kept her eyes on the fish, falling down onto…

“What is this?” Gingerstar meowed, shaking the trout off her head in disgust. Berrypaw had to try hard to suppress a mmrow of amusement, but even then he was caught off guard.

“It’s a trout, Gingerstar,” Waterclaw overheard and meowed sarcastically. “Those creatures that swim in the sea?” The bright orange she cat turned to stare at the mottled blue gray warrior, who puffed his chest out in defiance. Gingerstar rolled her eyes before sighing and directing her gaze back to Riverleap.

“If you like collecting moss so much, then that’s what you can do for the rest of the evening. Go with Berrypaw to collect more for the elders.”

Riverleap widened her eyes. What? Apprentice duties? ”But-”

Gingerstar eyes were narrowed into slits, but Riverleap ignored her leader’s warning. “I’m a warrior, and I only wanted to help!” The blue gray she-cat yowled indignantly. Suddenly, the usual chatter silenced, and Riverleap glanced around the camp, before realizing that every cat was staring at her. She flattened her ears against her head. I guess i’m sometimes louder than I think…