Warriors: Frecklesky's Heart

[ 33 ]

Once the cats pulled into camp, Frecklesky drew Fallowstep to the side.

"Do you know where I can find any flowers?" She mewed hopefully, her eyes shining with excitement.

She had kept the news a secret from Rachel. She wanted it to be a surprise, and now that the meeting with ThunderClan had gone well, she wanted to tell her, but with something special to top it all off. Flowers were romantic... weren't they?

Fallowstep snorted. "In this weather? I doubt you'll find a single one." Her eyes trailed along the fringes of camp, not once darting to her sister, while her tail noticeably drooped.

"You can't be this upset," Frecklesky mewed. "Can you?"

"Can I?" Fallowstep snapped back. "Frecklesky, this is a terrible idea. I know you love her, but what about your Clan? What about me?"

Frecklesky bristled. "Of course I love you! That's why I'm staying here, in ShadowClan. That's why she's joining us. So I won't have to leave you."

Fallowstep shook her head numbly. "No, Frecklesky, you don't understand. It's just that—" her voice cut off, her eyes growing distant as she stared off behind Frecklesky. The tortoiseshell warrior whirled around. A small group of white flowers bloomed, just within the camp wall. They waved gently in a soft breeze.

"It seems I've found my flowers," the warrior growled, her lip curled slightly. "Thanks, I guess."

Fallowstep snapped out of her trance with a gasp as Frecklesky marched along. "Frecklesky, no, wait!" She hissed, her voice twisted in fear.

Frecklesky whirled around to face her with a snarl. "Just leave me alone already! If you can't let me be happy, then stay out of my life. Got it?" Her tail lashed behind her in a violent rhythm, her chest heaving as she struggled to contain her anger.

Fallowstep stared up at her with wide eyes, her nose trembling slightly. "But Frecklesky..."

"We're done here," the warrior snapped curtly. "I'm going to see Rachel, and there's nothing," she leaned into her sister's face, their whiskers brushing, "you can do about it. Do you understand?"

Fallowstep gaped for a moment, her green eyes round in dismay. She snapped her mouth shut. "Fine," she hissed venomously. "Have it your way." The medicine cat spun around and raced away, disappearing into the medicine den.

Frecklesky's nostrils flared. Regret clawed at her heart, but she pushed it away with a scowl. If that's how she feels, then so be it, she scorned, turning around and trotting towards the flowers.

She gave them a sniff. The soft smell of pollen greeted her nostrils. She leaned down and snipped off the stems of a few, clasping them between her teeth. Pulling the bushel away, she strolled towards the camp entrance. Railclaw cast her a sideways glance, but she ignored the silver she-cat as she slipped into the marsh.

She padded across the territory, her paws squelching against the ground, sodden from melted snow. She tentatively rolled thoughts around in her head. Hey, Rachel, I hope you like flowers. They're pretty, just like you. She shook her head. No, she'd call that 'cheesy...'  The warrior flicked her tail thoughtfully, keeping an eye on her paws. Good evening, my love. I thought you might like some flowers. Frecklesky felt her face burn at the thought. Great StarClan, I'm mooning over her like a kit.