A Leap of Faith - Foxleap X Ryefall fanfic

Chapter 14

Rye couldn't quite sleep the previous night. Something felt... off. He wasn't sure what, but it was just off. He managed to slip in a sunhigh snooze before tonight. As Rye approached the meeting spot, the air felt tense. Foxleap hadn't arrived yet, so Rye was alone with nothing but the sound of dry grass rustling in the wind. Not even the crickets dared to make a sound.

The scent of fear and anxiety rushed into Rye's nose. His fur spiked up as he stood, preparing for something bad to happen. He felt his claws unsheathe as the scent got closer. "Ryefall? Are you here?" A quivering voice called. Rye's ears perked up at the sound, his fur flattening. 

"I'm here, Foxleap," Rye called back. At the sound of his voice, Foxleap rushed over. Now that he was closer, Rye got a better look at him. Foxleap's eyes were anxious, darting around as if something were after him. His fur was ruffled and the circles under his eyes looked almost like shadows. "You look like you haven't slept in moons! Are you okay?"

Foxleap frantically shook his head, leaning closer to Rye. "It's Firestar. He- he's gone mad! He killed both his son and his mate in one night!" Foxleap choked back a sob, his tail lashing anxiously. 

"He did what?" Rye's eyes widened. "Why?"

"I'm not sure," The ginger FireClan tom mewed. "I was walking back to the warrior's den when I heard the commotion. Flamepelt and Firestar were arguing. I overheard Flamepelt mention how Firestar killed Lightningtail, and she blew up at him. This caused Firestar to..." Foxleap paused for a moment, gulping down his quivers. "He clawed her. Really badly. He just... stood there. Watching her bleed out. I-" Sobs finally leaked out from the tom. "I was so scared, I just hid in the warrior's den and pretended to be asleep. All day I've just been trying to act normal, but I just- I-" 

"It's okay, you're safe now." Rye wrapped his tail around Foxleap, placing his head atop his mate's.

"Ryefall, I want to get away from FireClan," Foxleap added. "I want to live with you and Destiny, if you'll have me. I just can't stand to be in FireClan any longer!"

"Of course we'll have you! You can stay with us, and we can travel the world! We can go on so many adventures and meet so many people," Rye couldn't help but smile at the thought. "There's no one I'd want by my side more. I..." He paused. "I love you, Foxleap."

That statement alone was enough to put a blush on Foxleap's muzzle. "I love you too, Ryefall." The two stayed like that for a moment, pressing against each other. Their eyes gazed at the stars. The full moon shined bright, casting a glow on the couple. The moment felt blissful, dissolving any anxiety held in the air beforehand.

The bliss was sadly cut short by tension once again. However, another source filled the air. Rye lifted his head up, only to be barreled into. He slammed into the ground, wincing. He felt the tip of claws prick at his throat. Gazing up at his attacker, he saw ginger fur, similar to Foxleap's. But the attacker's eyes were a piercing yellow, with no patterns on his pelt. His stub for a tail flicked angrily.

"Firestar! It's not what it looks like! I was just-" Foxleap stuttered, his voice shaking more than it did before.

"Shut up!" Firestar growled, baring his fangs. "You are going to tell me everything. Or else your little lover dies!"

"I-" Foxleap eyed Rye, then flicked his panicked green gaze back to his brother. "I- I was only out for a walk, and I saw this outsider. So I went over to chase him off-"

Rye felt Firestar's claw prick deeper into his pelt, nearly breaking his skin. "Do not lie to me! I heard your whole conversation!" The menacing leader hissed. "Now, last chance to tell me the truth."

Foxleap's claws dug into the earth, his fur bristling from the anxiety. "Okay! I'll tell you everything! Just don't hurt him, please." The warrior drew in another breath. "We met a few moons ago, when he stumbled into FireClan territory. He was looking for a place to settle down temporarily, so I directed him outside the territory. But, I kept seeing him. We were both worried about the clans going to war, so we tried to come up with a plan to convince you not to start bloodshed."