Warriors OC The Power of the Flower #1 The Rise

Chapter 9

When Dewpaw saw that all his denmates were asleep, he crept out of the den. I hope I'm not late. He thought as he raced towards the Earthclan border. ''Dewpaw? Are you here?'' mewed a gentle voice.

Dewpaw purred. It was good to hear her voice again. ''Am I late?'' he asked, looking at the she-cat. ''Of course not. I just arrived. I missed you.'' mewed the she-cat as she touched noses with Dewpaw.

''I missed you too, Faithpaw.'' he replied, ''It's been a while.'' They have been meeting ever since the Gathering. However, Faithpaw was unable to meet with Dewpaw for a few days. ''Follow me! I want to show you to a place that I love.'' he mewed happily. ''It's outside the territories.''

Faithpaw's eyes widened, ''I've never been outside the territories before.'' Dewpaw purred, ''It's fine. Besides, I'm with you.'' As they got to the place, Faithpaw gasped at the sight. There was a waterfall rushing down with a beautiful pool. ''Flowerpaw and I found this place a few months ago. We named it Shiningfall and it's our secret hideout. I thought you would like it.''

''I do.'' Faithpaw meowed, ''Thank you. But won't Flowerpaw be angry that you brought somebody, and a Earthclan cat, here.''

"She won't find out." Dewpaw meowed, rubbing his muzzle against Faith[aw's

They sat there in silence for a while, admiring the majestic view. Faithpaw then asked, ''Is Flowerpaw your littermate? I mean, no offense, but you don't look quite like her.''

Dewpaw stared at his paws, then muttered, ''Well, she's my foster littermate.'' Faithpaw was puzzled and prompted, ''What do you mean?''

Dewpaw replied, ''Flowerpaw was found on the Earthclan and Mistclan border when I was still a young kit. Since my other littermates were stillborn and my mother, Ivywing, was the only queen who had enough milk, she decided to raise Flowerpaw as her own.''

''She looks kind of familiar. I lost a littermate when I was young and I could still imagine what she looked like.'' Faithpaw sighed. Dewpaw licked her head. Poor Faithpaw. I can't imagine what it's like to lose Flowerpaw.

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Dewpaw got back to camp and slept for a while. He was woken by a mean voice, ''Wake up, sleepy-head. I don't know why I have to do battle training with you.'' Like I want to train with you, Dragonpaw. Dewpaw thought but did not dare say it out loud. ''I guess Heatherstar wants you to learn not to underestimate your enemies.'' he retorted, earning a growl from Dragonpaw.

Dewpaw took a mouse from the fresh-kill pile and enjoyed it in peace, which ended when Morningsky called out to him, "Dewpaw, we're leaving."

Dewpaw sighed and quickly finished the mouse. Can't I have a moment of peace.

He then followed Morningsky to the training hollow and noticed Heatherstar and Dragonpaw were already there. Great, we're late. Dewpaw thought.

''Since you two have been training for four months now, I want to see your fighting skills.'' Heatherstar mewed when she saw them arrive, ''Remember to sheath your claws. We're just training.''

When their mentors were out of earshot, Dragonpaw growled, ''I'm so going to beat you.'' Dewpaw scoffed. I'm going to show him not to underestimate me.

Dragonpaw pounced on Dewpaw and quickly threw him to the ground. However, Dewpaw threw him off balance using a backkick. Dragonpaw leapt on top of Dewpaw until they were facing each other. Dragonpaw growled, ''I was right. You're easy to beat. Unlike your sister.'' Dewpaw ignored him and thought. What should I do? Then he kicked Dragonpaw in the belly and mewed, ''You may be a liar from time to time, but you're right about one thing, Flowerpaw cannot be beaten.''

Dragonpaw scoffed and walked away while Morningsky congratulated Dewpaw, ''That was great, Dewpaw! You're becoming a great fighter! I'm proud of you.' 'Thanks! I've got a great mentor.'' Dewpaw replied while Morningsky purred in delight.

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When Dewpaw got back to camp, he saw Flowerpaw and ran up to her. Before he could even say hi, she stalked away without noticing him.

Dewpaw was shocked. What's wrong with her? She hasn't been talking to me for some time. He then saw Pinepaw getting back to camp. Pinepaw must know something.

''Pinepaw! Do you know what's going on with Flowerpaw? I'm worried about her. She hasn't been acting normal.'' Dewpaw mewed anxiously.

''Well, she wanted to tell you something important but she seldom sees you because of training. You should ask her yourself.'' Pinepaw answered, then added quietly, ''We saw you the other night. We didn't tell anyone but... you should probably hear it from her."

Dewpaw raced to the apprentice den to find Flowerpaw in her nest. ''Flowerpaw...'' Dewpaw stammered but words couldn't come out of his mouth. Flowerpaw turned her head towards Dewpaw, her tail drooping sadly while her eyes glistened with disappointment.

After a long silence, Dewpaw managed to blurt out, ''What's wrong with you, Flowerpaw?'' Flowerpaw's eyes flared and mewed, ''What's wrong with me? Ask yourself! What were you doing with that Earthclan apprentice? Do you know how much trouble you are in? If Heatherstar found out, she'll flay you!"

Dewpaw froze. How did Flowerpaw find out? Oh Starclan, I'm in big trouble. ''How did you find out?'' he asked. ''I saw you creeping out of the den so Pinepaw and I followed you. Then we saw you with Faithpaw. I'm so disappointed in you.'' Flowerpaw replied curtly.

Dewpaw didn't dare look into his sister's eyes but stammered, ''I... I couldn't help myself. She's perfect. I... I love her. I know I'm not supposed to but...''

Flowerpaw cut him off with a hiss, ''You can't meet her again. You have to be loyal to your clan! You can't fall in love with another clan cat! Think about Ivywing. How would she feel if she knew?''

Dewpaw growled. How dare she bring up Ivywing! ''You don't know what it feels like to fall for a cat!'' he retorted. Flowerpaw's gaze softened and murmured, ''Yes, I do.'' She flicked her tail towards Pinepaw.

Dewpaw noticed Flowerpaw sighing, ''Do you think he likes me?" Dewpaw purred, amused that his sister is so oblivious, ''Yes, I'm pretty sure he likes you. He's been mooning over you since you guys were kits! You definitely have a big future ahead of you. Besides, you're the kindest cat I know. He definitely loves you.''

Flowerpaw blinked at Dewpaw and mewed, ''Thanks, Dewpaw. But don't try to change the subject. You can't keep seeing Faithpaw even if you love her. Promise me you won't see her anymore.''

''I can't promise you that, but please don't tell anyone.'' Dewpaw muttered. Flowerpaw sighed, ''I know can't change your mind anymore. I won't tell anyone but please stop doing this.''

Dewpaw knew Flowerpaw could never understand what it's like to fall in love with a cat from another clan. ''Pinepaw told me that you had something important that you wanted to tell me. Care to let me know?'' Flower paw yawned, ''I'm too tired to tell you now. How about tomorrow?'' ''Sure! Good night, Flowerpaw.'' Dewpaw mewed as relief flooded him. I hope Flowerpaw won't pester me with Faithpaw anymore.

Unknown to the both of them, a white she-cat has heard everything.