Hooves to Paws: An MLP/Warriors fanfic

Chapter Eighteen

Rarity (Crystalpaw)'s POV

Two days until the battle

I strode behind Tigerstripe, alongside Sandclaw, Owlwing, and Harepaw. The five of us trotted quietly in the heather, each of our ears pricked. I opened my jaws, tasting for the scent of rabbit. Another scent hit my tounge, and I jumped when I heard from a screech from the sky. A large bird swooped down and sank its claws in my back.

I howled in pain, the talons in my back felt like daggers crushing my flesh. The patrol turned around, Tigerstripe telling them what to do. Sandclaw and Owlwing went for the wings, and Tigerstripe went for the head.

Harepaw swiped at the bird's talons, and the bird loosemed its grip, allowing me to get out of its grip. Rage pulsing through me now, I lept at the bird's throat and bit down. I smirkedbwhen I heard the neck break. The bird going limp, I jumped off and landed on the ground near the rest of the patrol.

I started to pant a bit, catching my breath. "What was that?!", I meowed.

Tigerstripe went and kicked the bird to make sure it was dead, then padded over. "A hawk."

Sandclaw looked at me, hie eyes widened and his jaw lowered. "That was...a...nice kill, Crystalpaw.", he meowed.

"Th..thanks...",I replied.

We all dragged the hawk back to camp, and I went to the medicine den for some herbs. Fluttershy was the only cat in there, she was in the back sorting herbs. She must have heard my pawsteps because she came out and saw me. I pointed to my back where the hawk hooked its talons, and Fluttershy nodded and beckoned me with her tail. I followed her into the back of the medicine den, where she grabbed some goldenrod from the storage cleft.

As she was rubbing in the goldenrod, Fluttershy started talking.

"You really should stay out of the Dark Forest.",she meowed.

I cocked my head. "What do you mean? How do you know?"

Fluttershy narrowed her eyes and met my furious glare. "You come in here every morning for herbs, and Harepaw tells me you twitch a lot in your sleep. Besides, I've seen you there, fighting with our friends. I'm not stupid, Rarity."

The fur on my pelt started to rise. "I never said you were. Don't come tell me how to live my life!"

Fluttershy's glare turned into a warm, caring gaze. My fur lied down, and Fluttershy spoke again. "I didn't come to you. You came to me. I'm just looking out for you!", she growled.

I unsheathed my claws. "Well, I don't need you looking out for me!!"

Fluttershy narrowed her eyes. "Fine. I was only being a good friend."

My eyes widened. "Friend?! What kind of friend goes around telling other cats how to live their lives?!"

Fluttershy finished spreading the poultice and turned away before I finished, then came back and looked me in the eye calmly.

"The kind of friend that wants you to live. The kind of friend that cares.", she meowed as she walked away.

I rolled my eyes and went to my nest. It was near sunset, and the sunset patrol would be out soon. I grabbed a piece of the hawk off the fresh-kill pile and stomped to the apprentices' den. I sat in my nest and ate the meat.

I finished a few moments later, and was grooming myself when Harepaw walked over. He sat in his nest next to me and looked me in the eye.

"I heard you and Whisperpaw arguing earlier. Is everything alright between you two?", he asked.

"Whisperpaw thinks she knows everything, and she's telling me how to live my life.", I hissed.

Harepaw's gaze hardened, concern in his amber eyes. "She's just looking out for you. She's your friend, she only wants to help."

I snorted. "What do you know?"

"I talk with Whisperpaw and I've gotten to know her well. She says you two are good friends, yet you fall out like that in a matter of seconds? She really is there for you. She just wants to keep you safe."

"Why would she care?!"

"Because she's your friend."

I just nodded and curled up in my nest. A while later, I got up and padded out of the den. Harepaw looked at me and cocked his head.

"Where are you going?"

"To talk with Whisperpaw."

Harepaw nodded, and I padded towards the medicine den, where I almost ran into Aspenbark. I helped her wih her herbs and padded into the den. I padded around looking for Fluttershy when I heard Aspenbark's cool voice in the front of the den.

"If you're looking for Whisperpaw, you're looking in the wrong place, Crystalpaw.", Aspenbark meowed.

"Oh. Where is she?", I asked.

"Out on the moor. She wanted some fresh air, some time to think."

"How long ago did she leave?"

"Just a few minutes ago. You shouldn't miss her."

I dipped my head. "Thank you, Aspenbark."

Aspenbark nodded.

I ran out of the den and out of the camp. The moor was barren at this time of night. I looked up at the sky. The moon was a large slibber in the sky. The battle is in two days, I thought.

I jumped when a paw flashed in front of my eyes. Fluttershy was looking at me with a cocked head.

"Rarity? Are you there?", she meowed jokingly.

I shook my head. "Sorry, I was just thinking."

Fluttershy nodded.

I shook my head again from my thoughts and looked at Fluttershy. Her pelt was silver in the moonlight and her eye glowed brightly.

"Fluttershy?", I mewed.

Fluttershy pricked up. "Yes?"

"I just wanted to say I'm sorry about...earlier. Harepaw told me about how much you cared....and...I thought about what you said...and...I really am sorry."

Fluttershy just purred. "Its okay. I just hope you realize what you're doing doesn't help you in the long run. The Dark Forest hurts you more and more everyday. And...I don't want to lose you. You or our friends. Luna left, I'm sure you can find the strength to do it to. Wether its now or during the battle, that's your choice."

I sighed. "I know..."

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