THE DARK MATTER | Book One: Stained Trails

chapter seven

GALETOOTH REMEMBERED HIS FIRST MEETING OUTSIDE OF A GATHERING WITH HER. They agreed to meet at the Stone Pools, a landmark on the border that the two clans shared. The two of them couldn't be regarded for trespassing so long as they maintained respectful distance of the others borders there, and it was usually a spot the leaders themselves would meet outside of gatherings to discuss anything important.

Galepaw had left to see her at dusk, slipping out of camp unseen as Bearbelly had left his guard positioning to go check on an ill Violetstar for a moment. He didn't tell no cat of his eagerness to meet her, even though he was sure Frostpaw was aware of his crush due to him being unable to not talk about her after every gathering. It made his brother snap at him and tell him it ridiculous for him to admire a she-cat from the other clan, but Galepaw was known for not listening.

When he arrived, she was already waiting for him. Her creamy white and gray pelt shimmered perfectly in the first wake of moonlight. Galepaw felt his fur heat up as he stepped towards her, but he halted in his tracks the minute another cat whisked to her side. His brown pelt was all too familiar and his showing made Galepaw frown in disappointment.

"I'm sorry, Talonflight insisted he come along," she sighed, the tom casting her a pointed look.

He got his warrior name. Gross. I hope mine's cooler than his, Galepaw thought with narrowed eyes directed to the tom. Talonflight was the nicest of the apprentices. He was boastful - way too much at that - and constantly in he and his brother's ears about how he was older and bound to be a leader one day. The tom was Galepaw's least favorite cat he had ever met.

"We're all friends here, right? Why can't I tag along as well," Talonflight noted with a grin flashed right at Galepaw.

"So long as you chirp less than the crickets, I suppose I don't mind your company," Galepaw half-lied with a huff.

Talonflight parted his jaws to emit what Galepaw presumed was going to be a smart remark, but the molly shushed him with a drag of her tail over his muzzle. "Talonflight promised to me he won't run his mouth about our agreement to meet so long as he can come along few times too," she admitted about the new warrior, glancing him up and down. "I think he really actually likes you, Galepaw."

The brown tabby's hair puffed out at her words, releasing a hitched snarl. "I do not!"

"Awe, how charming," Galepaw teased though his snicker was laced with awkwardness. He didn't know how to talk to her with Talonflight around. What a pest.

"Well, how has your training been?" She questioned, sitting beside Talonflight with her tail curled around her paws.

Galepaw wanted to scoot closer, but he could feel Talonflight staring at him. His glare was more soft than stern, but still Galepaw stuck in place. "Palesnow has been directing us to have more battle training sessions now. Frostpaw always beats me, but I managed to beat Rainpaw and both her siblings last time. That's a good enough win for me," Galepaw explained with a prideful flare, watching the molly intensely for her reaction. "They have their warrior assessments tomorrow though. Soon enough it'll just be me and Frostpaw in the apprentice den for a while."

She gifted him a honey-soaked smile. "That's so cool!"

They would go on to talk about things for what felt like moons. Galepaw would talk about his brother more and tell them about Violetstar's illness. Talonflight threw himself in a few times to explain his friendship with Berrytuft, a warrior just two moons older than him and how she was one of the most skillful climbers he'd ever met. Talonflight always made the meeting shorter when he was there, standing with a yawn and a stretch as his dismissal.

"Well, we best head back. I want to be up bright and early tomorrow to catch the first set of patrols," Talonflight stated with a brisk dip of his head to Galepaw before he turned away to leave.