Waterstar's Heart

Chapter 15

Waterheart shook droplets off of his fur. He had just finished washing himself in the rain drenched camp. Rain had fallen heavily for the past few days, and from the looks from the dark clouds that covered the sky, it wasn't going away any time soon. As he finished shaking the last of the droplets from his fur, he overheard a familiar voice.

"Great StarClan, Furzefeather, I thought you fixed the hole in the den!" Grassfang's angry hiss came from the warriors den.

Interest piqued, Waterheart approached the warrior's den. He poked his head through the thornbush just in time to catch Furzefeather's amused grin.

"Sorry Grassfang. That's as good as I could do." The pale grey warrior's meow was filled with mock sympathy. His ears were twitching as he looked at his younger clan-mate.

Meanwhile, Waterheart continued to listen. He had moved himself to the outside of the den, ears perked. He leaned back, suppressing a purr as he heard Grassfang's complaints. Through the gaps of the thorns, he could see his tabby friend's tail lashing angrily.

"Well, you could've sealed it better. Now my fur is soaked." She groused, giving her side a half-hearted lick. There was movement inside the den, and soon Grassfang exited. Waterheart hastily shot forwards to seem as if he was passing by. Grassfang knocked straight into him. He hadn't expected her to get out of the den so quickly.

As the brown tabby gathered her surroundings, her green gaze fell onto her friend. The warrior gave him a friendly nudge. "I suppose you heard that, did you?" She huffed, a hint of amusement in her voice. "Nosy as a kit."

Waterheart chuckled a little, only mildly embarrassed from being caught eavesdropping. "It was hard not to," he admitted. "I take it there's a leak?"

She rolled her eyes. "My bedding is soaked now— and so is everyone else's, probably."

"I hope that doesn't lead to a cold." Or worse... Waterheart raised a brow. It was terrifying to think that his friend was so close to StarClan when she was sickly. He hadn't forgotten about Tanglewind or Tawnyleap, who had died from the same illness.

Grassfang snorted, eyeing the apprentice's den. "Since we're warriors now, I can make one of the apprentices change it." The warrior then looked where the prey pile sat. "Do you want to go hunting with me? I'm not keen on soggy mouse."

"Sure." He purred, following his friend to the gorse tunnel.

The two young cats headed up the tunnel, and climbed to the top of the ravine in a couple of swift leaps. The grass below Waterheart's paws was damp, and where the soil lay as they walked felt mushy.

Hopping onto a stray log, Grassfang pointed towards the direction of Snakerocks with her muzzle. She clawed at the wet bark below her. "Eh? Despite the weather, prey should be plentiful." She hopped off of the log.

"That sounds like a good idea." He agreed.

They resumed their walk together.

Waterheart could hear the distant running stream, and bird caws from the tops of the trees. The dark storm clouds still lingered. He wondered if they'd be able to bring back prey before they would get caught in the rain.

As a distant roar of thunder echoed, he gazed sideways at his friend. "Let's hope the rain holds off long enough for us to bring back prey." The wind was slowly picking up.

Trees thinned out into a grassy clearing. Large, creviced rocks laid in front of the warriors. Ferns surrounded the area, and the undergrowth was thick.

Grassfang sniffed the air, and soon crouched herself down. She stalked silently, stepping as if she was as light as a feather. There was a scuffling sound that caught Waterheart's attention. It wasn't coming from the direction of Grassfang, exciting him. Making sure he wasn't to spoil his friend's catch, he made his way back, scenting for the prey he had heard.