Warriors: Into Darkness

Chapter 17

The lake reflected the silver orb. Hawkfire pawed at the surface and watched the ripples disturb it.

"Hawkpaw?" She craned her neck and squinting, detecting Russetclaw.

"Hawkfire," she corrected and turned back to the lake.

She heard him walk over deliberately and she whipped around with a snarl. "You're on my territory."

He blinked, "are you going to attack."

She opened her mouth but hesitated. What are you waiting for, surprise him, now's your chance! Instead she faced the water once more. "No." What are you thinking, mouse-brain!

"Okay." He sat next to her and looked up at the night sky. "It's a pleasant night."

"I guess."

"How are you doing?"

"Fine."

There was a moment of silence between them. "You're not going to ask how I am?"

"Nope."

"Why?"

"Because."

He sighed in exasperation, "why are you so hostile towards me?"

"Why shouldn't I be? You're my enemy," she grunted.

"Just because I am from another Clan?"

"Basically."

"I think that's stupid," he meowed.

"So are you since you are actually sitting on my land like it's nothing."

"It isn't you land."

Hawkfire bristled, "how dare you! Of course it is!"

He gazed at her queerly, his striking yellow eyes fixated on her own. "Just because you set down markers doesn't mean it belongs to you. Anyone can do that."

She shook her head, "why do I even bother to talk with you."

Russetclaw chuckled, "sorry. I'll go now, but thanks for bothering with me." He licked her forehead and strode away, leaving her staring after him in bewilderment. Did he...no...he didn't right? Please tell me he did not just lick me. She shuddered. What am I thinking?

Hawkfire got up and yawned, trekking back home. She nestled in her nest and was instantly greeted by Thistleclaw. Before she had a chance to even open her mouth, he attacked. She cried out as he bit into the back of her neck, shaking her scruff wildly. Hawkfire's head rattled and she saw stars when he slapped her head with a hefty paw. She struggled free and barely had time to defend herself against his vicious blows flying at her, anger flaring in his eyes.

"What's the matter with you?" she yowled as he snarled and reared up. Hawkfire spun around and kicked out her back legs, catching his belly and sending him spinning away. As he lay on the ground panting she sat down to groom her paw.

"Why did you do that?" she growled.

"Traitor," he gasped.

"Huh?"

Thistleclaw shakily stood up. "Traitor! How could you go against your Clan like that?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Russetclaw!" he snapped. "You were hanging around that fox-heart like a lovesick dove."

"I was not!" she retorted, her ears burning with shame.

"Oh please. It was so easy to see. You were fawning over him," he snarled and shook out his pelt.

"That's not it, I was just speaking with him. The warrior code permits that I may have friends from other Clans, though I could hardly say we're that close."