Warrior Cats: SkyClan Returns #2

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Hazelpaw stood up, let her eyes adjust to the lack of light in the apprentice den. Carefully, she snuck past Batpaw and Mosspaw, who were sleeping soundly. Silverpelt lit up the sky above the clearing. Hazelpaw sniffed the air. Who's guarding camp tonight? She tasted Leafspots's scent. I can't go out that way! She padded silently toward Sandystar's den beneath the oak tree. As quietly as she could, Hazelpaw leapt onto the Low-branch. She continued up the tree until she was sure she could clear the barrier. She jumped onto the ground with a thump. Not checking to see if any cat had heard, she sprinted into the forest. Her legs grew tired, but she didn't stop. The moon was past the half way point. I'm late!

The ThunderClan border was now in sight. She stopped at the holly bush where the patrols left their scent marks. She tasted the air, but couldn't taste anything other than the ThunderClan and SkyClan border. Hazelpaw sighed. Am I too late? She wondered. Mouse-dung! I've missed him again!

"Ringpaw?"

Hazelpaw called quietly. The chilly leaf-fall breeze tickled her pelt, rustling the trees. She jumped in fright as a leaf dropped next to her foot. A handsome tabby stepped out of the bushes.

"Who's Ringpaw?"

He asked. Hazelpaw tipped her head in confusion. That is Ringpaw! I'd know him anywhere!

"My name is Ringtail now,"

He purred. Hazelpaw's eyes lit up.

"Congratulations, Ringtail!"

Hazelpaw meowed. Ringtail purred. He flicked his tail away from Clan territory.

"Let's go, then,"

He meowed. Hazelpaw nodded, walking away from SkyClan's territory.

"Is that why you weren't here yesterday? You were sitting vigil?"

Hazelpaw asked, pressing her pelt close to his. Ringtail nodded.

"I'm sorry, but I had to,"

Ringtail apologised. Hazelpaw shook her head.

"Don't apologise. I would have done the same,"

She said, glancing at a tall tree. Her eyes sparkled.

"Race you to the top of that tree!"

She yowled, sprinting toward it. Ringtail purred and chased after her.

"No fair! Every cat knows SkyClan are the best climbers!"

Hazelpaw purred, springing upwards with her powerful hind legs. The branches grew skinnier as they climbed higher. The wind flattened Hazelpaw's white and ginger fur. She burst through the leaves at the top of the tree, looking out over SkyClan and ThunderClan's territory. She could see the lake, and could even make out RiverClan's territory. She looked back at SkyClan and ThunderClan's territory. Ringtail emerged beside her, panting. He looked slightly panicked at being up so high. Hazelpaw pressed her pelt into his again, intwining her tail with his.

"Isn't it funny how you can't even see the borders,"

Hazelpaw murmured. Ringtail grunted in agreement.

"Maybe we can't see them because we have mates in different Clans,"

He suggested. Hazelpaw stiffened, half in shock, half in joy. We're mates? Ringtail noticed her stiffen, licking her white-furred cheek.

"We are mates now, aren't we?"

Ringtail asked, looking hopefully at Hazelpaw. His magnificent eyes filled with affection.

"Yes,"

Hazelpaw breathed, relaxing. Ringtail let out a relieved sigh.

"Can we go down now? I'm scared I'll fall,"

The brown tom admitted. Hazelpaw nodded, untwining her tail from his thick ringed one. She led the way swiftly down the tree. Ringtail followed more cautiously. Once she reached the bottom, Hazelpaw looked back up to Ringtail. He lowered himself slowly from the tree.

"I don't see how you do that all the time,"

He puffed. Hazelpaw licked her mate's shoulder, smoothing down a sticking-up patch of fur. She looked up to the sky. The moon was setting, and the sun would rise soon.

"We should get going,"

Hazelpaw meowed. Ringtail looked sadly up at her.

"Won't you stay here with me, just a while longer?"

He pleaded. Hazelpaw sighed.

"Okay,"

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

Hazelpaw blinked her eyes open. She was met with the morning light and sound of birdsong. Ringtail was asleep, curled up closely next to her. She nudged him awake.

"Ringtail!"

She hissed, looking up at the sky to see how long they had slept. A thin layer of grey clouds covered the sky. Hazelpaw smelt rain.

"Get up! We've overslept!"

Ringtail opened his eyes. A drop of rain hit Hazelpaw's nose. My Clan will be looking for me! She panicked.

"Wha?"

He stood up, tiredness in his eyes. He blinked it away, and it was replaced by panic.

"Oh no! Bye, Hazelpaw! See you tomorrow!"

Ringtail called, running into ThunderClan territory.

"See you!"

Hazelpaw yelled, doubting he had heard. She took off into SkyClan territory. Maybe if I catch something, they won't be suspicious. She thought.