Patchwing's Danger

Chapter 6

Because this book has reached fifty views, I am doing an extra chapter today (also to make up for my procrastination;) Enjoy!

"And that is all for ShadowClan. Gathering dismissed."

Patchpaw leaped up from her spot between Rosepaw and Mossypaw, quickly mumbled "I've got to go make dirt." and padded quickly out of the den.

She hurried over to the large yew bush that made up the island's dirtplace, checking behind her every few seconds to make sure no other cat was following. The low-hanging yew branches scraped her head as she padded straight through to the other end. Fox dung! she thought as another cat padded in. It was a large golden brown tabby tom with amber eyes. A strong scent of moors and wind wafted into Patchpaw's nose. The tom ducked his head at her. "You done?"

Patchpaw nodded quickly and scrambled to get out of the dirt-place. She spotted Mossypaw's long tail snaking around the back of the Great Oak. She hurried after him, following a small path around the very edge of the Gathering-Place to behind the Great Oak. Mossypaw sat there regally, waiting with his tail wrapped around his paws. He stood up and padded over to her. There scents mingled in the air as Mossypaw stepped closer, until their noses were almost a short whisker-length away. "So... what did you want?" she asked, trying to not move her muzzle away.

"Meet me here next moon-high. In the mean-time, I would like to get to know you a little bit."

She smiled at the tom. "I'll be there. And what do you want to know?"

Mossypaw shrugged. "Anything. I'm a good listener."

So Patchpaw told him all about SkyClan life, Darkpaw's weird antics, how annoying she found Fawnpaw to be most times, and how the badgers had attacked and when the two other apprentices were forced to stay in medicine cat den. Mossypaw let out a sigh of pity. "Poor Fawnpaw and Lightpaw. I know them. They didn't do anything to deserve that."

Patchpaw nodded, then turned around as she heard voices approaching. She recognized her father's scent immediately, but took longer to realize that the other cat was Duskflight. "Quick! Climb the tree!" Mossypaw leaped gracefully onto the first branch, then quickly scaled up to near the top, Patchpaw following in his wake.

The two cats quickly scrambled to the top of the tree, where almost all the territories could be seen and the stars glowed brightest. They perched up on one of the highest branches and looked down over all the other cats in the huge clearing below. Pelts of all colors shone dimly in the dying light. Patchpaw though Mossypaw looked extra handsome in the moonlight, with his dark fur glowing sliver and green eyes bright. They peered through the branches to see if Duskflight and Tallwillow could see them, or any other cat. "Wow. This is beautiful up here." breathed Patchpaw, her gaze traveling to where the SkyClan camp would be through the trees. 

"Almost as beautiful as you." replied Mossypaw, staring into her huge hazel eyes.

Patchpaw purred at him. "Thanks. Also, where did you learn to climb trees? The only trees in WindClan are on the border."

"Just something I picked up during last leaf-bare when Fogstar told us to hunt every piece of prey we could. I learned to hunt birds."

She sighed and sat up. "We should probably get going before our clan-mates leave without us. I'll see you then tomorrow night."

Then they quickly began to ascend from the treetop when Patchpaw suddenly stopped at the sound of Tallwillow and Duskflight's voices. "I will get revenge on what you did to Maplesong. Is our other daughter even still alive?" asked Duskflight.

"Yes, Maplesong's daughter is alive. She is safe and well in the clans, far from trouble. Also, she isn't your daughter. You and Maplesong never had kits. They were mine all along."

Duskflight took a step back, shaking his head and muttering, "I can't be true. Oh Maplesong, is it true?"

Tallwillow pinned the other tom against the giant oak where the two apprentices sat watching, his claws digging into the other om's flesh. "If you breathe a word to any cat, you and your precious kits are dead. You here me? Dead."

Duskflight nodded and the other tom released his grip. They both stalked off, Duskflight towards ThunderClan and Tallwillow towards SkyClan. Patchpaw let out the breath she realized she had been holding and shivered at Tallwillow's actions. She and Mossypaw nodded each other a quick farewell and ran around the edge of the island towards their clans to join the patrol back to camp. Patchpaw sneaked one last look at the tom before joining the rest of the patrol. Next moon-high she would return to meet with Mossypaw.