Lillyheart's Secret

Chapter Fourteen

Lillyheart's ears flicked as she heard that last statement from Hawktuft, but she continued on. She had to get out of here as soon as she could, and go back to Riverclan. The russet she-cat, Mapleleaf, padded up to Lillyheart, obviously suspicious of the young warrior.

Streamtail padded up to the two she-cats, eyes bright. He turned to Lillyheart. "What was your name, again? In all the confusion I never heard it."

"I'm Lillyheart." Her voice was soft, and she couldn't help the tint of sorrow that creeped in.

Mapleleaf walked to the other side of Lillyheart, flanking her. The warrior got the feeling she was being guarded. Mapleleaf yawned once. "Where are you from? Why are you here? I mean, as much as I trust Iceshatter, it seems suspicious that a clan cat would willingly leave their own clan."

Lillyheart shuffled her paws. "I guess I was just closest." She gave a quick look at the she-cat. No fresh wounds showed on her, and her eyes were bright, unlike Hawktuft and Iceshatter. "I didn't see you at the battle today."

Her comment made the Thunderclan warrior stop, tail thrashing. Her fur fluffed up, and Streamtail shot her a warning look. He answered for the she-cat. "She was in the nursery. She really shouldn't be out for a patrol right now, but she's stubborn."

Lillyheart jumped at the sound of a chattering squirrel. "Are you two mates?" The closeness between them was something she had identified with Creekstar and Lizardtuft, and it was something she longed for herself.

Mapleleaf nodded. "Yes." Her answer was curt, and it left Lillyheart wanting for more. What is like having a mate? How did you know he was the one for you? What would you do if he refused you?

She looked up and saw a bramble wall in front of her. Two cats sat guard at the entrance, and they narrowed their eyes at Lillyheart. The white one got to its paws, then walked over to the trio. "Streamtail, Mapleleaf. Who's this?"

Streamtail nodded at the cat. "This is Lillyheart. She's from... Wait, where are you from?"

"Riverclan. I am a loyal warrior of Riverclan." Her tail twitched. She needed to hear the water, she needed the smell the fish. She needed to be home.

The Thunderclan warrior narrowed his eyes. "Very well. Enter."
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Lillyheart shifted uncomfortably under the scrutinizing gaze of Breezetail. "Um, can I leave now?"

The medicine cat narrowed his eyes. "Littlepaw. Get in here."

A short grey apprentice darted into the clearing. "Yes Breezetail! I'm here Breezetail! What do you need Breezetail?"

The medicine cat wacked him with his tail. "Be quiet! I need you to watch this cat until warriors come here to collect her."

Littlepaw's eyes widened. "Did she do something wrong?" He looked at the red that stained Lillyheart's coat.

Lillyheart started to speak when Iceshatter walked in. His soft brown fur was now groomed, and he grinned at her, a laugh in his eyes. Her heart sped up. No... Stop it Lillyheart. "Hey Littlepaw. Is Lillyheart causing you any troubles?"

The small apprentice gulped, and shot a frightened look at Lillyheart. "What did she do?" Lillyheart licked one paw calmly, then flashed at grin a Iceshatter.

The Thunderclan warrior caught on to her playful mood, and mischievous glint shone in his eyes. "She's a captive from Riverclan. I heard she killed three warriors, all with a single paw! She managed to wound me, but I used my cunning to capture her! Now, she is our prisoner."

Lillyheart laughed, causing the apprentice to jump. "Oh, don't listen to him. He's just a daft furball." Daft furball... I only ever called Murkfall that. Her heart pined for Riverclan again. She stretched luxuriously, letting the sun seep into her fur. Her stomach complained of its emptiness, and she blushed. "I uh, could I have some food?"

Iceshatter nodded. "Why don't you come with me? You should get used to the clan." His eyes searched hers, and she looked away.

"That's fine." She got to her paws. "What do you guys usually have here? I mean, I'm used to fish every day." Her mouth watered at the thought of a trout.

Iceshatter gave her an odd look. "Yeah, no fish. That's not a Thunderclan thing." He flicked her with his tail. "C'mon. We need to get there before Smokeshaft, or all the food will be gone." He chuckled once, then took in Lillyheart's confused look. "Nevermind." He padded out of the medicine den, beckoning her with his tail.

She padded into the clearing, pelt bristling. She recalled when she first joined Riverclan, and how uncomfortable she had felt then. She rushed to catch up to Iceshatter, letting her pelt brush against his.

Heads popped out of different dens, and Lillyheart heard a lot squeak from the nursery. "But momma, why can't I go see the new cat?" A hiss responded, and she saw a tiny kit start to run to her. "Hi!"

Lillyheart purred at the kit. "Hey there." The kit's eyes sparkled.

The kit's green eyes searched the she-cat's pelt. "Are you ok? Were you apart of the fight with Riverclan? Do you know Iceshatter? Are you his mate? Are you going to eat something? Do you like shrew? You smell funny! Why does Iceshatter look irritated?" A she-cat rushed up to the kit, and scooped it up, causing it to squeal. "Momma I just want to meet the new cat!" The queen glared at Lillyheart, then stalked back to nursery.

Lillyheart looked away, hoping that Iceshatter didn't see the heat in her cheeks. Her eyes drifted across the clearing, and made contact with two amber ones. "You!" Anger pulsed through her. "You're the one who killed Echokit!"

I'm sorry if this was really slow, I didn't really feel inspired today. I hope everybody likes it! Bye!