Blazing Darkness

Chapter 24

As the moon began to rise higher into the night sky Gingerspot creeped out of the warriors den. The almost half covered moon was getting higher by the second as Gingerspot slowly and quietly padded towards the dirtplace tunnel.

The ginger and white she-cat wrinkled her nose in disgust at the rank smell. But she sighed in relief as she she climbed out of the dirtplace and into the fresh oak forest.

Gingerspot felt guilt swirl around inside of her. She hoped what she was doing was the right thing, or her clan might have to pay for it.

She walked quickly to the meeting spot, not wasting a second. Her pelt began to slightly bristle with nervousness as she caught the wiff of a tom.

Gingerspot was almost to meeting spot by the border when a gray tabby tom padded in front of her. She stopped in her tracks and narrowed her eyes. "How did you get out so fast?" she growled. The tom shrugged and sat down, "That's classified."

She sent him a scowl before sitting down as well. "So, why are you here?" she growled, getting right to the point.

Instead of answering he lifted his tabby head and looked into her eyes. She tryed to pull away but she couldn't. The depths of his green eyes took over her.

"I'm actually not a rogue. I only said that so I could see you," he meowed, breaking the trance. Gingerspot gasped in surprise and shock. Oh my Starclan! Did he just basically say he liked me? Well I like him....no you can't like a loner.

She was about to reply when he began to pad away. "Wait! Where are you going?" she asked. He looked back and gave her a small smile, "Back to my den. Meet here again tomorrow. Oh and by the way you look really pretty in the moonlight." With that Flash disappeared into the undergrowth.

Gingerspot was flattered. Then she felt something. It was so strong that it completely took her by surprise. I have only known him for one day and I already have strong feelings for him. What am I going to do?

-------------------------

Gingerspot yawned as she padded beside Briarwing through the forest. This was probably Briarwing's last patrol before she had to move to the nursery so Gingerspot decided she was going to enjoy it with her friend.

"I wonder why that rogue was on our territory?" Brairwing asked curiously as they padded together behind Smokefur, who was leading the patrol. "U-umm I don't k-know," Gingerspot stuttered nervously. She knew exactly why Flash was here. Every time she thought about the dark gray tabby tom her heart fluttered. Briarwing looked at her suspiciously but before she said a word Smokefur stopped. Gingerspot slid to a stop, almost slamming into the dark gray tom.

Smokefur suddenly dropped into a hunters crouch and Gingerspot and Briarwing did the same. She opened her mouth and rabbit hit her nose. Without needing to be told Gingerspot crept around to the other side if the rabbit. The animal was nibbling on some grass as she waited for the signal. Then she finally saw Smokefur flick his tail.

Adrenaline rushed through her as she jumped up and yowled loudly. The rabbit looked up from its grass and dashed away. Smokefur leaped out of hiding and pounced right onto the animal. Gingerspot heard a squeal before silence followed the catch.

She skipped over to Smokefur and frowned when she looked at the rabbit. It was scrawny, showing the beginning of leaf-bare. "This will be for one of the queens," Smokefur meowed and buried the prey.

Gingerspot and Briarwing followed him in silence until they reached their far border. The border was a wide river that ran all the way along the outside of their territory. Sunclan had never had the time to send warriors to go explore the unknown territory.

The patrol quickly marked the border and began to head home. Smokefur left Gingerspot and Briarwing to make their way back to camp without him as he went to go retrieve his rabbit. Briarwing looked at her curiously as they padded towards camp.

"Have you spoken to the rogue?" the queen asked. "N-no," she lied once more to her friend. The brown and white she-cat stopped suddenly and flicked her tail irritatedly.

"I have never heard you stutter until the rogue suddenly showed up. Do you know something I don't? You know you can tell me," Briarwing meowed through narrowed and expecting eyes.

Gingerspot sighed, "Fine I will tell you why I'm suddenly stuttering. But you have to promise that you won't tell any cat. Not even your kits." Briarwing looked like she wanted to laugh as she answered, "I promise."

Gingerspot sat down and told her in fear friend everything.