Dark Destinies {Book 1}

Chapter 17

(Hollypaw's P.O.V)

I padded beside Brindlepaw, as she animatedly talked without stopping, joyful as can be, usually I would be paying attention but tonight all my focus was on the meeting. Tonight was the gathering and all I had been able to think about was meeting the other cats from my dream, millions of thoughts were running through my mind, how would I break away from Brindlepaw to talk with them? What if only half of the cats came? And also how strange it was to find foxes on our territory... Could the darkness be upon us already? Did another clan have a terrible disater too? 

Thankfully though Ashpaw wasn't here, I don't think I would be able to sneak away from him and Brindlepaw without being caught or followed who knows maybe Krestelpaw will help me make a distraction...? Also Coppertail was attending, today I hadn't been able to talk with him he had been too busy rushing around on patrols but I don't really think I would have been able to speak with him my mind had been to distracted... 

"Hollypaw? Are you listening?" Brindlepaw meowed, flicking her tail lightly against my flank, startling me. 

"Uh... no sorry" I admitted, dropping my head. 

"Are you ok?" She asked a worried tone rising in her voice. 

"Yeah just thinking" 

"About?" she pressed. 

"Uh" I stuttered realizing I now had to create a lie "A battle move Owlclaw showed me today, I couldn't master it right! But continue I'll listen" 

"Oh okay" she purred then she continued again, I let out a quiet sigh of relief she hadn't caught my bluff... this time. 

We padded along, this time I made an effort to listen but my mind kept wondering then in the distance I could smell and see cats, the gathering. Hiddenstar sped up and we charged into the clearing, instantly I noticed that Duskclan was the only clan here and in the crowd I noticed Pouncepaw and another smaller she-cat apprentice who seemed to be getting on Pouncepaw's last nerve.

When he saw us enter he quickly dipped his dark brown head to me and scurried away to the holly bush, the she-cat trailing after him. Krestelpaw quickened her pace and past us as she ran to the holly bush, I looked over at Brindlepaw and smiled then we too rushed to the bush. 

Inside the holly bush things were the same, same old and new scents, same old and new pawprints in the snow and same old and new cats. The little tabby she-cat with a white chest looked at both me and Brindlepaw hesitantly while as Pouncepaw looked ready to murder her, Krestelpaw sat near them grooming her fur. 

"Hollypaw, Brindlepaw" Pouncepaw purred stepping away from the tabby she-cat who now looked outraged. "This is Sorrelpaw" he choked out, his green eyes annoyned. 

"Hey" I smiled to Sorrelpaw.

"Yeah hi" Sorrelpaw muttered. 

She seemed snobbish and unfriendly and attached to Pouncepaw, I wondered how on earth would I be able to speak with him privately! Pouncepaw growled silently as the she-cat inched closer to him, he quickly turned on her as she tried to twine her tail with his. 

"LEAVE ME ALONE!" He raged at her, she stepped back startled and for a moment I thought she would start crying or she would run off humiliated but she didn't. 

"TAKE THAT BACK YOU FOX HEART!" Sorrelpaw yowled loudly "YOU KNOW YOU LOVE ME!", I could hear Krestelpaw snickering between licks as the two apprentices began to fight. 

"EWW GROSS! I WOULD NEVER LOVE YOU!" Pouncepaw hissed. 

"Sorrelpaw really likes Pouncepaw" Brindlepaw meowed to me.