Crowstar's Mission {COMPLETE}

Chapter 25

"Keep your tail tucked in." Crowpaw instructed. "And keep your head low along with your body."
"She looks like a duck!" Firefly joked as Starling struggled to get a hunting crouch.

"Be nice, Firefly." Sabra scolded her daughter while Starling corrected herself. The two kits were old enough to learn how to hunt and as Starling had requested, Crowpaw was helping to train her. It had been nearly a moon since they defended against the rogues. In that time, Buttercup and Finch had also started learning to hunt and were not hunting alongside their parents. Omega, Peach and Merlin had also joined the group permanently and even Omega was starting to adjust to his new life.

Omega and Flint bonded over their antics in the twolegplace and had become quite good friends while Peach made friends with Ivy and Raindrop and Merlin seemed to befriend just about everyone and in Crowpaw's opinion, he had the best stories of any cat he had ever met.

"I think that's enough hunting for today." Sabra mewed as Starling failed another hunting attempt.

"But I almost got it!" Starling argued. "Please, let me continue!"

Sabra shook her head. "Sorry girls, but the sun will be setting soon and Crowpaw has some actual hunting to get done. We'll get started first thing tomorrow morning."
"Crowpaw!" Starling turned to Crowpaw. "Can we please stay and hunt longer?"

"Sorry," Crowpaw shook his head. "Mother says no, and every cat knows not to argue with a queen."

"I knew you were smart, Crowpaw." Sabra purred and nudged her kits forward. "Come on now girls, it's getting cold." Snow had started falling slowly across the forest, it wasn't a lot but it was certainly chilly out, too cold for kits. Crowpaw followed Sabra and her disgruntled kits back to camp.

Crowpaw glanced up at the night sky, his heart aching as he saw the full moon. The Clans will be gathering tonight. Crowpaw felt a longing to be out in the forest, so without telling anyone he headed back out into the forest. He padded through the trees until he reached the river, and by the time that he did, the moon was shimmering high above.

Crowpaw sat on the river bank, staring up at the beautiful moon. Something about full moons always made him feel homesick, maybe it was because he knew that every cat he ever knew and loved was staring up at the exact same moon. Crowpaw sighed and stared at his reflection in the water.

I'm happy here. Crowpaw told himself. But why do I still get so homesick?

"You're gonna freeze to death out here, you know that right?" Crowpaw jumped and turned around to see who had spoken. It was Ivy, the beautiful she-cat stood in the moonlight. Crowpaw's heart jumped into his throat, he couldn't help but feel speechless everytime he saw her. "What are you doing out here? I saw you leaving, and you looked like you could use some company."

Crowpaw let out a small chuckle and sat back down, staring at the moon. "You know," Ivy mewed, sitting down beside Crowpaw. She sat close to him, their pelts brushed and Crowpaw stiffened but as he took in her warmth, he relaxed. "I always see you staring at the full moon with sadness in your eyes. Why is that?"

Crowpaw sighed. "The full moon is a big deal where I come from. I guess it just riles up my homesickness."
"What's so special about the full moon?" Ivy tilted her head. "It's beautiful, sure, but I don't see the significance."

"Every full moon, all four Clans meet under the stars to share the news of the past moon. It's our one night of a true peace, no cat is allowed to attack or argue as there is a truce decreed by StarClan." Crowpaw couldn't help but be excited as he talked about the gathering. He had only ever been to one. "And once the leaders are done sharing their news, then all four Clans will share tongues and make friends. I only ever went to one, but they're one of the most exciting nights for any cat."

"Wow." Ivy breathed out, her breath billowing out in front of her. "That sounds amazing, the Clans seem so..strange." She laughed. "No offense."

"None taken," Crowpaw looked at his paws, his sadness returning. "Living as a Clan cat is unlike anything."
"Do you miss it?"

Ivy's question caught Crowpaw off guard, there was something sad in her eyes. She thinks I'm going to leave. "Yes, I do." He admitted. "There's a lot I never got to experience. I'll never earn my warrior name, and I'll never get to mentor an apprentice, but." He leaned in closer to Ivy. "I'm happy right here." She held his gaze, and Crowpaw found himself leaning in closer to her.

Without thinking, their tails intertwined and Crowpaw felt very hot despite the frigid night. At long last, their muzzles touched. "I'm happy with you, Ivy."

"I'm happy with you too, Crowpaw." Ivy replied, her sweet voice soothing Crowpaw's aching heart. "My whole life I've felt something calling to me, and now I realize that it was you. You've been the missing piece in my life."

"When I left my home, I didn't know what I was searching for, and I didn't think I'd ever find it, I didn't think I'd ever find my home. Yet, when I found you, I found both. I found everything. Wherever you are, Ivy, that's my home. That's where I belong."

"Oh, Crowpaw." Ivy nuzzled into Crowpaw's pelt, he got as close to her as he possibly could. I finally found my home. He thought. The two of them shared a long moment together until Ivy stepped back, her eyes shimmering. "I feel so happy, Crowpaw."

"Me too." He purred, standing up as well.

"I never thought I would find someone like you, and yet it feels like I've known you my whole life." Ivy nuzzled his cheek.

"I wonder what your father will think." Crowpaw chuckled nervously, he knew Cooper didn't like the idea of him and Ivy becoming mates. It's too late now.

Ivy shook her head. "It doesn't matter what he thinks. I want you, and that's all that matters." She playfully nudged Crowpaw. "Are you scared of him?"

Crowpaw snorted. "I'm not scared of anyone. Did you see how I fought Ripper? I tore his pelt to shreds."

"Oh yes," Ivy ducked down into a playful stance. "Everyone should fear the mighty warrior, Crowpaw!"

"You know it." Crowpaw playfully swiped at Ivy. She dodged his attack and jumped to the side, giving him a playful push. Crowpaw stumbled backwards, his hind paws slipping in the slick rocks that lined the river. He let out a squeak of alarm as he fell into the icy water. The water was frigid and took Crowpaw's breath away.

"Crowpaw!" He could hear Ivy's cry from underneath the surface of the water. Crowpaw swam gracefully to the river's surface, his head broke the water and he took a deep breath. He swam to the bank and climbed out of the river, his entire body shivering. "I'm sorry!" Ivy yelped and curled around him, he was very grateful for her warmth.

"Come on," She nuzzled Crowpaw. "Let's get you back to camp." Crowpaw walked back with Ivy, unable to stop himself from shivering or keeping his teeth from chattering. "So you really can swim." Ivy laughed.

"Yeah." Crowpaw breathed out through his shaking mew.

"You'll have to teach me some time." Ivy purred. "Once the water isn't ice cold." Crowpaw and Ivy arrived back at camp and were greeted by Raindrop.

"Oh my," Raindrop giggled. "I knew that you liked to swim, but don't you think it's a little cold for that?"

"Very funny." Crowpaw shivered, flicking his tail. "I didn't mean to."

"Come on you," Ivy nudged Crowpaw forward. "We'll go to my den tonight."

They passed Cooper as they made their way to Ivy's den. "So you went for a swim, Crowpaw?" Cooper narrowed his eyes. "Perhaps you should get some rest."

"He will." Ivy said, intertwining her tail with Crowpaw's. "With me, I'll take good care of him tonight." Cooper didn't say anything, but his gaze was as frigid as the river. Ivy and Crowpaw left Cooper behind and walked the rest of the way to Ivy's den.

"Lay down." She motioned to her nest, beside it was a pile of scattered herbs. Crowpaw did as she said and she laid down beside Crowpaw. She began rasping her tongue over Crowpaw's wet fur. He closed his eyes, completely lost in the sensation. When Crowpaw's fur was dry, they curled up together, as close as they could be. Crowpaw breathed in Ivy's sweet scent and fell into the safe darkness of sleep, dreaming of his beautiful Ivy.