WARRIORS : Calling Darkness [Book 1] Swept Away

Chapter 7

Ryepaw narrowed his eyes to slits, scanning the hollow in front of him, hidden by the cover of a bramble bush. Brown crumpled leaves fluttered lazy from the tree branches above.
The trees surrounding the hollow were painted with many different shades of red. Leaf-fall was Ryepaw's favorite season; while the days grew colder, the tempers grew shorter. This sometimes caused skirmishes, and Ryepaw couldn't wait to put his battle training to use.
Through the brambles, pricking against his orange and cream fur, Ryepaw could make out the shape of two cats in training. Dapplestar's dappled pelt was nearly hidden among the leaf-litter as she crouch, but her sky-blue eyes glistened. Goosepaw was well hidden as well, tan pelt fitting in among the brown leaves scattering the floor of the hollow.
Goosepaw sneaked around her mentor, slick as a fish. She flicked her chocolate-brown ear once, then pounced. Goosepaw landed gracefully on top of Dapplestar. She rolled herself and her mentor over, then jumped off, landing lightly on all four paws.
Dapplestar was left scrambling to her paws. Ryepaw was surprised. Goosepaw's attack had been so graceful and delicate, yet affective. Ryepaw just used his strength.
Ryepaw shook himself. He had been so lost in thought that he forgot why he had come here. He gritted his teeth; it was almost time for the plan to take action. But something rugged at his stomach. Reproach? Hesitance?
Dapplestar dipped her head, blue eyes shinning. "Well done Goosepaw," she stated. "I'll meet you back at camp. I'm going to meet Onemoon to check near the ShadowClan border. There is word a fox has been there."
Goosepaw gave a nod, and Dapplestar returned it. Dapplestar spun around and bounded into the trees. Goosepaw sat down where she was, licking her paw and drawing it over her ear gracefully.
Ryepaw tensed his muscles. This is it. Goosepaw's back was facing him; if he ran and pounced now, he could force her to confess. But the uncertain feeling tugged like claws at Ryepaw's belly again. Trying to ignore the nagging feeling, Ryepaw was about to run out of his hiding spot, but before he could Goosepaw spoke.
       Lifting her dark brown paw, Goosepaw examined it, licking the tufts of fur smoothly into place. "Are you going to hide and watch me groom all day?" Goosepaw stood and turned around to face the bramble bush where Ryepaw hid.
       Her voice was as smooth as honey, and her words flowed together gracefully. Her blue eyes were like a bubbling stream, sparkling in the sunlight. Ryepaw hesitated, before squaring himself up and shouldering out of the brambles.
       Goosepaw looked him over as he padded closer. Ryepaw flexed his claws. He was lost for words, not knowing what to say. How did Goosepaw know where he had been hiding.
        As if she had heard his thoughts, Goosepaw spoke again. "You were downwind of me," she explained, gazing, uninterested, at her raised paw.
       Ryepaw squared his shoulders. "I know what you did."
       Goosepaw didn't flinch. Instead she stopped inspecting her paw, and shifted her narrowed gaze immediately to Ryepaw's. She placed her paw back down on the ground, slowly.
        Goosepaw narrowed eyes reviled nothing, and her voice was smooth and unwavering. "I don't know what you mean. What did I do?" Goosepaw cocked her head slowly, blue eyes growing wide and innocent. Ryepaw stared into them; looking for any sign of guilt. He narrowed his amber eyes.
       Ryepaw didn't believe Goosepaw, but he remembered his brother's words. He needed evidence before he went to Dapplestar, and he wouldn't get it if he didn't have Goosepaw's trust. That's what I'll do. Ryepaw gritted his teeth. Pretend to be her friend so she'll have to tell me what she did. Only then could he tell Dapplestar.
       It was the only way. Ryepaw let his claws curl into the soft soil. No matter how long it takes, I will make sure she gets punished for doing the wrong thing.