Sandclan's Destiny Book 3: Blackout

Chapter 6: Stormtail's Wish

Firesong and Stormtail let the apprentices hunt while they took to strolling and chatting, quietly, so they will not chase away their apprentice's game. It did not matter- Cloudpaw and Juniperpaw were splashing merrily in the water. Firesong yearned to splash with them- she figured the water must be nice since the air was so tranquil and tepid. Sometimes a cool breeze would blow past, ruffling her fur. It was satisfying more than it was uncomfortable. The air was so hot and stuffy the past few moons, so much that the cold air was considered welcoming.

Firesong padded up to Stormtail, "So, you wanted to talk?"

He nodded to her bravely, "I'm so sorry with Icedrift." He said dutifully.

She snorted, "This time, I have a proposal to make." She approached him, lashing her fiery tail. For once, he observed, she regarded him with distaste. "You are making amends to myself. I don't care anymore." she spoke through gritted teeth, "If you want me to be happy, then be happy yourself. I hate seeing anyone in pain... and you obviously are. Make amends to Icedrift as well. She's head over paws for you, and you're... what? Confused, that's what you are! And so am I- clear this whole thing up with her. Then come back to me. If you cannot love yourself, Stormtail, then how're you gonna love somebody else?" She backed up from him, awaiting an answer.

He looked down at his paws, "Fine. Next gathering, then."

As they were padding off to fetch their apprentices, Stormtail felt put down. He dragged his paws, his chest ached, and his mind swirled with images and thoughts. He didn't realize how far Firesong was ahead of him until she had vanished, her red pelt nowhere to be seen.

He sat down, welling with emotion. But Icedrift is so unpredictable and reactive. She acts on instinct, she acts on pure opinion... she doesn't like someone, they get in her way, the next moment they end up dead. To think it all began just because she loved too much. His claws sank into the grass But who's to say I don't care about both?

All Stormtail wanted to see was the both of them happy. In fact, what he wanted most of all was for peace to rule the Land. He did not want war, the anxiety that comes with always possessing what used to be his rowdy spirits. He did not want to see more blood, not after the Dreaded Leaf-bare in which he had, guiltily enough, came out so fine from. He sighed, picked himself up, and padded from his spot.

As he was pacing along the forest floor, eyes fixated on his own paws, Cloudpaw and Juniperpaw burst out from some ferns, prancing about joyously with prey swinging from their jaws.

"Nice catch!" Stormtail called to his apprentice. The fluffy white tom had caught a squirrel. He stood to see a red shape slide out from the bracken.

"Yeah." Firesong chimed. "Juniperpaw, nice job catching that hare!"

"You saw?" She asked in astonishment.

"From the ferns." Firesong nodded and began to purr. Avoiding Stormtail's gaze, from awkwardness, she crouched playfully before her russet apprentice, "Ready to eat in exchange for that brilliant catch?"

Her apprentice nodded excitedly and began to bound away in the direction of camp. Not before giving a side glance at Stormtail full of pity, Firesong left after her apprentice.

Cloudpaw looked to Stormtail, "Can I eat, too?"

"How about some battle training." Stormtail snapped at him, more of an order than a suggestion.

I have to get my anger and disappointment at myself out somehow.

*~*~*

Stormtail came back to hear cats yowling in camp. "Come on Cloudpaw, time to use your training." Stormtail murmured quietly and began to run forward. A battle? As he arrived, he saw his littermate leap from the Slanted Rock and land neatly next to Sunspots. Oh. No...