Tigerpaw rubbed his paws together, cleaning the bitter tasting mouse bile from his paws. "Ugh," he hissed, sneezing at the foul smell coming from his paws. "This is so unfair. I should be out there training."
"And why would you be training?" hissed a scornful voice. Tigerpaw tensed at the sound of the cat that was the reason for his punishment. "I didn't realize they let kits train." He snickered bitterly.
Tigerpaw shut his eyes, breathing deeply. "What are you doing out here, anyway? Shouldnt you be resting?"
Redpaw chuckled. "No, Spottedpaw sent me out for some marigold and to have me stretch my legs. Featherwhisker says I should be back in training by tomorrow." He flashed his pointed teeth.
"Lucky you," murmured the tabby tom.
Suddenly, a sweet, familiar scent drifted around the two toms, and Tigerpaw immediately felt a sense of security flow into him. "Tigerpaw?" called a soft, musical voice. "Are you down there?"
Tigerpaws heart fluttered; hearing Bluefur call for him was better than any dream. He glared over at Redpaw triumphantly. "Yeah Im down here, Bluefur."
The pretty blue-gray fur stunned the two apprentices momentarily. Bluefur smiled warmly at the toms. "Hello Redpaw," she greeted. "Are you feeling better?"
Redpaw shot a bragging glance at his brother. "Yes," he mewed, faking innocence. "My should still hurts a little, but I guess I'll be alright." He glanced up at the pretty she-cat, awaiting her sympathy.
To Tigerpaw's surprise, Bluefur just narrowed her eyes slightly but continued smiling. "I'm glad, Redpaw." She turned to Tigerpaw, her eyes filling back up with warmth. "Well, Tigerpaw," she purred. "I talked to Sunstar and he agrees that you need to get back into training. He told me to take you out hunting since Patchpelt and Lionpaw are out on patrol right now." She narrowed her eyes slyly. "I hope that's okay with you."
"You bet!" Tigerpaw cried, leaping up from the water.
Bluefur pressed her lips together, hiding her amusement. She flicked the tabby tom over the ear, and turned to the forest. "See you," she called over her shoulder to Redpaw who was glaring at the two cats.
"Yeah," purred Tigerpaw, innocence laced into his voice, but his eyes were wide with triumph. "See you, Redpaw!" He stifled a laugh as he watched his brother pout and turned to look at Bluefur. "So, how did you get Sunstar to let me hunt with you?"
"I didn't." Bluefur's eyes were glinting with mischief. Tigerpaw looked at her questioningly. "Sunstar doesnt know," she purred and winked at him.
Tigerpaw's amber eyes widened with shock and disbelief. Did the beautiful she-cat really go against the Clan leader just so he could go hunting? "You know, you don't have to do this," he told her. "I don't want you to get into trouble."
Bluefur snorted. "Tigerpaw, please. Don't worry about me." She looked over at him wryly. "I'm doing the Clan a favor; everyone was getting fed up with you moping around camp all the time. Especially the elders." She laughed freely, her usually soft voice echoing through the silent forest.
"Well, I haven't been too fond of them, either lately."
She smiled and touched her muzzle to his ear, sending shivers down Tigerpaw's spine. "Come on," she whispered. "I want to show you something." She bounded ahead, looking over her shoulder at Tigerpaw, coaxing him to follow. The tabby tom hesitated for a moment before racing after her. His soft paws glided across the forest floor, his heart racing just as fast.
"Where are we going?" he panted.
Bluefur never faltered in her step as she answered. "You'll see," she purred. Tigerpaw growled playfully, and sped up to run beside her. He had never been this far into the territory; the scents were all knew to him. "It's right up here," she breathed into his ear.
Tigerpaw looked ahead anxiously, now noticing the dark forest was growing lighter. His heart leapt with anxiety. He looked over at the pretty she-cat warrior, her eyes were shining. She raced ahead, bounding into the sunlight.
At first, Tigerpaw was stunned. He had never seen such a beautiful sight in the world. The sun beat down on the small field, lighting up every inch of golden grass. In the midst of the shimmering grass, was Bluefur. She was lying on her back, letting the sun warm her soft belly. Her eyes were narrowed into relaxed slits, and from her chest came a soft purr.
Tigerpaw slowly padded over to her and sat down, admiring her beauty. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" purred Bluefur softly.
"Yes, beautiful," sighed Tigerpaw, his eyes locked on her flawless face. Desperate to here her velvety voice again, he asked, "How did you ever find this place?"
She rolled over on her side to look at him. "I found it on a solo hunting mission once. I've never told anyone about it; except you."
Tigerpaws heart leapt. "You only told me? Why?"
They locked eyes and she smiled slightly. "I don't know," she whispered. "Theres just something about you that...that makes me trust you." She looked down at the ground. "I like it."
"I like it, too." Tigerpaw slowly lowered himself down to the ground, pressing his face into her sweet-smelling pelt. He smiled as he heard a deep purr come from her chest. He rasped his tongue over her soft fur and whispered, "Thank you, Bluefur. I'll be yours forever, as long as you want me."
"I'll always want you, Tigerpaw. Always."
Enjoy!
