Winds of Change (Love and Lies)

Risepaw sat in the clearing with her littermates, they had just come back from meeting with the IronClan apprentice, Quickpaw. She liked the young tom, he was just as small as her, it made her feel like she was normal sized. She flicked her tail, she couldn't wait to go see him at moon-high which was fast approaching. Her paws itched.

"All cats old enough to catch their own prey join for a clan meeting beneath High Branch!" Wonderstar's voice called loud and with great authority, did the clan know that she only had 3 lives left..? Risepaw blinked, confused, how had she known that...? Her ears fell back, great was she just plain weird?

"We have many new cats today! We have four warriors joining us! Please welcome Bumblestep, he will be our deputy, Blizzardsight, Greyfur, and Ravenflight!" She nodded to the toms, they all nodded back. From behind them Risepaw could see Leafsun's glowing pelt, gleaming even more in the half-risen moon.

"We also have a queen! Berrysun will be going to the nursery because she is expecting." The entire clan cheered for the she-cat, the last kits that were in ForestClan had been her and her littermates! And that was almost 8 moons ago. But everyone thought that Dizzysong was expecting Eagleheart's kits, which was dead wrong. But if Risepaw's theory is right, than Wonderstar was expecting, and they were Heavyrumble's kits, which may prove bad if Swiftblizzard found out...Then Risepaw's ears fell back again. How did she know all these things...?

"We have seven new apprentice! Please welcome Flashpaw, Swiftpaw, Morningpaw, Vividpaw, Silverpaw, Oakpaw, and Blazepaw!" She nodded to the line of young cats. "Flashpaw, Swiftpaw, Silverpaw, Oakpaw, and Blazepaw do you all promise to train as an apprentice of ForestClan, protect us with your lives, and follow the ways of the warrior code?" She looked down at them.

"I do." They all spoke at the same time. Eyes glittering happily. Only Vividpaw and Morningpaw said nothing.

"Than Flashpaw your mentor will be Blackheart. Swiftpaw your mentor will be Pitchedvoice. Silverpaw your mentor will be Mousejump. Oakpaw your mentor will be Greyfur. And Blazepaw your mentor will be Blizzardsight." All the new mentors grinned happily, and Risepaw couldn't help but be happy that there would me more apprentices to keep the den warmer.

"Vividpaw and Morningpaw both want to be medicine cat apprentice. They wish to follow the path of loneliness  that will be rewarded by the saving of many lives, and a special place in the clan. But we have yet to have a medicine cat and StarClan has not yet told me which is right for the job. So we shall wait until we have a medicine cat, to decide, or until I am given a sign." She nodded at the two apprentice who only sighed.

"Finally I have a very special announcement to make. I am now Heavyrumble's mate, and I am expecting his kit!" She purred and half closed her eyes, which was probably for the best so she couldn't see Swiftblizzard's pained look. But the clan didn't see it and they all cheered for their leader.

"That is all! Clan dismissed!" She lept off of high branch and to Heavyrumble, who greeted her with a purr.

"Wow, Wonderstar and Heavyrumble, who would have guessed!" It was Lionpaw. His purr made her edgy. She hated his power, she always felt like she wasn't in control of her feelings around him. I knew. A voice screamed inside her head. But she ran off, she was late to meet Quickpaw anyways she didn't want him to think that she wasn't going to show up. As she ran, falling snow dotted her grey pelt and the sounds of purrs and yowls faded behind her, the scent of the camp became more and more distant. Her paws felt numb by the time she found where Quickpaw wanted to meet. But he wasn't there...Was she too late?

"I was starting to think that you weren't going to show up.." A soft purr sounded just a fox length behind her. She turned to see Quickpaw looking at her with his coal black eyes, they were glittering in the moon-light. His sleek pure black pelt dotted with falling snow. A shiver went up her spine, he was from IronClan, she should be terrified of him. But she wasn't once his enticing scent hit her nose, instead she fell into a hazy sleepy feelings, that only got worse when he rubbed his muzzle on hers and she found herself purring. Whats happening..?! Her eyes widened when suddenly his touch disappeared, had he left her?

"Up here." He purred again from the tree, he was sitting in a nicely made nest that was in a crook were a branch split into two. Risepaw climbed after him with hurry, why was she even here?!

"Can't you talk?" He sighed, his eyes lost their spark for a moment, but then his eyes met hers and they ignited again.

"O-o-o-o-of C-c-c-coarse Quickpaw. " She tried to sound cool and non-shalant but it came out in a cracked whisper.

"It's Quickpad now. Come on, the nest is warm." He smiled. "And the stars are beautiful from up here." His eyes were so sincere, she ;et the fact that he could easily push her out of the tree and kill her, just slip her mind. She curled up in the nest beside him with a sighing purr. Her eyes were half closed. His scent washed over her again and she took a deep breath. He gently licked her ear, and butterflies rioted in her stomach.  Sudden;y the image of Nightfury at the Moon Rocks flashed in Risepaw's mind, and she nearly shrieked.

"I'm sorry!" Quickpad jolted away from her, his eyes hurt and his face depressed a bit. "I-i-i-i Just really like you, if you don't like me the same way..." His voice trailed off sadly.

"It's not that." She looked at him. He looked back the hurt was now mixed with suspicion, he thought she was lying! Risepaw leaned in and licked his nose sweetly. "It's not that." She repeated.

He purred very loudly and she was sure that the entire forest could hear him. "Than what is it?" He whispered, his hot breath tickled her ear and she kept a giggle from escaping.

"Nightfury, shes Nightstar now..." She flinched when she felt Quickpad stiffen beside her. "You knew?!" She looked at him angrily. "She took over?! And you didn't tell me?!" She stood with anger, making him fall away from her.

"Yes I did know. I didn't want to upset you." He admitted. He took a step closer to her and put his forehead to hers. "I'm sorry."

"Go. Now." She looked away. She didn't want to do this. "You should be home right now, with your clan. They need you." She sighed with sadness. She didn't want to have to make him leave.

"No. They are fine. And I'm staying here with you." He insisted. His eyes suddenly dark and protective, Risepaw didn't understand.

"I should go then." She looked away. "This isn't allowed anyways, and were just apprentices." She sighed.

"I'm not an apprentice anymore." He reminded her with stern eyes.

"But I am!" She felt her eyes burning. What was happening!? Why wouldn't he let her just go?

"Stay please." He said, desperation filled his voice. He wound himself around her, his body warm against the cold night air. "Just tonight, and you will never have to see me ever again." He promised with a sad flinch.

"Fine. Just tonight." She sighed. She laid back down beside him and he started grooming her, before they both fell asleep.