An unlikely afternoon

Rapidpaw TeachMeToLearn

Leopardpelt Soft-Jay

Leopardpelt felt the rain come down on his his fur. His previous wound now healed and just scabed over , he was then deemed to leave. He had a long conversation with a female warror in the den just resting up from a nasty attack from a rouge. They taliked about how life was and what each of them have been up to. But not really becoming friends. Since there was nothing to talk about they soon went through all of the possible topics till they fell on the topic of love.

She informed him what love feels like and how cats act. It dawned on the tom that what he feel for rapid paw could possibly be love. He left out the tom's name and replaced it with a female of his clans to hid the fact that it was from a different clan and a tom.

When he got the go signal he was aloud to leave the den and go hunt. So he managed to strangle up a adder and a few voles before he got to tired to hunt and made his way to his secret escape from the world.

He passed the thunderpath with more ease then before, and soon enough he was in four trees. He let out his normal chirps followed by a low huff sound. He was excited to see his best friend after getting the information from the female.

~

Rapidpaw had not had such conversations that might foreshadow certain events, not his days had been rather long and boring. He spent his mornings cranky traing with his mentor that always ended in a screaming match, then his afternoons cleaning the elders den from the screaming match he couldn't win. The week drew on and on to no end. Rapidpaw had clawed his nest to pieces in anticipation of having someone to talk to.

The afternoon had rolled around, the rain thundered over head, dripping over the edge of the over hanging branch Rapidpaw had hid away from. His tail flickered with frustration as rain drops slowly dripped onto his nose in quick succession. He sneezed, shaking the water from his whiskers as he rose from his spot. He strode through the clearing, most of his clan mates had taken refuge in dens or under willows, He slipped right out of camp without anyone stopping to ask where he was going. He left so often it was common place now. Everyone knew he would come back before late, and he never caused trouble, everyone just assumed he had found his own spot to get away from stress of his training, which was somewhat true.

The young tom took his usual route along the river, splashing in the shallows to break up the quiet of the storm. He listened for the sounds of someone following him, they had never been caught as of yet, and Rapidpaw wanted it to stay that way.

He crested the hill to four trees just as the familiar call from Leoaprdpelt. Rapidpaw seemed to be right on time. His tail flickered in acknowledgement, glad to know the tom had gotten the all clear to leave and there hadn't been any issues. "Feeling better?" he mewed with a feint smile.

~

The tom smiled widely as he saw the tom and with a few gallops he made it to the tom. The Smile was wide. "Yeah, ust a annoying scab it itches but nothing I can't handle. " he mewed.He was a close distance away from the tom. About half a tail length away. He looked at the toms face and noticed how cute he looked. It was like he was construed and happy to see Leopardpelt.

The tom's tail flicked calmly as he soaked in the sight of the grumpy yet happy looking tom. The rain was not to bad and he felt like he wanted do something else due to him being den ridden.

~

Rapidpaw smiled, genuinely glad to see the tom. The little time they spent together really helped draw his mind away from the mess that was his life. As he grew closer to earning his warrior name, Rapidpaw's life grew more stressful. HE barely had a minuet to himself between training and assessments. the apprentice shook his head to clear it, he wasn't going to worry about that right now.

Rapidpaw approached the spotted tom, taking a second to examine his wound. Leopardpelt smelt distinctly of sweet herbs and medicine, not like his usual pine scent he carried from his clan. It was a nice change, somehow, the apprentice felt it somehow fitting. "Good." he took a step back a bit shyly, trying to seem a little less concerned then he had been. "What do you want to do?"He asked, figuring leopardpelt was itching to get his claws dirty after being cooped up in the medicine cat den.

~

"spend time with you" he said smiling, His nerves of the tom settling hoping to test his boundary's to see if he had this "love" thing like the she cat was talking about. He Looked down feeling warm and fuzzy. It was weird.

"Let do something fun that dosent involve us getting attacked by a fox or something." he mewed out in a joking manner to relax the other tom. Making light of the event that happened. With a swift movement he beside the tom. "Is there a river or something here? maybe you can teach me to fish like you said you would" he begged making sure to draw out the vowel sounds.

~

Rapidpaw nodded "umm alright." his pelt began to heat up when Leopardpelt said he just wanted to spend time with him. The apprentice harbored a lot of self doubt, constantly thinking that he was a burden to other cats, star clan only knew that he had definitely not lifted a claw the last time they had met when the fox attacked. Rapidpaw enjoyed having Leopardpelt around, and it comforted him to know he like having the apprentice around as well.

"The river come right by here, I'm sure we could fish around there without getting in trouble." The apprentice pushed these warm feelings away to think about the practicality. He didn't want to risk anything just to have fun, but no one ever went around that bend of the river as it was very close to thunder clan territory.

~

The tom purred as he followed the blind tom. He walked closer then normal beside the tom. His head not looking at the tom though more of looking at the area around them making sure the toms where in the clear. Leopardpelt knew he could not take any fish from the clans rivers with out it being gifted to him.

They made it to the river bend. He looked over it. He noticed the Rapids and he smiled. " now I know where you got your name from. Wow dose the river look beautiful. " he mewed. The last memory he had of the river was when he dove into the river to pull out a tom from his clan. " is it deep here?" He asked.

~

Rapidpaw remained quiet, he knew he was named after the river, many cats were, but it warmed his heart to think Leopardpelt thought his homeland was beautiful.

"Not really." Rapidpaw shrugged, he didn't particularly think the river was that deep, but then again, he did retrieve pebbles from the bottom just for fun. "But if you fall in i'll make sure to save you." He teased, with a soft purr rumbling his throat. He nudged the tom with his shoulder padding up to the waters edge. He stopped when he could feel the water brushing his toes and settled down on the stones.

The rain dripped on the surface of the water, there wasn't much cover by the river, the pair were very exposed both to the weather and any prying eyes that might be on the look out for trespassers.

~

The tom nearly fell into the water at the comment. ' I'll make sure to save you.' His heart felt like it was going to explode. He felt the bump and slowly followed after him as if in a trance. He felt his heart race at the thought of swimming. He liked water where he could touch. He was a little nervous when he could not touch.


But he did this for Rapidpaw. He stuck right by his side watching the tom. He looked to the water he noticed that the fish were freely swimming. He watched the tom beside him put his paws in the water. He looked at his own and placed them in the water. The water was warmer then he expected but still on the cool side. He liked the cooler weather and temperature.

~

Rapidpaw glanced between Leopardpelt and the river, torn between talking and demonstrating. He had never taught someone to fish before, or taught anything before really. He just kind of sat back for a moment, thinking over everything in his head. The fish seemed fairly active, despite the rain, he could hear them break the surface of the water every now and again with a slight splash his ears had been trained to seek out.

He cleared his throat, starting a bit nervously. "you kind of just have to watch the fish and scoop them out. Don't try and nick them with your claws they will just slip out and get away," Rapidpaw felt like he was rambling. "Try and get them on shore if you can or catch them in the air, that takes a lot of practice though." HE frowned not really sure how to explain it. "Don't lean over the water too much because the fish will see your shadow or something." That's what he had been told anyway. "Do you understand?" he quirked, turning back to Leopardpelt with a questioning expression.

~

"Yes!....Well maybe. I think so. Just don't lean to far and bite them." He mewed. His tail flicked softly wanting to get started. His eyes where fixed on the tom's questioning facenter and he felt warm again. His tail flicked a little faster. He then smiled.


" so who goes first? I kind of learn better being shown then told. He mewed happily. His paws dug into the rocks that covered the river bank

~

"umm, sure." Rapidpaw turned back to the river, his ears angled downward. He suddenly became very subconscious with the tom watching him. Could he catch a fish while he was there? was his posture alright? Rapidpaw was usually a pretty laid back fisher, not really caring if he had the technique right but that he succeeded. He tended to learn his own way of doing things, but with Leopardpelt watching he wanted to do everything perfectly.

He focused intently on the water, barely daring to breath as he prey to star clan he may be able to impress the tom. The sound of fins slapping the water drew his attention forward. His shoulders rolled as he drew closer to the ground listening for the sound again, when it did, his white tipped paw shot out like lightning, cutting through the water like claws, lifting the fish out of the water and sending it flopping onto the shore.

~

The tom watched in aw. The tom had perfect poster and within seconds he confirmed a kill sending the fish flying. The tom suddenly really wanted to try it.

"That is amazing!" He mewed out. His eyes roamed the tom's body movements. His fur slick with he water. The tom purred.

The tom looked to the water. With the help of eye sight he could see the splashes. He closed his eyes as he listened intensely. The sound of a fish splashing sent him lunging forwards and he missed the fish by a inch. Angry the tom ttried again. He was not going to look like a loser in front of the tom he liked. So with the help of sight he reset his position and waited for a fish. He spotted one and lunged forwards with his teeth. He bit the fish by his back. The tom gave a muffled mew. " I got one I got on-" just as he was about to finish his line the fish wiggled strongly in his paws slapping him in the face. The fish slipped from his mouth and he tired to catch it but failed hard.

~

Rapidpaw attempted not to laugh, but a muffled chuckle escaped him. Fishing was not as easy as most ate thought, you had to be strong and fast to pull a fish from the water. "You are splashing around too much. " the apprentice quickly regained his composure, but the amused smile remained. "You have to cut through the water, not push into it. " he paused, not sure how else to explain it. He turned back down at the water, seemingly staring into the depths but actually deep in thought.

"You're doing really well. " he tried to offer a bit of encouragement, a concet he wasn't familiar with but rapidpaw felt leopardpelt needed to hear from time to time.

~

The tom looked to his paws. He smiled at the others toms chuckles it was the first time he ever herd him laugh. The tom liked the encouragement. He rarely got it so it coming from rapidpaw meant a lot. His maw was wet but he didn't mind as he walked close to the tom.

"this is HAAAAARd" he moaned. The toms tail flicked softly behind him in an attempt to try to make him self feel better. He was right beside the tom when he tried again. this time he drove to far down and his head went under.

~

This time the river clan apprentice could not contain his amusement and put right laughed. He couldn't remember the last time he had this much fun, and here he was fishing, something he did every day. Rapidpaw had a sneaking suspicion it was all because of the company he kept.

" maybe if you lay around with your mouth open one will just swim into your belly. " he teased, batting at the toms ears with an extended paw. He splashed a bit of water on the toms flank with a quick motion of his paw. They had no hope of catching anything now with te amount of noise they were both making.

~

The tom smiled widely and huffed at the comment. Fully aware of the humour. When the tom felt the bat on his ears he turned to the tom and lunged on him sending both of them into the water. Leaving behind a big slash. He let out a laugh.

"Got ya!" he mewed. He giggled they were still in a shallow part of the river. Leopardpelt was now soaked.

~

"Oh yeah?" Rapidpaw teased, pummeling the toms underbelly with his back paws, using the water to slip out from under him. His oily pelt cling to his skin as he sent another splashing wave in the spotted toms direction. "Bet you cant catch me!" He mewed, splashing around loudly. Fish scattered all around them but rapidpaw didn't care if they didn't catch another fish. He was havin too much fun splashing around in the shallows like a kitten.

~

Leopardplet wiggled as he turned and rolled as he turned to roll. he managed to get out of the toms grasp. He mewed loudly. With a powerful swing he managed to at least half way pin the tom down.

" I got you right where I want you" he mewed with a cocky tone

~

Rapidpaw's pelt suddenly felt warm dispite the cool water once he realized the position they were in. Embarrassed was a bit of an understandment. He wasn't really sure how to get out of it without being extreamly awkward. He gazed up at leopardpelt, suddenly feeling very subconscious about his blindness as he desperately hope he was looking somewhere near te Tom's eyes.

"Yeah" he tried to laugh of the embarrassment but his mew caught in his throat.

~

The tom looked down his his eyes wide with embarrassment. He was pinning the tom down and he didn't mind but he noticed the silence between the two. He chuckled and pawed the blind tabby's nuzzle.

"Don't be getting any ideas now" he joked. clearly embarrassed him self.

~

to late... the Tom thought to himself, taking the chance to wriggle his way out from under leopardpelt. He stood, shaking some of the water from his pelt only to have it settle agian agienst his lean frame. "Umm how about I teach you to swim. " rapidpaw suggested if for no other reason than to breaking awkward silence between them. This seemed as good a place as any, and if here indignant splash fight hadnt alerted any patrols nothing would.

~

The tom let out a long laugh. He managed to get a hold of him self. The tom tried to understand the idea of swimming. he liked standing in the water but moving it and not touching the ground was scary. He trusted the tom enough.

"sure, If you keep your word of saving my sorry flank if I float down the river" his Mew was more a serious tone but not one that was to noticeable

~

"Yes you will be fine." Rapidpaw insisted, wading deeper into the water. He paused when the river reached his shoulders, he motioned for Leopardpelt to follow him. The current here was not that strong. He could feel the river pushing against his flank but his paws remained cemented in place, without much effort. He waited for the tom to meet him before wondering a bit deeper, jut enough for his paws to lift from the gravely floor. The water listed him up. He used small strokes to remain in place, bobbing a little in the water as he moved, easily fighting the current to stay close to Leopardpelt. "It's not that hard." He assured the older tom with a reassuring smile.

~

Leopardpelt followed the tom. Never more then a tail length away. he saw that the tom started floating then the water just met his neck. He felt his heart race. He knew how to swim when the tom needed to but with out adrenalin. He got too scared. He looked to his wonky looking paws due to the water. He then felt him self lift a paw then three more as he started to bravely paddle. He watched intensely at the tom. Hoping he was doing everything right, He was above the water so it seemed like he was doing okay.

~

"That's a good start." Rapidpaw smiled, a bit impressed. He had honestly expected the tom to flail about and start drowning immediately, so that fact he was staying afloat made the apprentice much less worried about teaching him to swim. The tom swam up to Leopardpelt's flank, pressing against his side and leading him to the center of the river. The current was a little stronger, but the curve of the river slowed it to a manageable speed. "Slow down your strokes a little it feels like you're panicking."

~

The tom listened to the tom, He herd him speak then he felt the tom push against him and he felt his heart jump to his throat. Good, He now was panicking . Leopardpelt listened and his strokes soon went in sync with the toms be side him. " with you so close how could I not " he mewed under his breath in a embarrassed tone. It felt really good to be beside the tom and he hoped the tom didn't hear him and move or else he would have to drown himself.

"Okay maybe a little bit spooked" he mewed. His tail was on top of the water and it was even with rapidpaw's

~

Rapidpaw had heard the comment, a bit of color coming to his face but he remained quiet. Leopardpelt was worried enough as it was, pointing something like that out would surely not end well for either of them. "I'll be right here if you need me." he offered, a soft tone coming through in his mew Rapidpaw had never heard before. Leopardpelt really was making him soft.

It felt nice to be swimming with someone, he hadn't done that since he was learning to swim and his mother insisted on joining him in the water until he go the hang of it.

~

The tom felt a shiver go down his spine at the tone of voice. It was one that he rarely ever herd, kindness. He felt him self get very warm. even though he was swimming in colder water. "This is nice" he mewed his ears tuning in on him.

the tom then took a quick glance around and noticed no patrol cats and soon settled into a calm pace with the tom. He let out a sigh almost completely relaxed

~

Rapidpaw remained ever alert, his ears perking every now and agian to catch faint noises coming from either side if the border. The pair seemed safe for now. His sense of smell remained foggy due to the rain and river so the blind apprentice relied mainly on the touch of their flanks brushing and the the motion of their paws moving through the water.

He smiled, using his tail as a rudder to turn and face the Tom. "Want to learn to dive?"

~

The tom smiled. He watched the tom angle him self. When he asked the question the tom pondered. It should not be that hard he thought. So he nodded. "Sure!" He mewed politely and positively. His paw breathing softly

~

Rapidpaw mewed "just don't drown and you'll be fine" he teased pinning his ears back and taking a deep breath. He disappeared under the surface of the waterv the river swill owed him up in darkness. He could feel leopardpelt swimming beside before he angled towards the bottom. Fish darted quickly away the lower he went, his dark pelt mingled with the color of the water. He was only down a few heartbeats before resurfacing.

~

Leopardpelt watched the tom swim under him. it looked as if he was a fish until the tom went deeper it looked as if he became a part of the river. The tom watched as Rapidpaw surfaced and took a breath of air. He then decided it could not be that hard.

He did the same and sucked in a large lung full of air and dove down. the water got colder the farther he went down. It was very quite only a few clicks of frocks and the other toms paws moving through the water, He looked up it was very blurry but he could see the rain hit the top of the water and the padding of the other. then the familiar burn of oxygen was needed.

He used his powerful legs to get him to the surface. He let out a huge gasp sound as he resurfaced. The river was wonderful. The spotted male loved this.
" This is amazing!"

~

Rapidpaw purred contently, rather impressed Leopardpelt was taking everything so well. Most cats blatantly refused to set a paw in the water, the tom found it refreshing another clan cat could find it entertaining.

"Diving is my favorite." HE revealed, though that had not always been true. When he had been younger it terrified him. Being blind, he could see anything around him, and entering the water essentially deafened him. Everything went black and it scarred him, now that was his favorite part. How he had lost the fear was somewhat of a mystery, one day it was just gone, now it was hard to keep him out of the river.

~

The tom smiled at the other. He liked when rapidpaw reviled something about him self. The tom patted near him he could understand why. The feeling of nothingness was like a drug. He felt. He was not to scared of going under just more scared of never coming up.

"I can see why. You look super flexible under the water. You look so at peace with your self when ur under there " he mewed He treaded the water. Now facing the tom. His ears back and head turned to get a good look at the tom. His heart raced in a comforting way. He stayed silent for a moment before he dove under. He swam under the tom. He looked up and let out a large air bubble it floated up and hit the tom's belly. The tom giggled but swallowed some water so he resurfaced gasping and coughing.

~

The tom flushed, a bit embarrassed by the compliment and not really sure how to respond. HE listened as Leopardpelt dove under the water once more, a bit concerned when he came back up coughing and hacking. "Are you alright?" HE mewed, thinking he probably breathed in a little water while he was down. That was pretty common for cats who were new at it, honestly he was a bit surprised he hadn't done it the first time. It took practice to be able to hold one's breath for a long time.

"Maybe we should call it a day with the swimming," he suggested, turning back towards the shore and making his way through the water, pausing when his paws hit ground to make sure Leopardpelt was following. Learning to swim was a difficult task and Rapidpaw didn't want the older tom tiring out too much when he had a long way back home.

~

The tom tried to stop laughing. He patted his feet as he followed him to shore. "Yeah okay"he mewed. He soon feeling that fimilular feeling of earth under his paws. He then made it out of the water to give a shake of his fur. He looked to rapidpaw. He then sat and started to lick his fur to keep it down.

Midway through lick the tom noticed the Fish that rapidpaw skillfully caught. He then just let it go, he should leave it to go back to river clan. " You look nice" leopardpelt mewed. His mew was low. The other tom looked perfect. The rain and river was a great touch to rapidpaw he looked like he belonged. And the tom could not stop smiling

~

Rapidpaw stepped out of the water, feeling the familiar heaviness of walking on land he didn't really notice until he left the weightlessness of the river. He shook out his fur, the heavy droplets scattering around him dotting the stones a darker grey. His fur stuck close to him as he suddenly felt self conscious about his slim frame. He was lean like most river clan cats with powerful shoulders to propel him through the water with a thick tail. He didn't feel like he 'looked nice' whatever that was supposed to feel like he wasn't sure.

"umm thanks." he mewed a bit shyly, moving to sit beside the spotted tom and started grooming his face. He searched his racing thoughts for something to say. 'you look nice to' seemed a bit redundant as he had never seen the tom and rapidpaw would feel like it was a lie even though it was probably true. "You are a good swimmer." he decided that would be good. The shadow clan cat had done exceptionally well for a beginner, a little more practice and Rapidpaw felt he could be as good as a river clan cat. The fishing would be another story, but he wasn't going to bring that up.

~

The complement gave the tom a warm fuzzy feeling. One of recitantion. He smiled warmly and put his paws down. He gave a yawn and a stretch. It was good to get out of the den and do something. The tom stood to walk closer to Rapidpaw testing the water. He shook all the water that was on his fur off as best he could and made his way over. He came a tail length away from him and walked under the others chin letting his tail touch and drag as he circled him. " I wanna do something else with you. Any ideas?" He asked leaning closer. He wanted to go for a run or something like that. Being restless was jot good for the leopard spotted male

~

Rapidpaw stiffened a bit, not really sure how to interpret this contact. This was most certainly more than friendship. His ears folded back, blinking after the spotted tom. His heart did a little splutter, like the first time he ever went swimming. He had been excited, bouncing off the walls of his den, but also terrified that the current would drag him under. His fur felt warm, like little lightning bolts igniting under his fur.

"ummmm..." Rapidpaw made no motions to move, a little to scarred to and not really sure how he could do it without hurting the tom's feelings. He didn't know how to reciprocate or deny any sort of approach, so he was at a loss.

~

The tom soaked in the others reaction. He gave the other tom a little mercy by leaning back a bit. His body rumbling with a deep purr. The tom looked stumbled and frozen in place. Like the smallest little flirt could knock him down.


with a low tender voice he decided to steer clear of the said topic. " Hey let's go find somewhere to dry off" he mewed. He chuckled softy.

~

"Okay." Rapidpaw nodded in agreement. Getting dry would be good, properly dry, not slightly less wet which was how the tom always was. Between swimming in the river and the constant rain, the apprentice didn't know how he hadn't yet grown gills. "where do you think we should go?" He prompted, taking the opportunity to stand and get a little space between them.

River clan wasn't exactly known for being a good place to dry off. Even the willow groves the tom loved so much were muddy and damp.

~

The tom hummed as he pondered. The area just passed four trees was swampy but it did have a cave looking thing draped in vines. He thought it could work.

" well there is a place I know that could work to keep is dry. It's a cave just past four tress. It's a place my mother showed me. " he mewed softly. Standing to his feet reado to leave.

" dose that sound good ?"

~

"alright." Rapidpaw felt a bit wary about wondering through shadow clan territory, but they had been in River clan all evening and not been caught. Most patrols would probably home for the night, or at least river clan's were. The apprentice didn't know if shadow clan worked a bit differently. He had heard that they hunt at night but he didn't know if they actually did that and if it was done regularly. "If you think it's safe." He added, somewhat hinting of his nervousness.

~

The tom smiled. "It's just on the border of thunderpath and four trees. " he mewed. The tom purred as he started to lead the way looking out for patrols. He knew his place was hidden away and no clan could find it. He was excited to show the tom his hide away

~

Rapidpaw nodded, padding softly after the tom. the young tom hopped they would have to cross the thunderpath. They hadn't had trouble the last time, but Rapidpaw didn't want to risk it. The made it to fourtrees without an issue, but as they crossed into shadow clan territory, Rapidpaw stuck closer to the spotted tom, his ears on alert for any sounds that may signal a patrol. "are we close?" he asked quietly, not wanting to disturb the off quiet that hung in the pine trees.

~

" Hey don't worry about the shadowclan cats no one comes near this side of the territory" he mewed along the tom to walk closer to him. They walked down the musky hill.

Then up ahead was a small Creek and a little cave with vines that hid the entrance. the tom looked. They didn't have to pass the thunderpath so that made geting n there easier for the blind tom

~

Rapidpaw hoped the tom was right, his ears remained alert, his tail twitched nervously behind him. They paused at the foot of a creek, the water felt cool on his paws, cooler then the river, but that hadn't been what caught his attention. He could smell the damp scent of rock, a bit staler like air didn't move through it like now. Rapidpaw had never been in a cave and was a bit worried about being in one now. He imagined it would be huge, vast and never ending, waiting to swallow up cats and never spit them out again. A slight shiver ran down his spine. "Is this it?"

~

The tom hummed at the other male. His eyes looking over the cave. It was more of a huge hole in the ground more like a abounded den of a bagger. That grew over with vines. It was surrounded by drowned flowers trying to hold onto life. In the spring and summer it was covered in flowers and grass. Now it looked more muddy and gross but he still loved this place with all his heart.

"Yeah. "He mewed happily. His tail was fluffed up and paws itching to get under cover. If he remembered the cave would be warmer. His mother took him here, when he was bullied and needed a get away.

~

"Let's go than, i'm soaked." he mewed a bit impatiently, following the tom through up the creek. His paws splashed in the water but he didn't care too much, they would be dry soon, he did however mind the mud and attempted to avoid the gooiest parts. He paused to sniff at the vies, a little wary but thought they would be thick enough to hide them from wondering eyes. His whiskers brushed the plants as he parted them, stepping in carefully, fully expecting something to come poking out of it's depths but everything smelled clear, a bit damp and muddy but nothing exceptionally odd jumped out at him. He paced a round a bit, trying to get a feel of what was around, how deep the cave was, not very much, it felt a bit more like an old badger set or fox burrow then a proper rock cave he had heard stories about. He walked the length of the walls, satisfied he had investigated the whole thing, he sat near the back were it was warmest.

"How did you find this place?"

~

The tom settled down. He watched the tom investigate the cave. His tail flicked softly happy the tom did not look to scared. he watched the tom settle down near him. He watched the tom speak and he felt a wave of relief and joy craw over his fur.

His paws played with the softer dirt and moss that over grew. " haha funny you ask me that. My father found this place years before he met my mother. Slowly they came to this place and the love of the two grew. Then the idea of me and my sibblings came to mind. This was their secret getaway. They loved each other but when my father passed on to star clan my mother brought me here. Almost every day in hopes to heal her broken heart. Only me and her know about it" he mewed playing with the moss that now was clustering at his paws and with a little mew. "And now you" he mewed.


" this place means a lot to me. And I'm happy to share it with you....my mother told me only to share it with ones you hold dear. " he mewed softly. His body warm.

~

Rapidpaw rucked his paws under his chest, glad for the soft moss for them to lay on. He did not much care for laying in the mud and dirt. HE listened as the tom told his story, intrigued about the history of it, he was touched the tom would share something so important with him.

The tabby tom wrapped his tail around one side, turning his head to groom the fur along his back. Warmth from leopardpelt's flank chased away the cold, the apprentice was beginning to get used to having the tom nearby. He didn't feel so embarrassed to lay by him now, he found it almost comforting.

"Your parents sound nice." HE mewed, Rapidpaw hadn't really pictured his parents as romantic like that or anything, he only really knew them as his parents, the cats who were so worried about him they wouldn't let him out of their sight.

~

"Well...only my mother. It started when my mother named me leopardkit my father and siblings made it clear that they did not like me. My father mad fun of my body shape saying I wold put the name leopard to shame. And when my sibblings kept saying that over and over again mixed in with other hateful words. And my mother could not stand seeing me so alone. Since I would mostly single my self from everyone. My mother tried her best to fix me but she then became a queen and had to leave me alone. So I soon ended up trying to fix myself and in that time my father died. So I felt like I was just a little bit more free." me mewed.


He sighed. He was staring off out of the den entrance. His tail was flat to his side. The tom ended up moving closer to Rapidpaw mostly trying to seek comfort.

~

Rapidpaw laid his head on his paws, letting leopardpelt lean on him. The young apprentice knew what it felt like to be excluded. Without really thinking about it, Rapidpaw nuzzled the older cat's cheek, a little overwhelmed by everything he looked away a bit embarrassed.

"Yeah, I got picked on when I was younger too." to tell the truth he still heard the whispers now, how he should just give up and stop wasting everyone's time trying to become a warrior when he basic tasks were difficult for him. Rapidpaw had long since hardened his heart against them, but the comments still weaseled their way in every now and agian whenever he got into trouble.

~

The tom felt happy with the contact. He wanted to hod him closer but he didn't really have strength to. he leaned in to the tom. His head resting on the blind toms shoulder. He heard the tom talk about his clan mate in a upsetting way and he wanted to make them stop, but he knew he couldn't do anything.

"It's not fun being made fun of is it" he mewed. He nuzzled into the tom. He could smell his sent and it calmed him. Something that started to become common.

~

Rapidpaw nodded silently, listening to the sound of leopardpelt breathing beside him. The apprentice could tell the other was really hurting and it felt nice to did a kindred spirit in someone else. Rapidpaw was beging to forget leopardpelt was a shadow clan warrior, beginning to forget friendship was a strong word when it came to cross clan relations and a relatively dangerous one when war could break out any day. Rapidpaw told himself that shadow clan and river clan never fought, the only border they shared was across four trees and niether clan had anything to gain. He told himself carpstar would never let him go into battle, something rapidpaw wasn't sure he should despise or relish. He told himself they could just be friends and rapidpaw could stop meeting him anytime, but the darker side of rapidpaw knew these were all just excuses to Denise the inevitable.

"It will be okay. " this time rapidpaw wasn't sure if he was talking to leopardpelt or himself. He purred softly, rubbing his cheek agienst leopardpelt's.

~

leopardpelt knew that if he got any closer to the other tom that there would be large downsides and possibly huge effects from both sides. These meetings they shared where not only dangerous if they got caught but more dangerous if they get to close. But for the spotted tom. He knew the consequences and yet. He wanted them. Just to be able to see the blind tom as much as possible and actually feel like him self. And not a disappointment.

The tom heard the words of advice. His own body was warm and clam, but he felt sad at the same time. Every time he thoight he would be able to them the tom a secret he really felt sick. When he thought about telling the tom how he felt. It seemed like the impossible. How could he? This other tom would most likely deny hin due to clan or if that was not a problem it would be since they where two toms. The tom was focused on ways to let the tom know but every outcome seemed bleak. " Thank you, man" he mewed softly.

~

Rapidpaw laid his head on his paws, listening to the sound of the rain pattering outside and Leopardpelt breathing steadily beside him. Warm and dry for the first time in what felt like forever, rapidpaw yawned, his eyes feeling heavy. They dropped close for a moment in a different kind of blackness. He could feel sleep lingering in the back of his mind. HE snapped awake, not really realizing how late it was until now. "I should probably go." he mewed a bit sadly, not really wanting to leave but he knew if he staid out all night he was sure to have some questions to answer.

He stood, stretching his forelegs with a quiet yawn. His paws felt heavy, like river stones dragging him down. He longed for a warm nest but it was quiet a ways away from where Rapidpaw was now.

~

"let me walk you home or as close to home" he mewed not wanting to leave. He let out a yawn. His tail dragging on the ground with each step. His body slowly getting colder. the longer he was not pressed beside each other.

He walked towards the entrance and his paws felt heavy.

~

Rapidpaw pressed close to Leopardpelt not wanting to leave the warmth behind but knowing he had to. He stepped out from the shelter of the cave, the rain splattered his ears and slicking his pelt down. He followed close, listening for the sounds of patrols while they made their way back to four trees. The trip felt twice as long back as it did the way there. His tail drooped from exhaustion, their outing to the river and then to the hide away had drained him, especially as he started feeling how late it had gotten.

~

The tom could feel his heart race at the she cats words. 'It could be love' He felt his fur crawl. The tom felt sick in a good way but he felt his words get tripped up to the point he could not talk. His steps matched the others. His sade was pressed to his as they walked. He wanted to stop the cat and just tell him how he felt but its was a task that was hard to do with each step. "Um...Wou...would you like to make that place where we can hang out. We can meet at fourtress and go there...or something" he mewed it getting lost. His blood was pumping over time. "fox dung" he whispered to himself hoping it fell silent to his own ears. It was true he was really a coward.

~

Rapidpaw paused, his steps slowing as he glanced up at Leopardpelt. "Okay." he mewed sheepishly, thankful when the thick branches of four trees shielded his back from the storm . Half way home. "We should meet up again soon." he smiled faintly his tail twitching with nervousness. He never really was good with good byes, proper ones at least. He felt like walking off now would be awkward, so he paused, waiting for the tom to say something.

~

"Be safe now. Rapidpaw. I'll miss you. But we can meet up soon and it will be better then this time."

He had to hold back his words and choose them carefully. He leaned down to nuzzle his neck fluff. He then looked down at the cat. His eyes felt sore but he was happy. He hated pushing boundarys but he felt close to him.

~

Rapidpaw nodded looking down at his paws for a moment before pushing his head under the tom's chin with a soft purr before turning away. "see you soon." he mewed, trotting off into the brush of River clan territory, preying to star clan he could get back to camp without being noticed. The last thing he wanted was an endless lecture when he already felt half asleep.

~

The tom felt his face heat up he nuzzled back. The tom smiled as he watched him stack off into the bush. He felt his heart race as his mood seemed to inflate again he was happy once more