Young Writers Society

Ripplewhisker watched as the rest of his Clan padded out of the clearing. Riverpaw, Pinestep, and Shorestar took up the rear, all three of them speaking quietly to one another. Ripplewhisker turned back towards Appledawn, whiskers twitching. "I'm sorry about Flamingstar," he mewed. "I don't know he's talking about, exactly, but nonetheless... he was your mentor. No cat deserves to lose their mentor."

"Maybe," she replied quietly, blue eyes looking towards the stars twinkling above.

"Will you be alright?"

The she-cat shrugged. "I'll have to be, won't I? I mean... his mind's made up. I can't change it. Morningstep will be a good leader."

"Get away from the RiverClan fleabag," a ginger she-cat hissed as she approached the pair of cats. Her tail lashed through the air, claws extended. "This fish-eater's nothing but trouble."

"Back off, Leafpaw," Appledawn grunted. "Just because you've driven off every cat doesn't mean that I can't have a conversation with other cats."

Leafpaw rolled her green eyes, annoyed. "Hurry it up; Aspentooth is asking for you."

Appledawn shook her head. "I'm going to tell you like I told him: I'm not interested."

"Whatever," the apprentice replied, turning away. "Just be quick."

Appledawn looked at the ground, sighing. "I'm not sure that ThunderClan will ever be the same..."

Ripplewhisker pressed his nose into the she-cat's neck fur. "Surely it can't be all bad? There are always queens in a camp's nursery; maybe you'll have an apprentice soon. I'm sure that'd be fun."

"Maybe you're right." Appledawn tilted her head to the side, eyes smiling brightly. "I'll see you around, Ripplewhisker." She moved closer to the RiverClan tom and licked his cheek gently. "Meet me at the stepping stones in three nights, around moonhigh. I want to see you again soon."

"I will," he breathed in reply. "Sleep well, Appledawn. I'll see you soon." Ripplewhisker felt hollow as he watched the ThunderClan warrior pad away towards her territory. The air felt colder now; his fur was pricked by its harsh jab.

"I know what it is that you feel," a voice said from behind him.

Ripplewhisker whipped around, fast as lightning, heart pounding inside his chest. "Oh-- Quickflash-- I can explain--"

His former mentor shook her head. "It's okay," she mewed, "I understand." The she-cat was curled up into a small ball as she spoke to him, the cold nipping at her pelt. "Just try not to get into any trouble, okay?"

Ripplewhisker nodded slowly. "I-- I'll do my best, Quickflash."

"I know you will," the wiry cat replied as she padded closer to him, wrapping her tail around his neck. "Come along home, little one. It's bound to get colder tonight."