A Nighttime Flame

Snowpaw padded out of the apprentices den. It was Moon-high, and she needed some fresh air. She found a rock close by where Sagestar called the clan meetings, and Snowpaw leaped up onto the smaller rock. She looked up at the moon, and smiled. This was how she wanted life to be like, Free and simple. But, in Clan Life, that wouldn't happen.

"Hello, Snowpaw," Feathersong greeted warmly, walking up behind the apprentice slowly. Feathersong's white, spotted pelt shone brightly and her belly was fat and swolen with kits. Her bright blue eyes sparkled within the moonlight, and even though she was expecting, she walked up brightly and soundlessly, her fur as fluffy as ever her feathery tail treading behind her.

Snowpaw sighed. She kept staring at the moon. "Hi, Feathersong." she said, dully.

"Watcha up to?" Feathersong purred. "It seems like something's bothering you, Snowpaw," she meowed, sitting next to Snowpaw and looking at the moon as well.

Snowpaw sighed. She kept her blue eyes on the moon. "I-I-I-" She sighed, and she looked at Feathersong, "I think I have a crush on Rustpaw, but I try and act like I don't like him. I don't want him to know." she said, looking down with her ears laid back. "Things are at it's worst right now for me, I feel like I lost something dear to me, and that I'm never going to be a full warrior." she said, with a sigh.

Rustpaw had been in the apprentices' den, which was within earshot of two, trying to rest this whole time. He opened surprised eyes at Snowpaw's words. He...he...He couldn't think straight. He did have a crush on Snowpaw, but Nightpaw, too..
He sat in the den, wanting to scream.

Snowpaw scented the air, smelling Rustpaw. "Oh great." she hissed to herself, she looked over at Rustpaw, jumped off the rock, and quickly hid behind a bush, her pawsteps silent, but quick.

Feathersong sighed and slowly got up, padding after Snowpaw.
"Snowpaw, it's okay. I liked my mate once and did the same thing... instead, mine left."
Feathersong almost laughed at how stupid it was, thinking her mate was a good cat...

Snowpaw covered her eyes with her paws. "But, it's Rustpaw. She said with a sigh. "I never wanted him to know, not yet." she said, tears filling her eyes.

"What's so wrong with it, Snowpaw? You'd have to tell him at someponit."
Feathersong gave Snowpaw a warm smile.
"Now you won't have the burden of telling him later."

Snowpaw sighed. "I wanted to wait until we were warriors." she said, looking up at Feathersong. "Things aren't like they used to be. I don't have a mother to look up to anymore, infact, i think I never have," she said, with a sigh.

"Well, now you have the whole ShadowClan looking after you," Feathersong replied, looking back up at the moon.

"That's right." Sagestar padded up, having heard the end of the conversation. "Even your mother knew this, before she had to be sent away and gave it all up..." The words were said with quiet bitterness, before he perked up again. "In a clan, everyone does their own part. We all live and work together and support each other. We all stick together, no matter what." The tom flicked his tail, "Of course training would be at the forefront of your mind. You're almost a warrior now, but..." He trailed off and shrugged.

Snowpaw sighed, crawling out of the bush. "I miss her, though." she said, "All I can remember is her shining silver pelt." she said, looking down. "But, I know, I need to finish my training, and it'll only make me work harder." she concluded,