Collision of Storms (Closed)

Tigerstorm raced through the territory in the mid-day heat. It was not as bright as it had seemed so long ago, when she'd met Kestrelstorm for the first time, and she'd become more accustomed to the sun with each visit they had at the border. Of course the tunnel they met in was not so bright, but the journey there was once nearly blinding. She was not so little as she used to be either. Kestrelstorm would be surprised at her growth spurt, but she was still small compared to the rest of her clan and still roughly apprentice-sized. Her muscles were more noticeable, however, as her frequent extra training with the tom made her stronger and her mind was more cunning. Tigerstorm had even been given the same warrior suffix. Ambition, fierceness, speed, and unpredictability. That's what Kestrelstorm had said it represented. Those were all good qualities that she believed she had. The tabby ducked into the tunnels by the Thunderpath and looked around, too excited to sit still. She paced in the tunnel while her eyes readjusted and listened for the sound of pawsteps to signal his arrival.

Kestrelstorm was falling in love with Tigerpaw more and more as the moons went by. As he crossed the moor in a stream of fur, his heart raced with moor than the excursion of his running. As he neared the Thunderpath he slowed to a a brisk trot. With a deep breath he plunged into the dark tunnel, his orange eyes taking awhile to adjust to the lack of light. "Tigerpaw?" he called into the darkness, slightly disorientated from the rush of wind in his ear and the thud of monster's above them. His shoulder wound ached, the effect of the hawk's claws still effecting his life as a warrior. He was so excited to be able to tell his love the story and to beam in her praise. Sablestar hadn't even give him much of an afterthought when he strode through the camp dragging the massive bird that had fed nearly half the clan that night.

"Tigerpaw? I don't know who you could possibly be looking for. But I do know a Tigerstorm... and that happens to be me." The tabby said, her ears perking up and a grin parting her lips. With a purr she rushed to Kestrelstorm's side, nuzzling and rubbing against him, letting his scent wash over her until a painful-looking scar on his shoulder caught her attention. "Oh!" Tigerstorm exclaimed, worried that he might have been attacked on his way over to meet her. "Kestrelstorm, are you alright? What happened to you? Do you need me to claw someone's ears off?" She asked, inspecting the wound as best as she could. The she-cat's eyes were filled with concern and love. She hadn't yet been able to admit that she had developed feelings for him, but knowing now how much she cared for his safety brought out the reason in her. Only the words didn't come out as gracefully as they could have. "I love you, Kestrelstorm. I just want you to be okay."

Keatrelstorm purred with delight. The beautiful tabby got her name! And had the same suffix as him. He was so delighted for Tigerstorm that he forgot to warn the ShadowClan warrior about the scar on his shoulder. He winced against the pain of her fur rubbing the sensitive skin. Immediately he felt bad. "No, don't feel bad. I'm fine!" The tall tom bent his head and licked her between the ears. "A family of hawks attacked a patrol with Sablestar, my apprentices, and other warriors. I saved Foxflight from a hawk and killed it. It just got a nice scratch on me." he said rather smugly.

"You killed one? Your clan must have been so proud of you." She said, breathing a sigh of relief and enjoying the contact. She, for one, was very proud of him. He was such a strong warrior, and yet so gentle at the same time. Tigerstorm just wished she could have been there at his side to help. One never knew what was happening in another clan. Why, anything could happen to Kestrelstorm if she wasn't there to help! The thought of another attack, this time not ending so well, sent shivers down her spine. She'd never felt such concern for another cat, not even her own family. "Kestrelstorm, I'm worried." She meowed, somewhat sulkily. "And I don't like being apart from you. I know we see each other every day, but that's not enough anymore. I think about you all the time. That's nice and all, but I'd rather see you all the time than think about you all the time. What can I possibly do to be closer?"

"I can move to ShadowClan!" he said suddenly in a loud outburst. The thought of her missing him was terrible and he couldn't handle it anymore. He licked her head strongly before pacing like he did whenever he felt happy, excited, stressed, angry, or anything in between. His long legs allowed him to cover the tunnel in a few short strides. "You simply cannot come to WindClan due to Sablestar. She would simply never accept you." he mused sadly... Did he really want to leave WindClan? WindClan was his home. It was who he was; he needed to run with his long legs and skinny frame. The longest he had ever been under the cover of trees was at the Gatherings or when they had taken part of the forest territory when he was a young apprentice. But, Tigerstorm was there and he loved her more than anything. Even more than Foxflight or Falconpaw, and certainly Sablestar. The young warrior paused, staring at the ShadowClan territory through its side of the tunnel.

Tigerstorm was in shock. That was certainly unpredictable. The idea had already gripped her tightly, though, and even though it seemed crazy, she wanted it to happen. "Yes, that would be wonderful! We wouldn't have to hide our love! But Thrushstar... Thrushstar is not the cat he once was. ShadowClan has been harmed by traitors. If Sablestar will not accept me into WindClan, then there is little to no chance that Thrushstar will accept you." She meowed, watching him pace with a sinking feeling in her stomach. They were so close to being together, but it just wasn't enough. There was always an obstacle. Kestrelstorm would have to show that he wasn't loyal to WindClan anymore, and if that happened, there could be enemies made... and if Kestrelstorm wasn't permitted into ShadowClan, then Tigerstorm might see him on the battle field in the future. She couldn't handle that thought. She shut her eyes tightly, trying to block the image of fighting him again out of her mind.

Kestrelstorm froze. The she-cat of his life held a very valid point. He hesitated, distraught with the thought of being rejected by Thrushstar or ShadowClan. Was leaving his home a good idea? The cats in WindClan respected him and he still had a chance of being deputy in the future... But his love for Tigerstorm outted any love for ambition. The Young Warrior's heart tightened in the thought of never having kits with Tigerstorm. Lowering his head, he sighed in defeat. "Very valid point..." the tom whined like a little kit. "Life's not fair!" he growled, sinking to the floor in dismay. Covering his muzzle with his long legs, he whined and sniveled like a young kit, self-pity upsetting him more than anything every did. Eventually, with a deep sigh he heaved himself up. His orange eyes were watery with emotion and depression as he gazed into Tigerstorm's pretty green ones. "I should go..." he whispered, walking forward and resting his head on hers.

His fit would have been humorous to her if it wasn't such a serious subject. She was frustrated with the whole ordeal, too. The notion that he would have given up everything for her was touching, but it seemed as though it would never be seen through. It was a small comfort when the WindClan warrior rested his head on hers, but the thought that they could never be together permanently stung like claws. "Yes, and I should too. My clan will start to wonder why I've always been so tired on patrols." A sour smile spread across her muzzle. "We'll find a way, Kestrelstorm. Somehow." She meowed, looking into his eyes as she pulled away reluctantly. She wasn't as hopeful as she wanted to be about it all. The tabby turned and crawled out the tunnel, heading back to her secluded camp, aware that every pawstep was carrying her farther away from her love than she wanted to be.

Kestrelstorm mourned as the she-cat he loved raced away to her own camp. They would forever be separated by clan boundaries, each required to stay in their born clans. Shaking his head, the depressed warrior left the tunnel and left for his own camp.

OoC: Topic Ended