Just A Walk? (Fox Only)

[Midnight]

A short-haired white-furred she-cat slid delicately out of the warriors' den, her blue eyes gazing slowly around the camp. They finally rested on Ravenstar's den and she tipped her head to the side a bit in wonder.I'll go ask Ravenstar if he wants to go on a walk with me... She thought, happily trotting over to the leader's den. "Ravenstar?" Icewhisper slowly called in, hoping she wasn't interrupting the leader's sleep or a conversation he was having with another cat, "would you like to take a walk with me?"

[Foxpaw]

Ravenstar was stretched out in his den, head resting softly on his paws. He let out a soft sigh, eyes half-lidded. The young leader's mind was a mess of thoughts, but the overall theme was his clan. Every life, from the smallest kit to the oldest elder was in his paws, bearing down on his shoulders. Just as he felt like he'd be overwhelmed by it, a soft voice cut through his thoughts. For a heartbeat, his heart fell to his stomach at the thought of another cat with another problem. His body visibly relaxed after he realized it was something completely different, and he rose to his paws. "I'd love to..." he mewed, gratefulness obvious in his voice as he padded over to white she-cat.

[Midnight]

Icewhisper's eyes shined and she had to force herself not to purr in happiness. She always wanted to become friends with Ravenstar as he seemed to be a mellow cat and definitely not like Icewhisper's impulsive and loud littermate. She figured it would be nice to hang out with a cat who's personality was more like hers for once. "Great, thanks!" Icewhisper meowed, then dipped her head. Even if she wanted to befriend the leader, she knew she still had to act respectful, even if it made her look like she wanted nothing more than to be on the leader's good side so as to slide by from getting in trouble, though that definitely was not the case with Icewhisper.

[Foxpaw]

"No, thank you..." the black tom murmured, voice quiet but dark. He meant it, too. Though he still wasn't particularly comfortable making friends, he was glad that the she-cat had come just in time to pull him from his dark thoughts. He thought being leader, he'd have more cats befriend him, but if anything, things got worse. Most cats treated him with respect and only respect. The ones who approached him with offers of friendship were usually full of interior motives. but Icewhisper was quiet and sweet and a breathe of fresh air and, at the moment, he was glad for her company.

[Midnight]

Icewhisper blinked in friendliness and nodded before heading off at a normal pace. She didn't wait at the inside of the camp entrance, instead just outside of the camp. Icewhisper happily took a deep breath of the chilly leaf-fall air. "Can't believe green-leaf is already gone..." She said nostalgically, not knowing whether or not Ravenstar had followed and heard. The warrior watched as a leaf drifted slowly to the ground. It still had some green in it, but it was hard to notice unless you really looked.

[Foxpaw]

Ravenstar followed swiftly behind the other cat, pelt fluffing out against the cold. He inwardly sighed, worry wriggling its way into his mind.It would be his first leaf-bare as leader. Cold, hunger, sickness, short-tempers, and possible battles would come with the new season and test the tom's leadership. He would just have to keep his wits and face it head on, he supposed. He grabbed the leaf, hooking it with one claw. "I wish it wasn't..." He mewed, retracting his claw and letting the leaf flutter to the ground.

[Midnight]

Icewhisper nodded, "I know... Cold days and nights.. I have to sleep closest to the edge." She tried not to talk much and be normal, but it was hard. She felt, for one of the few times in her life, like she had a lot to say and she wanted to talk to Ravenstar, to get to know him better. I hope that someday we can become close friends and always trust each other and be there for each other... Maybe- just maybe- even become mates someday, but I doubt it. Ravenstar probably already has another she-cat on his mind for a mate. She thought, trying not to give up hope on the subject.

[Foxpaw]

Ravenstar opened his mouth then snapped it shut. He opened it again then shook his head. He didn't like the thought of the small white she-cat huddled on the edge of a group of cats, trembling with the cold. His jaw clenched and set in an uncharacteristic show of stubbornness. "Well, if the cold gets to be too much, my dens open..." He mewed, green eyes glancing anywhere but his companion's face.

[Midnight]

Icewhisper was slightly shocked, but purred in happiness and padded a bit closer to Ravenstar. She leaned on him in the slightest- something that was probably hard to notice. "Thanks, Ravenstar... StormClan will go far under your lead." She meowed, hoping it would help him. It's gotta be hard to be the new leader of a Clan, right? The newer warrior figured.

[Foxpaw]

Ravenstar pelt like his pelt was on fire at the soft touch. The tom rarely touched any cats, especially not this intimately. He looked down at the slightly smaller she-cat, green gaze slowly softening. "You have no idea how much that means to me..." He murmured softly and honestly, doubt showing in the tom's eyes. "Sometimes I feel like I feel like I'll never be good enough to lead this clan..."

[Midnight]

"Nonsense," Icewhisper meowed, her voice kind and smooth. She pressed closer to Ravenstar's flank, "you'll be a great leader! I think it takes time... Just be strong and always remember that your Clan is above all." Icewhisper blinked her blue eyes and flicked her tail in happiness. You'll be a great leader... I promise that my words are honest and true. Her eyes hardened a bit to show she was being serious and meant what she said, and Icewhisper hoped that Ravenstar would understand.

[Foxpaw]

Ravenstar looked down at the pretty-cat, green eyes widening with surprise. And at that moment, he knew without a shadow of a doubt what he was going to do next. "Icewhisper, I think I could be that kind of leader... If I had a good she-cat by my side. One that was always there for me, that I could be friends with... One like you," he mewed softly, leaning in surprisingly close to her.

[Midnight]

Icewhisper felt a bit shocked but tried to nudge Ravenstar's flank with her face and nuzzled his cheek, "Ravenstar.." Icewhisper breathed, deciding to let him ask rather than just doing what she wanted, which was to say 'yes'.I can't believe Ravenstar wants to be my mate.. She thought. I wanted to befriend him, but that thought didn't come directly.. Icewhisper was overjoyed and her claws unsheathed into the ground.

[Foxpaw]

Ravenstar allowed her to nuzzle him, hesitantly licking her cheek. Then, looked down, his embarrassment and discomfort obvious, he finally decided to ask. He'd never done anything even remotely like this before. "Will you be my mate?" he asked, almost afraid to look at her.

[Midnight]

"Of course, Ravenstar." Icewhisper purred, "there's no tom I'd rather have as my mate." Her white pelt was beginning to rise against the cold and she let it fluff up. "I'll move my nest when we get back." She decided, tipping her head as if to ask Ravenstar if that was okay with him.