Beyond The Surface (Tagged)

[Wolf]

The sickly calico she-cat slowly made her way towards the MidnightClan border, her yellow eyes staring out across the water that was tinted orange by the setting sun. Scorchriver sat down on the bank of the river and her black and orange face turned away from the quiet water to stare at her former apprentice whom she had led all the way out here just after the ceremony that had relieved her from her warrior duties forever. "The river is so lovely at this time of season." She mused, studying his face carefully to see if he will give away any clues in reaction to where she had taken him. "I wonder if MidnightClan is doing well after that long leafbare.." Her voice trailed off as she waited for Webfire to do something, or even respond.

The elder turned her head to gaze back over the river, this time looking right into MidnightClan's territory. Her thick black tail wrapped lightly over her paws and she closed her eyes, enjoying the new-leaf sun warming her mostly-dark pelt. "You know, Webfire, you never were the best at keeping secrets."

Carotius

[Carotius]

Wolf

---

The splotched warrior trailed the older she-cat as they left camp, his curiosity at their coming talk overriding most other questions that he held on his tongue since the first announcement of her retirement. It reminded him so much of the first time they were out together as mentor and apprentice, making their way into the forest once more after Webfire lost his first mentor. We were both much younger.. So much had happened since then, causing a heavy weight to drop in his stomach; the feeling only got worse as his black paws tread an all-too-familiar path towards the river that marked the border with MidnightClan. He glared at a thornbush as they passed. I'll remember you for life.

Webfire's heart felt as heavy as his stomach the moment his eyes caught the silver glint of the flowing waters, flanked on both sides by green grass dotted with grey pebbles and the sprinkles of sand and grit. Normally, he'd be happy to come along here, with a wistful smile decorating his scarred but handsome face. but now... He slowed his steps until he ground to a complete halt, staring despondently at the softly bubbling surface of water. I hurt her when I didn't mean to. Ivyleaf of MidnightClan showed hostility - as he had feared - at the moment he admitted to loving another of her Clanmates, even after he'd explained himself...though terribly.

"-never were the best at keeping secrets."

He blinked, staring at his calico companion confusedly for a moment, before quietly realising what she meant. "...Did Lightningflame tell you?"

[Wolf]

She chuckled lightly and shook her head. "You didn't really try to hide it that well to begin with." The old she-cat stated before continuing, "I watched you sneak over there when you should've been doing your duties. You're lucky it was me that saw you and not Finchsong or Goldenstar." Unsheathing her claws, she scraped her paw over the dirt and made deep gashes in the soft soil. "What are you doing Webfire? Are there no she-cats in StormClan that are enough for you?" When Scorchriver looked over at him again, her yellow eyes weren't glinting with anger or betrayal, but...amusement?

"I thought I taught you better than that." Her black ears flicked and she suddenly stretched her forelegs out, allowing her stiff body to come into a resting position on the ground.

[Carotius]

Dejection and fear wormed its way into the heavy weight that was already in his stomach, though the former was presiding in the current emotional department. He'd been found out after all. He'd broken his promise to Rainbriar. Now the whole Clan was going to find out about his secret love lives, scorn him with all the hatred they could muster, and make a ruckus of it at the next Gathering. Goldenstar would probably make a personal trip to MidnightClan, and Bramblestar would be informed of the felony towards the warrior code. 

And then Rainbriar would hate Webfire for the rest of their mortal lives.

At this point, the splotched tom had prepared himself to taste another round of claws to his face. Seriously, everyone was after his face... His eyes were screwed shut, but slowly reopened when Scorchriver's scraping of the ground ceased. He blinked, more confused at the elder as the calico lay down by the river, a glint of amusement lighting her eyes. You're as confusing as you always have been. The splotched warrior approached his former mentor tentatively, sitting next to her while casting a glance across the river.

"No she-cat in our Clan appealed to me. I felt no second connection to them...like I knew they weren't meant for me," he now stared forlornly towards the oaken forest, remembering the two spots where two different she-cats showed him equal love and affection. His heart dropped to his stomach in sadness. "The heart can't be taught of what it wants, Scorchriver. It's not as easily moulded as the hunting and battle skills you've trained into me." Pulling his scarred muzzle to point it at the elder, his blue eyes gazed at her, as if unsure of what to happen next. "I love them so much. Why must they code get in the way of a connection that's meant to be?"