Dewdrops

D e w d r o ps

by Ph oe nix Fl ig ht

for Firey's contest

!Contains spoilers for Cold!

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I sat next to Storm, my tail wrapped around my paws. Storm seemed embarrassed, or something along those lines. I looked over at her and remarked, "I've seen you before, haven't I?"

She looked over at me, and shuffled away slightly. Maybe we were sitting a little close, but it was cold. Wouldn't it make sense to huddle up? I merely shrugged this off, and wrapped my tail around my paws, awaiting her answer.

"Yeah. It was at a... Gathering, as you call it." Storm mewed after a moment of hesitation. "I was looking out from a bush - just curious, y'know - and you noticed and smiled at me."

"I thought so." I leaned forward and rubbed against her. I quickly pulled away when she stiffened up. No matter how embarrassed she might've felt, I carried on. "I never forgot you and your beauty. Then, fortunately, I saw you the other day when you went to camp to pick up Crowheart. To be honest, I was... jealous that he got to go and I didn't. So I made an attempt to persuade Bramblestar to let me go, and he agreed."

Her eyes immediately brightened, all signs of embarrassment gone. "That's great!" Then she gasped. "Which means you... and I..."

"Yes, Storm." I purred, leaning forward again. "You and I." I nuzzled her cheek with my nose. She let out a purr, and nuzzles me back.

"Thank StarClan you came, Dewheart." she purred, looking up at me with bright eyes.

I smiled and drew away. "We are one, Storm, and I'll make you feel loved here, even if Dawnfur doesn't. She was always a stone-headed she-cat, huh?"

Storm nodded. She glanced back and I followed her gaze to see Crowheart. He was staring at Storm with pure pain in his eyes. He looked away, hanging his head to stare down at his paws. Then Crowheart stood and padded over to Snowbreeze, attempting to make a conversation with her. She only glared at him and turned away.

And that's where things took a sharp turn for the worst.

I stood and briskly meowed, "Excuse me, Minnowfur." Not waiting for her response, I hurried over to Storm. "What's wrong?" I asked her. "You seem shaken."

"There's something outside, Dewheart. Something red." she breathed slowly. "I-I called for Crowheart, but he didn't come."

My eyes met hers, and I stare at her. "Watch for him, Storm. I can tell he likes you." I understood how Crowheart felt, but I loved Storm, and she loved me. I knew that I was making him feel hurt, but he should understand that Storm didn't love him.

Snowbreeze's panicked scream sliced through the air. "Foxes!"

Of course! Why hadn't I known? Storm had told my that there was "something red" out there. Why hadn't I guess that the red things were foxes!?

-tbc