Winterwatcher Fanfiction ~ Chapter Seven

Instructions

Hey, guys! Just so you all know, I'm going to start writing in these notes sections instead of in the project from now on. ________________________________________________________ Winter felt his heart pounding with nerves as his powerful, shining wings swept him towards Jade Mountain's highest peak. A flood of joy and anticipation washed over him, and he shuffled around his icicle spikes nervously. *I hope she comes,* Winter thought. *I hope she listens to me and gives me a chance to show her how much I want to be with her.* His wingbeats faltered suddenly as he thought about Qibli. He righted himself and kept flying, a new wave of worry buzzing in his mind. *What is going on with Qibli? He was always nice and supported to me.... And he didn't ever act like he deserved Moon. He was being so.... so MEAN. And MAD. And protective of Moon. What if he suspects that I'm trying to become closer to her? Will he try to stop me? Will Moon believe me when I tell her all of this?* He frowned, an uncomfortable feeling like hot water running down his spine. But all feelings of anxiety and discomfort vanished as Jade Mountain come closer in sight. She was here. She didn't bail out on him! She wanted to talk to him as much as she wanted to talk to her! Moon was sitting patiently in the wide, safe curve between the two mountain peaks. Her ebony scales were strange against the sun's light, but in a beautiful way. Winter didn't trust himself to think as he swept down into the tiny valley and landed smoothly to meet her. She turned around and looked at him, and he thought he might never see anything so wonderful. She was perfect in every way, her smile capable of lighting up the darkest nights, the silver teardrop scales beside her eyes twinkling in the sun's rays as she tilted her head in that cool, fascinating way that she often did. "Winter! You're here!" she exclaimed, grinning as she bounded over and come to a stop in front of him. Moon tentatively reached out a dark, silver sprayed wing and brushed his cold, pale one with it. "Of course I came," he said quietly, trying not to disturb the peaceful silence that had settled around them. "I'm not ever going to abandon you again." She twitched her wings back and sat down, curling her tail around her front talons. "Thank you," she whispered. "I'm glad you're here. I need to talk to you about something." There was a pause. It was as if the mountains themselves were holding their breath as Winter gazed hesitantly at Moon. "It-it's about.... Well, it's about Qibli," she told him, looking up into his dark eyes. "Oh, actually, before that, I should probably tell you.... I've decided to give you another chance." Winter's eyes widened. "Really?" he asked, surprised. "Yes," she replied. "I will always support you, and I truly do understand how you feel about your family and your tribe and all that. I forgive you for that; I know you were struggling against your tribes beliefs and the harshness that your parents always pushed into you for your whole life. And I'm sorry. I wish I had stopped to try and understand, while you were still conflicted between us and the IceWings, but I didn't. I was confused, but now I realize what you were going through. You deserve a second chance, and you've shown me the past few weeks how much you care about us.... about ME, so I think you rightfully should get to have another chance." She stopped finally, taking a couple breaths from her speech. Winter was standing still, staring at her, but he couldn't think of anything to say that would show Moon how grateful and overjoyed this made him feel. "Moon, I.... I.... Thank you so much," he blurted. "I-I don't know how to tell you how grateful this makes me. Thank you." She smiled, and nodded. "Of course, Winter. You will always be my friend. And I'll always support you. They stopped for a moment, looking down at their talons, Winter feeling absolutely beside himself with joy and Moon hopefully feeling the same. "Um.... Didn't you say there was something else you needed to tell me about....? About.... Qibli?" Winter said finally, breaking the silence. "Oh. Yes." Moon cleared her throat, looking less enthusiastic. "You see, I told him not long ago that I wanted to give you another chance, that I wanted to be able to build a strong relationship with you again...." She blushed and looked down. "But he got.... he got so MAD. I-I've never seen him so angry about something. But he was." She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, while Winter stood speechless. *Qibli was angry? That Moon wanted to be close friends with me again? He was angry at.... at HER?* "Oh, no...." he muttered, and glanced at Moon. She returned his worried gaze. "He got mad? Because of this? What did he say? Did he yell at you?" He reached hesitantly out towards the NightWing with his tail, then carefully twined it around hers. She flinched very slightly at the sudden chill, but didn't pull away. "No, but.... All I know is.... is-