The air was crisp, filled with the soft chirping of frogs and the occasional sharp cricketing of a cicada whenever a sparrow flew by. Shimmersnow laid in the open air of the camp, listening to the lulling noises. She hadn't felt this peaceful since becoming deputy. Every day — for nearly a whole moon — had been filled with stress. Maybe she didn't need to worry so much. Things would surely figure themselves out in time. She lifted her head, hearing somecat approaching. Her heart lifted at the sight against her will. “H-Hey, Pantherstar. What do you need?” Pantherstar took a deep breath. “I was wondering if you'd like to go on patrol with me?” “Of course!” she said. Then she remembered: “But I saw Locustburn and Brownflash head out earlier. Maybe it's best if we wait until they get back. After all, if we went out too, that would only leave the elders and Chasingpaw in camp, and that's dangerous.” Pantherstar nodded. “I guess we can wait then,” she said, a mischievous grin slowly spreading across her face, “and I can see that somecat is finally settling into her role!” Shimmersnow laughed, motioning for Pantherstar to sit beside her with a flick of her tail. She did just that, laying down awfully close to her, enough so that their pelts were touching. Shimmersnow laughed breathlessly. “I-I guess so. It's just been a little easier since Brownflash started helping. I guess— no, I KNOW I'm not a good deputy on my own…” she sighed, curling her tail tighter around herself. “Yet… I still know the real reason you picked me, Pantherstar.” Shimmersnow looked into her ma– no, no, she couldn't think that! One step at a time, Shimmersnow – LEADER’S eyes. Much better. Pantherstar frowned, knowing exactly where this was headed. “That's not relevant right now.” “But it is. Chasingpaw and Brownflash already have the idea that we’ve been… we’ve been friends our whole life. That's why you picked me, isn't it?” Pantherstar paused. “W-well, yes, but it's more than that, Shimmersnow. I believe that you're capable of–” “Capable of what??” She spat, standing up with a jerk. Pantherstar flinched, and Shimmersnow sank back to the ground guiltily. “Sorry, I just… I don't know why you chose me. I would've been better off as an elder, or even a KIT than a deputy. I just don't have the discipline o-or the… PATIENCE to be one.” Pantherstar sighed. “You want to know the reason I picked you?” “It's… not because of our past?” Shimmersnow asked, confused. “Well, kind of…” Pantherstar gulped. “I… I love you.” Shimmersnow blinked. “What, already?” “…huh?” “Well, I already knew that, mousebrain! I just… I needed a little bit to sort through my own feelings,” Shimmersnow said, purring with amusement. “I was hoping you’d wait for a little bit so I wouldn't have to be the one to keep you waiting.” Pantherstar froze, redness slowly creeping up her tail and ears. “You… you KNEW?! Ugh, this is the most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to me!” “There, there,” she teased, “At least you didn't conduct a whole parade for me. Now THAT would’ve been mortifying!” The two cats shared a laugh. “Well,” Pantherstar began sheepishly, “since Locustburn and Brownflash don't look like they’re coming anytime soon, either you or I should probably go by ourselves so that the other can stay in camp.” Shimmersnow nodded, “I'll go. I've been itching to hunt all day, anyway. These frogs sound nice for a while, but now they’re just starting to get on my nerves.” Pantherstar suppressed a laugh and tried to act professional. “Well, I guess our business is done here.” She turned around and tripped in a dried hole before standing up straight and marching away. Shimmersnow couldn't help but laugh as she stood up. She watched the place where the she-cat had been for a moment before heading out of camp.
Shimmersnow grunted as she heaved herself up the tall oak tree. Reaching a possibly-sturdy branch, she carefully put one paw out on it to check. Yep, it was stable. She clambered onto it and sat down, watching the sun sink behind the distant mountains. Above, the moon was almost full, gleaming down onto her tree. Her fur rippled in the cool breezes of leaf-fall. A squirrel skittered behind her. She could hear it. Scent it, practically taste it. But she wasn’t here for prey. Not really. “I don’t want to keep her waiting,” she muttered, “and— I don’t want to let her down, either, but… I need time.” And if she didn’t want time? Shimmersnow growled, digging her claws deeper into the branch. Why was this so difficult? She already had plenty of problems without this one to add to them. “Pantherstar could never be a problem, though. Not really.” She sighed, looking down at the smaller shrubs and trees below her. If Pantherstar wasn’t the problem, then… was she? “I’m sure she’d understand if I told her. But even if she did, I’d still be keeping her waiting. She’s waited long enough.” A couple hours after the sun had fully sunk below the horizon, the silvery cat climbed back down the tree and disappeared into the shadows. She had made her choice. She just didn’t know if it was the right time. She would say yes. _________________________________________________ (SORRY IF THERE IS ANY STRANGE WORDING IN HERE ToT the Scratch bad word filter kept flagging the word “just” and “deeply”) Credits to ClanGen for the names and plot events I post a new chapter every Wednesday!!! Ping list (if you want to be taken off or added to the list, please let me know!): @youwanttoknow @zehrsofdestiny @Foxtail017 @thebeanartist @Glistenfeather @Anima1lover Thank you so much to everyone who reads this series! It means a lot to me! the comic will be starting after chapter 10 is posted <3
