Story: Rainfall woke with a start, surprised to find herself on the cold floor of a twoleg den. "You're awake," a cold voice said. Rainfall tried to lift her head, but pain shot through her shoulder. "Who are you?" she demanded, tensing. "Only the cat who saved your miserable life," a ginger tom approached her. "What happened?" Rainfall asked. The last thing she remembered was being blinded by light. "You were hit by a car. If I hadn't been there you would be quite dead by now," the ginger tom responded. 'A car? He must mean a monster,' Rainfall thought, it was all coming back to her now. "Your shoulder is broken, it'll take a while to heal," the tom explained. "But I have to get back to my clan," Rainfall insisted. She tried to sit up, only to fall back with a cry of pain. "If I were you I wouldn't even think about moving," the tom growled. "Here," he dropped a wet piece of twoleg pelt, "drink this." * * * "I'm so glad you've decided to join my clan," Rainfall purred. She was excited to return to Rainclan, but also glad that she didn't have to leave Yellow behind. It had taken almost a moon for her to recover, and she still walked with a slight limp. She and Yellow had become very close during that time, and she hoped he would be her mate someday. Rainfall limped into camp with Yellow at her side, where she was greeted by her clanmates. "Rainfall-- you're alive!" "How was the journey?" "Who's this?" "What happened to the rest of the patrol?" Rainfall sadly explained what had become of the cats who had been sent on patrol while Yellow stared at one of the apprentices. Rainfall couldn't help noticing, but decided to ignore it for now. He'd probably never seen a clan cat before-- maybe he was just getting used to it. * * * "Yellowfang?" Rainfall called reluctantly. He was supposed to be on patrol with her, but he hadn't showed up. She had noticed how they had grown apart over the past few moons. Yellowfang was always reluctant to spend time with her, but she had noticed him leaving camp with one of the new warriors. Rainfall followed his scent trail past the border and down into a field, perplexed. Why would he come here? Then she saw him. Him and another she-cat touching noses, purring. Rainfall felt her heart sink. She would never be his mate, she would never have his kits, he had obviously made his choice. * * * "Rainstar!" Yellowfang burst into her den, a horrified look on his face. "What, what is it?" Rainstar stood abruptly, beginning to panic. "It's Rainpaw and Bluepaw-- they followed me when I went to meet Shadow. He-- killed them--" Yellowfang choked out. Rainstar froze. "Why would he kill your kits? He didn't even know they were your kits," Rainstar stammered. "Because Bluepaw and Rainpaw found out, and they told the rogues," Yellowfang hissed, grief stricken and angry. "Please Rainstar, you have to help me-- I can't let the rogues find the rest of my kin too," Yellowfang pleaded. "What are you suggesting?" Rainstar's eyes narrowed. She probably wasn't going to like his answer. "You have to tell them you're my mate," Yellowfang replied, "that way my kits will be safe." Rainstar glared at him, knowing very well what that would mean. "You want me to die so that your real mate is safe," she growled in disbelief. Yellowfang shook his head, "No, I have a plan."
@sweetsrider for the krita art. I re-maked eyes (@windtas)
