A Moonless Night || Chapter Three

Instructions

A Moonless Night Chapter Three ____________________________________________ The beautiful petals landed on the water as if they were cats leaping to their prey, graceful like the birdsong at dawn or like the leaves of an ancient bald cypress tree, swaying peacefully in the wind. As the second day of Newleaf grew older, the cats of Treeclan began to leave for their evening patrols, expecting to get plenty of prey for their kits. A ripple in the water broke Irispaw's reflection into slits, making her long tortoiseshell fur look wavy as a willow's branch. Irispaw turned around to see Summerleaf, a calico she-cat with emerald eyes. She was giggling, holding her white paw over her mouth. “You were admiring yourself, huh?” she said teasingly. “I was just looking at the scratch over my eye. It won't make me go blind, will it?” Irispaw asked her friend. Summerleaf shrugged, standing up. “You've had it for moons and you're not blind. It'll be fine.” she meowed reassuringly, resting her tail on Irispaw's shoulder. Irispaw nodded, then pulled away. She looked out at the swamp, wondering what Lakeclan territory was like. She imagined it grassy and full of moss, with a beautiful, cold lake in the center of it. “What are you looking at?” Summerleaf asked, following her gaze. “Panthershadow hunting?” she asked again, pointing at the large, black tomcat who was leading a hunting party. Irispaw shook her head, hardly realizing she had been looking in his direction. “Do you like-” Summerleaf was about to finish her sentence when Irispaw shot her a glare. “I told you. I won't ever have a mate. I don't need one, I've promised myself that ages ago.” Irispaw explained firmly. “I understand.” Summerleaf said soberly before padding away. Irispaw looked behind her shoulder and ran after her, wanting to get a bite to eat. Suddenly, a dusky brown blur came running towards them, nearly knocking Irispaw to the ground. “Hey! Watch where you're-” Irispaw abruptly looked at the tomcat's face and realized she was talking to her deputy, Thornstripe, in a curt manner. She immediately felt guilty, her head low. “I'm sorry... I didn't realize it was you.” she apologized. He grinned. “That's alright. I should've noticed you. Can I borrow Summerleaf for a moment? Mangrovestar wants to speak with her.” Thornstripe said kindly. Iris nodded. The two cats hastily went into the leaders den, not giving Irispaw a single moment to think. Iris had just eaten an evening meal when she decided to go for a swim. She got up, stretching her forelimbs as she yawned. The birds were starting to quiet down and retreat to their nests when Iris looked up at the sky, not paying much attention to her footing. She cut her paw on a sharp rock and tripped into the water, her fur bristling. She quickly waded back onto land, shaking mud off her paws. “Fox-dung!” she hissed. “Jayfeather to the rescue!” A voice yowled. Irispaw turned her head to see a brown and white tomcat bolting towards her. She recognized it as Pubblepool, her medicine cat. “Who's-” “Jayfeather is a long-dead medicine cat from a clan made long before this one, Thunderclan. I'm his reincarnation because we're both blind, and we both have sticks! I use my stick for feeling around because I'm blind and I have very little smell.” he said. Irispaw narrowed her eyes. “That's impossible.” ____________________________________________ End of part!