A Silent Clash (Continued)

<sup>Nightpaw
Following my father's pawsteps

Nightpaw followed Forestpaw out of the camp's clearing, entering the outside world. It was a nice day to go out and hunt due to warm temperatures. And the pine forest smelled of plentiful prey, ripe and ready to pluck.

After his observation of the territory, he padded along side of the she-cat, his gaze shifting about. Finally turning his attention toward Forestpaw he meowed calmly, "Where do you wish to start?"</sup>

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FORESTPAW
My soul is numb,my eyes are blank,oh wont you release me

"I think" She looked around for a while."Over there looks good." She pointed to a pine that had lots of mice scurrying around it.She dropped into a hunters crouch,and soon had prey in her paws,burying it for later use."It feels good to feel again,to hunt again." She said.She hadn't felt so alive in at least three moons.She caught a few more,and looked to shadowsoul,and said,"Come on,there is plenty!"

<sup>Nightpaw
Following my father's pawsteps

Nightpaw watched her as she looked around, her gaze searching, her gaze bright. She didn't seem like the she-cat he met before. Instead of being the emotionless pit of darkness, she was now more alert and energetic.

It made Nightpaw feel like showing his true self, too. It felt like Forestpaw was exactly like him; a blank cat that shows no emotions. But hidden in the depths were a true self waiting to break free.

But they had different reasons of being that way. His was forced, trying to be the cat his father wanted him to be. But her reason was unknown.

Snapping out of his train of thought when Forestpaw leaped away, he watched her expertly catch the mice swiftly with admiring eyes. She's a good hunter. Nodding to Forestpaw's invite, he slowly crouched down, lowering himself into the shady grass. Silently he moved through the undergrowth, tracking down a vole near by.

Stalking it, he paused, preparing for the pounce. Then he flung himself at the prey, grasping it with his claws. Biting it's spine to end it's life, he picked himself up, kicking dirt over the limp animal.

"We'll bring our catches back to the Clan later. Let's continue with our walk." Nightpaw suggested, glancing at Forestpaw. Should he continue to make his father proud with the calm nature Nightpaw was exposing, or should he express his inner self just for a little bit to take a break?</sup>

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FORESTPAW
My soul is numb,my eyes are blank,oh wont you release me?

"Ok" Forestpaw couldn't shake the feeling.Or to more precice,her personality.It was nightpaw,his presence,melting away the dark shroud of fear.Fear of reliving the crisis.Fear of starting wars.Fear of death.But nightpaw seemed to take away that fear.His frienlieness and acceptanceness of forestpaw blew her mind.Blew it so hard that the dark feeling were pushed to the sidelines.``Good starclan.Im euphoric just about being alive!`` she thought. But then,she noticed nightpaw in deep thought. "Hey nightpaw.What are you thinking about?"

<sup>Nightpaw
Following my father's pawsteps

Nightpaw nodded at her approval of continuing, and started padding forward, glancing at Forestpaw to see if she was catching up. Again, when his sight settled onto Forestpaw's gray and black pelt, his mind being consumed by thoughts once more.

But instead of going into another faze like last time, the beginning eruption of questions and words faded when Forestpaw summoning his name, following with a question. Embarrassed that she noticed him thinking so much, he replied with twitching whiskers.

"I...was thinking of how good of hunter you were." Nightpaw lied in a quiet mutter, scraping at the dirt below his paws. Sighing, he decided to tell her, looking straight into her eyes this time. "Alright...well...I've been noticing how distant you were in the past. Just like I am when I'm around other cats. But..."

He continued with another deep sigh. "But now that you seem almost the complete opposite of what you were before...I was thinking of how much we had in common. And if I should share my true colors with you also." Nightpaw shrugged, still revolving around that single question that he asked himself a million times in just a matter of moments.

"Stupid, isn't it?"</sup>

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FORESTPAW
My eyes are blank,my soul is numb.Oh wont you release me?

"Well.Its somthing about you,nightpaw.I got this way,out of fear.But you seem to lift the shroud away.You are the first person to ever do anything with me since kithood.It makes it feel almost worth it to endure." she confessed. "I would stop pretending to be the way you are.Its really good for your health.At least for awhile,whilst no one is here but us."

OOC:have you read her bio?

( Yuppers )

<sup>Nightpaw
Following my father's pawsteps

Nightpaw gave her a surprised look. No one ever did anything with her...? He had been that way also, but he wanted to get that way and forced it upon himself. Cats have tried in the past to get to know him, but he just pushed them aside.

Even though he did want to be alone as his true self, his father was another reason for him to be alone. Always talking about 'never trusting anyone'. But a tiny part wanted at least one best friend. And Forestpaw seemed like the right one.

She was the first one to share a important common with him. Like he wasn't alone in the mixed feelings he was stuck in. And she seemed to accept him. He felt like he could bond with her, instead of making everyone distant. He knew he'd get a lecture from Nightstalker, but right now he didn't care.

With a smirk he meowed, "I feel honored." With a new determined look on his face he agreed, "Alright. Your right. Besides, I feel like your a trusted and loyal she-cat. But just pray you like my real personality." Nightpaw laughed nervously but confidently, grinning in relief that he could finally break free for a while.</sup>

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FORESTPAW
My soul is numb,my eyes are blank,oh wont you release me?

"It feels good doesnt it?" she replied. She took in her surroundings.They were having the equivalent to a heart to heart,in the middle of a pine forest,when only minutes before emotion was not known to both of them.And she burst out laughing.She kept laughing till she couldnt breathe.Until she created a river of tears.She wanted to savor the memory,even when she was not around nightpaw.It was the first time she laughed.Ever.A chuckle and a smile were her standards.But this time she really laughed."I really am a oddball arent I?"

<sup>Nightpaw
Following my father's pawsteps

Nightpaw smirked at her remark about it feeling good to share his true emotions. And actually, it did. It was like resting from a long, harsh battle. All his worries were at the back of his mind, and all he concentrated on was being himself for once.

Even though, he knew he would regret it later. After all the good feelings of being free from the clutches of his father, it was all going to go to hell when all his worries confronts him, making him cautious to sleep tonight.

But at least nothing mattered now. He was enjoying himself, and Forestpaw, his first friend, was also enjoying herself. Nothing mattered but her right now. Nothing.

"Let's just say your abnormal." Nightpaw joked, nudging her with his shoulder. Knowing it was really idiotic of what he was about to say, he wanted to say it. He always thought of himself as being cool and tough, but he at least wanted one friend. And he wanted to make sure that he got it.

"Want to be friends?"</sup>

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FORESTPAW
My soul is numb,my eyes are blank,wont you release me?

"Yeah,abnormal.I'd love to be friends with you.Around you,I feel so,light,bright,and happy,Like a huge weight off my shoulders." Forestpaw did feel this way about him.She asked herself over and over again,could it be love,Not just a crush,but a true,passionate love,powerful enough to lift the shroud of her emotions? She hoped it wasnt,if it was,then she was a good chance if her love was crushed by nightpaw,she might never recover,her mental cloud would be put back on at such force,she might be sent into a state of neverending dementia,and an insane cat is no use to shadowclan.










((Forestpaw:EPIC FAIL XD))

<sup>Nightpaw
Following my father's pawsteps

Nightpaw smiled. "Heh. I guess I feel the same, to tell ya the truth." Nightpaw shrugged. He didn't know what to think anymore. Why was she the only one who got him out of his shadow? He could only guess that her strength and confidence gave him strength and confidence.

Oh yeah. And now he finally had a friend who understood him. Now it was up to him to get to know her a little more. He couldn't wait to do things with her. To sleep, to hunt, to share tongues...it wasn't going to be done alone anymore.

But his dreams are going to be haunted forever by the lectures and hatred received by his father. It was going to be tough handling both the awakening world and dream world at the same time and be loyal to both of them. Maybe I can convince him to have her as an ally...but would she comply to our future plan?

"Hey, Forest..." Nightpaw mumbled, looking down. He was suddenly sucked into a whirlwind of guilt and regret. Would she be loyal to him till the end if they ended up true best friends? Or would she abandon him and hate him if he knew his secret?

"If we're friends...we can share anything with each other without thinking negative, right? We can share secrets but we'll always be loyal till the end, right?" Nightpaw questioned her with a constant worry nagging at him. With a nervous laugh he meowed, "Sorry. I've never really had a friend before..."</sup>

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"Yes it does.Whats on your mind?" She asked.

(blech.One liner*bangs head on keyboard*)

( I'm gonna pm you in a sec here kay? ;P )

<sup>Nightpaw
Following my father's pawsteps

Nightpaw sighed. He'd thought so. But was he so willing to get this off his chest to his new friend and risk his own father's loyalty? He just had to risk it. Maybe it would work out in the end. Or, so he prayed.

So, being stupid as he was, he decided to tell her. His deepest secrets. Even though it was still a little uncomfortable since they didn't have a deep relationship yet. Their friendship just began. But, why not start a new friendship with no secrets? It was the best thing to decide if she was the right one to be his first friend.

"I...you...you don't have to believe me...but..." Nightpaw started awkwardly, always hating when he wasn't confident in his words. Because he always hesitated and stuttered. It made him feel weak and stupid. Even though usually, or actually his personality, contains confidence and boldness.

"Before I go on," Nightpaw decided to say, "Don't tell anyone. I'm trusting you to keep this secret as my best friend. Got it?" More relaxed about getting that out of the way he continued, "Anyway, I kind of have these...dreams. But they're real. Like I'm actually there, but while my real body is sleeping."

He knew he sounded crazy and made no sense, but he continued anyway. "It's just hard to explain. But every night, I have them. And I force them to happen because I'm meeting my father in my...dreams. I train with him every night. And he says he's planning something for me to do...but he hasn't specified what yet. But...I have a feeling it has to do with the Clans."

Pausing, he let out a sigh. "That's why I'm so distant. I'm trying to be like him. He was once a serious, strong warrior of ShadowClan. And I need to be like him to succeed his goal. And...he also said I shouldn't trust anyone. That's another reason why I don't talk to anyone or socialize. So at least it's not a mystery to you anymore."

Turning toward her fulling he meowed with a serious gaze, "But I trust you. Whatever happens, you will be at my side, no matter what, right...?"</sup>

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FORESTPAW
My soul is numb,my eyes are blank,oh wont you release me?

"Hey,i know what you mean.I heard the stories of one of our ancestors named brambleclaw.He used to to meet his father in his dreams.He had the same.........." Her voice trailed off."W..W.." She gulped."That worried me right there,nightpaw.In the old days,tigerclaw wanted his son to rule the forest.Im afraid history will repeat itself. I'm sure its nothing though.Starclan would not allow it.You can trust me with anything.As a kind of reassurance,she gave him a quick lick on the cheek.

<sup>Nightpaw
Following my father's pawsteps

Nightpaw looked down at his paws as guilt rushed over him. He knew his father wasn't trying to take over the forest, but destroy it. He hated the Clans. And he knew that all too well.

Either way, whatever happened, he was sure not to let Forestpaw be one of the victims. Whether his father liked it or not. As long as they were friends, he was certain to protect her. Even if it means giving his life away.

Suddenly he felt a warm touch on his cheek. Before he knew what it even was or even thought to react, his eyes closed in relaxation. That warm lick made him feel like he was in another world. It made him feel a comfort beyond his comprehension. He never had much interaction or love in the past, so he wasn't used to it.

Quickly, he opened his eyes, embarrassment making his pelt feel hot. He never knew he'd like the touch of another cat so much. He guessed it made him feel like he wasn't alone anymore. He didn't know what else it could possibly be.

With a warm smile he meowed, "Thanks. I'm glad I can count on you." With a playful glint in his eye, he returned the favor by licking her nose. Straightening up he meowed, "Well then, shall we continue or go back to camp?"</sup>

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( We need to make a mini plot so they can have something to do XD )