Truth Comes with The Dawn

[á£Îmaý---♫♥]

Drip! Drip! Drip!
Droplets of water were running down the leaves of nearly every bush, tree or blade of grass in RainClan. It pooled in the deep v's of certain leaves and poured down in a soft cascade. Beads of water that glistened in the coming light clung to cobwebs like strings of pearls. Rainwater that had rushed through the guttering of the old Two-leg nest, now rested in muddy puddles on the ground.
The grey clouds that had brooded in the sky all day had finally released a torrent of rain down upon the forest late last night. It had come quickly and ferociously. Many cats had stirred in their nests at the sudden noise but the familiar sound had lulled them just as quickly back to sleep. See, the rain was a familiar concept for the RainClan cats as the almost unpentratable undergrowth and thick canopy of trees held the moisture in. It could take days for the ground to dry out. It would take several after this shower. The amount of rain was great and if you had the unfortunancy to be out in it, you would of discovered to be icy cold. But as it occured at night, every cat of RainClan was asleep in their dry, warm nests.

Or so it was believed.

A grey tabby fur, several shades darker due to it's soaking, sat in tufts at odd angles. It's owner, an apprentices of an equally grey mood, buried himself deeper into his bedding and tried to reclaim his missing sleep and warmth. However, this nearly impossible as his moss bedding at absorbed the water and now kept the harsh chill. Heronpaw whimpered softly and wiggled uncomfortably, searching for something warm. He pressed himself closer against Maplepaw's side, cherishing the warmth of her body. Of course, had he known the source of this precious warmth, he would of sooner froze. He snuffled softly, whiskers twitching, and buried his nose into the tail of a small white tom. The apprentice den was slightly cramped due to Orchidtail's kits and the older ones, especially Maplepaw, were starting to feel agitated. It did not help that certain apprentices were regurarly leaving in the night.
The mottled ginger she-cat grimaced as Heronpaw moved closer to her. Her own fur was already becoming damp from the contact. Lately she had found it harder and harder to sleep. The other apprentices were such restless sleepers. At no point had she come to the conclusion that they were actually getting up and leaving.
"Get off me!" she growled at Heronpaw, jumping to her paws. There was no point in trying to sleep with him beside her. "What on earth! Everything's wet?!"
"Rain," he sneered. Somehow even half-asleep he could be an annoyance.
"Well, obviousily," she meowed softly, stepping over all the sleeping bodies. "But why is it in here?"
"I felt like making your life miserable." And with that, he laid his head back down and closed his eyes.
Great.

[heartnet]

Heronpaw was not the only soaking wet cat in the apprentice den, but at least this one was considerate of others. The black and white tom lay curled up by the entrance, as far away as he could get from the others, especially Heronpaw and Maplepaw. One because the scratches on his shoulders still stung from their previous encounter and the other.....he just didn't have to guts to face her. His tail was wrapped around his shivering figure, laying over his nose to keep the rain from hitting it.
Surprisingly, the constant dripping of rain on his pelt wasn't what was keeping him awake, his green gaze staring tiredly out into the dark, rainy night. No, it was the millions of thoughts and remembrance of what had happened a couple nights ago. Every time he closed his eyes, he either saw the prideful, sneering Heronpaw's or the disapproving, threatening eyes of Burntstar. Every time he would start to drift asleep, these images cause him to jerk awake in a cold sweat, so he gave up trying to sleep, it was pointless. Plotting against this clans...against his father, family, clanmates, friends....It sickened him to even think about it. Could he really bring himself to fight them? It had been hard enough play fighting Maplepaw, he had seen the fear in her eyes. He had been like a monster to her and just imagine a whole little clan like that....Burntstar was right, they would be unstoppable and would rule the forest. It wasn't right!
What was the worst part was he couldn't bring himself to tell anyone, he was too ashamed....the leader's son, a traitor. He winced at the thought. And Maplepaw....she would absolutely hate him! Lifting his tired eyes to the cloudy sky, he couldn't see one star for all the dark clouds that just raged in and thunder loudly. To any cat, it was just a cloudy, stormy night. To Lightningpaw, it made his fur feel even icier and his blood run cold, it was a sign.

Starclan was angry and their wrath was aimed at him.

[á£Îmaý---♫♥]

Already Heronpaw had stretched himself out across Maplepaw's empty nest, taking pleasure in the extra room. He was a big cat for an apprentice and had the habit of sleeping stretched out rather than in a neat ball like everyone else. Maplepaw found herself standing in the crowded den, her tail and head brushing against the roof of bracken and tree roots. The apprentices' den was located in the hollow at the base of the tree. It was perfectly practical for five small cats but it now held eight and not all of them could be classified as 'small'.
Now that her nest had been claimed by Hawkstar's peice of crowfood son, she was left with no where to sleep even if she had been able to fall back asleep. Sighing in frustration she stepped over another apprentice - Firepaw? - and found her escape to freedom was blocked by yet another apprentice. By the faint light of the moon, and the soft glow of the coming dawn, she recognised Lightningpaw's form. He too was dripping wet. Is this some new game? Oh, let's play in the rain and get a cold. Swiftwind is coming to have a fit when she sees these two.
"Sorry," she murmured softly when she noticed he was awake. "You better get further inside and dry off. You could get chills sitting like that." She had been frustrated and exhausted but upon seeing Lightningpaw with his eyes glinting in the darkness, she was reminded of her concerns. His behaviour had become borderline bizarre lately. He was nervous, twitchy and anxious. Even now, over the rain and moist earth, she could smell hints of fear. But worst of all, was the little glances between him and Heronpaw and the collection of scratches and patches of fur missing that covered them both. It seemed they were fighting more and more now and she knew from experience how deadly the two apprentices could be. Heronpaw's just bullying him. There's nothing more to it. He's a good cat,she reassured herself. I just wish he'ld say something if Heronpaw is.

[heartnet]

Lightningpaw nearly jumped out of his skin when Maplepaw spoke, his heart thudding in his chest. Clearly he had been a little too caught up in the nightmare he was living to notice the little arguement between the two and the she-cat standing near him. He forced his fur to lie flat and for him to relax, to not show anything was wrong. His dull green eyes glanced up to her. "I know, but I'll disturb the other apprentices." He murmured quietly, nodding to the dry and sound asleep other four sleeping cats. He frowned, his eyes glancing to Heronpaw. "Did he wake you and take your bedding?" He murmured, some anger in his voice and felt himself tense as he watched his sleeping brother. He was so calm and at ease about this whole thing...It was insane!

[á£Îmaý---♫♥]

Maplepaw titled her head and quickly apologised for surprising him. She hadn't realised how jumpy he had gotten. "You'll be disturbing them when you're sneezing and snuffling," she whispered. "Anyway, the rain isn't as bad so I'm going outside because, well,-" she sighed and flattened her ears "-Heronpaw took my bedding. Everything's wet."
She gaved Lightningpaw a weak smile in the hopes of cheering him. She could see his muscles tensed and felt that any second he could snap. "If you can't beat them, join them," she purred softly. "Want to tell what's so great about running around in the rain?"

[heartnet]

Lightningpaw frowned, realizing she was right. He had already sneezed a few times, but had tried his best to keep them quiet. His ears flattened as well, seeing his brother stretched out. "I'm sorry, he is such a mousebrain..." He apologized for his brother but he had no idea why he was. What had Heronpaw ever done for him? Almost claw his fur off? Yeah, lot of good that did him. Her smile made a small smile creep to his lips as well and he got to his paws. "Well....I actually don't have an answer to that but mind if I go out with you?"

[á£Îmaý---♫♥]

"You're hardly giving a mouse any credit," she laughed softly. Maplepaw was thrilled to see a smile on his face and nudged his shoulder gently with her nose. "Anyway, it's not your fault. He could of sat out of the way like you but he chose to get water everywhere and take over," she told him. She stepped around Lightningpaw and out into the rain. Her fur fluffed up with the cold and she flattened her ears as drops of water landed on the thin skin. "Well, you're welcome to come with me," Maplepaw told him, looking of her shoulder. "But it's probably not anymore pleasant than when you went out." She frowned as a sudden fight engaged in her head. She so badly wanted to ask him why he had been out in the rain and what was going on with him and Heronpaw, if anything new, but it seemed intrusive. Yet...looking at him the black and white tom, she could see that whatever was happening wasn't doing him any good.
Everything reeked of danger.
Do I want to know the truth?

[heartnet]

Lightningpaw felt himself lighten up some and he laughed at her mouse comment. Why had he avoided her? He always felt so much more comfortable around her, he could relate to her, even though he got nervous at times. His smile brightened even more when she allowed him to come with her. He didn't notice her acting strangely as she thought about his actions, he padded a few steps ahead of her and kept talking. "Actually, I know a pretty good place where you won't get so wet. Follow me." He said with a smile of his shoulder, his green eyes sparkling in the night, the rest of him blending it like camoflage.

[á£Îmaý---♫♥]

With her mind still in turmoil, Maplepaw forced a smile and nodded. "Great," she meowed softly, trying to keep her voice down. "May I ask where or is it some sort of surprise?"
She trusted Lightningpaw and knew he wouldn't lead her into a badger's den like, say, Heronpaw for example. But, there was still that nagging voice in the back of her head. Something wasn't right. Sickingly, she remembered the out of character quirks of another certain apprentice: Sunpaw, her sister. She could never tell Maplepaw where she had learnt fighting moves and always missed training with Tussockwind. Sunpaw was later killed by a rogue she had mistaken for Faunus. Something seemingly harmless could easily end in tragedy. Lightningpaw is intelligent, she scolded herself. He wouldn't do anything so stupid.
Would he?

[heartnet]

Lightningpaw shrugged, his lean body moving gracefully through the darkened camp, even as the rain pounded both of them. "You'll see. It's a very handy place I found one night...." He paused, seeming to have realized his error at saying he was out at night. "I mean, during training one day." He corrected himself, not looking back to Maplepaw in case she could read his guilty conscious off his face. "Not even Heronpaw knows abouot it, so don't tell him alright? I'd rather not let him know." He could see the camp entrance ahead of them almost as clear as day, his vision so used to this from his "extra" training.

[á£Îmaý---♫♥]

Lightningpaw had done a useless job of covering that fumble and Maplepaw's gaze instantly became dark. Her amber eyes watched the younger apprentice closely, studying his every move. What was he hiding from her? Every mistake he made made her less inclinced to follow him out into the dark. "I would never tell Heronpaw anything," she swore. She shoke raindrops from her pelt and padded up beside Lightningpaw, fixing him with her most sincere gaze. "You know that don't you? I hate that stupid furball - no offence - and would never tell him anything."
If Lightningpaw could trust her with his night-time hiding place, perhaps he could reveal whatever it was that was going on. She felt a little guilty that she was baiting him but it had always worked with her own brother.

[heartnet]

Lightningpaw felt her come up beside him and he could feel her gaze on him as he tried to keep his eyes focused ahead of them. She would completely read him if looked in her pretty, gorgeous amber eyes.....He shook the thought out of his head, feeling his face get hot with embarrassment at even thinking that. At her words, he smiled and deep inside he knew he could really trust her. But it seemed....like she was wanting to make sure he knew how trustworthy she was. That she could keep a secret... He glanced over and met her gaze and as soon as he did, he regretted it and looked away. He wanted to tell her everything! But it would put her in danger and he would be in so much trouble....Burntstar's eyes seemed to glow in the darkness around him and he shivered. Could he betray a cat like that? "T-that's good. And it doesn't bother me, he's my brother but besides being blood related, we have nothing in common or like about each other."

[á£Îmaý---♫♥]

It was disconcerting that he could only meet Maplepaw's eyes for a few seconds. His smile confirmed that she had reassured him but she felt that he was still too scared. What did he know, what had he done that was too afraid to confess? She shook her head lightly, sending droplets of water flying. It's probably not that bad, it won't be. "Your relationship with Heronpaw has detoriated quite a bit," she meowed softly and somewhat hesitantly,"and I've noticed the looks you two exchange." She swallowed and hazarded a glance at Lightningpaw. "And the scratches. I can scent the blood..."

[heartnet]

Lightningpaw winced, his shoulder stinging in rememberance. Was it really that obvious, their true dislike for one another? He sighed, looking down to his paws, remembering the practice fights where unless he had thought quickly, he could have easily been crowfood the next morning. At least it sharpened his mind and skills while usually all it sharpened for his brother was his ego. "Yes...Heronpaw can push everyone to their limits. Even me." He responded quietly at last, looking over to Maplepaw. That brief gaze into her eyes made him slip on his words once again. "He tries to show off just because he wants to be like Bur--Ravenclaw." He quickly switched names, looking back to his feet. 'How could I have let that slip?!"

[á£Îmaý---♫♥]

Maplepaw's eyes narrowed in a puzzled frown but it quickly vanished and was replaced with a cheerful smile. Lightningpaw was sure to explain things in good time without her baiting him or frowning him. She was probably driving him away rather than getting closer to him. "I can't see how Ravenclaw can handle teaching your brother," she meowed, shifting her gaze back to the path. It seemed that everytime he looked at her he stumbled over his words and, secrelty, that thrilled her. "Come on you silly furball," Maplepaw laughed, nudging her head against Lightningpaw's neck. "Are you going to tell me where your little hiding spot is? I'm getting drenched." She enjoyed being close to him and, although they were both wet, it was nice to feel the warmth of his fur.

[heartnet]

"Me neither..." He murmured, silently thinking about his brother and Burntstar. They were so similiar at times, it was bone chilling. You could really tell the favorite of their group. He felt his fur tingle where she nudged him and he he couldn't help but smile with happiness. "Just follow me, I promise, we're almost there!" He said with a hint of excitement in his voice, flicking her nose with his tail and breaking into a run. Now he could hardly fell the rain, with how hot his fur was from being around her and his thrill of running.

[á£Îmaý---♫♥]

She twitched her whiskers and gave an amused hmph as his tail brushed the tip of her nose. When Lightningpaw broke into a run, she stood there for a moment, smiling as her nose tickled from the gesture. It was only when a raindrop fell onto the back of her ear that she was shocked back into reality. Maplepaw felt her skin flush in embarrassment and shook her head. "Wait up," she called, dashing after him. "You're leaving me behind!"

[heartnet]

Lightningpaw finally slowed down, coming to a stop at a small group of bushes and trees. He glanced back to her with a grin, mud staining his muzzle from the run, looking more brown than black. "Hurry up slowpoke, it's right in here." He called, beckoning with his tail and slipping through the bushes into a small clearing. It was almost as if they had stepped into Starclan themself, every bush, blade of grass, and small tree sparkling silver with drops of rain. But the air in this place was surprising warm with the cover of the trees and the rain barely broke through now, maybe a drizzle. He sat down in the middle of the clearing, waiting for her with a big smile on his face, eyes twinking as he hoped she would like it.

[á£Îmaý---♫♥]

She slowed to a walk and watched as Lightningpaw's long tail vanished into the bushes. Mapelpaw paused briefly, glancing around the forest as if she fearful of being discovered, before parting the ferns with her muzzle. She felt the rough leaves brush against her fur, smoothing down her damp fur. There was only a faint trace of a path made by someone frequently moving through the ferns. From the scent that clung to them, Maplepaw concluded it was only Lightningpaw who came this way. She had been about to make a comment regarding this when the bushes cleared and she found herself in the small clearing. Moonlight dappled the ground and made every drop of rain seem like liquid silver. It was a world of shimmering darkness. She stood in awe, blinking her glowing eyes slowly as she absorbed the scene before her. Having taken in as much as possible, she rested her eyes on Lightningpaw. The black and white tom seemed to be glowing, almost like a StarClan warrior. In fact, the whole place had the unearthly look of StarClan.
"It's beautiful," she whispered.

[heartnet]

Lightningpaw's purr seemed to break the silence as he padded towards her, radiating happiness at her approval. "Now you see why Heronpaw can never know about this place, he'd ruin it." He replied, his eyes meeting hers meaningfully, showing he trusted her that she wouldn't tell him. His white marking over his eye seemed to glow as bright as the moon as he looked up into the trees. "It's so....calming. I love this place, just to escape and think. Especially after it's rained, as you can see. During the day, it's almost impossible to find too, especially since I have to cover my scent so no one else finds it." He explained quietly, laying down on the grass, warmth seeping up from the ground and spreading throughout the two cats. "And you know...Since I told you about this, I guess we can't go back right away. So what do you want to do now, talk?"

[á£Îmaý---♫♥]

Seeing Lightningpaw now, glowing with happiness and purring, contrasted so much with his usual attitude that Maplepaw couldn't help but purr in pleasure. His bright green eyes seemed to swallow her and he hadn't looked away, she would of continued staring. He really, really trusts me. "I'll keep it a secret," Maplepaw promised him, gazing up at the trees with him. "I don't think Heronpaw would understand it's beauty. It really is quite calming. And I'm not getting wet." She smiled down at Lightningpaw who seemed to be settling in. I wonder how many times he comes here? He seems so comfortable. "I'm happy here," she meowed softly, lying down in the grass. She stretched herself out, rubbing her right cheek into the grass and flexing her claws. There never was enough room in their den and it felt wonderful to have some room to stretch her legs without accidentally kicking someone in the face. "Okay, how did you find this place?" she asked, looking at him with eye as the other side of her face was buried in the grass.

[heartnet]

Lightningpaw was so relaxed, he didn't have to think about the question long. "It was a few nights ago, when that other big rain hit us. Me and Heronpaw got caught up in it at night and he went on ahead while I found this place. Stayed here till it was almost time for the sun to rise. By then I was as dry as day and relaxed. You can hardly hear a mouse scuffling in this place." He said, glancing to her then closing his eyes with a sigh. His fur glistened from the rain, little silver drops making his fur sparkle.

[á£Îmaý---♫♥]

Maplepaw rolled onto her back, fore-arms tucked against her chest. Through the canopy of leaves she could just glimpse the night sky, covered in thick grey clouds. She didn't need the stars in the sky for the clearing already to be covered in them. "Do you and Heronpaw sneak out every night?" she asked softly.
{Short D=}

[heartnet]

Lightningpaw didn't even open his eyes, murmuring. "Mmm...no. Not every night." He responded, not even noticing he was revealing their secret. This place made him feel at home, it was calm and relaxing. And he was here with one of his best friends. His tail twitched lazily.

(mine too, sorry!)

[á£Îmaý---♫♥]

"Are you going to tell me why?" Maplepaw asked cheekily, rolling back onto her side to face him. She lifted her head, flicking her ears to disturb the water droplets that had settled there. Lightningpaw looked a picture of serentity and she smiled in happiness. This was the most relaxed she had seen him in a long time.

[heartnet]

At this question, Lightningpaw opened his eyes and he looked troubled. He frowned and bit his lip, his tail twitching as he decided if he should tell or not. It seemed like forever till he finally spoke again, sounding quiet and meeting her gaze with shame. "I don't think you'd like me anymore if I told you." He admitted truthfully, eyes flickering up to meet hers before looking down at his paws and sighing. This was a hard decision.

[á£Îmaý---♫♥]

She watched him closely, feeling uneasy at the sudden, troubled silence that had falled over the pair. Had he really done something so horrible that he couldn't talk about it? Maplepaw swept her tail across the wet grass as she recognised the look of shame in his eyes. What has he done? "Lightningpaw," she meowed slowly, trying to meet his gaze. Her eyes were wide with fear and confusion. She wasn't sure what he was feeling but her own stomach was churning anxiousily. "What have you done that I won't like you for?" she asked. She wouldn't put it past Heronpaw to steal prey or trespass but she couldn't imagine Lightningpaw joining his brother. Perhaps they were meeting other cats. It was against the Warrior Code but surely it was harmless?

[heartnet]

Lightningpaw winced, the fear radiating off her again. He might as well tell her and get it over with. She'd never look at him the same way again, she'd see him just like Heronpaw. And why not? He didn't do anything except what his brother told him, wasn't sticking up for himself at all. "Maplepaw I...." He hesitated before closing his eyes and taking a breath to get it out. "Heronpaw and I have been training with...Burntstar." Even as he said the name, a roll of thunder swept overhead and lightning light up the clearing.

[á£Îmaý---♫♥]

The air felt still despite the static charging through it. The rain seemed to freeze on Maplepaw's skin as she sat up to face the cat she thought she knew. She stared dumbly, in confusion and betrayal for she was still struggling to comprehend exactly what Lightningpaw had told her. A fog had descended over her mind and she struggled to gather her thoughts in it. Burntstar. Burntstar. Burntstar. was all she could think. But what she did know was that the old leader had taken the lives of the Clan leaders and attempted to bring down the Clans. His plan had only been foiled by the Clans coming together. Maplepaw knew for she had been there. She had fought BurntClan and together, Tussockwind, Stormstrike and her had defended Hawkstar from a rogue. A rogue whose memory now tortured their deputy. Everyone Burntstar associated himself with were horrors. The static in the atmosphere seemed to build as the silence stretched out. "He killed your father," she whispered," What are you thinking? How...how do you even come to meet a cat like that?" Suddenly, Maplepaw didn't feel safe in the forest with Lightningpaw. He already frightened her but now she knew that he and Burntstar were together she didn't want to be with him. But camp was no safer with Heronpaw sleeping in the den like a viper.

[heartnet]

'I knew this would be her response. She'll never trust me again or like me....'
This thought ran through the tom's mind as he saw her reaction and he looked down. What was his life going to be like? He didn't want to be like this, it was Heronpaw's dream, not his! Why didn't he have the courage to stand up for himself? "I know, I know! It was all Heronpaw's idea..." He said in frustration, and for the millionth time, mentally kicked himself for ever listening to his brother. "We went out and...we accidently stumbled onto rogue territory. And he was the one to find us. And Heronpaw, he jumped at the chance to train from a legend, we hadn't trained in moons. I only did it because I wanted to make sure Heronpaw didn't get in trouble. Now it seems like I'm way in over my head. Heronpaw loves it, I don't even want to recognize him as my brother anymore. I just....I don't know what to do!" He confessed it all now, looking to her with desperate eyes before looking back down. "I know you probably don't trust or like me anymore, and I don't blame you, but Heronpaw is more your enemy than me."