Chapter 5
Hollyleaf awoke to the sound of Squirrelflight ordering patrols. She hadn't gotten much sleep due to being awoken in the middle of the night. It was obvious that they were hiding something.
But what?
Hollyleaf saw Cinderheart and Dovewing leave camp deep in conversation and Hollyleaf knew that they wouldn't mind if she were to listen in to their gossip. Hollyleaf followed them all the way the sky oak. She heard Dovewing ask, "So this is where she appeared?"
They're talking about me! Hollyleaf thought to herself, but why?
Hollyleaf once again heard Dovewing talk, "I'm still slightly shocked by your confession yesterday, I wonder if Hollyleaf feels the same way."
Me?! Feel the same way about what??? Hollyleaf's mind cast itself back to yesterday when Cinderheart told her that she liked someone other than Lionblaze. I'm the other cat! Hollyleaf thought in a long drawn out revalation. It must have been all the those nights talking and sharing nest for a while during their apprenticeship due to the huge amount of apprentices at the time that had caused this. She didn't want to hurt her brother but she had always liked Cinderheart, maybe a bit more than a friend but she never told anyone, but here Cinderheart was being open about her feelings. Hollyleaf emerged from the bushes and the two she cats turned to look at her worry in their eyes..
"Cinderheart..." she began, "Can I speak to you?" quickly adding, "In private."
"Of course!" Cinderheart replied
Cinderheart turned her head to Dovewing, "Speak to you later?"
Dovewing said nothing and left winking quickly to Cinderheart as she passed.
"I've got a confession to make, I should have told you this before you got involved with Lionblaze but..." She trailed off, "Cinderheart…I love you." Cinderheart wanted to speak but Hollyleaf continued, "And I don't mind if you don't feel the same way, I just needed to tell you." Hollyleaf took one more look at Cinderheart and ran off. "Wait!" Cinderheart called but it was no use.
Cinderheart followed Hollyleaf's scent to the shoreline, Cinderheart looked out from the bushes to see Hollyleaf gazing over towards riverclan.
Unable to hold herself back Cinderheart erupted from the bushes. Hollyleaf turned clearly startled by the abrupt entry.
But before she could speak Cinderheart spoke, "I love you too Hollyleaf"
Hollyleaf said nothing and brought Cinderheart int a warm embrace that Cinderheart wished would never end. But when it did, Cinderheart felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders, Hollyleaf had returned and loved just as she loved her back.
Cinderheart and Hollyleaf went on a walk soon after, heading towards the windclan border, when all of a sudden they heard someone shouting.
"Leafpool?" The voice rang out.
"Leafpool, are you there?!" The voice continued, the owner of the voice then revealed themselves.
"Mothwing?!" they both said.
They climbed the nearest tree to get a better view on what was happening.
Leafpool emerged from the bushes and Mothwings worried look changed to one of happiness, "You came!"
"I wouldn't miss it for the world!" Leafpool replied.
"Cinderheart?" "Cinderheart?!" It was Lioblaze.
"You should go," Hollyleaf mewed. Cinderheart looked hesitant clearly wanting to watch the interaction between Leafpool and Mothwing, but when she looked back both cats had disapeared.
Cinderheart sighed, and raced of after Lionblaze's voice.