Alone at last;;

[thisbecoconuts]

Darkmoon's eyes grew big. "I mean, no offensive but I don't really like you that way, and I don't think you like me like that either." Darkmoon burst out laughing. Did she think that was what he was offering? He laughed a big more. "Snowdrift, I am offering a friendship between us. I am offering to tell people I am your mate to spare you the pain of telling others the true fatherhood of your kits." He shrugged, pretty sure she would say no. Noone liked Darkmoon and he wouldn't want to press that upon the distressed she-cat. He sat down and began to lick his chest, grooming quietly, giving her time to think.

[Đarκsong]

Darkmoon was laughing at her. Snowdrift wasn't really bothered by it, and in fact was use to getting laughed at. She never understood things the right way. Well, she thought it was a very generous offer, but wasn't sure why Darkmoon would so willing do that for her. She supposed she could be friends with him. It would also have the benefit of keeping the true father of her kits a secret.

"That's all very generous of you, but are you really sure you want to do that?" Snowdrift asked. She would be all for it if it wouldn't cause Darkmoon any problems.

[thisbecoconuts]

Darkmoon gazed at the she-cat. She had a look about her. He had been trying to think of the word, and he finally realized what it was. She had a defeated look on her face. She had a defeated air about her in general. The way she walked, talked, looked. She was tired of life? Maybe? Darkmoon looked at her and nodded, his eyes tender and affectionate.

"I have no problem with it. I would love to be your mate." he said, his face expression overexaggerating. Clearly kidding, he shrugged and padded in front of her. "Educate me about them." he said, wondering about his 'kits.' He needed to know who they were.

[☆§wìftflame☆]

Swiftflame padded freely and blissfully as her lack of duties allowed her to wander and enjoy the company of her own thoughts. Those thought were currently centered on a cat she could now call her mate - Darkmoon. Happiness swelled within Swiftflame at the mere thought of his name. She finally had a cat she knew would always love her. Suddenly, that very cat's voice cut through her thoughts with the one thing she would never expect.
"I would love to be your mate."[/i]

Swiftflame's head spun and her thoughts spiraled. What? No, it can't be. Darkmoon said he loved me....I thought he wanted....[/color] Her anguished thoughts suddenly vanished in the wake of white, hot anger. How dare he? Barely a day ago he had told Swiftflame of his affection for her, and now he was offering to be Snowdrift's mate A cat who had already had kits with another tom who she wouldn't even reveal the identity of? How could he do this to me? And it's not exactly a private area, just the sands! In fact, the area where Swiftflame now stood, pelt standing on end in fury at the cat she had thought she was in love with, was not ten tail lengths away from the spot where the two stood, apparently oblivious to her existence. Her claws repeatedly sheathed and unsheathed, sinking irritatingly easily into the loose sands beneath her paws. She had finally thought that someone had finally loved her, actually cared. But he didn't. Swiftflame had no idea of his reasons, but he had clearly never cared. It was all lies...[/color]

OOC: I totally overdid this. xD

[Đarκsong]

Snowdrift had a feeling they were being watched. Then again, she always felt like she was being watched. The constant paranoia drove her closer to insanity everyday. She brought herself back to reality, realizing Darkmoon had asked about her kits. "Well, there's Angelkit. She's the only girl, and pretty much leads her brothers into trouble. Maskkit is a joker, and Purplekit is pretty much my shadow." She explained simply. There wasn't much to tell really.

The queen still couldn't help the feeling of being watched, but shook it off as being nothing.

((ooc: I left Flarekit out since his RPer, Arcticpool, hasn't been online in a looooong time))

[thisbecoconuts]

Darkmoon's pelt prickled as Snowdrift spoke to him. He felt someone behind him, but did not turn. He looked at Darksong and spoke, but his face was solemn. He was trying to signal his worry to the she-cat in front of him. "That sounds lovely Snowdrift. I guess I am going to have to know my kits a bit better." However, he mutted extremely quietly so only she could hear. "I am going to pretend to make dirt. Make sure to be oblivious to anything." he hissed. He then shook his prickling pelt. "I will be right back. I am going to make a dirt..." he said to Snowdrift, getting up and padding away from his 'mate.' He padded into a bush and slowly crept towards the figure hunched there...

But Darkmoon isn't stupid. He smelled it... the fragrance of his existence. The smell of pure ecstacy and love. He smelled Swiftflame. He stopped, fear radiating off of his pelt. How much had she heard? Was she angry? He refused to move further, afraid of her reaction.

[☆§wìftflame☆]

My kits... Those were the words Darkmoon had used, unknowingly so close to the cat he'd told he loved. The crunch of paw steps and Darkmoon's too-loudly announced words told Swiftflame that Darkmoon had finally figured out she was there. She stepped out of her hiding place, a glare full of hurt and anger twisting her normally beautiful features. So great was Swiftflame's fury that she barely registered the look of fear on Darkmoon's face, and took it as a sign that he had realized she knew what he was doing. "Don't even say a word, Darkmoon." Swiftflame spat, fur bristling in her effort not to sink her claws into him right there. Of course, she could never do that to him, even now. Unable to stand the sight of him a moment longer, Swiftflame swung around to face, Snowdrift, the queen Darkmoon was choosing over her. "And Snowdrift! Isn't there anything I have that others don't take away from me? First Dawnflight was taken, and she's never been the same since she came back, and now you take Darkmoon from me?" A good deal of the fury was gone now, replaced by unfathomable sadness and grief. Swiftflame's tail drooped, its normally clean orange fur trailing in the mud of the lake. [OOC: I think we're by a lake, right?] Her paw began throbbing from her earlier sprain, the dock that Darkmoon had so tenderly applied long worn off. But he was already with Snowdrift? Swiftflame thought incredulously. Eyes half closed, holding back tears, Swiftflame turned careful not to look Darkmoon in the eyes, and limped back towards the now dark, menacing trees. Her tail dragged miserably behind her, mud and brambles catching as she went. No grace was left in her step, and as an unseen rock scattered under her dragging paws and her claw caught on it. Venting her fury, she tore roughly at it and the claw came free. With a yowl of both physical and emotional pain, Swiftflame through her self down onto the rock, not even caring as it gouged into her shoulder. She didn't care about anything anymore. Swiftflame's jaws clenched in a failed attempt to hold back the pain as she forced herself up again, her shoulder twice injured paw blotting her vision with intense agony. One paw in front of the other... That was the only real thing Swiftflame could concentrate on.

[Đarκsong]

Snowdrift was a bit confused to see Darkmoon leave, then saw what was going on. Swiftflame was spying! Why? Snowdrift had no idea. She stepped a bit closer, and hearing what the other she-cat was saying, she froze in place. What was Darkmoon doing making an offer like that when he already had a mate?!

It took a while for it to sink in. Then Snowdrift's mind began racing. She thought about the fact that he was a rouge before. This incident added more kindling to her hatred of rouges. They couldn't be trusted. Ever! The queen then padded back towards camp, her mind in a fog of fury and confusion.

((ooc: She can leave if you want, or you can bother her XD Doesn't matter to me))

[thisbecoconuts]

Darkmoon was looked at her, shock in his eyes. Would she really not let him explain? His eyes filled with agony and toture as he watched her yelling, accusing Snowdrift. But he did not say a word. he had broken her heart, after promising not to hurt her... after she pledged her loyalty to him. His heart ached with the guilt of something that he truly did not do, but he had betrayed her nonetheless. How could Swiftflame not know? He would not have offered to help Snowdrift if Swiftflame had not changed him. He had become so kindhearted because of her... how could she not know?! He watched her walk away, tail dragging with defeat.

He heard Snowdrift walk away, but he would deal with that later. "Snowdrift, please let me explain! Please do not leave. Or atleast meet me back in camp." he said, not taking his eyes off of Swiftflame. But she was not looking at him. For all he knew, her heart may break more because he mentioned her first. He would follow Swiftflame no matter how far she went. He limbed faster and he attempted to catch up with her. "Swiftflame, stop walking away from me." he said, fiercely, but deep inside he was afraid of losing the one good thing in his life.

[Đarκsong]

Snowdrift was surprised to hear Darkmoon call to her, but all she could say to him was "No, just forget it!". She continued walking, determined that she would never speak to him again. How could he do a thing like that? Snowdrift was convinced it was a stupid tom thing.

[☆§wìftflame☆]

"Swiftflame, stop walking away from me."

[/color] Swiftflame could barely hold back a snort of laughter at his pathetic attempt to handle the two anguished and angry she-cats at once. Sudden warm affection once again filled Swiftflame as she watched him attempt to limp feebly after both cats at once. He really was kind of sweet...in a pathetic sort of way. Swiftflame suddenly shook her flame-colored face violently, brushing away with it any signs of affection for the dark-pelted tom. He had lied to her. Betrayed her. What were those words he had so recently spoken? "Swiftflame... you are my life right now. I will not leave you."[/color] And he had said that he would never intentionally hurt her. Well, he had broken both promises in the one swift, stupid act of offering to be Snowdrift's mate. How much closer to betrayal could he get? However, one thing was bothering Swiftflame more than anything else. One other think that the tom she loved, still, despite everything that had happened, had said. "...I love you..." Darkmoon had told Swiftflame that he loved her, as he gazed with his beautiful red eyes into her vivid green ones. And I still love him. Oh, StarClan, how can I still love him now? How?[/color][/i] But she did. And, in a much delayed reaction to Darkmoon's pleaded request, Swiftflame slowly turned and limped back to where he stood, closer than she should have. Closer than someone who would have gladly ripped his pelt off should have stood. Closer than whoever his closest friend was would have stood. Too close... Swiftflame's eyes closed as she inhaled his scent, the most amazing scent in her universe. Why am I doing this? I should be attacking him right now! He..he... Swiftflame couldn't think straight anymore. Her pelt rubbed up against his, and through a loud pur she managed to say, "You stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid excuse for a furball. Why? Just why?"[/b] Swiftflame didn't say anymore. She knew he'd understand. And, somewhere within Swiftflame, she knew that he'd had a good reason for what he did. whatever that might be. Because when he'd told her he loved her....well, he'd meant it. She could see it in his eyes. He had to mean it. Swiftflame took another step forward, trying to get even closer, though it was not physically possible. In the end, all she managed to do was put too much weight on her injured paw. A whimper of pain escaped through her tightly clamped jaw, no matter how hard she tried to hold it back. Judging by the burning fire that seemed to be spreading through her forepaw, she was pretty sure it was broken. Her intense pain showed in her eyes, and she wanted to look away so Darkmoon wouldn't see. But she just couldn't stop staring into his eyes...[/size][/blockquote]

[thisbecoconuts]

The tom frowned at Snowdrift's words, but he knew who was more important at this moment. In the end, things were always about himself and now was no different. He was selfish. He wanted to fix his life right now.

Darkmoon knew she would stop eventually, but every footstep was still taking a toll on his heart. He felt it being squeezed with every tail length she kept traveling from him, but finally he had stopped. And so had his heart. She turned around and he felt his head get dizzy as her scent filled his nose, his mouth, his body. He struggled to stop his body from quivering. He saw the pain in her eyes and the betrayal, but further than that he still saw the love. He still felt it in her gaze and he almost smiled. She still loved him... and gosh, he still loved her. He never had stopped. He stood where he was and he refrained from licking her cheek, refrained from playfully biting her, refrained from expressing his love for her. "You stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid excuse for a furball. Why? Just why?" With every stupid the tom flinched. He heard her wimper of pain and frowned as he inspected the slightly off angled ankle. His brow creased with worry, but first he knew he needed to clear this up. "Snowdrift... has had problems with a rogue... he hurt her, but no one knows who it is..." except for me he thought softly. He looked at the ground for a moment to stop his quickening heart at the closeness. He looked up again, slowly. While looking into her eyes, he explained further. "I offered to pretend to be her mate to the clan so no one would question her about the father. It is not me who's stupid, my love." he said. But he left out one thing. It is you who I want to have kits with... He then shamefully turned his head down. He sat in front of her and tried to lick her cheek multiple times, almost as if he were a dog. "I told you I love you, how could you ever doubt me, my angel?" he asked, pain in his eyes.

[☆§wìftflame☆]

Swiftflame's vivid green eyes widened with relieved understanding as Darkmoon explained his reasoning. Her eyes were glowing with happiness by the time he'd finished. Darkmoon really was becoming a sweet, caring cat. He was everything she ever could have wanted, everything he ever could have wished for. Leaning awkwardly to avoid placing weight on her broken paw, Swiftflame rested her head on Darkmoon's strong shoulder, suddenly exhausted. She then silently gasped with happiness as her called her my love. As he looked down awkwardly and possibly a little shamefully, Swiftflame's curiosity of everything about him which had first attracted her to him was renewed, and she looked up inquisitively. What were you going to say...?

[/b] He made up for his awkward ending by licking her cheek, which Swiftflame found slightly strange but incredibly sweet. But what was thinking? What was he going to say? All thoughts were banished from Swiftflame's mind at Darkmoon's next words. He said 'I love you,' and all of the sudden all she could think of was his thick, shiny fur, and his deep, mysterious scent, and his beautiful red eyes. Swiftflame sighed, more beyond content than she thought possible. Immediately, her head cleared and she knew that it was an incredibly kind thing to do for Snowdrift, but Swiftflame wasn't sure she could handle the jealously she'd feel at even his pretending to father any kits but her own. Wait, what? Did I just think that? Swiftflame shook her head slightly, trying to clear the flurry of thougths that was suddenly present. And what had he begun to say? [/size][/blockquote]

[thisbecoconuts]

OoC: *gasp* finals are done!

Darkmoon's head was becoming dizzy from her scent and being so close to her. Too close. And he began to feel a closeness to her that was different from the other she-cats he just... messed around with. He felt the need to be tender, not rough, loving, not angry, and close, not emotionally detached. Her head was resting on his shoulder and he was beginning to forget how to breathe with her body so close to his. He then awkwardness shfted away from under her and stepped back, panting heavily, feeling as if his body was extremely heavy, yet light as a feather. "My body is having a strange reaction to your presence..." he gasped and attempted to calm his heart. He then looked at her. She had asked what he was going to say... He couldn't say it. She may not want to be a mother since she was a warrior... He might scare her off. Who would want kits with him? An awkward silence was filled in the air as he had an inner battle within himself. "I... I think we should get back to camp to check these injured paws out... Hey, atleast we're matching!" he said, with a large grin. He was so happy in general and he intertwince his tail with hers and looked at her, his expression asking, 'shall we?'

[☆§wìftflame☆]

Swiftflame was still filled with curiosity, but Darkmoon's head on her shoulder soon almost completely distracted her. The sounds of the forest were soon drowned out by Darkmoon's slightly labored breathing, and Swiftflame took a step back automatically to view him better. "My body is having a strange reaction to your presence..."

[/color] Swiftflame tilted her head in confusion, but waved it off as he seemed to recover. Her gentle, loving smile warmed the atmosphere of the clearing, and the awkward silence that seemed to ensue did not bother her. She could never be awkward around Darkmoon. Then, for the first time Swiftflame was struck by how quickly their relationship seemed to have moved. Though she showed no visible reaction, her insides were churning with surprise. She'd barely gotten to know Darkmoon a few weeks ago, and now they had proclaimed their love for each other and gone through a major fight. How quickly everything had moved! Despite the speed, however, Swiftflame could not be happier. She was finally with a cat who loved her for who she was. Once again stepping closer to Darkmoon, Swiftflame smiled appreciatively at Darkmoon's joking comment, "I... I think we should get back to camp to check these injured paws out... Hey, at least we're matching!" [/color] His comment recalled Swiftflame to the fact that her own paw was still throbbing, and putting weight on it to lean towards Darkmoon was nearly causing tears to spring to her eyes. Swiftflame buried her nose in her mate's fur, his scent the only thing able to cancel out its pain. When she was around him, nothing bad could happen. He's exactly the sort of cat I'd want to father my kits...[/i] Swiftflame started in surprise, amazed by her own thought. Where had that come from? Her tail twitched in embarrassment, not wanting Darkmoon to know what she'd just thought. Surely he wouldn't want that, not now, and Swiftflame had to consider what both of them wanted, not just herself. Skin burning beneath her fur, Swiftflame agreed, "Yeah, that sounds like a plan."[/b] Swiftflame gazed into his eyes for a moment and touched noses with him before beginning her determined limp back towards camp, running her tail along the ridge of Dakrmoon's spine as she did so. [/size][/blockquote]