Until the Storm Ends

Frecklesky ran her tongue along the base of Rachel's ear, a purr pooling within her chest. The two had grown close in the last moon, sharing a companionship unlike any she'd had before. There was something about the dark kittypet that was incomparable to her Clanmates.

Was it the softness of her fur? The way her voice lilted when she was excited? Or perhaps, was it the way she gazed at her with her honey-like eyes, pools of endless light and admiration?

Whatever the case was, Frecklesky loved it.

Just the thought of the word sent her chest spiraling in confusion. This couldn't be love could it? After all, Rachel was a she-cat. That wasn't possible... right? She pushed the thought away, confusion mingling with a foreign, delightful emotion.

As her lapping died down, Rachel shifted closer to her, the sweet, lavender scent of her overwhelming Frecklesky's senses.

"I could be with you forever," the she-cat mewed delicately, nestled close.

Frecklesky smiled. "And I with you."

It was a cloudy night. And though the two snuggled under the sky, the lack of stargazing brought no boredom. In fact, it made Frecklesky feel closer to the kittypet, as if nothing in the world could tear them apart. Perhaps, it truly was a form of love.

They sat like that for eons, simply enjoying one another's company, until they were interrupted by a fat, cold droplet of water between Frecklesky's eyes. The smell of rain had been powerful, but she hadn't expected it would start now. She sat up stiffly, her ears panning as her eyes scanned the horizon.

"Mouse-dung," she cursed.

"What's the matter?" Rachel lifted her head.

As if StarClan themselves were answering her, a cascade of rain pummeled from the heavens, immediately drenching the two. With a yelp, Rachel clambered to her paws, huddling close to Frecklesky's fluffy flank. Frecklesky couldn't resist an amused purr as she squinted down at her companion.

"What's so funny?" Rachel squeaked, blinking rapidly against the water.

Frecklesky chuckled. "You look like a rat when you're soaked."

A horrified gasp emanated from the kittypet, and she cuffed Frecklesky's cheek, unable to reach her ears. "You jerk!"

Frecklesky didn't answer, and instead raised her tail to position it above the kittypet, lightening the assault of rain.

"Let's find some shelter," she mewed.

Stiffly, Rachel nodded, her side brushing against Frecklesky's. The two trudged reluctantly through the marsh. It was a heavy downpour, making it near impossible to see through the barrage, but Frecklesky knew the territory as well as the back of her paw. They skirted near the edge of the thunderpath, monsters roaring by periodically and spraying them with disgusting, black grit.

Frecklesky delved into a ditch. The bottom was pooled with a murky puddle, but she followed it until she encountered a tunnel; the pathway beneath the thunderpath. She let Rachel in first, and followed shortly after. The kittypet shivered despite herself, and Frecklesky murmured a soft apology.

"It's nothing," Rachel snipped through chattering teeth. "I'm okay."

Frecklesky's gaze softened, but she nodded nonetheless. "There should be some dry land up ahead, to the left."

Stiffly, Rachel followed her instruction, sloshing through the odorful water. Frecklesky's eyes quickly adjusted to the darkness, and she watched patiently as Rachel clambered onto a bank. It was a small section in the tunnel, carved out deliberately with a strange, hard substance for its floor. Regardless of why it was there, it offered them dryness amid a soaked world.

The sound of rain was loud, but even louder so was the scarce passage of monsters. As Frecklesky climbed up to join Rachel, the she-cat began to clean herself. Frecklesky chose to assist, stroking her tongue through Rachel's soft fur, washing away the stink.

Once finished, Frecklesky turned her attention to her own, thick fur. It was slightly matted. She sighed and began lapping profusely.

Rachel offered her own help, and working with gentle paws and tongue, she helped smooth the mats and clean Frecklesky's tortoiseshell fur.

It took a long, long time until her fur was at a satisfactory state, and Frecklesky grunted in relief.

"Thank you," she said, her voice echoing throughout the chamber.

Rachel smiled, leaning up to nuzzle Frecklesky's cheek. "You're welcome. Now what do we do?"

Frecklesky pondered for a moment. The rain was as loud as it was when they entered the tunnel, and the puddle was deeper than before. There wasn't much they could do if they wanted to keep their pelts clean.

"We'll wait it out," she declared.

"Okay."

Frecklesky slipped deeper into the crevice until her pelt brushed the wall, and there she sank down into a comfortable loaf. Quietly, Rachel joined her, settling against her belly and letting her eyes slip shut. Frecklesky purred, draping her tail over the kittypet's shoulder.

There they waited, comforted by each other's presence, until the storm would end.