Heartthrob

Haven was not lost. She just didn’t know where exactly she was, only that there were some Clan cat scent markers nearby. If nothing looked tasty, she would turn around… But she had to check.

Up ahead in the distance there was movement, a squirrel? Haven saw a flash of dark red fur dart quickly between two bushes, definitely a squirrel. The faint scent of the rodent confirmed her theory. She wandered carefully over the fallen leaves on the ground, cautious to not make any alerting noise. Her ears were pricked for the usual squirrely sounds, chittering or rustling. She continued inching closer and closer to where she saw it, but for some reason Haven was unable to locate the darn thing.

Haven paused and smelled the air again. Where did that lil bugger go? Wait… Haven crouched down low to the ground, there was another cat nearby. She hovered, weighing the odds in her mind. Surely, she could win most fights. Haven was not a small cat, nor a weak one, but she wasn’t exactly keen on having a tussle… Especially not in clan cat territory. One of her rogue friends encountered these cats, who straight up stole their meal after berating them. Haven rolled her eyes and started crawling towards a bush to hide underneath while she further assessed the situation.

She didn’t quite make it there before a small dark red cat launched itself at her from seemingly nowhere. What in tarnation?! Haven tried to rush under the cover but was halted by this tiny cat standing in front of her.

“Stop right there!” The red cat shouted with a surprising amount of confidence, her short light-brown tail lashed boldly back and forth. Haven had expected a squeak to come from this kitten-like creature, but no… This was a woman. Haven stopped in her tracks.

The short cat scowled up at her, “Are you a threat?” Haven could only blink in response but it seemed the lady was not pleased with this answer as she asked again. “Are you here with ill intent?” Her head was lowered and her stance wide. This is one of them clan cats…

“Uhh no, ma’am, I am not.” Haven looked away sheepishly. Quick! Distract ‘er! Say there’s a squirrel and run for it! She didn’t really want to flee just yet though… This new cat seemed to be by herself. It’s not everyday you get held up by a beautiful miss.

“What are you doing on my clan’s territory?” The smaller cat’s guard was still up, but she appeared to be less hostile now that the taller cat had answered her.

“I, er, needed some help. You could say… I’m a damsel in distress.” Let’s play dumb. Haven looked down at her with large eyes, making an otherwise pouty expression.

Working like a charm, the little cat instantly changed her tune. “Oh you poor dear, what’s wrong?” Her small head turned to the side, she had beautifully long bangs covering one of her eyes. Haven’s gaze trailed down her body, she noticed two scars on the lady’s back, then more on her forepaws. It was already deduced that this was a clan cat, but she seemed like no ordinary one. The purple cat ceased her survey as swiftly as it began. Don’t want her thinkin’ I’m some kinda creep…

“Ah- Please forgive me, I’m so rude for not introducing myself!” Haven didn’t get the chance to reply before the red cat spoke again. “My name is Madronestar, I’m the leader of Oceanclan. That was not a kind first impression.” Madronestar finished, she looked a bit embarrassed.

Madronestar… Leader? No ordinary clan cat indeed, Haven thought smugly to herself. She had to answer soon, if too much time passes then Madronestar might really actually think Haven had rocks for brains. “Mine’s Haven. It’s real nice to meet ya, Madronestar.” She kept the pouty face going, and continued on. “I’m a bit lost, and so hungry… Also a lil afraid…” Please work, please work, please work, please work-

Madronestar jumped up and ran off. Nooooooooo, aw come on! Haven began to shrink into herself, cringing that she flopped so hard. Welp, let’s hope I never run into her again- Haven’s thoughts were promptly cut off as Madronestar returned, she was holding a large squirrel in her mouth. OH. The purple and blonde cat quickly made herself look as helpless and vulnerable as possible.

“I understand, even angels are down on their luck sometimes.” Madronestar plopped the squirrel on the ground in front of Haven’s paws then settled down. “Would you like the first bite, my dear?”

Haven took a bite, the squirrel was still warm. This must have been what she was trying to hunt. Ten minutes ago Haven would have been distraught to lose this prey to a clan cat, but in this moment it felt as though she were dreaming. The two cats shared the squirrel together and filled the air with quiet murmuring about the meal. It wasn’t until they were finished when Madronestar said something that caught Haven off guard.

“Do you do this scheme often?” Madronestar asked with such extreme casualty that could have made Haven choke had they been still eating.

“I’m sorry…? I don’t understand…” Haven laughed, she lifted her paw to her chin cutely. Shit.

“Nothing to be shy about, darling.” Madronestar imitated Haven’s paw movement. “I’m just curious. Are there others? How special am I?” All of this was said so gracefully, but Haven remembered the earlier hostility and those scars didn’t come from nowhere. She had to choose her next words carefully.

Haven decided the best course of action was to just be honest. “Ah… Ya got me. I’ll be frank with ya, ain’t nobody else. Just wanted to shoot my shot.” The confession was awkward, but at least it was over with. Hopefully she won’t chase me out. “What tipped ya off?”

Madronestar’s face carried a smug smile. “Your ribs aren’t showing and don’t have any scars, you seem to be faring well out here. You also didn’t ask any questions about my clan, nor were you scared. Outsiders typically have some kind of reaction when encountering a clan cat.”

“Now why would I be scared of a charming lil thang like you?” Haven felt the words just tumble out of her mouth. Oopsies. Fortunately, Madronestar lit up at this.

“I am the mighty clan leader!” The smaller cat said with the biggest, cheekiest grin. She was not threatening at all, but was determined to believe otherwise. “I have chased away many threats from Oceanclan. Wolves, bears, coyotes, nothing can best me and my blessing from Starclan!”

“And yet, ya still fed me?” Haven asked curiously.

Madronestar purred, “Yes. I had to even the score.” Her paws were now neatly tucked under body in a satisfied manner. She put those weapons away… How sweet of her. “My deputy loves to chase off rogues and loners. Toxic masculinity or something like that, this is how I stick it to him.” She giggled adorably. Toxic… Masculinity? What the heck is happenin’ in that clan of yers? “Oh but other than that, Autumnfang is a real sweetie. He’s working on it, if you happen to run into him… Just know he’s trying.” Haven blinked a couple times. She would have to see this for herself.

“I’ll keep an eye out for yer strange male friend.” Haven rested her head on her paws. It was getting late, but she didn’t want to be the one to say goodbye first.

Her newfound friend seemed to pick up on this, Madronestar’s smile slowly faded as she glanced into the sky. “I should get going. I would like to hunt for something to bring home.” The red cat looked back to Haven, her tender expression returning. “It’s been a pleasure to meet you, Haven!” She rose to her paws, and Haven did the same.

“I had a blast with ya, kitty!” The taller cat responded happily. “Would it be foolish of me to think that… Maybe this can happen again?”

Madronestar smirked, “You know who to ask for.” Her ears perked up suddenly. “I should ask you to avoid hunting on our land, though. We’re having a bit of a problem with a rival group. Leafbare is on its way, and I don’t want to overhunt this area.”

Haven nodded, “I’ll keep that in mind, just for you, Miss Madronestar.” The red cat beamed in response.

Madronestar jumped and ran off again, this time there was no swift return. Haven watched her hop through the bushes like a rabbit. A very beautiful rabbit. Haven sighed dramatically, she felt so warm and fuzzy inside. I can’t believe I just scored myself a date with that cutie… I got more game than I thought.