[Insidious]

F R O Z E N R A I N

StoneClan's medicine den was only able to be a satisfactory resting place for such a lengthy amount of time before a warrior so utterly dedicated to their duties grew tiresome with the constant sitting. A gray-white tabby remained secluded from her day-to-day activities; Blackeagle assuring that she put as little pressure as possible on her shoulder during its healing process. Now, however, Blackeagle was currently out and about, likely collecting herbs while the day was anew. Frozenrain had never been the type to go against the orders of a medicine cat. Although, it was truly impossible for her to control the urge to stretch out her weary legs.

With a huff, the she-cat forced herself into a standing position – the shoulder that Burningleaf had nearly snapped like a twig almost giving out beneath the unusual amount of pressure being applied. Catching herself in the nick of time, Frozenrain cast a fury, pale blue gaze toward the blood-red battle marks. The last thing she desired to have permanently scarring her pretty features was a marking to constantly remind her of the LightningClan warrior's victory. As if there was anything that could be done about it now, though. StoneClan had gambled with LightningClan over Sun Stones, and they had unfortunately lost.

The sunlight was so bright. Frozenrain had to blink her blue eyes against its vivid, gold light beams simply due to how long she had been deprived from witnessing it – yet another factor that followed Blackeagle's strict orders. While he was out of camp, there was nothing he could do to stop her from venturing astray, if even for just a little bit.

Frozenrain had been in the midst of attempting to stretch her sore muscles in the sunlight, only for her shoulder to react negatively to this motioning. With a soft hiss, the she-cat clamped her jaws tightly around her tongue, returning to a still-as-stone position to refrain from causing any more pain than necessary. Of course, she wanted her shoulder to heal, and to do so as quickly as possible. However, she simply couldn't tame her warrior spirit. It was out of her nature to give in to any pain, no matter how great, when StoneClan could be benefiting from her dedication to warrior duties.

With the loss of Sun Stones, StoneClan could surely use all the extra assistance they could get in remaining a powerful clan in this, one of their darkest hours yet.

[BlooRey DVD]

[smear:996600]Hawkwing[/smear:663300]
~~~~~~~~~

The StoneClan deputy had been working furiously these past few sunrises. He could still taste the pang of horror he'd felt when he'd returned to camp not so long ago to find Fallenleaf, one of the warriors older than he was, pelt soaked with blood. She'd told him what had transpired at the Sun Stones. She'd told him they'd lost a young warrior, Berrysong. She'd told him that his own apprentice had fled the scene not long after the battle had begun, chased away by a small black and white LightningClan apprentice. As he listened, he'd felt a growing anger taking over his somber mood. It all changed to panic, however, when he half-remembered, half-heard that Frozenrain had also been on that patrol.

Now, the gray and white tabby she-cat was confined to the medicine cat's den, ordered to rest her injured shoulder. It was almost as though it had all happened but a few moments ago to the large sandy-brown tabby tom. His heart thundered in his chest, blood roaring in his ears as he strode through the entrance to the camp. A remarkably strong sense of déjà-vu greeted him as he did so. He half expected there to be another warrior waiting for him, to inform him that StoneClan had been attacked once again. He forgot to breathe for a moment, praying to StarClan that he was greeted only with warriors working hard. To his relief, that was exactly what he saw.

He plodded across the camp, steps heavy as exhaustion began to nag at him. The sun was warm on his back, which only added to his sudden urge to stretch out in the warmth and nap for a while. His target was the fresh-kill pile, shown by the squirrel and two mice dangling from his mouth. The prey was beginning to return to StoneClan, and the deputy could not have been more grateful for it. Depositing all but one mouse on the pile, the massive tom turned his body towards the medicine cat's den, fully intending to bring it to the she-cat who'd be stealing his thoughts as of late.

He was more than stunned to see the she-cat in question outside the den. His pace quickened immediately, his previous exhaustion momentarily forgotten as he bounded to her side. He dropped the mouse in a hurry, desperate to clear his mouth so that he could speak to her. His voice, usually a low rumbling purr that always seemed to ring calmly, was tinged with worry and something quite near horror as he managed to stammer out a single word.

"Frozenrain?"

[Insidious]

F R O Z E N R A I N

Perhaps, it was the minor hunger that ached within the StoneClan warrior's stomach that caused the mouse hooked between Hawkwing's fangs to be scented before the deputy himself. Regardless, her attention was quick to be averted toward the sandy hue of the deputy's facial features – a smirk curling the corner of her white lip upward despite the worry that seemed to cloud his expression in turn. Frozenrain supposed that his worry was understandable. After all, she wasn't supposed to be walking with her bad shoulder, especially not outside of the medicine den behind Blackeagle's back. She suspected Hawkwing, of all cats, would understand her urgency to receive the warmth of sunlight upon her features with the proper explanation being offered.

“Well hello to you to, Hawkwing,” Frozenrain mewed in response, shuffling uncomfortably in her position – her shoulder didn't respond well to being still in the same placement for lengthy amounts of time. “Before you order me back to the medicine den – I just wanted to step outside for a few minutes. There's nothing keeping me secluded inside there. Especially not when Blackeagle isn't around to be on high alert.” Frozenrain spared a moment to glance behind her, as if expecting the black feline to emerge from the edges of StoneClan camp upon the she-cat under his care speaking his name aloud. However, upon this thought being proven false, her baby blue eyes returned to Hawkwing – a spark of charm briefly highlighting their over-tired glaze.

“I'm afraid you cannot make me go back.” Frozenrain protested, snorting lightly to assist in portraying the same ignorance a young kit would sport upon desiring to impress an older clan cat. Frozenrain forced herself to take a gracious step closer to the light furred tom-cat, trying her best to conceal the minor pain that throbbed with each stride – she suspected this could be accomplished best through forcing a grin to playfully dance across her jaw. She didn't expect Hawkwing to fall for her facade of 'I'm fine, don't you worry about a thing'. And yet, she found herself bracing for the deputy to offer his words of wisdom on what she should be doing to aid her health.

At the moment, she didn't care about whether or not he was concerned, though. Simply the fact that he sported such immense worry upon his features upon him spotting her outside of the medicine den was enough to create the slightest increase in her heart rate. It showed that he, for a moment, took her well-being into consideration which she appreciated – though wouldn't admit to with the current situation of her being not-where-she-was-supposed-to-be.

[BlooRey DVD]

[smear:996600]Hawkwing[/smear:663300]
~~~~~~~~~

The sandy deputy's jaw had parted, prepared to tell the white and gray she-cat that she should return to the den, when she continued, plainly telling him that he couldn't get her to go back. He might have been deputy of the Clan, but something told him that what she said was true. He gave a resigned sigh, stepping towards her to minimize the distance between then, so she didn't have to step as far to approach him. He pressed his cheek against her good shoulder, the slightest hint of desperation in his action. He seemed to be trying to pull her closer. After a moment, he was able to convince himself to step away from her, but not daring to create too much of a distance. He regarded her with that same worried expression, before he parted his jaws to speak once more.

"Fine... I won't make you go back in for the time being... But.." His amber gaze was drawn towards the mouse he'd brought her. "Will you at least eat, and for the love of StarClan... Lay down? You'll only succeed in hurting yourself further if you continue with this standing nonsense. If you hurt yourself further, then you're out for longer, stuck in that den for longer." He met her eyes, and it was immediately obvious that what he said next was true. "And if you're stuck in that den, you aren't in the warrior's den, and that drives me crazy Frozenrain." With another defeated sigh, he bowed his head, breaking their gazes. "I swear, StarClan knows that you drive me crazy sometimes."

Without a warning, he stepped closer to her once more, rubbing his cheek against hers, amber gaze alight with worry for her. He didn't have to say what was on his mind. Since the battle, he'd pushed aside any thoughts on his age, and decided that he was not too old for her. Once he'd managed that, the depth of emotion he felt for her was clear. Especially now. With every breath, he worried about her. He couldn't wait for her to be able to return to her normal duties. He knew how much she hated not being able to be a warrior, and in turn this bothered him. It would do them both some good once she was finally out of there for good.

[Insidious]

F R O Z E N R A I N

Even throughout Hawkwing's gaze being drawn toward her just to be averted away once more, hers remained firmly fixated upon him as he spoke. Gray-white ears pricked forward to listen to his words, eyes fluttering shut each moment she found his fur brushing against her own as he closed the gap of space between them. "And if you're stuck in that den, you aren't in the warrior's den, and that drives me crazy Frozenrain." [...] "I swear, StarClan knows that you drive me crazy sometimes." For a moment, her pale blue eyes narrowed curiously. They hadn't spoken about their... relationship... if to be called that, since when they had been hunting in the forest together. And, from what Frozenrain was able to recall, Hawkwing had fret over the age difference. She wasn't about to protest, however. Instead, purring softly before lightly pushing her head into the deputy's chest.

Drawing herself away, the she-cat lowered herself to the terrain as Hawkwing had requested. Although she wouldn't admit that the pain in her shoulder was bothersome; believing she was strong enough to overcome any obstacles her shoulder presented. Frozenrain wasn't about to say no, for his request had been reasonable. It took a few seconds longer than what could be considered normal for the she-cat to reach her position upon the ground, though once she did, she tilted her chin upward to spare a glance toward the deputy. Smirking, she pawed at the mouse he had brought her, eyes skimming the prey before she delicately bit at its side. Her gaze didn't return to the tom until she had eaten a bite, knowing he likely wouldn't allow the subject to be changed until she had consumed at least some of it. “As requested, I have eaten and lied down. Is there anything else you would like from me, sir?” Frozenrain's ears flattened against her skull, blinking pale blue eyes in the deputy's direction as if she were a kit struck by awe to be in his very presence. It was clear, however, that her tone bordered charming mockery far more than admiration.

Of course, Frozenrain was inwardly aware that Hawkwing was deputy of her clan. Therefore, he had to be treated with an air of respect. She simply found it troubling to speak to him as if he was of a higher position, especially when the feelings she had from him often tempted her to act as if there was nothing to be considered other than the two of them alone. With the way her blue eyes were fixated upon him, it was likely seeming as if not a thought toward this was afloat in her mind. However, every once in a while, she found random, unnecessary details like this entering her intellect. She didn't suspect Hawkwing to be the type that demanded authority, though. From what she had witnessed of him, he didn't seem bothered by the unlawful charm the tabby patterned she-cat accompanied her sarcasm with – it was one of many reasons that she was drawn to him.

“You don't need to worry, you know,” angling herself upon a more serious topic, Frozenrain averted her gaze from the tip of her gray-white paws, back to the golden eyes of Hawkwing. It was clear that he was worried about her; bothered by the injury she had obtained in battle with LightningClan. He was deputy of Stoneclan, though. He didn't need to constantly cloud his mind with such worry, especially not when she was perfectly okay. “I'll be back to the warrior's den in no time." The she-cat leaned forward, rising up from her seated stance for the briefest of moments in order to brush her tongue against Hawkwing's cheek. She didn't suspect that he wouldn't counter what she had said, but, she was surely hoping that he would realize the truth behind it.

She appreciated how much he worried; it showed that he cared. Being the dedicated warrior she was, however – Frozenrain knew that, as deputy, Hawkwing likely had things that needed to be done, things that were likely far more important.

[BlooRey DVD]

[smear:996600]Hawkwing[/smear:663300]
~~~~~~~~

The large, sand colored tom stared back at the she-cat for a moment, suddenly unable to draw any words to the front. Hawkwing blinked at Frozenrain, the rather dumbfounded expression on his face showing his stupor clearly. Amber eyes continued to fixate on her until finally, life and intelligence seemed to filter back into his body. Slowly, he let his rump slump to the ground, plopping down almost like a kit trying to figure out just how to sit gracefully like most cats did. His tail didn't curl around his paws as it normally did, didn't even twitch. He blinked at her once more, from where she lay before allowing his whole body to slide to the ground. One large paw rose up to flop down on his nose, his amber eyes closed as he attempted to get even a moment's clear thought through his brain. He suddenly felt old again. He couldn't think straight anymore, surely he was losing his mind to age. And then a thought crossed his mind.

"I don't care" It began as a whisper, mumbled beneath the weight of a sand hued paw. Slowly, he lifted his head off the ground, amber eyes focused back on her. This time, however, there was a hint of something more, something that could only be described as youthful. A grin was clear on his lips as he rather childishly shimmied along the ground. It was rather comical really, but he wasn't able to stop himself. He stretched forward, nose touching hers so lightly, it was almost as though it had never happened. His sun-hued eyes shone as he opened his jaws, as though he were preparing to speak. There was a slight pause, but he managed the first few words without trouble. "Frozenrain, I get it now... What you said about age. It doesn't matter, I shouldn't push something away because of it. I understand now, and I..." His voice trailed off, and the huge StoneClan deputy was suddenly reduced to a stammering, young tom, trying to admit his feelings to his crush.

"I... Would you... I mean.. I-If you still... If you don't... Uh..." His large paws began to shuffle slightly against the ground, his gaze focusing there rather than on Frozenrain herself. "Would you... S-Still... Be m-my mate..?"

[Insidious]

F R O Z E N R A I N

It was curious: the way Hawkwing was suddenly acting. The gray-white warrior blinked pale blue eyes with intent amusement, observing the StoneClan deputy as he shifted his weight into a stance that mirrored her own. Tilting her chin upward to match the tom's height, a small smile slipped through her grasp – narrowing her light blue eyes skeptically as he shimmied closer, his nose ever-so-lightly brushing against her own. She was moment's away from parting her jaws to voice aloud the question he likely knew was upon the tip of her tongue, though she found herself cut off by Hawkwing's lowly toned statement. “I don't care.”

Clicking her tabby patterned jaw shut, she allowed a blanket of content silence to envelop her. It was clear that the sandy hued tom wasn't finished speaking, therefore, she was willing to be patient as he gathered his words. It was difficult to keep her inward desire for laughter under wraps. Seeing the deputy struggling with his word choice was somewhat comical; especially when taking into consideration the usual ease in which he spoke with such mannerism and sharp properness. Once he began to speak again, her ears pinned forward with interest. Apparently, he understood that his age wasn't meant to be a factor. This was good, for that meant he was no longer worried about their relationship not being appropriate, right? She contemplated this for a moment, once again finding her snowballing thoughts cut off by the words she quite honestly wasn't expecting.

"Would you... S-Still... Be m-my mate..?"

Frozenrain was silent for a moment, taking her sweet time allowing the words to sink in. She hoped Hawkwing wasn't taking her momentary silence as a no, for she would never forgive herself if she allowed such a thing to occur. With the quick sweep of her tail tip across the dusty terrain, a jovial smirk spilled across her jaw, jolting forward to press her muzzle into his shoulder – thankfully, his nearby proximity didn't require she move too far as to cause unnecessary pain to her injury. “I told you during our hunting trip a while back that I would not be changing my mind, Hawkwing. I stand by it.” Her words were spoken with a soft purr, pulling back to glance into the deputy's pale gold eyes, regardless of the fact he was seemingly too nervous to sustain eye contact. “I am still interested; never lost my interest. So, yes. I would still be your mate.”

[BlooRey DVD]

[smear:996600]Hawkwing[/smear:663300]
~~~~~~~~

In all honesty, Hawkwing never expected that he would be reduced to feeling like a young apprentice again. His heart was engaged in a never ending marathon as it frantically fluttered about, threatening to leap out of his chest at any moment. He was so nervous that he was convinced he was Hawkpaw again, faced with the beautiful white she-cat he'd known as Cloudfall. A slight pang of sadness swept over him as he thought briefly about his first crush. She'd passed away moons ago, so soon after becoming a warrior. She had slipped, and suffered a deadly fall.

The rush of depression that hit the sandy tom was easily masked by the onslaught of other emotions that were bombarding him at the present time. Distracting himself from thoughts of Cloudfall was easy as he heard the she-cat before him speak, finally shattering that painfully long silence that had plastered itself across the space between them, never mind how little space that actually was. Light furred ears flashed forward, pricked and intent on every word uttered by the she-cat. His eyes were finally able to hold eye contact as the words slowly soaked in.

For a long moment, there was no reaction from the tom. He felt something press against his shoulder, and still, there was no movement. It wasn't until he was fully able to process that she had said yes, she said yes! that the tom was able to react. A purr erupted from him, a low rumbling sound that reverberated through his chest. He rubbed his cheek against hers, unable to contain the rush of the new emotion that took over him. It shone in his eyes, bringing the pale amber to a vibrant glowing color that could almost be referred to as golden.

Through his excitement, the tom did manage to stammer out a rather stunned "R-Really?!"

He might just be the happiest tom in all the Clans.