Always

They are dangerous. Merciless. They will kill you, without a second thought.

That was all TsunamiClan cats were told about WaveClan. The queens and elders told tales of the horrible WaveClan to the kits. The apprentices were trained to kill any cat from WaveClan, they were trained to fight with every living breath against their oldest enemy. The warriors never stopped cursing the WaveClan cats, the Clan that they hated with all their might, from the tips of their whiskers to the ends of their tails.

Sunpaw’s hate, on the other hand, didn’t pound so fiercely, as her Clanmates. Though she had been trained for many moons to fight against WaveClan, she never really wanted to. She thought the warriors were overreacting- how could a silly old Clan be so cruel?

Her mentor wasn’t pleased. He hissed at her every day. “Pretend I’m a WaveClan cat! Attack me! Rip me apart!”

“I don’t want to!” Sunpaw would wail.

“Too bad! Do it! Do it!”

Sunpaw would half-heartedly pounce at her mentor, who would flick her off like a tick.

“You’re so soft! Harder! Shred my pelt! Try! Like I’m a WaveClan warrior!”

Where did all this hate come from? Sunpaw would always wonder. She asked her mentor, who would hiss at her, (just to keep things simple) she asked her leader, Wispstar, who rolled her eyes, muttering about how mentors don’t teach their apprentices proper manners these days. She asked her father, how shook his head, looking the exact opposite of proud. She asked her grandfather, her grandmother, who all shot her dirty looks but didn’t answer, she asked the rest of the apprentices, who shrugged, an angry fire flickering in their eyes at the sound of WaveClan.

Last of all, Sunpaw asked her mother, who was the first cat to give her an answer.

“No one knows. But all we need to know is that we once fought, so we have to fight them now.”

Sunpaw was very curious if the WaveClan cats were really as bad as her Clan said. Sadly, apprentices weren’t allowed to go to gatherings- only when they became warriors and swore the oath to fight against WaveClan. Sunpaw couldn’t wait to become a warrior.

Sadly- after many more moons had passed- Sunpaw started to give in.

All those days TsunamiClan has spent feeding her with bad information had started to mess with her head. And now she truly believed that WaveClan was evil.

Her mentor was very pleased. So was her mother, father, grandfather and grandmother. But most proud was her leader, who declared that Sunpaw must be made a warrior right away.

“Sunpaw, do you promise to protect your Clan, and fight against WaveClan till there’s breath in your body, and fire in your spirit?”

Sunpaw took a deep breath, a soft breeze that smelled of salt and sea ruffling her fur.

“I promise.” She mewed firmly.

“Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Sunpaw, from this moment on, you shall be known as Sunflare. Serve your Clan well.”

Sunflare! Such a pretty name. And as Sunflare heard it being hollered by the cats around her, she felt that she would keep her promise. Always.

Dappled silver light bathed the sand like shimmering splashes of water. The roaring waves crashed against the shore, sounding like thunder. A great, towering palm tree was in the middle of the large clearing, around which lots of cats were gathering. The full moon was rising. It was time for Sunflare’s first gathering. She felt like she was gliding, her heart pounding with joy and excitement.

The three Clans, TsunamiClan, WaveClan, and TideClan had come to meet, briefly share news, boast about their victories.

So many cats! Sunflare felt slightly overwhelmed as she slipped among the chattering felines.

She felt a good spot next to the ocean, where she had a good view of the leaders who had gathered at the foot of the large palm tree.

Sunflare sat down, tucking her fluffy tail over her paws. She stared ahead, determined to become invisible. She had decided one thing.

*I do not like crowds. And I don’t want to meet any WaveClan cats anymore, either. I couldn’t stop myself from swiping my claws over their faces.*

“Cats of all Clans! We have gathered here today, under the light of the full moon, to share news! Whalestar, you start.” Wispstar spat the WaveClan leader’s name like it was a bad word.

“Thank you, Wispstar.” Whalestar mewed coldly. “Nothing much has happened in WaveClan. Though I am proud to say that Sharkpaw, had now completed his medicine cat training. His name is now Sharkflight.”

“Sharkflight! Sharkflight!” TideClan and WaveClan hollered. TsunamiClan remained silent.

Sunflare raked her gaze through the crowd, and spotted a pale grey tom near the leaders. He dipped his head, looking embarrassed, and stepped back to settle down beside his mentor.

“Gullstar, your turn.” Whalestar said.

Gullstar, TideClan’s leader nodded respectfully. “Thank you, Whalestar. All is well in TideClan. Morningmist had a new litter of kits. Nightkit, Otterkit, and Swiftkit. Prey is running, er, shall I say swimming well in our territory.” Gullstar paused, as if waiting for everyone to laugh.

Sunflare rolled her eyes. Other Clans were *so* full of themselves.

Gullstar shook his head, looking slightly ashamed. “Uh, and Turtlekit became an apprentice. She is now Turtlepaw.”

Wispstar looked icily at Gullstar. “Thank you. TsunamiClan is doing very well. We are still strong and brave, and our numbers are rising. Sunpaw, Moonpaw, Songpaw, and Badgerpaw are now warriors. Welcome, Sunflare, Moonblaze, Songhawk, and Badgerstripe!”

Sunflare felt hot as her name was hollered loudly by TideClan and TsunamiClan. Now she understood why Sharkflight has been so embarrassed. Though, at the same time, Sunflare felt hurt that WaveClan hadn’t shouted her warrior name.

*Gull- food eating, self- centered mouse brains.* Sunflare thought fiercely.

But- wait. She hadn’t shouted out Sharkflight’s name either. Before she could feel any guilt, Wispstar stood up.

‘“That concludes our gathering. I hope next time WaveClan can teach their warriors better manners. Show them how to respect other Clans.”

“Excuse me?!?” Whalestar spat. “*You* teach your Clan some respect! Sharkflight studied hard to become a medicine cat! He deserves approval from other Clans!”

“Wispstar… Whalestar...Calm yourselves..” Gullstar stepped between the two she-cats, whose claws were sheathed, their pelts bristling.

“Be quiet!” Wispstar hissed, raking her claws over Gullstar’s eye. Blood speckled the ground, Gullstar blinded from the strike. Whalestar yelled, rushing over to Gullstar’s side and sniffing his wound.

“What did you do?” Whalestar growled at Wispstar.

“What he deserved.”

Sunflare felt like she had been splashed with icy water. Realization dawned on her. Her leader was the evil one. Not WaveClan’s. She had to do something.

Whalestar and Wispstar launched themselves at each other, and with that, chaos and fighting broke out among the Clans. No! The truce was broken! Sunflare squeezed herself through fighting cats, blood that wasn’t hers speckling her blood, tufts of fur littering the ground like seashells. She was almost to the palm tree! If she could hold off her leader, maybe they would stop killing each other…

She hissed in pain as hooked claws caught in her ear, ripping it.

“Sorry!” her father hissed, then threw himself back into the battle.

Another blow- a cat had cut open her nose, and claws slashed against her shoulder, warm blood soaking her pelt. Hissing, cries of pain, and fierce battle roars filled her ears, her face and shoulder blazing with pain...she broke through the mass of cats, gasping for air.

“Wispstar! Stop!!” She meowed, but before she could do anything else, she heard a distant cry:

“Tsunami!”

A shadow fell over them all, blocking out the moon and stars. A towering wave rose into the air, then crashed down over the cats, sucking them into the sea.

Sunflare let out a feeble mew, like a little kit. She couldn’t breathe! Panic surged through her chest. She realised someone was dragging her gently over soft, smooth sand. Then silky grass. Someone set her down, realising her scruff. Strong paws then pushed against her rib cage, then again, and again. Sunflare coughed. Spattering and choking, her mouth full of the taste of seawater, she lifted her head.

Her pelt was cold, dripping wet, every inch of her body ached like a fire was burning her muscles.

She opened her eyes, to find herself not so far from the shore, among the shade of the palm trees. A soft light was growing brighter and brighter with each passing moment at the horizon. It was dawn. Someone was standing above her- someone with a pale grey pelt, and a faint scent of herbs hidden under the strong scent of sea.

Everything came flooding back. WaveClan, the gathering, the fight, the tsunami. Sharkflight. Sharkflight from WaveClan. The WaveClan.

Sunflare leapt up onto her paws, her wet pelt bristling.

“Get away from me!” She hissed.

Sharkflight looked at her surprised, his bright blue eyes shining with warmth.

“It’s okay. You’re injured. I’m just trying to help.” He whispered.

“You’re a WaveClan cat! WaveClan is evil!” Sunflare’s voice broke. “But TsunamiClan is evil too.” She felt her eyes cloud, and turned her head away from Sharkflight to make sure he wouldn't see her tears.

But it seems he already had.

He moved closer to Sunflare, and this time Sunflare didn’t pull away. His warmth was comforting. Sharkflight rasped his tongue over her ears in an attempt to calm her. Sunflare closed her eyes.

“Aww, I’m so sorry. You know, in my Clan, we were always taught to hate TsunamiClan. We were told they are cruel, merciless, and kill without a second thought. We always assumed, but we never knew for sure. I think that makes us most cruel. We should have never judged a different Clan without knowing for sure. This was my first gathering- and I knew right away that your Clan wasn’t bad. Not the best, that’s for sure. But that’s something you’ll need to work on together.”

“If any of my Clan survives.” Sunflare muttered numbly.

“The tsunami was a message from StarClan. A message to stop fighting and stop judging each other. It was frightening, but it won’t hurt anyone. StarClan wouldn’t do that.”

“How could you know?” Sunflare said a little too hotly.

Sharkflight rolled his eyes.

“I’m a medicine cat! Now lay back and let me treat those wounds before I lose my patience.”

Sunflare looked up into his clear blue eyes, and felt an odd sensation in her heart. She gently laid back down, the rising sun drying her pelt. But she was already warm.

Once Sharkflight had finished treating her cuts and wounds, he suggested they should rest for a bit before going to find the Clans. Sunflare agreed without hesitation.

They curled up together to give each other warmth, and dozed off quickly. Despite the cold realisation that Sunflare had discovered, she felt oddly calm and happy. She wondered why.

“Sunflare, wake up.” Sharkflight nudged her gently. “I brought you some prey.”

Sunflare stretched and yawned, before leaning down to tear hungrily into the fish’s flesh.

“Thanks!” She muttered with her mouth full. Once Sunflare was full, she pushed the remaining food toward Sharkflight, who dipped his head in thanks and ate as well.

“Alright.” Sharkflight said as he licked his paw. “We have to go home. I think the tsunami washed us really far from our gathering place. So….” he ducked his head.

“What’s wrong?” Sunflare whispered.

“Uhm...I think we’re lost.”

Sunflare grinned. “Don’t be silly! We just have to follow the sea! Come on!”

Feeling rested and recharged, Sunflare was ready to face anything in order to get home and try to fix everything.

Sharkflight and Sunflare had been walking for hours. The sun was high in the sky, and their spirits were just as high. Whenever they got too hot, they would just take a quick dip in the cold water, and the prey was plenty too. They stopped to eat a quick lunch once, and spent the rest of the day talking. Talking about herbs, medicine cat training, and warrior training. They talked about how unfair the hostility was between WaveClan and TsunamiClan, and about ideas of how to try and fix everything. They talked about silly things too, like favorite prey and favorite place to sunbathe, and about their mentors. At dusk, Sunflare caught them a fish, which they ate fast, then they curled up together to sleep.

“Sunflare?” Sharkflight whispered.

“Yes?”

“May I please have a kiss?”

Sunflare purred, and licked her traveling companion gently between the ears.

“Good night, Sharkflight.”

“Good night Sunflare.”

The weird feeling in her heart seemed to blaze even stronger tonight.

Their second day of traveling passed fast too. Sharkflight and Sunflare spent the time swapping jokes and good memories of their kithood and apprenticeship.

Sunflare wondered why she felt so happy when Sharkflight was by her.

Three moons passed. It was a misty morning, cloudy, hazy, dark and damp, when Sunflare awoke on her last day together with Sharkflight. They were home. She could feel it in her bones.

Sharkflight greated Sunflare with a mischievous grin on his face.

“What?” Sunflare asked tentatively.

“Tag!” Sharkflight hollered. “You said it was your favorite kithood game, so I’d thought we’d play a round today!”

“Oh! I’ll get you!” Sunflare laughed. She sprang up, and raced after Sharkflight, bunching and stretching her muscles to blast through the beach in pursuit of her friend.

Sharkflight yelped when he realized she was right next to him. They locked gazes, and laughed, the wind whipping their fur, making their eyes water. Sharkflight put on an extra burst of speed, Sunflare dashing after him.

Suddenly, Sharkflight turned, racing into the sea, Sunflare hot on his heels. Then she pounced, landing on Sharkflight’s back and knocking him down into the shallow water. They wrestled in the ocean for a while, before Sharkflight called a break, and gasping, out of breath, their fur drenched, but a smile on their faces, they climbed out of the water and into the warm sun.

It was dawn. It was quiet, waves lapping the shore, seagulls chattering and swooping in the sky above them.

Sharkflight and Sunflare curled around each other, licking each other's pelt clean of driftwood and seaweed.

And Sunflare felt the odd sensation in her heart pound fiercer than ever. She longed to stay with Sharkflight forever, to never leave his side, her tail twined with his. She loved his fun, kind, caring personality. His pale grey pelt whipped in the warm breeze, his smile was brighter than the stars in the night sky. His clear blue eyes were like pools of ocean water.

And, realising all that, Sunflare knew- she knew right away that the feeling in her heart was love.

“Sharkflight...I love you.” Sunflare whispered.

Sharkflight didn’t seem surprised at all. “I love you too.”

They both purred, Sunflare burying her muzzle into his chest, Sharkflight lying his head on hers.

“We’re not supposed to love each other,” Sunflare spoke quietly. “you’re a medicine cat from WaveClan, and I’m a warrior from TsunamiClan.”

“Tell that to my heart.” Sharkflight responded.

Sunflare closed her eyes, content.

“There’s the Great Palm. We’re home.” Sharkflight muttered.

Sunflare just nodded. She didn’t want to speak. It hurt too much. She wasn’t that happy to be home anymore. She leaned against Sharkflight, breathing in his sweet scent.

“I have something for you.” Sharkflight spoke softly. He spat something out of his mouth. A small, red seashell, shimmering like a ball of fire in the weak sunlight.

“You’ve been carrying that in your mouth?” Sunflare asked.

“Umm...yes. Sorry, I understand if you don’t want it…”

“That’s so sweet of you. Thank you.” Sunflare purred.

They stood in silence for a while.

“I guess this is where we part.” Sharkflight said.

“Yeah.” Sunflare’s voice cracked. “I will never forget you, my love.”

“I won’t either. Our love was forbidden, but I would never let that stop anything. And I never will. I love you, dear Sunflare. I always will.”

“Always?” Sunflare choked.

“Always.”

Sunflare leaned down, grabbed the shell in her mouth, and padded across the beach.

She turned back, and saw tears slipping down Sharkflight’s pale grey face. He dipped his head. Sunflare did too. Then she turned around, and didn’t look back, the pain in her heart threating to overwhelm her. Always. The word echoed in her mind. Always.

Sunflare’s paws felt like heavy stones as she dragged them through the sand, onto the grass. She stopped at the TsunamiClan border, and, gently setting the seashell down, she began to lick her pelt clean of WaveClan scent. She stopped, spat out a stubborn burr that didn’t want to part from her fur, and shook her head. She didn’t care if her Clan was angry that she had WaveClan scent. She wanted to cling to everything that reminded her of Sharkflight.

Getting up again, she picked up the shell, and stepped over the border. As she padded through the dense undergrowth, apprenticeship memories came flooding back to her. Hunting, fighting, patrolling in the early morning and late at night. These memories filled her with a dull joy, nowhere near as strong as being with Sharkflight had.

“Sunflare! It’s you! It’s really you! I thought they killed you!” Sunflare’s mother nearly tripped over her own paws in her hast to get to her daughter.

Sunflare gasped. Her mother looked horrible. There were wounds all over her body, clearly infected. She was skinny as a skeleton, and she looked as if she hadn’t slept in moons.

“Mom! What happened to you?” Sunflare cried, as her mother collapsed at her paws.

“A battle! We’ve been fighting with WaveClan! No time to eat or rest! No time to treat our wounds!”

“Oh my stars. Stay here, mom. I have something to do.” Sunflare dashed off into the undergrowth, thorns stabbing at her pelt. She didn’t care. She had to get to Sharkflight. And fast. It was all clear to her now. The tsunami. The journey with Sharkflight.

She put on an extra burst of speed. Then WaveClan scent filled her nose.

She made it! Now which way to their camp? Taking a large gulp of air, she scented WaveClan everywhere. Oh, where to go??? Aha! Sunflare spotted droplets of blood on the ground- injured warriors, heading to their camp to be treated! Sunflare started running again, following the trail of scarlet drops. Before she knew it, she crashed into someone.

“TsunamiClan! They’re attacking!” Shrieked the cat.

“I’m not attacking! I’m coming to help!” Sunflare hissed into his ear.

She sprang over him, and raced on, faster, faster.

Suddenly the ground disappeared from under her paws. She crashed into the ground hard, but when she opened her eyes, she found the WaveClan camp, hidden inside a hollow.

Getting shakily to her paws, she heard cries of fear and anger.

“TsunamiClan is here! Kill her!”

A golden cat was about to strike, but a pale grey shape launched himself between them.

“No! Don’t you dare lay a paw on her! She’s not like the other cats!”

“Sharkflight!” Sunflare gasped.

“Sunflare! Are you okay? What are you doing here?” Sharkflight pressed his nose to hers, concern in his clear blue eyes, his scent of herbs wafting around her comfortingly.

“Sharkflight, I know now! StarClan wanted us to be together so we could stop the war between our Clans! But though they meant us to be friends, they never meant us to fall in love. I guess even StarClan doesn’t know that love is stronger then friendship. We can stop this! Now!”

Sharkflight nodded. “Lean on me.” He whispered into her ear. “There’s a battle at sunhigh. We’ve got to stop it.”

To his Clan, he yelled. “I’ll be back soon! But yes! I’m not afraid to admit it! Sunflare is my mate!”

Gaspes and yells of shock and anger filled the hollow, but Sharkflight turned his back on them, and dashed out of the camp with his love.

A few hours passed. Sharkflight treated Sunflare’s cuts, while Sunflare planned what to do.

It was time at last, the bright, strong sun high in the sky, a fiery orb bringing light to the world.

Sunflare and Sharkflight spied on the gathering Clans from the bushes.

First came TsunamiClan, all looking horrible just like Sunflare’s mother had. Then came TideClan, who were now angry at TsunamiClan for injuring their leader, and were allying with WaveClan. And last of all came WaveClan, looking strong, and healthy. All the cats who had been injured were being treated at the camp. Sunflare thought, with a twinge of horror, that Wispstar was making the injured cats fight too. What an evil, cruel leader.

“Time to fight!” Wispstar shrieked, a mad light in her eyes.

“Wispstar! Your cats a hungry, tired, and hurt! Your last chance to surrender and save your Clan!” Whalestar mewed.

“Never. We will fight to the end!” Wispstar bunched her muscles, ready to spring, when Sunflare and Sharkflight burst out of the bushes, and into the middle of the clearing.

“Stop!” Sunflare yelled.

Meows of shock and surprise echoed in the clearing.

“The tsunami washed me and Sunflare far away from our home. It was StarClan’s attempt to make us befriend each other- so we could bring peace to the Clans. Little did they know that more would happen! Much, much more.” Sharkflight gazed affectionately at his mate.

Hisses of disgust filled the air. Sunflare felt her blood begin to boil, but Sharkflight gave her ear a soothing lick. Fighting was not the answer. Not today.

“WaveClan isn’t cruel!” Sunflare said. “They are kind, caring and loyal, and are only fighting us because we are fighting them! We, TsunamiClan, are the cruelest, because we are following an evil leader, who judges before she really knows! We should stop fighting, get to know each other, bring peace to our lands! Please- give it a chance. Me and Sharkflight are from different Clans- yet we love- yes, love each other! Despite the lies and differences. He’s a medicine cat, I’m a warrior- but just like you can’t rewrite the stars, you can’t rewrite love.”

Silence.

“Give each other a chance! Who's with us?” Sharkflight yowled.

“I am.” Sharkflight’s mentor, Octopussong yelled. “I’m not happy you broke the medicine cat code- but I can’t say you’re wrong.”

“Us too!” Sunflare’s friends stepped beside them.

“And us!” Sunflare and Sharkflight’s parents, Sharkflight’s sister, and one by one, the rest of the Clans, forming a great big crowd around the mates.

WaveClan, TideClan, TsunamiClan. Together. The plan was working!

“No!” Wispstar shrieked.

“Yes.” Sunflare said calmly. “You still have a chance. Step down from your position. And everything will be okay.”

Wispstar shrieked, and launched herself at Sunflare. Her claws toar into her pelt like thorns, and Sunflare yelled in agony.

“Sunflare!” Sharkflight’s voice brought her back.

Sunflare growled, and slashed at Wispstar, again and again, till the leader lay, unmoving, at her paws.

“She’s still alive.” Sharkflight said, sniffing her pelt.

“I didn’t want to kill her.” Sunflare said. “But I doubt she’ll go unpunished.”

Breezefire, the deputy, stepped forward, dipping her head respectfully to Sunflare.

“I promise I’ll be a good leader.” She said.

“I hope you keep your promise.” Sunflare flicked her tail playfully. “You better head to the Moonpalm to get your nine lives. I hardly think Wispstar- er, Wisptail will be leader anymore.”

Many moons passed. Sunflare had joined WaveClan. Though Breezefire did become a really good leader, Sunflare wanted to spend her time with Sharkflight. The medicine cat code was changed. Octopussong had asked StarClan’s approval, and they agreed. Medicine cats were now allowed to have mates- as long as there was another medicine cat.

Sunflare and Sharkflight were very happy together. True, once or twice Sunflare would be angry that they weren’t spending enough time together, but, after all, Sharkflight was a medicine cat, and Sunflare soon learned to accept that.

It was a bright and sunny morning, Sunflare and Sharkflight were walking together on the beach. They sat down, the waves lapping gently at their paws, their tails twined.

Sunflare leaned against her mate, breathing in his sweet scent, enjoying his company.

Finally, she thought it was time to ask him.

“Sharkflight? Sorry to ruin the moment. But I haven’t been feeling right lately. I feel really full and heavy, and my paws get swollen every time I go on a hunting patrol.”

“Let me check. Lie down, please.”

Sunflare rolled onto her back, the sun warming her fur. She felt Sharkflight’s paw on her belly, and heard him laugh.

“What’s wrong?” Sunflare got back up on her paws. Sharkflight beamed at her.

“Nothing’s wrong! You’re having kits!”

“Oh!” Sunflare gasped in surprise, then started to laugh too.”I’ve been an idiot! Of course, what else would it be!”

“Hey! Don’t talk that way about my mate.” Sharkflight purred, burying his muzzle in Sunflare’s chest. “You’ll be the best mother ever.”

“And you’ll be the best father. And they will be the best kits. And we will always love each other.”

“Always?” Sharkflight asked, lifting his face, his clear blue eyes staring into hers.

“Always.”