Storm POV

The fox attack may of been unexpected, but we knew what to do.
It was a combination of drills and practice we were prepared for it.
"You never can be too prepared." A phrase my late father always said.

I was checking on the mother and kits in the house , when I noticed a ginger tabby by the living room window. Her thick fur dappled in the sunlight, her pointy ears were dropping off to the side of her head, and her lush tail tickled her nose.

Nutmeg.

I paused for a moment and inhaled her sweet scent. My heart hammered in its cage as I watched her. Ever since she came here I felt lost within her beauty.

At first I thought she was a sleep, after all she never fought a fox before and must be tired, but I heard her let out a deep depressing sigh.

I padded over and stood in front of her. At once her leafy green eyes snapped open and rolled upward meeting my gaze. She stiffened.

"Hi Nutmeg. "I greeted with a purr.
"S-Storm. " She started.
" Are you okay? You don't seem to be ." I asked. Nutmeg sat up and stared at her white paws.
"I'm fine, thanks. " Though she said so, I could tell she didn't feel it.

I gave her a reassuring smile.
"You can always talk to me." I offered.
Nutmeg lifted her gaze. Pain glittered her eyes. "Thanks but I don't feel like talking. She mumbled.

The smile ceased from my mouth.
Her face was dull with depression. An expression I hated seeing on anyone. It reminded me of my mother's face when my father died. I was a young kitten then, I didn't remember much about my father but it was her face I always remembered, and how to fix it.

"Come with me." I say. Nutmeg gave a curious look. "To where?"
" You'll see." I smiled.

I lead Nutmeg out of the house, towards the forest. The morning frost crunched under paw, glittering in the sunlight.
Leaving the field behind us we entered the forest.

The forest was dark under the canopy of the trees during the summer, but in the winter when the leaves were gone, it was bright and inviting.

" So where are we going exactly?
" You'll see."

At last I came to small bramble bush.
There was a small entrance in the middle and I shouldered myself inside.

"Come on. "

Inside was a beautiful spot. A small pond frozen over, ice dripped from low branches. Snow sparkling in the sunlight. 

I heard Nutmeg gasp.
"Its beautiful."
As she walked around I walked over to the frozen pond. "Hey Nutmeg! Check this out!"

She watched me as I went  sliding into the snow bank. "Are you okay?" She asked me, making her way over.
I popped head out of the snow and grinned.
" I'm fine. You try it!!" 
Nutmeg cautiously stepped onto the ice, she let out a startled gasp when she slipped and crashed into the snowy bank. Her head popped up laughing. "That was fun!" She said, climbing out of the bank, shaking her pelt. I did the same.
" Well in that case, " I gave her a mischievous  look.
"You're it!" I tagged her with a paw.

I raced into the trees with Nutmeg behind me.
"Hey Wait, Storm! I'm gonna get you for that"
"You wish!"
Kicking up snow I sprinted through the undergrowth, darting the out reached branches that scraped at my loose fur.  I came to the edge on another clearing and slowed down when I realized Nutmeg was no longer behind me. "Nutmeg?" I called looking around. I sniffed the air for her scent. it was strong. Sundely a branch above me shook. I looked up to see her falling her paws stretched out. She pinned me to the ground and we rolled in the snow laughing. Once we stopped, she stood above me smiling. "Gotcha."I rose to my feet. 

"You win." I say. 

"Thanks Storm. This was exactly what I needed." I let out a purr. 

"I'm glad you enjoyed it. You seemed a bit sad earlier and I wanted you you be happy." I said. Nutmeg beamed. "Well it worked." We turned and started to walk home. After moments of silence I spoke up. 

"Nutmeg?'"

"Yes Storm?"

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure, what is it?"  I paused. 

"You don't have to answer if don't want to, but why were you sad?" I heard Nutmeg sighed deeply. Maybe I should of not asked . Nutmeg spoke. 

"It's silly really. You see, back at home I was supposed to be the leader of my group of cats. To replace my father who passed away recently." She said. Wincing when mentioning her father's death. 

"I'm sorry to hear that." I say. Nutmeg continued. 

I knew I was going to be leader eventually, but it was just too quick and I wasn't sure if I was ready for the responsibility.  But I tried."  Nutmeg then went on to tell me about Frost, and how she was planning to find a new home for her cats and the food shortages.

'Isn't that a good thing? I would move my cats to a new place if a crazy cat was terrorizing everyone."  I told her.  Nutmeg shook her head. 

"In the alleys you fight and defend your territory, you don't run away. When I told them about it they accused me of just that. " Her shoulder sagged and she stopped walking. "Maybe I am running away, using this new home thing as a excuse. I'm a horrible leader. That's why I was sad Storm, seeing you handle the fox attack show how bad I am." 

 I turned to face her, wrapping my tail around her shoulders. "Hey, that's not true." I reassured her. "Listen Nutmeg, what you told me shows you care deeply about your cats. You could fight, but you care about their wellbeing first.  My father always told me that the life wellbeing and safety  of our cats are top priority.  It seems you you are doing just that."  She looked up. 

"You really think so?" I nodded. 

"Absolutely. Now I'm going to tell you a little secret." I said. 

"Okay." She said. I leaned closer and whispered in her ear. 

"I was terrified of being leader. "

"Really?" she exclaimed. I nodded. "Hard to believe I know, but I was once." 

"So how do you do it?" 

"Support and believing in yourself. Once I did that, all of my worries went away. Yours can do to."  The ginger tabby gave me a broad smile and purred. " Thanks Storm, that means a lot." Removing my tail, I used it to beckon her over.  "Let's go home." 

We resumed our walk and began talking about more light topics when I heard the bush beside us rustled. My ears twitched. It rustled again, shaking violently. 

"What was that?" Nutmeg asked. I sniffed the air my fur stood on end. Wolf!

"Nutmeg run!" I yelled when the vile creature bursted out snarling. We sprinted through the woods with the hot breath on our tails.   I looked over my shoulder. The wolf was  getting closer as we eventually grew tired. I looked up and saw a heaven in the trees. 

"Climb!" I shouted. We ran to the trees and started to climb. I was half up way to the first branch when I heard Nutmeg let out a scream. I look over to her tree to see the wolf yanking on her tail, pulling her down.  Abandoning my safety I rushed over and tackled the wolf. "Get away from her!" I growled. Sliding out my claws,  I swiped at it's muzzle and sank my teeth into its shoulder. We tumbled in snow, claws clashed, teeth sank, ripped fur went flying.  I yowled in pain as the wolf bit down on one of my hind legs. I released him and slumped in the snow.  I heard Nutmeg yell out my name. 

"Stay there Nutmeg!" I ordered her. A growl returned my attention to the wolf that was now towering over me. his eyes were wild and he bared his teeth. I raised my good hind leg  to strike him in the belly. He howled in pain and pinned me down, I squirmed free myself but I was stuck. He grabbed me and shook me violently. Clawing my belly, cutting me open. blood streamed from the wound in my leg, I yowled in pain as the soft fur on my stomach was ripped away, more blood spilled. I was getting light headed, slipping into a far away trance.   Just as the wolf went to sink his teeth into my neck, a blur of ginger spinning in the air appeared in the corner of my vision. Immediately the weight was removed from and I blanked out.

...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Nutmeg POV: 

I watched in horror as Storm's body landed in the snow with a thud. 

"Storm!" I cried out. I rushed over to him to find him unconscious, but breathing.  I turned to the wolf who eyed me hungrily.  Our fight ensued. He was strong and had stamina, but I was faster. I darted from side to side, slashing his thighs. I clawed at his face, gouge his eyes. Ripped his ears, anything to drive him away.  Just as I began to tire out, the wolf fortunately had enough and left, leaving blood prints in his wake.  I ran over to Storm who was still knocked out. 'Storm, come on wake up! We need to get you home." I said, nudging his shoulder. I shook him. "Stom, don't do this to me! Wake up! Please."  

"Nutmeg?" I heard him croak. 

"Oh thank goodness, you're alright!" 

"Are you okay?" He asked me, his amber eyes sharpened when he noticed the blood trickling down my cheek. 

"I'm okay. " I reassured him.  Then I frowned. "You should of not saved me! I could handle him! Now look at you! How am I going to get you home?" I argued. He gave me a shy smile. 

"I did that because I care about you about you, Nutmeg." I froze.  What did he say?

"I have been  noticing you for a while now.  And well, I like you, a lot in fact. You care about others and put yourself before others. I think it's time someone did the same for you. He purred. 

"Storm , I -I..." I stuttered. My heart hammered in my chest. My ears redden. 

"Nutmeg, will you stay with me?" I stared into the tom's warm, intense amber eyes. He was a cat of perfection. handsome no doubt but his heart was what made him shine.  He was caring, kind, a great leader.  Now he was asking me to be his mate. Then I remember  Patches and Petal how they knew.  I let out a soft purr. 

"Storm, I don't know what to say." 

"Then stay with me, Nut." He said, twining his tail with mine. I  tensed up at the mention of my nickname. Storm noticed. "What's wrong?" 

"You called me Nut." 

"You don't want me to call you that? I won't if it offends you." He said quickly. I shook my head and broke from him.  "It's that my best friend Jay used to call me that." I said sadly. The silver grey tabby came to mind, his twinkling blue eyes and sense of humor. I loved him. Does he still love me? The night I ran away came back to me. How he confessed his love for me and I rejected him. He probably doesn't.  I had a mission.  A mission I have completed.  I looked up at Storm who was looking at me expectantly.  I could have a life here, but if I stay I will be abandoning my cats... and Frost, who knows what he's up to these days. I remember how he killed my father in cold blood right in front of me then imagine he doing the same to my sisters my friends my mother. I shuddered.  No he must be stopped! 

"Storm... I  can't stay." I started. "You're a nice cat, and I could have a life here. But, I have a duty to protect my cats back home. I have been away too long.  I made a promise to find a new place to live and I did, now I must return and fight and defend what's mine. I'm sorry, I really am. " Storm's face sadded. "I understand.  You have your cats, I have mine."  He meowed softly. 

"But first let's get you home, they must be wondering where you are." I say.  I helped Storm to his feet and let him lean on my shoulder for support and we walked slowly through the forest back to  the house. 

................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

A/N

Finally! Sorry for the long wait! Inspiration was gone for a long time. But It is back!  I think I can get back on schedule again! I have a feeling it will take me a full year to write this novel. *groans* 

Here is a long chapter to make up for the wait!