Crookedpaw's POV

Crookedpaw panted heavily, his breath coming in ragged gasps. Mapleshade had been relentlessly pushing him ever since the sun had dipped below the horizon, and keeping pace with a StarClan cat was proving to be a challenge. He missed Ruby fiercely, her gentle spirit a stark contrast to Mapleshade's demanding presence. Every step felt like a test, a reminder of what he had lost, and with each fleeting moment, the shadows of his longing deepened.

The orange and black toshill shimmered in the twilight, its sleek form sliding effortlessly through the underbrush. A forepaw emerged, delicate yet powerful, as it whispered the ancient words, "Forus Flebarain." The air crackled with energy, and the world seemed to pause, the weight of the moment heavy with unspoken promises.

Crookedpaw hissed, his voice sharp and defiant. "Don't touch me!" He lashed his tail in frustration, the orange and black fur bristling with agitation. "Ruby is teaching me everything I need to know! So why do I have to endure you?" The tension crackled in the air as he glared at Mapleshade, his heart torn between loyalty and resentment.

The she-cat leaned in, her luminous eyes reflecting the starlight above. "Be careful with your words, little one," she murmured, her voice smooth as silk yet edged with a chilling authority. "Remember, I am a StarClan cat. I walk the realm of the lost and the forgotten. I could easily whisper to my kin on the other side, urging them to turn their backs on you when your time comes."

As the last echoes of her words faded into the cool night air, a shiver danced down Crookedpaw's spine. The forest around them seemed to hold its breath, shadows swirling like ghostly figures waiting to be summoned. In that moment, he felt the weight of her warning, a tether binding him to the precarious line between life and death.

💍

Later, Crookedpaw found himself nestled back in his warm nest within the apprentice den, the familiar scents of moss and earth surrounding him. The gentle rustle of leaves outside reminded him of the wild beauty that lay beyond the den's entrance. Just outside, he could hear Ruby's deep, rhythmic snores, each sound echoing softly against the tranquil night.

The vibrations of her breathing seemed to tremble through the ground, a soothing lullaby that made him smile. In that moment, as he listened to her peaceful slumber, he felt a warmth spread through his chest, a comforting reminder of their bond. The weight of the day's challenges faded away, replaced by the simple joy of knowing she was close, her presence a beacon of safety in the shadows of the night.

He stood, stretching his limbs with a feline grace, arching his back and letting out a soft purr as he shook off the remnants of sleep. Just then, Beetlenose sniffed into the den, his whiskers twitching with annoyance. "Hey, get moving, Fleapelt!" he called, his voice laced with urgency.

Crookedpaw blinked, the light of dawn filtering through the entrance, casting playful shadows on the earthen floor. Beetlenose's sharp tone broke the peaceful morning stillness, and Crookedpaw felt a rush of energy surge through him. With a playful flick of his tail, he bounded past Beetlenose, ready to embrace whatever the day had in store.

As Crookedpaw stepped out of the den, Ruby stirred awake, her scales glinting like precious gems in the morning light. Her striking blue eyes sparkled with excitement as she turned toward him, a warm smile illuminating her fierce features. "Hey, dearie! Ready for our lesson?" Her voice was a melodic rumble, echoing softly in the stillness of the morning.

The sunlight cascaded over her ruby-red wings, casting a dazzling display of colors that danced in the air. Crookedpaw felt a rush of excitement at the sight of her radiant form, her energy infectious. "Absolutely! Let's see what you have in store for me today." With that, they ventured out into the vibrant world beyond the den, ready to embrace the adventures that awaited them.

Ruby flicked her tail playfully, the movement causing the sunlight to glimmer off her ruby-red scales like molten lava. "Go and eat first," she instructed, her voice a rich rumble that resonated through the clearing. "Then we'll train."

Her eyes sparkled with a mischievous gleam, and Crookedpaw couldn't help but smile at her vibrant spirit. He nodded, feeling a mix of eagerness and gratitude. "Alright, I'll be quick!"

With a spring in his step, he dashed toward the fresh-kill pile, the promise of their training session already fueling his anticipation for the day ahead.

Crookedpaw selected a field mouse from the fresh-kill pile, its scent rich and enticing. Just as he took a bite, Willowpaw padded over, her eyes bright with curiosity. "Hey, Crookedpaw! Ready for our adventure?"

He sighed, looking up from his meal. "I'm training with Ruby today," he replied, trying to keep his tone light despite his fatigue.

Willowpaw's expression shifted, and she lashed her tail in frustration. "You always train with her!" she exclaimed, her claws digging into the moss beneath her paws. "That scale-breath has you wrapped around her claw."

Crookedpaw felt a pang of annoyance at her words, but he understood the jealousy beneath them. "It's not like that," he insisted, trying to defend Ruby. "She's helping me learn!"

Willowpaw rolled her blue eyes, an exasperated sigh escaping her lips. "Uh-huh. Then why are you talking about her like some love-struck tom?"

Crookedpaw felt his cheeks heat up, caught off guard by her teasing. "I'm not! We're just... close, okay?" he replied, trying to sound defensive but knowing he sounded more flustered than confident.

Willowpaw's laughter danced through the air, light yet teasing. "Sure, whatever you say. Just remember, she's a dragon, not just some apprentice." Her playful tone softened the jab, but Crookedpaw couldn't shake the feeling of being cornered. He just shrugged, determined to enjoy his time with Ruby, no matter what anyone else thought.

After taking a final bite of the field mouse, Crookedpaw padded over to Ruby, who was stretched out in the sun, chatting with Ottersplash. Both females looked up as he approached, and Ruby smiled, her ruby-red scales glinting in the sunlight. She lifted a wing, signaling to Hailstar, who leapt down from his perch in the leader's den.

"Ruby, what's going on?" he asked with his usual calm authority.

Ruby straightened up, casting an affectionate glance at Crookedpaw. "Crookedpaw and I are going out to hunt," she said, her voice filled with enthusiasm.

Hailstar nodded, a knowing smile playing at the corner of his mouth. "Have fun," he replied before turning back to his duties. Crookedpaw felt a surge of excitement wash over him, knowing that today's adventure with Ruby was bound to be something special.

~~~

"I smell a mouse," Crookedpaw murmured, his eyes glinting with excitement as he flicked his tail. The familiar scent made his whiskers twitch, and he felt the thrill of the hunt bubbling up inside him.

Ruby smiled back at him, her gleaming scales catching the light like embers. "Go on, little hunter. Catch it," she rumbled, her voice filled with encouragement. "I'll be hunting something... a bit bigger." She stretched her wings, casting a large shadow over him, her ruby-red scales glinting as if they held fire within.

Crookedpaw nodded, his paws tingling with eagerness as he slipped into the underbrush, knowing that his dragon companion was heading into the skies, ready to take on prey that only a creature of her size could pursue.

Crookedpaw sniffed around, nosing a cedar nut hidden beneath a pile of leaves. His tail swayed eagerly, ready to pounce—but just as he prepared to leap, a sharp scent from ThunderClan drifted toward him. Before he could react, a blue-furred kit launched herself at him, her eyes flashing with defiance.

"Our prey, fish-breath!" she huffed, giving him a swift swipe to the ears with her tiny claws. Crookedpaw staggered back, caught off guard but impressed by her fierceness. He shook his head, narrowing his eyes with a grin. This little intruder wasn't going to scare him off that easily!

Crookedpaw rolled over, playing along. "Whoa, you got me!" he exclaimed, feigning defeat. Bluefur let out a purr of laughter, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "Hey, I didn't hit you that hard!" she teased, her whiskers twitching with pride.

Crookedpaw grinned back at her, but the smile faded as he caught a movement in the trees above. Ruby's massive head emerged between the branches, her jaws clamped around a freshly killed deer, fur and blood streaked across her snout. Her ruby-red scales shimmered in the dappled light as she turned her piercing gaze on Bluefur.

"Oh, Bluefur from ThunderClan," she greeted, her voice slightly muffled through the fur and meat in her mouth. Bluefur stiffened, her playful demeanor shifting as she stared up at the dragon's impressive catch, suddenly very aware of Ruby's imposing presence.

Bluefur froze, her fur bristling. "Intruder!" she yowled, ready to dart back to ThunderClan territory. But Ruby's tail flicked through the air, sweeping the ground near her paws, and the little kit stumbled, her stance faltering.

"I'm not an intruder, Bluefur! Don't you remember me?" Ruby's voice was calm, her eyes softening as she looked down at the young cat.

Bluefur blinked up at her, confusion clouding her gaze. "W-what? No!" she stammered, her claws instinctively kneading the earth, torn between caution and curiosity. Ruby's massive frame was intimidating, yet there was something familiar in her gentle voice that made Bluefur pause.

Ruby lowered her head, her blue eyes softening as they locked with Bluefur's. "I met you when you were just a kit," she murmured, her voice low and comforting. "You were waiting outside your camp, full of curiosity. Pinestar scolded you fiercely for sneaking off to meet me."

Bluefur's eyes widened as the memory stirred, shadows of recognition flickering in her gaze. She felt a mix of embarrassment and awe, her mind racing back to that forbidden encounter. Ruby's gentle tone and the familiarity in her words tugged at Bluefur's heart, bridging the distance between cat and dragon.

"Y-you're that same dragon?" Bluefur whispered, astonished. Ruby only smiled, nodding slowly as the memory settled into place.

Ruby smiled warmly. "Of course," she murmured, then leaned down and gave Bluefur a gentle lick over the head, her touch surprisingly tender for a creature so large. She nudged the deer toward Bluefur, its lifeless form settling near the young cat's paws.

"Take this back to your Clan, little friend," she said, her voice filled with a gentle affection that surprised even Crookedpaw. Bluefur blinked up at her, stunned by the gift, her confusion giving way to a tentative smile. With a grateful nod, she placed her paws on the deer, feeling a strange, comforting warmth from the dragon's kindness.

Crookedpaw wrinkled his nose, his tail flicking with suspicion. "Hey, isn't that a RiverClan cat? What are you doing here with ThunderClan?" he spat, eyeing Bluefur with a mixture of curiosity and distrust.

Ruby let out a deep, rumbling purr of laughter, her scales glinting in the sunlight. "Because he's my friend, Crookedpaw," she replied warmly, her gaze gentle. "Just like you are!" Her words hung in the air, softening the tension between the two young cats.

Crookedpaw looked between Ruby and Bluefur, caught off guard by her easy kindness. He relaxed, though the flicker of uncertainty lingered. Ruby's voice had a way of reminding him that loyalties didn't always fall within Clan borders.

"You can't be friends with that ThunderClan cat, Ruby! That's against the code!" Crookedpaw exclaimed, a hint of panic rising in his voice.

Ruby's laughter rang out, deep and melodious, making Crookedpaw's heart skip a beat. "Oh, dear little Crookedpaw, you know I don't abide by your codes," she teased, flicking her tail playfully. Leaning closer, she nudged him affectionately. "Bluefur is a friend, just like you. I met her when she was a kit, just as I did with you. I fed her, trained her—just like I do with you!"

Her words wrapped around him like a warm embrace, soothing the tension that had built within him. He watched her, awe and admiration mixing in his chest as she spoke. The idea of friendship transcending Clan boundaries began to settle in his mind, and for the first time, he felt a flicker of understanding.

Ruby leaned back, her wings unfurling with a graceful flourish that caught the sunlight, creating a stunning display of ruby-red scales shimmering like a fiery sunset. "Well, we'd better get back to camp," she said, her voice a melodic hum that carried a hint of urgency. "I know your so-called mother will be worried sick."

With a swift movement, she clasped the buck in her powerful claws, lifting it effortlessly as if it weighed no more than a feather. Crookedpaw watched in awe, his heart racing with a mix of admiration and excitement.

Then, before he could catch his breath, Ruby turned to him, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "Hold on tight!" she called, and in an instant, she took to the sky.

As they soared into the air, the world below shrank away, and Crookedpaw felt the wind rush past him, filling his lungs with exhilaration. He clung to Ruby, his heart pounding with joy as they glided through the clouds, the landscape below a blur of green and gold. The thrill of flying alongside the magnificent dragon was unlike anything he had ever experienced.