"So, where exactly are we going?" Starlingpaw asked as the tortoiseshell in front of her weaved through a thick bundle of trees.
              "I already told you," She responded. "We're going to the Oval Waters." Starlingpaw saw her eyes glimmer as she turned to look behind her.
              "What are the Oval Waters? I mean, you don't need to tell me, it was just a question, but-" Starlingpaw stopped as she realized she was rambling. "I'm sorry, it's just-"
              "Don't be. It's fine. As to answer your question, the Oval Waters was the place where leaders used to go and recieve their nine lives. As for that, well, that's over now. But cats claim that if you go there and touch the water, you will be granted with special powers." Hazelpaw finished her story and slowed down to allow Starlingpaw to catch up.
              "That doesn't seem accurate. It just doesn't add up. You're saying that we're going there because you want powers?" The she-cat was baffled. Powers just made things so much harder.
              "Well, yes. But don't you wanna know what it would be like to read minds, or fly, or be invincible?" Her gaze burned into Starlingpaw, and she-cat didn't know how to answer.
              "Actually, no." She replied simply, putting no emotion into the words because she knew that she wouldn't be asked why. And she was right. Hazelpaw didn't dare question her why, but just stayed silent the rest of the way there. And that's how Starlingpaw liked it. Calm and quiet.
              The Oval Waters were way different than what Starlingpaw expected. It was a cold stone cave with moss growing at the top that would flutter down every so often and land on her muzzle. Water leaked through holes at the top of the cave and dripped down onto the floor, leaving an echo as they fell. Hazelpaw padded through the damp cave and stopped at a pool in the center of the cave with smaller pools around it.
              "So, now what?" Starlingpaw asked as they slowly padded around each of the pools of water.
              Hazelpaw shrugged. "I thought you didn't want powers."
              "I don't. I just want to know what to do in case I ever do want them." The she-cat gave a small smile as she replied.
              "Very well then. You just lay next to one of the pools—any of your choice—and dip your muzzle into it. You should fall asleep right away." Hazelpaw laid next to one of the smaller pools. "Like this." She then dipped her muzzle into it, and before Starlingpaw knew it, she was asleep.
              There wasn't much to do, now that Hazelpaw was in eternal sleep and Starlingpaw didn't know for how long she wouldn't be awake. So she did the thing that most cats wouldn't do. She waited.
              And waited.
              And waited.
              And waited.
              It seemed like moons had passed when Hazelpaw finally awoke from her slumber. And when she did, there was nothing different about her.
              "I guess those 'powers' you were talking about aren't real," Starlingpaw joked as they began the long walk back to the camp. "Unless you do have powers?"
              "No, I don't. So, I guess not." She let out a small sigh of disappointment, and for a second, Starlingpaw felt bad for her. "But, I guess it's all for the best, right? At least now I know that the myth is a lie." Starlingpaw's feelings were lifted when Hazelpaw let out a laugh and smile, but both were from sadness.
Leaves crunched underneath their paws as the pair walked into camp. Cats talking came from all directions, but Starlingpaw watched as Cinderpaw padded up to her and Hazelpaw, a piece of fresh-kill held in his mouth.
He dropped what Starlingpaw now realized was a robin onto the ground before them.
"Um, I brought you guys a robin," He said, shifting on his paws uncomfortably. Starlingpaw thanked him with a sweet smile.
"Aw, how sweet of you! Thank you, but I think you deserve it. You look extremely tired." The white and brown she-cat spoke as she studied how his whiskers and tail drooped, and how his shoulders sagged as he walked.
The gray tom shook out his pelt and stood up more confidently.
"No, I insist. This is for you. I can get my own fresh-kill later, when the rest of the Clan has eaten. Besides, I'm pretty sure you guys haven't eaten at all." He let out a short laugh, but Starlingpaw could tell that he was still exhausted.
"Well then, we might as well eat this. Thank you once again...um, I seemed to have forgotten your name..." Starlingpaw hesitated as she scrambled in her brain to try and remind herself of the tom's name.
"I don't think I ever gave it to you," He chuckled as he looked at her. "My name is Cinderpaw." He smiled at her, his warm gaze welcoming.
"Starlingpaw. Thank you once again Cinderpaw. It was very kind of you." She smiled back at him, their eyes meeting and shining.
"No problem. Any-" His words were cut off my Hazelpaw, who had been watching the entire conversation.
"Just get a den already, will ya? This lovebird stuff is too much for me to handle." Her eyes were laughing, but her tone was serious.
Cinderpaw looked away and fumbled for words, but eventually settled on not saying anything and just padding away silently. Starlingpaw was left with a tingle of sweetness, but decided to put the matter behind her. She had more important things to focus on than love.
"Well, we should probably eat this and get back to work," she said, her words a quick blur.
"Yeah, we should." Hazelpaw looked at the she-cat with a look of hilarious torment, but Starlingpaw just shook it off. There was no room in her life for love.

A/N||
Hey, Lovelies! Here is another chapter of the famous new book! Ugh, I REALLY HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS BOOK! I've been working so hard, so please leave your suggestions! Tell me what you think of Starlingpaw's love interest, Cinderpaw! Do you think he's a good character? As always, thank you for reading, voting, commenting, and sharing, and I hope to see you soon!
Love Ya,
~Briar✨