She turned away from him. She knew he was one of the Shadowclan rebels but she didn't know why he was here. He sat down beside her. He was quiet and so was she.
He cleared his throat before speaking.
"I know what you're going through right now. And I just wanted to offer some help." He said. Cheetahstep glanced at him with confusion.
"You've had your apprentice's body dragged into your camp? And it was your fault?" She asked, a bit of venom hidden in her words. He shook his head.
"My apprentice was killed in front of me. And I did nothing. I was.. to afraid to do anything. Runningpaw was so brave, I'm so proud of her for standing up against Thistlestar... Runningpaw spoke out against Thistlestar and was stricken down. Just.. dead. I saw her fall down and.. seeing her body... She was always so full of life and-and always tried to do right by her clanmates..." He paused, as if to keep his emotions in control. Cheetahstep waited in patient silence for him to continue.
"My apprentice died. And it was my fault. I could have stepped in, had my life taken instead of hers... But I didn't. The difference between our losses, Cheetahstep, is I had an option. You had no way or ability to help Patchpaw. I know you would have if you were there to stop whatever happened. Don't cry because you think its your fault. Don't blame yourself. I'm sure Patchpaw knows, as she sits in Starclan, that you aren't the one who is responsible." Swiftrise said. Cheetahstep took a deep breath to calm down a bit. She looked away from him.
"But I-I wanted to be a mentor. I wanted to teach her how to be a warrior, I wanted to be her friend..." Cheetahstep admitted. The tom eyed her.
"Well I'm Swiftrise and I'll be here. I know you have an entire clan to help you, but sometimes if there is a time you need someone else to go to.. I can be there for you. If you want, that is." Swiftrise offered. Cheetahstep blinked and nodded slowly, still keeping her gaze off of him.
"Thank you, Swiftrise." He smiled gently at her. He blinked as the sun came from behind the clouds and her pelt lit up. She was practically glowing and he smiled again. Starclan had shown him a new path to follow.
The tom and she-cat sat together for a while until Swiftrise convinced her to return to camp