Runningwish had stayed in the clearing with Cheetahstep. Patchpaw and Barkfur's bodies had been taken for burial this morning but Cheetahstep hadn't moved.
Swiftrise, the Shadowclan rebel who had run after the she-cat, had stayed by her side as well. Runningwish had noticed this and so had everyone else. Cheetahstep and the tom were also sitting quite closely and Runningwish wasn't sure how she felt about that yet.
Greystar had come down the night before from his den to say a few things in honor of both cats; however, now he came out and called for Runningwish.
The tabby glanced at Cheetahstep before getting up and going to the grey tom's den. For some reason Runningwish noted this was the first time she came into his den and he wasn't in his nest.
"Yes Greystar?" Runningwish asked, taking slow steps into the den. The tom glanced at her and seemed a bit distracted.
"I need you to check on Bloodclan for me. Tiny came here the other night and spoke with me. It made me wonder how they are progressing with their makeshift camp. And I can't send Snowstrike because she.. isn't herself." Greystar said. Runningwish abosrbed the information steadily and understood Greystar's actions. And she also wondered about the Bloodclan cats from time to time but never went to look in fear she would be accused of something like spying.
She bowed her head to Greystar.
"I can do it." She agreed. A small weight seemed to lift off of the tom's shoulders and he straightened.
"Thank you." He said. Runningwish turned away and left the den. She made her way down the ledge and trotted toward Cheetahstep and Swiftrise but she was cut off by Sunscar.
She blinked down at her niece. The golden medicine cat smiled up at her.
"Lionblaze and Jayfeather are going to take me to Windclan and Riverclan to look for more spirits." Sunscar blurted out. Runningwish smiled lightly at her. Sunscar yet again had a new mission. Strangely though she felt as if some of her enthusiasm was forced. She must still be grieving for Patchpaw but was atleast trying to get over it with distractions.
"Thats great Sunscar. You will bring more light to this forest. Be safe." Runningwish said. Sunscar nodded happily and bounded off, probably to find Lionblaze and Jayfeather.
Runningwish continued her trot over to Cheetahstep.
"Greystar is sending me to check on the Bloodclan cats." She informed her friend. Cheetahstep looked up at her.
"Could I come along?" She asked curiously. Runningwish thought a moment. She didn't think having her friend join her would be a bad thing so she nodded.
She glanced at Swiftrise as she walked away. She could hear her friend say a small goodbye to Swiftrise and him returning it. Soon her friend caught up to her and they were now walking through the forest.
"So. Swiftrise seems like a nice tom." Runningwish said, watching her friend from the corner of her eye. Cheetahstep blinked.
"He is..." she responded, almost sounding a bit confused. Runningwish grinned at the other she-cat.
"Ever since he chased after you and brought you back, you two have been rather close." The brown cat teased. Cheetahstep chuckled and looked away from Runningwish.
"Well he is nice." She paused.
"But he is Shadowclan, so I will keep my mind away from that." She said quietly. Runningwish nodded slowly and looked away from her friend. If she remembered right the camp shouldn't be much further.
She didn't have much else to say to Cheetahstep since everything seemed delicate right now.
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The Bloodclan camp came into view but the she-cats didn't see anyone yet. Runningwish took lead and wandered further into camp.
She was nearly winded as a blue tom tackled her from no where. She stared up into hostile amber eyes but they immediately went to a calmer stare as the cat realized they were from Thunderclan. The tom rose off of Runningwish and apologized briefly. Runningwish also got up and eyed the tom.
"Has Greystar sent you to check on us?" The blue tom asked, sitting down and watching them both closely. Runningwish nodded.
"Our deputy Snowstrike isn't herself at the moment.. so Greystar sent us instead." Runningwish admitted. The tom nodded in understanding. It was hard to ignore the occassional glowing Thunderclan cat that would run by every so often.
His amber eyes shifted to Cheetahstep briefly.
"Well for a report to bring back to Greystar would be to tell him our camp is nearly done." He said, looking back to Runningwish. She seemed distracted by him for some reason. His expression became a little curious as she continued to stare and say nothing. Cheetahstep though caught the tom's attention away fron her friend.
"Well its nice to finally meet someone of Bloodclan. I haven't had the opportunity. I'm Cheetahstep and she is Runningwish." She introduced. The tom smiled a bit.
"I'm Walt." He said, dipping his head for a moment. Cheetahstep smiled politely. She nudged her friend to try and get her out of her stupor.
"Well we did as Greystar asked. We shouldn't bother you anymore." Runningwish blurted out.
"It was nice to meet you Walt." She said quickly and turned to leave. Walt bowed his head and watched them leave his sight.
As Cheetahstep and the brown tabby walked through the forest and back to camp, Cheetahstep glanced at her friend with a wide smile on her face.
"So. Walt seems like a nice tom." Cheetahstep said, mocking what Runningwish said earlier. Runningwish rolled her eyes, but she felt the embarrassment on her pelt still lurking.

(For those who have Winter Break starting after this weekend, Merry Christmas! And if you don't celebrate Christmas happy Hanukkah. And if you celebrate something else then happy/merry _____!)