Perched on a tall rock, Icetail sat peacefully staring into the lake. It sparkled in the morning sun, while reflecting the fish that leapt in the air. She outstretched her paws and let out a large yawn. Until a large splash disturbed the silent air. Icetail looked down to see the water rippling near the shore, then move further out into the lake. She thought maybe it was a small creature but was in shock when she got a sign. A paw reached out of the water then slunk back down.

It was a cat.

Icetail jumped from the rock she was sitting on and scattered dozens of pebbles. She again launched herself from the rocks and into the lake. She swam out to where she had last seen the drowning cat. Then limbs flailed around in the water creating loud crashing sounds. The she-cat then moved her legs as fast a she could and then dove underneath the water.

Every sound she heard was faint while the water slightly stung her eyes. But soon she adjusted, and saw the lump of fur trying to reach her. Unfortunately, it just kept falling deeper and deeper, while her lungs were howling for air.

Using the air she had left, she plunged herself deeper into the black waters and caught fur in her teeth. She pulled herself closer and closer to the surface trying to hang on for a few more seconds. You can make it! Just push a little harder! You and this cat will be fine!

Just as her nose was about to break out of the swirling darkness, her lungs gave out. She took a large gasp of water and air, causing her to let go of the cat. Her paws thrashed around, trying to not choke on the water and yet swim at the same time. Then she realised something was utterly wrong. The other cat! She was about look around for him when she fell back under taking in more water. A RiverClan cat drowning. I never thought it was possible. Icetail struggled to keep her eyes open, but failed. They drifted shut and she felt something tug on her fur.

Icetail woke up feeling paws push down onto her chest. She coughed up water, then more, then finally spitting out the last amount. The she-cat looked up and saw a grey tom standing over her. She crawled out from under him and shook wildly, removing the heavy water sagging her fur. "Are you alright?" asked the tom stepping closer to her.
"Yes, I'm fine," she responded. Icetail looked around to see she was on the gathering island. "If you don't mind me asking, but what's your name? I assume your from RiverClan, but I never thought I'd save one from dying," the cat mewed.
"If it wasn't for me you'd be lying at the bottom of the lake!" Icetail spat annoyed. "Anyway, I'm Icetail. A proud warrior of RiverClan."
"I'm Stormfall, a loyal ShadowClan warrior."

Icetail froze and stared at Stormfall. ShadowClan? From the way he acts, I thought he was from ThunderClan! But then again, why would a ThunderClan warrior be near the ShadowClan border?

"Is something wrong?" he mewed.
"No," Icetail looked away. "I will say one thing, you do live up to your name. You're prone to falling, and causing a storm of chaos," she let out a mrrow of laughter.

The ShadowClan warrior snorted. "Well, I should be returning to my Clan. They're probably wondering why I've been gone for so long," Stormfall mewed turning for the side of the island with the fallen tree.
"I should be leaving too," Icetail watched the tom start to pad away. "Wait!"

He turned back to look at the she-cat. "Yes?"
"Do you really want to cross through ThunderClan territory?"
"Not really, but it's not like swimming back home would be any better."
"But swimming could be a useful skill later on."
"I'm not mousebrained to go out into a large amount of water just to get my food!"
"Well fine! Get caught by a Clan's dawn patrol and see if I care. It's not like I'm supposed to anyway," she snapped, bounding to the lakeshore. She drew back on her haunches and dove into the lake. She heard Stormfall sigh, but continued to swim back to her territory.

Eventually, they made it back to RiverClan territory. Icetail pulled herself out of the water and shook her fur violently. She heard Stormfall hiss behind her. "Would it be hard for you to dry yourself somewhere other cats aren't?" Stormfall mewed annoyed.

Icetail growled at his comment but let it go. It wasn't worth arguing right now, especially when they could get caught by one of her Clan's patrols. "Cover yourself in mud," Icetail ordered.
"Why should I do that?" the tom spat.
"Do you want to get in trouble? Because it seems like you're asking for it," Icetail snapped at him. Stormfall turned away angrily by being told what to do by another Clan cat.

He rolled around in some mud then stood next to Icetail. "What now, deputy?" he asked sarcastically. The she-cat scowled at him and started to walk ahead. "Just go back to your own territory and find a way to explain why you were gone. Then once you get in your territory, wash your-" she was cut off.
"I get it! I'm not an apprentice and you have no privilege of telling me what to do!" Stormfall growled at the she-cat.

Icetail's ears perked. She quickly rolled in some mud and signalled that Stormfall follow. They quickly padded to some undergrowth and Icetail slid inside. The ShadowClan cat stood there watching. "Well are you coming?" she hissed quietly. Stormfall quickly crawled into the undergrowth next to Icetail. Many small leaves and sticks clung to their fur by having mud all over them. "Why did this have to happen now?" Stormfall muttered.

They could hear a patrol nearby. "There's fresh RiverClan scent here. But, you can't tell where it goes to,"a young cat mewed.
"Good job Smallpaw. Alright let's continue," an older cat praised.

Assuming it was an apprentice and her mentor, the two cats walked further away from Icetail and Stormfall. "I think it's safe to go now," the she-cat meowed crawling out from the tangled earth. Stormfall followed her out of the undergrowth and back towards the edge of the lake.

When they made it to the ShadowClan and RiverClan border, Icetail stopped. "This is where we depart." Stormfall walked across the border and turned to face Icetail. "As much as I dislike saying this, but thank you for getting my tail out of trouble. Twice," the tom said. Icetail purred. "You're welcome and it's fine."

Both cats nodded to each other then dashed back into their own territory.

Once Icetail got closer to camp, she decided to hunt. The she-cat slowly padded around the area until she caught the scent of a vole. She crouched down, and started to slowly move forward. When the bird was in the perfect spot, she leaped, killing it with a swift bite to the neck. She picked up her prey and trotted to the edge lake. Icetail set down her kill, and crouched by the water.

As a fish was swimming by, she stuck her paw in the water and snatched the fish by its fin. It flailed around, making Icetail bite it, and causing it to die. The she-cat picked up her offerings to her Clan and padded back to camp.

Then she thought about Stormfall, then let out a muffled mrrow of laughter through her prey. What a stupid furball, she thought.

A/N: sorry this chapter took so long. I promise I'll be updating this story more, now that I'm on wattpad more often. but thank you all for waiting so patiently!

-Iceh/Squirrel