Nightpelt

Nightpelt's Goodbye
excerpt from Hope 5

Nightpelt glanced over in the middle of the clearing, a twinge of regret twisting inside of him. His sister, Briarthorn, was training Lilackit in the middle of the clearing, while his other sister, Swiftwind, watched with amusement. ''I never told Swiftwind or Snowstorm that I was sorry. ''He started to pad over there to watch too, but as he neared Lilackit shrunk down and hid under Swiftwind, while Briarthorn stood protectively in front of them. Nightpelt's heart ached at Lilackit's terrified expression, and Briarthorn's obvious attachment to the kit.

"Briarthorn? Ca..can I talk to you?" he was stammering, actually stammering, as Lilackit rolled up her lips in a defensive snarl.

"She doesn't want to talk to you." Briarthorn looked down at the kit, her eyes flashing in surprise. Nightpelt shuffled his paws.

"One minute," she said. "what is it?"

"I..I'm leaving. To.to go to Darkclan, with Birchclaw." He could have sworn he saw sadness flash in her eyes for a moment, but it was gone as soon as she blinked.

"Fine then. Go."

"I will!" he hissed, his temper flaring again.

"So go." she repeated coldly. He took one last look at her cold face, at Lilackit's defensive stance, and turned around, running full speed towards the riverbank.