
Hailclaw hummed quietly to herself as she stood, her job for the day done, her apprentice released and her meal eaten. Stretching, she began to pad out of camp, when Dancingstripe was suddenly by her side. “Mind if I join you?” He asked, smiling.
The grey and white molly blushed a little, then nodded, “Sure, I was just going out to take a walk along the stream.”
Dancingstripe smiled, “Which one?” he asked, “I like the one that runs near the LeafClan border, with all the little waterfalls and pools. It’s always a bit different each time I walk there.”
“That one is lovely.” Hailclaw agreed, smiling a little, “I think I might go there. I hadn’t picked a stream yet, I just like being near them. They’re comforting, so quiet and musical and pretty.”
“Reminds me of someone I know.” Dancingstripe said, looking a little wistful.
“Oh, really? Who?” Hailclaw asked, a little pang in her heart.
“It’s the molly I’m working up the courage to ask to be my mate.” he explained, “She is so beautiful and kind to every one, especially her apprentice. And her eyes, they’re bluer that the sky and twice as pretty. But she doesn’t seem to realize that I like her as more than a friend, or that she is beautiful, more beautiful than the colors of the sunset.” he looked at her earnestly, his brow furrowed in concern, “Hailclaw, what should I do? What if I ask her to be my mate and she says no?”
Hailclaw fought back tears as she took a breath to answer. She knew it. She never had a chance. “There’s no way she’d say no Dancingstripe,” she finally managed, “You are kind and thoughtful and handsome, everything a molly could ever want in a mate. Just go and ask her, you won’t be disappointed."
“Are you sure?” Dancingstripe asked, his voice full of worry and self doubt, “I mean, I can be such a klutz some times, and I’m not much of a warrior. Heck, my apprentice has already over shadowed me. I’m not really important or very good at anything.”
Hailclaw stopped and turned to face him, “Dancingstripe, any molly who cares if your important, or that Flarestrike happens to be a better fighter than you are is not worth your time or emotions. And you are good at things, all sorts of things! You are a fantastic teacher, you are very clever and great at tactics.”
“If you say so.” Dancingstripe said, sounding immensely relieved, “So, what should I do? Should I just…ask her?”
“Yes.” Hailclaw said immediately, “The next time you see her, just pull her aside and ask her.”
“Okay, thanks Hailclaw.” Dancingstripe said, grinning. They walked on a little more in silence before Dancingstripe said, “Hey, Hailclaw?”
“Yes?” she asked, still lost in her thoughts, trying to figure out which molly could have stolen her crush’s heart.
“Would..” he hesitated, building up his courage. Snapped out of her trance, Hailclaw looked at him curiously, “Hailclaw, would you do me the honor of being my mate?” Dancingstripe asked, his words rushed and stumbling over each other as he blurted them out.
Hailclaw looked at him in shock for a moment before beaming, rushing over and nuzzling him happily, “Oh, of course! I though that you, it sounded like, there isn’t another molly?”
“Never!” Dancingstripe said, his tone shocked and a little hurt, “I have never even thought about anyone but you. I just…I always assumed that you wouldn’t even look twice at a tom like me.”
Hailclaw blushed, “Well, I guess we were both wrong.”