[Any prompt I’ve completed is most likely NOT a part of the character(s) original lore, plot, or story!! This is for creativity purposes ^^] Word Prompt: Secret Word Count: 1312 Characters: - Lupinepaw -> A dilute calico feline with sapphire blue eyes (They/Them) - Taropaw -> A yellowish tabby feline with purple eyes and a stubby tail (She/Her) - (Mentioned) Rookpaw -> A sleek black tabby with light blue eyes (It/Its) - (Mentioned) Foxpaw -> A ginger tabby with white/black markings and brown eyes (He/Him) *- Toyhouse: https://toyhou.se/8575524.rae-taro

Lupinepaw had decided to venture out into Skyclan territory, wanting some peace and time for themself. The dilute calico deep down couldn't push away the memories regarding recent events. Because of the stupid decisions they've made, Rookpaw, one of their best friends, has been taken away by the twolegs. It… It happened so suddenly. One moment, a small apprentice group was out on a small journey. The next, their friend was forced into a monster that sped away, unlikely to return with it. The friendship between Lupinepaw and Foxpaw is tense now because of this, and the ginger tabby most likely hasn't forgiven them. Honestly, the calico hasn’t forgiven themself. If only they declined the invite in the first place… Perhaps things would’ve been different. Perhaps they would be able to become a warrior alongside Rookpaw, or whatever warrior name it’d receive.

However, Lupinepaw took that opportunity away from the black tabby… |*It’s all my fault..*| At that remorseful thought, the young feline’s ears drooped like a wilted plant. Suddenly, they heard pawsteps, audible due to the once-silent setting, and Lupinepaw realized how they didn’t take a brief moment to scent the air. Quickly did they make for nearby ferns, using it as a way to hide. The dilute calico scented the air, and relief eased their anxiety a little, as they noted how it was a fellow Skyclan cat. Slightly did their ears perk at the voices that followed, most likely belonging to the cat who made those pawsteps.

“Soybean..? I got you your favorite berries..!” Glimpsing through the gaps between the ferns, there was a yellow feline who was around their age, searching the area for something. No, someone, maybe. |*I recognize that voice!*| Judging by the yellow pelt and voice, it must be Taropaw, another one of Skyclan’s apprentices. She wasn’t popular and didn’t talk to Lupinepaw much, as she seemed to be occupied with things while they were occupied with their own duties. However, when they did talk to each other, both held a mutual respect. Better than being seen as or spoken to like they’re some enemy or stranger. But who is this Soybean? There’s no cat in Skyclan that goes by that name… Is it someone from another Clan, maybe? An outclanner? “Lupinepaw?” It only took one word to cause the calico to freeze up, heart skipping a beat. No longer distracted by their thinking, they realized that Taropaw had pushed aside the ferns to see the apprentice. Looks like they were caught.

Surprise lit the other’s purple orbs. “It is you..!” She mewed, before adding with a slight tilt of her head, “What are you doing here?” The dilute calico couldn’t help but feel a little awkward now, embarrassed even. However, they did answer, as Taropaw didn’t seem upset or anything of that sort. “Uhm.. Looking around?” |*A very great response to her question.*| The Skyclan feline thought heavily with sarcasm. However, before the other could question their reply, they then mewed, “You..?” Now it was the other’s turn to feel a little off, as she murmured a small “Erm..” The tabby looked around and scented the air, as if checking if others were nearby. At the moment, it was just the two of them. However, a hesitant expression was on Taropaw’s face. “Well, I guess I can trust you on this…” She mewed. “But you can’t tell anyone else, okay?” Lupine was a little confused by this, but they nodded in understanding. “Promise promise?” That earned another nod. “I promise.”

Taropaw seemed convinced, because she went over to a particular spot not far from their initial position, before looking back to see if the other was coming along. And so they did, and the stubby-tailed cat gestured to a small pile of blueberries sitting on the grass, a leaf below the small fruits. “I made a friend and named him Soybean,” she mewed, “And he likes me a lot! I even give him these berries, because I know he likes them. But you shouldn’t tell anyone about him, because I don’t want anything bad to happen to my friend!”

Lupinepaw listened along to the other, ears perked to indicate their attentiveness. So, based on what Taropaw said, she has a friend outside of the Clan? Well, that’s their guess. “I won’t tell anyone,” they promised. Besides, Taropaw has been nothing but nice and respectful towards the calico, which they liked. “Soybean must be a nice friend.” “He is!!” She agreed, a smile forming as if thinking about her friend. Eventually, there was the sound of rustling grass, and the tabby went silent for some moments. “I think it’s Soybean,” she murmured, sounding quieter than before. It became louder, the sound, indicating he's close. But then, there was a pause, as silence followed. “It’s okay,” Taropaw mewed towards the source of the sounds, speaking softly. “This is Lupinepaw. They won’t hurt you.”

Eventually, he came into view, and it turned out that… Soybean was no cat. He was instead a bunny, big ears perked up as it looked at the two of them with innocent, round brown eyes. Its fur was also brown, but a pale shade that it could almost be considered white. “Soybean, hi..!” She chirped in greeting, gently touching the top of the fragile creature’s head with her nose. Lupine was a little surprised at first, not knowing he would be a rabbit. However, the calico didn’t think there was anything wrong with it. Worst thing, though, was if someone were to find and hunt down the fragile creature. Taropaw then glanced up at the calico, and she beckoned for them to come over.

The young feline did, though they approached Soybean carefully, not wanting to scare him away. They too bent down to be about the same eye level, and the bunny’s nose twitched. He seemed to be scenting the air, wary of Lupinepaw. However, with patience, he eventually made a move, touching noses with the blue-eyed feline. “Hey, he likes you too..!” The yellow she-cat mewed happily, glad the two could get along, and the bunny went over to eat up the berries that were offered to him. After some moments, she spoke, again, glancing at Lupinepaw. “Also, I’ve been wondering about something…” That caught the calico’s attention, as they turned to glance at Taropaw. Confused as to what she’s trying to bring up, they mewed, “What is it..?” With a little chuckle, the other apprentice mewed, “It’s silly that I’ve never asked you before, but I was wondering if we could be friends. You seem pretty nice, unlike some here…” Her stubby tail quivered at those spoken words. “Well, if you want to be my friend.”

They didn’t completely expect this, surprise flickering in their blue gaze. However, it somewhat made them a little happy, as no one really asks such a thing. Well, there was Rookpaw and Foxpaw, but they’re the only ones. It would be nice taking on another friend, though, and they won’t feel much of a stranger in Skyclan, as Lupinepaw wasn’t born here. “We can be friends,” Lupinepaw mewed warmly. Taropaw’s eyes widened slightly, but she seemed delighted to hear this response, as her tail quivered again with excitement. “Oh, really! Thank you..!” She chirped, thanking them for some reason. “It’s really hard to make friends, so this made my day..!” Seeing her overjoyed state earned a soft chuckle from the calico, and they gazed at Soybean. Perhaps things here wouldn’t be so bad…

As the two exchanged more words amongst themselves, sunset eventually came, as the sun drifted down to be enveloped by the lake. While it did so, a crimson hue joined the once cheery blue canvas of a sky, and the sun’s dying rays of light faintly highlighted dark clouds that merged into a greater force and conquered the darkening atmosphere. [End]

[Will recheck if something is out of order or I pasted smth incorrectly later]