What Lies in the Shadows

            “Deepshade! Deepshade!” Her clan called out her name excitedly. The newly-named warrior wove among them happily. The loudest of them all was Goldrush, her former mentor’s brother.

            He butted her head, “Well done! You’re going to be one of the strongest warriors of Tideclan, I can tell.”

            She let out a purr as the rest of the clan dissipated. Goldrush circled her excitedly, “Let’s go for a walk before your vigil, just you and me.”

            Deepshade smiled, taken aback by Goldrush’s cheeriness. He was normally kind and happy, but at the moment was acting like an energetic kit.

            “Alright,” she laughed, and they both made their way to the camp entrance. Deepshade felt hot as her fur brushed the tom’s bright gold pelt. The comparison between their appearances was stark. While Deepshade was smoky dark tabby, Goldrush looked like the sun itself. They padded along contentedly, a smile glued to Goldrush’s face. She looked at him seriously, “Goldrush?”

            He turned his face toward her, amber yellow eyes unblinking, “Yes?”

            “Why do you think Ripplestar named me Deepshade? I know the first part of my name, ‘Deep’, was given to me by my parents, I just feel like ‘shade’ is a peculiar ending.”

            Goldrush halted abruptly at the Tidepools. The she-cat sat across from him expectantly. She glanced at the water every few moments, fancying she glimpsed something in the depths.

            “I think it’s the most suiting name she could give you.” He turned to one of the Tidepools, “You see that fish?”

            She leaned over and peered at the scaly creature. It was small, plain, and ordinary, like all the other fish. “Yes, what about it?”

            “We’re always looking in the lighter parts of the water,” Goldrush dipped a claw in the darkest part of the pool, “When sometimes, the most beautiful things, lay in the shadows.”

            Deepshade gasped as a slender fish with scales as blue as the sky swam into view. She had never seen a fish like it. As soon as it appeared, it flitted back into the dark depths. She looked up and stared at Goldrush breathlessly.

            “You’re one of those beautiful things, Deepshade, and fortunately for me, I’m one of those plain fish that gets to bask in your presence.”

            She flushed so hot she was afraid he could feel it coming off her in waves. “Goldrush…” she breathed, “Is that how you really feel?”

            He blinked and rubbed her cheek, “It’s how I’ve always felt.”