Crowfeather and Leafpool were ready to run away from their Clans to be together forever. When Midnight found Crowfeather and Leafpool together, she warned them about the badger attack. But what would have happened if Midnight had never found Crowfeather and Leafpool? I do not own Warriors or any of these cats. Sigh. Too bad. Wish I did.

You must follow your heart.

Spottedleaf's words repeated themselves in Leafpool's head. After seeing Spottedleaf at the Moonpool, Leafpool was certain that she was making the right decision. She would run away with Crowfeather, and they could be together again. She knew that she belonged away from the Clans, with Crowfeather at her side. Leafpool felt weightless as she bounded through bushes, to the place where Cinderpelt had found her and separated her from Crowfeather. Leafpool's heart thumped as she thought of what Crowfeather had said to her about running away.

…

"I know there are problems," Crowfeather said, "You're a medicine cat, and we're from different Clans. The whole warrior code is against us. But there mustbe a way."

"How?" Leafpool asked.

"I wish we could just escape!" Crowfeather burst out. "Clans, traditions, all the rules and boundaries… I want to get away from all of it!"

"Escape?" Leafpool echoed. "Do you mean - go away?"

…

Leafpool was scared at the time, but now she was certain. She wanted to be with Crowfeather. And this was the only way.

What if he's not there? Leafpool thought. What if he's mad and he never wants to see me again?

Leafpool looked around. And then she saw him. Crowfeather was staring at the lake with his tail wrapped around his paws in the shelter of some gorse bushes. Leafpool's heart flipped over. He looked so lonely!

"Crowfeather!"

Crowfeather's eyes were shining as Leafpool splashed through the stream to meet him. He pressed his muzzle into her shoulder and their tails wound together.

"I thought about what you said," Leafpool mewed, "About leaving."

"You have?" Crowfeather asked.

"I've been so scared Crowfeather – scared about leaving my Clan and my kin. But I went to the Moonpool, and Spottedleaf came to speak with me."

Crowfeather looked confused.

"She was ThunderClan's medicine cat once, but now she walks with StarClan. She often visits me in dreams," Leafpool added.

"What did she say?" Crowfeather asked.

Leafpool looked at the cat she loved.

"She told me to follow my heart," she mewed.

"You're a medicine cat Leafpool. Isn't that where your heart has led you?"

Leafpool looked Crowfeather in the eye.

"Once it was," she said, "But ThunderClan has a medicine cat. Cinderpelt is young and strong, and she'll serve the Clan for seasons yet. And Brightheart will help out for now. Cinderpelt can train another apprentice when I've gone."

Crowfeather drew in a painful breath.

"When you've gone? Leafpool does that mean…?"

"Yes, I'll come with you."

Crowfeather's eyes lit up with happiness.

"I've been scared too," he admitted. "I don't want to leave my Clan or my friends. I even hoped I might be leader one day. But more than that, I don't want to lose you Leafpool. And there's no way for us to be together if we stay here."

Leafpool pressed her fur against his.

"Where should we go?" asked Leafpool, feeling unsure about her future.

"Not back towards the forest," Crowfeather decided. "We'd end up in the mountains, or places where there are too many twolegs. There are hills beyond WindClan where we can look for a place to live. I'll take care of you Leafpool."

Leafpool felt a warm feeling come over her. She knew Crowfeather would.

"I promise I'll take care of you," he repeated more strongly. "Are you ready?"

Leafpool froze.

"You mean, we're leaving now?" she gasped.

"Don't you think we should?"

Leafpool wasn't sure. She wanted to say goodbye to everyone. But she knew it would be painful and confusing.

"You're right." She mewed, "I'm ready.

Crowfeather touched his nose to the top of her head.

"Thank you. I promise I'll do everything I can to make sure you don't regret this."

Leafpool looked deep into Crowfeather's eyes, and they padded off up the hill, away from the lake, their pelts brushing and tails twined together without looking back.