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Post by thornshade on Jul 11, 2017 23:25:03 GMT -5
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ (SWIFT)
Sometimes, I believe Life is like a song. Sometimes Life is something cats believe they can understand perfectly, but it still will spiral out of their comprehension. Life is something beyond our reach. Sometimes it can be slow and soft, just playing to the rest of the worldโs lyrics and unending notes and rests. But then, in an instant, it can crescendo and speed up to the beating of a nervous heart, or an untimely death. And death always comes. Death.
Death is something few can understand. It can be a lovely thing. Death can bring you closer to someone you hold onto dearly. Death, my friends, is the moment between bloodstained claws at your throat and your own blood spattered on the ground. Moreover, if Death were a cat, I believe everything would be black about it. The long, sleek fur, groomed to mask its cold heart and making it a welcoming presence in a dim world; even itโs long, hard claws would be black, and even the depths of its inside would be dark. Death would have a sick call into the night, wailing, dark, and frightening. Like a crowโs cry, hard and unearthly to innocent ears of tiny kits. The only thing about Death that wouldnโt be black are its eyes. They would be murky and soulless, a clearish white film. Some say they should be red. But they wouldnโt be, for red is the color of Love.
Love is another song, much like Life. It twists and destroys, but can be fuzzy and warm. I yearned for Love once, but Love is red. And red is the color of blood, rich and scarlet, flowing over bedraggled fur and unsheathed claws. So Death and Love have an ongoing romance, belonging hand in hand, for blood comes with Death. And blood belongs in hearts, the internal ones, beating and pumping, providing a life. Not the hearts drawn by a lovesick cat, mooning over their mate, which Death can snatch away from them in an instant. And I should know. But Love is something that also belongs in dreams. And dreams, my dearest, are white. But Love will still be red, cruel, yet lively. But without Love, Death, black and red, all thatโs left is white, the color of Dreams.
Dreams. Dreaming Dreams is something I hardly understand myself. They always stay a puke-like color, milky and unnerving. But the color will always be white. White is the color of Deathโs eyes. White is plain and deserted. White is the color of a Life and Love, deserted and lonely. White can be at the deepest part inside loveโs red heart. It can show a passionate path for the road ahead, a secret unknown to its owner. Perhaps, a tale of someone grand. Still, white is the color of dreams. And Dreamland will always be pale and desolate. But your mind is what makes it vivid and alive, winding and then suddenly straight. But without it, all that will be there is whiteness and Death, all tuned together by the sound of heavy paws thudding against the ground.
Death, Love, and Dreams. Black, Red, and White. All things that make up Life. But Death will always, always come to you, and then you will know no more Life, and Life is a precious thing.
But I will always, it seems, have to follow that path of dark, endless Death. But, perhaps, my time for change is drawing nearer. Because the darkness of Death has pulled too close to me. The light is calling me.
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ 1 CHOOSE WISELY (JAYSTONE) I trudged into camp, my leg dragging in the dust behind me. Blood and dirt clung to my fur; the stench made me sick. But my father loved it. His bright ginger pelt was coated in blood, while scrapes, bites, and scratches covered it, too. His eyes shone brightly, too brightly for my liking. They seemed to be lit with pure madness for bloodshed. Warriors and a few apprentices brushed into camp beside me. Excited murmurs exploded from the battle patrol as they sat down with the queens and our one warrior, Swallowfur, who was recovering from a wounded leg she'd broken and tried to fix herself. The tortoiseshell she-cat's hind leg was bent outward at an awkward angle. It looked that without a medicine cat's help, she was going to be exiled with the rest of the medicine cats, elders, and mortally wounded warriors. "Jaystone! We won!" Amberpaw, my apprentice, at only five moons instead of six (much to my dismay), yowled at the top of her lungs as she came over to me. I nodded, blood dripping down onto the ground. "Yeah, we did. But it still didn't help us find out who murdered Weedtail," I replied. I remembered the warrior's courage in battle; he was the only cat not to kill one in his lifetime in ThunderClan. I wasn't like that, but I wanted to be. But my father had ruined it for me. And that was something I could not stand for. It called for a sweet remedy by the title of revenge. But I had to keep that desire deep inside me; even mate couldnโt know, as it would ruin everything else I had built up for myself. "Jaystone! Great job on destroying that apprentice! With its twisted foot, it never would've made it anyway. I don't see why ShadowClan hasn't already exiled him," My father mewed, shoving the kit out of the way. The ginger tabby she-cat tumbled to the ground, growling a soft curse under her breath, and then went over to where her siblings were comparing scars and bites. The memory of the ShadowClan apprentice's โdeathโ flashed in my mind. "Please, don't hurt me...!" The black tabby kit, only three moons by the look of it, cried in vain as I stood over him, snarling. Deep gashes and patches of fur were missing from his pelt. I looked over to where Shardstar was watching me, his amber gaze demanding.
"I never wanted to." I whispered in the apprentice's ear as I faked a death bite to his neck. He caught on, and dropped to the ground with a cry. "Run, run away to the exiled ones. Know I will only save you once." I growled in his ear and as another black tom created a facade between me and the apprentice, he took off as fast as he could, his twisted paw only holding him back from freedom.
"Yeah. I'm glad no one attacked while we were gone. Petalfall's due any day now; I don't wanna lose her," I mewed, remembering my mate inside the nursery. She hadn't come to greet me. I hoped that meant she was sleeping. But I really didn't want to face my father if she was killed. Petalfall couldn't stand up she's so close to having the kits, let alone walk outside to see me, I decided. "I'm gonna go check on her, okay? Make sure everyone gets cleaned up." I told him, and padded away to the nursery. In the dim light, it took my eyes a moment adjust. My mate's white pelt seemed to glow in the darkness of the den as I limped over to her. "Jaystone! Did we win?" She asked, her mismatched blue and green eyes gleaming with pride as I came and sat down next to her nest. "I'm so glad you came to see me,โ she puffed as she sat up in her mossy nest. I purred, and gave her my answer. "Yes, we won. The clearing is ours once again. But we never caught Weedtail's murderer, unfortunately," I relayed to her. I felt her press her warm body to my side, her fur seeming like an escape from my murderous ways. Suddenly, I felt her grit her sharp teeth and sit up straighter. "Are you okay?" Petalfall relaxed her jaw a moment later. "Yeah. They're just moving a lot more now. It feels like there's going to be at least three," the white queen mewed quickly, pressing back against my side. "There must be at least four, the way you look!" Spottedfur, the other queen in the nursery, chuckled over her kits' ruckus. I purred as I watched Wildkit flip over her brother, making Hollowkit squirm about. "Hey," he squeaked, "I wasn't ready!" Trying to get revenge, he tussled with her loudly on the dirt floor, which now was spattered unevenly with my blood. It didn't seem to bother the queens or the kits, which made me a little uneasy. I saw Dapplefoot open one eye and purr softly, aroused by the kits' play. "They sure are busy ones. I wonder how many I'll have," the tortoiseshell-and-white queen mewed as she looked back over at me and Petalfall. "Oh, StarClan! Petalfall, are you...bleeding?" Dapplefoot mewed as all of the cats in the den looked at my mate. I leaned away, and saw my own blood dappling her white fur. "No...thatโs...mine?" I mewed awkwardly. Petalfall tried to stretch down and reach the spots, but it was impossible due to her swollen stomach. She passed me a helpless glance. I nodded quickly, and began to lick her fur clean as she lay down in her nest. I heard her breath slowly soften into snores, and relaxed as I cleaned her pelt with strong, swift tongue strokes. After her fur was back to its pure white color, I left quickly and tiptoed out of the den to clean my own fur and survey my bites and scratches. My left hind leg had gotten the worst injury- a deep bite. The bleeding had almost stopped, but it was an angry red color. As soon as I was finished, I glanced at the clearing around me, which had quieted down now, with only a few stragglers left. Most cats were in the dens sleeping calmly. I saw Whisperwind, my adopted sister (after her mother and father had been murdered), coming back from the camp entrance, fully laden with cobwebs. We were lucky we had Whisperwind; she'd trained as a medicine cat apprentice for a long time in secret, but gave it up when she was almost discovered by my father. Whisperwind had only told me, and in turn, I had told only her my deepest secret and I hoped, for the sake of Petalfall, my unborn kits, and my carefully guarded secret that my mate never found out. "Jaystone, do you need any cobwebs?" she mumbled through the thick white strands as she walked over to me. I nodded, and she sat down next to me and wrapped my leg and other cuts up quickly with cobwebs. "See me if it gets really painful, okay?" Whisperwind told me softly as she went into the former medicine cat's den, where the few supplies we had left were stored. We hadn't gone out for anymore; we were too busy battling one another. And yet, it seems, as we tried to avenge our Clanmate's deaths, we brought war upon ourselves, I thought, the realization hitting my spirit like a ton of rocks. Shuddering softly, I glanced toward the fresh-kill pile. Only a ragged vole and a small squirrel were left, a surprise for green-leaf. I went out of the camp and decided I'd hunt. Petalfall'd like a fat mouse or two. Or three, or four. I thought with a purr. She'd had a massive appetite in the last half-moon. I padded out into the woods, my heart light. I had few things to worry about when I was hunting. It seemed that all my troubles simply melted away. Pricking my ears for some sound of prey, I picked up some mouse heartbeats not far off. I seemed to be downwind of it, so that was good. Eventually, I saw my quarry- a pair of rather plump mice, right outside a small hole. Grinning, I found there were more young mice in the nest as I scented the air once again. Stalking the rodents slowly, I crept up and bunched my muscles for the spring. I felt power course through me as I smacked both of the mice into the air, and they landed dead on the forest floor with a thud. But no young mice emerged from nest. I'd scared them into hiding with my paw steps. Oh well. Just go for something else, I suppose, I consoled myself as I padded away with the mice in my jaws. I found a spot by the roots of a gnarled oak to burry my prey till I could return for it. I gazed up at the tall tree in awe; it was a mystery to me how they grew so big when they were still so young. But I realized there was something red on the tree. Standing on my hind paws and bracing my front ones on the tree, I touched my nose to it, and recognized the foul stench of blood. Then there was more and more, until everything was coated crimson. Death and battling cats surrounded me. "No...,โ I gave a hoarse whisper as I saw two of the dead cats- one was my ThunderClan mate, Petalfall, the one my father had chosen for me, but the other was the one my heart truly belonged to, thought Iโd never admit it. An ally, a RiverClan warrior. Her brindled pelt was scarred and torn to ribbons. "Kestrelpool," I whispered hoarsely as I touched my nose to her body. Oily tears filled my vision, becoming a red haze as the blood around me filled my eyes. I opened them again, to find myself still against the tree, my nose touching the fleck of blood. Shuddering again for the second time that afternoon, I shook myself and padded away from the tree. I entered camp later with a good haul of prey- the two mice, a thrush, a vole, and a small squirrel. It'd taken me from sun-high until dusk to catch it, but I'd done it. It seemed only two other warriors had the same idea, but Grayleaf and Leaftail had only brought back a rather small rabbit and two large birds between the two of them. Shardstar was sitting outside his den, talking quietly to Whisperwind. The Clan lay outside their own dens, swapping battle stories. "And the ShadowClan warrior was HUGE! He was, like, this tall!" Mothpaw was announcing to her denmates, jumping high in the air as I walked past. I purred softly, though I knew through my mouthful of prey that she wouldn't hear it anyway. Closer to the fresh-kill pile, I heard Treepelt, Thornstrike, and Poppystem talking about the badgers, foxes, and dogs they'd battled. "Ahh, the good days when WindClan and ShadowClan were just our neighbors, eh?" Treepelt was murmuring through a mouthful of a scrawny vole. I padded past the trio and dropped my heavy haul onto the fresh-kill pile. "Whoa! You caught all that?" Poppystem asked, breaking away from their conversation. I nodded wearily. "Yeah. Took me a while. Mind if I sit with you three?" I told the pretty she-cat as I grabbed a smaller-looking mouse from the bottom of the pile. Thornstrike shook his head and motioned for me to sit by him. "So, Petalfall's due any day now, right?" Poppystem began as I tore into my mouse. The warmth might've been gone, but the nutrition was the same. I swallowed, nodding my head. โMaybe old sour puss and Iโll have kits one day.โ The cream she-cat added with a meaningful glance at Stormpool. The gray tom nodded his head to her, and she let out a happy sigh. โYou picked out any names for them? I think Rosekit or Flamekit are particularly cute." Poppystem mewed with a purr. Taking another bite, I thought about her question in my head. I guess I was leaning towards a few names, but it really didn't matter to me. Sure, these were my kits to everyone else, but they...weren't to me. I had no mate; this was just what my father wanted, not me. I wanted something more than thisโฆdisaster. "I guess I do have a few picked. I really like Hailkit or Ivykit," I mewed after a moment. Thornstrike nodded his agreement, but Treepelt seemed to think otherwise. "No fiercer names in there, Jaystone? I think Slashkit would be fitting for a tom,โ he announced. Poppystem made a grimace-like look on her face. "Life isn't all about winning or battling, for that matter, Treepelt. It is a good name, though." The she-cat mewed. As I swallowed the last mouthful of prey, I glanced at where Whisperwind was speaking with Shardstar, still deep in conversation. I felt a nervous, burning anger inside my belly at talking to my father. Heโd put me through everything, all the misery, the guiltโฆI just wanted him dead already. "I'm gonna go check on Shardstar. He probably wants me to start thinking about apprentices already. See ya guys later." I mewed as I stood, stretched, and left the three warriors to their conversations. I padded over to where my father sat with Whisperwind. She seemed to be worried about something; her eyes were a smoldering umber instead of their usual bright amber. "Is everything okay, Shardstar?" I meowed as I stopped a half-cat length in front of them. My father nodded, but his gaze somewhat troubled. "Yes, just a few little tarnishes in our Clanโs life. Why don't we pick out some mentors in my den for Lionleap's kits, hmm?" He told me. "Go eat something, Whisperwind. You work too hard." Shardstar added, giving my sister's ear a swift lick, then turning to walk to his den. I followed, a little surprised at my father's affection. He wasn't one to do that. This meant he was going to tell me something astronomically important. As we brushed past the torn lichen into his cave-like den, I sat down beside his nest, where he lay down quickly, eyeing me fiercely. "Well, well, well, Jaystone. It seems you have quite the reputation now among ThunderClan, don't you?" He asked coolly. "Yes sir. My kits are arriving any day now. And there appear to be quite a few on the way." I mewed quickly. "I believe it's all thanks to me, son. Without my...adviceโฆinto mating with the she-cat, you'd still be just a low-ranked deputy." Shardstar said forcibly. I nodded. "You must remember I am also one of the most-feared warriors in battle throughout the Clans." I added, watching his expression. The bright ginger tom just dipped his, saying nothing. But his amber eyes said it all. Their fierce, unwelcoming glint in the darkening den made it clear he had his own opinion. "Now, about mentors. Who shall Rootkit receive?" I asked for his advice, waiting. "Fernfang. She is fierce." He answered. That's it? Just because she's a brutal fighter? I thought sadistically. "I believe Whitefoot could fit well with Hollowkit. He mentored Poppyheart well." Silence. He spoke up after a moment. "Very well. I think Wildkit should receive Eagleclaw, but it is up to you. Come back to me later with your final decision." What? No. Eagleclaw is too quick to scold, and he's got a taste for blood. "Alright. Is that all?" I meowed quickly before exiting. "No. Whisperwind was talking to me about you. Said you've become worried too much about Petalfall. Just take it easy, alright? She'll be fine. Oh, and you've been late at assigning patrols in the morning. Do it on time, please. There will be punishment next time." Shardstar growled, too low for my liking. "Okay. Sleep well, father," I murmured my goodbye as I crept out of the den. The sun had given way to the purples and deep blues of the night, leaving no trace of the warmth we'd had earlier. I'd been in the den too long; it was almost time to meet her. Meet her. I sighed happily, and glanced at the camp entrance. It was carefully guarded by Mallowspot, whose cream pelt shone in the moonlight. I'd go later, I decided. For now, I just had to "fall asleep". With that, I walked over to where the warrior's den beneath the old brush and toppled trees. My place to rest was at the center, so it took me a bit of wiggling through to finally reach my own nest. The warrior's snores were anything but calming as I felt the anxiety from the fact that I had to go meet Kestrelpool bubble up in my chest. We'd always met every quarter-moon, and no one had discovered us. She was my ally from RiverClan, and I knew I could trust her with my life completely in battle. Or, maybe, just more than in battle? She is beautiful, inside and out, I thought with a heavy sigh. But now I had time to think about my own life's disaster in ThunderClan. I was about to father kits to a mate I didn't love, my father was watching me murder cats left and right in battle, and I had to give mentors to sweet, innocent kits who had no idea what lay ahead of them. I was terrified, a feeling I never thought Iโd have to face. ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ 2 THE EXILED ARE WELCOMED (NIGHTHEART) I hurriedly raced away from the patrol of my Clanmates, whose tails drooped in the dust with disappointment. I needed to get away unnoticed; it was easier to do so when we won. But today RiverClan had beaten us, and taken two lives -- Brightnose, a brave young warrior, and Cedarheart, who was a very elderly tom. We had lost Twistedpaw to the ThunderClan deputy, Jaystone, a few sunrises before. Jaystone was one of the most-respected warriors in the Clans besides Whitewater, a RiverClan warrior with a taste for blood, and the battle-craving leaders themselves. But those thoughts were instantly erased from my mind as I crept behind a large bramble thicket, where a good cache of prey lay, unseen to any warriors. Scooping up as much as I could in my small jaws, I raced away to my destination while I thought my heart would burst out of my chest with nervousness. These cats need it more than the rest of us, I told myself as I edged the end of ShadowClan territory where their "camp" lay. I began to skirt the area before approaching, hoping my black pelt would hide me well if anyone had followed me here. A low hiss ground its way into my ears as it escaped a cat's jaws. "Who's there?" It hissed. I didn't recognize its voice. This cat had a fuller tone than any of the elders or even wise old Dawnfur's mew. And, it wasโฆhigher, maybe? "Me," I mumbled as loudly as I could through the mouthful of prey in my jaws. A rustle of pine needles told me someone behind the brush and trees in front of me was rising. "Let'er through, you frog-brain. It's a friend. Come on, Nightheart. I smell frog and...is that a vole?" Dustyclaw's rumbling mew sounded. I gave a soft purr, and brushed past the pine tree guarding the frail elders. But there were two new cats here -- one of which I didn't recognize. But I was overjoyed to see the small apprentice, or rather, kit, before me. I dropped my prey instantly and ran forward out of pure joy to see him. His black tabby pelt wasn't hidden from my eyes in the darkness as I raced to greet him. "Twistedpaw! Oh, StarClan, thank goodness you lived! I thought he'd killed you! We all thought you'd been murdered and hidden away from ShadowClan!" I cried in joy as I saw my sisterโs son, whose bright amber eyes gleamed happily. I bent down to nuzzle his cheek quickly, and then saw every cat was staring at us. "Oh, uh, sorry," I whispered quickly as I regained my quiet essence. "So, I brought you enough for just three. I didn't know Twistedpaw was here." I paused to nod to Creamstripe, another banished warrior, who was chewing onto the vole I'd brought along with the two mice and frogs I could catch over the last few days. Dustyclaw sat beside him, nibbling one of the frogs. Then I turned to the new cat. I couldn't hide my disgusted look as RiverClan stench washed over my tongue. "And who, pray tell, is that? You're RiverClan, aren't you? This is ShadowClan territory," I growled. The cat's hackles rose, and as did Dawnfur's, who stalked up to me angrily. "That is Tuftyears, and she has been banished from RiverClan territory! They killed the old elder there as a warning! It was the least we could do, you wretched she-cat!" she snarled. I growled at the medicine cat, astonishment flowing throughout my veins at hearing her call me wretched. Dawnfur was one of my best friends- and had always kept my deepest secrets. Heat rolled off my pelt in waves as I studied the warrior. I automatically noticed how she'd gotten her name; the warrior's ears - well, the one that was left - had a long tuft of black fur on top. Her whole pelt was black, but she had no tail. Numerous scars covered the she-catโs body, but the most noticeable one was a long one running vertically in the middle of her face at a slight angle, tilting it. "My apologies, Tuftyears. I-I'm really s-sorry," I stammered quietly. I glanced back to where Twistedpaw sat with Dustyclaw, and the dark tabby had his strange paw tucked underneath his long, fluffy tail. Both toms were shocked at my loud show and voice as I suddenly turned soft again. Creamstripe had looked down at his prey in the awkwardness, though he was blind. I focused on Tuftyears again. The she-cat had dipped her head in acceptance, but her blue eyes were dark. "Thank you. I suppose I'd better hunt, yes?" Tuftyears murmured quickly. I shook my head defiantly. "No. I do not need to eat, and I can bring something back later, that is, if you don't mind waiting?" I asked. The black she-cat nodded, and so did Dawnfur. "Good, then. Now that that's been settled, do you mind telling us why they've...kicked you out?" The former medicine cat asked, back away to sit in her nest by Twistedpaw and Dustyclaw. Creamstripe looked up quickly from his vole, ears perked a mile high. Tuftyears sat down quickly, brushed a wet paw over her ear, and began. "I was banished into exile because...I was different. After the last battle, a warrior -- a white ShadowClan tom -- had torn away my tail. I'd already lost my ear in a number of battles over time. But finally, I was banished because I'd lost two important parts in Clan life. My ear, for hearing, and my tail for signaling and balance. But Whitewater, the deputy, a very fierce warrior, had always had it in for me. My ears made me stand out too much. But on the night they chased me away, I'll never forget what Wetpelt, the old elder, said to me before they came. 'Run,' she'd told me, 'run to a place they'll never find you, run to where...'" The RiverClan warrior stopped. "Run where?" Twistedpaw piped up. "I...I don't know. That's when they killed her. Broke her neck. I could hear the snap of her bones. Thenโฆ I came here," she whispered, just loud enough for Creamstripe to hear. "To you, the last place I'd ever thought I'd go." It was utterly silent in our small hideaway for a long time. I considered Tuftyear's words for a moment before I broke the quiet. "I...I'm so...disgusted," I paused, searching for the right words. The RiverClan warrior was beginning to growl at me, her teeth bared in a snarl. "I'm disgusted they would do that to you. You belong to RiverClan...and if they won't accept youโฆ ShadowClan will. You show bravery and no sense of regret to come here." My own words rung in my head, speeding up faster and faster and louder and louder until it was a dizzying spiral of two little words in my head. ShadowClan will. ShadowClan will. ShadowClan will. SHADOWCLAN WILL! SHADOWCLAN WILL!! SHADOWCLAN WILL!!! I looked down at my paws, embarrassed. It was then Dawnfur spoke the words that would forever change young Tuftyear's life. "What are you proposing, Nightheart? That Tuftyears is to become a ShadowClan cat?" she mewed. I turned to face her, my jaws parting to answer quickly, and then closing them as no sound came. Twistedpaw was completely amazed. All he'd seemed to know me as was a quiet little auntie who wasn't one for battling. But Creamstripe, Dawnfur, and Dustyclaw knew me as much, much more. I was ready for this. My first big plunge into becoming a true, good, and chivalrous Clan warrior from the Era of Peace, like I'd always wanted to become. Creamstripe was looking at me, his blind eyes glazed over deep in thought. But Dawnfur's bright amber eyes still burned my pelt. I looked once more at Tuftyears, then to Dawnfur. "Yes. I am. Tuftyears, I will get you into ShadowClan, if it is what you wish," I replied evenly, my voice clear and strong, not its usual muffled or soft self. The black warrior's bright blue gaze filled with tears, and she quickly gave my ear a lick. "Yes, it is!" she murmured excitedly. "Then here's the plan. But it will require cunning and some โฆ small changes," I murmured. Twistedpaw rose quickly and padded up to us to listen as I told then Clanless warrior of how she would get her new life.* * *Hurriedly, I passed my eyes over where Shade, previously Tuftyears, stood behind me. Her blue eyes were blazing like a lighthouse beacon in the darkness of the pine forest, even though the sunrise was peeking through. I ran my gaze over her small silhouette once more, and inwardly I felt like purring. We'd managed to cut off the tufts she'd held for so long with our claws. I remember how worried I'd been that her small cries would travel to the camp, and they'd find me. I'd be killed instantly, along with all the other elders, Twistedpaw, Shade, and Dawnfur. Then I recalled what the former warrior had told me about her name.
"I want to be Shade. It is dangerous. Yet lovely," she'd said to us as I'd asked what she wanted to be known as. I'd given her a quick lick on the ear, and told her it was beautiful. Which of course, it was. Shade. I decided if I could've picked my own name, I'd have wanted to be Nightshade or Shadeheart or something of the like. Or maybe even Shadowshade. Or Nightshadow. But I was Nightheart. But it didn't fit me. I didn't have a heart as black as my pelt or the darkness of the night. I felt, and my closest companions did as well, that I should've been called Brightheart, like the ancient ThunderClan warrior from Firestar's Era of Peace, as it was now called. Funny, how the perfect name rhymed with my given one. But it was not the time it be thinking about names. I had a plan to put in action.
I reviewed the phases over and over in my head, until they were ingrained in my memory. I looked ahead, my ears pricked forward, listening for the sounds of the dawn patrol. I was rewarded quickly with the murmurings from only a few badger-lengths off. Shade padded to my side and quickly took a hunched and rebellious position, her eyes focused on the ground. The rustling of leaves echoed in my ears with the pounding of my heart. Suddenly, a trio of cats entered the small space in front of me. I automatically recognized Frostscar's silver pelt, and the massive form of Scratchleap was revealed to me as well. Finally, Mousetail's smaller black-and-white form registered in my head.
"Nightheart," Scratchleap's low voice growled, "Who is that?"
"A rouge I found on my way home from hunting last night. She devoured my prey cache," I managed to get out quietly.
"What is your name, dearest?" Frostscar's shrill voice mewed, seeming to be coated with sugar. I gave Shade a quick glance, who still held her head low.
"Shade," she hissed, looking up and glaring at the silver she-cat. I saw Frostscar shrink away slowly from the blue eyes of my friend, which seemed to scorch her figure.
"I'm sure Darkstar will find a good place for her in our Clan," Mousetail meowed, breaking the stiff silence. I nodded, and gave Shade a shove forward.
"I'll go back to camp with you, honey. Scratchleap and Mousetail can patrol the borders, right, boys?" Frostscar said, her voice seeming to demand the two toms to do her will. Scratchleap and Mousetail nodded and let me and Shade pass. I walked quickly home, feeling that Frostscar wanted to know more than I'd let on to her.
After a full moon-cycle, it seemed, we reached the camp entrance. I was stunned as I instantly saw who sat guard -- Olivepelt. The tortoiseshell-and-white queen's massive white belly glowed in the dawn light. Olivepelt was only a few days from having Cedarheart's kits, and needed to be resting. Besides the fact that her beloved had died defending his Clan from RiverClan warriors who insisted weโd murderer one of their warriors. Like I was sure all the other warriors were doing now. Lazy mouse-hearts, I thought angrily.
"Nightheart, Frostscar, who's this?" she demanded as I walked forward.
"A captive," I muttered, too quietly. The queen gave a flustered sigh.
"Louder, please. I don't have super senses, she-cat," Olivepelt snarled.
"A captive!" I growled loudly. Olivepelt then turned sharply around.
"I'll go tell Lightningsky and Darkstar. Frostscar and you can bring it in." The tortoiseshell she-cat padded into the camp as quickly as her swollen belly allowed her, and I glimpsed her march into Darkstar's den. All around me and Shade the few warriors who were awake were looking over at us. One of them, much to my dismay but also with a tiny bit of pride, was Duskclaw. The dark tom was my mate, though truthfully I wasn't even sure if I loved him. He was trotting over to me quickly, with Scorchfire glued to his side.
"Nightheart, who's this?" Duskclaw asked smoothly. I paused, looked at Frostscar, and then mewed my reply after she said nothing. "Shade. I found her eating my prey while I was hunting."
My mate's amber gaze instantly lit with pride. Scorchfire had said nothing, but was glancing with Frostscar at Darkstar's den entrance, where the black tom was emerging. "That's grand, dearest. Come on; let's go put her over there. Someone will guard her while you grab something to eat." Duskclaw mewed, pleased, as he entwined his tail with mine and dragged me away from Shade, who still stood, hunched over.
Frostscar and Scorchfire were then shoving her to the back of the camp by the medicine den. Shade made no movement to get away from their grip. I quickly lay down and watched as Duskclaw grabbed a large frog from the fresh-kill pile, which was dwindling in stock. Owleyes, Scarpelt, and Redpelt sat around me and my mate as he came back.
"Who was that, Nightheart?" Scarpelt asked as Duskclaw returned and lay down next to me and nosed the frog to me. I quickly took a dainty bite, swallowed, and looked up at the older warrior.
"A captive. Shade, I believe. I was taking her back to camp when I ran into the dawn patrol. She'd eaten all of my prey that I was hiding. Don't know how she even scented it," I told him as loudly as I could without sounding too loud.
"Pure madness and perhaps starvation. She looks pretty thin and ragged," Redpelt spoke up as we all glanced at Shade, who was now guarded by Toadstep. Lightningsky and Darkstar sat nearby, watching her every movement. I felt my belly do flip-flops inside me at the prospect of what could happen here and now. I hoped with all my bright little heart that ShadowClan took her on before she was killed. By us, or, I thought grimly, in another treacherous battle. ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ 3 DISCUSSIONS AND SCARS (MISTBREEZE) I limped out of the medicine catโs den, finally allowing myself to stretch my legs. Iโd gotten a bite to the throat and a massive scratch down my flank, but I could tell they were healing well. Heatherstar had allowed us to use the medicine cat supplies -- as long as we knew what we were doing. Most of Clan did, but few cats with broken bones could heal themselves. The fresh-kill pile a few cat lengths away from the Tallrock was stocked full, as weโd gone hunting after recovering from the battle just yesterday. And, besides, the queens needed prey to eat so they could give the Clan new warriors -- ones we needed.
Kits, I realized with a stomach-lurching thought. Flowerpool only had one kit. Just the little guy. Oh StarClan, surely she wonโt banish that sweet she-cat. It had become a new law in the Code that queens had to have at least two healthy kits. If the cat had a litter of three with one malformed kit, which was very rare, that one could stay. But if the queen had just one, the kit was clawed on the cheek, leaving, hopefully, a scar and pain that left them in agony. The kit also lost its mother; the queen was banished or killed, depending on the leader. Heatherstar hated going to war, but she enjoyed the rush of adrenaline pounding through her body as she felt blood spatter on her flanks. Rabbitleap had told me that Heatherstar probably wouldnโt kill her; she was a healthy warrior who was so young. As sad as it was, Rabbitleap reminded me she could join another Clan.
Rabbitleap was my (very handsome) mate, the WindClan deputy, and a brave warrior. The perfect tomcat, aside from one thing- he very much wanted to start a family sometime soon. I wasnโt ready for kits. I hated the fact that queens just sat there in the last moon of carrying kits -- doing nothing good for the Clan. And then when the kits arrived, they finally had their work cut out for them -- but if you didnโt raise them well, they turned out likeโฆwell, me. Grumpy, unsophisticated, and a plain old trouble maker at my worst, but at my bestโฆI could do anything, it seemed. There was a positive to being a queen, though- they were excused from battle, making their lives just a tidbit easier.
I looked at my paws, dragged out of my deep thinking by the scent of rabbit -- both types of rabbit that I knew and loved, in fact. The fresh-kill at my paws and the warm, wind-struck scent of my mate. His bright amber eyes were warm, but they were as troubled as my own.
โMistbreeze, whatโs wrong?โ he asked, his brown eyes soft and murky.
โNothing at the moment,โ I replied after a minute. My pelt began to burn as I realized Grayfoot and Seedflight were watching me and my mate from a few cat lengths away. Rabbitleap then looked back at the dusky-furred rabbit at my feet.
โWanna go eat together? Iโm starved,โ he mewed, his voice straining to sound upbeat.
โUm, sure. Letโs go by Grayfoot and Seedflight,โ I managed to reply. The creamy white tom picked up the rabbit and we walked, shoulder to shoulder, over to the couple of cats. Seedflightโs green eyes sparkled with a burst of happiness as she saw me and Rabbitleap approach.
โMind if we eat with you two?โ I mewed coolly.
โNot at all. Move over a bit, Grayfoot. Thanks,โ The she-cat answered, and nudged Grayfoot and herself to the side. Rabbitleap proceeded to drop the hare at my feet as he sat down next to me, where I lay next to Seedflight.
โWe creamed RiverClan yesterday, huh?โ Grayfoot mewed. It was desperately apparent by his tone that he was trying to fit in with the rest of the Clan. Grayfoot was a former kittypet, who had actually beenโฆde-clawed, or that he didnโt have any claws on his feet, as he called it. Apparently every kittypet is de-clawed sometime, according to him. But anyhow, he was more of the outcast in the Clan. I was happy Seedflight had been treating him kindly, though.
โOh yeah. Never seen those fat warriors run so fast,โ Rabbitleap answered after swallowing a bite of the prey. I suppressed a soft purr of happiness, and then bit into the fresh-kill at my paws. The warm prey melted into dazzling spurts of warmth and the taste of a breeze in my mouth.
โWhat was the best fighting move you used yesterday?โ I added after enjoy the tang of the hare in my mouth.
โHmmโฆoh, I used the leap-and-hold on a silver tabby. He was so shocked! I think I managed to get a frontal paw blow in with that, too,โ Seedflight answered.
I nodded, than realized Grayfoot seemed to be watching me and Rabbitleap eat very intently, and he looked like he could drool like the twolegโs dogs.
โDid you two eat yet? You look a little hungry,โ I asked the other two warriors. Both shook their heads. Grayfoot seemed relieved that Iโd asked.
โYou want some? Mistbreeze and I canโt eat it all. Here, take the rest.โ Rabbitleap meowed, and shoved the prey to the other two with his nose. The tom and she-cat looked grateful, and dug in.
โMmmm, this is a good one,โ Grayfoot mumbled over his mouthful of prey. Seedflight nodded her head, a slow purr rumbling in her chest after she swallowed.
โWhat was your best move, Rabbitleap?โ The pale brown she-cat added after swallowing her prey. The white tomโs eyes glittered mischievously for a moment, but after a second he answered.
โOh, I dunnoโฆall of my moves were top-notch, huh, Mistbreeze?โ The deputy mewed cheekily as he gave my ear a swift, affectionate lick. I purred, and licked his cheek back. Seedflight wasnโt fazed; she was used to seeing it with other warriors. But Grayfoot, on the other hand, looked especially creeped out. His blue-gray eyes were as wide as full moons, but he kept eating the fresh-kill with Seedflight as the three of us talked. He was a young warrior, but also an outcast. I honestly couldnโt blame him for not talking very much.
After the rabbit was gone, I realized how nice it would be to run, and run a long way with a special someone at my side. I looked up at the pale sunset. The pretty pastel pinks and pale oranges seemed to melt into the darkened blackness just above it. Seedflightโs jaws stretched in a yawn, and her green eyes looked murky with tiredness.
โI think Iโm going to go for a quick run. You wanna come, Rabbitleap?โ I asked my mate. His amber eyes sparkled as he dipped his head. I turned to the other two warriors. โIโll see you later, Seedflight. Gโbye, Grayfoot,โ I meowed, and stood, shaking out my legs and waiting for Rabbitleap to do the same.
Soon, we found ourselves out in the tall wind-struck grasses of the WindClan territory. I was panting hard, and so was my mate. His creamy white pelt shone like the stars above us in the nighttime sky.
โItโs so nice to be away from camp. And the Clan. And war. Just sitting here with you,โ he meowed, looking at me with those gorgeous amber eyes.
I felt a deep, rumbling purr echo from inside my chest. โI love you a lot, Rabbitleap. I donโt know what I do without you. I justโฆget worried about life sometimes, you know?โ I finally said after a while of just looking into his eyes.
โYeah, I know.โ Rabbitleap murmured. I felt myself leaning into his cream-colored fur, just beingโฆme. Honest to goodness me, and with the mate I loved. Life was perfect. Until he broke the silence and perfection with one question.
โMistbreezeโฆyou know how the Clanโs ranks areโฆdwindling a little bit?โ He asked, looking at me with those eyes I absolutely adored.
โYes.โ I answered, my voice barely audible. I knew where this was headed now.
โAnd how weโve wanted to raise kits?โ
โYeah.โ
โWhy donโt we think about it more deeply? I meanโฆit canโt hurt, can it?โ
I felt my muscles tense, and noticed him start to pull away from me. No, stay, Rabbitleap. I want to keep you close, I ordered him inwardly. Shaking my head just the tiniest bit, I puzzled his question. It canโt hurt, can it? Canโt hurt. Canโt hurt. Canโtโฆhurt. It canโt hurt him. But itโll hurt me. Stupid Fogfur. Scared me for life, that perfection-crazed she-cat. All she wanted was a perfect daughter. Andโฆthat daughter, was she perfect? No. No, not according to her. Never. But why didnโt she choose Skyberry? Why me?
โRabbitleapโฆโ I began, breaking away from him after a momentโs pause. His gaze looked hurt, but I kept looking at the tom, gauging his reactions. โIโฆdonโt think Iโmโฆready yet.โ Rabbitleapโs amber eyes darkened. But I kept going. โWeโre still young, thereโll be more time for this kind of thing later, wonโt there? I meanโฆwe can still be close-knit, canโt we? Itโs not as if weโre old as Mudfur or Harefall, right?โ I stopped, studying my mate. His gaze wasnโt as dark as it was before, but it wasnโt as carefree as before weโd had this conversation.
Rabbitleap took a deep, slow breath and looked at his paws. โYeah. Butโฆwhy arenโt you ready?โ He asked me.
It was my turn to panic and darken. Fogfur had told me never to tell anyone how Iโd gotten the scar. Or my cold temperament, when I wasnโt happy. โRabbitleap, youโre gonna have to look at me. Look at my face.โ I started, dreading this already. The palely-colored tom turned his gaze to my face. His eyes were troubled, like earlier. So this was what was on your mind. Kits, I thought, the fact dawning on me. I began again. โWhat do you see that shouldnโt be there?โ
He was so confused. I felt like thwacking him upside the head with my paw.
โWhaddya mean, Mistbreeze?โ He answered. His brow was furrowed in concentration. I felt like sighing, but this was important. He needed to know my background, or at least the part I hadnโt told him of or the stuff he hadnโt discovered himself. But, like always, he surprised me. Rabbitleap could be so unpredictable at times.
โWait. Do you meanโฆโ He paused, standing up. โThis?โ He brushed his tail slowly along the left side of my face and trailing it down my neck, stopping at my upper chest. He was tracing the first, and worst, scar Iโd ever been given. It wasnโt supposed to be romantic, but itโฆwas. Ha, I laughed at myself, you think tracing scars is the most romantic thing Rabbitleapโs ever done for you. You sure donโt get out with him much. Right then, I could suddenly feel the tears trailing down my face. I wasnโt supposed to cry. Iโฆdonโt cry. What would Fogfur think, her perfect daughter crying over a tom whoโs just examined her work ever-so-carefully? I just had enough dignity in me to dip my head.
โDidโฆdid I do something wrong?โ Rabbitleap mewed, his voice low and soft with worry.
โNo.โ I took a breath, and realized how hare-brained this was. โJustโฆforget it, okay? Iโm sorry. Iโฆdonโt know what happened. Youโre fine.โ I murmured, and then stretched my neck to lick his cheek quickly. He seemed to take it as an apology. The WindClan deputy sat down again next to me and began to clean the tears off of my pale brown fur which was splattered with the creamy color of my late motherโs pelt.
I loved it. Though I shouldโve been horrified. Iโd almost revealed a terrible, disastrous secret. To the cat I loved with all of my heart. His soft, gentle tongue stroking my fur, his warm breath on my peltโฆit was bliss. When he had stopped, I licked him again. Then, I leaned in close to him. I knew what I needed to say.
โThank you," I breathed. I felt Rabbitleapโs chest swell with pride. Heโd made me happy. โI love you. Youโฆyou give meโฆโ I stopped, stunned.
How could I describe the feeling he gave me? It was warmโฆsweet, even. But it could become cold and feel like I was in danger; the good kind- where you were doing something you werenโt supposed to. It was like running through fog at night, and even Silverpelt was hidden. It was harebrained to sprint in the guarded prairie, but it was stillโฆgood. But it cleared as I neared the lake, and heโฆhe was there, sitting tall and glowing with an angelic presence not even StarClan could match. It was likeโฆ
โAn unexplainable bliss,โ He whispered into my ear. I felt my tail again intertwining with his, my chest rumbling that unexplainable, loud, dreamy purr. My head leaning on his broad, muscular shoulder, my green eyes closed in plain old joy. I loved him. I loved him so much. I donโt know what Iโd do without him.
I could hear him purring back, placing his head ever-so-lightly on my shoulder. I knew he could feel what I was feeling; my joy was so detectable. It was almost like anyone couldโveโฆscented it, if they wanted to. The WindClan scent markers, the smell of the rabbit and wind on our two, small, moonlit bodies, nothing could stop it from showing through. Perhaps they could even hear it; our contented breathing, the loud, rumbling purrs echoing around the darkening sky. Love was the most powerful feeling of all. Everyone knows what it is, but few truly get to experience it. I just happen to be one of those few, I thought dreamily.
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I hope you enjoy this story & know you are always welcome to chat/hang out here! Criticisms/comments are much appreciated & encouraged! I have 65-ish chapters planned, not including the prologue/epilogue so this story has a long way to go yet! (If anyone wants to make me a banner/fanart you are welcome to 
I hope you enjoy this story & know you are always welcome to chat/hang out here! Criticisms/comments are much appreciated & encouraged! I have 65-ish chapters planned, not including the prologue/epilogue so this story has a long way to go yet! (If anyone wants to make me a banner/fanart you are welcome to 
