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Post by Moonblazer on Aug 24, 2023 14:16:07 GMT -5
Peachdapple waited for Hollowpaw to fall asleep, before she returned her gaze to Yarrowcloud. She silently moved to place the same bundle of herbs before him. She offered quietly. “Surely if they help here… then they can help us there.”
“We’ll be okay.” Yarrowcloud nodded as he ate the herbs with hardly a grimace to show it. He mewed, voice hushed enough to not be overheard. “We’ll always be okay. You and I.”
“You and I.” Peachdapple repeated, the old promise still as strong as ever between the littermates. She nodded once, turning back to slowly curl into her nest, watching him hobble back to make his way to the elder’s den. There was no time to waste, with the gathering going on and the camp emptier than usual. Yarrowcloud pulled himself to his nest, steeling himself with thoughts of how he would finally confront the cat that had made his life so dreadful. He thought of Shadowblossom and their kits, the last gentle and kind thought, before he allowed himself to focus on the darker and angrier thoughts.
His eyes slipped closed.
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Post by Willow on Aug 24, 2023 15:00:46 GMT -5
Willowsong sighed, finally looking away from the tom, "I don't. If it doesn't we can just have a big pretend public fight, and we never have to speak to each other again."
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Post by Icefire15 on Aug 24, 2023 15:09:14 GMT -5
“Fine. Not like I got a better plan anyways.” Forestblaze said with a sigh, “So, what? We just start hanging out then?” He still wasn’t convinced it wouldn’t work, but they least he could do is give it a shot.
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Post by Willow on Aug 24, 2023 16:26:56 GMT -5
Willowsong nodded, turning back to look at him. "Yeah I guess, pretend I'm Frostmoon. Whatever you would normally do with her, you do with me. I'll pretend you're Ghostscreech. We have to be obvious, but I don't want to be obnoxious about it. I will not be mooning over you all over camp. I'm not that kind of she-cat."
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Post by Foxstar26 on Aug 24, 2023 20:08:07 GMT -5
Silentflare laid in his nest, deep in thought. He knew that move, it was a Adderclan move. How had Hollowpaw known that move? Surely she didn’t come up with it all on her own. He shook his head, laying his head down and closing his eyes. Perhaps the answer would come to him..
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Post by Willow on Aug 25, 2023 14:24:31 GMT -5
Peachdapple waited for Hollowpaw to fall asleep, before she returned her gaze to Yarrowcloud. She silently moved to place the same bundle of herbs before him. She offered quietly. “Surely if they help here… then they can help us there.” “We’ll be okay.” Yarrowcloud nodded as he ate the herbs with hardly a grimace to show it. He mewed, voice hushed enough to not be overheard. “We’ll always be okay. You and I.” “You and I.” Peachdapple repeated, the old promise still as strong as ever between the littermates. She nodded once, turning back to slowly curl into her nest, watching him hobble back to make his way to the elder’s den. There was no time to waste, with the gathering going on and the camp emptier than usual. Yarrowcloud pulled himself to his nest, steeling himself with thoughts of how he would finally confront the cat that had made his life so dreadful. He thought of Shadowblossom and their kits, the last gentle and kind thought, before he allowed himself to focus on the darker and angrier thoughts. His eyes slipped closed. crying in the club :'( ) |
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Post by Foxstar26 on Aug 28, 2023 19:18:06 GMT -5
Silentflare shot up in his nest like a bullet from a gun. He stumbled, stepping on Nightfang’s tail as he slept. “Hey watch it!” The grumpy Tom grumbled, opening his eyes to see Silentflare’s panicked eyes and fur standing on end. “Hey wha-.” He was cut off as the younger tom dashed from the den into the center of camp.
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Post by Willow on Aug 28, 2023 19:29:29 GMT -5
Shadowblossom blinked her eyes open in confusion as Silentflare dashed from the warrior’s den. She hauled herself to her paws and followed after him, mind still bleary with sleep. “Silentflare, what’s wrong?”
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Post by Icefire15 on Aug 28, 2023 19:31:32 GMT -5
Viperfang lifted his head at the commotion, flicking his ear as he saw Silentflare leave the den in a hurry. “What’s his deal?” He grumbled, not happy with being woken up.
Hollowpaw jerked awake, her paws scrabbling at the moss of her nest as she forced her sore and aching body to get up. Her ears were flat as she finally got up and darted out of the medicine den, turning towards the elder’s den, her heart racing. It couldn’t be real. It couldn’t!
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Post by Moonblazer on Aug 28, 2023 19:37:33 GMT -5
Peachdapple shot awake with a shout, lifting to her paws as she stumbled from the Medicine Den. Her body was sore, wounded and tense. Blood was embedded in the she-cat’s fur, but she ignored it as she looked towards the Elder’s den. Her heart broke as she saw Silentflare already rushing towards the den.
In the elder’s den, Yarrowcloud’s lifeless body lay in his nest, the smell of blood soaking through his pelt. His eyes were closed, in almost a mockery of peace.
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Post by Foxstar26 on Aug 28, 2023 19:50:05 GMT -5
Silentflare looked back at Shadowblossom for an only a moment. The words caught in his throat before he whispered. “He’s dead..” he turned away and hurried into the elders den, tripping over Badgernight as he did.
“Wha-.” The Tom mumbled, feeling a body trip over him.
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Post by Willow on Aug 28, 2023 19:56:29 GMT -5
Shadowblossom stood, ears flattened to her head as she looked at Silentflare. Her eyes misted as she took step after step toward the elder’s den. Her paws felt like stone, each step wearing her down. When she got to the entrance, her face was stained with tears as she looked down on the lifeless body of the love of her life. “My Yarrowcloud. My love. Oh my love.”
Seafoam awoke with the commotion, gasping as she noticed the others crowding Yarrowcloud’s body. “Oh Starclan.. no.” She murmured, trying to make room in the den as others gathered.
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Post by Moonblazer on Aug 28, 2023 20:25:54 GMT -5
Peachdapple stood in the entrance of the elder’s den, breathing in heaves before her eyes glazed with tears. She forced them back, used to having to do so with all the deaths of her Clanmates. This time though, it felt as if a part of her had been torn apart, like half of her had died along with her littermate. She slowly approached, but was unable to bring herself as close as Shadowblossom and Silentflare just yet. Her eyes closed as Hollowpaw came in too.
Vixenrose slipped out of the Warrior’s den, her eyes wide with curious worry. She watched as Scarletpaw stumbled from the apprentice’s den, just as startled.
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Post by Icefire15 on Aug 28, 2023 20:41:09 GMT -5
Hollowpaw stood frozen at the entrance of the elder’s den, the scent of blood making her heart freeze. “No… he can’t be.” She whispered, ears flattened against her head. She took a few shaky steps back, crouching low to the ground. Yarrowcloud was dead, and it was all her fault! Hollowpaw’s breath started coming in short, sharp breaths and started to shake her head. No! No, no, no!
Viperfang pushed out of the warriors’ den and flicked his ear when he saw Hollowpaw. He frowned lightly and headed over to his daughter, “You should still be in your nest, Hollowpaw.” He said, trying to herd her away from the elder’s den, flicking his ear in worry as he caught some of the conversation on what was going on.
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Post by Foxstar26 on Aug 28, 2023 21:34:56 GMT -5
Badgernight looked at Yarrowcloud’s body, eyes dark with sadness. He was surprised by the tinge of blood in the air. Where had that come from? He turned to murmured to Seafoam. “Let’s step outside.”
Silentflare stood next to Yarrowcloud, staring down at his broken, dead body. He could barely process it. He was dead. He was dead and it was his fault.
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Post by Moonblazer on Aug 28, 2023 22:36:26 GMT -5
Peachdapple finally approached her brothers, one alive, and the other dead. She slowly lowered herself down so she could tentatively push herself against her littermate. She didn’t care in that moment if the elders saw. She knew she would have to announce he was dead anyway, and there was no hiding the blood on his body. She felt her heart ache painfully as all the memories of their kithood, their apprenticeship, everything they had done together. She released a slow and shaking breath, knowing this would have been a possibility, but not realizing just how much it would hurt.
Knowing now that Yarrowcloud was somehow stuck in the Dark Forest, that was even worse. She slowly opened her eyes again, looking at Silentflare for a long moment before she spoke, voice like gravel.
“He was going to… We were going to go. You, and Hollowpaw, you both being there, it wouldn’t have changed anything.” She looked at Shadowblossom then, croaking out. “I know he told you, in his own way, but I… Starclan, I am so sorry…”
“What happened?!” Vixenrose squeaked sadly as she scented the blood, and could see Yarrowcloud’s limp body between the throng of cats. Scarletpaw rushed towards Hollowpaw, able to see how shaken up she was at Viperfang’s side. She begged. “Is she okay? How… how could he have just…”
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Post by Foxstar26 on Aug 29, 2023 5:50:47 GMT -5
Silentflare dug his claws into the ground to steady himself. “Why.” He growled, half to himself. “Why did he go there. Why did he think he could stop him.” Deep down Silentflare knew it was his fault. If he had been a better brother.. not so influenced by their fathers dark and twisted words.
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Post by Moonblazer on Aug 29, 2023 6:10:33 GMT -5
Silentflare dug his claws into the ground to steady himself. “Why.” He growled, half to himself. “Why did he go there. Why did he think he could stop him.” Deep down Silentflare knew it was his fault. If he had been a better brother.. not so influenced by their fathers dark and twisted words. Peachdapple looked at Silentflare for a long moment, her eyes drooping with emotion as she rested her head gently on Yarrowcloud’s shoulder. She mewed, light and honest, and thick with a somber understanding. “When he told me about… the training session earlier. He was convinced that Wrenflight was somehow still trying to get his influence into the Clan. By then, we had realized he probably had a paw in alot of what happened. The cat who raised you those first moons when Morningbloom passed, that was not the same cat that Yarrowcloud and I knew.” She explained, looking at her little brother with a deep sympathy. “Yarrowcloud had felt like a hinderance for a long time. He wasn’t one, but trauma like that is hard to beat… But he loved you, and everyone, too much to not at least try and do something. I…” She swallowed. “I couldn’t let him go alone. I had to try, he was…” She looked down at Yarrowcloud again. “He is my littermate. And he was braver than anyone I knew.” She looked at Silentflare again. “It wasn’t your fault. Wrenflight was all you knew, he was your father, and you trusted him… Yarrowcloud and I always knew that would make it impossible for you to believe us until you had to see the truth. We prayed you’d never have to see it, that he would be dead and gone and we all could live free of it… and that is why he went. Because even now, we’re not free of it. Of him.” She felt her claws dig into the ground as a cold numbness filled her. |
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Post by Moonblazer on Aug 29, 2023 13:28:56 GMT -5
“It can’t be!” Snowdrop exclaimed as she tried to push her way through the growing crowd of Warriors at the elder’s den entrance. She stopped, able to see the forms of her father and aunt pressing close to Yarrowcloud’s limp body. Her ears fell as she stared at Silentflare, her heart aching.
Scarletpaw tried to reach Hollowpaw, her voice hoarse and high. “Starclan, what happened?! Hollowpaw, you-“ She cut off, looking as Viperfang as he was trying to calm his daughter.
Sootclaw bristled with wide eyes. “I smell blood scent!”
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Post by Icefire15 on Aug 29, 2023 14:55:05 GMT -5
Hollowpaw shook her head sharply when Viperfang tried to usher her back to the medicine den, digging her claws into the ground and refusing to move. She flattened herself closer to the ground, when Scarletpaw made her way over and buried her face into her shaking paws. How could she let herself fall for Wrenflight’s words? Let herself believe he could help her become a warrior? And now because of her stupidity and ignorance, it had cost Yarrowcloud his life. It’s all your fault. You and your stupid ambition.
Viperfang ran his tail over Hollowpaw’s back comfortingly, having given up trying to nudge his daughter back to the medicine den. He looked at her in worry as she seemed to shrink into herself and looked up as Scarletpaw appeared.
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Post by Moonblazer on Aug 29, 2023 15:15:44 GMT -5
Hollowpaw shook her head sharply when Viperfang tried to usher her back to the medicine den, digging her claws into the ground and refusing to move. She flattened herself closer to the ground, when Scarletpaw made her way over and buried her face into her shaking paws. How could she let herself fall for Wrenflight’s words? Let herself believe he could help her become a warrior? And now because of her stupidity and ignorance, it had cost Yarrowcloud his life. It’s all your fault. You and your stupid ambition.Viperfang ran his tail over Hollowpaw’s back comfortingly, having given up trying to nudge his daughter back to the medicine den. He looked at her in worry as she seemed to shrink into herself and looked up as Scarletpaw appeared. Scarletpaw looked helplessly at Viperfang, before she suddenly realized why all the cats were gathering around. The usually spunky apprentice felt a wave of dread as she could scent blood, and saw part of Yarrowcloud, the tom not moving at all. She swallowed, looking up at the tom. “I-… I didn’t hear anything! How could he be…” She trailed off, before her ears fell. “Viperfang, what’s wrong with Hollowpaw?” She begged. |
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Post by Willow on Aug 30, 2023 20:20:03 GMT -5
Shadowblossom's eyes flashed with hurt as she realized whatever Yarrowcloud had done, he hadn't done alone. Peachdapple, Silentflare and Hollowpaw had been with him. She took a deep breath, trying to compose herself as her eyes swept over his wounds. Her breath caught as she noticed the thick slash on his neck, her ear flew back. "He was always a stubborn tom." she murmured to no one in particular. "Wrenflight did this?" she asked, finally looking up at Peachdapple.
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Post by Moonblazer on Aug 30, 2023 20:55:12 GMT -5
Shadowblossom's eyes flashed with hurt as she realized whatever Yarrowcloud had done, he hadn't done alone. Peachdapple, Silentflare and Hollowpaw had been with him. She took a deep breath, trying to compose herself as her eyes swept over his wounds. Her breath caught as she noticed the thick slash on his neck, her ear flew back. "He was always a stubborn tom." she murmured to no one in particular. "Wrenflight did this?" she asked, finally looking up at Peachdapple. Peachdapple looked at Shadowblossom for a long moment before she nodded with a dark glint in her eyes. “Of course he did… he’s been putting his paws in the Clan for moons. Shadeclaw, everything…” She hesitated, before she mewed lightly. “Darkeyes helped him. It was an ambush, and it was planned.” She took a deep breath, knowing that she would have to tell the Clan what happened. |
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Post by Willow on Aug 31, 2023 14:46:01 GMT -5
Shadowblossom tensed as Peachdapple mentioned her father, a low growl escaping her. "I'll kill him. Peachdapple how did you get there? I'll kill him, I will!" she said, voice rising with each word. She got to her paws, pacing beside Yarrowcloud's limp body, her tail lashing behind her. "They were supposed to be done hurting us. How do they keep doing it? What did we ever do to them?" she whispered, her voice broken.
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Post by Moonblazer on Aug 31, 2023 14:56:07 GMT -5
Shadowblossom tensed as Peachdapple mentioned her father, a low growl escaping her. "I'll kill him. Peachdapple how did you get there? I'll kill him, I will!" she said, voice rising with each word. She got to her paws, pacing beside Yarrowcloud's limp body, her tail lashing behind her. "They were supposed to be done hurting us. How do they keep doing it? What did we ever do to them?" she whispered, her voice broken. “Shadowblossom, they will just kill you too if you try.” Peachdapple rasped thickly, slowly rising to her paws and looking at the younger she-cat. “The Dark Forest reveals itself to those that open themselves to it. With enough anger, enough hate-“ “What are you talking about?” Vixenrose had finally managed to push her way in, bristling at the sight of Yarrowcloud, but looking at Peachdapple and Shadowblossom with her ears flattened. Behind her, whatever cats had remained behind from the gathering had started to chatter and bristle at the realization of their Clanmate’s death. Peachdapple took a deep breath, giving a knowing look to Silentflare and Hollowpaw, aiming to take the fault for his all by herself. Nobody needed to be tarnished by happening to be there. She stepped away from her brother’s body to pad towards her Clanmates. Without Lightningstar and Ghostscreech present, she knew that her voice would be listened to when she spoke. “Yarrowcloud is dead.” She started, looking between everybody before she swallowed and admitted. “The Dark Forest, or at least, our father, Wrenflight, claimed his life tonight. I went with him, in hopes of assuring he would not be going alone, but… It was a trap. I was able to get out. Yarrowcloud was not…” “No! That-… That can’t be!” Vixenrose exclaimed, having thought the Dark Forest would be done meddling after Shadeclaw’s banishment. Snowdrop gave a horrified look, while Sootclaw bared his teeth in anger. |
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Post by Willow on Aug 31, 2023 15:27:44 GMT -5
Shadowblossom sighed, flopping back down to the ground and pressing her face into Yarrowcloud's fur, knowing that Peachdapple was right. She had never been the best fighter, there was no way she could face her father alone.
Seafoam gasped, pressing into Badgernight's side at Peachdapple's announcement. "I-I thought the dark forest was gone." she murmured.
Brackenheart dug his claws into the ground, his heart hammering in his chest with fear for his daughter. Was Stumppaw being influenced by them?
Blizzardstorm ushered Twilightkit and Tansykit back into the nursery, standing guard at the entrance. None of the kits needed to hear this.
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Post by Icefire15 on Aug 31, 2023 15:55:37 GMT -5
Hollowpaw flinched at the mention of Wrenflight and the Dark Forest, turning and burying her face into her father’s fur. She felt guilt, grief and anger surge through her once again. Why didn’t she see she was being tricked the whole time? How mouse-brained could she be?
Viperfang bristled at Peachdapple’s announcement and looked over at his daughter when she pressed against him. Did Hollowpaw know more about what Peachdapple was talking about? He shook his head and drew her closer to him, licking the top of her head.
Panthersight lashed his tail, remembering the stories his father had told him of the Dark Forest and looked at Jaytalon. His brother looked just as surprised as he did.
Squirreltail swept her tail around her kits and pulled them closer, feeling her fur bristle.
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Post by Moonblazer on Aug 31, 2023 16:02:44 GMT -5
“Why would you go there?” Sootclaw demanded sharply, unable to look for long at Yarrowcloud’s body. The senior Warrior’s voice was almost anguished, though moreso out of mourning than out of any fear.
“Those who never knew my father, you are lucky not to… and those that do remember him, you remember how controversial he was. I do not believe that the Dark Forest as a whole are behind this, but rather Wrenflight has been orchestrating tactics to tear down at Lightningstar, and Thunderclan.”
Vixenrose slipped over quickly to Shadowblossom’s side to provide the older she-cat comfort. She stiffened though at what Peachdapple was implying. “Wait… so you mean-“
“Yarrowcloud and I had reason to believe that Wrenflight was behind Shadeclaw’s sudden thirst for power. That he used Shadeclaw to try and tear down our trust in Lightningstar.” Peachdapple nodded.
Snowdrop gasped lightly, as she thought of how much her brother had changed before he took over the Clan. Her ears fell as she looked over at Silentflare.
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Post by Willow on Aug 31, 2023 16:05:30 GMT -5
Brackenheart's ears flew back at the mention of Shadeclaw, a deep growl stuck in the back of his throat.
Tansykit looked up at Squirreltail with a frown. "What's going on Mama?"
Twilightkit was trying to wriggle around Blizzardstorm, but the tom stood firm. "Listen to your mother Twilightkit. This is not a conversation for little ones." he mewed, voice soft but firm.
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Post by Icefire15 on Aug 31, 2023 17:25:24 GMT -5
Sunthroat pushed his way through the crowd towards Peachdapple, a concerned look on his face at the thought of the Dark Forest being active again. He had chosen to stay behind for this gathering with Laceheart being so close to kitting. “If this is true, then it very well could mean that the Dark Forest is becoming active again. Many of us still remember the scars of AdderClan, how can we stop this from happening all over again?” The former deputy said, flicking his ear in worry.
“We’ll tell you about it later. Back to the nest now, little ones, it’s late and you should be sleeping.” Squirreltail murmured quietly to her kits, ushering them back to her nest.
Lionkit pouted as he was nudged back into his nest, wanting to know what was going on, “Is Yarrowcloud really gone?” He mewed, having always enjoyed the elder’s stories.
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