The Moth in the Meadow
A retelling of my first story, but with nekos instead of cats! NOT a word-for-word transition; much-needed editing has been done, as well as a drastic change in the way they are organized within the camp.
"Let all nekos old enough to catch their own prey join beneath the Tallstone for a Clan meeting!"
From his perch on the Tallstone, the handsome man watched through narrowed amber eyes as figures, humanoid save their cat ears and tails, assembled in the snowy clearing. Their breath billowed out in tiny clouds, and their tails were fluffed up against the cold. The man on the stone noted that not a single one was wearing the short pants commonplace for the Clan of the forest. Eyes gleamed expectantly as heads turned towards the single golden-haired man, the leader of their Clan.
"My fellow Clanmates," the man began, "this has been a harsh leaf-bare for the whole forest. I thank StarClan for your hard work to support LightningClan through another leaf-bare, and I thank you now." He raised his voice in the customary call. "LightningClan!"
"LightningClan! LightningClan!" The nekos in the clearing joined their voices with his, yowling their pride to Silverpelt.
The leader waved one hand to calm the crowd. When they fell silent, he resumed his speech.
"Unfortunately, leaf-bare brings illness and hunger as well as its challenge for us to survive another season."
A hoarse croak from a corner of the clearing confirmed his statement. The leader's gaze traveled to a man, unusually pale and gaunt, leaning heavily on a young white-haired woman. The man brushed aside tangled red hair to gaze up at the leader with amber eyes betraying unbearable weariness.
The man doubled over suddenly in a weak coughing fit. The snow-haired woman supported him as his knees buckled below him. The woman caught the leader's eye as the man gasped for breath.
"Lionstar," she whispered, green eyes pleading. "Lionstar."
Lionstar looked back at her helplessly.
"Come on, Redpelt," she murmured to the wheezing man. "Sleep will do you good."
The man did not protest as he leaned exhaustedly on the woman's shoulder. She guided him into a square hut near her.
After Redpelt had gone, Lionstar forced his attention from the deputy and back to his worried Clan.
"Iceberry is doing marvelously in her care for our Clan during this hard time."
Suddenly Redpelt staggered out of the hut into which the two had entered. The white-haired woman followed, protesting. He collapsed on the snow-covered stone, his chest heaving.
"Redpelt," she begged the man, "come back and rest."
"There—" The man broke off to choke a blob of phlegm onto the snow ground. "There is no hope for me now. I will join StarClan before the night is over."
Lionstar glanced worriedly at the black sky. Surely the man's spirit would not remain here for much longer.
The deputy looked up at Lionstar once more. "Lionstar," he whispered huskily, "come here. Quickly."
Lionstar leapt off of the stone with practiced ease and darted to his deputy's side. "Yes, Redpelt?"
Redpelt's eyes were glazed, but he met Lionstar's stare unwaveringly. "StarClan have spoken to me," he murmured. "Come closer."
Lionstar leaned nearer to the man, refusing to flinch from the stench of illness and death clinging to him.
"Beware the frog in the stream that will bring destruction to the whole forest. Only the moth in the meadow will save the Clans."
"What do you mean?" Lionstar asked, bewildered.
Redpelt's eyes were beginning to close. "I have passed on the message," he breathed. "Goodbye, friend."
The man's chest shuddered as he breathed his last breath, then he relaxed with an impossibly deep sigh.
Lionstar couldn't believe it at first, shock overwhelming him until Iceberry's light touch on his shoulder caught his attention.
"He's gone to join StarClan," she whispered.
"I know," he replied dully. His hands and face didn't sting from the cold anymore; they had gone numb.
Lionstar forced himself to his feet. "Nekos of LightningClan," he announced, "I say these words before the spirit of Redpelt, that StarClan may hear and approve of my choice."
The Clan froze. All eyes were on him.
"Falconpelt will be the new deputy of LightningClan."
As the muscular man stepped forward, the Clan called his name. "Falconpelt! Falconpelt!"
Falconpelt's amber eyes were shadowed with grief, but he raised his chin proudly. "I am honored."
"Falconpelt!" A pregnant woman, her hair bright red against the snow and night, pushed out of another hut. "Falconpelt!"
"Firelight," Falconpelt murmured. "You should be resting."
Firelight stepped back and examined her mate with flashing green eyes. "I couldn't just sit around and listen to everyone cheering for you. I had to come and cheer myself."
Falconpelt embraced her gently, turning somewhat to avoid contact with her swollen stomach. "Still," he muttered mutinously.
She drew back slightly to look into his eyes. "Still? Lilyheart was having pains. If you're so disturbed that I came to see you, think that I at least gave Lilyheart some peace." The queen looked up suddenly and noticed Lionstar standing nearby, his hands curled into fists tight enough that his sharpened nails dug into his skin.
"Yes," she continued hurriedly, "Lilyheart's having pains. She seems fine, though."
An agonized wail rang through the camp, roughened by illness.
Lionstar dashed away and burst into the hut. Lilyheart was lying on a fluffy cot slightly off the floor. The slender woman's stomach was huge, and sweat trickled down her face. Her green eyes met Lionstar's, and he hurried to her side and swept her damp brown hair out of her eyes.
"Lionstar," she rasped, "what am I going to do?"
"You're going to be all right," he told her, forcing the words out. "Iceberry's coming, and Whitefoot's kitted before. They'll help you."
She looked at him. "And how are you going to help?" she asked weakly.
"I'll pray to StarClan," he promised as the medicine neko slipped into the hut. He backed out, his gaze locked with hers, until Iceberry began preparing for the kitting. Lionstar turned and paced out of the hut, closing the door to Lilyheart's wails.
A bead of coldness landed on him and melted in his golden hair. Lionstar looked up and watched as tiny snowflakes drifted out of the black expanse beyond. The warriors of StarClan gleamed faintly, as if they were busy welcoming Redpelt among them.
A single tear rolled down Lionstar's cheek. As he continued staring upwards, a yell burst out of him.
"What lies ahead?" he begged. "What do I have to do?"
ALLEGIANCES
LightningClan:
Leader: Lionstar: tall, strong man with thick golden hair, ears, and tail and amber eyes
Deputy: Falconpelt: muscular man with orange, red, and white patched hair, orange-red-white patched tail and ears, and amber eyes
Medicine neko: Iceberry: fair-skinned woman with white hair, ears, and tail and green eyes
Warriors:
Willowstripe: woman with cream, black, and tan hair and ears and a cream-black-tan ringed tail
Apprentice, Acornpaw
Dawnpetal: woman with a dark tan, brown-and-cream hair, ears, and tail
Apprentice, Branchpaw
Robinheart: woman with brown hair streaked with red, brown ears and a brown-and-red splotched tail
Pinetail: sturdy man with brown-and-red hair and ears and a brown-and-red ringed tail
Apprentice, Twigpaw
Cloudfoot: man with dark gray hair and ears tufted with white and a white-and-gray tail
Rainclaw: muscular man with shaggy dark gray hair, ears, and tail
Applepelt: fair-skinned man with white-and-red patched hair, ears, and tail
Apprentice, Ashpaw
Stonewhisker: man with light gray hair and light gray tabby-patterned ears and tail
Apprentice, Sparrowpaw
Mouseclaw: sturdy man with brown hair, ears, and tabby tail
Apprentice, Willowpaw
Pebblewhisker: muscular man with pale gray hair, ears, and tail
Moonfoot: woman with a dark tan, black hair, one white ear, black tail tipped with white, and blue eyes
Graynose: sturdy man with gray hair, ears, and tail
Flameflower: woman with red hair, ears, and tail and green eyes
Russetfang: sturdy man with dark red hair, ears, and dark-ringed tail
Blueleaf: slightly fair-skinned woman with blue-gray hair, ears, and tail and leaf-green eyes
Floodfang: tall, muscular man with light brown hair, ears, and tail and deep blue eyes
Apprentices:
Acornpaw: young woman with light brown hair, ears, and tail and green eyes
Branchpaw: sturdy young man with dark brown hair, ears, and a dark tabby tail
Twigpaw: lanky young man with pale brown hair, ears, and tail
Ashpaw: young woman with gray-and-white hair, ears, and tail and yellow eyes
Sparrowpaw: young man with brown hair, ears, and tail, all flecked with ginger
Willowpaw: young woman with light brown hair, ears, and a light tabby tail
Queens:
Whitefoot: woman with black hair and tail; white ears; white flecks in hair; white-tipped tail; mother to Cloudfoot's kits: Waterkit (boy with light brown hair and ears, light tabby tail, and green eyes), Smokekit (boy with gray hair and ears, gray tabby tail, and green eyes), and Blizzardkit (fair-skinned girl with white hair and blue eyes)
Lilyheart: woman with light brown hair, ears, and tail and green eyes; mother to Lionstar's kits: Emberkit (boy with a dark tan, brown-and-red mottled ears, tail, and hair, and green eyes), Mosskit (slightly pale girl with light brown and white hair, ears, and tail and green eyes), and Mothkit (girl with golden hair and amber eyes)
Firelight: woman with bright red hair and green eyes, expecting Falconpelt's kits
Leopardpelt: fair-skinned woman with freckles, golden brown hair, and leopard-spotted ears and tail, expecting Pebblewhisker's kits
Elders:
Whitewhisker: skinny man with white hair, ears, and tail
Willowtail: woman with light brown hair, ears, and tail
Birchfoot: man with a dark tan, brown hair, and a pale-tanned hand
Eggfoot: man with slightly fair skin and creamy white hair, ears, and tail; former medicine neko
StreamClan:
Leader: Troutstar: man with long thick brown hair, brown ears, and a black tail
Deputy: Freezetail: fair-skinned woman with long white hair, ears, and tail and blue eyes
Medicine neko: Mousefoot: small man with brown hair, ears, and tail
Apprentice, Cloudpaw
Warriors:
Rosewillow: slender woman with long light red hair, red ears, and red tail
Apprentice, Duckpaw
Stonepelt: muscular man with light gray hair, ears, and tail
Apprentice, Onepaw
Minnowlight: woman with long silver hair, ears, and tail
Snowfall: fair-skinned woman with long white hair, ears, and tail
Stormwhisker: dark-tanned man with dark gray hair, ears, and tail
Mistwing: woman with long light gray and white hair, ears, and tail
Apprentice, Heronpaw
Patchfire: man with black-red-gold spotted hair, ears, and tail
Sparrowsplash: man with brown hair, ears, and tabby tail
Frogclaw: muscular man with a dark tan and brown-and-black hair, ears, and tail
Apprentice, Reedpaw
Weaselwhisker: man with brown hair, ears, and tabby tail
Nettlewhisker: man with brown hair, ears, and tail
Apprentice, Goldpaw
Puddlepelt: dark-tanned man with black hair, ears, and black tabby tail
Apprentices:
Cloudpaw: fair-skinned young man with white hair, ears, and tail
Duckpaw: fair-skinned young woman with long yellow hair, ears, and tail
Onepaw: young man with brown hair, ears, and tail; one disfigured ear
Heronpaw: fair-skinned young woman with long white hair, ears, and tail
Reedpaw: young man with black hair, ears, and tail
Goldpaw: fair-skinned young man with golden hair, ears, and tail
Queens:
Fallowfur: woman with long brown hair, ears, and tail, mother to Weaselwhisker's kits
Elders:
Morningfur: fair-skinned elderly woman with brown hair, ears, and tail
Rippletooth: dark-tanned man with dark gray hair, ears, and tail and jagged front teeth
BreezeClan:
Leader: Stormstar: tall, wiry man with dark-brown-and-black hair, ears, and tail
Deputy: Barkclaw: sturdy, wiry man with brown hair, ears, and tail
Medicine neko: Rabbitfur: skinny man with brown hair, ears, and tail
Apprentice, Heatherpaw
Warriors:
Eagleclaw: muscular, wiry man with white-and-brown striped hair, ears, and tail
Apprentice, Rowanpaw
Gorsewhisker: wiry man with light brown hair, ears, and tail
Speckleclaw: sturdy man with light brown hair, ears, and tail; dark brown flecks throughout all
Apprentice, Sproutpaw
Blackbreeze: woman with a dark tan and black hair, ears, and tail
Sedgefoot: man with light brown hair, ears, and tail
Apprentice, Harepaw
Flamefoot: dark-tanned woman with dark brown hair, ears, and tail; reddish hands and tail-tip
Apprentice, Owlpaw
Sandwhisker: wiry woman with light brown hair, ears, and tail
Apprentice, Oakpaw
Pricklefoot: man with brown hair, ears, and tabby tail; particularly long nails on hand and foot
Beetlenose: man with brown hair, ears, and tail
Windwillow: slender woman with pale brown hair, ears, and tail; all flecked with darker brown; amber eyes
Apprentices:
Heatherpaw: young woman with brown hair, ears, and tabby tail and heather-blue eyes
Rowanpaw: young man with dark red hair, ears, and tail
Sproutpaw: young woman with brown hair, ears, and tail and green eyes
Harepaw: young man with brown hair, ears, and tail
Owlpaw: young woman with brown hair, ears, and tail and yellow eyes
Oakpaw: dark-tanned young man with dark brown hair, ears, and tail
Queens:
Squirrelfoot: red-haired woman
Moonwillow: woman with black hair and black-and-white ears and tail, mother to Beetlenose's kits
Duskfall: dark-tanned woman with dark brown hair, ears, and tail
Elders:
Yellowtail: elderly man with yellow hair, ears, and tail
Copperpelt: man with dark gold hair, eras, and tail
DarkClan:
Leader: Tawnystar: dark-tanned woman with dark tawny-red hair, ears, and tail
Deputy: Greenwillow: woman with gray hair, ears, and gray tabby tail and bright green eyes
Medicine neko: Leafheart: woman with light brown-and-white hair, ears, and tabby tail and green eyes
Warriors:
Burntpelt: dark-tanned woman with dark red hair, ears, and tail
Briarpelt: woman with brown hair, ears, and tail
Apprentice, Nutpaw
Crownose: dark-tanned man with black hair, ears, and tail
Apprentice, Duskpaw
Ravenwing: dark-tanned woman with black hair, ears, and tail
Grassfoot: man with a slight tan and light brown hair, ears, and light tabby tail and green eyes
Plumleaf: woman with a slight tan and light brown hair, ears, and light tabby tail
Apprentice, Bumblepaw
Thrushnose: sturdy man with a dark tan and brown hair, ears, and tail
Apprentices:
Nutpaw: tan young man with light brown hair, ears, and tail
Duskpaw: dark-tanned young woman with dark brown hair, ears, and tail
Bumblepaw: young man with black-and-yellow-striped hair, ears, and ringed tail
Queens:
Sunbird: fair-skinned woman with golden hair, ears, and tail, nursing Burntpelt's kits
Russetwing: dark-tanned woman with dark red hair, ears, and tail and amber eyes
Elders:
Blackeye: older man with a dark tan; black hair, ears, and tail; and blind yellow eyes
Shrewtail: man with light brown hair, ears, and short tail
Outside Clans:
Badger: huge, muscular man with black-and-white hair, ears, and tail; from No-tail-place
Agony: large, muscular man with a dark tan and brown hair, ears, and tabby tail; from No-tail-place