Hello readers.
As you switch your screens to this fanfic, and see what I've decided to do with my time now, you may notice that I'm reusing my work.
Let me explain.
This prologue was originally published under the name "Scalding Tears", a challenge done for the forum TreeClan, now deleted.
I recieved many kind reviews and favourites, and a couple requests to write more. For those people, your wish has been granted. I will write more.
"Scalding Tears" still exists. It's still around, and I will not delete it. Think of this as a different story. "Scalding Tears" is a tribute to TreeClan.
Without further ado, I present to you, "Silver Linings".
Except this.
Disclaimer: I am not, and never will be, one of the Erins. I do not have a second secret name where the initials are "EH". Sadly, I do not own Warriors, and probably never will.
Prologue
Ever since they'd fled the clan, things had only gotten worse.
Oliveflower had only been trying to make a better life for her kit. After MistClan's leader had been murdered, Oliveflower had been far past afraid. So had the rest of her clan as the omens worsened; an outbreak of greencough, a frighteningly large amount of lightning, and sick and fatal prey. The count of dead had only grown as the horrible new leader of MistClan had forced the cats to stay away from the Gathering.
Oliveflower had been weak, too weak when her kits had come. Only two of the four kits had survived the night. Another had been lost a few days later, to weakness, she'd been told. But one of the dictactor's cronies hadn't quite met her eyes when she'd asked about the blood on his paws.
So she'd left two nights later, taking her only kit with her, and sneaking through the gentle patter of rain.
But now, barely a week later, Oliveflower was dying. She tried not to worry Pebblekit, but her daughter was too smart for her own good. Even now her tiny grey eyes pierced right through her into her heart, even as her mother was lost in the vast shadow of memory.
Oliveflower's fur burned with fever, and she was too fiery hot to draw her kit to rest beside her. Her mind wandered randomly, as her exhausted brain tried in vain to keep up.
Their small crackley alcove was silent and chilly, in a place where all the leaf-fall leaves had fallen.
Oliveflower could only be thankful Pebblekit was still alive. Her kit remained unaffected by sickness. She quietly admired her kit, so strong and beautiful, even though her fluffy grey pelt clung to her frame and her eyes carried no emotion. She looked so much like her father…
Oliveflower forced herself to focus, for though she wished she hadn't eaten the bad prey, she knew she had little time. She stretched out her dry, trembling tongue and tried to lick a bit of water from the damp moss next to her head.
"Pebblekit," she mewed, her throbbing throat cracking. "Stay hidden. And safe. I…" she coughed, tasting blood on her tongue, "I love you."
Pebblekit said nothing, as Oliveflower knew she wouldn't. Her little kit was mute, though from trauma or poor development Oliveflower couldn't tell.
Scalding tears dripped from Oliveflower's eyes. Her kit would have no one. She would be alone forever. MistClan had truly fallen…
Her eyes began slipping closed.
And for the first time, Pebblekit spoke.
"Don't worry, Oliveflower," she said softly. "Don't cry. I'll be safe. And MistClan will thrive. One day."
At long last, Oliveflower felt at peace. And the singing stars enveloped her.
The next chapter will be original and never-before seen. Just you wait and see...