A Tale for Moonhigh

by MauMeow1

A tale is told on a moonlit night...Two cats, two clans, a dark plot, and hidden passion. A story, passed from elder to kit, of the fools who dared challenge the warrior code for their forbidden romance. Follow two lovers from their bright beginning to the sad reality of their end. (Rated T for violence. All OC. Constructive criticism is welcome!)

1. Prelude

Welcome to my first Warriors fanfic, "A Tale for Moonhigh"!

I have had this fanfiction idea in my head for a very long time, but I could never figure out quite how to tell the story. Now I have finally decided on using a whimsical, storytelling format. Hopefully this little foray into a new style will help me learn more about my own writing!

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of the wonderful Warriors series. All rights belong to the Erins!

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PRELUDE

Ah, Moonhigh. The perfect time for an elder's tale.

A kit like you should be fast asleep by now. And a cat like me, well, I guess a cat like me has little else to do than tell stories to cats like you. I am old and tired. All I am good for now is passing on the way of the past. So...I guess I can entertain you for a while.

I know it's hard, little kit. I know that feeling of longing, that ache of missing one who has passed to StarClan too soon. I know. And I miss her too. Your mother was a fine warrior.

What? Oh, I see. You already know all the stories about your mother. Would you like me to tell a different kind of story tonight?

How about the romantic legends of Kestrelstar, or the great battles of Shadestar?

No...those are tales for sunhigh, stories of blindingly brilliant light from far too long ago. Everyone already knows those stories. We need a special story for a full moon night like this. We need a tale for moonhigh.

I will tell you a story from my younger days, a story that happened just out of your age's reach. I know a story. It's a song of secrets, of the codebreakers who dared betray their Clans for a few stolen moments, of forgotten lives and hidden passion. It's a dirge for some, a paean for others. I hear it every night, when I close my eyes and return to my days as a warrior of this Clan.

Take warning in this, little kit, for those who love too boldly are destined to fall.

Hmm...maybe...maybe I shouldn't be telling you this. I wouldn't want to...oh, whatever! I suppose I must go through with it now, since I've already given you a taste of the story.

Let's go back now. Many, many moons ago.

Reverse the days. Travel back to the days of smoke, moss, and nettle. Silence today's song and call forth a few of the whispers of the past.

Do you hear them? Do you hear the leaf-fall winds, the moonlit breezes, and the newleaf zephyrs? I do. They will aid in this tale. Little kit, do not forget them. Do not forget the whispered stories. Sometimes even the stars hold fast to forbid words. Let this ancient forest free those secrets.

And so we begin our tale for moonhigh.