Welcome to my first fanfiction everyone! I'm really excited about continuing to write it and currently I am updating my chapters and fixing both holes in the plot line and grammar miss-haps!
Thank you for reading and don't be afraid to leave a review and thank you for those who did!
"I bet you can't catch me, Ravenkit!" A little brown tabby kit raced around Ravenkit, who sat up and gave her jet black coat a shake as she stood and took off after her brother. Her tail streamed behind her as she joyfully reached out to grasp her brother's tail.
Ravenkit narrowed her emerald eyes as she gave a massive leap, landing square onto Brackenkit's shoulders. They tumbled out onto the dusty ground, laughing.
"Be careful!" A beautiful brown and white tabby called. She watched over them fondly as her mate, Finchfoot, padded up to her and gave her a lick on the shoulder and sat next to her, his pelt meshing with hers and entwining tails.
"It's alright Brindletail, kits will be kits." The golden tom soothed the worried queen. "Anyway, I wouldn't let anything happen to our beautiful kits," he purred.
"It's okay mama, I would beat him up too bad!" Ravenkit squeaked cheekily.
The small family sat just outside the nursery, hidden deep within the forested heart of Ivyclan territory. Bright green ferns that lined the edge of the clearing seemingly danced around them as much taller oak trees gently swayed in the warm evening breeze.
The sinking sun had cast a gentle orange light across the land, the beautiful, cloudless day finally coming to an end.
Brindletail sat there, leaning into her mate, watching her perfect little kits play in the sun's dying light, wondering if a perfect day like this would ever occur again.
"Hey mama, when will dad show up for the apprentice ceremony?" Ravenkit looked up curiously at her worried mother. She had been groomed and well informed on how to go about a ceremony like this. The little black kit puffed out her chest in pride. Today, she would make her mother and father proud!
"He'll be along soon; the border patrol must've run across something." Brackenkit mewed, though worry shone bright in his eyes.
"Well were not sure right now, so let's just wait it out, he wouldn't miss this for the world." Brindletail murmured. She turned to scent the wind, hoping to catch just the slightest scent of the cat she so dearly loved. Her soft amber eyes just barley masking her worry and fear of what had caused the long delay.
Though sunshine scorched her back, this was Ravenkit's coldest day. She sat by herself, away from the crowd, her gaze transfixed on the entrance, just waiting for her golden father to stroll in, apologize for the delay, and greet his kits with proud, bright green eyes.
A shiver racked her spine as clouds covered the sun and began to take over the sky, and soon, rain began to fall from the grey skies. Ravenkit went over to sit with her family, and soon only three cats were left, waiting, soggy as they clung onto hope for Finchfoot's return.
Finally, as dusk approached, the patrol came in, heads down, tail dragging. Leafclaw, Tigerfur, Rosefoot. Then came in Wolfheart, his grey pelt slicked and stained scarlet, he carried the golden body like a piece of prey, setting him gently in the clearing and bowing his head in grief, his ice blue eyes letting tears slip and fall onto his former apprentice's pelt.
"Finchfoot!" Brindletail's cry sent all cats huddling away to the dry corners of camp, watching a family of shattered hearts grieve for their lost one.
Brindletail dashed over to her mates side, her little kits trailing behind her with their tiny tails straight up in the air. Brindletail collapsed onto her mate, sobbing as she laid her head on his shoulder, and began shuddering as she began to whisper to him softly.
Brackenkit stared at the body blankly, his amber eyes widened in disbelief, then sadness. He ran up to the sodden golden body and pawed at him frantically. "Dad? Dad!" His screams were only quieted when he too, began crying, all the while trying vainly to rouse his father.
Ravenkit raced up and looked around at all the cats huddled away. "Well?" She screamed. "Do something! Save him heal him; don't just hide away like mice!" Ravenkit's angry yowl attracted the attention of Spidertail, the medicine cat who gave her a desperate look, his apprentice, Snowpaw, gave her odd colored eyes a sympathetic blink.
"You're the medicine cat," her gaze racked across Spidertail, who dipped his head, "get... him something..." Ravenkit broke off as she dropped her head, her tiny black shoulders shaking with sobs as rain began to fall harder, slicking her fur to her sides, making her hunched shape look even smaller.
Ravenkit gave one look back at her family before dashing away through the entrance, ignoring cat calling out her name. She wanted to escape it all, to escape the tears, the death, and the sadness.
Ravenflight shook her head madly in a desperate attempt to ward away the painful memories that threatened to sweep her away.
Ravenpaw was sharing a rabbit with the newly made warrior, Ebonyflower. Her friend was going on about the handsome warrior, Sunblaze, when the deputy, Leafclaw walked up to the pair with regret in his eyes. His look made Ebonyflower mew a goodbye to her friend and dash away to join a patrol.
Ravenpaw looked up from her rabbit, meeting the deputies gaze evenly. "Yes Leafclaw?"
Leafclaw took a deep breath and looked down at her with sympathy bright in his gaze. "As you know, Brackenpaw and Mosspaw were hunting together near an old badger set, the former owner of the den came back as they were distracted and... t-they were struck down. I'm so sorry Ravenpaw."
The little apprentice stared at him, for a heartbeat her limbs seemed frozen, disbelief and denial shrouded her thoughts as she waited for him to take it all back, and a tortoiseshell and brown tabby would come padding in with prey in their jaws, but as she heard a mournful wail from Brindletail, she knew it had to be true.
Her heart in her throat, Ravenpaw simply ran away, as fast as she could, blindly running through the territory as ferns whipped at her sides and tears streamed across her cheeks as she told herself not to sob. Her head was still reeling as she tripped over a hidden tree root and came to a halt that ended with her sprawled out across the clearing with the wind knocked from her.
She lay there, fighting panic and shock as she struggled to breath.
"Hello? Can you hear me, do you need help?" A soft voice made Ravenpaw raise her head weakly. She looked around to see a small grey tom and black and white she cat looking over at her curiously. Finally catching her breath, Ravenpaw pulled her legs underneath her as she stood.
"Here, you look like you need this." The little black and white cat nudged forward some thyme. "It will help you settle down a little.
"And I got you some prey." The tom added shyly. He set a plump vole in front of her, and looked up at her with bright orange eyes. "What were you doing out and about all on your own? You're only Whispers age, and I don't let her out of my sight."
Once Ravenpaw had finished her vole and thyme, she had them sit down as she explained her broken family.
"That's awful! I'm so sorry for your loss Ravenpaw!" Whisper mewed; she brushed her muzzle against Ravenpaw's as she gave her a sympathetic look.
"Yes, I hope the rest of your life is lived in serenity and love." The ash colored tom gave her a lick on the forehead.
"Thank you both, I guess I really just needed to talk, but I must get back for their vigil." Ravenpaw fluffed out her black coat and brushed muzzles with Whisper. "Goodbye, dear friend, maybe we'll see each other again." Whisper purred in response as she backed away to give Flare some room.
Ravenpaw reached out to brush muzzles with him, but instead, he reached out and wrapped his paws around her pulling her in tightly. "You be safe okay? And you can always return here if you want to see us. Goodbye Ravenpaw." His voice shook as he gave her a lick on the cheek.
Ravenpaw purred and nuzzled into his chest, unwilling to let go. Then, he let his paws fall to the ground, his orange eyes holding his love for her. She returned the look as she turned away, unwilling to let them see the tears she had at all she had lost.
Their last calls of goodbye sounded as Ravenpaw pushed her way into the undergrowth. Ravenpaw wished with all her heart she would see her newly made friends again, as well as her family that she had lost.
With her mind swimming with memories, Ravenflight stood at the edge of Starclan's drop. She peered down the rocky cliff face that seemed to drop down forever. Fog obscured her view of the bottom, but somewhere there was ground. Rock hard ground.
A few steps, one single jump. Ravenflight would gain back all that she'd lost. Her sweet brother, her dear friend, and her beloved father. The very thought of her lost family sent sadness trembling down her spine.
If she were to go StarClan today, she'd even see her mother soon, who lay at the mercy of their ancestors, her fragile body seized by the deadly grip of Black cough.
Starclan. That quickly sent the ripples of subdued sadness into raging flames of hatred. Ravenflight looked up at the dark, cloudy sky, the heavy rain drop splattering against her side and plastering her fur to her sides. Her emerald eyes were alight with rage and sadness as she yowled a challenge to the heavens.
"Why?! That's all I ask! You took away everything that I loved, but yet you leave me behind in the rain and cold, alone to deal with my sorrow and loss! You make me sick, when I hit that ground, broken and bloody, I'll think of you! Then you, my pitiful ancestors, will have the blood of a fallen warrior on your paws!" She finished with a spit.
Lighting lit up the jet black coat of the maddened warrior. Ravenflight took no notice as thunder shook the earth, threatening to split open the very world. Rain began to pour even harder, smacking into Ravenflight's side as wind howled as it flew over stone.
"You stole everything I could've had in life, my family's happiness, my mother and fathers love, the joy and happiness from a brother and best friend, and they could've even had kits together!" Her shriek was lost on the wind as it continued to threaten to know her over. "Once I die, I'll be the one laughing, and you'll have failed your mission to make me miserable! May my death weigh heavy on your consciences! I scowl in your faces and spit at your paws!"
Her yowl was followed by a streak of lighting. Thunder roared in her ears as she took a step forward.
"Please don't." The small plea was just a whisper in her ears, and Ravenflight blinked as a small starry shape formed before her eyes. Her heart ached as she recognized the small tabby.
"Brackenpaw." Her small voice was lost on the wind, the sadness in her speak lost on all ears except hers.
"You still have so much to live for, please don't jump! Live life great enough for us all, I don't want to be the one to fetch you from your broken, bloody body!" A little voice piped up from a small tortoiseshell apprentice. "You don't deserve this." Mosspaw's voice rose to a wail as she pleaded desperately.
"Well you didn't deserve to die!" Ravenflight roared. The black she cat took another step forward, her paws almost slipping as a puddle began to form beneath her. The storm raged on as Ravenflight stood, mentally hardening herself against what may happen next.
"We both know why I am here." A smooth voice spoke in front of Ravenflight as she allowed her eyes to flicker open.
Lighting illuminated Ravenflight sad, yet defiant face as she dipped her head. "Father." She spoke with a cool tone. "No disrespect, but I don't think even you could stop me, but I am sorry. I don't think you understand I have no idea what you're like! You were torn from my life right when I wanted you to be there. You didn't even get to see my warrior ceremony!" The tears began again as Ravenflight stayed were she was, shoulders shaking as she cried out against the cruelty of the world.
"My dear daughter, did you think I would miss any of that? The next day, I came down from Starclan, and I sat right next to your mother, watching over you proudly as she hid her sadness and fussed over you. Splashstar made Wolfheart your mentor because that's what I asked when I visited her in a dream." Finchfoot's eyes were glowing as he recalled all of his dear memories.
"I was there when you caught that massive rabbit! You dragged it home by yourself, and shared it among the elders den, then gave the rest to Brindletail. You earned your warrior name after you saved Bramblepaw from that hawk as a kit! You got flight because Splashstar knew how much you were destined to go through, but how you would over come in and soar through life! At your warrior ceremony, Brackenpaw and I sat next to your mother as you became Ravenflight, and were noticed for your gifts of courage and determination. Use those virtues to persevere! I know you; you can come out the other side happier and stronger."
Ravenflight looked up at her father with emerald eyes. "As I said, I'm sorry, and you wouldn't understand!"
Ravenflight leapt forward so that nothing stood between her and death.
"Think of your mother, please." It was just a whisper on the wind, but it made Ravenflight doubt her motive of her doings.
Ravenflight shook her head firmly as she stood, making her decision final. Her clan would certainly get over it. Her mother would die soon due to black cough, and soon she would be in the stars with her family.
"I hope you're happy!" She spat towards the heavens. "I've become this at your own hands! You can take whatever you want, but in the end, I'll be the winner! This game is over and you lose!"
One jump, that's it. Seeing all she loves again. Feeling the wind rushing through her fur, falling faster than the rain around as she closed her eyes. Welcoming the empty darkness before crashing onto cold hard stone. The first flight had started this, and the last flight would end it.
One cry echoed over stone as the black she cat closed her eyes. "Ravenflight!"
Late Green-leaf air flowed throughout the tree tops, swaying them gently as birds passed overhead. Down below, a white and tabby she-cat padded through the undergrowth, gently brushing aside ferns as she headed down towards the stream that marked the end of the territory for Ivyclan.
Once she reached the stream, she looked down at her reflection, amber meeting amber. She looked up as a leaf began a spiraling descent downwards, landing in the stream, sending ripples flowing downstream, when she looked down again, she was no longer alone. A golden tom stood beside her, meeting her gaze in the reflection of the stream. He held a beautiful white flower in his mouth.
She scrambled backwards in surprise, "Finchfoot! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?" She gasped.
He let out a laugh, dropping the flower, the sight of her was heartwarming to him, she was sitting in a cluster of ferns, a small leaf stuck to the top of her head. His bright green eyes met her stunning amber ones. He opened his mouth to ask a question, but it caught in his throat, instead getting a sharp intake of breath. Finally he composed himself.
"Hey Brindletail, do... do you want to walk with me?" His eyes were hopeful, and his heart was in his throat.
"Of course," she laughed "I'd love to."
They began to slowly walk, parting the ferns as they passed. Brindletail looked over at him. With sunlight dappled on his golden pelt, he seemed to have golden ora around him, drawing all things towards him, ensnaring her gaze with his immaculate pelt. She felt her chest swell at the thought of him. He veered to avoid a cobweb, gently brushing against her flank, and as he did, she felt as if lightning struck throughout her.
"Sorry, didn't mean to bump into you," He turned his clear green gaze towards her.
"It's all right." Brindletail murmured. "Where are we going exactly?"
"Actually were here."
Brindletail gasped. A willow tree stood in the middle of a small clearing. A small bit of the stream trickled into a pool at a far end, while at another, a soft moss bed was laid out, with a single white flower in the middle. The grass was a bright green and springy under paw.
"It's beautiful." She whispered.
"Do you want to stay here for the night?" Finchfoot's voice was tinged with nervousness, but he stood confidently.
"I would love to." Brindletail smiled at him, and together they settled into the moss bed with night finally taking hold of the sky.
They both lay out on their back, their eyes turned towards the stars. Each one appeared slowly, glowing brightly against the dark sky.
"Beautiful." Finchfoot whispered, but his gaze wasn't turned on the stars, but on Brindletail. She was curled into a ball; her delicate white paws were tucked beneath her. Her striped tabby pelt shined silver in the moonlight, rising and falling in the deep rhythm of slumber. Quietly, he stood and curled around her, welcoming the warmth and feeling love rise in his chest.
Sleep wouldn't come to him just yet, so he looked up to the stars, imagining the future he so desperately wanted with the cat he so dearly loved. As his mind became fuzzy, he laid his head next to Brindletail and fell asleep to the gentle gurgle of the stream.
Finchfoot woke with a start, and looked around to find Brindletail was no longer beside him. He felt his heart drop to his paws, wondering if he had gone too far with her. He dragged his paws over to the little pool, and bent to get a few mouthfuls. Before he could even look up, a weight slammed into him, rolling over until he lay defeated, under the willow tree.
"Brindletail!" Relief washed over him as he met her gaze and saw warmth and triumph shining in her eyes. Acting quickly, he pulled both paws from beneath her, rolling over until he was pinning her to the ground. "Well who's winning now?"
She looked up at him "Fine you win, but I'll get you next time, now let me up!" She teased.
He locked gazes with her, and could hold back his true feelings no longer. "Brindletail, I love you. More than anything, and I hope you feel the same way, because there is no other she cat like you. You're the most beautiful cat I've ever seen, and whenever I look at you, I just want to press against you and entwine my tail with yours! I guess I should just say it, will you stay with me forever?" He finished breathlessly, hoping he hadn't just ruined something as precious as life, what he wanted most, love.
She stared at him with her eyes wide. "I'd want nothing more than that."
Yowls sliced through early morning Greenleaf air, the sun just barley peeking over the tree tops as a golden tom paced outside the entrance to the nursery. His coat was fluffed out as his thoughts consisted of what ifs. Finchfoot's eyes were glued to the ground as her ignored the kits that chased his swaying tail back and forth, mistaking his anxiety for excitement.
He turned as one of the kits successfully snatched his tail in her teeth, giving it a massive tug and falling back with a mouthful of golden fur. He stood over them as the kit tried desperately to spit out the evidence of the attack.
"Ouch! Hey! Why don't you guys go play catch the stray tail over by the warriors den hmm? There's plenty if you reach under the hole by the medicine den." The kits nodded excitedly, and Finchfoot continued his pacing in peace as multiple startled yowls sounded from behind him.
His worry decreased as Spidertail walked out calmly and mewed. "She's just fine, but I'd give her a moment."
Snowpaw then bounced out, a smile plastered on her small muzzle."There adorable! You can go in now, they're beautiful!"
Raising his head, Finchfoot proudly stuffed himself into the nursery. It was too small for him, and his head rubbed the roof of it, but none of that mattered. "Their beautiful." He breathed.
Brindletail's tabby coat was ruffled and she was exhausted. But she managed to blink open her eyes and murmur, "Let's name them. They are just perfect." She reached out a tail, gently brushing against the head of a small brown tabby kit's head. "How about... Brackenkit." She suggested, and Finchfoot nodded his head so hard she thought it would hurt. "What about the she-cat?"
He looked at his tiny daughter, she was beautiful. Though she had kit fur, it was a slick unmarked black. "Ravenkit."
As soon as he said it, and image flashed before him, a she-cat, black and soaked, emerald eyes widened in loss and desperation, wailing towards the stars. He blinked it away, relieved to see himself back in the warm nursery. His mate hadn't heard the name, but she'd love it, and he knew.
Brindletail curled protectively around her two kits, and began breathing in a deep rhythm. Finchfoot curled around her, the whole time wondering the identity of the broken she cat, but deep inside, a tiny voice spoke her name.