Characters: Bramblepaw
Summary: The shadow's not his.
Author's Note: Okay, I wrote stuff for Warriors a really long time ago, but I took it down since I wasn't satisfied with it. Here's my second try; please don't complain about the length. This takes place during the original series. Also, I wonder if the cats who gave Bramblepaw and Tawnypaw grief when they were still apprentices have ever heard of a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Disclaimer: I don't own Warriors.
To say that he'll ever be able to live free of him is an iniquitous lie. There will always be those who remember Tigerstar when they see his son, as long as there are those living who can remember the traitorous warrior.
There will always be eyes to sear on his fur, counting stripes and nodding knowingly.
Looks just like his father. Bound to take after him, too. Only a matter of time before he goes bad the way Tigerstar did.
There's no chance to ever prove himself independent of his father, and Bramblepaw squeezes his eyes closed and tries to shut his ears when he hears those snatches of speech out of the mouths of everyone around him.
Everyone who hasn't said it at least once has thought it, even if they're too considerate to put the words to the air.
Even Fireheart looks at him with uncertain eyes, always more watchful, always tense. There's no trace of trust in those green eyes, none, anywhere.
He sees Tigerstar, sees a much larger shadow where his apprentice's small, sleek one should be.
I'm not my father! Bramblepaw wants to howl, frustrated and despairing, when Fireheart looks at him like that. I'm not!