Goodbye To The World I Knew- TorrentClan
"I'm leaving." I mew, and RiverClan's leader, Ebonystar, steps forward, her gaze glinting coldly.
"Reedshade, when I took you in as a rogue, and when you took the vow, you promised to remain here," she hisses. My gaze flicks around until it rests on my mate, Stormflight's. Her gaze is filled with pain and she is staring at her paws.
"I know, Ebonystar, but I can't!" I answer. Stormflight pushes her way to stand nose-to-nose with me.
"Reedshade, won't you stay at least until our kits are warriors?" she pleads. I know that she knows it's no use convincing me, though, from the tone of her voice.
"No, there's too much pressure!" I exclaim. My thoughts are racing. I don't want to leave Gorsepaw, Lightpaw, and Aspenpaw, but I can't stay either. "Besides, the kits don't need a father who isn't good at fighting or hunting." I add. Stormflight looks hurt.
"They don't care about that!" Stormflight insists. Yes, they will. I love you, Stormflight, but there's not enough reason to stay here. I lead Stormflight somewhere the clan can't hear us.
"They might not, but I'm expected to hunt and patrol, and when I don't, I don't get enough food." I hiss. Stormflight's eyes are blazing.
"Well, I might still love you, but I can't leave. I'm loyal to my clan above everything!" She makes it seem like she doesn't care, but I've learned she doesn't like to show her emotions.
"Even the kits?" I ask her testily. Stormflight nods, but she's looking less sure.
"Just go, Reedshade." Stormflight snaps. I back away and sprint out of camp, and once I'm past the border, I know I won't be welcomed back. Gorsepaw, with Stormflight's curiosity and my dark green eyes, Lightpaw, with my gray tabby fur and Stormflight's kindness, and Aspenpaw with Stormflight's dark gray fur and amber eyes... My thoughts trail off as I realize what I'm leaving. My family, friends, clanmates, all so I could have an easier life. I'm saying goodbye to the world I knew.
Ebonystar's POV:
I'm still in shock. Reedshade was a loyal warrior. He may have not been the best at fighting or hunting, but he stayed loyal. Until now. I saw him sprint out of camp after talking with Stormflight, and Stormflight sobbing in the nursery. I never even knew Reedshade was uncomfortable here. I leap onto the Highrock.
"Reedshade's leaving was unexpected, and I'm still in shock myself. But happy things come out of sad times. Gorsepaw, Lightpaw, and Aspenpaw, step forward." The three apprentices were supposed to become warriors moons ago, and they should have been happy, except that each had a connection with Reedshade, besides him being their father. Gorsepaw had been saved from the river as a kit, Lightpaw had trained with Reedshade when she was falling behind, and Aspenpaw had survived an attack thanks to Reedshade covering her wounds with cobwebs. The three apprentices padded forward, and I continued the ceremony.
"Gorsepaw, Lightpaw, and Aspenpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and defend your clan even at the cost of your lives?"
"I do," Gorsepaw's mew is tinged with sadness.
"I do," echoes Lightpaw.
"I do." Aspenpaw mews boldly.
"I, Ebonystar, leader of RiverClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand your noble code, and I commend them as warriors in their turn. Gorsepaw, from now on you will be known as Gorseshade. StarClan honors your loyalty and kindness and we welcome you as a full warrior of RiverClan." Gorseshade licks my shoulder, and I go on to make Lightpaw Lightreed, and Aspenpaw, Aspenflight.
"Gorseshade! Lightreed! Aspenflight!" I look over the new warriors, knowing Reedshade had been with the three warriors their entire lives. In a way, he had made them who they are.
Reedshade had no idea how much he meant to the clan when he said goodbye to the world he knew.