This took longer than expected, but finally, it's finished. The next chapter is definitely going to be a Firegaze POV since some time has passed since we had our Stone POV and heard about the plan to end Floyd's reign of terror. If I can't finish it in one chapter, then expect a Hazel/Ivy POV right afterwards because I really want to get it over with and stop sidelining. Anyways...
Reviews:
PiratePirata: 1) Indeed, a kit is usually quite adorable in whatever they're doing. I'm definitely going to write about Stormkit, Sootkit, and the newer SkyClan kits a lot more. 2) Holly's kitting was meant to be surprising though, since there wasn't any mention of it yet she was expecting. I'm not surprised not many cats knew until it began, simply because of the reason of her not leaving her nest that often. It's somewhat answered in this chapter though. 3) I personally love Stargaze, but yeah, I can see not really caring for him too much in the plot. There's just only so many things I can write about for a cat.
"Blazeberry! Get me a piece of freshkill, will you?" Holly snapped, her matted fur spiking up as if it were a hedgehog's quills. Why did she have to become a Queen? It doesn't make any sense! Blazeberry sighed, padding out of the nursery. It was better to just fetch her freshkill instead. From the corner of her eye, she caught Forestkit and Quickkit playing with a feather. Kits will be kits. She thought, smiling to herself. As Blazeberry drew closer to the freshkill pile, she saw Jayson chatting with Spiritmask, his eyes clouded with both crestfallen and joyful emotions. Pricking her ears forwards, Blazeberry's paws itched with curiosity. Just what are they talking about?
Jayson shook his head and sighed. "That's the problem, Spiritmask. Holly and I are getting old, her kits came a moon early, and she didn't tell anyone about it until she told me the sunrise before her kitting. Hailkit and Dominic might not make it, and I'm worried sick about them. Holly might get sick with whitecough! S-Spiritmask, I can't lose them." I never realized Jayson felt this strong about the whole thing…
"Jayson, Jayson. Calm down. The Clan will do everything in its power to make sure all three of them survive this leaf-bare, okay?" mewed Spiritmask, his voice soft and gentle. "I do have a question, though. Holly's never given any signs to expecting kits at all. So how-"
"She's hardly moved from her nest recently, all except for the dog attack. That should be evidence enough." Jayson hissed, his pale blue eyes flashing in fury. That's not evidence enough. Holly always stays in her nest without moving. "Holly gets up from her nest more than that, even though she's extremely lazy. I just don't understand why Holly kitted early."
Spiritmask sighed, stretching his forepaws. "Well, okay then. But if you want, I can help you take care of her. Can I? Please?" Why does he want to help so much? Let Jayson handle it! Stargaze, Ravenpaw and I know how to handle it too! Nosy tom. Jayson rolled his eyes, nodding. "Yay! I'll take some prey to Holly as well, if that's okay!" Spiritmask grabbed a vole and followed Jayson, who'd already left. The two toms padded off towards the nursery, taking no notice of Blazeberry. That was lucky. At least I don't have to go back and deal with Holly and her kits. But what else is there to do? The Gathering isn't until another half-moon, and Firegaze isn't here to annoy me… A pang of guilt pricked Blazeberry's chest. She'd never apologized for attacking Firegaze, had she? Blazeberry knew that if she could've in that moment, she would've blinded the apprentice on purpose. And I'm going on about how Hazel attacked Wasplily…I'm such a hypocrite.
Blazeberry padded towards Violetstar's den. Spiritmask is busy, River is biased and annoying, and Dove isn't here. I need to talk to someone. Gingerly placing her forepaws into the leader's den, Blazeberry's heart almost leapt out of her chest. What if Violetstar's upset with me for not dealing with my own problems? What if she's upset that I hardly even tried? Forcing the thought away, Blazeberry took another step into the den. She saw Violetstar lying in her nest, her eyes barely open, with Tristan lying next to her. What's going on between those two? They aren't mates! The brown tabby tom gently licked Violetstar's cheek fur.
"What's wrong with Violetstar?" asked Blazeberry, her mew soft. Maybe this wasn't the best idea. Tristan sighed and shook his head. "Well?"
He licked his chest fur. "Violetstar hasn't been responding to anyone nowadays. I'm getting worried about her." Violetstar being unresponsive to everyone? Now that's a first. "She hasn't called a Clan meeting since Ivy's patrol left, and everyone who comes into her den usually is greeted with claws or a blank stare." Blazeberry crouched down to face the pale gray and white tabby she-cat. I hope Violetstar isn't sick! She took a sniff of Violetstar's pelt, only to be greeted with a low hiss from Violetstar.
"Don't touch me!" snapped Violetstar, baring her long, protruding fangs. Yikes! She really is in a bad mood! The she-cat then shut her eyes, placing her left forepaw on top of her muzzle. She let out a snort, one that Blazeberry could tell from that Violetstar was sick. Poor Violetstar, she doesn't seem to be in a good mood either… Tristan sighed once more, now resting his flank against Violetstar's. He shut his green eyes and wrapped his tail around Violetstar's. Imagine the chaos if Twyla or Silverfire saw this!
Tristan opened one eye to glare at Blazeberry. "Don't start getting ideas. Violetstar and I have been good friends since kithood." He shut his eyes once more and licked Violetstar's cheek fur. "Just go back to sleep, Vivi." Violetstar let out an exasperated grunt but said nothing more. "Vivi"? Is that Tristan's nickname for her or something? Tristan let out a soft snore as Blazeberry padded out of the leader's den. Weird. They aren't even mates, and yet they sleep that close to each other. Blazeberry glanced around camp, catching River padding into camp with some wet moss dangling from his jaws. Let me guess. He's going to ruin the bedding, isn't he? River seemed to notice Blazeberry staring at him, as a playful glimmer flashed through his eyes. StarClan no! I shouldn't have looked!
The pale gray and white tabby came rushing up to her, dropping the bundle of moss on the ground. River stopped in front of her, panting heavily. "Hey, Blazeberry." He purred, his silver eyes glimmering with excitement. Dang it!
"Hello, River." Blazeberry grumbled, narrowing her eyes. "What is it?" The mediator apprentice brushed his fur against Blazeberry's. Ugh, why's he like that all time when around me?! River was now sitting beside her, wrapping his tail around her's. She almost jumped back in fear, but she planted her paws firmly on the ground. I shouldn't be so scared and angry with him all the time. He seems to worry a lot about me. Blazeberry concluded, forcing her fur to lay flat. And he's my Clanmate.
River licked Blazeberry's cheek fur. "I was thinking that we could hang out for a bit? Like, we could just go looking for herbs together if you'd like?" He shifted his paws, uncertainty flashing through his gaze. "You don't have to if you don't want to." Should I? It'd be a good chance to gather some catmint and some borage for Holly…but I don't want to go looking for herbs with River. He's just so… Blazeberry realized that she was glaring at her paws. Lifting her head up to face him, she nodded.
"Sure. We need to find some catmint and borage at any rate. Can you remember that?" mewed Blazeberry, her tail swishing back and forth. River nodded, purring. "Good. Let's go." On their way out, she spotted Silverfire standing by the camp exit. He's camp guard again? Silverfire was munching on a water vole, his teeth tearing through the prey's flesh. He could at least have the decency to eat like a normal cat! Blazeberry held back a stinging retort. She didn't want to hurt the poor tom's feelings. Well, at least not today. Just as she was about to leave, River let out a disgusted growl.
He scowled. "You're disgusting, did you know that Silverfire?" River! Was that really necessary?! Silverfire only looked up, his eyes shimmering with confusion. "Don't tell me you're too stupid get what I'm saying! Listen careful here, okay? Eat like a normal cat for once, you disgrace!" River spat, his neck fur bristling. Silverfire whimpered, flattening his ears back in fear. He's going too far with this! Blazeberry realized with a jolt of horror. Even worse, that's his father he's berating! "Well?"
Silverfire only pushed away the water vole. "I-I don't think I'm hungry anymore." He whispered, his voice hollow. Blazeberry whipped her head to face River, who only had an ugly scowl plastered on his face.
Blazeberry snarled at him. "I can't believe you! There was no reason to say anything to him!" River sighed, turning away from Blazeberry. Why's he always so angry? I mean, I get being angry, but…does he really have to be such a jerk to everyone?
"It's okay, Blazeberry. I'm used to him by now." murmured Silverfire, his eyes closed. He shouldn't be used to River's nasty behavior! Does River treat Firegaze like this too? Blazeberry felt her shoulder fur bristling as River just ignored Silverfire. I'll talk some sense into that fox-heart later today. Silverfire suddenly jerked his head up, his eyes wild and alert. "I smell blood!" He cried, bursting into a run towards the riverbanks. Blood?! Whose? Blazeberry sniffed the air, checking to see if the dark ginger tabby was right. Her heart seemed to freeze once she realized he was right. There was blood. River didn't seem to care at all, his eyes glazed like silver tips of ice.
Blazeberry glanced back over to where Silverfire had ran off to. She saw Silverfire with his slim tail wrapped around another cat, one much smaller than himself. He appeared to be cleaning a fresh wound, and urgently by the looks of it. Silverfire's eyes were struck with shock and terror as he kept lapping at the cat's…eye? A sharp pang of horror squeezed Blazeberry's heart once she realized who that cat was. It was Stargaze, who had blood gushing from his left eye and blood smeared all over his claw. Great StarClan! What could've made Stargaze want to do that to himself?
QotD: What is your current opinion on River so far?
Okay since I'm the author/editor for this series I actually know what happens with River latter on and let's just say he's not the best at decision maker. But now I would say that I think he's rather sweet when it comes to Blazeberry, but a giant fox-heart when it's anyone else. You know, I honestly woudn't be surprised if River has a really big crush on Blazeberry.