Heyyy. I really have nothing to say besides the fact this next chapter has a little bit of Thrushpaw's POV!
Responses to reviews
Sunripple- Yup, and soon all shall be revealed. (Possibly)
"EchoesOfTheNight"- Yay! Thanks for reviewing, following, and favoriting!
"Birdflame"- The tom who saved her from the dog was... Flare!
"Spottedmist"- It was Flare, and I am very excited to get farther along in the story as well!
The days after the injuring of Ravenflight and Ebonyflower inched by slowly. Cat's lives dampened as the sky was constantly covered with a thick quilt of grey clouds. Hunger gnawed at everyone, and ribs had become just barley visible.
Two sunrises after the attack, Ebonyflower had woken, though she was as delicate as a brittle flower stem. The black she cat had spent most her time staring down at her white tipped toes, secretly blaming herself for Ravenflight's condition. Sunblaze would try to ease the guilt, but to no avail.
With it being leafbare, cats had become concerned about the very slim recovery of Ravenflight. It was like she was asleep, just unable to wake up. And she ran the high risk of catching green cough.
Every single one of her kits were hit hard. Emberpaw had decided to spend his days away from the den, finding every excuse to escape where his mother lay. Finding herbs or training. Constantly away from camp. Away from the dark cloud that had settled itself over camp.
Oakpaw and Dewpaw dealt with it in relatively the same way as their brother. Hunting, patrolling, or training. Distracting themselves from the hideous reality that their mother would probably never wake up.
Copperpaw was a mess. In his spare time you could always find him in the elder's den, huddled next to Brindletil, asking for one story after another about his mother. His grief weighed down on his shoulders. His tail constantly left a thin trail in the dust, and his usual bright and cheery amber eyes became dark and solemn. His usual laughing and joking that had filled the clearing before had ceased, the silence adding even more to the somber atmosphere.
Thrushpaw always tried her hardest to hide her sorrow. With Ebonyflower only just recovering, she had been reassigned to Sunblaze. Her routine had gone on as usual. Wake up, either training or patrol in the morning, then spend the rest of the day hunting.
Redpaw stayed by her side as often as he could. He had already offered his condolences, so he would walk by her, his silent support helping her as she coped with her world around her.
It was traumatic, yes, that she knew, very well. But she refused to be a fool and give up, letting her fur fall out, her skills grow dull, or refusing to eat. Instead, she kept up, keeping up as much as she could when it came to her appearance.
She still believed Ravenflight would wake up.
Once she would finish hunting, she would return, add her catch to the pile and she would grab herself something.
The clearing was silent, the whole clan sat solemnly, eating their prey. No whispers about borders or hunting, they knew it was time to be silent, and they listened. Not for birdsong, or trouble, but the saddest scene they would witness.
Thrushpaw would take her portion, then head to the medicine den. She walked with her head lowered, tail tip scoring a line in the dirt, and her eyes glued to the ground. She would walk in and lay next to Ravenflight.
Of course this was expected, but it was when she spoke that they held their breaths and felt sympathy for the poor kit.
Thrushpaw would tell Ravenflight about her day. Everyday. She would silently eat her prey, then recount all of her day to the still she cat. Her voice would crack, "Hi Ravenflight. Today was a really good day for hunting. I caught a squirrel, mice and even a rabbit." She would take multiple shaky breaths, blinking away tears that threatened to spill over. "I also did great at battle training. Sunblaze said I did real good, and I learned how to use a small size to your advantage. I.. I really wish you could've seen it."
It seemed her last sentence would always be stuttered with sobs before she broke off completely, her muffled sobs carried throughout camp, and it felt as though claws pierced every heart as all her kits would come in once she sobbed, and comfort her. They would sleep in there. In Ravenflight's nest in the medicine den. They all would curl up, ready to greet her in the night in case she ever woke.
Whispering went on, many questioning the fact Ravenflight would wake up, or wether she would sleep until she starved.
Thrushpaw curled up next to Ravenflight and Copperpaw, sorrow drowning her heart as she wondered if she'd ever she those emerald eyes open again. If she would hear Ravenflight's soft voice give her reassurance, or if she would be there to stand next to her when she earned her warrior name, proud she had taken her in as a daughter.
In the silence of the night, to be seen by nothing or no one, Thrushpaw would let silent tears rush down her face. Unwilling to show any more sadness than she already did, she did this. Thrushpaw choked back a sob.
She still remembered the day she met Ravenflight clearly. And once her tear shed was stopped, only by slumber, she dreamt of the better days.
Thrushpaw was in a familiar clearing, a broken dog house serving as her shelter. She looked around, a little wary and listened for the sound of her returning mother. Not a sound. Her mother would never return.
A rustle in the bushes attracted Thrush's attention. She turned to see a familiar black and grey tabby tom shove through the bushes, each time carrying a small mouse mouse for her. He would curl around her and explain that as her father, he would come by twice every day. Sun rise and set. Bringing prey and a story everytime. Then leaving, giving her cheek a lick before returning to his clan. So one day, she followed him, staying a distance behind to avoid being spotted and taken back to her clearing, his teal eyes disapproving.
She pushed through the brambles and ferns, carefully tracking her fathers scent. After awhile, his scent was lost, but it was still early morning so he may be out and about.
She continued in the same direction he had gone, only to find herself at a river. Giving up, she sat at the edge, gazing into the forest past the shore. Her thoughts wondered to her mother, she could still clearly picture her, a black coat with a white underbelly and chest, bright blue eyes, small delicate paws, and a thin, long tail.
Movement tore her from her thoughts as she spotted a black she cat look around, then slip into the river, even dipping her head fully in before scrambling back to shore. She watched in amazement as the water beaded and slipped right off her pelt leaving her quite dry despite her swim.
This was like the cats from her father's stories! The black she cat looked up and met her gaze, giving a wave of her tail. Thinking that was a summon, Thrush returned the gesture and leapt into the river, ignoring the cold that sucked the breath from her.
After what felt like an eternity she reached the shore, where the queen greeted her, and for some reason still unknown to Thrush, took her in willingly and cared for her.
When she had entered the camp, she was met by the confused gaze of her father, shaking it off, she nervously clung to Ravenflight, pondering if since the she cat looked like her mother, she wouldn't be like her mother, and be like a mother.
Thrushpaw woke with her head full of bitter memories. She looked outside to see the moon still in the middle of the sky.
She turned towards the unmoving shape of Ravenflight, who sprawled out. Sadness washed over her as she felt tears begin again at the thought of never seeing her open her eyes again.
As she lay there, Thrushpaw froze as she felt Ravenflight twitch and let out just a whisper, "I won't fail." Her voice was cracked from it not being used, but her movement sparked hope in Thrushpaw.
Maybe she would wake! And as Thrushpaw turned to see a twitching paw, she wondered what on earth Ravenflight may be dreaming about.
Once Thrushpaw looked at her mouth, she watched, frozen in amazement as a smile spread across her muzzle. Ravenflight's muzzle. She smiled. Maybe Thrushpaw would see her shining eyes again!
Ravenflight's POV
Ravenflight gave a look at the sky, ignoring the land around her as she fazed into the same clearing. She felt happiness send her heart soaring as she felt success wash over her.
"Welcome Ravenflight. We've been expecting you."
Ravenflight tore her gaze from the sky to meet olive colored eyes, she took it all in, the grey she cat, Ravenstar beside her, and on the other side Ravenfeather. The sight of her different selves startled her, but she guessed that really anything could happen now.
"Where is Ravenflight? Or.. the other me, I guess." She felt a little awkward, still not fully understanding her state.
"She was the most like you, so became fused with you path. Congratulations Ravenflight. You have successfully passed the trails. You are the first and last to tread this path. I am Ivystar, and I must say your perseverance surprised us all." Ravenflight dipped her head as she realized she was in the presence of her clan's founder and honored leader.
"The destinies left undecided have been fulfilled and stopped. We must thank you, Ravenflight, for we know that though darkness lay ahead, you have more than enough strength to pull through." Ravenflight couldn't help but stand a little taller as Ravenfeather and Ravenstar spoke as one.
Ravenfeather stepped forward first, touching noses with Ravenflight, a sudden calm in her eyes. "Never be afraid to forgive, don't let revenge freeze your heart and sharpen your claws, that was my mistake. Go safely my friend, and may advice light your darkest thoughts." Ravenfeather dipped her elegant head before fading into mist.
Ravenstar followed Ravenfeather, touching her nose to Ravenflight's, her loneliness that had hollowed her eyes has been filled with a calm joy. "Don't be afraid to take a breath from what you may think must consume your life. Always be willing to open your heart to those who deserve it the most, I didn't follow my advice I give now, that was my error. May Starclan be with you and my advice make you see when the time is right." Her words confused Ravenflight, but she gave a dip of her head anyways as Ravenstar faded.
"You are strong child, their advice may save your life and others one day. Your life was unpredictable, Starclan had over looked many little twists that could change you forever." Ivystar touched her nose to Ravenflight's, "I will send you home now, and I think that someone will be there to greet you."
Ravenflight closed her eyes, feeling herself slip into nothing. Soon, she became dimly aware of the Ivyclan camp, frozen in the middle of leafbare. Shadowfur snuck through the entrance, Sunblaze and Ebonyflower lay together, and she felt herself in the medicine den, her back covered in a poultice of marigold fastened down by cobwebs, and the sun soon to set below the trees.
She felt her self in her body, she felt the soft moss nest, the cold nip in the air, and a presence that entered the den and lay with her. "Hi Ravenflight, two nights ago I saw you smile, so in case you wake up I brought an extra mouse, but if you don't, I'm sorry, then it goes to Snowflower." Ravenflight listened quietly as Thrushpaw went through her day, explaining everything.
Ravenflight felt herself finally integrate with her body. She waited until Thrushpaw finished to open her eyes. She struggled to adjust against the brightness, but smiled as she heard Thrushpaw squeal and yowled out of the den, "She's awake!" Her excitement warmed Ravenflight.
She struggled to sit up, feeling stiffness holding her limbs. She became aware of how skinny she'd turned and how hungry and thirsty too. Afraid to see her pelt, she turned and widened her eyes in surprise, it looked as if someone groomed it every night and rubbed it with lavender.
"I hope you like it," a small voice made her gaze land on Thrushpaw. "I didn't know when you'd wake up so I decided I'd make you stay as pretty as you always were!" Thrushpaw rushed forward, leaning into a purring Ravenflight.
All of her kits had gathered outside at the commotion, unsure wether it was true. But when a ginger flecked face peeked in, they all came sprinting in, hurling themselves at their mother with mews of happiness and howls of excitement.
After she'd had her fill of prey and water, she lay down with all her kits. A steady stream of visitors shuffled through the entrance to say hello, share some news, and show how happy they were that she woke.
Ebonyflower had been overjoyed, her green eyes shining as she welcomed her friend back, a purr shaking her as she was reunited.
Last of all, a limping gait announced the arrival of Brindletail. Everyone made way as the mother hustled to her kit before collapsing onto her and sobbing with joy. "Oh Ravenflight, I was so scared. So scared you'd never wake up, I'd never see your beautiful eyes, your lovely laugh. My dear daughter, I could not have stood to lose one more beloved in my life. Don't do anything like that again. You.. You made my pray every night, to Starclan. I begged Finchfoot, Brakenpaw, Mosspaw, all of them. To save you, to help you." She broke off, feeling love wash over her again and again.
That night was the most light hearted ones to settle over the camp in a long time. There was even enough prey for all. Excitement buzzed in the air as everyone settled for sleep, for the moon had long since risen.
Snores filled the clearing. Inside the medicine den, Ravenflight lay with her five kits and mother. She decided it was best to never mention her little endeavor to anyone. She would really never be able to explain it to anyone anyways, for she didn't understand herself. All she knew is that she had to undo what changed her into someone different.
Reviewing all of her visits, she frowned as she realized that Leafclaw and Splashstar had both made time to come and see her while Shadowfur had not even realized she had woken. Feeling as though he was acting foolish for him needing to be a father and her mate, in the morning, she decided to confront him about it. And be done.
So she closed her eyes, relieved as she dreamt of nothing.
Snowflower had Emberpaw go over Ravenflight before permitting her into the clearing to go about, checking for difficult breathing, stiff limbs, or dizziness.
She was deemed healthy and sent out to get fresh air and some prey.
She settled down beside Ebonyflower, silently tucking into a robin. Ebonyflower politely excused herself before dashing off to patrol. Giving her parting friend a smile, she finished up, looking for a familiar black and grey tabby coat.
She caught sight of Shadowfur preparing to leave. Again. So she went after him, catching him outside of camp and pulling him into a small clearing. He seemed reluctant and distant, but nodded as he followed her blindly.
"Shadowfur," he looked up slowly at her, narrowing his eyes just slightly. "I've noticed that you've kind of been distancing yourself from the kits and only when I was attacked did you finally acknowledge me. Do you have anything to say. Any excuse?" She felt her breath catch as she decided what she had to do.
Shadowfur mumbled in embarrassment, ducking his head. "None? Well, I'm not sure if your mature enough to be a father. I thought that we were ready, and that we'd be a family, not perfect, but still, you'd be there right along with me as they grew. I'm not sure if I can keep doing this, with you." She managed to choke down a lump in her throat that threatened to stop her completely.
Shadowfur looked back up sharply, his grey eyes hardening."Are you saying I'm not a good father?" He snarled. "You have no right to say anything. Spit out what you followed me here to say so that we can be done!" He shouted, trying to mask the fear of what Ravenflight was going to say with anger.
Ravenflight failed to pick up his fear and, fueled by anger, swept on, pulling herself to full height and bristling. "Fine! Honestly I think you should be seasons more mature than you are now, mousebrain! You seem to be so distant, always off and away, slinking away with no reason and acting as though you don't want to be around us! Around your family. You want to be done with this, fine! We're. Done!" Her yowl was soon followed by tears as she turned and dashed away.
As she ran, the tears streamed across her face, pushed back by the wind. Ravenflight forced herself away from Starclan's drop. She had kits now. And soon found herself in the clearing with the maple tree. Memories raced through her mind as she sobbed harder at her loss.
Raveflight knew she caused the hurt, but it wasn't easy. She had loved Shadowfur. He was the father of her kits, but it had hurt her more to be disappointed when she expected him to be around.
Ravenflight eventually quieted, letting tears flow down her face, burning compared to the freezing air. Suddenly tired from her ordeal and running after so long, she crawled to the base of the maple tree, turning away from the clouded sky as she fell asleep.
She wasn't sure how long she'd slept, but as Ravenflight woke, she realized that not only had snow fallen, but a cat had curled around her. She grunted as she turned to see who it had been, but felt them jump up and sprint away before she could even adjust to the light.
She shivered as she sat up. Ravenflight tried hard to catch and identify a scent, but found that though it wasn't Shadowfur's, it was strangely familiar, as if she should be able to easily recognize it.
Shaking her head in confusion, Ravenflight stood and began the freezing trek back to camp.
Ah, so much in one chapter. Smiles, then frowns, then cries. Who could that mysterious tom possiblyyy be? Take a guess.
If you could change one thing about Ravenflight, what would it be?
See you all next Sunday -Ravenfeather