Hello dear readers and welcome back to Downstream! Sorry about the hiatus, I'm back now and I'll be updating pretty regularly again. Before we get on to the story I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed, you guys are the best; have a cookie (::)
Meow Loves Llamas - I'm glad you like the shadow! That's an interesting idea about the Fallen ones, I hadn't thought of that before but I'm now going to shamelessly steal it.
Blurg the Destroyer - Interesting you think that, you weren't the only one with that answer but it isn't what I was thinking of.
Medicine Cat of the Opera - Glad you liked the chapter, I sometimes worry that they're a bit boring! I don't have an exact number in mind but it's a lot and I have plans for them... *Grins evilly*
Lilacfrost of Tecnoclan - Your guess, though vague, is correct actually! He is indeed a cat with a curse/special ability.
Swirlspot - Her shadow did defeat the Fallen One however Smoke is not her shadow, that seemed to be a popular idea though.
And now let us continue with our story!
Shadecloud was still crouched by the body of the Fallen One when Lotus and Frost sprinted into clearing. Both of them were panting and clearly worried.
Lotus bounded past Shadecloud to inspect the body while Frost padded over to the young warrior with concern clear in his blue eyes.
"Are you alright?" He asked quietly, sitting down beside and resting his tail tip on her shoulder.
"Yeah, I think so." Shadecloud responded tentatively. "She didn't manage to injure me, I just have a few scrapes from falling over."
"That's fine, we'll deal with later." Frost dismissed, still looking worried. "I meant are you feeling okay? You look rather shaken."
"Well, I just got attacked by a giant beast cat and then was saved by my own shadow. Other than that I'm feeling just fine." Shadecloud responded, shivering as the memory of the shadow-cat's purple eyes appeared in her mind.
"What do you mean saved by your shadow?" Lotus chimed in from the opposite side of the body.
"Um, about a moon before I arrived here my shadow kind of came alive and started moving around by itself." Shadecloud explained hesitantly, knowing full well how crazy she sounded.
Neither of her companions looked fazed by the statement; instead both wore similar curious expressions. "
"A living shadow." Lotus mused, her gaze fixed on something far away. "That sounds a lot like your brother's curse, doesn't it?" She said to Frost.
"It does, but that curse runs in the family so it doesn't necessarily have anything to do with Shadow." Frost said looking skeptical, "It could be from our father or one of my aunts, uncles, cousins, really anyone."
"So you're saying that the culprit could be any one of your relatives." Lotus deadpanned, "Very helpful."
"Why are you so sure it's someone else's doing?" Asked Shadecloud curiously, looking between the two cats. "I mean you mentioned that it might be my curse." She said, indicating Frost.
"You are correct, I did say that." He agreed, signaling for silence as Lotus opened her mouth to protest. "Wait, let me explain myself first. This control of shadows and darkness is strictly a family curse; it's been passed down over generations since before anyone can remember. However, though at its core it is the same ability each cat has had a different form of the ability. Shadecloud's living shadow has those same basic characteristics but it isn't like anything I've seen before or heard tell of. Based on that the logical conclusion, to me at least, is that it must be her own curse."
"So what you're implying is that, because she has a unique ability, Shadecloud must be related to you?" Lotus asked, tilting her head to one side and giving Frost a disbelieving look.
"Exactly." Frost confirmed.
"So we're siblings?" Shadecloud asked, unsure as to the appropriate reaction to Frost's words.
"Well, maybe. It's more likely that we're cousins or second cousins or something like that." Frost elaborated with a small grin. "Welcome to the family Shadecloud."
"Okay, that's all well and good but it doesn't address the current problem, which is the fact that this is the second attack in a few days. I'm not sure it's completely safe outside of the Hollow." Lotus said matter-of-factly, looking at the body between them. "Frost why don't you get Shadecloud back to camp while I finish inspecting this."
"You sure you'll be fine?" Frost asked, getting to his paws and scanning the area as though more Fallen Ones could be hiding in the undergrowth.
"I'll be fine, remember, I can handle myself." Lotus reminded flicking his nose with her tail tip. "Now go on before Shadecloud faints." She said with a teasing smile.
"As you wish." Frost conceded, turning and beckoning Shadecloud to follow him as he left.
"So Frost, if it's not too much of a personal question," Shadecloud began as the bushes and ferns obscured the clearing behind them. "What is your relationship with Lotus?"
"Ah, that's an interesting question." Frost said with a small laugh. "You see with the Cursed it's hard to have a mate who isn't cursed, the relationship will almost always fall apart at some point. Several seasons ago, after a she cat's mate almost killed her because of her curse, it was decided that it would be better to outlaw such relationships. It's harsh but it's for the best to be honest, it's saved a lot of heartbreak and pain." Frost explained, a slightly challenging note in his voice, as though daring Shadecloud to argue.
"I understand completely, in the clans we have similar rules against inter-clan relationships." She told him and saw the noticeable relief in his eyes.
"These past few seasons so many of the Cursed Ones have Fallen the choices are rather limited. So the answer to your question is that Lotus and I are going to be mates someday." He finished the wry smile still in place on his black muzzle.
"Oh, wow, I had no idea." Shadecloud gasped, feeling rather shocked by the business-like nature of their relationship. "So it's just because there are such limited options at present?" She asked.
"Partially, yes." Frost answered, pausing to think for a second before he continued. "We do get along and we're certainly friends, it's possible that something more could develop."
"So what about Shadow? Does he have a mate picked out for him?" Shadecloud asked, knowing she was probably prying but letting her curiosity get the better of her.
"Well considering that Lotus is the only she cat our age and the fact that she and Shadow don't get along very well it stands to reason that she and I are intended rather than her and Shadow. That does mean he has no mate at present though we had hoped that you might fill that place when you first arrived."
Shadecloud recoiled slightly, unable to disguise her disgust at the idea that Frost and Lotus and Starclan knew who else had been thinking about pairing her with Shadow.
"It's a difficult thing to think about, I know, but that's how life is here and we just have to play by the rules. Based on your reaction I'm sure you'll be glad to know that your probable family connection with Shadow eliminates that possibility."
"Oh, I didn't mean that I would be so horrified to be mates with Shadow, it's just jarring to think about." Shadecloud said quickly, realizing that she had just insulted Shadow.
"It's fine, I understand fairly well actually." Frost comforted her; "I had a similar reaction when Fallow told me and Lotus that we were intended."
"How old were you?" Shadecloud asked quietly, deciding that having gone this far she might as well continue.
"Oh, maybe half a season cycle old, give or take a few moons." Frost said, seeming to dismiss how young he'd been. "I think it wasn't long after my father died but definitely before Swallow and Junco arrived."
"Oh, that's very young." Shadecloud said, once again unable hide her surprise and vague horror.
"That's how it goes here, the odds of another eligible she cat turning up were low so it was inevitable anyway." He told her. "Any other slightly intrusive and personal questions or are you done?" He asked slyly, a faint twinkle in his eyes telling Shadecloud he was joking.
"Just one more, since you asked." Shadecloud smiled, "You said that your entire family has a similar ability but yours is very different..." She trailed off, not sure how to form the question she wanted to ask.
"How did that happen?" Frost finished for her, "Well, I'm not technically part of the family, I'm the son of an old friend of my father. When my blood parents died Dusk took me in and raised as his own. Does that answer your question?"
"Yes, yes it does." Shadecloud responded, feeling somehow guilty for asking about it. "I'm sorry, about you parents that is." She burst out.
"It's fine, don't worry about it." Frost said, looking slightly surprised by the sentiment. "I never knew them anyway."
"Oh, okay then." Shadecloud answered lamely, Frost made no move to continue the conversation and she was happy to leave the topic alone.
They passed the rest of the walk in an awkward silence, and Shadecloud found that she'd gained more questions than answers.
I hope you enjoyed that chapter, if you did please follow, favorite or write a review, any of those makes me very happy and motivates me to write more!
QOTD - Should I add a romantic element to this story?
As those of you who read my other story, All That Glitters, will know I am almost done with it which means I'll be writing a new story soon. There is now a poll up on my profile so you guys can vote on what my next story should be, please go check it out; I love having your input!
So long, dear readers!
~ Feathers
