"Justification"
Damp moss in her jaws, Clearwater intends to make a silent exit from her den to visit Thornswipe in the elders den he keeps to himself. At the threshold of the entryway, she tosses her head over her shoulder to look at her most recent patients.
Brownpelt sleeps quietly, aided by the nerve calming thyme, whilst Nutfur refuses to leave his side and slumbers a bit more noisily right adjacent to the mossy nest.
She'd found them in close quarters and had decided to leave them in solidarity of their emotions. These two were a mess but at least they had opportunities to let it out.
Clearwater smiles fondly and turns her attention back to her task and proceeds to leave. She only makes headway with three steps before a bumbling black shape thumps against her chest, urging her to take an abrupt step backwards to regain balance.
"Oh, Featherpaw!" she exclaims with a muffled smile.
"Greetings, Clearwater," the tomcat mews quietly - normal for his demeanor, oddly enough. He shakes out his thin pelt in surprise, adjusting to the intrusion.
"Manage to find any herbs while out adventuring?" Clearwater sets the moss aside, tilting her head with an amused grin.
"Sorry, no," the apprentice apologizes with a dip of his head. "Something else required my attention."
"Quite alright," the blue-gray tabby nods, understanding. "I'm going to take this moss to the elders den and chat with Thornswipe. When you go inside, watch out for Nutfur and Brownpelt. They're sleeping. I know you may not get along very well now, but bear with me and abstain from disturbing them. Brownpelt especially is wounded greatly. Mind your tongue." Dipping her head, Clearwater slides out of the way and grabs the moss before bounding off in the direction of the hollow log host to RiverClan's lonely elder.
Heeding his mentor's words, Featherpaw takes great caution in stepping lightly once past the stone passageway. His blue eyes blink in adjustment to the dimmer lighting, subconsciously cast over to the pair of lounging siblings midst the moss bedding at the far corner. Stretching out his spine in the comfort of his own den, Featherpaw cracks out the kinks in his joints before padding as quiet as he can toward the back of the den where the medicine cats make bed.
"What are you doing here?"
Apparently he isn't quiet enough and when Featherpaw turns his head, his gaze meets the hollow green of Nutfur. Featherpaw looks away, ashamed to make any contact with undoubtedly a heated glare. "I sleep here," he replies curtly with an undertone of apathy.
Nutfur appears sated with the answer, offering no comment.
"Look," Featherpaw begins in a small voice, strained and weak, yet he doesn't follow his own advice and closes his eyes to refuse visual contact. "I know I'm the last cat either of you want to see but I'm here to say I'm sorry. I understand your hatred of me, I do not blame you for such. I am a lowly ant. Just know that I severely regret my actions these past moons. I don't expect your forgiveness."
There's a hanging silence in the air.
Featherpaw slowly opens his eyes and steals a quick glance to the side, discovering that Brownpelt's eyes are open as well.
Nutfur snorts, holding his chin up high in disdain. "Good. Cause you're not getting any forgiveness from us."
Featherpaw lets his head bob slightly in understanding. He sighs under his breath and paces lazily in his original destination. His tail droops and his ears fall flat - slumbering into that wave of submission that his parents always wanted.
"You were a little harsh on him," Brownpelt mews several seconds after the medicine cat apprentice has lumbered off out of earshot. "You saw how dejected he looked."
"I don't know why you're defending that flea-pelt," Nutfur is on the verge of clipped hiss, his bristled pelt a warning not to carry this conversation too far down the rabbit hole. "Especially since he manipulated you - lied to you. I told you he was dangerous and you went along with his plans anyways. You played with fire and got burned; don't feel sorry for the flames."
Brownpelt winces, reminded of his tangle with the tomcat. Because of Featherpaw, Brownpelt had said a lot of stupid things, heartless things. . . He did things he'd regret and nearly got himself killed.
Nutfur is in the right to protest against the medicine 'paw.
The younger sibling opens his maw in response but is ultimately cut off by a furry head sticking inside the entryway to the den.
It's Splashtail.
"Shallowfern's been announcing patrols," the orange she-cat meows. "You've been assigned to Cloudyhaze and I. We're checking borders and looking out for that fox."
Nutfur nods. "Alright. I'll be outside in a moment." He waits for the female warrior to duck outside before administering a brotherly nuzzle to the other tomcat's cheek. "Get better," he says and starts to pull away from the nesting area. "Profusely thank Clearwater for patching you up and take your time recovering. I'll be back soon."
"I'm a warrior now, Nutfur," Brownpelt rumbles. "I don't need your shadow, remember?"
Nutfur's bob of a tail twitches in recognition of their past conversation.
He doesn't speak.
He walks outside.
"That was pretty quick," the orange she-cat announces in surprise, observing Nutfur's exit as she awaits his arrival with the white warrior beside her.
Nutfur shrugs, nonchalant. "I just needed to say a quick good-bye to my brother. About the patrol though, who's leading?"
"I am," Splashtail grins. As one of RiverClan's youngest female warriors - the other being Cloudyhaze - it's a wonder why Shallowfern is allowing the novices to lead. And begs the question why she would send Nutfur with them. It isn't as if Nutfur is a senior warrior. These two gigglers would be better guided by perhaps Lashtail or Ripplemask.
"Lead the way then," the pale brown tom motions for the orange cat to take the lead.
With the half-deaf white female beside her, Spashtail leads her patrol of three with a mostly silent Nutfur dragging his paws on the way out. They brush past the bushes and brambles, leaping over a freshly made puddle for the sheer humor. Reeds quickly approach their field of vision and the trio is swamped in a sea of foliage. Luckily, the rainfall from sunrises prior had offered some rehydration purposes and the reeds were no longer dead sticks standing. They part easily enough, granting access from the heart of RiverClan's territory toward the outlying borders.
"I know you've suddenly sprouted newfound emotions, but you've got to calm down on your conversations of 'dire importance'."
"But Sunpath, this is of dire importance," Featherpaw argues, glaring up at his slightly taller brother. Which is saying something considering Sunpath is the shortest of his litter.
The pair has left campgrounds, Featherpaw claiming the medicine den is too stuffy and the clearing is too open. They converse beside one of the many streams in RiverClan's territory. To alleviate his boredom, Sunpath repeatedly dunks his forepaw into the water. He's only agreed to this conversation since Sunpath is the only one Featherpaw can turn to in his time of crisis.
Reedrush and Smoothfur could care less. Duskbelly would intelligently insult him. Redbriar would probably listen, but end up being a snot and leave after giving some very pointless advice. And while Shypaw would be willing, he doesn't have quite the grasp on revolt that Sunpath does.
Thus, Sunpath is Featherpaw's last resort.
"How so, little brother?" the golden tom sighs dramatically, more of his focus on the ripples than on his brother's potential problem.
"You won't understand unless I tell you from the beginning," Featherpaw murmurs.
"Then tell it from the beginning," Sunpath's hazel eyes roll as he starts to think this problem is just his activated imagination. Now that he's discovering emotions, he's beginning to go mad with possibilities and outcomes of thinking for himself.
"Several moons ago, I received an omen from StarClan. You remember Russetburr?"
Sunpath nods, his eyes closed.
"Well, she gave me the omen. In my dream, I saw an oak tree that had fallen from RiverClan's side of the gorge. It made a bridge between us and WindClan. There were two nuts - one on our side and the other clinging to the tree. I've realized they represented Nutfur and Brownpelt. The pure blood and the half-Clan. And Russetburr. . . she told me that half-Clan cats don't have a place in society. She told me the destiny of these two brothers were a fight to the death. The one who lived would shape the future."
Sunpath chokes. "Seriously, Feathers? Destiny of death? Please tell me you didn't try and convince them. . . Oh StarClan that's why Brownpelt ran off. . . that's why he had those wounds. . ."
Featherpaw ducks his head in shame. "If Nutfur succeeded, pure blooded Clan cats were only allowed in society. If Brownpelt succeeded, half-Clan cats could earn their place in society and would be valued and treasured. That's what I told them, at least."
"Oh, Featherpaw."
"I'm not finished. Nutfur refused to at first so I gave up after a few attempts and went after Brownpelt. He was easier to convince. I just told him the benefits of accepting his destiny and he agreed. I'm sure he would've have gone through with it had Nutfur not interfered. From what I understand, the pair got into an argument which resulted in their split. I followed Nutfur after his brother some time later. We found Brownpelt engaged in combat with a fox. Nutfur charged and drove it off, saving his brother. When I confronted him. . ." Featherpaw swallows. "When I confronted him about his choice, he explicitly explained their relationship and that Nutfur would always be there for Brownpelt. He would never intentionally hurt him. Because they were family." His voice cracks on the last word, eyelids clenched shut to restrain the bubbling emotions.
"Oh, Featherpaw."
Preventing any form of embrace, Featherpaw waves his sibling away and continues his story for the sake of getting everything off his chest. "His words stung. I felt an ache in my chest. Painful, numb, longing. I began to think there was more to life than killing and prophecy. And so, when I went to confide in StarClan and ask them about these feelings, Russetburr came to answer me. In short, she called them pointless. Medicine cats aren't allowed to express emotion. They'll end up getting too attached to their patient and potentially experience crumbling depression when they die. She said medicine cats are only to carry out the will of StarClan. I had a purpose some days ago, but now I don't know. Sunpath. . . I don't know who I am anymore."
"You're Featherpaw," Sunpath attempts to cheer him up, sending him a heartfelt smile. "Always have been, always will be. Well, until you get your full medicine cat name that is."
"Yeah," Featherpaw trails off, unconvinced. "My full name. . ."
Nutfur grumbles.
He's just spent the main part of the day stuck with two chatty she-cats. For a half-deaf cat, Cloudyhaze can certainly carry on conversation. Splashtail only encouraged her, speaking idly upon topics of insignificance.
Did you hear that Daisybird's almost due?
I'm glad the rain is back.
Reedrush is pretty handsome, don't you think?
ThunderClan shouldn't have an excuse to fight us for the river.
Once they pass into camp from the outside territory, Nutfur bolts from the obnoxious pair and beelines for the medicine den to check up on his brother. He doesn't know where they stand anymore.
Brownpelt obviously still resents him.
He obviously still believes that being a warrior means he doesn't need Nutfur to loom over him.
He doesn't know where they stand anymore.
Loping closer to the rock enclosed den, Nutfur expects a lapse of silence that usually envelops the interior. Clearwater and Featherpaw are quiet cats most of the time - they certainly don't speak just to hear themselves talk. Unless either is treating a patient or asking about herbs, the medicinal inhabitants prefer to keep to themselves. Which is why it is so surprising to hear a frazzled Clearwater speak in an echoed tone that reverberates inside.
Had he arrived earlier, Nutfur could've identified the topic of conversation easily. Yet, since his arrival was delayed due to Splashtail and Cloudyhaze, the pale brown tomcat only hears the final scream of;
"What do you mean you want to quit?!"
A/N: So now Sunpath knows of Featherpaw's experiences with StarClan. At least he told someone semi-responsible. Imagine if he told any of his other siblings. Yeesh.
Nutfur seems to be returning to his own warrior duties after the whole fox incident. But poor Brownpelt's still in the medicine den. Fret not, he'll be out and about again soon. Give it a chapter or two. I seem to be favoring Featherpaw and his dilemma.
Speaking of the tiny floof, it seems he has another crisis on his paws. One of which Clearwater clearly knows. Wonder how that'll play out, hmm?
KyubiMaster9 : Yeah, I'd agree. But how does one put a StarClan cat in their place? She's already dead XD. I will put a little burst in your bubble and say that Russetburr is a legit StarClan cat. As for Featherpaw, I understand your resentment. He was rather unlikeable at the beginning.
BooksRCoolYeah : It's not so much StarClan as a whole as it is more of one particular cat who cares a little too much about her Clan. More will be explained as plot furthers.
Pondfrost : Kind of a jerk yes. Not quite befitting a normal StarClan cat, don't you think? Wonder what that means. . . ;)
Yeah, out of all his siblings, Featherpaw gets along with Sunpath the best. A close second would be Shypaw. I think it would be a tie between Redbriar and Duskbelly. And as time progresses, Featherpaw really doesn't connect with Smoothfur and Reedrush. Reedrush is a bit more tolerable but if it were put on a scale, Featherpaw and Smoothfur get along the least.
Starrysong likes Spring : Accurate analysis.
QotC: I mostly have this story plotted out with a fairly detailed outline so I actually know where this whole adventure is going. But I might have some wriggle room in some spots and extra flexibility with my creative prowess. That said, are there any things in particular you'd like the chance to see? A PoV of another character? A certain scene? A certain spoken line? I like to hear your ideas. And if it's not too outside of the box for me and I have enough space to do such, I might just throw it in an upcoming chapter. ;)
- Snarky