I
don't feel any shame
I won't apologize
When there ain't
nowhere you can go
Running away from pain
When you've been
victimized
Tales from another broken home
Even though it's been moons since, I will always remember the look of pure hatred Leopardstar flashed me when I told her that I was leaving RiverClan for the Tribe of Rushing Water.
I don't feel any shame now and I'll never apologize. I escaped her for a fairer leader, er, healer, Stoneteller.
But it was mostly because of a brown tabby she-cat that happened to be a prey-hunter for that Tribe...
A small kit-mother came bounding up to me.
I felt my fur bristle under my mud-streaked exterior.
The small cat's face appeared to be consumed by a smile as she meowed, "Storm During the Dark Night, your kits have been born. Congratulations, new father."
I beamed at her as she lead the way, which seemed to take forever.
When we finally arrived, I raced in to see Brook. Beside her were two kits. One was a tiny brown tabby she-kit, like Brook's pelt colors, and the other was a stone-gray tom-kit, like me.
"Oh, Brook," I purred, "they're beautiful."
She raised her head and looked at me, a tired smile on her face. "I'm glad you think so," she murmured. "You're to name them."
I was taken aback, but I took the opportunity.
My eyes flashed to the she-kit. "Her name will be Feather of the Singing Bird," I meowed. Then I paused as I let my gaze settle on the tom-kit. "His name," I finally meowed, "will be Stone in the Brave Sky."
Brook purred as she let her head rest back on the mossy bed. "They're wonderful names, Storm," she meowed before drifting off to sleep.
The tiny she-cat that had escorted me into the den ushered me out as quickly as possible, giving me excuses like, "Oh, dear, she needs her rest!"
But I felt proud, and I hoped at least two other cats did, too.
They have been named for you both. Stone for you, Stonefur, my dear mentor, and Feather for you, Feathertail, my beloved sister.