A/N

I'm probably flunking out of my senior year, but this whole senior project I'm supposed to do is ridiculous. Basically, I have to choose a major assignment from my time at the school and explain why I think it made me ready to graduate and go to college.

The two main problems I have with it are the fact I've only attended that school for two years, since my old one got shut down, and the fact it's absolutely stupid I have to convince a school board on why I should be allowed to graduate. I've been going to school for 14 years I think that speaks for itself. No amount of teaching in the American school system is going to make me ready for the "real world." The Pythagorean theorem is not going to help me open a bank account or balance my books or how to pay bills. No one is ready to enter the real world, it's part of life! Why should I, a deeply average 17 year old, convince a group of adults with a half-assed speech on why they should let me graduate? Let my work ethic speak for itself. Look at how much I've struggled and persevered. No poem or creative poster board "prepared me for the real world."

Ugh, I'm sorry y'all and I don't blame you if you skipped over that, I just needed to complain a bit. I have a unique idea in mind for the project but I have a feeling the school board isn't going to like what I have to say.

Brambleflower: Duskcloud is definitely one of my favorite characters I've ever written even if she doesn't appear all that frequently, I still think she's a very interesting character and I'm glad you like her too, along with Songkit! The confession was also something I've been dying to write ever since I first published this story.

TheRealThunderlake: Thank you so much! I really enjoy writing this story more than my schoolwork, lmao.

SavvySpirit: Fun fact! Honeypool was actually a character created by my best friend, and beta reader, SuperBailey!

Chapter 13: Haunted Heart

The sky was completely blue. There was a cool breeze that ruffed Runningshadow's face fur pleasantly.

"Runningshadow."

He spun around. There were two kits at his paws. They were almost the size of an average apprentice, but not quite. One was brown splotched, and the other a pale brown.

"S- Sorrelkit!" He exclaimed in surprise. "Acornkit! You're here?" He looked around. "I'm dreaming, aren't I?"

"Yes and no," Acornkit mewed. "We have a message we're supposed to deliver to you."

"Okay, what is it?" He asked, wary.

Sorrelkit opened her mouth, and a torrent of blood poured out. Runningshadow leapt back in surprise. Acornkit's jaws were dripping blood as well. The blood rose, and he sunk into the inky red. It pulled him down, until he finally could no longer hold his breath.

When he instinctively breathed in, the blood was metallic. Suddenly, Runningshadow found himself washed up, spluttering and coughing. Acornkit and Sorrelkit were standing over him.

"Was that really necessary?" Runningshadow growled.

"A sickness threatens not just WindClan, but every clan," Sorrelkit said. "Blood will pour and cats will die if something is not done."

Runningshadow blinked. "Do you mean greencough?" It was leaf-bare, after all.

"No," Acornkit said gravely. "It is called redcough."

"Is there anything I can do?" Runningshadow asked.

"That remains to be seen," Sorrelkit said. "Heed the call."

Runningshadow woke with a start. It was a little past dawn. Turtleheart was staring down on him with big bug-eyes.

"What do you want?" Runningshadow mumbled, rolling over.

"Did you forget what today is, you hare-brain?" Turtleheart scoffed.

Runningshadow's thoughts were jumbled from sleep. Then, it hit him. He sat up abruptly. "Your mate ceremony!"

Turtleheart smirked. "Applewhisker already took Yewtail to pick flowers. Are you going to leave me without any flowers on my ceremony day?"

Runningshadow licked a paw and swiped it over his face. "I'd never. You've had your mate ceremony planned since we were kits."

"And you know that I want you to pick my flowers," Turtleheart mewed. "So get up and let's get to picking."

Runningshadow yawned. The dream from his sisters came flooding back, and his shoulders slumped. Turtleheart frowned.

"What's got you looking like I just stole your moss-ball?" She asked.

Runningshadow shook his head. "No, no, I-..." He sighed. "It's nothing. You're right. We should get going. We don't want Applewhisker getting the flowers I have in mind for you."

Turtleheart jumped to her paws. "You already know what flowers you want me to have?"

Runningshadow laughed. "I've known since I was a kit, too."

Turtleheart broke out into a grin from whisker to whisker. She eagerly dragged him out of his nest. The leaf-bare air was crisp and fresh, and the smell of cold morning dew filled his nostrils. Sparrowstar was coordinating with Cloverwing, likely going over what she was meant to say at the ceremony. Though Sparrowstar had been leader for many moons, not many mate ceremonies had taken place in a very long time. All of WindClan was bustling with excitement.

"So, what flowers have you chosen?" Turtleheart asked as they slipped past the heather barrier and out into the frosty moorland.

Runningshadow rolled his eyes. "As if I'd tell you and ruin the surprise."

Turtleheart huffed, but she was smiling. "This is one of the moments I've waited for my whole life." She was staring at her paws. "It's hard to believe it's actually happening."

Runningshadow gave her a light shove with his shoulder. "You're the type to make your dreams come true. And I'm glad it's Yewtail. He really loves you."

Turtleheart flushed. "Oh, shut up. I already know he does."

Pale fog swirled around the moors, clogging their senses of sight and smell. Runningshadow could feel tough, springy grass beneath his paws. The only thing he could smell besides the moist of the fog, was the sharp tang of peaty earth.

"Ugh, can you even smell anything with all this fog?" Turtleheart whined.

"I know where I'm going," Runningshadow assured her. He was a tad uneasy without his nose to rely on, but he knew the moors well enough to walk them without sight or smell.

The sky was open and blue above them. With the fog dancing, the sun shone pale grey light into the mist. It made their fur shimmer as the sunlight bounced off the rolls of fog. The smell of wet moss drifted to their noses as they passed the Patch Rocks.

The fog was less thick there, and Runningshadow could see the swaying stalks of the budding hollyhock plant. Turtleheart's pricked when she saw Runningshadow looking in the direction of the colorful flowers.

"Hollyhock?" She asked, tilting her head.

Runningshadow bit at the base of one. "They mean ambition. And you're the most ambitious cat I know."

"I think they're pretty," Turtleheart cooed. She was admiring the white, pink, and red flowers. Runningshadow was carrying a stalk with each color.

The fresh scent of their clanmates blew in on a breeze, and Runningshadow turned his head to see Applewhisker and Yewtail padding back towards camp. Yewtail must have scented them too, because he turned in their direction. He spotted Turtleheart, and immediately looked away.

"I'm not supposed to see you!" He exclaimed.

"That's not until we're wearing our flowers, hare-brain," Turtleheart teased.

Yewtail opened his eyes. "Well, I already know you're going to look beautiful." Turtleheart practically melted.

Applewhisker was carrying peonies in his jaws. Huh… bashfulness. I guess Yewtail is pretty shy when it comes to Turtleheart. "Come on, Yewtail," Applewhisker mewed. "We still gotta put the flowers in your fur."

"I'll see you at the ceremony," Yewtail purred. He briefly brushed his nose to Turtleheart's cheek before catching up to Applewhisker. Their forms disappeared into the fog.

Turtleheart stared until Yewtail was completely gone. She let out a long, dreamy sigh. "I can't believe I'm going to be mated to him forever. It feels so unreal."

"Getting cold paws?" Runningshadow teased.

Turtleheart swatted him with her tail. "Of course not! I'm just saying… I never thought he'd fall for me, too."

"He'd be a fool not to," Runningshadow said surely. "Any cat would be an idiot not to see how amazing you are."

Turtleheart pressed her side to him. "You always know just what to say," she purred. "I love you."

Runningshadow leaned into her as well. "I love you, too, Turtleheart. Now, these hollyhocks aren't going to put themselves in your fur. Let's get going."

He could feel Turtleheart's anticipation growing as they reached camp. Their clanmates were cleaning the clearing of dry leaves and snow to make it look neat. Applewhisker and Yewtail were off somewhere secret to dress the flowers in his fur.

"We can go in the medicine den," Runningshadow mewed. Turtleheart followed.

Cloverwing blocked their path. "I'm sorry, but Perchfur is in there."

Worry flashed across Turtleheart's eyes. "Is he okay?"

"Not to worry," Cloverwing assured her. "But he may be contagious and I don't want it to spread."

"Want what to spread?" Turtleheart meowed. Her voice tensed.

Runningshadow caught Cloverwing's eye. He pushed Turtleheart away gently. "Come on, I'm sure Oatkit, Brightkit, and Reedkit would love to help with these flowers."

Managing to pull her away, Turtleheart and Runningshadow slipped into the nursery. Moonblossom purred a greeting. "How's your big day going?" The queen asked.

"We thought your kits might like to help their aunt get ready," Runningshadow mewed. He dropped the hollyhock stalks down. The three kits were at his paws in an instant.

Oatkit pawed at the flowers. "Do we get to put these in your fur?"

Turtleheart nodded. "If you like, yes."

Oatkit eagerly ripped at a white flower and stuck it onto Turtleheart's side. Brightkit and Reedkit began haphazardly picking the flowers and tossing them at Turtleheart.

"No, like this!" Oatkit hissed at her brothers. She grabbed a red flower, and with her little paws, got it to stay in place against Turtheart's fur. They watched her, and nodded, copying Oatkit. Turtleheart purred in amusement.

Runningshadow was much more careful. He was carefully weaving the flowers onto her back, making sure her fur was clinging to the flowers so they wouldn't fall when she walked. He now had two things to worry about; the dream from Sorrelkit and Acornkit, and the fact Perchfur had fallen ill.

Turtleheart's eyebrows were creased with worry. With a gentle paw, Runningshadow tucked a red hollyhock behind her ear. "Everything is going to be okay," he whispered. He didn't believe himself, but Turtleheart seemed to relax, and that was all that mattered in that moment.

Turtleheart let out a shaky laugh. "All of a sudden, I'm so nervous."

"Do you remember your vows?" Runningshadow asked.

Turtleheart nodded. "I don't know if they're any good, though."

"You told them to me," Runningshadow reminded her. "They're perfect. Yewtail will love whatever you say."

Turtleheart sighed. She seemed to ease up. Runningshadow wove in the last hollyhock and gazed into her eyes softly. "You look wonderful," he whispered.

Turtleheart touched her nose to his. "I know," she whispered back.

"Runningshadow?" It was Cloverwing.

He pressed his nose to her cheek comfortingly. "I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere." Turtleheart rolled her eyes. He slipped out of the den.

"What is it?" Runningshadow asked. Cloverwing looked stressed.

"I think he's got greencough," she whispered. "But I'm doubtful." She turned for the medicine den, and he followed quickly.

The deputy was laying in a nest of heather. He was wheezing, and his eyes and nose were streaming. Runningpaw could feel the heat of fever radiating off the tom. His sides heaved as he let out a raspy, wet cough.

"We still have catmint, don't we?" He asked.

"It doesn't seem to be helping," Cloverwing mewed. "He said he's felt unwell for a few days, but didn't think much of it. He should have come in sooner."

"We should focus on keeping his fever down," Runningshadow said. "Then maybe he'll be able to sleep."

Cloverwing shook her head. "No, it's the cough. I can hear it crackling in his chest, but it doesn't seem to be breaking up."

Runningshadow pressed his ear to Perchfur's chest. He could hear his breathing whistling with every shallow breath. He felt the tom's throat, and felt the lymph nodes to be heavily swollen. Though he had a fever, Perchfur was shivering with chills.

Runningshadow stood up. Perchfur's body shook as he was consumed by a coughing fit. Cloverwing and Runningshadow watched in helpless worry. He hacked painfully, and blood spit up from his cough. Runningshadow felt sick in his stomach. Cloverwing looked shocked.

"I- I had a dream," he whispered in her ear. "Sorrelkit and Acornkit came to me last night."

Cloverwing blinked. "What did they say?"

"They warned me of a sickness coming," he mewed worriedly. "They called it redcough."

"Did they say anything else?" Cloverwing asked, casting a glance to Perchfur. His eyes looked bleak.

Runningshadow shook his head. "Nothing helpful, at least. They said blood will pour." Anxiety stabbed his heart. "Should we call off the mate ceremony?"

Cloverwing was staring at Perchfur. Then, she shook her head. "No, it's best not to worry the clan right now." She plucked some borage and tansy and began chewing them for Perchfur. "You should finish getting Turtleheart ready."

Runningshadow cast a look in the direction of the nursery. "She is." He looked back to Perchfur. He was too weak to eat the borage or tansy. "Shouldn't I be doing something? I'm a medicine cat, too."

"You should be keeping everyone distracted," Cloverwing meowed firmly. "I don't want the clan panicking."

Runningshadow bit his lip. With a frustrated lash of his tail, he left the medicine den. Turtleheart was pacing in the mouth of the nursery, her face contorted with worry.

"What did Cloverwing want?" She asked the moment she saw him.

"She just wanted to ask me if I gathered the herbs for the ceremony already," Runningshadow lied. "I did it yesterday."

Turtleheart relaxed. "We're not late, are we?"

Runningshadow shook his head. "Not to worry. Sparrowstar hasn't called yet." Just as he spoke, the WindClan leader yowled from atop the Highhill. "Never mind."

Turtleheart smoothed her fur down nervously. "Can you see? Is Yewtail out there yet?"

"Cats of WindClan," Sparrowstar began. "I call you today to witness the bonding of two hearts. Turtleheart, Yewtail, come forward."

Yewtail was hidden partially by a wall of heather. The peonies in his fur made his yellow eyes stand out. Turtleheart walked forward, her nervousness suddenly disappearing as confidence oozed from every step she took.

"Recite your vows, so all of StarClan may hear and approve," said Sparrowstar.

Yewtail stepped forward. "Turtleheart, you have never ceased to amaze me since the day you were made my apprentice. I didn't think I'd fall in love with you, but you've become the best thing to ever happen to me. If I could do it over again, I would change absolutely nothing."

Turtleheart took a deep breath. "I've had my entire life planned out since I was a kit. None of it ever felt like it would come true. I don't care if it does anymore, but this is the one thing I always wanted to happen. Having a ceremony… it felt so far away. And then I fell in love with you, and picturing us having a mate ceremony just felt so right. I'd give up all my dreams to be happy with you."

Sparrowstar looked towards the medicine den. "Runningshadow, bring the herbs."

Runningshadow stepped forward. In his jaws, he carried lemon, wormwood, coriander, and moss dripping with honey. He placed the four herbs between Yewtail and Turtleheart. The powerful smell of the coriander leaves made Runningshadow think of Ravenwind.

"Taste the sour," Sparrowstar said. "For every enduring relationship has times that are less than perfect. Will you offer love and support, without limit? If so, taste, and say 'I will.'"

"I will," said Turtleheart.

"I will," said Yewtail.

The both of them licked the juice of the lemon piece. Their eyes and noses scrunched, but they continued to lap at the sour taste until the lemon was dry.

"Taste the bitter," continued Sparrowstar. "For every enduring relationship will know disappointment and sadness. Will you offer guidance and wisdom, without limit? If so, taste, and say 'I will."

They agreed, and chewed the wormwood leaves. The strong bitterness made them clench their jaws, but their throats bobbed as they swallowed the leaves.

"Taste the spicy," Sparrowstar went on. "For every enduring relationship has spice and passion. Will you offer respect and encouragement, without limit? If so, taste, and say 'I will."

Speaking in unison, Yewtail and Turtleheart took their share of the coriander. Turtleheart panted at bit at the spice, and Yewtail's eyes watered.

"Finally, taste the sweet," Sparrowstar said. "For every enduring relationship has life and enjoyment. Will you offer unconditional love, without limit? If so, taste, and say 'I will.'"

"I will," said the couple in unison. Together, they lapped at the thick honey dripping from the moss with eager tongues. After all the unpleasant flavors, the honey was a warm welcome.

"Present your catches," said Sparrowstar.

Turtleheart and Yewtail produced fresh-kill they had caught in the wee hours of the morning. Turtleheart presented him a finch, and Yewtail presented her with a hare.

"I promise to hunt for you, to care for you in green-leaf through leaf-bare, and provide for any kits we may have," said the couple. They exchanged prey, and each took a bite.

"Your hearts are now bonded as one in the eyes of StarClan," Sparrowstar announced. "May your ancestors join together and light the path of your new life."

Softly, Turtleheart and Yewtail touched noses. Runningshadow could practically feel the love and affection rippling off of them. The clan was joyous. Applewhisker ran to his sister and practically knocked over in excitement. Mallowpool, their father, had limped his way from the elders' den to lick his daughter's ears in congradulations.

However, the celebration quickly came to a startling stop when Cloverwing came hurrying out of the medicine den towards Sparrowstar. The grey tabby she-cat whispered something into the leader's ear, and Sparrowstar's eyes went wide with horror.

Cloverwing and Sparrowstar disappeared into the medicine den, leaving the WindClan cats confused and worried.

"What's going on?" Sandsky whispered.

"Is something wrong?" Runningshadow heard Dawnfeather growl to Blackstorm.

"Is it Perchfur?" Grassclaw cried, craning her neck to try and get a glimpse inside the medicine den where her mate was. Mosspaw and Silverpaw, her kits, were tense beside her.

Whispers and cries soon overtook the celebration of the union between Turtleheart and Yewtail. Turtleheart wore a distressed look as Yewtail pressed his cheek to hers in an attempt to comfort her.

Runningshadow was about to investigate, when Sparrowstar emerged. She was immediately bombarded with demands to know what was happening. With a stoic face, Sparrowstar leapt onto the Highhill once more to address her clan.

Her voice was steady and solemn. "Perchfur is dead."

To say the clan was shocked was an understatement. For a moment, the entire camp was quiet with one collective gasp. Then, everything descended into chaos. All focus was now on the topic of Perchfur. Turtleheart looked like she had been crushed.

"Silence!" Sparrowstar hissed at the cacophony. The clearing was quiet once more. "Now is not the time for dissention. I have already chosen a new deputy."

Hushed whispers washed over the camp again. She chose that quickly? Runningshadow thought in surprise. Did she know Perchfur was going to die and planned ahead, or is she just that goal oriented?

"I say these words before StarClan so that the spirits of our warrior ancestors may hear and approve of my choice," Sparrowstar announced. "The new deputy of WindClan is Turtleheart."

The clan was speechless. Turtleheart blinked. Runningshadow could see her eyes were welling up. Horror, surprise, and devastation were written across her face.

With a choked noise, large tears spilled over and down her face. She was breathing erratically, trying not to sob, but she was already crying. Yewtail tried to lick her tears away, but she sniffed, and ran off.

Yewtail glanced to Runningshadow helplessly. It was clear he was heartbroken as well. "I'll go find her," the medicine cat promised.

She was easy to locate. Turtleheart hadn't gone far. She was sitting hunched over just outside camp in a patch of wilting sunflowers. Muted, barely audible sobs could be heard coming from her.

"Turtleheart?" Runningshadow whispered, slowly approaching. The moment he was close, she flung herself onto him and cried into his shoulder.

"This was supposed to be my day!" She cried. "It was supposed to be perfect!" Her tears were warm against the cold, sunhigh air.

"I- I'm sorry," Runningshadow stammered. "We should have called it off."

Turtleheart shook her head. "No, I loved it. But this isn't what I wanted!" She looked up at him with watery eyes. "I didn't want it to happen this way!"

He placed his chin on the top of her head. "I know you didn't."

She buried her muzzle into him. "It's all ruined now," she sobbed. "My perfect day. Our perfect day." She sniffled loudly. "Oh, I just left Yewtail there. Why am I such a wreck?"

"He just wanted to make sure you're okay," Runningshadow assured her. "He's fine."

"I've wanted to be deputy for so long," Turtleheart sniffed. "But not like this. Never like this. Why did Sparrowstar choose me? Does she pity me because it's my ceremony day? Why not Yewtail? Why not literally anyone else!" Anger made its way into her voice.

"I know you're capable, Turtleheart," Runningshadow said gently. "You're never selfish and you always put the clan before yourself. I think Sparrowstar would have chosen you even if it wasn't your ceremony day."

Turtleheart's nose scrunched in a snarl. "I want to be selfish sometimes. Don't I deserve at least that much? Today was supposed to be the one day that's about just me and Yewtail! And I can't even have that!"

"It's not fair, I know," Runningshadow mewed softly in her ear. "I want to make you feel better."

Turtleheart let out a congested sigh and leaned the side of her head on his shoulder. "Just… stay with me. For a moment longer." She closed her bloodshot eyes. "You make me feel safe right now, okay?"

Runningshadow pulled her close. "Okay."

They stayed like that until Turtleheart's eyes dried. She sniffed one final time and all her emotions were pushed down. "I'm ready," she whispered.

The clan's celebratory energy had died. A hush fell over the clearing when Turtleheart made her way to the Highhill. Yewtail was still sitting at the base of the hill, waiting for her. Her face was the most serious Runningshadow had ever seen. Firm, and determined, but he knew underneath, there was a torrent of anger and sadness.

"As your new deputy, I promise to put the clan's needs before my own," Turtleheart swore. "I don't deserve this honor, but I will do more than my best to become a deputy worthy of this position."

Yewtail caught her eye, and her stiffness seemed to relax a bit. She continued. "WindClan will stay strong. There will be difficult times ahead, but I swear, on my life, we will get through this together."

Though her words were addressed to all of WindClan, Turtleheart never tore her eyes away from Yewtail.

A/N

This chapter ended up shorter than I liked, but it's a build up of what's to come so please don't be too mad!

I came up with the idea of a mate ceremony with my best friend for my main story, Stolen. This story actually takes place in the same universe, albeit a few years before. The general idea is a kittypet that joined ShadowClan introduced the idea to the clans that two cats are bonded under StarClan and are "legitimate" in the eyes of StarClan. However, it got warped and became a way to invalidate half-clan relationships if they're not bonded, since only a leader or medicine cat can perform the ceremony.

I took inspiration from different marriage traditions in different cultures, but the most evident one is the Yoruba tasting ceremony. I think it's a beautiful sentiment and I couldn't resist incorporating it.