Trailclan was silent, The cats where tucked away in small holes hollowed out by the lake during high water levels. Although the small cubbies may not provide forever protection the gorse tunnel would. There were seven dens, and it had been true, questions were answered. Flowertrail had gone to the medicine den, and then to the nursery, and accompanied by Pathstar.
Fateclaw was swimming in the lake, carrying a large trout. He was on a small hunting patrol with Brokenfall, Lifeleap, and Birdsong. All carrying pieces of prey. Brokenfall had a carp, Lifeleaf was holding a sunfish, and Birdsong managed to snag a pike.
"Hunting here is great!" Lifeleap managed to talk around his fish.
"Yeah!" Fateclaw agreed, "It's better than the old territory!"
The cats soon reached camp, Fateclaw went to go give his leader his fish. The other cats in his patrol deposited their prey onto the fresh-kill pile.
"Pathstar?" He called.
Fateclaw heard a gentle snore. The tom went into the den silently and softly put his trout by the leader. Fateclaw slipped out of them den, careful not to wake his leader. As Fateclaw padded away to join his clanmates he pondered only one thought.
What could've made his leader so tired?
Ruththorns eyes laid on a young tom over on Sunclan territory, not that she found him attractive. It was something more, something only the selected stars knew, she was a fallen one of stars. she had an ancient living in her, spitting the truth. Truth thorn, Ruth was only a kittypet controlled by an ancient spirit, when she passed the mountain a ghost began to take a resident through her mouth.
It wasn't that she worried of she lived half her life, at least she had half, and she could serve as a medic, and somedays warrior. Fulfilling her goals, maybe even bring change to the clans.
Fateclaw had swiftly dropped a fish off to the leader in the nursery. The tom was up all night worried, the kit could come any time now, and they would most likely be health. yet the tom still seemed a bit off-kilter maybe because of the recent death of Mosswhisper? , it wasn't his fault, but the scar on Echowhisper's leg was.
Suddenly Ruththorn began shaking obviously
Soft whispers one killed another scarred
"little too late for that one truth thorn" Ruth spoke among herself
"well hey there is yet more to come, some you can't stop, and can't figure out on time" Wisper growled deep in Ruththorn's chest
Fateclaw didn't feel so good, he was in the medicine cat den receiving treatment for a mysterious illness that Ruththorn had never seen before. She had named it Blackcough after the black spots that appeared on the victim's nose. Fateclaw gave a cough that racked his whole body. Ruththorn hurried over and gave him some wet moss and an juniper berries. Fateclaw muttered his thanks and quickly swallowed the herb, wincing at the juices.
"Do you think that I'll live?" Fateclaw rasped.
"You don't have a high fever and your appetite is well. But this illness is making it hard for you to breath," she reported.
"But, will I die?" He asked again.
"No, you won't. But I need you to stay away from everyone else," Ruththorn ordered.
Fateclaw nodded his head, "Will do."
Ruththorn padded out of the den, and Fateclaw fell into an uneasy sleep.
Ruththorn could feel as if she had seen this illness before, but from were? Ruth needed citrus a lemon preferably, lemon help with shortness of breath. Maybe a poultice of lemon and juniper would work. Still, the black cough wasn't common so much anymore how had the tom caught the sickness?
Ruththorn didn't know all she knew was she was a healer. a good healer indeed.
Birdsong padded out of the camp to go hunt a little. She preferred hunting with someone, though she noticed how small the pile was compared to home. Maybe there was a lake or something instead of all of these streams. And the odd river that held a couple of fish.
Though she gave up soon, heading to the nearby stream instead
Ruth, she was trying desperately to save the clan, but it wasn't working... she knew what would heal the illness but none of the herbs were on the territory. she sent most the healthy cats to sunclan, as Risestar was very open, she wanted to send the sick to Stoneclan but they refused since they had their own problems. So from Stoneclan instead she requested a medicine cat, they sent Rootberry to help. The cats that were healthy went to Sunclan they were... Brokenfall, Flowertrail, Bubblesnout, Shallowstep, and bridgekit over. The sick stayed with her, Cloudyriver, Fateclaw, Pathstar, Icefin, Birdsong and Barkkit.
Hopefully, the leader would make it through the sickness but chances were low. The new deputy Bubblesnout would most likely become Bubblestar.
Birdsong coughed harshly in her sleep. She wasn't the worst of them all, though she had a barking cough that made her throat ache.
Every cat of the clan that was sick had passed on, but before the disease spread to Ruththorn she escaped to Sunclan. Fateclaw miraculously healed, but barkkit was long lost... now Trail clan was left as a weak clan, that returned to camp after fleeing. Bubblesnout was now Bubblestar. Flowertrail was out of the nursery and the new deputy. Frostfin was nearing for his time in the elder's den to come and begin, Flowertrails kits were, Trailkit, Riverbedkit and Snailkit. This was a newer peaceful life for Trailclan. This was the life, the time to succeed.
I told you the mountains where an unforgiving place. A voice in Ruththorns head scolded her, as she mourned over her kits grave.
NO! She yowled, lost in the insanity of her haunted spirit.
We will push on we are not broken we still can succeed, we just need more warriors. Ruththorn retorted against Truththorn.
Ruththorn had an Idea spark deep in her mind and rushed off to tell Bubblestar.
"We need to move-" Ruththorn began but was soon cut off by Bubblestar.
"Why?" Bubblestar asked.
"Look at this mess, we only have a few kits, and by the time they're older... they won't have a clean bloodline to latch onto for their kits. We need more warriors" Ruththorn Explained, but she was almost screaming, insanity was taking a toll on her. Bubblestar nodded and announced to the clan...
"Every warrior in this clan we will be heading to two-leg place, All the kits will stay here, and under the guidance of Frostfin you will be trained and be warriors on our return..." Bubblestar glanced at all his clanmate's expressions.
Then at the crack of dawn, the clan headed out of there camp and wandered towards the two-leg place.
The cats weave through the mazes of the two-leg place, it was as if every animal was gone, but soon they came across two cats short on luck. The two scrawny cats looked like they were on deaths doorstep.
"Hello" Ruththorn greeted, she somewhat recognized the pair.
"Is that Ruth I see here?" The skinny white tom asked
"Indeed, Hello Blizzard, you too Icicle." Ruththorn smiled to her old neighbouring street cats.
Icicle looked warily at the the-cat before she recognised her a little. "Ruth? Where have you been?"
"I have been living with a group of cats that were kind enough to let me become their.." She paused, probably thinking of how she could put it into words that they would understand. Icicle and Blizzard had never heard of Clan cats or their ranks. "They allowed me to become their Healer."
"I always thought those herb talents of yours would get you further than being a rogue." Blizzard gave a small grin. He couldn't help adding, "And as always, I was right."
Ruththorn nodded, "You were correct. Are you both still living off of scraps?"
"Yes. The up-walker that always fed us has moved so life's a little tough but we're surviving." He admitted, honestly.
"Hopefully we'll come across a different up-walker." Icicle meowed, doubtfully.
Fateclaw picked up his trout and put it on the makeshift fresh-kill pile when Bubblestar approached him.
"Glad to see that you are feeling better," she meowed, "I want you to go see if Ruththorn needs anymore help with this sickness. Since you've had it before and recovered you might know how to help."
Fateclaw dipped his head the new leader, and padded towards Ruththorn.
I am so honored that Bubblestar trust me, but what if I can't help?
Soon, Ruth left and Blizzard decided to give it another shot at finding food. They hadn't eaten for days and both he and Icicle were noticeably malnourished and weak. Icicle was no more than skin and bones and he didn't want her getting ill again.
Since they had no family except each other, it was up to Blizzard to make sure that both of them survived. Life was unimaginably tough, keeping both himself and his sister through times of near-starvation, but he had always pulled through. Maybe he'd find a new Feeder? Though he doubted it.
"Please, don't go." Icicle begged.
Blizzard hated leaving. But he couldn't stay and let Icicle slowly fade away. "If I don't return by moon-rise, look for me." He touched noses with his sister and exited the cardboard box that was their home. He trotted down the alleyway that was their home, gazing longingly at the fish shop. He had tried there, multiple times, gaining a kick in the belly as the up-walker kicked him out, literally.
He gazed at it for a few moments before heading out and into the town. The familiar sounds of shouting, cars and dogs barking greeted him. Here, many scents overlapped each other, drowning out the scent of fish.
He could always look in the metal pots that were always full of something slightly edible, but they were a last resort. Foxes owned them and he didn't want to take their food. He had gained a, sort of, relationship with the foxes. They tolerated him as long as he respected their food, and he stayed out of their way.
He soon lost track of time, searching fruitlessly, and before he knew it, the moon was steadily climbing up into the darkening sky.
Fateclaw mixed the herbs into a poultice. The scent of herbs made his head swim. He spit out the stick that he was using to mix them together.
"Ruththorn! I'm done!"
The medicine cats shuffled into the den and look at his work, "Nice work, now can you please mix another poultice? I want to have another batch ready in case someone else falls to this sickness."
"Okay, I can do it."
But Fateclaw didn't want to do it anymore, his paws were sore and cracked and he felt that he had already spent enough time in the den when he was sick. But he went to the herb store anyways. He picked up Borage, Catmint, Bright-eyes, and Feverfew. Fateclaw picked them up carefully, making sure not to tear the delicate leaves. The Borage leaves bring down fever, sooths stomach aches, and relieves tight chest. The catmint was there to help fight off any sickness that might come to the weak cats, Bright-eye helped cure coughs, and Feverfew Reduces body temperature for cats with fever or chills. Also heals aches and pains, especially good for headaches.
I trained to be a warrior not a medicine cat! Fateclaw grumbled as he started mixing them.
"Thats good Fateclaw, you may go." Ruththorn had meowed when he finished.
Fateclaw let out a relieved sigh and left the den to wash his paws. He smelled like herbs and sickness, Ruththorn had told him that he couldn't get sick because he already had it once.
I hope she knows what she's talking about...
Ruththorn sighed as Fateclaw waltzed out of the makeshift den, Traveling was becoming a pain. Fateclaw hadn't passed on by the sickness that seemed to live in his chest, so Ruththorn was finding the cure to fix the sickness if it was to return. Other than Traveling all was quiet in Trailclan. All was going as normal, Ruththorn missed her kit... and poor Barkkit had left the clans for a more peaceful starry life in the sky. Ruththorn was struggling with her son's sudden death. It was too painful to watch her kit slowly die along with her other clanmates... they all died to a disease Ruth could not cure on time. Now the clan suffered in result of her mistake.
"What are you up to" Blizard mewed peaking around the corner.
"Your back?" Ruththorn ask.
"Indeed I am, word got around about feral mountain cats with piles of food." Blizard nodded.
"So I'm guessing you're hearing for some prey" Ruththorn stated looking up into Blizzard's deep wild eyes. Blizard nodded.
"So can you?"Blizard mewed in a mutual tone.
"I suppose, I really could use a walk" Ruththorn replied shaking her head at Blizzard's way of asking for things.
But after all, they were old friends, and he helped her when she was kicked to the curb by her upwalker. Now it was her turn to return the favour.
The sun was steadily rising and Blizzard struggled to push away the worries about his sister. He hadn't spent much time with her during the night and immediately at sunrise, he was immediately off to find food. Though he couldn't help it. He'd rather scarcely see her than watch her slowly starve to death because of him.
"Have you found anything?" He asked, impatience clear in his voice.
Ruth sighed in a mild annoyance. "No. And I won't if you keep asking."
Blizzard nodded reluctantly. "Can you hurry up though? I have to see Icicle." He tried not tom sound rude but he was worried about her. Icicle was skinnier and sicklier than he was. He had seen kittens her age and size lying dead, having starved or been gotten by a fox. Cats like Icicle rarely made it past kithood. But he was determined to keep her alive.
"I'm doing my best at searching." Ruth responded, a little cooler than she normally sounded.
Blizzard huffed but didn't complain further.
Ruththorn dashed around an ally and cornered a had little to no chance, so she lunged for the throat and killed it immediately. Ruth had seen icicle before, how skinny she was, the clan would be a good place for her. There probably would be herbs ruth could use to fatten her up a bit. There was no way Blizard would agree to that though... so Ruth continued hunting, offering pointer on how to track and hunt. Ruth had caught four scrawny mice and two plump rabbits when she caught the scent of a third rabbits scent. Almost immediately she tracked it down when... she realized it wasn't a rabbit. It was a rather scrawny she-cat, with rabbit-like fur and features.
"Who are you?" Ruth asked in a confused tone.
"Rabbit, rather funny ain't it. I bet you thought I was a rabbit." The she-cat spoke with a whistle. Ruththorn felt her fur hot in embarrassment.
"Yes... your rather skinny would you like to come to our camp. It might provide you with a better life." Ruththorn looked down at Rabbit who looks weary but nodded and fallowed Ruth and blizzard back to camp.
"So, you offer this cat a spot in your group of fugitives, but not Icicle. How nice to see you think of us so highly" Blizard scoffed.
" Even if I did you wouldn't have let her, now would you." Ruththorn retorted but then speed-walked back to camp with Rabbit hot on her tail.
Ruththorn knew Blizard always meant well, but sometimes he was a bit much. She didn't mind, it was nice being around things she grew up around. A bonus was Truththorn couldn't shake her in the city. It was nice, finally a break. Ruth had become closer friends with Rabbit, and she was really nice. Rabbit reminded ruth of her sibling Dash, who she often just wanted to forget, but Rabbit was like the nice side of Dash. The Siamese cat shook her head from her brother's thought. Instead, she thought about Blizzard, She probably should apologize, since he obviously wouldn't be the first one. Ruth gathered up some supplies and brought some cats along, they were going to hunt on there way after all. The city was filthy with rabbits, Ruth caught two on the way, but in the whole time they've stayed she caught almost twelve rabbits. Ruth, Rabbit and Orangy all made their way to Blizard's usual scavenging spots, not too long later they found him.
"Hey, Bliz we brought a few rabbits and mice, along with bundles of herbs that should help Icicle gain some weight..." Ruth gestured toward the rabbits, mice and bundles. Blizard shrugged.
"Since when have you gone back to calling me Bliz." Blizzard gave Ruth a smug smirk.
"Since you called me Ruth. It's Ruththorn." Ruth added.
"Yeah yeah I know you a fugitive of some type." Blizzard rolled his eyes. Ruth did the same mocking him.
"Well you welcome, and you can join us any time" Ruth mewed
"Join you?" Blizzard scoffed, "What? You think I can't handle living on the streets? You think I'm not good enough to survive alone?" His tail twitched but he managed to, kind of, keep his annoyance under control.
"It was an offer." Ruth, or Ruththorn as she was meant to be called, responded rather calmly.
Blizzard narrowed his eyes, staring suspiciously at the other two cats slightly behind Ruth. "Who are they?" Instantly, with cats he'd not seen before, he considered them as a threat to Icicle. And nothing could harm Icicle. Though Blizzard was younger than most on the street, he could defend himself pretty well. Especially if it was to protect his sister.
"Orangy and Rabbit. I think you've met Rabbit before."
Blizzard did recognise the strange, rabbit-like features that Rabbit had. However, that 'Orangy' wasn't familiar. They must've had a different spot where they hunted and scavenged.
"They aren't a threat." Ruth added, probably sensing his wariness.
Rabbit didn't look like a threat, being nearly as small and scrawny as Icicle. Nearly. She looked slightly more well fed since Ruth gave her the offer to join the clans. Maybe Icicle could actually gain weight from being in their group. He briefly considered it but still, he didn't see anything else positive about the groups.
Maybe he was being selfish but he knew what was best for Icicle.
"were is Icicle anyway?" Ruth asked politely
"I left her.." He shot a glance at the new cats, choosing his words carefully, "at home." "You really should take her with you someday." Ruth advised. Blizzard's neck fur bristled "I know what's good for my sister." His voice was low and cool, anger hidden inside.
"Fine" Ruth level mewed.
"I'll be back tomorrow without these cats that hunted for you a help me carry herbs for Icicle." Ruth turned and left for came, Blizard was such a stubborn cat. Ruth slouched and made her way backto came, chatting with her clanmates.
"Is he always like that?"Orangy the tabby tom asked.
"Yeah pretty much, he only likes people when he chooses to. Oh, but he can be so stubborn sometimes."Annoyance crept into Ruth's voice.
"You've talked about icicle, you compared me to her. How skinny I am, does he starve her."Rabbit asked curiously
"Oh starclan no, he wouldn't ever. He just... is a bit controlling. A little too cocky to with his skills." Ruth replied.
"Oh, also your naming ceremonies are tonight. Orange you'll become a warrior, Rabbit you'll most likely get some extra training and become an apprentice" Ruth smiled at the two former rouges and all three dash back to camp.
Camp came into view, and Bubblestar looked at the two expectantly.
"May all old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath this... trash can" Bubblestar announced and giggled at the word trash can.
"Orangy step forward, you've had many days living as a rouge. You know the basics in battle and prey hunt. Ruth has guided you through our ancestral ways, and now you may have your warrior name." Bubblestar paused then continued.
"Now may Starclan approve of this name, Orangy you are now referred to as Orangemoth. Moth because of your fluttery personality, and your delicate body structure." Orangemoth nodded and dipped his head, then the tom resumed back into the crowd.
"Rabbit, until you earn your warrior name you shall be known as Rabbitpaw and your mentorship, will be shared with Ruththorn and Fateclaw. Fateclaw will teach you strategy and Ruththorn shall teach you the mind and spirit of a warrior." Bubblestar finished, Fateclaw touched noses with Rabbitpaw, and Ruth did the same. Then they rejoined the crowd.
"Poppy may you rise." The unusual eyed calico she-cat joined the leader on the trash can. Poppy's eyes glimmered in the dim light, one was bright yellow, and the other was a darker yellow.
"You were raised as a kitty-pet with no training. For now, until your apprenticeship has passed your name will be Poppypaw. Your mentor will be Brokenfall." Poppypaw nodded and touched noses with the slacker clan cat, her mentor...
"Finn your name while in training will be Finpaw, your assigned mentor is Corneredstream." Finpaw nodded and touched noses with Corneredstream, the she-cat giggled and they returned to the crowd.
"Frumpy... you'll be known as...Barkpaw" Ruth looked horrified, and Bubblestar must have noticed since he corrected with another name. Bubblestar could not name an apprentice after her kit.
"... Maybe, Mudpaw instead. I'll take the responsibility as your mentor." They touched noses, and Bubblestar took responsibility for the fat kitty-pet. The meeting was called to a close and all the cats returned to their "dens", but the new members stood vigil.
Blizzard watched them go, tail lashing with annoyance. When they left his vision, he retreated into their alleyway. Icicle was waiting for him.
"I thought that foxes got you." Icicle purred with relief.
"I'm too smart for those foxes." Blizzard boasted, nuzzling his sister affectionately.
The day dragged on and though Blizzard didn't want to leave on his dusk search for food, he could see that Icicle was steadily weakening. She seemed to sleep a lot more often and he couldn't remember the last time she had chased her own tail. Which was something she did a lot when the up-walker fed them. She was steadily going towards starvation. The commonest death, even with foxes and cars, was sheer hunger. So many cats in a rather small place would never end well. It was survival of the fittest and though Icicle certainly wasn't fit, Blizzard would gladly give up his chance of living to adulthood and give it to Icicle instead.
Many cats saw him as arrogant or rude, but really, he just cared too much. Sure, he only cared about one cat. But that cat was the purpose of his existence. The reason he tried so hard to defend and find food.
Icicle had wolfed down most of the food that had been given before from Ruth and then she had just vomited it all back up. Which was not a good sign. There was only a bit of food left and he wasn't sure if he should find something less fatty and rich.
"I'll be back before moon-high." He promised, though his words fell on deaf ears. Icicle was in a deep slumber, the only sign of life coming from her rising and falling chest.
Dusk had come again and Ruth brought Five mice, a bat and medicine bundles with burnet, chamomile flowers, comfrey root and honey to tie it in a sweet flavour. Rabit tagged along, and along the way to Blizzard's ally Rabbit and Ruth reviewed the code of the warrior. Soon the ally came into view. Ruth immediately noticed a burnet plant growing through the sidewalk, why hadn't blizzard used this for Icicle. camomile flowers also grew on a small dirt patch. Stalks of comfrey root also seemed to be tossed through the ally. The smell of honey was potent. Had Blizzardrefuse to use the herbs? Of course, he had...
"Blizzard?" Ruth mewed, no answer.
"Icicle?" Ruth mewed again
"yes," A small mew croaked from inside the ally.
"May we enter, it's ruth I think you'll remember me. I taught your brother hunting tips, we also brought over those rabbit the past few days." Ruth explained.
"I see your brother hasn't been giving you my herbs, they would have helped you gain weight," Ruth added
"..."Icicle went silent for a moment. Ruth waited for an answer
"We also brought some Mice, a bat, and again some medicine bundles if you want to take it before your brother gets back" Ruth sope dropping the prey at the foot of the ally, she smiled. Though she wasn't sure Icicle could see her smile.
The moon was not even up in the sky, mostly because it was a new moon... It was moon high but you couldn't tell
I thought we could have a friendship between Icicle, Rabbit and Ruth? If not that's fine. Also, I thought maybe it could be a new moon and Blizzard would lose track of time, and Ruth could see Icicle and treat her, and make sure the food stays in her belly.
Blizzard was starting to panic. The up-walkers had either ignored his pitiful wails or just flat out yelled at him. One had even kicked him away with it's large paw. He limped slightly from his uncomfortable landing but otherwise, he was fine.
He had accidentally ventured away from his small patch of ground, freezing when the fresh marker of another cat was in the air. This was Large's territory. As long as Blizzard stayed away, he would be fine. However, he didn't remember Large living so close to his alley. Now two things were going wrong.
He had no clue where he was, no clue if it was moonhigh, as the moon decided to turn invisible for some strange reasons, and now he was near a well-known, aggressive tom. Blizzard sighed, Life's going great.
He wasn't too fussed about his predicament. It was Icicle. She was growing weaker by the day and Blizzard feared that one day she'd fall asleep and never wake up.
He imagined returning and finding Icicle curled in a ball, not moving, dead.
Part of him wanted to cry but he refused to sit there and wallow. He'd find home soon enough; Blizzard had been lost before.
Just not this lost..
Icicle yawned, looking at Ruth as she came in with some leaves and food. Food. That was something Icicle desperately wanted. Yet after throwing up, she didn't feel quite so hungry. That worried her. Was she going to die?
"What's that?" Icicle asked, looking at the leaves. Her voice was nothing more than a quiet rasp, yet Ruth seemed to hear it fine.
"Herbs. They'll help you gain weight."
"I know that. You've already said. What are they called?" Icicle persisted. She liked looking at the small, half-dead weeds and such that grew in the alleyway. She'd give them names sometimes. Like, 'Fuzzy Yellow Flower' or 'Big Brown Leaf'.
She didn't know that they helped to heal. That was cool.
Ruth set them down, "This one is chamomile." She gestured to a flower, "That is comfrey root. There is some burnet and here is also honey to make it taste nicer."
"You eat them?" Icicle exclaimed.
Ruth smiled "Yes. How else would they make you gain weight?"
Icicle nodded, "Good point."
Rabbit stood antsy watching the to she-cats share knowledge about plants. Eventually, though she blurted.
"Can I go hunt I'll bring more food." Rabbit blurted impatiently
"Oh yes great Idea we could teach you about the prey pile, even prey etiquette so you don't throw up," Ruth said excitedly and nodded for Rabbit to go.
"What do you mean by prey etiquette?"Icicle asked. A gimmer of interest lined her eyes.
"How you should eat prey slower, it fills you more, If you gobble it down, the food doesn't have enough time to settle, so it roars back up and you vomit." Ruth smiled, she knew Icicle was a very curious cat. At that fact, she couldn't help but simile.
"I'll bring some willow leaves tomorrow, you can stash it somewhere, and eat it whenever you feel vomit." Ruth mewed.
"Well Rabbit and I will stop by with some herbs, I won't bring Brunet or Chamomile since theirs some that planted itself along the wall of your ally. I'll bring comfrey root and some uprooted heather, you can use the heather nectar as a replacement for honey. If your brothers not back by tomorrow I'll go look for him if so Rabbitpaw and Orangemoth will stop by."Ruth said comfortably.
"What kinda name is that?" Icicle asked.
"I'll tell you about it later or you can ask them tomorrow." Ruth winked and left. Rabbit dropped off a couple of rabits and a fish.
Like that they were gone leaving Icicle to ponder the things they said.
The sun rose and Blizzard still hadn't found home. Icicle would probably be dead or at least nearly dead. It was all his fault as well. Maybe he should've given her the stupid plants.
He wandered around, yawning as he hadn't slept at all and dawn was breaking.
However, a sudden snarl broke him from his sleepy search. It wasn't a fox or a dog.
He turned around slowly, seeing the muscular pelt of Large. What was he doing? Blizzard wasn't even on his patch.
"What do you want?" He asked, simply, hiding his fear.
"To rip your pelt off. This is my area." Large hissed. He came closer, almost touching noses with the younger tom.
Large really was a perfect name for the brown tabby who stood, growling at him. The only problem was that it was all muscle. He ran a rogue group and as Blizzard expected, two cats stood behind. One, he recognised. A black she-cat called Jet. However, the grey tom was new to him.
"This is actually unclaimed." Blizzard pointed out. A cat used to live there but it got hit by a car, the territory vacant. The cats around decided to just leave it as a place for all but obviously, Large wanted it.
"Not any more. Now scram, you cocky fleabag."
It was wiser to run, but Blizzard didn't want them thinking him as a weakling. What if they followed him when he ran and by sheer luck and irony, he found his alley?
"No." He stood his groundd, knowing that he was a pretty good fighter. Not good enough to defeat Large but he would try.
Blizzard summoned up all of his courage and reached up, his claws slashing down his nose.
Large hissed, stepping back. "Jet, Stone, beat this little rat up."
Blizzard desperately wanted to flee but he knew that they would follow.
He had gained a good few scratches and his ear was torn but he was doing alright.
Then a familiar voice made him jump, causing Jet to pin him, her sharp, bloodstained claws prepared to attack. It was Ruth, standing there and watching as he got clawed by Jet.
"Blizzard?"
" Hey you, tom-cat" A wandering cat greeted Blizzard.
"Want a scrap? I hit up the dumpster and it was like a cornered mouse, ease pickings" The cat chuckled, Blizzard stepped back a little his fur bristling a little.
"Woah easy pal" That cat meowed jumping back.
"Who are you and what do you want?" Blizzard bared through his teeth
"I'm Hobo the basket cat" Hobo replied smirking
"Why the basket cat?" Blizzard asked beginning to settle down.
" Do you not see my basket, anyway want some food you look like a wanderer to" Hobo asked
"No, thank you" Blizzard began to snarl, but then he walked past him.
"You look lost, do you know Ruth, I saw her walk by looking for a cat named Blizzard. Ruths my daughter." Hobo Hollered after him, Blizzard turned his head seeing the comparison.
"How long ago?" Blizzard asked.
" Like noon two days ago. She told me her camp was like four blocks down this road and two to the right, then one block to the left, and in the left ally." Hobo smiled giving directions.
"Now that I think about it I should probably visit, maybe she'll want some food." The tom Siamese cat smiled, and he began his way towards Ruth camp.
Should I follow? Blizzard thought
No he desided
Ruth could tell Blizzard apart from any cat, even in bright red blood. Ruth watched a moment pass as the cats all looked up at her. Before she knew it she was ontop a black she-cat, and a cat they seemed to call large. The Third cat, stone coward away from the ease it took Ruth to pin the cats. Her claws were at their throats, right on the oxygen gland.
"Now, Blizard should I hurt or kill," Ruth asked staring at the cat she held beneath her killing grasp. Her tongue was to the side of her mouth, something she did in frustration.
Chilling minutes passed, the thump of the cat's hearts formed a desperate pattern. They gulped down air, not pushing their throats enough for her claw to pierce their glands. Ruth waited on Blizzard's command.
One minute
Two minute
Three minutes, 5
Ruth raised her paw, claw unsheathed. Then Blizzard replied.
Ruth is Slim and through a fight, she practically slips through claws
"Just hurt them enough so they know not to bother me." Blizzard didn't see the point in killing. They had no choice on what to do, living a meaningless life, ruled by Large.
If anything, he pitied them. At least he had freedom.
"Very well." Ruth continued to attack and the two soon fled for their lives, Large shooting a hostile, yet wary, glare at Ruth.
"Where'd you learn to fight like that?" He asked nonchalantly, obviously curious.
"None of your business." Ruth calmly replied.
"I'll get my revenge." Large turned his gaze to Blizzard. "Both of you will wish you had never been born."
Ruth didn't seem to care.
The two walked off, until Ruth had to go her own ways. She offered to take him back but he recognised this area and insisted that he would be fine.
"I should have killed that one" Ruth muttered
"Anyway now that their gone, I learned to fight like that in warriors training. I can tell you now that those cats are gone" Ruth smiled.
"Well, training and my dad Hobo" Ruth added.
I'm heading out for the city so I probably won't reply quickly
Blizzard closed his eyes and hoped that Icicle was alright. He had arrived at their little alleyway and he just prayed for her to be alive.
"Icicle?" He called, a tone of hopefulness hanging in his meow.
"Is that you, Blizzard?" A voice asked.
Blizzard rushed in, relief and joy filling his heart. How was Icicle still alive?
He knew when he saw the herbs that Ruth had left.
"Was Ruth here?" He questioned Icicle, confirming his thoughts.
"Yes. She came and brought me food and herbs."
"And you took the herbs?" Blizzard couldn't believe it.
"Yes. They tasted bitter." Icicle made a face. "Still can't get the taste off of my tongue."
"You ate herbs? But why? We're cats. We eat prey and up-walker food! Not leaves."
"The herbs would make me less hungry." Icicle persisted, "Ruth was helping!"
That nosy she-cat. Doesn't she know that I can care for Icicle alone? I don't need help! Though deep down, he knew that Icicle probably would've starved to death if it weren't for Ruth and her healing flowers.
Ruth was quite happy, knowing Icicle was doing better. That and knowing that Blizzard was safe. It really was nice to see her old friends again. See0ing them reminded her how much she missed them, but she had life good for her kit in the clans and that was all she needed.
"Hey Ruth" Orangemoth greeted
"Hi, how was Icicle?" Ruth asked
"Icicle was doing well, she's been improving with the herbs Rabbit and I brought over,"Orangemoth replied a small spark of admiration slipped into the orange toms voice as he mentioned Icicle's name.
"Do you think they'll join the clans?" Orangemoth asked.
"Probably not, at least Blizzard wouldn't make a decision until after we're gone. I just hope Icicle remember those herbs, they could save her some time. It unfortunate though, I think she would have made a great apprentice"Ruththorn sighed.
"Oh," Orangemoth said in disappointment.
"You totally do, don't you?"Ruth asked
"Yes," Orangemoth blurted.
"I mean now, what are you talking about" Orangemoth redeemed trying to sound convincing
Ruth flashed Orangemoth an unconvinced smile.
"So what if I do... I won't matter anyway" Orangemoth meowed looking at his paws
"I wouldn't be so sure" Ruth teased
Ruth playfully shoved the lovestruck tom, then Orangemoth chased Ruth back to camp. Orangemoth muttered threats, though not meaning it. Ruth did really enjoy seeing Orangemoth pretend to be angry.
Soon the pair where in camp and split ways, Orangemoth went to find Rabbitpaw, and Ruth saw her father. Hobo was right in front of her.
"Dad" Ruth Exclaimed.
"Ruth my child how are you?" Hobo asked Ruth, felt her pelt grow hot in embarrassment.
"I'm well, you look well to, city life treating you well?" Ruththorn asked
"Yup, your brother Neil got ran over a moon ago, and your two sisters Lillian and Porpus got lost. your third sister, Kane is doing well though" Hobo mewed
"Yikes, well I'm glad you made it" Ruth Smiled.
"You should join our clan, I know you would be a great warrior" Ruth stated sweetly
"Eh worth a shot" Hobo announced
"Then on that note, may all cats old enough to catch prey gather before the can" Bubblestar barked
" We have a new clan member, kin of our medicine. He taught Ruth her profound abilities on the battlefield." Bubblestar announced, a ripple of gasps fluttered over the clowder.
"Ruth's father steps forward... From this moment and forward you will be known as..." Bubblestar paused, and ruth whispered into the tom's ear.
"Cornermouse, after comparison or something er rather." Bubblestar continued mumbling.
"I call this to a close"
Icicle sat, impatiently, as Blizzard headed out to practise his hunting skills. He had stopped finding food at night, preferring to catch live animals. Icicle disliked eating the rich, fatty meats and she longed for the up-walker food. Though the food was food and she tried to force it down.
Blizzard was improving, gradually. He came back with more and he didn't take as long.
To pass the time, she thought about her herbs. Recapping what their uses were. Ruth knew lots about plants and Icicle wanted to learn as much as she could. Sometimes, she thought about the group, or 'clan', that Ruth lived in. It sounded fun, surrounded by friendly cats and never going hungry. She didn't like the life she lived, never leaving the alleyway. She wasn't even allowed to leave their box when Blizzard was gone. He wanted her to stay hidden in-case of an attack. She knew that her brother meant well but she wanted freedom.
She wanted to learn to hunt and see life beyond the dark confinements of her home. She was bored. She wanted to play in the grass that she could see from the alley.
Sure, she could escape whilst Blizzard was gone, leave the box and look around. But she was afraid. Blizzard had told tales of ruthless foxes and other cats. He told her quite a bit about a big tabby called Large. She didn't want to be out and noticeable when they came past.
So, reluctantly, she stayed curled up in the box, trying to sleep. Maybe when she awoke, Blizzard would be back.
Orangemoth had enjoyed talking to Icicle, he was shocked he hadn't met her when he was called Orangy. Ruth was out on a walk, she said she would probably join Blizzard, so that meant that Blizzard was out. When Orangy and Rabbit were taking herbs to Icicle, Ruth always said to watch out for blizzard. Orangemoth had become almost scared of Blizard, and yet he barely knew the tom. Orangemoth though did enjoy talking to Icicle. He didn't know what it was, but every time they talked he couldn't help but smile at the things she said. Soon Orangy decided to visit Icicle, and bring her the herbs ruth always listed... he double-checked with Rabbit before he left though. soon Orangy approached the ally, he was happy as an apprentice catching their first catch.
"Icicle, you there," Orangy asked meekly.
"Yeah" Icicle mewed in a springy peppy voice.
"I brought the herb and honey to cover the flavour better. Prey though, I was unsuccessful catching anything..." Orangemoth paused
"So don't tell Ruth, but I dug through the trash, I found a perfectly good meat slider." Orangy finished. He looked down the ally, one looking for permission, and looking for an answer from Icicle.
"Okay then. I prefer stuff from the metal containers anyway." Icicle responded. "Don't tell Ruth though."
"I won't." When Orangemoth came down the alley, Icicle noticed how..happy he looked. Considering he was only there to give herbs, he seemed pleased to see her. Icicle was pretty happy to see him as well. Orangemoth was nice and anything was better than being alone.
Blizzard was making his way back, a squirrel in his jaws, when he saw a familiar Siamese making its way towards him.
"Fancy seeing you here, Ruth." He greeted her, a hint of sarcasm in his meow. He dropped the squirrel, though he made sure to stay right with it. Though he trusted Ruth, he didn't want to risk her taking it. The food was for Icicle and Icicle only.
"Greetings, Blizzard." Either Ruth hadn't noticed the sarcasm or she had simply ignored it. "Good catch." She gestured towards the squirrel.
"Thank you." Blizzard dipped his head in a brief thanks.
"How's Icicle doing?"
"You should know. You're with her more than I am." Blizzard tried to keep the grumpiness out of his voice but it was clear as the moon. "I can always smell traces of you, that Orangemoth or Rabbit. You might lead Large towards our alley if you keep going there."
"I'm sorry but Icicle needs her herbs."
"I know what Icicle needs. I'm her brother!"
Ruth decided to give up on the argument. "Okay. I'm sorry."
"You should be," Blizzard muttered, though he was half-joking. He wouldn't class Ruth as a friend, but she was alright. It wasn't worth his time, or Ruth's, keeping up the argument.
Ruth stood by Blizzard and walked with him back to the ally, she caught a rabbit and a scrawny mouse. Ruth scented the air and caught a faint scent of Orangemoth, but it was stale. The smell over fern had hidden Orangemoths scent. Ruth sighed in relief. Ruth couldn't smell Icicle either, when... she jumped out from a box behind them.
"You couldn't smell me could you" Icicle playfully teased.
" Orangemoth taught me ferns mask a scent" Icicle went on Ruth blushed in the fact they had been caught.
"You did what?" Blizzard practically screamed, but before he could say more Ruth Hightailed it out of the Ally.
Blizzard glared back at where Ruth had quickly left.
Orangemoth, a stranger, had come in and forced Icicle to have herbs! What if he poisoned Icicle? What if he took her out and they walked around outside of the alleyway?
"It's fine, Blizzard." Icicle noticed his expression, a mixture of anger and fear for his sister.
"Did he hurt you? Did he poison you?"
Icicle let out a laugh, "No. I allowed him to enter. He's nice, really."
"You let a stranger into our alley? What if he knew Large?" Blizzard glanced behind in-case Large and his cronies were behind. They weren't. He made a mental note to never let Icicle out of his sight.
"He didn't. He's part of the feral group nearby. Like Ruth."
Blizzard didn't bother expressing more of his worry. There was no point. Maybe that Orangemoth was alright. But he couldn't shake away the worries.
If he had taken Icicle then Blizzard would have no purpose. No reason to continue his life. He would never resort to suicide but he would definitely lower his guard a lot more. There would be no reason to protect this place without Icicle. Without Icicle, Blizzard would be nothing.
"Let's have some sleep. I'm tired."
"But-" Icicle tried to protest but Blizzard was already curled up around her. Icicle sighed and gradually also fell asleep, though she would rather have played or recited her herbs again.
The sun shone down and Orangemoth slipped out of camp with some fern leaves. He wandered to Icicles ally. The sun had just risen, Orangy wasn't even sure that Blizzard would be out of the ally especially since he knew of Ruth's plan to get Icicle health. It was working but then the cover had blown, if Blizzard was there then, Orangemoth wouldn't know what to say.
"Icicle?" The tom whispered down the ally, he waited until...
You can do what happens next to Orangemoth.
Blizzard pricked his ears, hearing an unfamiliar voice. Icicle was still asleep, so, carefully, he got up.
"Who are you?" His tone was laced with suspicion as he stared at the ginger tabby. He recognised it from somewhere, but he had seen most cats round here at least once.
"..." The ginger cat said nothing and Blizzard felt slightly amused. Was this cat, probably double his age, afraid of him? "Orangemoth." The tom said after a while.
Blizzard could remember Orangemoth now. The cat with the weird name. "Why are you here and how did you find us?" He bombed the tom with questions, his eyes narrowed as he waited for an answer.
"I came to..give these to..Icicle." The tom stammered a little.
"She doesn't need any more herbs." Blizzard resisted the urge to snap at Orangemoth. Though his neck fur was bristling, a clear sign of annoyance. "She's a cat. She eats meat and not your leaves."
"I..I'm sorry." The tom still made no sign of leaving.
Blizzard decided to play with this tom since he obviously feared Blizzard for some reason. "And you will be sorrier if you don't get your pelt out of my alley." He growled, though he was struggling not to smirk. It was fun to play around.
Orangemoth was out in an instant, thankfully taking the leaves with him. Satisfied, Blizzard curled back around Icicle and watched the entrance in-case the tom returned.
Orangemoth tried too talk to Icicle again later in the day, but the same thing continued to happen.
would he ever get past blizzard...
Blizzard was ready to tear every hair off of Orangemoth's pelt. He kept coming. Every. Single. Day.
"Just go away, already!" He snapped.
"Blizzard, he's my friend."
Orangemoth couldn't help but look pleased at that.
"I don't care. He's a stranger to me and I don't trust him.
"I just want to give Icicle herbs."
Blizzard let out a soft hiss. "I'm fed up of explaining this to you. Icicle eats meat and not stupid leaves."
"They help me gain weight." Icicle persisted.
"I was fine with you having them when you were starving, but you're getting a more healthy look now." She was still very underweight, but to the street-cats, she was as well-fed as she could be.
"Fine." Orangemoth turned and left.
Blizzard was afraid to leave now. What if that Orangemoth hurt Icicle?
He was sticking right with his sister until that ginger tom never returned.
He would die before Orangemoth got anywhere near Icicle.
And that was a promise he would follow until he finally passed.
Oh, dear Icicle looks like our paths have come to a crossroad. Orangemoth thought silently.
could you maybe do I bit on Icicle's thoughts since I'm not sure what to write about Icicle?
"Just let him come!" Icicle begged. "You can stay as well!"
Blizzard shook his head. "What if he hurts you?"
"Let him in, you stay and see if he tries to kill me."
"Fine, but you aren't eating those leaves." Blizzard sighed. Icicle looked pleased. Though she felt slightly worried.
What if Orangemoth had already decided never to return?
Orangemoth return to the ally on his twentieth trip around the block. He found the ally once again and Blizzard was their, Orange moth ignored the tom.
"Icicle?" Orangemoth mewed
"Yes?" Icicle replied poking out from behind Blizzard.
"He said you can come in" Icicle chimed in a peppy voice
"Nice, I brought you some ferns" Orangemoth offered
" How many times d-" Orangemoth cut Blizzard off.
"Not to eat to roll in, it masks her scent. I knew it would help since Icicle told me you're always so worried about her scent travelling" Orangemoth interrupted. Blizzard looked at the orange to warily but agreed to one herb... Icicle laid her ears back and hissed.
"Why are you hissing at me?" Orangemoth asked as Blizzard hissed,
"Behind you, its' a... a dog!" Blizzard hissed.
Orangemoth turn around veered up on his back legs let and out a hiss like a roar. He rose his paw and struck down on the small dog's nose. It whimpered and ran off.
"How do yo-" Blizzard went on but yet again got interrupted.
"Like Ruth said Warrior training." Orangemoth retold. Blizzard rolled his eyes but Icicle looked intrigued.
"Blizzard that dog seemed to have followed your scent trail, it's very potent. you might want to try rolling in the ferns as well" Orangemoth suggested, but increasing worry spread across his face.
"You!" Blizzard squealed
"And before you even start to blame me Rabbit or Ruth, we are ordered to roll in fern before we visit any cats. You street cats are quite worried about scent trails. I get it I to once was a street cat." Orangemoth butted Blizzard though sighed, these clan cats knew him too well now.
"Now you know I'm safe why don't you see if you can find ruth while I and Orangy catch up." Icicle scooted her brother, Blizzard seems a little surprised at the she-cats strength.
"We come to talk about what warrior name your bother and you might get, maybe Furyeyes" Orangy whispered as Blizzard looked at the two with a Hot gaze. Icicle laughed at Orangemoths light joke.
I dunno maybe we could have Blizzard yell at someone or something... I really don't know
"I'm not joining your clans!" Blizzard spat. "And neither is Icicle." He wasn't that irritated by the comment. It was the hurt that he masked by anger. He had tried so hard to save Icicle and then these cats roll up and Icicle wants him to leave so that they could talk. Did Icicle want him?
"I was just making a joke." Orangemoth looked surprised.
"It wasn't very funny." Blizzard responded icily.
Icicle looked at Orangemoth and mouthed, 'It was.'
"Are you going or not?" Orangemoth asked, changing the subject.
Blizzard nodded, shooting a hurt look at Icicle that he didn't even bother to hide.
How dare Orangemoth make Icicle like him more! Blizzard had saved Icicle once before and their relationship hadn't changed much. Now, he felt like a third wheel and he was her brother for crying out loud!
He felt alone and forgotten, imagining them all having fun.
He managed to find Ruth, not too far from her clan. He quickly masked how he was feeling and went over to greet her.
"Oh hello Blizzard, your just in time, I caught a city dove" Ruth looked up at Blizzard with a smile, his face was a cover-up and ruth could tell. Blizzard was so tense, but she ignored it not wanting to tell him she can feel emotions and also has a spirit resided in her body.
"Oh um thanks" Blizzard mumbled, he started to eat the dove.
"That the first time, you actually ate something I caught" Ruth exclaimed
"I thought you never ate" Ruth added
"Well, I do." Blizzard mewed facing Ruth.
"Hey, want to go fish in the park pond?" Ruth asked
"What's a fish?" Blizzard asked.
"You'll see maybe waters you hunting element, you not very good at land hunting." Ruth smiled warmly. Blizzard wanted to argue, but he held his tongue.
Soon the park came into view, a pond was at the epicentre of the park. Ruth rushed over and looked into the water.
Just like a cornered mouse Ruth thought
Ruth dunked her paws in the water and swept a fish out of the water. It was dawn and no two-leg was to be seen on the streets.
"See? like that," Ruth pointed out, and then she sliced the fish.
"Hey, Icicle what would you want your name. Icyfall maybe." Orangemoth chuckled as Icicle trip as she walked over. She laughed along.
"Um... maybe..." Icicle paused.
Blizzard was a little curious but he wanted to learn so that he could still help Icicle. Even if Icicle didn't want him around, he would never stop caring for her.
"How do I do it?" Ruth looked almost surprised at his willingness to learn. "First, move yourself so that your shadow isn't casting over the water. Come closer."
Blizzard obeyed, "Now what?"
"Now you have to wait until a fish comes up to the surface, or near enough to reach."
It wasn't long before a small fish came within reach.
"Now you must dart your paw into the water and flick it onto the land. You have to be quick though."
"No pressure." Blizzard muttered, wondering when was the perfect time to strike.
When he thought it was time, he brought his paw down, slamming it into the water and spraying it everywhere. Inevitably, the fish got away.
"Another thing I suck at." Blizzard tried to sound as if he didn't care but it was true. There seemed to be nothing he was capable of. He used to be good at caring for Icicle but she had gotten fed up of him now.
"You did well for a first try. Give it another go." Ruth persuaded him. "You'll become a natural in no time."
Blizzard gave a fake laugh." Sure." But he was willing to try again. He had nearly caught it.
Ruth smiled at him as he attempted for the second time, he landed on his face. On the third time though, he caught one.
"Wow nice," Ruth said encouragingly.
"I actually caught one" Blizzard stated proudly.
"Yeah, it took me ten tries until I gave up, but mentor kept me there all night until I caught one" Ruth mewed embarrassed. Blizzard rested his tail on Ruth's shoulder.
"We can't be good at everything" Blizzard chirped.
"Says you" Ruth chuckled.
"Hey, Ruth, mind if I told you something..private?" Blizzard asked after some time had passed. "You're my..only friend and I needed to get it off of my chest."
"Sure. What is it?" Ruth asked. She didn't seem too surprised, maybe sensing that something was up.
"I think that Icicle doesn't want me anymore. She asked me to leave so that she could talk to Orangemoth..I hate that tom so much." His eyes narrowed, "Orangemoth seems to be trying to throw me out of the loop and I fel like the third wheel. Icicle was the only thing in my life that mattered and now she doesn't want me."
"Orangemoth.." Ruth grinned, "He has a crush on Icicle and Icicle probably has a crush on him."
"She doesn't." Blizzard resisted growling at her. "She never told me."
"There's probably a lot that she doesn't tell you." Ruth pointed out.
"But why? I mean, I'm her brother! And she just throws me out like unwanted trash." Blizzard felt tears in his eyes put he stubbornly pushed them away.
"Yeah you are but girl likes to keep somethings to themselves" Ruth comforted.
"Were not an open book, and sometimes... we just want some time alone." Ruth went on.
"But..." Blizzard was looking for some material to argue with.
"You don't want to be around me all the time" Ruth added
"Ugh, hate it so much when your right" Blizzard grumbled
"I know" Ruth replied in a cocky tone
Blizzard pretended to cuff Ruth around her ear but she dodged and flicked her tail tip at Blizzard's nose.
He sneezed, looking at her with a mock-grumpy expression.
"I'd better head back now." Blizzard decided, "Bite that Orangemoth on the neck if he won't leave."
"I'll see you soon then." Ruth meowed, "Keep practising your fishing."
Blizzard nodded, turning back into the city and out of sight.
Icicle watched as Blizzard returned. To her surprise, she felt a prick of disappointment. She wanted to talk to Orangemoth more. He was nice and she classed him as her first friend.
"Hi." Blizzard shot a glare at Orangemoth, "Leave."
Orangemoth looked surprised at his bluntness. "Why? I'm not harming her at all."
"Just go. I need to talk to Icicle."
"I'll be back tomorrow."
Blizzard hissed at him before turning back to his sister.
"Ruth thinks that Orangemoth has a crush on you." Blizzard told her. Icicle looked pleased, though she managed to hide it. "And she says that you have a crush on him."
"I don't!" Icicle spluttered. "He's a friend!"
Blizzard grinned," Sure."
"You love Ruth, then!" Icicle counteracted, looking smug.
"Cheeky thing. She's my friend."
"Orangemoth is also my friend."
"Alright." Blizzard didn't believe her.
Orangemoth had a huge grin on his face as he left, Ruth couldn't help but laugh.
"You're hopeless you know." Ruth mewed laughing.
"Ha nothing you say can get me down on a day like today"
"Your rhyming now too, dear starclan" Ruth mewed in a sarcastic tone. Orange moth laughed along, then the two clan cats made their way into camp.
"Do you ever miss Mother?" Icicle asked as he got ready to go out hunting. He knew that Orangemoth would be back and he decided to give him some peace. It was a new day, bright and sunny, and Blizzard fancied maybe fishing or something. Fish tasted quite nice and he wanted Icicle to try some.
"What do you mean?" Blizzard asked, looking at his sister in surprise. They had never spoken about their mother before and Blizzard thought that Icicle didn't remember her.
"Do you wish that she was here?"
"Well, not really."
"I had a dream about her, last night. She was teaching us to hunt."
"Sounds nice." Blizzard prepared to go.
"It was." Icicle sounded wistful.
"Anyway, see you later. Your mate will be here soon."
Icicle glared at him. "You going fishing with your mate today, then?"
Blizzard rolled his eyes.
"Last time, you came back stinking of fish."
"I don't stink as bad as you." Blizzard teased, walking out.
"Nasty, he smells nasty" Orangmoth mewed as he came in, he clearly passed his on the way.
"Yeah I know, but weren't you Riverclan once?" Icicle recalled.
"Ruth was, I wasn't. I much prefer land food." Orangemoth replied.
"I've not tried fish yet but I don't like land food. I prefer stuff from the metal containers." Icicle said. "What's your favourite type of land-prey?"
"Rabbits, their easy enough to take down, and they provide quite a lot of flesh. It's helpful to feed a clan" Orangemoth said
Blizzard found Ruth by the lake again, concentrating on the fish.
"Boo." Blizzard couldn't help it.
Ruth jumped, "Hello, Blizzard. Come to fish?"
"Nah, just wanted to come all this way to the lake and scare you." Blizzard rolled his eyes. "Of course I'm going to fish."
Ruth rolled her eyes back, she pretty much set herself up for that one. She shrugged it off though.
"Do you know what these fish are called?" Ruth asked
"No, but maybe that a gold...fish" Blizzard suggested pointing to a goldish koi.
"Close, The orange ones a goldfish, The one you pointed to is a koi." Ruth Explained. Blizzard looked up with a grin.
"How smart of a name is that? Oh, its orange, why not call it a Goldfish." Blizzard mocked
" Hey, I never said I named them" Ruth defended.
"Oh, Ok..." Blizzard mewed, looking at ruth with this, I don't believe you look. Ruth smiled and splashed him with water, the water wipe the smug look off his face. Blizzard laughed at her and ran at her, he was trying to tackle her. Ruth dodged him and dived into the water with a splash.
"Come on, the waters warm" Ruth mewed
"May I ask why?" Blizzard asked smirking.
"Nope denied" Ruth replied with a smile.
Blizzard gave a roll of his eyes. "I'll come in. But just so that I can splash you. Not because I like water."
He took a running leap and hit the water, spraying it everywhere. To his annoyance, Ruth was out of the splash-zone.
"Missed me." She grinned.
"Next time I won't," Blizzard promised, trying his best to swim across. Ruth was far faster, however.
"Who are you?" His tone was laced with suspicion as he stared at the ginger tabby. He recognised it from somewhere, but he had seen most cats round here at least once.
"..." The ginger cat said nothing and Blizzard felt slightly amused. Was this cat, probably double his age, afraid of him? "Orangemoth." The tom said after a while.
Blizzard could remember Orangemoth now. The cat with the weird name. "Why are you here and how did you find us?" He bombed the tom with questions, his eyes narrowed as he waited for an answer.
"I came to..give these to..Icicle." The tom stammered a little.
"She doesn't need any more herbs." Blizzard resisted the urge to snap at Orangemoth. Though his neck fur was bristling, a clear sign of annoyance. "She's a cat. She eats meat and not your leaves."
"I..I'm sorry." The tom still made no sign of leaving.
Blizzard decided to play with this tom since he obviously feared Blizzard for some reason. "And you will be sorrier if you don't get your pelt out of my alley." He growled, though he was struggling not to smirk. It was fun to play around.
Orangemoth was out in an instant, thankfully taking the leaves with him. Satisfied, Blizzard curled back around Icicle and watched the entrance in-case the tom returned.
Orangemoth tried too talk to Icicle again later in the day, but the same thing continued to happen.
would he ever get past blizzard...
Blizzard was ready to tear every hair off of Orangemoth's pelt. He kept coming. Every. Single. Day.
"Just go away, already!" He snapped.
"Blizzard, he's my friend."
Orangemoth couldn't help but look pleased at that.
"I don't care. He's a stranger to me and I don't trust him.
"I just want to give Icicle herbs."
Blizzard let out a soft hiss. "I'm fed up of explaining this to you. Icicle eats meat and not stupid leaves."
"They help me gain weight." Icicle persisted.
"I was fine with you having them when you were starving, but you're getting a more healthy look now." She was still very underweight, but to the street-cats, she was as well-fed as she could be.
"Fine." ORangemoth turned and left.
Blizzard was afraid to leave now. What if that Orangemoth hurt Icicle?
He was sticking right with his sister until that ginger tom never returned.
He would die before Orangemoth got anywhere near Icicle.
And that was a promise he would follow until he finally passed.
Oh, dear Icicle looks like our paths have come to a crossroad. Orangemoth thought silently.
could you maybe do I bit on Icicle's thoughts since I'm not sure what to write about Icicle?
"Just let him come!" Icicle begged. "You can stay as well!"
Blizzard shook his head. "What if he hurts you?"
"Let him in, you stay and see if he tries to kill me."
"Fine, but you aren't eating those leaves." Blizzard sighed. Icicle looked pleased. Though she felt slightly worried.
What if Orangemoth had already decided never to return?
Orangemoth return to the ally on his twentieth trip around the block. He found the ally once again and Blizzard was their, Orange moth ignored the tom.
"Icicle?" Orangemoth mewed
"Yes?" Icicle replied poking out from behind Blizzard.
gotten fed up of him now.
"I can teach you to swim if you want?" She offered.
"Trying to turn me into a clan cat? First fishing and now swimming." He was half-joking though. "But fine, you can teach me. I have nothing better to do."
"Alrighty" Ruth mewed with an innocently evil smirk on her face
"Come on up on to this bridge, and come to were the deepest part is" Ruth mewed and relaxed as she explained some tips.
"But how do I actually swim?" Blizzard asked impatiently
"Ready/? Now!" Ruth said pushing Blizzard over the edge.
"See it comes naturally" Ruth called at him
"Still doesn't mean I like water" Blizzard grumbled and then shake the water from his fur, it landed on Ruth, the she-cat smiled
Blizzard disliked swimming almost as much as he thought that he would.
"Why does your clan even swim?" He questioned Ruth, his voice still slightly grumpy from getting so wet. "I mean, cats aren't made to swim."
"You proved that." Ruth muttered, though she was smiling. "Everyone's just born to do it. It just comes easy to the clan."
"Your clan must be a bunch of weirdos." How can cats enjoy swimming? Blizzard thought, silently.
"They're a pretty good bunch."
"Bet they're not as fun as me." Blizzard replied, cockily.
"Oh yes your a pleasure to be around" Ruth joked
"Well better then some smelly, wet fugitives" Blizzard mewed
"Their not that bad, trust me" Ruth smiled
"Uh-huh, well you not catching me hanging around with them" Blizzard mumbled
"I can't catch you, well are you telling me something?" Ruth asked jokingly Blizzard only rolled his eyes at Ruth. The she-cat smiled.
Blizzard was aware of the passing time and he grew slightly agitated. Would Orangemoth still be with Icicle or would he have left. He really didn't want to leave, but it was nearly dark.
"I have to go back to Icicle." He meowed reluctantly.
"Orangemoth will still be with her." She gave a grin, "Trust me, that tom would stay with your sister forever if he could."
"Well, he can't. " Blizzard responded. "I need to get back, soon."
"Soon. So you could stay a little longer?" Ruth looked at him, hopefully.
"Fine." Blizzard pretended to be annoyed, but really, he was pleased to stay longer. Ruth was good fun and he'd never had an actual friend before. You didn't make friends in the city. Everyone only had one task: Staying Alive, and nobody had time for friendship and stuff like that unless they were in a group.
"You know... you'll hate this, I pretty much know the answer, but you should join us," Ruth said with a smile, she knew the answer, but the worry he had would be easily ignored if he did join the clan.
"Your right no," Blizzard said, but Ruth thought he was hesitant, but a glimpse of consideration was quickly clouded by stubbornness.
"I don't want to argue, but I really liked hanging around with you the past few days. I'll be gone soon though, and I don't know when I'll see you next." Ruth said gloomily. Blizzard nodded.
"Yes, and all good things come to an end." Blizzard mewed, he knew what he meant, and he used it as a way to leave.
They said their goodbyes, and then walked back to the alleyway, Ruth picked Orangemoth back up, then they said farewell again. Ruth must have looked sad when she left since Icicle called after her.
"Don't worry ruth whatever he said he didn't mean. It will turn around eventually" Icicle called.
"No, it won't," Blizzard said sternly.
"If only," Ruth muttered.
"Tell me about it" Orangemoth mewed trying to be useful.
"We should join." Icicle meowed as Blizzard began to head out to try find food.
Though she didn't specify what they should join, Blizzard knew. "No."
"Why? It will be like living with a large family!" Icicle persisted.
"We can fend for ourselves." Blizzard refused to back down.
"Fine. But I'm joining Orangemoth and there's nothing that you can do about it." Icicle glared at him. "I'm not a kit anymore. I can decide what I want to do."
"You want..to join a clan? Why? What has that tom said to you?" Blizzard spluttered, shocked at her decision.
"Nothing. I made the choice on my own. And I want to join because I'm fed up of being on my own for most of the day. You're always with Ruth and I'm either alone or with Orangemoth. I like him, but I want more to life than that alley. You know, I've never left it before!" Icicle looked almost desperate, "I want a life, Blizzard."
"You can't just leave me!" Blizzard pleaded her, "I'll let you hunt with me if that's what you want! Just don't join them!"
"What do you have against the clans?" Icicle sounded suspicious.
"Nothing! I just disagree with their ways of life." Blizzard came closer. "You can leave if you want but I'm staying right here."
"Stop being so stubborn!" Icicle spat, making Blizzard jump. "Stop caring about yourself! I want to join and I don't care what you're doing!"
Blizzard blinked at her, obviously hurt and surprised by her outburst. "Fine. Go and join your new mate and live your happy little life. I'll be fine here!"
"Fine!" Icicle got up and stormed past him.
"Stop being so mouse-brained! You don't know the way!" Blizzard couldn't believe how his sister was acting. He blamed Orangemoth for all of this.
"I'll find my way." Icicle hissed. Then she vanished, turning a corner and going out of sight.
Orangemoth forgot to tell Icicle one herb, he was on his way back when he ran into her.
"What are you doing here?" Orangmoth mewed, he tried to hide the shock, but he failed.
"My stubborn brother won't listen for a minute," Icicle muttered bitterly, Orangemoth shot her an understanding look.
"Yeah he's stubborn, but you can just leave you, sibling, on such a bitter event..." Orangmoth trailed off, his eyes were watery but he stayed strong
"All I'm saying is, don't make my mistake..." Orangemoth mewed solemnly.
"You mistake?" Icicle asked gently, Orangy looked down at his paws.
"Yeah... I had two younger siblings... Blue and Red, I got mad and they stormed off, we were very close. Once they left it was something I could never apologize for... It's like they died, and now their no way they could forgive me. Don't do what I did, it stays with you your entire life." Orangemoth explained in a regret-filled voice.
"I'm sorry" Icicle mewed
"It's fine, it's in the past, and you're in the present learn from my mistake. Even if you are leaving, leave on good terms" Orangy smiled. Icicle nodded and turned around heading toward the ally, Orangy followed behind her. He couldn't let anything happen to her.
Icicle was gone. For the first time since their mother died, Blizzard cried. Small tears dripping off of his fur and onto the stone floor. He was alone now and being a lone cat in such a big place was never good.
"Blizzard?" A voice cut through his thoughts. It couldn't be!
"Icicle?" Blizzard called back, his voice a little thick from crying.
"I'm so, sorry!" Icicle rushed in and weaved herself around him, her own eyes full with tears. "I don't know what I was thinking. I don't want to leave you!"
Blizzard knew that Icicle did know what she was thinking. She was just saying that to make everything better. Icicle had a point. Blizzard couldn't keep her with him in the alley forever. All birds have to leave the nest eventually.
His eyes fixed on the ginger tabby, cautiously lingering at the entrance. "Orangemoth." His eyes narrowed, "You made her leave."
"I didn't." He responded, honestly.
"He made me return." Icicle looked up at Blizzard, "I promise, none of the leaving was his idea."
Blizzard had no choice but to believe his sister. "Very well. Orangemoth, thank you." He disliked thanking the tom, but he had to. He could've saved Icicle's life. Far too many dangers awaited her beyond the alley.
"It was nothing." The tom mewed, modestly.
Near everything that's happened in Trailclan, the divide to almost now.