Grotto decided the next time she would take the tunnel rather than the hasty leap. The she-cat wanted desperately to separate and live away from her family, but her mother raised her into the role of a sister. Sisters where a girls-only group, toms were abandoned, even as kits, around the age of an apprentice they were ditched. Grotto didn't want to abandon her kits, or her mate. But her family allowed no other option.
The next time she visited her mate Risestar she told him all the reasons she had and why she wanted to leave. Rise told her he would follow her example, even if it meant resigning from being a leader, then living as a rouge. Grotto was ecstatic from the news, then she returned home. she when to the main entrance which was between the Sunclan camp and the Nightclan camp. The entrance was closer to the Nightclan border. Grotto made her way down the tunnel, her scent was masked by the fern leaves that were plastered on the walls.
Soon Grotto was in the main camp, she saw her mother first, Grotto bowed to show respect to her mother position. Laural nodded to her daughter then continued on her way. Grotto had the same slightly pale orange fur as her mother. Grotto was more white toned than orange, her eyes were different. Laural had pale green eyes, Grotto, however, had striking turquoise eyes, they were the same colour as the water that pooled at the bottom of the cliff. Grotto then began to wonder how her kits would look.
The she-cat wandered around passing Dapple who had just recovered from a great fall of the cliff. She was dead but soon she awoke, no one was sure of the weird occurrence. She said she saw Starclan, but no one knew what she was saying, she also spoke of a prophecy.
Only when blood spills will it all become clear.
And again no one knew what she meant.
She knew about her kin in the clan but she wanted to remain hidden for a little bit. No one knew why. But they treated her like a sister none the less. Grotto was soon joined by her sister named Golden and another named River. Golden was from her mothers second litter, a rouge tom named Lava was the father. Golden had orange fur despite her name being of the colour gold, her eyes were amber and where only a little lighter than her fur. River was younger by quite a bit, she was from the last litter previous to the newer one on the way. Rivers' father was a clan cat named Marshsplotch. River had brown fur and pale green eyes.
Soon the she-cats were at the bottom of the cliff, they drank from a small pool of water that gathered at the bottom. a small little trickle of water was what filled the small pool. Grotto and the other chatted down by the lake, Golden talked about her kits that she was now nursing, she had a litter of two, their names were Basil and Aspen, they both were toms much to Goldens disappointment. She had hoped for kits that she could keep rather than abandon when they came of age, the father was a rouge named Nash. River discussed her training, she was learning herbs, Current who was also from that litter learned nursery song and such, Stream and Flow also learned that skill. Nursery song was learned to entertain kits when they had some of there own.
Soon dapple joined the discussion, she sat and listened to the other she-cats day, then she shared her own. Her day mostly consisted of rangling kits and telling stories.
"Yeah, you know Viper and Jade are way to smart for me, they wanted to play a game and I went along, however they ran off and I couldn't find them" Dapple explained.
"Did you find them?"River asked in a curious voice
"No... but their mother did, I'll spare you the details" Dapple mew shuffling her paws, the details were most likely a harsh punishment, Vine was not to light when it came to bad behaviours.
Dappledleaf, or Dappled as she seemed to be called by the others, liked it in the cave. It was calm, peaceful, and what Emberblaze would call boring.
She thought of Feathersong all of the time. How was she doing? Was she still with NightClan?
Dappledleaf wanted to see her so much, but she couldn't. Yes, she was a coward. Yes, she was purposely avoiding meeting them. Yes, she was afraid.
Feathersong had made it plain that she didn't want Dappledleaf around any longer. The mental wound she caused still hurt, but she couldn't just go there and make amends. To the clans, Dappledleaf was dead. And for as long as possible, she wanted to keep it that way.
She at least had found a place in the camp, and a pretty good friend. Sora, the brown and white tabby with sky blue eyes. She could never replace Feathersong, but it was good to not be lonely. She, unlike Feathersong, disliked solitude.
"You good?" Speaking of Sora, the brown and white tabby came to sit by her, aware that she was lost in thought.
Dappledleaf jump, not noticing her friend. "Yes. I was just thinking."
"Of your family?" Sora was rather known to Dappledleaf for her blunt questions and never-ending curiosity.
Dappledleaf hesitated, before nodding. "Of my sister."
"If you miss her so much, go back!" Sora couldn't see the calico's logic. "I could never stand being parted from my sisters and family."
"I wish I could." Dappledleaf crouched down to drink, showing that the conversation was over. Sora didn't notice, or didn't care.
"But why can't you? You can confide in me." Sora raised her paw, miming zipping it shut, "I won't tell anyone."
Dappledleaf couldn't hold back a small smile at her random antics. Sora was like that. Permanently happy, curious and slightly weird. In a good way, however. "Fine. I'm afraid of rejection."
"Why? That sister of yours sounds really nice from the stories you tell! And your brother as well." Sora persisted, asking endless questions. Dappledleaf found her annoying sometimes, when she just refused to shut up.
"We had an..argument." Dappledleaf chose her words carefully.
"I argue with others a lot but they never leave! There must be something you're hiding!"
Dappledleaf didn't want to offend her friend, but she'd had enough of being pestered. "Ask later. I'm off to rest."
Sora's face fell, "But it isn't even evening! Why can't we hunt or something? You never go out of the cave!" Sora pleaded, chasing after her friend.
"If I do, will you shut up?" Dappledleaf asked, half-jokingly. Sora would never shut up, no matter what she did.
"Nope!" Sora grinned. "But I will stop asking those questions."
"Alright." Dappledleaf decided that a simple hunt couldn't hurt. Hopefully. So, she followed Sora through the tunnels until they reached the surface.
There, not to far away, on the cliff, was something that made her heart miss a beat.
What was Feathersong doing there. She seemed to just be sitting, motionless, watching the clouds.
Sora followed her gaze, "Who is that?"
"Meet my sister." Dappledleaf said, simply. Sora's eyes opened wide with surprise.
"Great! You can meet her!" Sora began running towards the tabby.
Dappledleaf got the feeling that Sora knew that Feathersong would be there. How would she know? Well, Dappledleaf hadn't been exactly vague when ot came to explaining their appearances. And how many silver tabbies owned her amber eyes?
Feathersong had already looked over so it was too late to turn back. Hoping that her sister would just leave, she followed Sora, awkward and cautious.
Feathersong was observing the sky, deep in thought.
A cat running towards her, startled the tabby, and she turned Her head in surprise. Who even was it?
"Hi!" The cat said, breathing heavily as if she had run the entire earth and not a few meters.
Feathersong had to right to act defensive. This was not her place. "Who are-" She started to say, breaking off when she noticed the cat following behind.
No! It can't be! Feathersong looked for her iconic mark: the tail tip that was bent in a strange position since birth. She knew no others that had it.
Yes. It was. It had to be a dream! Dappledleaf was here!
She instinctively got ready to just escape, but she forced herself to sit still.
Dappledleaf paused, both of them searching the other's gaze. Feathersong was all fear and surprise. Dappledleaf showed wariness, surprise and a slightgreat fear.
"I'm so sorry!" Both of them spoke at the same time. Feathersong noticed tears in Dappledleaf's eyes and was aware of tears in her own.
"You go first." Feathersong spoke before her sister could ask a question. "How are you even alive!?"
Grotto went to check on the commotion that was going on, on the surface. She crawled up the tunnel and felt a little kick from her stomach. Walk, walk she told herself. She wanted to run but she forced herself to walk. soon the she-cat came to the scene, the she-cats smell that soaked the soil was there. She was Feathersong of Sunclan, she was crying some more as she recognized Dapple. Grotto's heart warmed at the sighting. Grotto had another sibling but she never shared the same bond the two had.
Mountain was a creme brown tokenise with very pale desaturated blue eyes. Forest was her other sister, she had dark enchanting green eyes, her fur was dark brown and her face was a black colour, they both were extremely beautiful. Grotto had another sibling she had gotten along with better, Hoodoo, he was a flame-coloured orange tom with blue eyes the last time Grotto had seen him.
Grotto let the scene to give the cats privacy, Sora hesitantly followed behind Grotto. More explain was to be down, and it was all Dappled's responsibility.
Many times sora looked like she was going to bolt back, and maybe she would. If she did, Grotto wouldn't stop her.
Silvermist instinctively glared at Dappledleaf.
This was the cat who caused Feathersong so much pain. How can Feathersong just welcome her like that?
Silvermist wanted to stalk up Dappledleaf and order her away, but she didn't it. She had promised to leave everything to Pufffrost. She looked around for the annoying tom, for once angry she couldn't find him. Silvermist just turned away, not wanting to cause a scene.
Pufffrost was on the other side of camp with Wolfshade, his fur prickled at his spine. He instinctively knew someone was angry. And specifically, someone who could tear his hide off. Pufffrost ran, he hadn't even told Wolfshade why but the big tom only turned and went to his apprentice Elkpaw. Pufffrost was guessing Feathersong was the angry one but a harsh glare from Silvermist saved him the worry. At least he knew Feathersong wouldn't tear him in two when he found her.
Soon Pufffrost was near Feathersong, and another cat, he knew her... but she was dead? Once Pufffrost saw Dappledleaf's figure he tried to turn to stop but he lost his footing a tumbled right into the cats...
"Hi..." Pufffrost mewed in a wary tone, the she-cats actually laughed as Pufffrost gathered himself from where he had fallen.
"This is Dappleleaf" Feathersong mew her voice was oddly light and free
"Yup that's me" The calico she-cat mewed
"Aren't you..." Pufffrost began to ask.
"Dead, oh yes apparently..." Dappled explained.
"Ok... I'm going to calm down, one second. I don't want to go in another moon long coma" Pufffrost mewed tiredness edged his tone.
Pufffrost ran off past Silvermist who pulled the tom back by the scruff as he ran by.
"Now listen up-" Silvermist asked many questions and shouted at the tom, he was half listening, by the end she asked.
"Are you even listening!"
"Not really"Pufffrost admitted.
"What I did learn is Dappledleaf is alive an-" Pufffrost was cut off
"Well thanks! I had no Idea flea-brain" Sivermist exclaimed.
"Sorry..." She apologized in a calmer softer voice,
"And... Feathersong is happy, her sister and nursery friend is ALIVE!" Pufffrost explained ignoring the she-cats sharpness.
"Oh..." A long period of silence crept between the minute.
Feathersong walks by with a smile on her face. Dappledleaf fallowed her sister and they chatted for quite a while.
Dappledleaf glanced behind her, almost wishing that she was back in the cave with Sora. Now, she was stuck with a cat she hardly knew, a cat who showed her obvious dislike and Feathersong. It was obvious that her sister missed her a lot and Dappledleaf missed Feathersong as well, but she was worried about the greetings she would get from the clans.
Feathersong looked behind at Silvermist, wondering why she felt hostility towards her sister. What did Silvermist even care? The silver and black she-cat would never understand why Feathersong was so pleased to have her sister again. Have her other part again.
Pufffrost soon grew bored with the conversation, he quietly slinked away to look over some of the apprentices training. He was super quiet as he left, he didn't want to be rude. Pufffrost was happy for feathersong, she seemed more stably now that the other she-cat was back. Pufffrost never really knew her, they had shared nods from over the border patrols a few times but that was all. A nod was pretty much a little acknowledgement, like "I know you're there".
Pufffrost watched the training for a while, they did many Mock fights. Cloverpaw was most interesting to watch.
"Ok Cloverpaw, remember sheth your claw, we don't need another accident" Dreamleap reminded the little white apprentice, guilt-filled her bright green eyes as Robinpaw revealed a large scar on his ear. The scar dragged from the top of his ear to his ribs. All the apprentices shuddered at the reminder, Cloverpaw held her head down in shame.
"Yes mam" Cloverpaw murmured with respect
Soon the battle began and then it was over in a quite toss from Cloverpaw, she then helped Robinpaw up and the bowed to each other out of respect. The apprentices did small applause and the same thing happened when Juniperpaw took Robinpaws place, Cloverpaw this time got the small tom out faster. then the other apprentices took her on, no one had come close...
Then Spiritpaw was up
"Cloverpaw remember..." Dreamleap went on and Cloverpaw nodded.
The battle had begun, this time Cloverpaw seemed to weaken and the battle went on. Soon Clover fumbled but a look in her eye made Pufffrost realize that the she-cat had done it on purpose. Cloverpaw exposes her stomach and then it aw the end.
"Dead" Windcatcher announced.
Cloverpaw smiled and picked herself up, a fake emotion of defeat clouded her eyes. The other cats seemed to believe it but being around Feathersong had given Pufffrost a sixth sense. Every time an emotion was fake, or strong for the matter Pufffrost could know from a single glance. Strong emotions were different, his fur would prickle at his spine, that how he always knew who to avoid. However when he was rambling and talking the Prickle never came, so if he was talking to someone and another person behind him was launching an attack he wouldn't know.
This small advantage was good, but in a way, it wasn't that great. He felt how others were, that's why it was almost hard to be around Feathersong, her sadness choked Pufffrost. Though Pufffrost was sad around Feathersong and most likely mad around Silvermist he still didn't mind either of them. Wolfshade was a calm dude and It was a relaxing break for Pufffrost. The Tom only picked up emotions off over cats after five minutes. This ability he held made sympathy a lot easier.
The mock battle finished and Clover bowed to Spiritpaw who had soon gained growing applause and praises from other mentors. The other apprentices congratulated Clover, she smiled and told them they all held up well. The she-cat praised Spiritpaw as well. Lifeleap her mentor smiled and praised his apprentice.
Pufffrost turned away and turned in early for extra rest.
CloverPaw watched the tom turn away she sighed, she knew he had figured her out. The curiosity in his eyes when she had "fumbled" gave him away, he knew. SHe didn't know how he knew he just had... it seemed natural for him to depict what was hidden in his eyes. But how only her brother knew that.
Even then her brother was falling off at depicting her emotions. Losing an eye had taken away the bigger picture. She had no idea but the tom hadn't seemed too interested. He had seemed to know Lifeleap though...
Dappledleaf's presence was gotten used to quickly. Since every day brought some form of surprise. Be it a cat brought from the death or Cloverpaw and her astounding skills, nothing seemed ordinary.
She had fallen into the rhythm of doing nothing, back in the other cave, so this was a huge difference. She didn't dislike it, as such, but sometimes she missed her nosy friend and the others.
But that was thoughtless and ungrateful. She had her bestest friend, and sister, back. Feathersong seemed to act like she always did around her. Just clingier. She was still the shy, emotional sister she had known most of her life. Maybe she was different without Dappledleaf?
She considered asking Pufffrost, a cat who Feathersong used to seek company with, and seeing what she was like. But that would seem like she didn't think Feathersong could cope without her.
So she didn't do anything, chatting endlessly with her sister, almost missing her old sanctuary.
Taloncall felt his jaw drop, Dappledleaf had just passed bye. Either Silentpaw was more colourful of it was Dappledleaf. He watched her pass by, was it really her? Or was it just a ghost? Was Taloncall hallucinating? No, no he was not the calico she-cat was chatting with other clan members, she also seemed wary of the newer Sunclan used to be Stoneclan cats. The deputy felt like Dappleleaf was almost a second chance, his life now had another meaning.
Taloncall had another crush, sure he would always love Silvermist but she was taken... Dappled had been another crush he had, for that reason after her death he left Sunclan knowing Silvermist would never have wanted him anyway. She still didn't seem to...
After a long time of debating the deputy went over to greet the she-cat. He did and as he did he felt sooooooooooo awkward.
"Hi, welcome back" Taloncall mewed
"Welcome where?" She asked
"Here?" Taloncall replied in an uncertain voice.
"Oh uh, thanks" Dappledleaf replied in a weird tone.
Taloncall spent the rest of the day kicking himself because of the awkward way he had greeted her. I had gone so miserable even Pufffrost laughed, and Taloncall knew what a hard time Pufffrost had. Pufffrost was always socially awkward...
The awkward encounter with Taloncall had confused the calico, more than anything. They hadn't really talked much before she..left, so this was surprising. Many cats had greeted her, but it sounded like Taloncall wanted to say more. Was she just thinking into it too much? Though watching his miserable expression made her feel bad. Though what could she do? The she-cat didn't recall doing anything wrong so what could she apologise for? 'I'm sorry for making you miserable by just being a harebrain?'
"Did you just hear what I said?" Feathersong sounded slightly impatient. Dappledleaf must have missed something important she wanted to say, as her sister was rarely annoyed by her.
"I'm sorry." Dappledleaf meowed, "Repeat what you said."
"No, it was nothing." Feathersong had lost her impatience, sounding more like the more miserable side of her. Dappledleaf sighed.
"Don't go all depressed on me. Just repeat what you said." Dappledleaf tried not to be annoyed with her sister, but sometimes she just wished that she could act more normally. Feathersong was often so..touchy. Say or do something slightly wrong and she would either snap or just burst into tears. Her sister could be a massive drama-queen, but she kind of understood what she was going through. Emberblaze had told her a while ago about what she had said. Feathersong had gone through some tough times, but why couldn't she just ask for help?
Feathersong said nothing. Was she trying to conjure up a lie or an excuse? Or was she hoping that Dappledleaf would forget and change the subject? Well, that would never happen.
Taloncall spent more time just thinking. Had he come on too strong? Was he becoming socially awkward? Did he have no chance? Why hadn't he found a love like his brother and sister easily had? Taloncall had many questions, most aimed at himself, but he didn't even know the answer. Did starclan know what he did not? He still didn't have a clue.
Cloverpaw passed by the tom, she chucked at the sight of a regretful deputy. Although that view wasn't that rare. Taloncall had always been a mess, some say he was fine before the journey, but over the time he grew close to the she-cat only to be shut down had. He clearly made a mistake and Cloverpaw wondered what...
However, Cloverpaw couldn't care too much, she was on her way for another "Battle" with Nightclan. The She-cat was looking forward to seeing Rublepaw. Clover passed her limping brother Shadow on the way, he was heading over to the medicine den, with yet again three mice. She rolled her eyes at the skinny prey he had caught. Lifeleap and herself had been feeding the prey more food than they would ever find in their lives and yet the clan could only seem to hunt the weak and skinny portion of the prey.
Clover rolled her eyes again and then regrouped with her mentor.
Feathersong was delighted that Dappledleaf was back, and it showed in her brighter gaze. They were like two halves, put together again. But that lingering sadness wouldn't go away. She thought of Mother, her real one, but tried not to. Honestly, she was so selfish! Her sister, after so long of wishing, was back and here she was, wishing again for something else. Her mother was far away and good riddance.
That's at least what she tried to tell herself. She tried talking to Dappledleaf about it in a burst of random courage, but Dappledleaf had zoned out. The words sounded childish and pathetic when she was asked to repeat it. Her moment was gone.
Dappledleaf saw that something bothered her and Feathersong saw that something was bothering Dappledleaf. Both were pleased to see each other, but their happiness seemed slightly..fake.
I'm just being selfish and trying to make myself unhappy. Feathersong struggled to find fault in others, but finding it in herself was almost second nature
Pufffrost was picking up on some depressing emotions, he looked at the other calico she-cats. Was she all sad due to Taloncall? Pufffrost knew he was a mess and all but still it's not like it would ever be her fault some snobby she-cat couldn't take a smaller tom. Pufffrost wanted to be nice to Silvermist for Feathersongs sake, but she was mean and snobby. He had this thought but he only knew the overprotective worrying cat who had shutdown Taloncall.
Those events were all that powered his view on the"fierce warrior" however, Cloverpaw easily could shred her to pieces now. Not that Cloverpaw would, she just could.
Silentpaw still felt a stab of hurt whenever she saw Feathersong. Her old 'friend'. When in reality, she was merely a distraction until other warriors noticed her. Silentpaw had been naive and fluff-brained to think that she could have been anything but a mute kit. But after those dreams, she had so hoped that they could become friends. So maybe the hurt was partly caused by regret and disappointment, thinking of what it could have been.
No, it wasn't her fault. Feathersong pushed her away like she did with everyone. Dappledleaf, that Pufffrost cat, probably even Silvermist. That was the only reason she could think of as to why they bad broken friends.
"Sillentpaw" A voice startled Silentpaw, scattering her thoughts.
She turned guiltily to face Rootberry. Oh, I forgot about sorting plants. Such a mundane task, it was, that the apprentice often got lost in thought whilst doing it.
'I'm sorry.' She hastily began to separate dry herbs from the fresh ones and placing them into correct piles, her paws working quickly as she wanted to finish soon. Why she wanted to finish, Silentpaw didn't know. She had nobody to go to when she had done, so really, she ought to be taking her time to stave off even more boredom.
Sadowpaw waited outside the Medicine cats den, he was silently waiting for Silentkit to go on a break. The tom waited and waited, but she did come out. He was sent away for more training, however, his gaze was on the medicine cats den the whole time. Skyfoot seemed to realize the fact. The mentor opens his mouth to say something but he shut his mouth again. Shadowpaw wondered if it was because he realized talking to his apprentice about girls would be very awkward.
Pufffrost passed by a pair of apprentices, Shadowpaw and Silentpaw. Although Silentpaw was in the medicine cats den, Pufffrost could tell he was looking towards her. Shadowpaw had a sad yet loving look in his eyes.
Puffrost giggles slightly. The tom passed by the apprentices.
Soon Pufffrost passed Taloncall who looked better, but all Pufffrost saw was an act. He saw the same look on Dappledleaf, although he still didn't know why she wasn't happy, was it his fault? Should he have slowly dealt her Feathersongs problems? Could he have even stopped Feathersoing from the dump load of drama? Pufffrost didn't know, but everyone in the clan seemed to be sad. The sadness was controlling his emotion, he needed to go somewhere better. And so he did, he scurried out of the camp to hopefully find cats with more positive emotions.
Cloverpaw was always happy and joyful, but she was scary and Pufffrost hadn't felt like big ripped apart today.
He thought about Silvermist but he didn't know where she was...
Silvermist crouched down, a rabbit a few tail-lengths away. She flicked her tail at her daughter, motioning for Spiritpaw to catch it. Spiritpaw nodded the leaped. Then she broke into a run, Silvermist chased after, in case her daughter lost it. Spiritpaw was so close but she was getting too close to the Skyclan border.
"Stop!" A voice rang out.
Spiritpaw and Silvermist skidded to a stop and watched their prey run into Skyclan. Silvermist looked up to see who yelled. She let out a groan.
Nightstar!
"What are you two doing? " he growled.
Spiritpaw stepped up to the larger cat boldly, "Hunting! And I would've caught that rabbit if you didn't yell!"
Nightstar's eyes flickered with interest, "Is she your daughter? What am I saying? If course she is, she is just as fierce and beautiful as you are."
Silvermist could see where this was going and quickly shielded Spiritpaw, "You are way to old! And she is my kit!"
Ewwww, of course, she's way too young... Why would she- oh nevermind. Nightstar muttered in his thoughts
"Ew, all I'm saying is she looks like she'll grow into a fierce warrior like yourself" Nightstar mewed, sincerity laced his voice. Spiritpaw nodded but Silvermist did otherwise.
"I still don't want you or any Skyclan cat near any of my kits!" Silvermist exclaimed her eyes hardened with hate, her voice was very hasty as she clarified her kits borders.
"Funny thing don't you think, Pufffrost was a warrior of mine and as was Feathersong, Taloncall too and you don't have a prob-" Nightstar was cut off.
"Feathersong is my friend, as for Pufffrost he's weak like most your warriors" Silvermist spat.
"Bold thing to say Dontcha think," Nightstar meowed and he stepped closer to the borderline, he loomed over Silvermist.
"I don't believe it's bold I believe it's only one who speaks there mind" Sivermist hissed.
"Now, now we're not doing this now. Why don't you take this rabbit and be gone" Nightstar mewed tossing the live rabbit back over the border as Simpleblossem hauled it over by the scruff.
"And before you say anything more about my troublesome past, I'll make you aware I already have an amazing and Loyal mate," Nightstar said through his teeth and flicked his tail towards Simpleblossem.
"I was mis-leaded and told to pick a fierce warrior, I did just that, and nothing more. Look at you now, you have a family and I have my warriors." Nightstar paused
"Although I must ask, who's are they? Did you crush Taloncall again with another heartbreak or is he the lucky cat with you as a burden?" Nightstar hissed with a meddling look in his eyes.
Silvermist held a pause for a long moment, Nightstar held her stare. Simpleblossem tossed the rabbit over the line and Spiritpaw chased it, but in a matter of minutes, the Rabbit was dead. The Minute crept by and everyone watched the leader and Sunclan warrior have a staredown.
"Wolfshade!" Silvermist barked after a minute.
Nightstar nodded as if he knew it all the time.
"Who would want to be mates with you?" came the shrill voice of Simpleblossom.
Silvermist growled and opened her mouth to speak but Spiritpaw beat her to it.
"You have a problem with my mother?"
Simpleblossom stalked forward, "Yeah, she is just a half-clan cat pretending to be a loyal Sunclan warrior. Think about it, her best friend is a depressed she-cat, her mother is a tratior, her father is an old traitor too. And her old friend Taloncall is just a weak cat who only stepped down from being deputy because he was in love with you."
Spiritpaw raised her hackles, "No one talks about my mother like that!"
Silvermist felt a flicker of pride at her daughter's courage to defend her but it didn't last long when Spiritpaw launched herself at the skyclan cat. Nightstar let out a yowl and raced to help his mate. Silvermist growled and leaped at Nightstar. Nightstar fell back, unprepared for the she-cat. Silvermist stood up on her hind paws and stuck him in the face. He hissed in pain then reached under her and pulled her legs out from under her. She fell down with a yowl and looked to see her daughter battling fiercely with Simpleblossom. Spiritpaw was a skilled apprentice but Simpleblossom was older and more experinced. Forgetting about Nightstar Silvermist went to help. She reached her claws up and stuck the warrior in the face, barley missing her eyes and catching her on the head. Simpleblossom fell and Silvermist leaped on her, taking advange of the she-cats exposed stomach.
"Stop!" Nightstar yowled.
"Mother!"
Silvermist could hear Spiritpaw calling. She whipped her head around and saw Nightstar holding Spiritpaw up by the scruff. With each struggle Spiritpaw made, Nightstar shook her around.
Silvermist unsheathed her claws and bared her teeth, "Put her down or your mate gets it!"
"Mother look out!" Spiritpaw shreiked.
Silvermist turned around just in time to see Simpleblossom leap at her.
"SIMPLEBLOSSEM!" Nightstar yowled from above all other voices, all the cat's heads turned.
"My side, NOW!" Nightstar commanded to his mate.
"Why you dirty rotten-" Silvermist was cut off.
"Fea-brains, we know. You really should find better insults." Nightstar interrupted.
"I know how you would love to tear us apart but I can't let you, my mate is pregnant and should not be participating in any sort of combat." Nightstar paused.
An, almost understanding nod was shared among the cats.
"It's one thing to attack a leader verbally, but it's another thing completely to attack his pregnant mate. I thought you would realize she was pregnant, after all, you were once as well." Nightstar hissed, Silvermist lovered her head down just a tad.
"However I'll let this slide, only because I don't really feel like watching my mate bleed out onto the grass." Nightstar scowled at the two Sunclan cats, hurt stung his eyes. The tom wanted forgiveness but little miss "I'm always better than you" Silvermist had to always get in the way.
All the leader wanted was to express his regret for the past, he was not the bad guy, Pufffrost isn't either. The two are Skyclan and yet they get different stares from the clans... The cats stalked off after the attack, Nightstar was ready to run with Simpleblossem on his back, he couldn't let her down. But before he even could...
"Oh, and honey. Your mother has a vivid history with Taloncall, what I said was true, that's the only reason he left his clan. He did it all for your mother, and she only put his out like a weak bird in the nest. That poor tom is more mentally scarred from the rejection than a kit is after a fox run in." Simpleblossem snarled, but she smirked on the last sentence.
"You should have seen your face" Simpleblossem shrilled joy iced her voice.
"You-" Spiritpaw began to lunge but Nightstar glared at her.
The two Skyclan cats padded off and deeper into there territory, but before they did. Just within earshot, Nightstar asked his mate.
"I don't get why you all are so hostile toward the Sunclan warriors," Nightstar asked his mate. Even though it was none of there business the sunclan cats heard the question. Silvermist definitely heard it, her ear twitched at the question.
Spiritpaw growled at the tails of the cats as they left. It must have been her that lead the foxes to her and her siblings all those moons ago. Beside her, Silvermist sighed. Spiritpaw sheathed her claws and trotted next to her mother.
"What did Simpleblossom mean when she said that you and Taloncall had a vivid history?" Spiritpaw asked after a while.
Silvermist sighed again and motioned for her daughter to sit down under a lone tree.
"You see," she began. "Your father and I weren't always going to be mates. In fact, Wolfshade, Taloncall, and basically every other tom wanted me to be their mate. Taloncall tried really hard to gain my attention, so hard in fact that I ended up getting captured by Nightstar. Nightstar wanted me to have his kits but I refused and Taloncall eventually rescued me. Later Taloncall just left, to this day I still don't understand why. I did end up becoming Wolfshade's mate and before I knew it I was expecting kits. Taloncall came back two days before I was going to give birth. It arrouse suspicions that Taloncall was the father, as you already know he stepped down from his deputy position and gave it to me."
Spiritpaw was silent the whole story and now had questions.
"Why did almost every tom want to be mates with you? Why did you pick Wolfshade? Did you claw Nightstar's face off?"
Silvermist held her tail up to stop her, "For some reason being feice and ambitions drives toms crazy. I was told that it could be our coloring pattern too."
"What do you mean our?"
"You are the exact copy of me, it won't be long before you get swarmed. But you don't need to worry about it."
Spiritpaw had more questions but Silvermist got up.
"Lets go home."
Silentpaw left the medicine-cat den eventually, surprised to see Shadowpaw. They'd had little interaction over the past half-moon or so but Silentpaw had to admit to herself that she'd missed the black tom.
'What are you doing here?' Silentpaw asked.
"What do you think? Catching fish?" Shadowpaw cracked a smile, and Silentpaw followed with a grin of her own. "I came to say hi."
'Stupid question.' Silentpaw apologised.
"It's alright." Shadowpaw said.
There were a few moments of brief silence, before Shadowpaw spoke again.
"How have you been? Life has been quite crazy the past few days, a dead cat is alive again and so forth..." Shadowpaw trailed off
"Yeah..." Silentpaw signed with misery in her eyes, Shadowpaw touched his tail the She-cats flank.
"Hey, It's ok... what's wrong" Shadowpaw mewed in his crackly deep voice. He was trying to comfort her but through his crackly voice, it was a little hard to tell.
"It's ok, never mind" Silentpaw signed again.
"No really, it's fine you can tell me" Shadowpaw mewed.
"Maybe ano-" Silentpaw was cut off mid-sign.
"Is it about feather...song?" Shadowpaw asked keeping his voice low
'Yes.' Silentpaw signed, looking over at the silver she-cat who was still beside Dappledleaf, though both were silent.
Shadowpaw said nothing, waiting for her to sign more.
'She..I don't think that she ever really liked me. I thought that we were friends but I was merely her item until others started taking more interest in her.' Tears welled up in Silentpaw's eyes but she pushed them back, waiting for Shadowpaw's reply.
Feathersong was sitting rather far away, but she noticed the conversation, temporarily leaving her thoughts and watching. She had heard her name, wondering what was happening.
What was apparently happening surprised her. Feathersong had no clue that she had been acting so self-centred towards the apprentice.
She noticed the glint of tears in her eyes, hating herself for planting misery on the young she-cat.
"What happened?" Dappledleaf asked, noticing Feathersong's change in manner.
"Silentpaw..I've been ignoring her, oblivious to her feelings." Feathersong admitted, looking at the ground. "I somehow shut her out and now she doesn't like me." I can see why, as I am just a self-centred, selfish, miserable monster who doesn't care about others and their feelings. She added, silently.
"Don't be too hard on yourself. You probably didn't realise." Dappledleaf told her, though her tone seemed distracted. Dappledleaf didn't listen as well as Pufffrost did, caught up in her own things. Feathersong hated dumping things on her like that, but she couldn't help doing so sometimes.
"Aw, it's ok really. You only an apprentice now, prove your more than just that." Shadow paw mewed, Silentpaw nodded.
"I don't mean this in any way at all to offend you but, being around someone who is mute can be hard especially if they don't know tongue swipe" Shadowpaw hushed as Silentpaw leaned on the tom, her eyes where clouded with tears
"Feathersongs always seemed like a bit of a mess, don't worry she too is on a path of recovery" Shadowpaw mewed, the mention at the she-cats name she had turned her head to listen.
"Hey, lighten up a little. I'm here and I promise you I will always be by your side. I promise I won't leave, we're in this together one step at a time." Shadowpaw cracks a smile and Silentpaw nodded again and then signed...
'thank you'
The she-cat nuzzled the tom. Shadowpaw felt the stares of his clanmates but he didn't care, his sole job was to protect Silentpaw from those who bring harm. And so he stayed, he shielded Silentpaws face from the unforgiving stares of his clanmates. They were in this together, and Shadowpaw had silently vowed to protect the she-cat, even in death...
Silentpaw stepped back, the fur prickling slightly on her neck as she felt the stares from other clanmates, glaring mainly at Shadowpaw.
She scanned the clan for Feathersong, noticing her sitting by Dappledleaf. They didn't seem to be saying much and Silentpaw looked away, not wanting the negative energy to rub off on her.
A thought came to her mind. She remembered a place that she had visited a few times before with Feathersong. A place nobody would go.
She started going, waiting for Shadowpaw to follow behind. She wanted to show him the best place around. The cliff.
Shadowpaw fallowed behind Silentpaw, she wasn't telling him where they were going but she had mentioned it was the best place a cat could go. The cat walked through the territory, they passed a patrol on the way. Shadowpaw caught a Rabbit for Silentpaw, the she-cat smiled at him. They walked for quite a distance, the Silentpaw broke into a run. Shadowpaw caught up and then, they arrive.
The tom looked over the cliff, it was stunning. A glowing puddle of water pooled at the bottom of the cliff. Shadowpaw sniffed the air and ground. The cliff smelt like Feathersong and piles of salt. Maybe no exactly salt, more of tears.
In a way, the cliff felt safe and comforting, but that was the same with any place. Just as long as Silentpaw was by Shadow's side. Silentpaw leaned on shadows shoulder, he smiled at her as she watched the horizon. The sun had just sunk behind the mountains that enclosed the territory.
Spiritpaw and Silvermist returned from a hunting patrol, Taloncall had started to pass, he tried to make it subtle so no one would notice. But to he realitstic, it was taloncall nothing he does is realistic. Wolfshade glared at Taloncall, he claerly wanted the tom to stop being so anxious, but he was so broken things didn't prosses right. Soon the fimiliar faces reappeared in Sunclan, he sighed a long sigh of relief. Something had changed and Taloncalll didn't know why, Spiritpaw held her head high as alway but she seemed almost wairy around Taloncall.
Taloncall found himself stumbling about the question about why Spiritpawnever even looked him in the eye when he asked... "Hey Spiritpaw, were heading out for a hunting patrol, wondered if you wanted to join Rainshine, Mistedsun, Emberblaze, Clearpaw, Freepaw, Violetpaw and I". Allt he she-cat said was. "yeah sure..."
Taloncall shook his hed after the weird interaction, way Silvermist mad at him? Had he doen something wrong? DId he upset Spriritpaw? Is she not geting along with one of her siblings? Does she dislike one of the mentors?
Pufffrost looked over at Taloncall, the tom just rolled his eyes.
"Taloncall seriously calm dow" Pufffrost mewed, Taloncall flinched at the fimiliar voice.
"I'm a complete mess..." Taloncall said looking down shuffling his paw.
"Yes you are, come on, forget about Silvermist! what about Dappledleaf?" Pufffrost exclaimed
"I'll never forget Silvermist." Taloncall stated stubbornly and loyaly.
"Fine, just get over it!" Puffrost added. Silence filled the air and Dappledleaf trotted over, she was full of questions.
"What about me?" Dappleleaf asked, Taloncall began to stutter. But Dappleleaf seemed to lose interest, the she-cat just waked away.
Spiritpaw pricked her ears.
"I'll never forget about Silvermist."
She had heard the conversation between Taloncall and Pufffrost. Before Taloncall could say anything else, Spiritpaw walked up to him.
"Yes Spiritpaw?" He asked.
"Mother already has a mate and it isn't you. So quit thinking about her and find someone else to obsess about."
"What? What do you mean?"
" You said that you'd never forget about Silvermist. Mother did tell me that you and her had a relationship. But you need to find someone else, " Spiritpaw answered.
"Well um yes I did like her..."
Spiritpaw interrupted, "Did you like her because of how she looked or did you like her because of her?"
Taloncall sat, his eyes clouded with an emotion he couldn't even depict. Spiritpaws question caught him off guard.
"Well, you see. I'm... well I don't even know what I am but I can't define a cat. your all blurry in my vision... so I only knew Silvermist voice and personality, along with skills in hunting and battle training when we were apprentices." Taloncall explained.
"Your lying!' Spiritpaw shouted.
"No... I'm not, I only see you as a black blob. To be honest, I thought you were Silvermist..." Taloncall tried to explain more.
"You have to be lying, how come the clan doesn't know, not even my mother" Spiritpaw spat.
"My brother knows, but we never announced it to the clan because we already had it hard enough being half clan." Taloncall mewed softly. The tom had seemed to forget all his social awkwardness, the whole argument had been the best Pufffrost had seen the tom talk or rather explain in awhile.
"It doesn't matter, my mother already has a mate so get over yourself and move on" Spiritpaw hissed, it wasn't hostile, it was just placed to prove her point. Hurt laced Taloncalls eyes.
"I know and I'm happy for her, and dear starclan, I even hope I fade before she reached starclan" Taloncall dropped his head, he was fighting a losing battle. A knot formed in her stomach at the thought of fading...
"I didn't even know she considered us in a relationship. If... If I had known I probably never would have left. I made my mistakes and I have so many regrets... but you're here now and that's a bonus to my biggest mistake." Taloncall said with a weak smile. It was a broken smile, a smile that was scarred from pain and trauma he had endured.
Sorry the perspectives bounce so much