AN: Incomplete. How are you guys liking the story so far? I sure hope you like it. ^^ it'd be nice to get some more reviews though! *wink wink nudge nudge*
AN EDIT: Okay guys. I really want some reviews. I'm beginning to get bored with this story, and I believe I might discontinue, because I honestly don't know if people at FF like it. So, do me a favor and PLEASE review.
She could feel all the tension in the air. Mossface got up out of her nest, moving slowly so she wouldn't disturb Rabbitleg. She slowly crept out of the warriors den, breathing in the fresh scent of the morning. She noticed Tree was already up – looks like the tom had already mastered some of the hunting style of ThunderClan, seeing as he brought in a starling and two voles that morning. Mossface padded towards him as he was placing his catches in the fresh-kill pile.
"Hi." she meowed to him. Tree looked up at Mossface, and nodded his greetings to the she-cat. Mossface turned around as she heard Rabbitleg attempting to get up from his nest. The she-cat couldn't help but smile, and went over to nudge the tom to his paws. Rabbitleg smiled, able to get up on his two forelegs and one hindleg – Swifttalon had managed to rip off the leg that had broken beyond repair.
"Thanks." He meowed. Rabbitleg had learned how to walk, and it turned out to enhance his balance. Well, a good enough balance for only having three legs, anyway. Mossface realized that Flowerstar still hadn't announced anything about what would happen to Rabbitleg. Mossface decided that she'd better ask him what he planned to do.
"Rabbitleg… exactly do you wish to do about your leg?" Mossface asked. "Like, are you going to ask Flowerstar to become an elder? Or are you going to try to stay a warrior?" Rabbitleg had to think for a short while before he replied in a low voice.
"I don't really know." The tom's tail drooped. "I'm going to have to ask Flowerstar about it." Mossface softly sighed, and touched her nose to his cheek. I wonder… are we considered mates? I love him, he loves me… but what does that make us? She thought. Mossface pushed the thought aside. Rabbitleg stood back up from his sitting position, Mossface following his actions.
"How about we go ask her now? So that way, Flowerstar won't have to call to clan meetings." Mossface asked. She kept her voice quiet, un-sure if Rabbitleg was comfortable with other cats hearing at the moment. There was a short moment of silence between the two, before Rabbitleg meowed back to her.
"I guess that'd be the better option," he replied. With him, Mossface padded over to Flowerstar's den. Mossface drew in a breath to talk to her, but Flowerstar was faster.
"Mossface, I've seen you around here a bit too much – it's beginning to worry me," she meowed. Flowerstar's voice had that certain tone that a mother would have when she was disciplining a kit. "What do you need, or want, now?" Mossface's head was bowed down, but she soon raised it back up to speak.
"We need to figure out what will happen to Rabbitleg." Mossface stated. "I'm worried that he'll have to become an elder – !"
"Because you love him." Flowerstar finished her sentence, the she-cat's eyes narrowed. "Since Greenpaw died, Rabbitleg is given the chance to become a medicine cat. However, that would make your love against StarClan's code. If he became an elder, he'd be treated like one, which means that if Mossface wanted kits for example, it'd be against ThunderClan's belief for Rabbitleg to make love to you. And it'd just be improper for him to stay a warrior, with his disability." Flowerstar meowed. Her voice was tainted with sorrow, but Mossface was unsure if it was true.
Rabbitleg was frozen to his spot. His eyes were glazed with emotional pain – how in StarClan's name would he be able to make a choice like this? He soon sighed. "I think the only way I'll be able to live with myself a little more would be to become an elder." He meowed. "I know I wouldn't be able to live without love – I should be able to manage without kits." Rabbitleg slowly meowed.
Mossface, on the other hand, was in slight shock. She simply stared down at the ground, her eyes round. Mossface could hardly bear to look up, and only listened to Flowerstar's voice.
"If that's your decision, Rabbitleg, it will be announced at sunhigh."
The pale ginger she-cat, distraught, padded out of the den, and into the middle of camp. The only thing Rabbitleg could do was follow her, love pains stabbing at his heart. Mossface turned to face Rabbitleg. "We only have some time left."
Her statement confused Rabbitleg. "What does that mean?" he asked her. He looked up to look at her as well. Mossface flicked her tail, signaling for him to follow her.
"Come, and you'll find out." Mossface padded out of the camp, and walked around it to come up to some tunnels. These tunnels were discovered long ago, during a great battle involving all four clans, right in ThunderClan's territory. Mossface padded inside them, Rabbitleg following.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Mossface had found herself sleeping beside Rabbitleg – the sound of Flowerstar's call had woken her up. She nudged Rabbitleg's muzzle, whispering softly. "It's time to get up. I guess it's time for you… to become an elder." Mossface sighed.
Rabbitleg only groaned. "I never knew you had those kind of inten-!" Mossface silenced him with a lick.
"Shush. Come on, let's go…" Mossface stood herself up, slowly nudging Rabbitleg to his paws. Rabbitleg got up with Mossface's help, stretching his forelegs. They exited the cave, and went into the camp. Mossface could already see Tree, close to the rock where Flowerstar stood. The rest of the clan was gathered. Mossface had noticed that Whitesnow was getting bigger, which Mossface had also noticed on Swifttalon had her kits. Mossface could only smile. I know that they'll have some den mates before they leave the nursery, she thought. The thought of kits made her feel all happy inside.
Flowerstar began to speak. "Cats of ThunderClan; I gather you at this time, for two important reasons." Flowerstar turned to look at Tree, who stood beside Rabbitleg at the front. "Tree, please step fore ward," she meowed. Obediently, the dark tabby tom stepped towards the leader.
"Spirits of StarClan, you know every cat by name. I ask you now to take away the name from the cat you see before you, for it no longer stand for what he is." Flowerstar paused. Mossface could feel Tree's excitement for his warrior name. Flowerstar soon began to speak again.
"By my authority as clan leader, and with a approval of our warrior ancestors, I give this cat a new name. From this moment on, he'll be known as Treeheart. StarClan recognizes you for your bravery, and eagerness." She rested her head on his, and like all newly-named warriors, the tom licked her shoulder. Cheers came from the clan.
"Treeheart, Treeheart!" they chanted. Mossface chanted along, putting a fake smile on her face. She was upset… she didn't want Rabbitleg to become an elder. However, it had to be done. Flowerstar looked down at Rabbitleg.
"Rabbitleg, please come fore ward." She meowed. Rabbitleg was slightly hesitant, yet he stepped towards her anyway. Flowerstar continued. "Rabbitleg, due to your injury, you have made a decision to become an elder, and today that will be a reality," she meowed. "Is it your wish to give up your warrior name and go to join the elders?" Flowerstar asked.
Rabbitleg was also hesitant. The rather young warrior sighed. His voice choked back with sadness, the tom muttered. "…yes."
"Your clan honors you and the service you have given us. I call on StarClan to give you many seasons of rest." Flowerstar jumped down from the rock, in signal that the meeting was off. The only thing Mossface could think of to do, was to pad up to Rabbitleg, and push her nose into his cheek.
"Let's get your nest moved." Mossface meowed softly. She didn't want him to move – if anything, she'd probably want to sleep in the elder's den with him, and spend nearly all day with him, instead of doing her warrior duties.
Rabbitleg allowed her to fetch his nest, and place it into the elder's den. As Rabbitleg lay down, Mossface lay beside him, with a small sigh. She could see Ashtalon and Whitesnow lying in the distance, Ashtalon nuzzling her gently. Mossface held back a sigh. She only wished she'd be able to have kits now. Mossface had her head resting on her paws, looking rather relaxed. Rabbitleg gently licked her forehead, with a small purr. He meowed softly in her ear.
"Hey, shouldn't you be out hunting?" he asked, with a small smile. "You shouldn't sit here, being all cramped up in here with me." Rabbitleg added. Mossface lifted her head, and finally released the sigh.
"I want to stay here with you."
"Well, you should be out there, helping your clan."
"But… I just want you there with me."
"Go on."
Mossface stood herself up. She licked Rabbitleg's cheek, and then began to pad out the den. She saw Treeheart in the warriors den. Mossface sighed, and then continued on. The she-cat walked out of the camp, and into the territory. She sniffed the air, allowing all the scents of nature enter her senses.
She padded to wards the WindClan border. When she was a kit, she had heard about WindClan and ThunderClan's rivalry – WindClan believed that ThunderClan shouldn't be taking in so many non-clan cats. My grandparents would have been one of those non-clan cats. It's literally impossible for a cat to be a full clan-blooded cat. Clans weren't around forever. She thought. All the sudden, the sweet scent of sparrow was caught in the wind, and had drifted all the way to her. Mossface's tongue licked her lips, a mischievous look in her eyes. Perfect. She thought. The cat took a quicker pace in the bird's direction. She soon came up to the WindClan and ThunderClan border. Mossface was crouched down low, her eyes on the bird – that was just on the other side of the WindClan border. Should I hunt it anyway? She wondered. After debating with herself, the she-cat decided that she'd go for it. Mossface soon crossed the border, into WindClan's section of the forest, her belly fur nearly touching the ground. It appeared the sparrow wasn't expecting her at all.
In a flash, Mossface caught the sparrow in her jaws, breaking its neck silently. The cat landed softly on her feet. She dashed on the other side of the border, making sure she wasn't caught on the border. After burying her sparrow, she began to mark the border, when four WindClan cats came; Talonstar, Leaffur, Stripednose, and Violetpaw. Mossface felt rather defensive. It's alright. She thought. It's not like they know. Mossface tried hard to keep her feeling calm, yet she wanted to panic and flee. After marking the border, she sat herself down and licked her chest, attempting to appear calm.
"It's a ThunderClan cat!" The apprentice spat at Mossface. Violetpaw's fur bristled. Leaffur placed her tail on her shoulder.
"Calm down." the WindClan she-cat was slim and petit, like a lot of the WindClan cats. "It's not like she'll attack us – it's four against one." Leaffur looked over to Mossface. Talonstar took a step fore ward, less than a mouse-length away from the border.
"I would think that you would have more cats with you." He meowed, his voice carved with suspicion. "Why are you out here… all alone?" Talonstar put a sly smile on his face.
Mossface's pelt began to bristle. "I was out hunting." She said tartly. "What's it too you?" The she-cat spat at the leader. Talonstar chuckled slightly.
"Well, when a cat is hunting alone, so close to enemy borders, it is usually because they were stealing prey," he meowed, his voice becoming rather dangerous. The WindClan leader soon came right up to the border. "But you weren't doing that, were you?" His eyes narrowed.
Mossface felt herself froze. Oh no… she thought. They know I was stealing prey from them. Yet, Mossface didn't speak of it. "I was not stealing prey." she meowed, her voice rather strong even though she was lying. "I was not stealing prey." Mossface repeated, and felt more confident. The WindClan apprentice hissed at her.
"Yes, you were!" she spat. "I've already learned clan scent – and there's ThunderClan scent on our side of the border!" Violetpaw growled. "You lying prey-stealer!" Mossface hissed back at the apprentice.
"That was not me," she continued to lie. "I must go – I have some hunting to do." Mossface spat at them. She glared at Talonstar. "Maybe you should also teach your apprentices not to accuse." she snarled. Without waiting for a reply, Mossface disappeared out of their sight, and into some bushes deeper into ThunderClan's territory.
I'm lucky they didn't attack me. Mossface thought to herself, while she dug up the stolen sparrow. I better roll in some damp ferns to get rid of the smell. Off of the prey and me. She clutched the sparrow in her jaws, and padded off to wards the camp.
Nearby the camp, there was a patch of ferns that Mossface rolled herself and the sparrow in. Seeing as the scent was nicely covered, she went inside for the sparrow to be placed in the pile. Mossface went to the elder's den, going to go lay with Rabbitleg. Mossface soon realized, she was falling asleep beside him.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The pale ginger cat had noticed she was getting bigger. It was a moon after Swifttalon's betrayal, and tonight was the night of the gathering. Flowerstar had picked her to stay behind tonight. Actually, she had picked many cats to stay behind that night, in case Swifttalon decided to raid the camp once more.
Mossface had already checked in with her sister about her kits, and, as far as she could tell, it was going fine. Swifttalon's kits were growing quite big – just like how their father was big. Mossface sighed, thinking about the tom. Maybe his death is what made Swifttalon so thirsty for revenge? She asked herself. Mossface went towards the fresh-kill pile, fetching herself a mouse.
It was becoming late, when Flowerstar called the Gathering cats to leave. They left in silence, leaving their camp, and possibly their clan, behind. Mossface went back to her the elder's den, sitting with Rabbitleg for a while. Rabbitleg put on a smile.
"How are you and those kits doing?" he asked.
"Fine. Spottedfire says that they're doing well." Mossface nuzzled her mate along the ear, with a purr. "I'm so excited, Rabbitleg." she meowed. "I just… can't wait for them." Mossface whispered in Rabbitleg's ear. Rabbitleg purred, licking her cheek.
"I can't wait either." he meowed. Mossface laid her head on her paws, Rabbitleg licking the top of her head. She closed her eyes, feeling comforted. Rabbitleg soon stopped, and rested his head beside hers. Mossface's eyes opened quickly when she heard sounds coming from the outside of the camp. The she-cat jumped up. It smells like Swifttalon! she thought. Rabbitleg sensed her emotions, and jumped up as well. However, when the two ran out of the den, Swifttalon was glaring right at them.
"Miss me?"
Mossface's pelt bristled at the sight of the she-cat. She stood defensively beside Rabbitleg. "What do you want?" she spat. Swifttalon had a side-ways smirk on her face.
"We want a lot of things, don't we?" Swifttalon looked over her shoulder, many cats behind her, chuckling slightly. Mossface's tail flicked. Swifttalon looked to wards her stomach, her eyes widening, now a sly, toothy smile on her face.
"Carrying kits, I see…" Swifttalon gave a small chuckle. "Maybe I should kill your mate like mine was… finally, someone in ThunderClan can experience my pain!" She snarled. Yet, a dark brown tabby form flung itself between Swifttalon and Mossface. Swifftalon hissed.
"Tree! I found you, you little traitor!" she spat. Treeheart snarled at the she-cat, coming into a crouch.
"My name is no longer Tree, you piece of foxdung! My name is Treeheart!"
"Please." She growled. She flicked her tail, and Grass leapt at his own brother. However, Treeheart easily pinned him down due to lack of food.
Rabbitleg snarled, stepping towards Swifttalon.
"You will not be able to touch my mate." He spat. Mossface moved her forepaw to stand firmly beside him, but once Rabbitleg softly tapped his tail on her chest, she knew it was best to stay back.
Swifttalon smirked. "And exactly what are you willing to do to achieve that?" Mossface's eyes widened, and she hissed.
"Don't Rabbitleg!" she meowed. He looked at her. If you had been there, it'd be easy to see the calm feeling that he had. Mossface felt tears tugging at her eyes. However, a black and white shape came towards Swifttalon.
"If you need someone to go with you, I will." The cat meowed. Mossface's eyes widened.
"Ravenfeather?!" she meowed, rather shocked. Ravenfeather had seemed to be ignoring her recently, and Mossface wasn't exactly sure why. The she-cat looked at her, and back at Swifttalon. The tabby's eyes were narrowed.
"Though I wanted the tom, I guess one of her best friends will have to do." Swifttalon growled. Treeheart had already released Grass, and now the black and white tom was beside Ravenfeather, taking her scruff in his jaws, and tugging at her harshly.
Mossface watched in dismay, some of the ShadowClan cats in the way of her and Ravenfeather. Though Mossface was pushing against the wall of warriors, she could only watch her friend being dragged away out of the camp. Soon, the ShadowClan cats took off after their leader. Mossface took pursuit, but soon stopped while she was in the middle of the territory.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Rabbitleg was behind her, panting. "Mossface…" he meowed. He came closer to her, muzzle her gently. "Come on back to camp. We won't be able to fetch her until the gathering cats come back." He meowed.
Mossface shook her head, now letting her tears fall. "No Rabbitleg. She'll be dead by then." She cried, rubbing her face in his light gray fur. Rabbitleg then gently guided her away, back in the direction of the camp.