Aighty guys, I'm back for another chappie! This is just kinda a filler chappie ya' know, give you guys a looksie as to what everycat in StarClan is going through right about now! And so it features the return of a crown fave, Lionclaw! And of course, *insert tear here* our dearly departed Stonepelt! Wow, I miss them so much! And on a dumb little side note, I got a haircut and my doggy is in total snuggle-mode right now. She so cute! Okay, Review Answers!
LarkspriritofForestClan: how could anybody get your name wrong? *hands Rosepaw plushie* I just don't understand. And no, "and" is not my favorite word. My favorite word/phrase is "que pasa?" haha, it ticks my cousin off big time, which makes it all the more fun for meeeee!
The Endless Hourglass: aw, thanks! I'm honestly not that good. In fact, I'm pretty sure I suck, but hey, we all have our own opinions. I bet you do have ALOT of great ideas, just waiting to be found. You must find the key to the paths, young grasshopper xD
Falcon: *hands Lionclaw plushie* here's another one my good sir/lady! The war shall be revealed...in time xD
XxBlazestormXx: awww, I love how fiercely protective you are about a non-existent character xD don't worry, I was pretty close to personally cutting Bramblefur's head off and feeding it to the buzzards. *cue sweet smile* Aren't we sweet?
TearStainedAngel: I'm so glad you like her! you see, I wasn't exactly sure how you wanted her portrayed, so I kinda just kept it simple. Thank you for the clue! She will not be that blunt, I promise! She's going to be a verryy effective negotiator :)
Ashheart15: thank youu! Just keep at it sweet! In time, it all works out.
Runningmist: think nothing of it! LOVE YOU TOO!
Darkfang of DeathClan: I'm soooooooooooo happy you like her! I thought you would enjoy her being a bit feisty!
WarriorCat99: I was wonderinngg where you'd gotten to! Now, because you and Angel are both such avid Lionclaw lovers, I dedicate this chappie specially to you guys :) And yes, I will argue, cause this is most definitely NOT the best story ever! But thank you anywhoo!
Juniperleaf of BlazeClan: i missed ya! so glad you're back deary! I agree about Ravenwing, and I'm trying really hard to give her a bigger piece in this story! It's kinda hard, cause I'm still in the process of developing Rosepaw and the crew, you know? Hopefully, a chappie from her POV will be coming soon!
Spottedflame: dang, you're a busy girl xD (you're a girl, right?) and thank you for defending me :) I'm sure Angel will show up soon and have a perfectly good excuse for being so long absent.
kingszey: thanks! A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU TOOOO!
maghmur: new reader/reviewer! *hands Featherpaw plushie* Thank you so much for your kind compliments! Means the world to me, I swear! Keep reading deary!
Dapplepaw0199: how sweet, you made your name based off Dapplepaw! You must really like her!
...: again, a blank name. Please, honey, could you put a name? It makes it just a bit less confusing! Anywhoo, now now, we can all share Dapplepaw! Anyway, all rights go to TearStainedAngel24, who submitted her and created her. I merely insert her into the story :) I also have a question. Whose Nightfur? I'm thinking you mean Shadowfur? anyway, i like the idea of Frostkit, just not the mating pair. You shall see in time, dear!
The Bearer of Secrets: YOU'RE BACK! I was wondering where you'd gotten to! Keep reviewing dear!
Tatyana: welcome back! I know, didn't it just make you want to leap into the story? I loved that part too! Okay, my fave character in this story is...ALL OF THEM! I can't pick a fave, it's like picking a fave child! Their all wonderful in their own unique ways! And my fave in the Warriors series is Graystripe. He's so wonderfully flawed. I just love him!
ON WE GO!
Chapter 9
Streampelt sat in the center of a moonlit clearing, gazing up at the beautiful, bright stars. Beside her, a small pool reflected the inky night sky. No ripples disturbed its austere surface. All around, not a leaf stirred, not a bird sang. All was serene.
"Streampelt," a voice murmured, coming from behind her. Glancing over her shoulder, she caught sight of a brown tom padding towards her. Lionclaw.
Bowing his head, he sat down beside her, heaving a deep sigh.
"It is fast approaching," he commented, keeping his gaze fixed on the stars. Streampelt tossed him a sudden glare filled with venom.
"It would not be so if you hadn't strayed from the path!" the gray she-cat snapped angrily, fur bristling. Lionclaw stood, bowing his head again.
"I know I made mistakes, and I admit them freely. I came here to seek forgiveness, Streampelt, which you were willing to give," he growled, voice edged with a hint of weariness. The wise she-cat stood and began to pace furiously.
"Don't speak to me of forgiveness, Lionclaw! Tell it the clans, who are all about to pay for you mistake!" Streampelt yowled, tail lashing and ears flat against her head. Lionclaw stood, angered now.
"Don't speak about my daughter that way, Streampelt! It's not her fault she was raised to know only one way, one path. She will do what is right in the end, as I did," Lionclaw spat, blue eyes flashing ice fire. Stonepelt, Robin at his side, strode into the clearing, eyes ablaze.
"End this, now!" Robin caterwauled, muscles tense with anger and frustration. Both quarreling cats fell into an ashamed silence at once. Robin swept on, carried by her fury.
"This is no time to be bickering like kits! The clans need us now more than ever, and if you continue this, where will they be? Yes, Lionclaw has made mistakes, but what Featherpaw does is not for us to blame him. Streampelt, you must keep your senses about you, for them if nothing else. For StarClan's sake, pull yourself together!" the fiery she-cat yowled, fur fluffed up and eyes flashing. Stonepelt stood by her silently, eyes cold and disapproving.
Streampelt sighed, bowing her head. Lionclaw continued to glare at her, legs trembling.
"You're right, I apologize. I just worry so much…" she trailed off, eyes distant. Stonepelt slid to her side, brushing his fur against hers.
"You must have faith, Streampelt. Faith alone can guide you through these dark times," he murmured. The weathered she-cat suddenly seemed very fragile and small, leaning against the strong tom wearily. She gave a nod, heaving another deep sigh.
"You're right," she whispered. Stonepelt lead her out of the clearing, glancing back at Robin and Lionclaw concernedly.
Lionclaw gave a little breath, swinging his head towards the pool. In its gentle light, he saw the figure of his daughter, Featherpaw.
Her slender build and light tortoiseshell fur made her an exact replica of her mother. Her dainty white paws were misleading, as they could inflict brutality unlike anything ever seen. But her eyes, those were what marked her as his true daughter.
Dark blue and always alight, they shone with a fearlessness and pride seen rarely in cats her age. She held her head high and always walked with purpose. There was only one thing they lacked, and that was belief. Featherpaw never seemed to believe anything, whether it was love, affection, pain, fury. She was never taught how or why. And Lionclaw hoped that someday, somehow, he would see pure belief blazing forth from those blue depths.
He hoped that Ravenwing could teach her that belief was what made them strong. Belief was the core, the very root of their nature.
Who knows? Maybe the blind apprentice would be the one who showed her the way. Maybe Rosepaw, the true seer, would be the one to show Featherpaw what it truly meant to believe.
Beside him, Robin gave a warm purr, eyes glowing softly at him, so like Ravenwing's.
"She will be great if you believe in her, Lionclaw."
There we are! And since this is most likely the last chappie till Christmas, I just wish to say this.
I hope each and every one of you reading this, yes, that includes YOU! has a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! This new year brings new hope and new adventures! So go out there, have a blast, and just live another year! Rejoice, rejoice! I hope your Christmas and new year is filled with fresh blessings and joy! MERRY CHRISTMAS!
~Ciao, Monkey!~