Silent Whispers Chapter 3 - Faithfulness, a warriors fanfic

Luke 16: 10

If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won't be honest with greater responsibilities.

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Hebrews 11: 1

Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.

Matthew 17: 20

Chapter 3 – Faithfulness

You cannot see faith, but you can recognize the choices and outcomes due to having faith, you can feel it - not physically but within yourself and from the intense confidence of others that have it.

Faith can be put in the wrong cat, it can be lost, and it can even be betrayed and ruined, leaving you to never trust again. But creating relationships to flourish into something better and closer, faith is also a beautiful thing.

Faith is many things. Faith is the complete trust or confidence in someone or something, even something we cannot be confirmed of. Faith is having a belief in something; no matter what anyone said or told you, you would still hold a firm grasp on it. A strong faith is believing in someone or something endlessly, even when times get rough and others will tell you differently, try to convince you that believing in what you do is incorrect - without suspect.

It is like the wind, we cannot picture it but we know it is there; yet sometimes faith does not always give the physical assurances as we do with even a light breeze. With faith we may have no tangible proof, but we believe nonetheless. Truly having faith is standing by what you believe no matter how insane that idea may be. Those are the things that make it faith, sometimes without going out on a ledge to believe what you do it wouldn't really be a true credulity.

Though, completely owning faith is not just believing; real faith is sincerely doing things that show it to be real.

What good is it if someone claims to have a faith, yet has no deeds to reveal it? Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. You may believe in something, but if you are not able to make action due to that faith, is it real?

For example, young ones, your litter-mate refuses to believe that the large, intimidating opening to the medicine cat's den only carries the cat itself and her herbs, no ghostly spirit that scares young kits who stray from their mothers - yet you do. If you truly had faith in that, wouldn't you be willing to take the action of stepping inside? Or would you doubt that notion? Is it truly having complete trust that the haunting creature does not exist, if you are too afraid of something that you claim to think isn't real?

Even if you have a real faith as small as a mustard seed, nothing can waver it.

Being faithful is a different aspect, it is having the worthiness of that trust, of being able to possess the confidence of others. You can be faithful in many things, to many things. Being faithful in the words you speak, to the ones you love. You can be faithful in what you believe. If you are truly faithful to someone or something, you would be loyal and devoted, never giving up on that thought of fidelity.

You can determine much about one another by their faithfulness. If one is unfaithful in the very tiniest thing - no matter how insignificant that thing may be – it is highly doubtful they would be faithful in a larger obligation. Yet, one who is faithful in the very least, is most likely to be loyal in a greater responsibility, for they show how much they care for the simplest of things.

Placing our faith in someone may be a difficult thing to accomplish, for we often find solace in only trusting ourselves. Yet, standing alone to face our problems is an even greater task. Most want to rely on themselves because they feel they alone are the only ones they can trust, but that is not the case.

Though, to decide who or what you put your faith in is still a vital choice, for it can be placed in a wrong idea or cat. You must be cautious as to what you trust, because there are always deceiving images and manipulative things that will want to bend your vision.

Yet there is always a faith lingering throughout the earth that others will open their eyes to realize the truth.

As you can realize faith is many things, and once you lose the faith of others it is almost impossible to regain, to trust anyone ever again - but there is always hope.

By faith many things can be accomplished, understood irrevocably. That which is not visible can then be seen, and a comfort will flood through our hearts. Without it we would not be where we are today, locked in a prison and restricted by our chains. How is that living? How can we live without knowing the sun will rise and bring a new tomorrow? How can we live without faith?

Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Faith is the flower that blooms selflessly when all is cast in the shadows.

Faith is the hope you hold on to when all seems lost.

Faith is a strength no being can fathom.

Part One – Secret Callings

StarClan, if you can hear me, listen. Please, I need a sign in my most desperate hour of need.

Thoughts and concerns consumed the young she-cat as the evening sky wraps around the ones below in a safe warmth. She could feel herself, slipping deeper into her darkening facade until there was no way to revive herself. When the consequences occurred, all innocence she held would vanish as if it was never there to begin with. Maskheart had to do something, rather than hide herself behind a hypocritical identity because of her insecurities. After becoming a warrior of StoneClan, she believed that the opportunity to become a new cat was shining down the path which she would choose to take. How terribly wrong Maskheart was at that. Did she honestly believe that her old habits would fall behind her?

She looked to the clear blue sky for some guidance. The sun had just set the same moment as it did every day, revealing an order that only something superior could create. Now, the land above was clean, only the faint full-moon peaking it's way through the layers could be seen.

Though there were no stars dotting the sky, variously sparkling the night, Maskheart needed someone to answer the questions that stumbled through her head time after time. She truly had faith that there was someone watching her from above. She just didn't have faith in herself.

Shaking her head, the wind tussled the bright greens and yellows of leaves as they slowly drifted to the forest floor. Maskheart grew impatient with herself everyday, why was she always forced to act the way she did? The feeling was unexplainable. She may have an understanding none could comprehend, but when it came to her actions in certain situations, all seemed lost.

I'm tired from endlessly fighting with myself. I'm tired of hiding all these deep, dark secrets only to be a burden I can't carry.

The black - and - white cat's amber eyes melted soulfully into the horizon, wishes and hopes merging together. Maskheart sincerely thought too much, perhaps that is why she ceased to speak. Every time a single idea crossed her mind, it turned into a greater worry or debate.

She wanted to become so much more than she actually was, do something important in the world - yet here in the outer boundary of her camp she sat, always yearning for things she could never be. The peaceful harmony of the birch forest soothed her pain. She often studied the infinite sky, stretching across the depths of her land. The mountain in which she lived held rocky areas - one in which StoneClan inhabited. The rest was dappled with silvery forests and merrily singing rivers.

StoneClan was that of three Clans intertwined to each other, living on the giant structure in the closest thing to serenity as possible. StoneClan seemed to be the one in the middle, always making sure to keep the peace, standing firm to hold everything in place.

Not far past the bubbling brooks were rock caverns in which the cats of EchoClan lived. They were large, muscular cats who fished in the rivers with their claws, sharpened on the damp walls of their enclosure. EchoClan was named for the dripping water which trickled off the stones, sending repeating noises through the cave. But the war-torn cats weren't as peaceful as their home. Being battle hungry and always looking for a reason to fight, most cats were prideful and used their strength and size in battle, rather than using decisive tactics. It was extremely hard to keep their vanity to themselves; but fortunately for StoneClan, their own methods of attack were intimidating to all.

SilverClan was more patient and kind; their stalking techniques were difficult to defend themselves from. SilverClan contained the most lush part of the mountain on which the Clans lived. As they had a spacious and open territory, cats belonging to this Clan were surrounded by a beautiful birch woodland. SilverClan was best known for the floor of the forest that glowed in daylight and the leaves that glimmered under the bright sun, giving a silver appearance. Members of this Clan were very good hunters due to stealth and speed along with being very silent. They used their hunting skills to their benefit in battle when approaching an opponent and had an interesting combination of fighting techniques.

I know what Pebblebrook always taught me was true, but I don't have enough strength to carry those principles through.

"I just want to discover what I am supposed to become," she whispered, only to be lost in the breeze and carried through the bends of the forest.

A sudden echo spread throughout her surroundings, sounding as a silent whisper. One voice only spoke, deep and heavy, yet it was simply soothing. It was like the sweet noise of falling rain-drops, but all the same it held the fearful strength of howling wind. "The time is coming," it said, the booming phrase ringing in her ears.

The meaning Maskheart could not grasp, making a chill creep up her spine, one vertebrae at a time. Every hair on her pelt pricked up in unease. The voice grew louder and louder, consuming the forest around, she could feel it closing in around her. Maskheart dared herself not to move, perhaps she would not be stolen by its vain beauty.

It felt like a lifetime, like she was frozen in an endless trance, yet it was for but a moment.

Suddenly, the stirring of undergrowth interrupted the fascination in its words, the repeating of the taunt had faded away. The tight realization it almost had lured Maskheart in had now lightly drifted as if a trick of the wind.

The young she-cat did not pay attention to the noise before; it was nothing compared to what she had just witnessed. Yet, it arose again, louder. Maskheart swiveled her black ears backwards trying to identify the sound. Paw steps, she mouthed noiselessly. It was too late for the creature possessing those paw steps had already pounced on her rather clumsily into her side. Black, feathery fur caught her sight as she was being pinned down by fuzzy paws.

"Ravenfeather," she stated, confused. Bright green eyes danced in front of her soft yellow ones.

Part Two – Falling into the Darkness

"What was that for?" Maskheart asked in a bewildered tone, sometimes she did not understand her friend's ways.

The cheerful warrior's voice rang in an uprising laughter, more majestic than the squeaking of their nursery days, "Well, I saw you sitting there as you normally do, and I thought some hunting might be nice." A grin crept across Ravenfeather's muzzle as it always did. Was she never serious?

Maskheart tried her best to keep a perturbed look, but it didn't seem to stick, she gave in. Whiskers twitching with amusement, she asked, "Alright, but could we hunt the prey and not each other?" It was rare to get the focus of Maskheart, even more rare to gain her sarcasm; Ravenfeather seemed to accomplish the task easily.

Ravenfeather rolled her sparkling emerald orbs at Maskheart as she usually did, and there was reason to. But it just made her buoyant attitude more humorous to Maskheart; the annoyance of her friend was amusing in ways.

"Now could you let me up?" Maskheart asked in a playful manner, the edge of the will to keep her composure ringing.

Long, slender back legs placed lightly on the ground - one on either side of Maskheart - and heavy paws resting on her friend's chest, Ravenfeather effortlessly hopped off to the side. "Oh, sorry," she chimed.

Maskheart's feet squished into the earth underneath her weight, comforting her aching paws. The journey of climbing through gaps and squeezing in the crevices of her home often drained her energy, unlike Ravenfeather. She seemed to never grow weary of anything; her bounciness was endless. Though, Maskheart knew Ravenfeather often hid her distress and pain behind a smile, filling herself with a somewhat fake happiness to conceal the negative things in life. Something she slightly understood, but Maskheart wasn't hidden behind joy.

I know that when my faith is waning, my friend will always be there to pull me back into the light - but what if she is also fading into the never ending darkness? How can she just tuck away all the troubling truths in this world?

Maskheart pulled herself up, dramatically grunting as if in pain. Shoulders slouched, the she-cat gleamed with her eyes mischievously. The feathery black cat only gave her friend a curious look, mouth cringed in confusion.

Maskheart started to circle Ravenfeather, studying her up and down. Her muzzle frowned in seriousness, yet her eyes told a different story.

Ravenfeather just stood in the same position, paws twitching with impatience as Maskheart continued her odd way of punishment. Making Ravenfeather wait was the worst way anyone could tease her, especially with no clue as to what was happening.

The cat was poised yet crouched, waiting for the precise moment as she planned every movement and reaction out in her mind. Her theories pieced together a whole reality of what would come, but again, they were just theories.

"What were you doing, anyway?" Ravenfeather asked, her fuzzy, lithe face cocked to the side.

Waiting a few moments to answer - as she knew Ravenfeather hated - Maskheart replied in a reserved tone, "I was just thinking.."

"You always think; I should have guessed and saved my time," the black she-cat said as her eyes looked up with annoyance, once more.

Maskheart flicked her white-tipped tail between the eyes of her companion in a teasing affliction, hoping to melt what little tension was forming. The realization she shouldn't have doubted how much Ravenfeather knew her - like the scars under her own fur - appeared in little forms, the quick crinkling of Maskheart's nose or the regret flashing in her eyes.

She could not hide anything from her - but that didn't mean Ravenfeather always understood her knowledge.

I have always believed there is good in Ravenfeather, and I believe in Ravenfeather herself. Yet I always find myself asking, "How can someone who doesn't have faith in themselves, have faith in someone else?" As her honey-colored eyes wandered away, thoughts convinced her otherwise. Maskheart held a spark of hope as the back of her mind told her it was possible, that the one you have faith in will make you stronger so that you may have faith in yourself.

That was the thought she had only a shallow breath before she began to feel her body tumble and start to fall..

Maskheart figured the moment she hesitated, Ravenfeather decided it was time to reward payback; in her friend's mind it was a playful move. Of course it would have to be done if the opportunity was given.

The smooth rhythm of flying gave illusion of a dream, as a sky gently wisped her fur, just brushing every worry away. Only then did the reality come when Maskheart crashed to the ground, due to the gravity she was bound to. Motions of extremely high jumping lasted for moments, then returned back to ground. Maskheart could barely touch it when she had spent seconds in the air; she hoped to cling to whatever she could in distress. After it repeated, all the breath she thought she held was knocked out, it possibly could have run away with her sanity, as well.

Suddenly, the throbbing pain altered into a tumbling motion, heading towards the bottom of the hill, into the land she had barely any knowledge of. It was inevitable. Tucking her head in a dazed state, Maskheart braced herself for whatever would come, even as the pain grew less and less.

...

Coming out of a disillusioned fantasy, the black - and - white she-cat sat up groggily. Maskheart lay in a shallow pool of water, wincing from the aching pain that once coursed through her body, now all that was left was a continued reminder. Somehow, Ravenfeather and she landed in a small pond, almost like a puddle. A clearing spread around the two creatures, woodland surrounding all sides but one. There they both could see a steep hill smoothly uprising into their world, now seeming too far.

Maskheart had not collected herself yet, everything was just.. there. No thoughts crossed her mind but the enjoyment of tranquility. Everything was silent, everything was left to rest in its own humble abode, just living and breathing. That was all.

Ravenfeather quickly stood up in a defiant matter, ears flicking frantically and eyes searching in all directions. She didn't even bother to shake the sparkling drops of water from her fur as they lightly slid of, leaving a glossy appearance. Maskedheart mindlessly turned her head towards her black-furred friend as she was pacing in a desperate motion. Usually that was herself – letting small situations overwhelm her concerns. What is troubling her so deeply? How can she not be amazed by such a place, not seeming to posses hate or war, untouched.

"What is the matter?" Maskheart asked, carelessly speaking - as if the words she spoke just tumbled out of her mouth all on their own, and she had no understanding of their meaning.

The feathery cat whipped around, confusion and cold fear stirring her insight, "Don't you know where we are?" Trembling sounds made their way through Ravenfeather's voice, but when she spoke once more they were in a firm state, "Listen, Maskheart. Do you realize where we've fallen?"

Fear made her patched pelt bristle, snapped her out of the spell she was under. If Ravenfeather was seriously disturbed, every living creature should be. Her den-mate was far too head-strong to let anything bother her on the outside, unless of course someone was threatening to test her patience.

Maskheart thoroughly identified every movement, every crack in the trees; there was not a single noise to be heard. There was no breeze ruffling her fur or the foliage of trees, the melodic chirping of bird song was absent, even the buzzing of smaller creatures was silent. It was the delicacies such as those that brought peace to her evenings, yet it was also the smallest detail that was absent from..

"The Forbidden Forest," she whispered breathlessly, simply for Ravenfeather and herself to hear. Yet, her conscience tugged at her, warning that there was an eerie presence observing its new prisoners.

...

With an exchange of terrified expressions, the two of them shared a new respect. Only then, were they both assured that their faith in each other would hold them them together; they would not let themselves slip through the widening cracks.

The forest let out a deep breath, shaking the vicinity. It had awoken.

Faithfulness lives where love is stronger than instinct.

Paul Carvel

Faith is the bird that sings when the dawn is still dark.

Rabindranath Tagore

You cannot see faith, but you can see the footprints of the faithful. We must leave behind "faithful footprints" for others to follow.

Dr. Dennis Anderson

A/N: Finally the major plot to Silent Whispers has been set in motion. This was a very big chapter, thus I thought a very big lesson would fit it. The theme was chosen mostly because you will see Ravenfeather and Maskheart struggling with faith at first, but then they will grow, grow stronger individually and in each other. Some spots may be rough, but I have sincerely put my heart and soul into this story.

I will be focusing more on my weaknesses in this and trying to improve them. That's why constructive criticism is always beneficial - perhaps for me and you. Hahah.

Lesson:

For this chapter's lesson, Pebblebrook tries thoroughly to explain this so whoever is listening can get a good grip on it. This theme may be a little tedious to read and understand, but the main aspect of faithfulness should shine bright.

Sadly, I find that all my characters so far have not acted well upon the lessons I have taught alongside them, but this journey they go through is supposed to change that. Here I am hoping you will find yourself learning through their mistakes, as Maskheart and Ravenfeather have fallen due to their lack of faith.

...

Ravenfeather belongs to my friend.