Thanks to Satire47 and Rowanflame for reviewing!
This chapter is sadly really short. But do not fret, there's more to come!
Silverpaw stared blankly at the crumpled shape of Featherpaw. Willowfur was crouched beside her daughter, occasionally letting out moans of grief.
A calm breeze ruffled Featherpaw's soft fur, casting the illusion that she was simply sleeping. But even in the darkness, the lack of shine in her glassy copper eyes made it clear that she was gone.
The light tabby tom dully recalled the events after he had been attacked by Stormpaw. Him, stumbling away as Willowfur and Wolfstorm chased him from his post by the corpse of his best friend. Kestrelpaw, feverishly working the smells of lavender and mint into Featherpaw's pelt, covering the overpowering scent of death.
Silverpaw scoffed. Featherpaw would likely not even smell like herself anymore.
The stars dappled flecks of light onto Featherpaw's unmoving body, casting rippling shadows on the cold fur. Silverpaw looked up at the sky, wondering which one was Featherpaw.
Sighing, he ambled back into his nest, wincing as he almost stepped on Rainpaw's tail. There was simply no point to stay awake any longer. To watch the elders prepare the dead cat for burial, to watch the tip of Featherpaw's bushy tail disappear through the gorse tunnel? No, Silverpaw did not care to tend to an empty shell that was once a cat. Featherpaw wasn't there anymore. Instead, there was a husk, a corpse. No spirit, no playfulness, no joy.
Before he knew it, the sun had risen just barely over the trees. Silverpaw sulked out of the nest. Hailbreeze was waiting for him by the tunnel. It was strange; normally, Hailbreeze would've scolded him, perhaps dragged him out of his nest. But instead, he just-stood there, eyes glinting with pity.
Silverpaw wanted to snarl, to wipe the false understanding from his face.
Without a word, Hailbreeze padded out of camp. Unwillingly, Silverpaw followed him.
Was there a point to training? No matter how hard he had trained, he hadn't been able to save Featherpaw.
Hailbreeze crossed the training hollow and crouched. Silverpaw mirrored him, his heart not completely into it. Nodding, Hailbreeze made the first move, streaking to him in a zig-zag pattern. Awkwardly, Silverpaw dodged, but it was too late. The sooty grey tom knocked him over with one paw. Silverpaw landed with a thud on his side, not attempting to get back up.
Hailbreeze hissed.
"What are you doing?" Hailbreeze lashed his tail. Silverpaw, feeling a sudden rush of fury, stared at him.
"You wouldn't understand!" He growled. Hailbreeze narrowed his eyes.
"What don't I understand?" The senior warrior asked, voice low. "What I do understand is that you're a coward. You blame yourself for Featherpaw's death, yet you don't make an effort to stop it from happening again."
Silverpaw continued to stare, straightening up slightly.
"Would Featherpaw have wanted this?" Hailbreeze breathed. Silverpaw imagined Featherpaw's face, her eyes.
"No," Silverpaw mewed defiantly.
"No."
...
Silverpaw watched, mouth full of shrew, as Stormpaw boasted to Talonpaw and Meadowpaw. His sister sat beside him, sneering at the outrageous tales he was recounting.
Silverpaw was furious at their ignorance. Featherpaw had died only a day before, and yet they were joking as if nothing had happened.
Flamepaw noticed Silverpaw eating alone, plopping down by him. Stormpaw turned his head, glanced at Silverpaw, and stopped at Flamepaw.
"Hey Flamepaw, come sit by us," Stormpaw purred. Sheepishly, Flamepaw looked back at her brother apologetically, and padded over to the four apprentices.
Silverpaw was hurt by her betrayal. He seethed as they laughed together, casting satisfied glances at him occasionally.
"Oddpaw, what are you doing there?" Rainpaw sneered. Stormpaw cackled. "What, besides being alone? Oh, gee I dunno,"
Silverpaw zoned them out. The prey turned sour in his mouth, and he pushed the half-eaten shrew away. He hated Stormpaw and Rainpaw.
But even then, there was such a dark, twisted part of him that desperately wanted to be friends with the two apprentices. Longed, to laugh, to boast with them.
So he ignored them. Chin up, head held high, Silverpaw forced himself to appear confident. With each blow the harsh words dealt, Silverpaw struggled to keep from sinking low. His ears rang from the insults.
Unwanted.
Burden.
Useless.
"Hey,"
What? Silverpaw looked up to see Aspenpaw's dark blue eyes.
"Oh-h-hi," Silverpaw stuttered, feeling a rush of warmth flood his body. So someone did cared about him.
"Aspenpaw!" Stormpaw's annoying voice meowed from his 'flock'. "Come over here. You don't want to be associated with that loser!"
Aspenpaw scoffed.
"Well, actually, Silverpaw is my friend. Unlike you, a sadistic little mouse-brain who is so insecure about himself that he has to be surrounded by a circle of cronies to actually feel comfortable," Stormpaw gawked, while Rainpaw looked scandalized.
"How dare you say that about my brother!" Rainpaw snarled, getting up and stalking to them. Aspenpaw glanced at her without missing a beat.
"You aren't much better, brat. Hiding behind your insults to block out your inner self." Rainpaw spat and walked back beside Stormpaw.
"Thanks," Silverpaw murmured gratefully. Aspenpaw smiled sadly.
"I can't believe Featherpaw's actually gone," The grey and white she-cat sighed. Silverpaw winced as if struck.
"It was all my fault," Silverpaw meowed miserably. Aspenpaw looked at him, incredulous.
"How could it be your fault? Don't blame yourself, Silver. It isn't your fault. It couldn't possibly be your fault,"
Silverpaw could only simply stare at her.
If only you knew.
Filler again...
QOTD: If you were Aspenpaw, what would you do?