"Rainkit!"
Cloversplash scrambled out of her nest as fast as she could, not stopping until she reach the medicine cat's den where Brightcloud lay with Rainkit's tiny body at her paws.
"No..." Cloversplash gasped.
"He was too sick to make it throughout the night." Brightcloud croaked, burying her muzzle deeper into his cold fur. By now, it had started to lightly snow, with the tiny snowflakes landing on Rainkit's small pelt.
Others had come out to see what the commotion was all about, even Fireleaf, Coalpelt, Redheart and Frostflower. Bramblestar padded to the front where Rainkit lay at Brightcloud's paws with Cloversplash, Sandbreeze, Willowfrost and Toadstep.
"Today, we mourn the loss of a very optimistic young cat. He fought through each day with a smile and always looked on the bright side of every situation. He would have made a valuable addition to his clan, and my only wishes are that he finds peace in StarClan, and will continue to find the good in everyday. Let us all bow our heads in silence, then continue on with his vigil." Bramblestar meowed, his voice ringing out throughout the clearing. Brackenfur padded out and sat beside Lilyheart, his precious daughter, and Bramblestar.
After a moment of silence, Brackenfur spoke. "Let us all remember this brave cat, for he was a true warrior for the last moments of his life. We will never forget what he has done for this clan. He has brought hope and cheerfulness, even in the darkest days."
One by one, the cats came forth and murmured their goodbyes to Rainkit. Echokit, Silverkit and Stormkit were called out to say goodbye to their brother, and instantly broke down.
"Rainkit! Nooooo! What will I do without you? You were always the best thrower at moss ball, and the warmest to cuddle up to when it was cold, and was always so nice even when we were mean!" Silverkit cried out as she pushed her muzzle into his fur in goodbye.
"I'll miss you big brother." Stormkit meowed sadly.
"Why did this have to happen? Why did it have to happen to you? It should have been me!" Echokit wailed, and Stormkit and Silverkit nuzzled her one on each side. Then Toadstep hearded the three kits back into the nursery and disappeared inside with them. He reappeared later on, returning to Brightcloud's side and murmured something in her ear that Cloverspalsh didn't quite catch.
Soon the elders stepped up to Rainkit's body and prepared him for burial, then sharing the tiny weight of his body, which had now turned almost white with the growing snowfall. The rest of the clan returned to their dens, and Brightcloud took a little persuasion from Toadstep, but eventually left as well. Cloversplash found it hard to sleep that night, and she tossed and turned throughout the night, dreaming of Rainkit and his last waking moments. She only hoped that he didn't suffer.
The next day was a sad one, with everybody still mourning the loss of Rainkit. There was another gathering tonight, and it seemed like it was the first one where no one was optimistic about going.
"You go, I'd rather be in the camp and stay with Brightcloud." They'd say.
At dusk, they all set out to leave. The chosen cats were Foxleap, Coversplash, Fireleaf, Coalpelt, Frostflower, Redheart, Lilyheart, Dewfeather, Cloudtail, Brightheart, Cinderheart, Lionblaze and of course, the leader, deputy and medicine cats.
As they arrived to the tree bridge, they met no clan, though their scent lingered in the air indicating that they were the last to arrive.
One by one they crossed the bridge, it was slippery after the snow the night before. Yet somehow no one fell in until Frostflower, misjudging the distance from the bridge to the island, slipped and fell into the ice cold lake, only to be saved by Coalpelt right before her head went under.
"Th-th-th-ank-s." She meowed affectionately.
After everyone was safely on the island, they all huddled under the great oak tree where the leaders addressed the clans, and the gathering began.
"Cats of all clans, first I'd like to begin by saying that ShadowClan has been thriving this past leaf fall, and are ready for leaf bare's harsh grip on the clans." Rowanstar meowed, though Cloversplash thought that he may not be telling the whole truth. "Darkwing has given birth to Pineheart's kits and they are named Spiderkit and Webkit, both toms. That is all."
Well Cloversplash certainly didn't expect that! She felt something boil up inside her, jealousy? Was she jealous that he had kits and she didn't? Or that Darkwing had him and she didn't? Her thoughts were interrupted by Reedstar.
"RiverClan too, have been lucky. This fish in the lake have been plentiful, and we thank StarClan for its blessing upon our home." Reedstar added.
"WindClan has real news to report." Onestar snarled. The other leaders looked baffled, wondering why Onestar was so furious. Cloversplash thought that he looked like he lost his mind.
"WindClan warriors have scented ThunderClan on our side of the border! We will not stand for it. So, we have taken our side of the forest back. The scents marks will be placed tomorrow at dawn. We will take it with or without a fight." Onestar meowed, finally siting back down with a huff.
Cloversplash noticed how frail he looked. He was the oldest of all the leaders by far, and even his mate was in the elder's den, who also happened to be his former apprentice. Cloversplash couldn't see Whitetail among the mass of WindClan warriors, but she was maybe too old to attend a gathering.
Bramblestar dipped his head politely to the WindClan leader, but Cloversplash could tell he was trying hard to control his temper. "Very well, Onestar, if thats what you want, but just remember that thunderClan's borders are always guarded. On a different note, ThunderClan has four new warriors," Bramblestar meowed with a glance at Onestar, as if trying to already show that they have the stronger force. "They are now Fireleaf, Redheart, Coalpelt and Frostflower. That is all."
The gathering ended soon enough after that, but Cloversplash still wanted to see Pineheart. He was pretty much the only reason that she agreed to attending this gathering. While she made her way through the crowd, she thought of different reasons why Bramblestar didn't mention Rainkit's death. Probably not to sound weak, she concluded.
Cloversplash finally found him, waiting in the same old bush they had meeted in last time, when they were still close.
"Pineheart!" She meowed.
"Cloversplash, I was hoping that you'd find me." Pineheart meowed steadily.
There was a brief moment when no cat spoke, and they just gazed into each others eyes, as if they were imagining the future if they were together.
"I have to go." Cloversplash breathed at last/
"I know. Meet me at the border tomorrow night, I'll be waiting, even if your're not." He replied and they excited the bush at seperate times, Cloversplash going first and hurring to catch up to her clanmates.
"Where were you" Foxleap asked when she had caught up and slowed his pace to walk with her.
"Oh, just touring the island." She replied. Is that wha things are going to be like from now on? Could she tear up a family to be with Pineheart? Oh, who to choose.
Thanks for all the reviews!
I'll try to do at least one new poll for every 2 chapters.
heres the new one-
which is better?
cloverXfox
cloverXpine