Chapter 48: Frecklewish: Border Festival
When I called my family together, I did not comprehend how many cats I'd just called to one place. It wasn't just the Unseen Stars who answered my call. It was also the Constellations and even a number of cats from Starclan who came for this gathering. Some of which I had never met before. There must have been at least thirty cats here gathered to celebrate family. This place where Starclan and the Darkforest share power and hold no territory is usually a death zone of patrolling Starclan guards and roving raids of Darkforest psychos, but today, this place holds host to something else, something joyful, something festive.
The clearing we chose to occupy for the festivities was very quickly changed to suit our needs regardless of the lack of powers. Buzzardpaw had brought a sizable freshkill pile of his custom changed food. Thankfully for him, the clearing was only a minor distance away from the barrier, so Buzzardpaw actually set up something of a meeting rock. On it, the cats could order a meal and Buzzardpaw could either fetch an existing piece of prey or just exit the barrier and make one. A small crowd surrounded his meeting rock. His idea was certainly popular. Some Starclan must have seen it as a challenge, because soon enough a second rock was set up by Buzzardpaw's with a second freshkill pile, this time supplied by Starclan.
I roved around the gathering chatting up Unseen Stars members. I wasn't quite ready to mingle with the Starclan cats. Thankfully I had an entry point. Frecklewish was chatting with Oakstar with Birchface and Ravenwing nearby. I do have to say, Ravenwing looked far better than he did when I first saw him. He was starting to fill out. He was only slightly transparent, and those marks gained by the obelise seemed to have faded slightly. I padded up to the group.
"…And get this… We met Skystar." Mewed Frecklewish in an excited gossip.
"It sounds like you've had your fair share of adventures my dear daughter. I was honestly worried about you. After you joined us up here, you were off, violent. I'm glad to see you back to your old self. Tell me, have you been able to avoid run ins with…" Oakstar's eyes spotted me and his fur spiked sharply. He let out a wary hiss. "Mapleshade!"
Frecklewish moved herself between us to prevent the potential fight. "Dad! Calm down. She's not a threat. In fact, I like her."
"How can you still stand to be near her? She lied to us and killed you." Oakstar hissed.
"And I did nothing as I watched her kits drown. I betrayed my best friend over a name. I made you break the code by exiling kits. I honestly deserved that death." Stated Frecklewish in monotone.
Oakstar actually reeled back at that. "No sweety! You were just lashing out. I was the leader. Any mistake was my fault. I…"
Apparently, this is what Frecklewish wanted to happen because she gestured for Oakstar to continue. "… I shouldn't have exiled Mapleshade's kits. Their deaths are my fault."
Frecklewish looked back to me with a look of accomplishment mixed slightly with smugness. Oakstar had always been known to be a bit stubborn. How she lured him into admitting his failures was beyond me.
I thought it was my time to put in my opinion. "I understand Oakstar. That is not to say I forgive you. Forgiving the deaths of my three precious kits is beyond me, but I accept that you made a mistake. I'll give you the chance to make up for it."
Oakstar seemed to have misread my intentions. His eyes flashed aggression as he thought I was trying to force something upon him.
"What are you trying to make me do you monster!"
"Dad!" Frecklewish yowled.
"I'm not trying to force anything, but you stole the lives of those kits, so I want you to make it up to them. They never got the chance to grow up into apprentices and warriors, so I want you to teach them when you can. Maybe even hold a ceremony to receive their warrior names when they're ready. I want them to receive what their deaths stole from them. That is all." I mewed in both a commanding and somewhat nonaggressive tone.
Oakstar seemed to ponder my request for a while until he slowly nodded. "Alright Mapleshade. I'll ensure those kits get the chance to become warriors. That is all I promise you."
There was still a measure of tension between us, but we were in a mutual agreement for now. We could put up with each other.
Frecklewish watched as Oakstar brought over a bird from the Starclan provider. She seemed to be waiting for something. As soon as Oakstar had a mouthful of bird, Frecklewish slid in a comment.
"You know, Mapleshade isn't just my friend. She's my mate."
I swear she was trying to kill Oakstar again given how much Oakstar was hacking and coughing now. Small globs of meat flew about as Oakstar tried to clear his airways after such a sudden shock. When he managed to settle his coughing fit, he could choked out his response.
"What? But… Why? Seriously! She's a she… And she killed you!"
Frecklewish seemed to be enjoying tormenting her father because she didn't just stop there.
"It doesn't matter here. Any two cats can have kits in the Darkforest, and I do wonder what ours would look like. Also, she's not my only mate. See that cat over there with five different pelts? That's Splitpelt, and he's both Mapleshade's and my mate as well."
Oaksttar did not seem to take the news very well if at all. It was too much for his brain to handle. He just froze. His stare was blank and unseeing. Frecklewish actually gave him a light shove, and he toppled over completely stiff. He wasn't dead again, but clearly he wasn't conscious. Frecklewish then started laughing heartily.
"Sweet Starclan, I didn't believe mom when she told me, but you really can petrify old Oakstar. She used to tell me stories of her embarrassing him to the point he'd just freeze. I thought she was lying, but here's the proof. I can't believe I managed it."
With that, Frecklewish turned, gesturing for me to follow.
"Should we really just leave him there?" I asked curiously.
"He'll be fine. Mom told me he always snaps out of it after a couple heartbeats. Mom is actually here, so she'll probably keep an eye on him. From what I remember of my time in Starclan, she wasn't too forgiving on what he did to your kits. She wasn't talking to him or me. Maybe when she drags what I said out of frozen Oakstar, she'll seek me out and we can reconnect. Honestly Mapleshade, this gathering was a great idea. I'm glad you put it together."
A small flash of guilt entered my mind. I only called this together for selfish reasons. I just wanted to see all of my family. Unfortunately, my invitation wasn't well received by every cat I sent it to. Notably, I didn't see my own parents. A sharp sting quietly stung my heart. I hadn't thought they'd turn me down. Frecklewish gave off a slight pained look as she seemed to have picked up my slight somber mood.
"Come on. I think I see Sunflower giving your kits a story."
The sting faded as Frecklewish guided me away. I didn't need their approval. Maybe I didn't even need them as family. I have my family right here, and I wouldn't trade a moment of it away.