The reddish tabby nodded, knowing her daughter had already chosen the path of life. That's all she could've hoped for. "When it is your time, We'll be waiting in Starclan. With a warm welcome." She kissed the top of Buckpaw's head (and with the power of starclan healed most of her wounds - cause ya know). "I love you three, so very much. Berrypaw, watch out for your sister's alright? Bearpaw, touch as a badger, a fine warrior. My sweet Buckpaw, ever the surviver- just like your father." Robinflame said, glancing at her smallest daughter. "Ready to go?" And with that she returned.
Berrypaw helped Buckpaw to her paws, watching as their mother disappeared. He knew it wouldn't be the last time they saw her, but he was determined to grow old and become a great warrior! "Come on guys, let's go show our mum what we're made of."
Haybounce sniffled, letting Dottie pass her with an affectionate lick of affection as she went to stand by Pippa. "We will always, always, be looking out," she said to Dottie before turning to Pippa. The prospect of the hunting grounds of starclan seemed lonely without her mother, but Haybounce knew that it would only be temporary. With her new form came new mindful thoughts- and they'd all meet again, in the end.
"Are you ready to leave?" she whispered, unable to speak the words aloud.Peachpaw called- "DOTTIE! There's SHEEP!"
Haybounce chuckled, looked back to Pippa. "I think that's our cue," she said, and with that, the she-cat disappeared back to the stars as the sun rose once more.
Dottie followed the two up the hill, her amber eyes glowing with tears as they reached the grand barn in all its glory. "We're home...We're finally home!" She now had tears running down her face, but these weren't sad, no. These were completely tears of joy. The stories that she'd tell and the memories that she made would only grow as she stared at the front of the big, red barn then turned to look at the wild flowers that swayed at its sides. "It's,,,Beautiful...Thank you, Haybounce."
Pippa nodded with a soft meow ringing in her tom-boyish voice, "we'll both watch over them I'm sure from above."
Beepaw frowned, speaking for Robinflame, "It's not written in the stars, not for you," she whispered in her sister's ear, "But there's still life left in you yet. Go and live in the medicine cat den- enjoy life while you can, dear sister. Or don't- and join us early. As in all things, it's your choice," she spoke, thought he situation was visibly making the tabby tear up.
(nah- let's just have them have a grand journey from here)
Haypaw smiled, "Good," she whispered, turning as she sensed a change in the mood of the room. Peachpaw, Raccoonpaw, and Dottie all looked . . . ready. Haypaw could feel it. No- not Haypaw, Haybounce, in death.
She turned to her mother and sisters and older sister.
"Let us leave, then," she said with a sigh, and the three living and two dead set off into the great unknown. They reached their query as the sun began to rise, and Peachpaw was astounded at the great beauty of the barn. It's sides, big and red and criscrossed with white, seemed like refuge, and inside, the hay-scent, even from atop the hill, tickled her nose, and the scent of mice underlying it was tantalizing.
Peachpaw was the first to take off running. Haybounce followed, shouting her jubilee song, and when they reached the great building, Haybounce went straight for the hay to play in.
"I-It's everything I've ever wanted," Peachpaw said, looking to Raccoonpaw, "Can you believe this? All for us!"
Haybounce looked to the sunrise with a sad smile, and to her mother, a soft smile on her face.
"You'll take care of them, won't you?" she asked, standing beside Pippa. Time was almost up.
Pippa's eyes widened, surprised that such a thing had happened to her dear sister. "Wow, that's incredible..." The black and white molly meowed, touching her nose to her sister's cheek. "I'm coming with you, of course."
Dottie pressed a genuine across her face. "Lets get out of here then, I can't wait to see what's waiting for us," she managed a warm purr and began to guide the family out. (Loner Plains?)
Buckpaw groaned, turning her gaze on her mother. Whether she was ignoring the herbs on purpose or just didn’t see them was blatantly unclear. Her eyes were hazed with pain as she started to sob. They were light and uneven, breaking and coming together again. She flexed her claws.
“I don’t want to die, I want to grow up and become a strong warrior just like you...” she murmured to her mother between sobs. “I want to have kits and-and fight for my clan and... and I want to make you proud! I want to become big and strong and amazing like you! I want to be there for my siblings and, I... I want to live.”
Raccoonpaw smiled at her sister, leaning against her and purring. ‘She’s growing so much..’ she thought to herself before her gaze trailed back to Dottie.
“Yeah, sure. It would be great if you came along.“ it took all her willpower not to scowl. She loved Peachpaw and would do what she could to see her smile. If this cat made her happy, she would suck it up.
Peachpaw's response was immediate. The chance to start over, with two of the cats she claimed as her most trusted allies, seemed like the opportunity of a lifetime. "Yes," she chirped definitively, "Let's leave, like, right now. Please. That sounds great," she said, awash with relief. She didn't sense her sister's hesitation until she turned, and her smile faltered. For once, Peachpaw was the one to lend a reassuring paw, letting Raccoonpaw lean on her.
Beepaw watched on, "There's- there's no impatience in StarClan," she said with a dip of her head, trying to comfort her dying sibling. "You don't need to rush to us just because you think we miss you. Time flows differently- we miss you, but we know that we'll get you one day, and that day is always coming. You should stay here, Buckpaw- as long as you can."
Haypaw smiled, "Feels like the world is losing its tether on me," Haypaw said, feeling a frown tug at her freckled face. She looked down at her paws, up at Pippa, and down at her paws again. She'd never gotten the chance to grow up- and she never would, would she?
The cat sighed, and when her green eyes opened again, she was standing eye-to-eye with Pippa. The she-cat's body had aged, without scars, and she seemed adult and mature, even if it was ill-achieved.
"Death is as full of surprises as life," she said simply, "Are you going to journey with us to the barn or help Sunclan rebuild?" she asked her sister.
Dottie didn't quite understand why Raccoonpaw had faced so much resentment towards her, but still, the calico mother was willing to try and understand further. She took in a breath, all her kits were now dead, aside from the two of which she had tried her best to take care of. "I'd like to go...With you two. We don't belong in this place...And Haypaw told me about a barn in Loner Plains, but we have leave now...If you're up to the journey...I just would like to do what's best and if it turns out that you don't like our new home, then of course you can leave, but I don't know if my paws will take me any farther that there." Dottie was exhausted, even the glow in her amber eyes had dimmed, however whether she realized it or not, she certainly was strong.
"Strange, how's it like down there?" Pippa answered with a laugh, the happy StarClan cat playfully pressed her starry paw at her little sister's shoulder.
The red tabby queen gaze down at her children who stared back at her, uncertainty clouding their gazes. She wanted to wrap them up in her arms and never let go, but she knew she couldn't do that. "I can ease your pain Buckpaw. In death you are still living, Starclan is warm and welcomes you with open paws. You can also stay here if you wish too." Robinflame spoke, smiling down at her daughter while also keeping a gentle paw on her head. She was doing her best to ease her pain.
Berrypaw huddled closer, inspecting Buckpaw's wounds with a frown. He hid his concern well, but he knew if she chose to stay here it would only bring her more pain. "I think you should go with mom and Beepaw. She will probably need an extra paw in watching over us, besides you get to meet all the cool ancestors!" He smiled, trying his best to hide his sadness.
Curlypaw got nervous, he would not be able to help that much the poor she-cat, he could only give her herbs to easy the pain, when he saw Pumastar already leaving, he noticed that he had to do something fast, he put the herb close of Buckpaw's mouth, ''Please, if you have strenght, chew it, i have to go.'' The medicine cat said worried, running to catch up all his clanmates. (ECc camp)
---
Meanwhile, the dark brown kittypet merely watched from a certain distance, he could understand a little more about his son now, he noticed how Curlypaw had grown up, and he decided that he shouldn't push his son to live the same life as he lives, even though his family had missed him for moons, he knew that Curlypaw felt the same, the father cat left raven's fortress with a frown, and a sad feeling, but he thought that things are better in this way, nothing he could do.
----
Bearpaw nudged gently her sister, she purred at her with hopes of giving her comfort.
It took all of f Buckpaw’s focus and concentration to pull her gaze off the starry pelt of her mother. She turned toward the muffled voice that rung around her head. Her gaze was fuzzy with anguish and pain as she sought out Curlypaw. Eventually she found him though her brain hasn’t quite processed why she was looking for the apprentice. Her body, she couldn’t feel her hind legs and her spine ached with agony. She just stared blankly at the medical cat, her head lulled awkwardly.
Pumastar nodded to Fallenstar, a little nervous that a Starclan cat had sought her out. Especially since that cat wasn’t her mother. She dipped her head nonetheless, grateful for her support. Despite her reserved posture, her gaze glowed with gratitude. (EclipseClan Camp)
Ravcoonpaw looked to Peachpaw as she spoke. She didn’t much agree with her. Yes, she wanted to leave, but she knew she would never trust another cat besides her sister after what that wench of a mother did to them. Her gaze, however, was low and even as she looked to Dottie. She tried not to react when Peachpaw called her mom, shoving her claws into the ground below her. Raccoonpaw nudged her sister comfortingly and smiled.
“Don’t be nervous, she can’t stop us and I won’t let her is she tries. Just stay calm.” She whispered into Peachpaw’s ear while pressing against her side.
Haypaw purred under Dottie's affection and sighed when she left to find Peachpaw and Raccoonpaw. She lifted her head and looked up to Pippa and Pretty as Dottie walked off, the kitten turning her attention to them. She was still short. "How's the weather up there?"
Peachpaw smiled up at Raccoonpaw, finding her sister had put all of her anxieties and fears so perfectly into words . . . it was refreshing. Peachpaw's green eyes closed in contentment and she nodded, but she was unable to voice her affirmation before Dottie walked up.
"W-we'd like to talk with you too, m-mom," Peachpaw tested the name on her tongue, finding it foreign and . . . strange. But she accepted it and the new terrain it dealt. She swallowed.
"Me and Raccoonpaw . . . we want to leave the clans. There's no future in this war. We don't like it. W-we wanted to know if we could l-leave, if you'd stay or go. . ." Peachpaw trailed off, ashamed she'd even think of leaving Dottie after such an experience. "If you'd come with us. If you'd take us somewhere better."
Beepaw growled as she was scolded for her callous words. That's what she gets for moving on to a different defining character trait!
But her concern for her sister was startling, and she glared at Curlypaw when he tried to help. And when Buckpaw spoke, her heart wrenched from her chest and her grimace turned to an anxious frown.
"W-We could help, I think," she said, looking to Robinflame, as if looking for permission. Her paw was raised hesitantly over Buckpaw's chest.
Ocelotstride nodded with enthusiasm falling over her. That and she did still feel ill and like a wave of pebbled pounded against her stomach too. The Bengal molly took Juniperspring to the camp, feeling happiness rush through her to be able to see her family and mentor again. (MC camp)
Fallenstar located Pumastar among the masses of cats and made her way to the leader, leaving Blackrabbit's side. She gave the new leader a respectful dip of her head and, as though sensing her reservations, "You have all of our support. EclipseClan will get through this." [EcC Camp]
"You better let me see them too, if you're really so certain it's something worth the hurry," Juniperspring snorted and started after Ocelotstride toward MoonClan's camp, hiding her apprehension toward returning to the familiar place after spending only a few moons hunting among the Starpelt.
''It's not that easy like that Beepaw.'' Bearpaw said with a little hint of worry in her voice, looking at the eyes of Buckpaw.
----
Curlypaw examined Buckpaw's hind legs, and he was sure about one thing: she would be unable to walk for her entire life, she would not be able to hunt or fight like any other warriors, if she would survive, her spine was broken, this injury, this simple injury just changed Buckpaw life forever. ''She can live, but, she won't be able to recover her legs...'' Curlypaw sobbed, he avoided saying to the siblings about Buckpaw's life having more chances to not be saved at all. ''I-i'm sorry, but, nothing i can do to heal this injury...It is not two broken legs, it is a broken spine...'' The medicine cat meowed with a saddened voice, most of the herbs used in the den were lacking, but he still had hope that he could find something, and the only thing that he saw was daisy, and most of them were turning to dust, the tom picked up the ones that were not so brown enough and raced in the direction of Buckpaw, ignoring completely Pumastar, he let the flower fell in the ground, clawing the plant to only their leaves get separated. ''Hey! Hey!'' He called the apprentice.
Ocelotstride nodded, intrigued that Juniperspring had admitted it all along. "Yeah, but I totally wasn't hot-head anyway," the molly meowed with hushed sarcasm in her glowing, blue-green gaze until her former mentor questioned her. She paused for a moment, simple to give a dramatic effect before answering, "Well...You were right about Tidebreaker, I love him more than words can describe. He's the only tom able to keep up with me, well, maybe two-steps behind, but that's besides the point." Ocelotstride flicked her tail gently against the ground with a soft laugh. "Now, let's head back to camp, I wanna see Fadewhisker and Stormblaze's face when they hear about it!"
Dottie gave her daughter another lick of the forehead. "I though' I told you, because you remind me of the memory of home we could've had. I missed it an' you're so bouncy and humble, just like when I'd jump around in the hay." As the glistening Haypaw continued to speak, Dottie's amber gaze widened. "Alright, I'll talk with Peachpaw an' Raccoonpaw, see if they would like to come. Either way, I'd like if you could take me there." The calico stood up, a warm smile still standing on her face. Certainly, she was worried, but Dottie knew this place just wasn't where they belonged any longer. "Follow me, dear," she cooed and began to head to Peachpaw and Raccoonpaw. "Peachpaw, Raccoonpaw! Haypaw an' I, we'd like to talk to you."
"Of course it is, you'd probably help out the mice before me," Crimsonfox joked, a small smile finding it's way onto his face as he walked with her, back to the place they called home. (MC camp)
Buckpaw sobbed with so much pain and anguish, slowly losing feeling in her hind legs. She closed her eyes a moment before opening them to focus on her mother. The starry pelt, the soothing eyes, the calming words. All else around her melded into white noise as she was focused on the words of her mother. The She cat’s sobbing eased as she started to breath slowly. Her spine was broken, if it was not made clear by the way her body laid on the ground. If she were to live, her body would be exposed to sickness and she’d run the risk of death anyway if she didn’t keep her upper body strong. She didn’t know any of this, and, well, if the medicine cat did, it would be a matter if they thought she was worth saving or not. She didn’t feel or notice all the cats that were pressed against her, nuzzling her, just the image of her mother’s starry pelt.
“Am I... am I going to die..?” She choked out the question no one would ever want to answer.
Winterpaw watched as her family, all members of Starclan, pressed against one another. She was alone now... all on her own. Her eyes darkened with sadness that she quickly pushed away. ‘They don’t need to worry about me, we’re together again, I can’t ruin that!’ Winterpaw shook herself and smiled at her father.
“Don’t be sorry. You’re always here for us. In our hearts...” she said, her voice a whisper. She then turned to press herself against them, and walk back home. (Eclipseclan Camp)
Pumastar nodded to the warriors of Starclan, silently praying she was doing a good job, before she turned and trotted out of camp. So much worry laid on her shoulders. She didn’t know if she was cut out for it.
‘not even a moon as leader and already thrown into such an awful battle...’ she thought to herself, clicking her maw. (Eclipseclan Camp)
Raccoonpaw listened to Peachpaw’s words with a sudden realization that she felt the same. She was caught off guard, however, to hear the rest of their family was Dead.
“Peachpaw..i think your right. They may say there will be no more battles, no more murder, but the ambition of cats will always get the best of them. i will leave with you Peachpaw. We can stand at eachother’s Side and fend for eachother. We can leave these awful memories behind and be free! Together we can get away... Will you come with me?” She looked down at her sister knowing she would say yes. She flicked her tail her looking down with a loving gaze at her sister.
"Fencestar, we might be needed-" Dieselstar started and sighed, having been left in a nearly visible cloud of dust by Fencerunner. Some things never changed, she reflected, and raised her eyebrows as she looked back to appraise their littler. "Well, let's go with your mother. We'll be back before anyone misses us." [EcC Terr?]
"We've got time," Rattlesong said softly, looking up to her brother with admiration. "And when I do go, I'll be watching you. If the wind ever changes when you're hunting, that's me," she said with a laugh. She walked over and found Meadowclaw's body to be the lightest and the StarClan cat hoisted her mother over her silver pelt, and the she-cat departed for home, looking over her shoulder to make sure the rest of her family followed.
(MoonClan camp)
Marshmumble made the announcement, "EarthClan, let us go from this place."
Honeyheart helped gather the dead and the near-dead, a smile on her face despite the task, and began to journey home (EaC Camp)
Beepaw looked down on Bearpaw with a frown, "Oh, come on! Death isn't so bad once you get used to it," she said to Buckpaw, though her own brow was pricked with worry. She looked to Robinflame, is there anything we can do?
Snowpaw realized who the two were at Winterpaw's prompt and had to think hard to realize the implications, but in the end she simply melted in place and went for her father's warm chest, ducking her head into it.
"Don't apologize for anything," she sniffled, "I'm just glad to finally meet you. Let's go home." (EcC camp)
Haypaw nodded excitably, "I only got to see it for a second, but . . . yeah. Why'd you name me after the hay, mama? It's so scratchy," she said. At Peachpaw's departure, the she-cat leaned up and whispered in her mother's ear.
"In the field outside of SunClan- in the loner plains. Follow the clouds on the horizon to the south, and when you've hit a maple tree in the middle of a lone hill, look left, and there'll be a place for you and whoever comes with you to call your own. I . . . I could take you there now, but we would need to leave tonight," Haypaw decreed, stepping back and sitting down and licking her mercifully blood-free paw.
Peachpaw's tail stilled, "We'll never be safe here," she said after a long moment. She sniffled. "Me and you are the only ones left, Raccoonpaw. Sandpaw and Gullypaw . . ." an unsaid sentence. "Even Haypaw." For once in her life, Peachpaw felt a surge of refreshing bravery. Independence. "I- I don't think I'll ever be a warrior for SunClan. Our ***** of a mom ruined it for us. Everyone looks at us with the same accusation, and nothing can ever reassure me that something like this battle won't happen again, even if the cat gods themselves said it . . . I don't trust it. I want to leave before it happens again," she said with a shudder.
Fencerunner heard Dieselstar's thoughts through the art of dead cat telepathy and a frown briefly crossed the youthful cat's lips. She was just beginning to enjoy her freedom in death- the molly dipped her head, grateful when her mate steered the conversation away from one of her greatest secrets.
Of course Mosspaw had to bring it back up.
"Origam's Place," she said after a small moment. "Let's go to Origam's place?" she looked towards Dieselstar, one of her paws already raised to begin a break-neck race across EclipseClan's territory. Stars, to run again!
“No, I imagine I was too much of a pain in your tail for that,” Juniperspring chuckled, “You’re all grown up now, though—jeez, is that milk I’m smelling? Who’s the lucky tom?”
Fallenstar watched Pumaeyes a moment, her expression somber, before she turned to see an EclipseClan elder staring toward his own corpse.
She wordlessly approached and stood beside him, hoping to give him some sense of comfort with her presence. The cat was so new to death, she thought, that he must not have even seen their hunting grounds.
“Well.” Blackrabbit sighed, stepping forward to pick it up. “I can’t say this is fair.”
“Fair?” Fallenstar prompted, her ears flicking back with surprise.
Blackrabbit shook his head, declining to explain, and started following Pumastar back to EclipseClan’s camp. [EcC Camp]
“You all are going to have to watch out for each other, now,” Dieselstar said, easily maneuvering the conversation away from her actual goal. That was not a conversation to have in public, even if Fencestar agreed that now was the time for it.
The reddish tabby nodded, knowing her daughter had already chosen the path of life. That's all she could've hoped for. "When it is your time, We'll be waiting in Starclan. With a warm welcome." She kissed the top of Buckpaw's head (and with the power of starclan healed most of her wounds - cause ya know). "I love you three, so very much. Berrypaw, watch out for your sister's alright? Bearpaw, touch as a badger, a fine warrior. My sweet Buckpaw, ever the surviver- just like your father." Robinflame said, glancing at her smallest daughter. "Ready to go?" And with that she returned.
Berrypaw helped Buckpaw to her paws, watching as their mother disappeared. He knew it wouldn't be the last time they saw her, but he was determined to grow old and become a great warrior! "Come on guys, let's go show our mum what we're made of."
Haybounce sniffled, letting Dottie pass her with an affectionate lick of affection as she went to stand by Pippa. "We will always, always, be looking out," she said to Dottie before turning to Pippa. The prospect of the hunting grounds of starclan seemed lonely without her mother, but Haybounce knew that it would only be temporary. With her new form came new mindful thoughts- and they'd all meet again, in the end.
"Are you ready to leave?" she whispered, unable to speak the words aloud. Peachpaw called- "DOTTIE! There's SHEEP!"
Haybounce chuckled, looked back to Pippa. "I think that's our cue," she said, and with that, the she-cat disappeared back to the stars as the sun rose once more.
Dottie followed the two up the hill, her amber eyes glowing with tears as they reached the grand barn in all its glory. "We're home...We're finally home!" She now had tears running down her face, but these weren't sad, no. These were completely tears of joy. The stories that she'd tell and the memories that she made would only grow as she stared at the front of the big, red barn then turned to look at the wild flowers that swayed at its sides. "It's,,,Beautiful...Thank you, Haybounce."
Pippa nodded with a soft meow ringing in her tom-boyish voice, "we'll both watch over them I'm sure from above."
Beepaw frowned, speaking for Robinflame, "It's not written in the stars, not for you," she whispered in her sister's ear, "But there's still life left in you yet. Go and live in the medicine cat den- enjoy life while you can, dear sister. Or don't- and join us early. As in all things, it's your choice," she spoke, thought he situation was visibly making the tabby tear up.
(nah- let's just have them have a grand journey from here)
Haypaw smiled, "Good," she whispered, turning as she sensed a change in the mood of the room. Peachpaw, Raccoonpaw, and Dottie all looked . . . ready. Haypaw could feel it. No- not Haypaw, Haybounce, in death.
She turned to her mother and sisters and older sister.
"Let us leave, then," she said with a sigh, and the three living and two dead set off into the great unknown. They reached their query as the sun began to rise, and Peachpaw was astounded at the great beauty of the barn. It's sides, big and red and criscrossed with white, seemed like refuge, and inside, the hay-scent, even from atop the hill, tickled her nose, and the scent of mice underlying it was tantalizing.
Peachpaw was the first to take off running. Haybounce followed, shouting her jubilee song, and when they reached the great building, Haybounce went straight for the hay to play in.
"I-It's everything I've ever wanted," Peachpaw said, looking to Raccoonpaw, "Can you believe this? All for us!"
Haybounce looked to the sunrise with a sad smile, and to her mother, a soft smile on her face.
"You'll take care of them, won't you?" she asked, standing beside Pippa. Time was almost up.
Pippa's eyes widened, surprised that such a thing had happened to her dear sister. "Wow, that's incredible..." The black and white molly meowed, touching her nose to her sister's cheek. "I'm coming with you, of course."
Dottie pressed a genuine across her face. "Lets get out of here then, I can't wait to see what's waiting for us," she managed a warm purr and began to guide the family out. (Loner Plains?)
Buckpaw groaned, turning her gaze on her mother. Whether she was ignoring the herbs on purpose or just didn’t see them was blatantly unclear. Her eyes were hazed with pain as she started to sob. They were light and uneven, breaking and coming together again. She flexed her claws.
“I don’t want to die, I want to grow up and become a strong warrior just like you...” she murmured to her mother between sobs. “I want to have kits and-and fight for my clan and... and I want to make you proud! I want to become big and strong and amazing like you! I want to be there for my siblings and, I... I want to live.”
Raccoonpaw smiled at her sister, leaning against her and purring. ‘She’s growing so much..’ she thought to herself before her gaze trailed back to Dottie.
“Yeah, sure. It would be great if you came along.“ it took all her willpower not to scowl. She loved Peachpaw and would do what she could to see her smile. If this cat made her happy, she would suck it up.
Peachpaw's response was immediate. The chance to start over, with two of the cats she claimed as her most trusted allies, seemed like the opportunity of a lifetime. "Yes," she chirped definitively, "Let's leave, like, right now. Please. That sounds great," she said, awash with relief. She didn't sense her sister's hesitation until she turned, and her smile faltered. For once, Peachpaw was the one to lend a reassuring paw, letting Raccoonpaw lean on her.
Beepaw watched on, "There's- there's no impatience in StarClan," she said with a dip of her head, trying to comfort her dying sibling. "You don't need to rush to us just because you think we miss you. Time flows differently- we miss you, but we know that we'll get you one day, and that day is always coming. You should stay here, Buckpaw- as long as you can."
Haypaw smiled, "Feels like the world is losing its tether on me," Haypaw said, feeling a frown tug at her freckled face. She looked down at her paws, up at Pippa, and down at her paws again. She'd never gotten the chance to grow up- and she never would, would she?
The cat sighed, and when her green eyes opened again, she was standing eye-to-eye with Pippa. The she-cat's body had aged, without scars, and she seemed adult and mature, even if it was ill-achieved.
"Death is as full of surprises as life," she said simply, "Are you going to journey with us to the barn or help Sunclan rebuild?" she asked her sister.
Dottie didn't quite understand why Raccoonpaw had faced so much resentment towards her, but still, the calico mother was willing to try and understand further. She took in a breath, all her kits were now dead, aside from the two of which she had tried her best to take care of. "I'd like to go...With you two. We don't belong in this place...And Haypaw told me about a barn in Loner Plains, but we have leave now...If you're up to the journey...I just would like to do what's best and if it turns out that you don't like our new home, then of course you can leave, but I don't know if my paws will take me any farther that there." Dottie was exhausted, even the glow in her amber eyes had dimmed, however whether she realized it or not, she certainly was strong.
"Strange, how's it like down there?" Pippa answered with a laugh, the happy StarClan cat playfully pressed her starry paw at her little sister's shoulder.
The red tabby queen gaze down at her children who stared back at her, uncertainty clouding their gazes. She wanted to wrap them up in her arms and never let go, but she knew she couldn't do that. "I can ease your pain Buckpaw. In death you are still living, Starclan is warm and welcomes you with open paws. You can also stay here if you wish too." Robinflame spoke, smiling down at her daughter while also keeping a gentle paw on her head. She was doing her best to ease her pain.
Berrypaw huddled closer, inspecting Buckpaw's wounds with a frown. He hid his concern well, but he knew if she chose to stay here it would only bring her more pain. "I think you should go with mom and Beepaw. She will probably need an extra paw in watching over us, besides you get to meet all the cool ancestors!" He smiled, trying his best to hide his sadness.
Curlypaw got nervous, he would not be able to help that much the poor she-cat, he could only give her herbs to easy the pain, when he saw Pumastar already leaving, he noticed that he had to do something fast, he put the herb close of Buckpaw's mouth, ''Please, if you have strenght, chew it, i have to go.'' The medicine cat said worried, running to catch up all his clanmates. (ECc camp)
---
Meanwhile, the dark brown kittypet merely watched from a certain distance, he could understand a little more about his son now, he noticed how Curlypaw had grown up, and he decided that he shouldn't push his son to live the same life as he lives, even though his family had missed him for moons, he knew that Curlypaw felt the same, the father cat left raven's fortress with a frown, and a sad feeling, but he thought that things are better in this way, nothing he could do.
----
Bearpaw nudged gently her sister, she purred at her with hopes of giving her comfort.
It took all of f Buckpaw’s focus and concentration to pull her gaze off the starry pelt of her mother. She turned toward the muffled voice that rung around her head. Her gaze was fuzzy with anguish and pain as she sought out Curlypaw. Eventually she found him though her brain hasn’t quite processed why she was looking for the apprentice. Her body, she couldn’t feel her hind legs and her spine ached with agony. She just stared blankly at the medical cat, her head lulled awkwardly.
Pumastar nodded to Fallenstar, a little nervous that a Starclan cat had sought her out. Especially since that cat wasn’t her mother. She dipped her head nonetheless, grateful for her support. Despite her reserved posture, her gaze glowed with gratitude. (EclipseClan Camp)
Ravcoonpaw looked to Peachpaw as she spoke. She didn’t much agree with her. Yes, she wanted to leave, but she knew she would never trust another cat besides her sister after what that wench of a mother did to them. Her gaze, however, was low and even as she looked to Dottie. She tried not to react when Peachpaw called her mom, shoving her claws into the ground below her. Raccoonpaw nudged her sister comfortingly and smiled.
“Don’t be nervous, she can’t stop us and I won’t let her is she tries. Just stay calm.” She whispered into Peachpaw’s ear while pressing against her side.
Haypaw purred under Dottie's affection and sighed when she left to find Peachpaw and Raccoonpaw. She lifted her head and looked up to Pippa and Pretty as Dottie walked off, the kitten turning her attention to them. She was still short. "How's the weather up there?"
Peachpaw smiled up at Raccoonpaw, finding her sister had put all of her anxieties and fears so perfectly into words . . . it was refreshing. Peachpaw's green eyes closed in contentment and she nodded, but she was unable to voice her affirmation before Dottie walked up.
"W-we'd like to talk with you too, m-mom," Peachpaw tested the name on her tongue, finding it foreign and . . . strange. But she accepted it and the new terrain it dealt. She swallowed.
"Me and Raccoonpaw . . . we want to leave the clans. There's no future in this war. We don't like it. W-we wanted to know if we could l-leave, if you'd stay or go. . ." Peachpaw trailed off, ashamed she'd even think of leaving Dottie after such an experience. "If you'd come with us. If you'd take us somewhere better."
Beepaw growled as she was scolded for her callous words. That's what she gets for moving on to a different defining character trait!
But her concern for her sister was startling, and she glared at Curlypaw when he tried to help. And when Buckpaw spoke, her heart wrenched from her chest and her grimace turned to an anxious frown.
"W-We could help, I think," she said, looking to Robinflame, as if looking for permission. Her paw was raised hesitantly over Buckpaw's chest.
Ocelotstride nodded with enthusiasm falling over her. That and she did still feel ill and like a wave of pebbled pounded against her stomach too. The Bengal molly took Juniperspring to the camp, feeling happiness rush through her to be able to see her family and mentor again. (MC camp)
Fallenstar located Pumastar among the masses of cats and made her way to the leader, leaving Blackrabbit's side. She gave the new leader a respectful dip of her head and, as though sensing her reservations, "You have all of our support. EclipseClan will get through this." [EcC Camp]
"You better let me see them too, if you're really so certain it's something worth the hurry," Juniperspring snorted and started after Ocelotstride toward MoonClan's camp, hiding her apprehension toward returning to the familiar place after spending only a few moons hunting among the Starpelt.
''It's not that easy like that Beepaw.'' Bearpaw said with a little hint of worry in her voice, looking at the eyes of Buckpaw.
----
Curlypaw examined Buckpaw's hind legs, and he was sure about one thing: she would be unable to walk for her entire life, she would not be able to hunt or fight like any other warriors, if she would survive, her spine was broken, this injury, this simple injury just changed Buckpaw life forever. ''She can live, but, she won't be able to recover her legs...'' Curlypaw sobbed, he avoided saying to the siblings about Buckpaw's life having more chances to not be saved at all. ''I-i'm sorry, but, nothing i can do to heal this injury...It is not two broken legs, it is a broken spine...'' The medicine cat meowed with a saddened voice, most of the herbs used in the den were lacking, but he still had hope that he could find something, and the only thing that he saw was daisy, and most of them were turning to dust, the tom picked up the ones that were not so brown enough and raced in the direction of Buckpaw, ignoring completely Pumastar, he let the flower fell in the ground, clawing the plant to only their leaves get separated. ''Hey! Hey!'' He called the apprentice.
Ocelotstride nodded, intrigued that Juniperspring had admitted it all along. "Yeah, but I totally wasn't hot-head anyway," the molly meowed with hushed sarcasm in her glowing, blue-green gaze until her former mentor questioned her. She paused for a moment, simple to give a dramatic effect before answering, "Well...You were right about Tidebreaker, I love him more than words can describe. He's the only tom able to keep up with me, well, maybe two-steps behind, but that's besides the point." Ocelotstride flicked her tail gently against the ground with a soft laugh. "Now, let's head back to camp, I wanna see Fadewhisker and Stormblaze's face when they hear about it!"
Dottie gave her daughter another lick of the forehead. "I though' I told you, because you remind me of the memory of home we could've had. I missed it an' you're so bouncy and humble, just like when I'd jump around in the hay." As the glistening Haypaw continued to speak, Dottie's amber gaze widened. "Alright, I'll talk with Peachpaw an' Raccoonpaw, see if they would like to come. Either way, I'd like if you could take me there." The calico stood up, a warm smile still standing on her face. Certainly, she was worried, but Dottie knew this place just wasn't where they belonged any longer. "Follow me, dear," she cooed and began to head to Peachpaw and Raccoonpaw. "Peachpaw, Raccoonpaw! Haypaw an' I, we'd like to talk to you."
"Of course it is, you'd probably help out the mice before me," Crimsonfox joked, a small smile finding it's way onto his face as he walked with her, back to the place they called home. (MC camp)
Buckpaw sobbed with so much pain and anguish, slowly losing feeling in her hind legs. She closed her eyes a moment before opening them to focus on her mother. The starry pelt, the soothing eyes, the calming words. All else around her melded into white noise as she was focused on the words of her mother. The She cat’s sobbing eased as she started to breath slowly. Her spine was broken, if it was not made clear by the way her body laid on the ground. If she were to live, her body would be exposed to sickness and she’d run the risk of death anyway if she didn’t keep her upper body strong. She didn’t know any of this, and, well, if the medicine cat did, it would be a matter if they thought she was worth saving or not. She didn’t feel or notice all the cats that were pressed against her, nuzzling her, just the image of her mother’s starry pelt.
“Am I... am I going to die..?” She choked out the question no one would ever want to answer.
Winterpaw watched as her family, all members of Starclan, pressed against one another. She was alone now... all on her own. Her eyes darkened with sadness that she quickly pushed away. ‘They don’t need to worry about me, we’re together again, I can’t ruin that!’ Winterpaw shook herself and smiled at her father.
“Don’t be sorry. You’re always here for us. In our hearts...” she said, her voice a whisper. She then turned to press herself against them, and walk back home. (Eclipseclan Camp)
Pumastar nodded to the warriors of Starclan, silently praying she was doing a good job, before she turned and trotted out of camp. So much worry laid on her shoulders. She didn’t know if she was cut out for it.
‘not even a moon as leader and already thrown into such an awful battle...’ she thought to herself, clicking her maw. (Eclipseclan Camp)
Raccoonpaw listened to Peachpaw’s words with a sudden realization that she felt the same. She was caught off guard, however, to hear the rest of their family was Dead.
“Peachpaw..i think your right. They may say there will be no more battles, no more murder, but the ambition of cats will always get the best of them. i will leave with you Peachpaw. We can stand at eachother’s Side and fend for eachother. We can leave these awful memories behind and be free! Together we can get away... Will you come with me?” She looked down at her sister knowing she would say yes. She flicked her tail her looking down with a loving gaze at her sister.
"Fencestar, we might be needed-" Dieselstar started and sighed, having been left in a nearly visible cloud of dust by Fencerunner. Some things never changed, she reflected, and raised her eyebrows as she looked back to appraise their littler. "Well, let's go with your mother. We'll be back before anyone misses us." [EcC Terr?]
"We've got time," Rattlesong said softly, looking up to her brother with admiration. "And when I do go, I'll be watching you. If the wind ever changes when you're hunting, that's me," she said with a laugh. She walked over and found Meadowclaw's body to be the lightest and the StarClan cat hoisted her mother over her silver pelt, and the she-cat departed for home, looking over her shoulder to make sure the rest of her family followed.
(MoonClan camp)
Marshmumble made the announcement, "EarthClan, let us go from this place."
Honeyheart helped gather the dead and the near-dead, a smile on her face despite the task, and began to journey home (EaC Camp)
Beepaw looked down on Bearpaw with a frown, "Oh, come on! Death isn't so bad once you get used to it," she said to Buckpaw, though her own brow was pricked with worry. She looked to Robinflame, is there anything we can do?
Snowpaw realized who the two were at Winterpaw's prompt and had to think hard to realize the implications, but in the end she simply melted in place and went for her father's warm chest, ducking her head into it.
"Don't apologize for anything," she sniffled, "I'm just glad to finally meet you. Let's go home." (EcC camp)
Haypaw nodded excitably, "I only got to see it for a second, but . . . yeah. Why'd you name me after the hay, mama? It's so scratchy," she said. At Peachpaw's departure, the she-cat leaned up and whispered in her mother's ear.
"In the field outside of SunClan- in the loner plains. Follow the clouds on the horizon to the south, and when you've hit a maple tree in the middle of a lone hill, look left, and there'll be a place for you and whoever comes with you to call your own. I . . . I could take you there now, but we would need to leave tonight," Haypaw decreed, stepping back and sitting down and licking her mercifully blood-free paw.
Peachpaw's tail stilled, "We'll never be safe here," she said after a long moment. She sniffled. "Me and you are the only ones left, Raccoonpaw. Sandpaw and Gullypaw . . ." an unsaid sentence. "Even Haypaw." For once in her life, Peachpaw felt a surge of refreshing bravery. Independence. "I- I don't think I'll ever be a warrior for SunClan. Our ***** of a mom ruined it for us. Everyone looks at us with the same accusation, and nothing can ever reassure me that something like this battle won't happen again, even if the cat gods themselves said it . . . I don't trust it. I want to leave before it happens again," she said with a shudder.
Fencerunner heard Dieselstar's thoughts through the art of dead cat telepathy and a frown briefly crossed the youthful cat's lips. She was just beginning to enjoy her freedom in death- the molly dipped her head, grateful when her mate steered the conversation away from one of her greatest secrets.
Of course Mosspaw had to bring it back up.
"Origam's Place," she said after a small moment. "Let's go to Origam's place?" she looked towards Dieselstar, one of her paws already raised to begin a break-neck race across EclipseClan's territory. Stars, to run again!
“No, I imagine I was too much of a pain in your tail for that,” Juniperspring chuckled, “You’re all grown up now, though—jeez, is that milk I’m smelling? Who’s the lucky tom?”
Fallenstar watched Pumaeyes a moment, her expression somber, before she turned to see an EclipseClan elder staring toward his own corpse.
She wordlessly approached and stood beside him, hoping to give him some sense of comfort with her presence. The cat was so new to death, she thought, that he must not have even seen their hunting grounds.
“Well.” Blackrabbit sighed, stepping forward to pick it up. “I can’t say this is fair.”
“Fair?” Fallenstar prompted, her ears flicking back with surprise.
Blackrabbit shook his head, declining to explain, and started following Pumastar back to EclipseClan’s camp. [EcC Camp]
“You all are going to have to watch out for each other, now,” Dieselstar said, easily maneuvering the conversation away from her actual goal. That was not a conversation to have in public, even if Fencestar agreed that now was the time for it.