#brightstorm

[dawngen]

"Bayspots?!"

The deafening wail of Brightstorm's anguished cry alerted the entirety of the camp. Suntuft poked out her head from the nursery to investigate, while warriors beginning their day turned away from their fresh-kill and grooming to look. Paws planted in the center of camp, frozen to the packed earth, Brightstorm could not begin to believe what she saw.

"Eagleburn, what happened?!"

Black fur slick with blood, and mouth full of Bayspots's fur as he dragged her in by the scruff, with a tenderness he did not particularly care to part unto the she-cat, he set her down softly upon the camp floor. Immediately did Brightstorm swarm them, her heart cleaving in two at the sight. Her Bayspots, her beloved Bayspots--

The ground gave way beneath her, and were it not for Eagleburn's strong, sturdy shoulder suddenly against her flank to hold her steady, Brightstorm would have collapsed.

"I'm sorry," he murmured, giving her a soothing lick to the ear, but Brightstorm was numb to it. Her eyes were transfixed to Bayspots, struggling to parse that this was reality, and not just a bad dream.

"What's going on?"

Dappleddusk trotted out, followed by Oatstar and Beewatcher. The medicine cat pulled herself by both to check on Bayspots, flashing a grim look to Dappleddusk.

"I don't know if it is wise for me to discuss it out here," quietly Eagleburn suggested, head turning in the direction of Oatstar's scent.

"If this may be a danger to the rest of us, we should know!" yowled a warrior in the growing crowd, and a chorus of meows rose in agreement. Beewatcher shifted focus to check on Eagleburn's injuries, glancing elsewhere again, but this time at Oatstar.

Their leader looked terrified, unable to mask his fear as he looked between the bloodied body of Bayspots, and how ravaged Eagleburn looked, fresh wounds still dripping onto the dry, cold earth.

"Oatstar, this is your decision," prompted Beewatcher quietly, and he quickly shook himself out. Had he not known better, he would have almost sworn that Eagleburn's blind eyes were looking coldly upon him.

"It's okay, Eagleburn," meowed Oatstar, voice lifting to feign confidence and strength, when in reality, his legs felt feather-weak. "I think it'll be better you explain what happened. Otherwise rumors might spread."

Eagleburn, quiet for a long moment, finally bowed his head in obedient acknowledgement.

"... Bayspots tried to take my life."

A gasp rippled through the gathered cats. For the first time, Brightstorm's head whipped back up, eyes blown wide as she looked at Eagleburn in shock.

"She lured me out into the woods under the pretense of discussion, and attacked me. I had only intended to knock her out and bring her back, but I..."

Eagleburn lowered his head, ears flattening. The clan was like quiet chaos--whispers of shock rippled throughout, news spreading like wildfire even to the elders' den. Some apprentices were gently shooed away from older warriors, trying to spare them the gruesome sight. But from the crowd, three cats emerged.

"You murderer!"

Sandfeather's devastated shriek split the camp in two, parting ways like a shifting tide as she rushed forward. Before she could reach Eagleburn her siblings, Sparrowshadow and Frostspots, cut her off, blocking her way to the deputy. Eagleburn stood firm, unshaken by the attempt.

"You killed her! Why would you kill her?!" Sandfeather sobbed, and Eagleburn dipped his head.

"I'm sorry," he said softly, and finally did Brightstorm find her paws, joining her kits in consoling Sandfeather. "I didn't want to, I..."

"Let's not debate morals out here."

Beewatcher's stern voice cut off any further heated debate. The young she-cat was a commanding presence, and as Sandfeather was soothed with licks and purrs from her siblings and remaining parent, the medicine cat pushed way between the groups.

"I have looked over Bayspots's body, and Eagleburn as well. His story lines up. She has black fur in between her claws, just as he has gray in his own. And by the patterns of bite and claws marks on his body..."

Eagleburn held still as she lifted a demonstrating paw, gliding it over the visible marks on his chest, neck, and shoulders.

"She was trying to go for a killing bite. Without her here with us to tell her story, there's no use throwing accusations."

The crowd quieted under Beewatcher's stern eyes, and Dappleddusk strode up, providing her daughter with the additional support of her fierce presence.

"I have one request," Eagleburn said, and all turned to him, curious.

"I would like Dappleddusk to serve as interim deputy while I prove my innocence. If that is okay with you, Oatstar."

Oatstar, hesitating, quickly nodded, not seemingly delighted to have his deputy swapped out, but seeing no good reason to argue otherwise.

"That is fine. Dappleddusk, do you agree?"

While still displaying an outwardly stern and severe mask, it wasn't too difficult to see that Dappleddusk was surprised, but likewise preening under the fact she had been chosen for such an important role.

"Of course," she meowed. "Anything for the clan."

Oatstar nodded his confirmation, and finding his voice, he waved his tail.

"Eagleburn, you will stay in the medicine cats' den for the time being while we sort this out. Brightstorm, are you in good enough condition to help prepare Bayspots's vigil...?"

Flank warmed by Suntuft's arrival, Brightstorm found the strength to nod.

"Okay. While we don't know if Bayspots really did attack Eagleburn without any other witnesses, she still deserves a proper vigil. StarClan will be her final judgment."

The camp was silent, save for Sandfeather's crying. It seemed the chaos of the moment had passed as shock overtook everything. Could such a loyal warrior have turned against their own deputy? And why would she have done such a thing?

Eagleburn knew what questions ran through all of their minds, but he had to play his part carefully. To reveal everything here and now could be a dangerous play, and for the time being, he softly meowed to Beewatcher that he was ready to follow her to the medicine cats' den.

Like a prisoner of war, DawnClan's deputy was led away by Beewatcher and Dappleddusk, the other medicine cats watching curiously from the maw of the den.

Her world flipped upside down, Brightstorm could barely hear the words of condolences and comfort spared to her by her clanmates. Her mind was a whirling mess, and the only one who could bring answers to all of these questions was being guarded in the medicine cats' den.

[dawngen]

"What will you name them?"

Tucked away deep in the warm dark of the nursery, hidden from view of the stirring clan, Suntuft nestled closer to her sister. Between the pair, six kits squirmed. Unable to discriminate between two warm bellies, frequently did one of the several kits try to nuzzle into Brightstorm's belly fur, seeking out milk that would not come, and with great pain, barely veiled behind a neutral expression, she would have to nose them back to her sister.

To an ignorant onlooker, it simply appeared as though Suntuft had birthed an especially large litter. At a glance, even Brightstorm bitterly noted how all six kits could be misconstrued as siblings, their familial relationship a blessing and a curse.

"I don't know."

She bowed her head, studying one of the kits. The young she-kit was the spitting image of Bayspots, ironically--had she not known better, Brightstorm could have even deluded herself that her mate's blood ran through this kit. Perhaps it was a curse from StarClan, punishing her affair with a kit in the image of her betrayed love. But was she not only a cat with needs, with a want to be loved and cherished and acknowledged?

Blood ran hot and loud like a flooding river in her ears as her emotions surged, anguish and grief and longing all at once squeezing her heart. She had only wanted to be loved, and Eagleburn had given that to her. Was that so terrible a crime?

"Brightstorm."

Suntuft's soft voice split through the churning rapids of her thoughts, forcing the waters to slow, but only a little. Her tail settled on Brightstorm's flank, and she felt her warm nose press against her temple. Brightstorm leaned into her touch, feeling as if she was just one more helpless kit seeking guidance.

"I promised you that I would make sure these kits know their mother. I would never take them from you." Suntuft's voice was soft, sweet, and in it, Brightstorm saw a reflection of their mother, Boulderfrost. It felt strange to feel comforted all while struck by a stab of envy, wishing that she could emulate even an ounce of their mother's personality.

"... I know," Brightstorm murmured, and settled her head against Suntuft's flank. "I'm tired. Can I... sleep on it?"

Feeling Suntuft's eyes upon her, Brightstorm was relieved when Suntuft gave a hum of affirmation and did not press the topic further. The two sisters and their six shared kits cuddled closer together, and exhausted as both of them were, slumber came easily, and Brightstorm would later be relieved that it was a blissfully dreamless sleep.

From the edge of the nursery's mouth, tucked just out of sight of the she-cats, Eagleburn listened to the sleeping family before slowly padding away.

Brightstorm's kits have joined the clan. Suntuft's kits have joined the clan. From top left to bottom right: Sapkit (Brightstorm), Skykit (Brightstorm), Pearkit (Brightstorm), Wingkit (Brightstorm), Fleetkit (Suntuft), Maplekit (Suntuft).

[dawngen]

With a thick tension in the air, Brightstorm tenderly followed behind Suntuft and Eagleburn back to camp. In the fleeting seconds prior to Eagleburn's arrival, she had naively hoped that maybe, just maybe, she could lie to Bayspots. Two of these kits looked so much like her, and none looked even slightly similar to that of Eagleburn. She could say it was a delayed blessing from StarClan, maybe convince her that it was some strange happening that was not to be questioned.

But as she looked to Eagleburn, who held one of the four now-quieted kits from his mouth, she knew it was impossible.

"I--well--" As if she were facing down a roaring Monster thundering down upon her, Brightstorm, confronted by Eagleburn, lost all her words. Suntuft was bristled against her, protectively standing over her still-recovering sibling.

Eagleburn lifted his tail, indicating a desire for silence.

"I won't out you to Bayspots," Eagleburn said softly, "As I'm as much to blame as you. I..."

He hesitated, and sensing Suntuft's aggression, he took a step back to provide the two she-cats room.

"I care deeply for you, Brightstorm. I always have. I never would want to hurt you."

Brightstorm loathed how her heart sang at those words. She was so deprived of affection from Bayspots that those simple words from Eagleburn had her feeling head-over-paws, and she ached from the bittersweet knowledge that there was one cat who cared for her so deeply, but it wasn't the one she had made her vows to.

"We don't have time for this." Suntuft's voice was sharp, piercing the tension and cutting off the two. "Whatever you two have going on, it's none of my business, but we don't have long until sunrise. Will you help us?"

Brightstorm blinked, surprised at her sister's bold question. Eagleburn had said he would not out her to Bayspots or the other cats, but he never implied he would help. These were his kits, certainly, but he just as much to lose as her among their peers were their affair to be revealed. He would be better off cutting his losses, and leaving Brightstorm to do damage control.

Hesitantly, she peered back at Eagleburn from her sister, noting his contemplative look.

Finally, he nodded.

"... Yes. Tell me what to do."

And thus brought them to their present moment. Some cats had already begun to exit their dens by time they entered camp, and Brightstorm keenly felt their eyes upon her. Pelt burning hot, Suntuft bumped their shoulders together, and she blinked in appreciation.

"What is going on?"

Beewatcher pulled herself out of the medicine cat den, followed by Eagleburn's sister, Grayfade.

Eagleburn, who had taken the lion's share in carrying two of the kits, gently set them down, and spoke before either she-cat could try to summon up their practiced story.

"These are my kits," he said with such confidence that Brightstorm was rattled by it, staring on, gobsmacked, as he faced their clan with tail held high. With a flash of envy for his courage and unwavering confidence, she watched as he continued to speak to their enraptured audience.

"I had met with a rogue she-cat once, but... as we all know, it was enough." He bowed his head, and gently licked the brown-dappled kit blindly squirming around his paws on its head. "We agreed the kits would be safer here. I understand the consequences that may come from this."

By the end of his speech, more cats entered the clearing, and most importantly, Oatstar made an appearance. Brightstorm studied their leader keenly, gauging his sleep-dazed reaction as one of the warriors whispered to him what had gone on in his absence. He seemed confused and surprised, but she did not recognize any hints of displeasure or anger. Striding forward, Oatstar joined the other cats gathering around the trio.

"Suntuft, Brightstorm, is this true?"

Brightstorm straightened, doing her best to hide how sore she felt. Beewatcher studied her with interest, and Brightstorm felt her skin prickle beneath her pelt.

"Yes," Suntuft cut in, "Brightstorm was helping me to the dirt place when we found Eagleburn talking to a she-cat. We helped him bring the kits here afterwards."

Shame left Brightstorm uncomfortably warm. These were her kits, and yet, she could not manage to speak as everyone around her took control. She merely nodded along her confirmation, head bowing.

"... Well, leaf-bare is coming, and we already have so many mouths to feed..." Oatstar seemed hesitant, and Brightstorm's stomach plummeted. He had allowed Suntuft's kits! So many cats from this clan were not from it, and such was how they kept their bloodlines strong and diverse. Would he truly turn away these helpless kits?

"Nonsense."

Grayfade's stern voice broke in, and the fluffy gray-and-white she-cat lashed a solid gray plume of a tail.

"Leaf-bare is a rough season for us all, but it is no reason to turn away kits. Don't forget that these are your deputy's kits--they'll be strong and courageous warriors one day, just like Eagleburn."

Ears flattening, Oatstar did not seem pleased with this interjection, and for a moment, Brightstorm wondered if this would be the one time he put his paw down. But soon, he conceded, and quietly nodded. Relief rushed through Brightstorm like the warmth of the sun. Eagleburn's expression was unreadable, and while she knew he could not have seen Oatstar's hesitation, surely he sensed it.

"Suntuft, you're the only nursing queen right now. Would you be okay with suckling these kits?" Grayfade asked, and without missing a beat did Suntuft nod.

"Yes, of course. I had a small litter anyways."

Murmurs rippled through the clan as the three cats, now including Grayfade, scooped up the kits to take them to the nursery. Brightstorm tried not to think of how badly she wished to remain with them there, rather than turning them over to Suntuft, but she knew it was for the best. Especially given Eagleburn's sacrifice, knowing the potential fallout from their clanmates...

Looking around, a tiny, fluffy bundle kept in her mouth, she froze.

Bayspots sat in the mouth of the warriors' den, coolly watching the ongoings of the morning. When their eyes locked, Bayspots held her gaze for only a second before she turned away, going to have a word with Squirrelbite.

Brightstorm's stomach sank, and with ears and head lowered, she slunk after her sister and the others to drop off the kits.

[dawngen]

"Hey Suntuft, can we talk?"

Looking up from her anxious nest preparations, Suntuft paused in sifting moss to study her sister.

"I suppose," she said, giving her sister a playful tail-flick, "I can always make time for you."

Brightstorm made a visible effort to look happy, but Suntuft could tell it was forced. Immediately, her teasing faded to concern, tilting her head.

"... Can we... talk somewhere outside of camp?"

Suntuft didn't speak a single word more in teasing towards her sister after seeing how glum she was. Merely allowing herself to be guided out of camp, Suntuft behaved as normal when other warriors stepped up with warm greetings and playful energy under the cool leaf-fall sun. Brightstorm, however, could hardly muster up a polite meow, tail almost dragging as she guided them out of the camp's hollow-tree exit, and into the forest.

"Something is wrong, isn't it?"

The moment she knew they were fully out of earshot of any other cat, and after a thorough scenting of the area for nearby patrols, Suntuft cut straight to the point. She didn't like to prance around these unpleasant feelings for very long, feeling like she was walking astride a bed of stinging nettle. This behavior was unusual, and it wracked her nerves.

Brightstorm turned, and when she settled, Suntuft followed suit, sitting down and wrapping her tail about her forepaws. All the while, the sandy she-cat could not meet her eyes, looking down to the earth as though to meet her gaze was to invite StarClan's wrath. That likewise chewed at Suntuft's guts with worry.

"If this is about leaf-bare coming, I am sure Oatstar will do fine--"

"I'm pregnant."

Suntuft's mouth hung open as though waiting for prey to leap into it. Stunned, unable to complete her sentence of reassurance, she gaped for a moment longer before quickly shaking her head and regaining some semblance of composure.

"That's--why are you so upset? You always wanted another litter!"

A twinge of jealousy ran like fire ants under her fur. She was so excited for her own pregnancy, and still was she unable to escape this petty, internalized drama of competing with Brightstorm. Darkstar was dead, their apprentice days were over, and yet, could she not feel some joy for her sister? She knew how hard she had taken knowing it was better she did not kit again. Surely she should be celebrating this news with her, rather than seething in having to share Brightstorm's time in the sun.

"Mother... she came to me, in a dream," murmured Brightstorm, and Suntuft's confusion grew.

"Mother?"

"I've... I always wanted a prophetic dream. I thought it would be magical, like being blessed by StarClan. But she only came to warn me."

Suntuft was silent, musing over this knowledge. She could not quite find any jealous feelings regarding Boulderfrost visiting Brightstorm--not when it left the typically bubbly she-cat in such a depressing state. Much as she missed their mother, she would rather be spared the anxiety she scented rolling off of Brightstorm's pelt.

"If this is about how hard your first kitting was, we'll prepare for it. We know now how hard of a time you have, and we can let Beewatcher and the other medicine cats know to get ready."

Rising back to her paws, Suntuft tried not to think about how Brightstorm flinched as she bumped their heads together.

"Maybe this was destiny. You and I, pregnant at the same time? Perhaps it means something for our kits--"

"They're... they're not Bayspots's!"

Jolting back, fur fluffing out, Suntuft finally was able to meet Brightstorm's eyes. They were wild and panicked, beautiful copper flashing hints of wide at the edges from how wide they were.

"... What?"

Suntuft felt all of her feelings of self-depreciation and jealousy dissipate, like mist in the hot summer sun. All that remained was a scorching anxiety clawing its way up her back, prickling her with an unwelcome sense of foreboding.

"Bayspots has been so distant from me," Brightstorm began, and as she spoke, it was as if she could not stop. Like a sickness she needed to get out of her system, Brightstorm practically heaved as she carried on, looking on the verge of weeping hysterics.

"I don't know what I did, or what I could do, I just--ever since the kits left the nest, ever since they became apprentices, she's been skies away from me. She'll be right next to me, and it'll feel like mountains are between us, and I've been so lonely, and I--I--"

"Hey, hey."

Quieting Brightstorm, who fell into helpless sobs, with a brush of her tail against her shoulder, Suntuft squeezed in close.

"What is done is done," Suntuft murmured, and Brightstorm tucked her face against her chest.

"We are all still cats at the end of the day, not gods. We're not perfect, and we make mistakes."

But this mistake... It was huge. It would be like a volcanic eruption from the time of their ancestors, devastating and life-ruining. How would Bayspots react? Her kits? Their clan?

Lenient as they had become with the warrior code, allowing rogues and kittypets in as they have, it did not mean their fellow cats would look kindly upon this infidelity.

Thoughtful, Suntuft sat silent while Brightstorm rode out the last of her hiccupping cries, and when she spoke, it was with a tone of quiet consideration.

"... We were left behind by a dying kittypet, weren't we?"

Confused, Brightstorm looked up with red, bleary eyes.

"Yes, she brought us here for a second chance."

Suntuft nodded, as if that sentence was exactly what she needed to get the ball rolling for the idea taking root in her thoughts.

"I'm very nervous about my first pregnancy," she continued, and when Brightstorm opened her mouth to speak, she lifted her tail to silence her. "It's only reasonable that my sister help take care of me during it. Someone else can take on her duties, as our clan is currently thriving, with plenty of warriors to step up. Even in sickness, we have the means."

Brightstorm looked on in quiet confusion, but Suntuft kept speaking, tail beginning to lash as her thoughts snowballed.

"It'll be several more moons before I kit. You can stay with me in the nursery to ensure I get plenty of rest and am kept well-fed, as the upcoming leaf-bare will be difficult for a new queen. And then, when I kit..."

She looked over, and then down, down to Brightstorm's still-slim belly that would have to be kept strategically hidden for the following moons.

"You go out, you go and find prey for me, and return. You return with a litter of kits left abandoned in the cold, a rogue having left them behind. Like Beewatcher and Sunnydash, it is not unusual, cruel as it is."

Brightstorm's eyes lit with understanding, then dimmed from the grief of knowing what it will mean.

"I am sure I'll have a small litter, so I will be able to nurse them," gently Suntuft continued, and she knew just as well as Brightstorm how much this would hurt. Her own heart ached, knowing what it would mean for Brightstorm to have to separate herself from her kits, but it would be too dangerous for her to keep them. What if they looked like her affair partner? What if they looked like her?

That would be something they'd have to think of as well when explaining the rogue story, but maybe, Suntuft could lie and pretend she had birthed them, so at least if they looked like Brightstorm, the genetics could be played away.

"We'll make it work." Suntuft pressed their foreheads together. "I'll get to know all of the herbs you will need, and how to help you, so no one has to know. The medicine cats will think it is just all for me."

Brightstorm silently nodded, quick and anxious, and Suntuft gently began to groom her head, trying to soothe the anxiety she knew was not good for the young kits growing inside of her.

"... But I need to know, Brightstorm," she continued, soft as duck down, "I need to know who parented them."

Brightstorm flinched, and leaned back, hesitation visible in her face. After a long beat of patient silence, finally, Brightstorm conceded, gaze turning back downward, and ears pinning back.

"... It... It's Eagleburn."

[dawngen]

i did a whoopsidoodle and forgot to mention it (i think), but some moons ago, bayspots and brightstorm had their first litter! the two cats aren't on good terms at this time, with bayspots seemingly falling out of love with brightstorm, but at the time of their litter's birth, both she-cats had been smitten. fresh into matehood, it made sense that quickly after, kits would arrive.

brightstorm was the one to carry their litter, but after a difficult birth she nearly died from, the two she-cats agreed that this would be their last litter. they both cherished and doted on their kits as a result, perhaps spoiling them too much at times. all three cats are now young adults thriving in the clan, demonstrating themselves to be pillars of their community much like brightstorm and their grandmother, boulderfrost.

now, onto the kits in question... (ignore how sandfeather is somehow younger, they were all born in one litter, but maybe i hecked up the code when editing ages for the older cats?)

SANDFEATHER is a young she-cat with a voracious appetite for life. the first to go galloping out of the den with bayspots worriedly trotting after her, while brightstorm quietly basked in how similar her daughter was to her, sandfeather has an unwavering spirit of adventure. she has recently escaped the terrible, awful confines of the nursery after giving birth to brightstorm and bayspots's first set of grandkits!

... well, almost escaped. one of the nursery helpers has to wrangle her back often, reminding her that until her kits are apprentice-aged, they rely on her for nutrition and guidance. much as she loves her little ones, she itches to go exploring again.

SPARROWSHADOW, the only tom-cat from the litter. keen and intelligent, he often was the one encouraging sandfeather onward and using her as a means of testing things. what would happen if she climbed to the top of the tree where a bee's nest was? could she knock down the honey if she broke the branch as its weakest point, and also avoid getting stung?

now that he's older, he's much better about not unnecessarily risking his sister (and himself!) for their hare-brained schemes. he enjoys doting on his new niblings, and has the strongest connection out of the three with bayspots.

FROSTSPOTS, the second she-cat of the litter. once with a similarly huge appetite for adventure like her sister, after getting lost in the leaf-bare snow on one such adventure, she withdrew deep within herself. that trip out of camp cost her a foreleg to frostbite, and while she has learned how to fulfill her warrior duties on three legs, she doesn't do them with as much excitement as her kin.

reserved, quiet, and cautious, frostspots prefers playing kitsitter to her niblings, and has a lot of unspoken anxiety surrounding her parents' deteriorating relationship.

those wisest in the clan will point out that frostspots is the best cat to go to for any and all information. keen and always keeping tabs, she knows about almost all of the latest quarrels, the whereabouts of any cats, and more. she doesn't see this as a strength of hers, but a weakness from her constant fear of things going wrong.

[dawngen]

Ever since she was a kit introduced to clan life, Brightstorm was utterly enthralled by it. Boulderfrost was a loving adoptive mother, kind and gentle and wise as she found new confidence in teaching her new kits. From the tale of HillClan's tragedy, to DawnClan's existence as a new hope and how StarClan guided their paws to this very grotto, Brightstorm had lapped it up.

And, Boulderfrost was saying, explaining the duties of all of the cats to an eager Brightkit, That is Alderrustle, the medicine cat. He can commune with StarClan.

Awe and wonder struck her.

'Commune'? she asked, for it was still a rather big word for a tiny kit, but she vaguely understood her mother's implication.

He goes to a special place called the Sky Splinter to share tongues with our ancestors every half-moon, patiently Boulderfrost explained, And sometimes, StarClan comes to him in dreams. They tell him things he should make Darkstar aware of, so she can keep protecting our clan.

Brightkit's eyes had sparkled.

Will I be able to get those dreams?

Boulderfrost, chuckling, had gently nudged her bubbly daughter with her nose, pushing her closer to the snoozing ball of ginger fluff that was her sister nestled up against her belly.

Maybe, if you actually go to sleep.

Brightstorm couldn't remember a day other than that one where she had tried so hard to fall asleep. But she never had a single prophetic dream, nor was visited by any StarClan cats.

After a successful dawn patrol, Brightstorm had been the first to duck back into the warriors' den. She was tired, exhausted even. An entire morning spent tracking a fox's scent, only to find it was stale, and had already run off into the valley below, hopefully to never be seen again. What a waste of time! She could have been hunting, or checking in on the elders, or saying hi to Eagleburn...

Brightstorm tucked her nose deeper into the soft fur of her tail curled up against her face. Bayspots, her mate, was out hunting. She somewhat missed her warmth in their shared nest, but, lately, she had been rather distant. Even their kits had begun to notice. Frostspots and Sparrowshadow had remarked upon it while helping Sandfeather to the nursery--oh, grandkits, it was hard not to be giddy about grandkits!--which Brightstorm had gently suggested to be due to the anxious nerves from Sandfeather's pregnancy.

Brightstorm and Bayspots had long agreed to not have another litter after Brightstorm's difficult pregnancy, so Sandfeather's kits would be an exciting way to make up for such a loss. It was understandable to get the jitters.

... But, Brightstorm didn't fully believe her own excuses. Not when Bayspots looked at her with hollow eyes, and laid so distant from her in their nest.

Eyes squeezed shut even tighter, and her ears twitched. Why did it seem like more light than usual was seeping into the warriors' den? Had the curtain of vines thinned in the coming leaf-bare?

Irritated, Brightstorm opened her eyes, prepared to find a new napping spot further back into the den, and stopped. Claws dug deep into the soft moss of her nest, so deep she could feel the well-packed earth beneath, and her gilded-orange eyes blew wide, incredulous.

"... Mother?"

Dew glittered on every piece of grass, every stone shimmering like gems. The sunlight, now that she had her eyes open, pooled in, but with her vision clear, it was softer, gentler. The warmth of it was noticeable upon her fur compared to the chilly leaf-fall wind that had chased her all throughout the forest. Most importantly of all, framed in dappled sunlight, Boulderfrost stood at the den's mouth with a warm, soft expression, a mother's love glinting in her eyes.

"Mother!"

Springing to her paws, Brightstorm surely should have knocked Boulderfrost over in her enthusiasm. Did StarClan give her once elderly and frail mother the gift of a sturdiness that rivaled her boulder namesake?

"Hello, my sweet daughter," Boulderfrost purred, bumping noses with Brightstorm, "I am happy to see you."

"Am I... Did I die?"

Brightstorm never was on to dawdle and the instant the question arose as to why she was seeing her mother, a conclusion was drawn. She jolted back, mortified by the idea of passing in her sleep when she had felt perfectly fine, and relaxed when Boulderfrost shook her head.

"No, Brightstorm, you are still very much alive." Boulderfrost's voice rumbled with laughter. "I am merely... Paying a visit."

Tension melting away in the sun, Brightstorm nodded. She could accept that.

"... Then," Her eyes widened again, "Is this... I'm not a medicine cat. How am I seeing you?"

Boulderfrost motioned with her tail, and the two sat down, indicating a longer conversation to come.

"StarClan cats can make visits," Boulderfrost began, "But only occasionally. I had to ask Riverstar quite a few times before she allowed me this."

Brightstorm was practically overflowing with new questions, namely who is Riverstar?, but she held her tongue. She had a feeling that she should not waste this precious time bombarding her mother with topics and questions that were irrelevant to her original journey to this dream.

"I came to say congratulations."

Brightstorm blinked.

"Con...gratulations?"

Boulderfrost's gaze darkened. There was still the same aura of warm love, but it was tainted by a smidge of disappointment, and a new feeling of worry that Brightstorm felt wash over her own fur. The sun felt less warm, and she felt her heart begin to sink, unable to take receiving such a look from her beloved mother who she had missed so dearly.

"Congratulations... And provide you a warning."

Eyes turning downward, Brightstorm realized Boulderfrost looked to her belly--so she did as well. ... Had she gotten extra plump this greenleaf? Was that supposed to be a sarcastic congratulations?

"You've always been a wonderful warrior, Brightstorm. You follow your heart, and you serve your clan well. But secrets and deception are the end of even the most virtuous cat."

Brightstorm's blood ran cold, and her head jerked up.

"I don't understand--"

"You're pregnant, my love."

Boulderfrost needn't say anything more. The look of knowing in her eyes, and the way Brightstorm's heart momentarily stopped was all that was needed. Horror and excitement twisted like cruel thorns inside of her, delight conflicting with despair as her head bowed, gaze fixed in silent shock upon the ground.

"I'm... I'm..."

She couldn't finish it. She knew what it meant.

Boulderfrost stood, and Brightstorm felt her soft nose touch to her forehead.

"You are not evil nor unworthy of StarClan's love because of this," Boulderfrost murmured. "All cats are flawed, and temptation can lead us all astray. But it is what you do after that will decide it all."

"Mother, I'm... I--"

Brightstorm lifted her head, her heart a stormcloud of emotion, but Boulderfrost was gone. The glittering dew, the warm sunshine, and the well-lit den was replaced by what the warriors' den normally looked like. Hollyclaw was peeking in with Squirrelbite, both looking inquisitively at Brightstorm.

"Hey, you good?" Squirrelbite asked, grunting as Hollyclaw roughly nudged her.

"You... seemed to be having a nightmare," Hollyclaw corrected her with a gentler tone, and Brightstorm felt her pelt warm and had to focus on not bristling.

"Thank you, but I think I'm just still mad about that fox."

The two other she-cats nodded and murmured their understanding, and while Squirrelbite trotted off, Hollyclaw hesitated.

"Don't be afraid to check in with the medicine cats if you don't feel well, okay? Poppy seeds are great for nightmares."

After Brightstorm nodded, Hollyclaw left, leaving her in the big, empty warriors' den.

Silent, Brightstorm slowly eased her cheek down onto the moss, gazing vacantly at the opposing dirt wall, studying the roots peeking out through its packed surface.

Pregnant. And she knew who the father was.

Perhaps she had been right to feel uneasy under Bayspots' cold gaze.

[biggs-regretti]

PONY MOMENT!!! ft. @kittykatmaniac

[thunder-the-ranger-wolf]

Strange Choices

They hadn't been friends at first. She was inexperienced and picked him solely because he objected to her every move. Everyone was shocked when she made the choice.

“Brightstorm will be the next deputy of SparrowClan.”

“What?!” He snapped.

Right on cue, she purred internally.

“I have made my choice. And I see no objection from StarClan.”

“You're not even the leader yet. Palestar has been buried for almost a quarter-moon and you still won't journey to the Moontree! What, are you afraid StarClan will reject you?” Brightstorm scoffed.

Gasps rang through the clearing. For StarClan to reject a leader was unheard of! That Brightstorm had spoken so insolently was punishable. Several pairs of eyes glared holes into the orange and white tom's fur.

“You dare speak against our great leader!”

“She's not leader yet!” Brightstorm snarled back. “And I think we deserve to know why!”

Cats yowled in protest and the ginger-patched warrior was nearly swallowed by his crowd of angry Clanmates.

“Relax!” Larktail’s voice rolled across the valley, shaking some loose rocks into the camp.

I'll have to send a patrol up there sometime soon. She reminded herself.

“My reasons are my own, Brightstorm. You will be the deputy of SparrowClan, and leader after me. That is final.” She hissed.

“Fine!” He snarled, lashing out at the crowd with (thankfully) sheathed paws. “But don't expect me to bend to your every will.”

Wouldn't dream of it. Larktail snorted.

Insert line break here

“If the truth is told… I'm not ready to be leader. I need someone willing to challenge me. Everyone, even the elders, have been saying 'oh, you'll do fine!’ but that's not what I need to hear… I don't want to mess up, Storm! What if I lead the Clan to ruin?!” She cried out suddenly.

“Then I'll be right there with you, telling you how much of a mouse-brained fool you're being. Like I always have and I always will. I know you don't want to hear it, but you'll do fine.” Brightstorm insisted.

“Storm!” She groaned.

“StarClan hasn't rejected you yet, and they won't today. Go get your nine lives, old girl. We've got work to do.”