MOON 22 (Part 1)
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Cottonpaw and Deerpaw are finally made warriors, to their joy. They become Cottonheart and Deerspring. Cloudthunder purrs the loudest; she is so proud of her kits.
(Cottonheart, warrior, female, 12 moons. Bold.) (Deerspring, warrior, female, 12 moons. Righteous.) (Cloudthunder, warrior, female, 55 moons. Loyal.) (Airswift, warrior, male, 12 moons. Charismatic.)
---
"Deerspring! Cottonheart! Deerspring! Cottonheart!"
Airswift was happy for his siblings. Well, that's what he told anyone who asked, anyway. He offered twitched whiskers and a slow blink, and answered politely, "I'm happy they're in the warriors' den now." He offered congratulations and head bumps to his sisters, and helped them clear out their former bedding and find a good space to move into their new den.
Things were good. At least, that's what he repeated to himself.
When he finally found a moment to lie down by the fire for a quick afternoon nap, he finally let his thoughts rummage through.
He wasn't that happy. In truth, he still thought that Cottonheart was too impulsive and Deerspring was too hardheaded. But he wasn't Redstar, and if she thought they were good enough to be warriors, so be it. After his sisters' night time apprentice trial with no consideration over what he or mom thought, he trusted them less. Oh, sure, nobody said it was an apprentice trial, but that's what it was, functionally. 'I saw something in a dream' was no excuse to run off in the middle of the night, and if either of them bothered to talk to him, he would've talked sense into them, or at least got mom to stop them.
He was well aware that these feelings were mousebrained and petty, especially after spending half of his life with them as apprentices and training with them every day. He shoved these feelings aside when they were apprentices and got along with them just fine during that time, which is why it was annoying to him that these feelings were resurfacing now. They were warriors now, and it was mousebrained to still be upset about something his sisters did when they were six moons old.
Well, at least he proved to everyone that he was the most reliable cat out of the three of them, in the end. He worked hard, listened closely, didn't argue or moan about chores, and didn't talk back for his whole apprenticeship, and he was rewarded for it by graduating early. Cats trusted him and his judgment way more than they trusted his sisters, and he was grateful that -
"Ai'swif!"
Airswift let out a confused mrrp and sat up. Hazelkit pawed at his back. Interrupted from his thoughts, he blinked a few times.
"Uh…hey, Hazelkit. Need anything?" he asked.
"Ai'swift, why is Cottonpaw now Cottonheart?"
"Well...I mean, she's a warrior now. That's why."
"But why does her name change?"
Airswift blinked quizzically. "...Well, because it just does. You won't be Hazelkit forever either."
Hazelkit frowned, tail twitching. "I know! But isn't 'paw' a grownup name already?"
"No?" Airswift sat up, whiskers twitching. "All apprentices are 'paws', just like all kits are 'kit'."
Hazelkit pouted, tail thrashing. In across camp, Mulberrykit retorted, "See? I told you."
Airswift's ears twitched and licked his paw. "It's okay, Hazelkit. Now you know."
"But why is 'paw' just an apprentice name? There's 'foot'! And 'toe'! And fur, and pelt, and, and..." Hazelkit sputtered, then hissed in annoyance. "It's - it's dumb! Everyone has paws! Why isn't 'paw' a warrior name?"
Airswift knew the kit was embarrassed. Deerspring was like that too as a kit - she hated making mistakes. Remembering how he would smooth things over before, he shrugged and responded casually. "I dunno. It is a bit weird. Maybe there's a reason for it. You could ask Redstar? She's into history stuff."
"Well, I think the reason for it is dumb anyway!"
"What suffix would you give apprentices then?"
Hazelkit opened his mouth, then closed it. Thoughts rotated behind the kit's blue eyes.
"Why don't you come up with ideas with your siblings? You'll be apprentices in a few moons, after all."
Hazelkit brightened, then hopped back towards his siblings without another word. Airswift watched him go, and watched as the kits started bickering and coming up with ideas.
"That was nice of you."
He glanced behind him to see his mother approaching. Cloudthunder sat beside him and gave a knowing look, her copper eyes beaming. Airswift shrugged.
"It was nothing, really."
"Still, I'm sure the kits will remember that as they grow older." Cloudthunder twitched her whiskers. She looked at him fondly. "It wasn't that long ago that you were that small, you know."
Airswift avoided her gaze, embarrassed. "I guess kits do grow up really fast, given how old cats get," he mused half-heartedly.
"This is your second leafbare - and I'm guessing you can barely remember your first."
"Yeah, that's true. I remember the snow melting more than anything." Airswift's ear twitched.
The two cats paused. Airswift didn't like it. His mom did this often - when she could tell that something was bothering him, she'd say nothing and wait for him to speak up. Unfortunately, it worked.
"...Did you ever worry about us?" he asked.
"Of course. Every day. I still do."
"I guess Cottonheart and Deerspring terrified you, then."
Cloudthunder tilted her head. "Did you mean the night they vanished from camp?"
Airswift tensed. "...Yeah."
The molly sighed and shook her head. Her ears flattened. "I will never forget how hurt and angry I was."
A flicker of validation sparked through him. Airswift fought to keep it bottled up. He failed. He wasn't sure if he'd get a chance to ask later. He glanced at her, then said, "Are you worried they'll do something like that again?"
Cloudthunder didn't answer immediately. Instead, she gave her son a thoughtful look, and her tail tapped the snow. "Are you worried?"
That was a good question. Was he worried about it? Sure, his sisters had grown older and were much better at managing their impulses. He didn't think Cottonheart would try to play 'hero' again, and Deerspring learned her lesson about trying to fix problems by herself - to an annoying degree. He didn't know an adult could still be a tattletale. So, not really.
But he couldn't say that he trusted them to lead patrols or be good mentors. It's foxhearted for him to think that, but it's true. And he was pretty sure that if he said that to Cloudthunder, that he'd get some kind of speech about giving them another chance.
Cloudthunder stared at the fire. After a while with no response, she finally said, "I don't think it's wise," the molly glanced at Airswift, "to imagine that they'll do it again."
"I don't think they will," Airswift reassured.
"But you don't trust them."
The tom said nothing.
"Listen, Airswift," Cloudthunder's voice softened. She sidled next to him, then began grooming his head. Airswift sighed, and let out a purr of reassurance. "You have no idea how grateful I am that StarClan blessed me with five beautiful kits. In these horrible woods, two were stolen that night. Ever since then, I've been blessed every single day that I get to spend with you three."
Airswift's heart sank. He knew the story - Cloudthunder told it to them before. She didn't shy away from the fact that they had two other littermates. He was never sure how to feel about it.
"Yes, you make very, very stupid decisions. Dangerous ones, too. They terrify me. But I also know that you can't learn anything without making mistakes, as unfortunate as it is. Maybe if your sisters woke you up that night, trying to convince you to join them, you would've gone too. Or, maybe you would've talked them down, or ran to tell someone right away. We never know what we'll really do until we're put in that position." Cloudthunder stopped grooming her child, and let out a mrrow of amusement. "After all, Deerspring, a rule-follower if I've ever seen one, chose to go with Cottonpaw! You'd think she would have told someone instead, but she didn't. It's easy to say what we would've done in hindsight."
Discomfort balled in his chest.
"All this to say," Cloudthunder finished, "that I am so proud of all three of you. Yes, your sisters made some choices that terrified me in the past. But they learned from them, and they're still here by my side. And I hope when you also make a really stupid mistake," the molly purposefully tilted her head into Airswift's line of sight. Airswift awkwardly glanced away. "That you will have cats by your side that will help you correct it. Although, for StarClan's sake," Cloudthunder's tail twitched, "try not to give us a heart attack like your sisters did."
Airswift let out a mrrow of amusement. "I won't. I promise."
"And please, Airswift. I know you're not the one to be confrontational. But do try to have some trust in your littermates."
"I never said I didn't," he protested.
"I've watched you three for long enough to know when you have doubts about each other," the molly replied.
Airswift opened his mouth to say something, but quickly closed it as he caught Cottonheart and Deerspring from the corner of his eyes rapidly approaching the campfire. He straightened up and greeted them wordlessly with a raised tail.
Cottonheart bounded up to them with her tail held highly, her face beaming. She purred as she pressed her head against her mother's, then returned the gesture to Airswift.
"Deerspring and I are all set up now!"
"That's wonderful, loves," Cloudthunder purred.
Deerspring approached more casually, careful to not crowd around the fire too closely. She made the same gesture her sister made to her mother and brother, then sat down next to her mother. "Do you know what time Redstar will give us our vigil?" she asked.
"Probably when the sun goes down," Airswift replied. "It's what happened to me."
"What are we even supposed to do during the vigil, anyway? Stand guard?" Cottonheart asked. She flopped over between her mother and brother, rolling on her back playfully.
Cloudthunder chuckled and nipped at her daughter's ear. "Hey, space-hogger. Sit up."
"Nuh-huh, I'm a warrior now, you can't tell me what to do," Cottonheart teased.
"Actually, warriors tell each other what to do often," Airswift replied.
"I know, Airswift. It's not like I haven't lived in ForestClan my whole life or anything!" Cottonheart reached out her paw to boop her brother's nose. Airswift recoiled and frowned.
"Don't do that."
"Fine, fine," Cottonheart laughed. She sat up and stretched. "Look at us, though! The whole family, finally warriors!"
Deerspring blinked, her ear twitched. "I guess the only person we're missing now is Tree."
Cloudthunder looked at Deerspring quizzically. "What do you mean?"
Deerspring gave her mother a flat stare. "...Mom, I have zero interest in mates, and even I can see that you like them from a mile away."
Cloudthunder's eyes widened to the size of moons and froze up. Cottonheart burst out laughing.
Airswift's heart softened. His tail tapped the cold earth, and his fur was warmed by the small fire. Cottonheart's long fur against his own, and Deerspring's dry commentary to his ears, were familiar and comforting.
...Maybe he had to get out of his own head more.
---
Owlpaw goes to get some fresh kill...and gets attacked by rats that went to scavenge the pile! She gets a torn pelt, and complains about it the entire time.
(Owlpaw, apprentice, female, 9 moons. Adventurous.)
Olive gives Perchwatcher some pink poppies, which she decides to wear.
(Perchwatcher, warrior, female, 17 moons. Responsible.) (Olive, mediator, female, 78 moons. Calm.)
Iciclepool and Redstar get into a very heated argument. Iciclepool wins. Redstar takes it down...and carves a line on a piece of wood that she hides under her bedding.
(Redstar, leader, female, 81 moons. Strict.) (Iciclepool, deputy, female, 78 moons. Ambitious.)
ForestClan gets into a battle at the border with Endless' group, despite their attempts at diplomacy. They're all spooked off by a familiar screeching before anyone can get seriously hurt. Relationships with the outsiders have worsened.
(Daffodilpaw, apprentice, female, 9 moons. Careful.) (Cloudthunder, warrior, female, 55 moons. Loyal.) (Barleywave, warrior, male, 51 moons. Playful.) (Endless, rogue, female, 58 moons. Sneaky.) (Stone, rogue, male, 66 moons. Charismatic.) (Plume, former kittypet, female, 47 moons. Childish.) (Fake Cat. If you hear them, they have already heard you.)
Hopechase catches greencough. Brackenfreckle can't stand her clanmates today.
(Shadepaw, apprentice, male, 7 moons. Competitive.) (Hopechase, warrior, female, 104 moons. Playful.) (Brackenfreckle, healer, female, 20 moons. Grumpy.) (Tree, warrior, non-binary, 53 moons. Ambitious.)
Shiverstep thinnnksssss (ERROR 401 AUTHORIZED.)
Airswift is happy to run into Shiverstep today.
(Airswift, warrior, male, 12 moons. Charismatic.) (Shiverstep, cleric, female, 22 moons. Loving.)
Riversnow recovers from her bite wound. Riversnow is glad to have a clanmate like Branchsnarl.
(Riversnow, warrior, female, 71 moons. Adventurous.) (Branchsnarl, warrior, trans male, 17 moons. Ambitious.)
---
Riversnow was relieved when Brackenfreckle told her that her wound healed. She didn't need to be careful anymore - thank goodness. She had been cleared for patrols a moon ago - enough to finish Deerspring's training and see her become a warrior, thank goodness - but waiting for scabs to close and getting checked regularly just reminded her of Stone's existence. Good riddance, she didn't have to worry about it anymore. She carried herself with her tail held high and glanced around camp for work that needed to be done.
She saw Branchsnarl patching up a part of the camp wall with sap, poking at cracks and corners with a stick. Branchsnarl scowled in annoyance as he kept failing to angle his head in such a way to correctly stab his stick in the corner he was patching.
Riversnow let out a mrrow of amusement and approached him. "Need help, young tom?"
Branchsnarl's ears perked and his green eyes beamed. "O'ly i' you 'an - " Branchsnarl stopped and spat the stick on the floor. "Sorry - only if you want! Messy job though, I wouldn't want to get sap on your paws."
"Oh, believe me, I've gotten sap on my paws before. I can handle it," she purred with amusement. "Here, let's give you an easier target to see."
Riversnow used her paw to act as a clearer marker for Branchsnarl to rest his stick on, and together they managed to fill in the cracks, re-securing the wall. The two cleaned up behind them, with Branchsnarl returning the sap back to the supply storage near the medicine den, and Riversnow grabbing some flax oil to remove stray globs of sap that got on her paws.
"Need help with that? I've done it for mom before," Branchsnarl asked with a raised tail.
"Thank you, but it's just the top of my paw. I should be good," Riversnow mewed.
"If you say so! I don't mind helping."
Riversnow's whiskers twitched. Then, she let out a purr. "That you do."
Branchsnarl noticed the look on her face and returned a playful frown. "Hey, what's that supposed to mean?"
"Oh, don't be daft. You hoarded mounds of fresh moss to replace my bedding every three days when I was pregnant," Riversnow laughed.
"Hey! In my defense, you complained about not being able to sleep comfortably. And you didn't stop me," Branchsnarl retorted with a smirk. "Tree didn't stop me either, so if anything, it's their fault."
"Oh no, you were willingly doing chores. How dare no one stop you." Riversnow's whiskers twitched in amusement as she rubbed the sap off her paws with a leather cloth. "You were a good cat."
Branchsnarl sat down in the snow and shifted uncomfortably. "Ehhh, I mean, I dunno about that. I've, uh, said mousebrained things too."
"If this is about Owlpaw blaming you for Warblerkit, I understand your reaction. It was very hurtful, and I was upset that it happened in the first place, but I understand." Riversnow raised her head and looked at him sympathetically. "Warblerkit's death isn't your fault. You were being born."
"Yeah, I know." Branchsnarl paused. He gently prodded at the snow with the back of his paw, deep in thought. He licked his teeth, then said carefully, "I just...feel like I upset a lot of cats. Redstar especially."
Riversnow blinked as she remembered how distant Barleywave was for a few weeks. He spoke to no one and couldn't look at anyone in the eye. The second he broke out of a hollow stupor, he threw up a hairball and looked like he had spent days crawling in a swamp. She couldn't deny that Owlkit and Branchpaw had deeply hurt each other, and other cats. She didn't push anyone to tell her why they spiraled out of control, but she wasn't stupid. She did live for a few seasons on the outskirts of the Twoleg Campground. Distant screams like those of cougars.
She put two and two together eventually.
"...You, um...could reach out to them, if you're worried."
Branchsnarl shrugged. "Eh, maybe later. For Redstar, anyway. She's been kinda tense, I think, since..."
He trailed off, and Riversnow said nothing. Her chest tightened. She didn't know how to talk about what happened to Blackpaw. And Shiverstep not long after. Windfur tried to keep her escapade on the down-low, but others could see how on edge she was since then.
Branchsnarl shook his head, and changed the subject quickly. "But uh, hey, if I was a little mousedung back then, at least I'm better now, I think," he chuckled.
"Oh, you weren't mousedung," Riversnow protested as she finally cleaned the rest of her paw and folded the cloth. "In fact, you were very adorable when I first arrived in camp."
"What? No. What did I do?" Branchsnarl got to his feet with a confused look.
"Don't you remember?"
"Well, I was a kit, that was ages ago!"
Her whiskers twitched with amusement. She picked up the oil by the handle. "You said hello, that I was very pretty, and you were glad to have me as a Clanmate. You ran away and tackled your sister before I could say anything."
Branchsnarl burst out laughing, and followed Riversnow in the medicine den. "No way, really? That's hilarious!"
"It's true," Riversnow said as she tucked the oil in a corner where she found it.
"Aw, well, my kit-self wasn't lying, you are pretty."
"Oh, stop it, you," Riversnow chuckled and lightly cuffed the tom's ear. Branchsnarl's ear twitched and he had a big, dumb grin on his face.
"What? Am I wrong? Everyone in the Clan thinks that - the kits say you're fluffy like a cloud too! Of course Barleywave fell for you!"
Riversnow now felt flustered, suddenly regretting bringing it up. "Ah, well now, I doubt that - "
"Aw, you're way too modest, take the compliment, fight anyone who says otherwise," Branchsnarl insisted with a swishing tail and dilated pupils.
"Branch, come on, every molly is beautiful in their own way, surely I'm not - "
"Ah ah ah! But you're a molly, so you're also beautiful. I win," Branchsnarl snickered as he got into a playful crouch. He blocked the entrance to the medicine den.
Riversnow's neck bristled instinctively at the bodily memory of being cornered, but she saw the stupid look on his face and couldn't help but replace it with the moment of being confronted by Branchkit greeting her. A realization dawned on her, and her neck fur flattened. The young tom wasn't being aggressive, but competitive. Oh stars, she thought Windfur said his "second puberty" was done by now. Branchpaw might've bolted away giggling at this point, but this idiot was grinning with dialated pupils and waiting to be batted over head again. She fought the instinct to stay quiet, and instead retrieved her voice and spoke her needs.
"Branch," she began calmly and raised her paw. "I'll take the compliment, but you're acting like a six moon old tom. And, uh, you're blocking the entrance."
"Oh mousedung, sorry!" Branchsnarl's pupils shrunk and he sat up, embarrassed. He licked his shoulder before straightening out. "Ah, that's embarrassing, sorry River. I dunno what came over me."
"It's alright. I thought your treatments were finished?"
"Uh, yeah, but I guess I've been told I might still act like a mosquito. Hey, don't - like, don't be scared to call me out, I'm not trying to be rude, I'm just mousebrained," he meowed.
"It's alright, Branchsnarl. Thank you for telling me."
He paused, stared into the distance, then his face flattened out as though an epiphany came to him. "...Oh foxdung I forgot I was supposed to help Perchwatcher with something, I gotta go SORRY, thanks for the help earlier, talk to you later!" And with that, he suddenly bolted towards the gates and climbed over the gate itself and leapt out of camp. This was extremely inefficient, with all the energetic rush of a young tom.
Riversnow let out a sigh, but then purred with amusement and affection.
Branchsnarl was a good Clanmate. Sometimes made mistakes, but she was glad to know him.
---
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