Longstar AU - A Dark Interlude
Trigger Warning - blood, injury, animal death
The night was dimly lit, the tree branches weaving together into a nigh impenetrable ceiling against the full moon. The Newleaf air was chill against Longstar’s pelt as he slunk through the undergrowth. He squinted in the gloom, the scars on his face pulling as he focused on the bushes ahead of him. Longstar was on a mission of great importance, one that would shape his very future.
He was catching a late-night snack for his nursing mate.
Flamewish had told Longstar of her second pregnancy shortly after the Bloodclan Battle. He had been, and still was, ecstatic about the development. He loved Cloudtail like a son already, and Snowpaw and Mistlepaw like his flesh and blood, but kits of his own…he had taken one look at them and fallen in love. Little red coated Foxkit, and tiny brown coated Swiftkit. He only hoped Swiftspirit would be honored by the name.
It had only been a little over a week, and the usually jovial and lively Flamewish was exhausted, and craving a fresh midnight mouse. Longstar was more than happy to provide, and had left his terrifying beauty in the capable paws of the Nursery and Fireheart. And Cinderpelt, of course. Neither sibling would forgive him if he forgot about “their” apprentice. Shaking the memories from his head, he scented the air for mouse-scent and listened intently. Fireheart had told him though his eyes were fine now, they could – and probably would – deteriorate over time. The dog’s teeth could have done quite a lot more damage, Starclan bless, but if he was going to lose his eyesight at some point, he’d best be prepared ahead of time to still be able to get around. There was no fresh mouse scent, or even bird-scent, but a faint hint of bonesandbloodandteethandpack had his hackles raising.
And then a cat screamed terror and pain into the silence.
Longstar leapt into motion, a streak of silver-brown against the shadowed bushes and tree trunks. The cat wailing was joined by the barking of a dog, and fear cut through Longstar like The Tyrant had cut down Tiger”star” – cold and piercing through his guts. But a cat was in danger, and even if he was too late for them, he had to drive the dog off.
He only hoped it didn’t take a Life.
The sounds of thrashing bushes and feline terror grew close, and Longstar clambered up a tree to get a better vantage point. There was indeed a dog, though far smaller than the ones Tiger”star” had lured to kill Thunderclan. But it was tearing ruthlessly into a gray form, shaking the unknown cat like a leaf in a storm. With little time to plan if he wanted to save the poor cat, Longstar calculated the distance, and leapt. He landed on the small dog’s back with a yowl, causing the dog to drop its victim and whirl about wildly. Digging his claws in, he bit down on the beast’s neck as hard as he could. The dog yelped in pain and scrambled to get away, and Longstar had to jump off to not be dragged away. With a final swipe at its hindquarters to drive it away, Longstar finally turned towards its poor victim.
A gray cat lay in a puddle of blood and debris from the bushes. Their sides heaved raggedly, and their breaths sputtered horribly. Longstar approached, but it was very apparent that this cat was dying far too quickly for him to help. He crouched close to their face, and the cat’s remaining heather-blue eye locked onto him. Longstar’s mind interposed Swiftspirit’s face on the dying cat, and he shuddered in grief.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t here fast enough to help you” he gently mewed, “but I promise to be here for you now. Yow won’t be alone.”
The cat looked at him with their teary eye, and tried to speak through gasping breaths. “…d…da…k…” The cat coughed wetly, then continued. “DaaAark…kkkk...t...t…nnnh…” Their eye looked beyond him, and as he processed what they had said, passed into the night with a sigh.
…Dark?...Itn?...Dark kitten? A KITTEN!?!?!
Longstar quickly looked around in a panic, the blood in the air clouding his senses. Oh Starclan was there a kitten in this mess?! Blood spotting his paws as he searched, he saw a gleam like starlight out of the corner of his better eye, and whipped his head around towards where the now lifeless cat had looked. A tiny tuft of bloody white fur protruded out of the bushes, and Longstar rushed to the spot. Within the bush, behind the brave parent cat, was an injured kitten, no more than three moons old. Their – judging by the scent through the blood, a little tomcat – ear was nearly torn off, bloody scratches littered his little body, and his tail hung by a scrap of flesh. His eyes were wide and horrified, and his sides heaved in terror.
Oh sweet Starclan he needed to get this kitten help Right NOW! He reached his head out to grab the kitten, and was rewarded with a hiss and a warning swipe to his nose. “Hey there, are you okay little guy?” Longstar mewed, trying to look friendlier. “I’m not going to hurt you…you must be Dark, right?” The kitten stared, as if not even seeing him. Then his eyes focused at Longstar’s face, and his fur started to flatten. “You’re very brave, little guy, but I need to get you some help. Can I take you with me?” The kitten – Dark – began to tremble, and whispered “…momma?”
Longstar hid his wince as best he could, and quietly mewed “I’m sorry, but she’s hunting in the stars now, and nothing can hurt her anymore.” Dark’s face twisted into tears, and he held back a whine. “Please, Dark, can I take you somewhere safe? My family and my own kits would never forgive me if I left you here.” The kitten heaved a sob, and nodded, stepping forward gingerly. “…my name’s Darkkit…”
That is a very Clan name.
“That’s a great name sweetie, just” Longstar paused, looking at the carnage behind him, “just close your eyes for me, okay? You don’t want to see your mother like this.” Darkkit nodded again, with a wince, and wobbled forward. Longstar grabbed him gently by the scruff, and as fast as he could manage without jarring Darkkit’s injuries, headed for home.
Please Starclan, he prayed, let Fireheart and Cinderpelt be awake!
Fireheart and Cinderpelt were indeed awake, waiting at the entrance to camp with cobwebs and poppy seeds and worried faces. Yellowfang’s spirit had woken Fireheart, and apparently was staying with Flamewish – probably to see her great-grandkits. The Healers rushed the injured kitten to the Healer’s Den, and shooed Longstar away as soon as Darkkit fell asleep. They had garnered some new information from the kitten – his sire had been a Windclan cat, who had rejected Darkkit and his mother Smoke, though he couldn’t remember the tom’s name or role. Longstar had sent an early morning patrol to make sure the dog was gone, and another to bury the mother who had fought so hard to save her son.
After thoroughly cleaning himself up, Longstar entered the Leader’s Den; as he thought, a starlit gray molly was curled over the sleeping Flamewish and the kits. Yellowfang glanced up at him with a critical eye, then softened her gaze.
“The kit’ll heal up fine, Longface, stop bringing the mood down in here” she murmured. Longstar sagged in relief – if he could trust anyone to be honest, it would be Yellowfang. After a moment, he shrugged. “I’m just hoping Flamewish doesn’t skin me for not bringing a mouse” he joked.
“Extenuating circumstances, you live this time” came from the Queen, opening one eye and smiling up at Longstar. “Now tell me about our new son!” Yellowfang laughed at the look on Longstar’s face, which woke a mewling Swiftkit and Foxkit. With a glittering smile, Yellowfang departed from the den, leaving Longstar with his loving mate and kits.
Flamewish was right though, Darkkit fit into their family just fine.
