Karma's Storm (Short Story)
SEQUEL TO “HER EYES”: https://www.tumblr.com/residents-of-the-darkforest/716164524705792000/her-eyes-short-story
Screams, yowls, and hisses echoed through the camp as Swirltail stood guard in front of the nursery, hissing at any others that dared to get close. After so many deaths caused by Slatestar, he was finally getting what he deserved- And the whole of Slateclan was caught in the crossfire.
Blood splattered in front of her paws. She felt sick.
But she needed to defend herself, her kit, and the other monarchs in the nursery. She swiped at a blue-grey tom rushing by, who yelped and skittered back- She felt a wince of regret as she realized he was clearly an apprentice, but he quietly rushed back into the chaos of battle without a second thought. She stood, ready to attack- But suddenly, something barreled her over- And she yowled in pain as red blood stained her white fur, yellow eyes glaring her down as she choked.
“Karma’s cruel, isn’t it.” Hissed a voice she knew too well. Lunarpaw.
She awoke with a jolt, gasping for air as those same yellow eyes stared her down curiously. She nearly jumped away, but calmed quickly as she recognized that black, gray and white pelt. Lunarpaw was just a nightmare, living in her dreams to haunt her. The distant thump of rain helped soothe her mind as she held her kit close, grooming their fur softly. “Why are you awake, Little Blackbird? It’s barely dawn.” “There’s a river in the camp!” They happily mewed, and Swirltail got up. “There’s- What?” She blinked, baffled as Cottoncatcher suddenly hurried into the den, picking them up by their scruff. “What they mean to say is that the camp is flooding and we need to go.” “WHAT!?” She stood up shakily, as her kit happily squealed. “Karmakit, you’re awfully happy despite this.” Cottoncatcher joked as Swirltail desperately hurried after the two, seeing clanmates making their way to higher ground. First there’s a war that leaves the camp a wreckage, now this- Starclan must’ve been feeling particularly spiteful recently. She sighed as she glanced down at the streams flooding camp, shuddering as the rain grew stronger. “Cotton, can I hold them?” She mewed as Karmakit giggled at the rain, batting at it with a paw like it was a new toy. She loved her kit, but Starclan were they weird.
She supposed she wouldn’t have it any other way though.. She did wish their eyes weren’t so big and bright- No, no time to think about that.
Cottoncatcher placed Karmakit down, and just as quickly Swirltail picked them up. “I can walk!” They squeaked, and Swirltail narrowed her eyes. “Well, I didn’t see you complaining when Cottoncatcher was carrying you.” She said, and Cottoncatcher chuckled with a smile. “Maybe they just prefer me.~” He teased, and Swirltail rolled her eyes- But she couldn’t hide the smile on her face. “Yeah, okay herb-breath.” “Oh, my feelings! You’re so cruel to your brother, Swirls!” He put a paw dramatically on his head, and Swirltail held back laughter. “If you make me laugh, I’m going to drop Karmakit and if I drop them into the flood it’s your fault.” She said, and Karmakit squeaked. “I could swim!” “No you couldn’t.” The two spoke at once.
Despite her carefulness, however, she couldn’t help but feel like there were whispers in her ears- Bad, bad whispers. “Drop them.” Whispered a voice that reminded her too much of Coalpaw’s, “Get revenge. Lunarpaw can’t come back if she dies again.” ‘They aren’t Lunarpaw,’ She thought with a low growl, looking down at the floodwaters.‘I’m not killing an innocent kit because of my own paranoia and foolish choices as an apprentice. If they’re Lunarpaw reborn, then I know not to let mistakes repeat themselves. And by Starclan itself, if you’re going to haunt me too about this, you’re no better than Lunarpaw!’ She thought with a glare up at the sky, before settling down as Cottoncatcher put a paw on her shoulder. “You okay? You’re looking.. Kinda angry at the sky.” He asked, as she made a forced giggle. “Oh, y’know, just being.. Mad at the storm.” “I don’t believe that for a second, but I won’t pry.” He hummed, heading forwards. “Cottoncatcher!” The three heard his name be called by Sunray, and he blinked. “Well, someone slipped and hurt their paw. I’ll be back.” Cottoncatcher hurried off, and for a second Swirltail thought she heard a growl disappear into the winds- But decided it was nothing and continued on, Karmakit happily mewing about the rain and how Cottoncatcher’s job must be fun. Swirltail’s eyes were narrowed as the rain became heavier- She knew now she needed to keep her kit safe from judgement, lest the past repeat itself- And someone else experiences her mistakes.
NAME REVEAAAAL!!! And some fun facts! -Umbranoxs-The Blue-Grey Tom in Swirl’s dream is actually Rhythmpaw! He wanted to avenge Glowingshadow, so he came along to the battle. Wolveshowl, Shadedview and Shutterpaw were there too, but not mentioned
-Cotton and Swirl are not blood siblings, but after Swirl’s parents broke up Swirl’s mother ended up becoming mates with Cotton’s adoptive mother- Who also happened to be the medicine cat.Cotton also has actually taken one of Slatestar’s lives but that’s a story for another day.
-“Little Blackbird” is Swirl’s nickname for Karmakit. She’s struggling so hard to be a good mom but she’s trying her best.
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--not how I thought the story would progress, but so happy it was different! Good on Swirl for trying to be a good mom
