“NO MAPLEKIT STOP IT!!!” Fawntuft’s clouded eyes snapped open as she heard the shriek of the kits in the clearing. Her head lifted as she tried to focus her vision. Oatspeckle told her that she would be blind soon, that her eyes were clouding over because of age. That was alright with her. Without any of her family there any longer, what was there to see? Frecklekit’s voice woke her though. She walked towards the exit of the old tree where the elder’s den was and she sat there, watching as the newest kit in ThunderClan terrorized little Frecklekit. She chuckled. Frecklekit would have to get a little tougher if she wanted to be a warrior. “My eyes! She’s scratching my eyes!”
“Maplekit ENOUGH! How many times do I have to tell you?!” Fawntuft paused, tilting her head to the side. “Play nice! No claws!”
“Pwaying nice id’nt FUN!”
Fawntuft audibly gasped, ears pinning back to her head. That little voice...it rang with the same tone as her little…
She shook her head. No, Firefall had been dead for seasons. Just like Snowstripe had been dead for seasons. But it was like it was yesterday that she’d been scolding Firekit for bullying his sister. She squinted, her blurry vision focusing on Frecklekit’s spotty coat, Sweetbriar’s exasperated brown coat, and...and...a fire orange pelt.
“Firekit?” Her voice whispered. She looked at Doveflight’s stocky kit, ginger and black fur, square built...green...eyes…”FIREKIT!” Fawntuft’s shrill voice echoed over the clearing as she rose from the ground on shaky legs. Cats who were sharing tongues, eating, gathering in the clearing watched the old she-cat stumble towards Maplekit who’s green eyes were wide with shock.
“Seeee! You got in trouble!” Frecklekit mewed.
“Fawntuft? Am I in twouble?” Maplekit was only two moons old. But Fawntuft saw him in her. It was impossible. There was no way. Fawntuft fixed Doveflight with a knowing look. Doveflight locked eyes with her briefly before looking away in shame. Fawntuft stared in the green eyes.
“Mommy...am I in twouble?”
“Firekit, you stop picking on your sister,” Fawntuft mumbled, loud enough for everyone listening to hear, “You stop that now. StarClan’s sake, can’t leave you two scraps alone for a second…”
“Fawntuft, dear, let’s get you back to our den,” Brindletail whispered, “The apprentices will bring us something to eat and then you can go back to sleep, alright?”
“But it’s him...it’s him...I know it is! Those eyes!!!”
“Cats have green eyes, dear,” Brindletail said softly, “You know that. You have a green eye.”
“No it’s HIS green eyes,” Fawntuft screamed, “It’s him. I know it’s him!” Oatspeckle padded to the two elderly she-cats’ sides.
“Come, Fawntuft,” he purred, “Let’s go lie down.”
“Okay…” Fawntuft turned over her shoulder and sighed. “You be good, alright Firekit?” Maplekit tilted her head to the side and Fawntuft chuckled. “I mean Maplekit. Perhaps if you’re very good, I’ll tell you a story. A very exciting story.” She mumbled as she walked off, so nobody really could hear but her.
"And you'll be a good kit, you'll be good and not like him. You'll be good won't you?"
Idk I got struck with an idea and threw together a drawing to go with it. Fawntuft is old as dirt by the time Maplekit comes along and she...senses what happened. After all how could a mother not recognize her own kid's eyes.
Fawntuft makes me so sad. She has to lose her family member one by one by one until she's all alone.
Also yes Maplekit slapping Frecklekit in the eyes is a reference to her getting bit by the snake lol
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