Post by Ember on Jul 1, 2011 10:47:34 GMT -10
Cloudbat The sun had been up for many hours, and unusually for Kitewhisker, he had neither gone outside nor babbled to his denmate, Thrushfang (of course, she had left a little while ago.) He had simply lain there, suspended in memories that were mostly miserable - his hard, fearful life as a loner. Not that his life wasn't fearful anyway. He might die any day now.
It was unusual that he thought such morbid things of himself, usually fretting about the fates of others. But something about today made him wonder about his own future.
It also made him want to forget such unpleasant thoughts...and not predict doom, for once. He wanted to do something else for a while. Yawning, his white muzzle stretched and pink tongue curling up, the old tom began to stretch a paw out of his nest - and then stopped. What was he going to do? He was kind of hungry...but he felt restless. Just sitting and talking randomly wouldn't satisfy him today.
Surely elders had some other duty he was forgetting...and then it came to him. Kits!
As quick as he could (which wasn't very fast for the tuxedo cat's frail black limbs) he heaved himself out of his tangle of moss and bracken and pottered out of the fallen tree that was the elders' den, landing with a blink into the camp, the sunlight making the pupils in his green eyes contract.
Now where was the nursery...oh yes, the especially deep scoop between those bushes near the apprentices' den. He sniffed the air happily, delighting in the cold air despite the fact that it made his joints ache a bit. The elder ambled over to the queens' den and poked his head in.
"Hello?" His high voice trembled slightly.
"Hi." sighed Spiderstorm, watching her four kits. Mothkit and Batkit were both asleep, but her adopted children were awake and looking bored.
"Can I tell these two little ones a story?"asked the old tom hopefully.
The skinny queen's face brightened a small increment and she sighed in relief. "Sure. Take them to the hollow tree and keep them busy, will you?"
Kitewhisker nodded vigorously, and he backed out of the bush-encircled dip. "Come with me, kittens." He said softly, looking at the cute little gray tabby and the gray and white she-cat. "I'll tell you whatever story you want." He waited by the entrance expectantly, so glad he'd thought of this.
---
Ember Dovekit, who had been batting at Mothkit's tail in an attempt to wake him up, jumped up immediately. "Yay! A story!" With her eyes twinkling, she scampered over to her brother. "Up! Get up! Kitewhisker is gonna tell us a story!"
Stonekit groaned. "Why do I have to go? I'm perfectly fine sitting here." He looked back down and continued drawing circles in the dust with his paw.
Dovekit shoved her nose under her brother's belly and tried to force him up. "UP! Up, Up, Up,!" Rolling his eyes, Stonekit rose, "Fine, I'll go." "Yay!" Dovekit squealed and bounded off to join Kitewhisker.
Stonekit took his own sweet time to catch up. Walking slowly, with his head down. He didn't want to hear another story about some old cats, especially the ones that took his family away from him. He finally caught up with the two cats.
Dovekit, was bouncing circles around Kitewhisker. Drowning him with questions."What story are you gonna tell us? Why didn't you come visit us earlier? Have you ever had a squirrel? I haven't yet. What do they taste like? Is it fun to hunt? Is it hard?" Stonekit shook his head, a faint purr rising in his throat. Typical Dovekit, never shuts up.
They reached their destination. Dovekit plopped down in front of Kitewhisker, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Stonekit setteled down next to her, a lot less enthusiastically. Taking a deep breath he looked up at Kitewhisker, as he began his story.
---
Cloudbat The small elder was happy, if somewhat bemused by his two young charges. One seemed to never close her mouth and the other had hardly said anything at all. He wondered how such different cats could be siblings, and if they would survive as happily as they were now. Probably not - misfortunes of some kind found every cat sooner or later. But he would put aside his predictions for now.
The tuxedo tom thought for a minute as he wondered how to reply to all of the fluffy kit's questions.
"I don't know yet what story I'm going to tell, we need to get to my den first." He chuckled in rare amusement at her enthusiasm. "I didn't come visit you earlier because...well, I forgot, I suppose. Old age and all." Kitewhisker looked sheepish and guilty, because that was somewhat of a lie, although he was forgetful and actually had forgotten to visit them. He'd been too obsessed with his predictions, which he realized now. Not that they weren't important, but he'd neglected his other duty, too.
He cast his fearful gaze around the camp, worried that a fox might suddenly leap out and hurt the kits. Or they might trip on something, or get thorns in their paws...he should get them into his den fast.
"Come, come, I'll answer the rest of your questions inside." He said, glancing around anxiously, his green eyes wary, and padding swiftly as he was able to the hollow tree, slinking in.
After he had settled down on his nest, paws tucked under his white chest, he faced the youngest members of his Clan and looked at Dovekit, trying to remember the rest of what she said. "Um, I have eaten a squirrel, and they're mostly kind of bland but a little spicy. Hunting is...difficult, mostly." He shivered, thinking of all the lives he'd had to take as a loner. What if they had life after death, too, and their spirits were planning some horrible fate for him?
Again he had to wrench his brain away from his usual mental pursuits and try to think of possible stories he could tell the siblings. Of course, he would give them a choice, first.
"What do you two want to hear about? ForestClan? The big cats of the past? Stories of the leaders? I could even make something up, if you like." His own life would be good source of inspiration if they preferred the last option, long as it was.[/quote]
---
Ember Stonekit groaned and rested his chin on his paws, looking up the elder. "I really don't care. Let's just get this over with."
He sighed, I probably won't be listening anyways. He yawned and took a deep breath.
Dovekit bounced around in circles, tripping over her fluffy tail a couple of times. "Ooh! I wanna hear about Forest Clan! Wait no, Big cats..wait, actually make something up! Wait...no. no. no Forest Clan... I don't know I can't decide!"
She stopped bouncing and stood still. She pricked her ears and looked at her brother, "Stonekit." Stonekit sat still, gazing off into space.
"Stonekit," again he didn't respond.
Dovekit dropped her front end low to the ground and wiggled her haunches. She pounced on her brother, "Got ya!"
Stonekit shoved her off, "Stop! I'm not in the mood!"
Dovekit shrank back, meeting her brother's glare. "I'm sorry,"
she mumbled softly.
Stonekit softened his gaze, "What did you want?" He asked after settling back down.
Dovekit perked up, "What story do you wanna hear? I can't decide. I need your help! Pleeeaaasseeee help me choose."
She bounced up and down excitedly. Stonekit rolled his eyes, "Dovekit, stop bouncing."
Dovekit stopped bouncing and cocked her head looking at him with her big blue eyes. Stonekit shook his head feeling another purr errupt from his throat. He looked at his sister, "I wanna hear about ForestClan."
"YAY!" Dovekit squeeled and settled down next to her brother and pushed her head against his muzzle, purring and staring up at Kitewhisker. Stonekit purred and rested his chin on top of his little sister's head, also looking up at the elder.
---
Cloudbat Kitewhisker's eyebrows performed an odd squiggling motion on his face, as did his mouth. His features smoothed out again, though he still looked surprised (which he was, of course) at the tomkit. He seemed to be very grumpy and annoyed, though his unerringly cheerful sister seemed to make him a bit happier.
Still, now that they'd decided what they wanted to hear about, he should offer them the stories he knew of it. What did he know?
Well, there was the story of Cedarstar rising against Brownstar, of course. But that was a short story...there was the story of the Journey, although that one was so important he would be surprised if Spiderstorm hadn't told them it yet, even the cats who hadn't been on it knew about it, like him. If only he had some denmates from ForestClan to help him, but he'd have to rely on his failing memory.
Then the old tom grinned. Well, that was the point of stories, wasn't it? They were based on fact, yes, but they were meant to be added to and embellished, glorified and dramatic, even if the truth was more plain and boring. They were kits' tales, after all.
"Well, there's the story of Elkstar, Brownstar, and Cedarstar - how Cedarstar rose to power and all, and there's the Journey but I expect Spiderstorm's told you about that, and of course..." The frail StreamClanner paused and on a burst of inspiration, added "how ForestClan was founded."
He hadn't a clue how it was founded, of course, but he was confident he could figure the general idea out, or think of something.
---
Ember Stonekit's ears pricked when he heard the word "power". He was suddenly interested, "I want to hear the first one." He blinked and stared up at the old cat.
Dovekit nodded, "Can we hear about the journey too! Spiderstorm told us but I wanna hear it again! IT'S SUCH A GREAT STORY!!"
Stonekit flattened his ears, "Dovekit, you're in my ear."
Dovekit, looked at her brother and swept her tongue over his cheek. "I'm sorry, Stonekit" She purred and rubbed his cheek.
Stonekit felt a purr errupt in his throat and he rested his chin on her shoulder, "Cederstar and the Journey, that's what we wanna hear about." He gazed up the elder with an unusual interest in his eyes.
Dovekit also gazed up at the elder with her usual excited gleam in her eyes. "Yeah, I wanna hear those too."
The two siblings sat huddled together as they waited for the story to begin
---
Cloudbat He smiled a puzzled but happy smile, and meowed, "I'll tell you them all. They're all part of one story - the story of why we're here, which is the most important tale of all."
How odd that he should enjoy this so much. He'd only gone over to the nursery on a whim, anyway. Yet he found himself excited at the prospect of telling stories. Perhaps they weren't so different from his habits. Well, they were - but just as good in their own way.
The black and white tom paused a moment, took a breath, and began, his green eyes staring off into space as if he could see the tales he was going to tell.
"Long ago, there was a mighty Clan who lived among huge, ancient trees that covered a vast swath of land. They were brave, and noble, and powerful. They were...ForestClan!" He ended on a dramatic note, his face alight with excitement.
"They prospered for many moons, and eventually a leader called Elkstar came to power. He was wise and good, but he had his flaws like all cats and foolishly picked a deputy called Brownfang, who was a strong and hardworking warrior but possessed evil ideas unknown to all. Still, Elkstar's saving grace was that he raised his son, Cedarclaw, to be a strong and intelligent warrior who followed the warrior code.
When Brownfang became leader as Brownstar, it was evident that he was twisted and cruel under his mask of dignity. He regarded the practice of medicine as 'dishonorable' and encouraged his warriors to make war on other Clans without an excuse. Eventually, Cedarclaw, who was now Brownstar's deputy, decided he wouldn't stand for it anymore.
He stood up against the corrupt tom publicly, declaring he wouldn't stand for this anymore and that anyone who still had loyalty to the true ways of a warrior would leave with him to make a new Clan."
He stopped there, panting slightly and his tail twitching. This was fun. Perhaps predicting doom was more important, but it wouldn't hurt to make this a regular hobby as well.
---
Ember Stonekit blinked, This is actually interesting. He looked over at his sister who was staring wide eyed up at the elder. He looked back to the elder.
"What happened next?" Dovekit asked in fascination.
" Yeah did Brownstar shred Cedarclaw? Did he go down without a fight? What happened?" Stonekit asked excitedly.
He looked around to find Dovekit and Kitewhisker staring at him as if he had grown wings. What I can't be interested in a story? Great StarClan. We must be dying. He thought sarcastically.
Dovekit nodded and looked back at the elder. "Yeah. Was Cederclaw okay?" She blinked and stared up at the elder with her big round eyes.
Stonekit returned his attention back to the elder, continuing to listen to the story
---
Cloudbat His tail weaved happily through the twigs and soft grass and feathers that made up his nest, scattering a few scraps on the floor. He noticed the tomkit frowning a bit at him, and looked away politely before looking over both kits' heads. He wasn't that strange after all, and he seemed interested in the story.
They both liked it, which meant he wasn't a total failure. Good.
"Unfortunately, Cedarclaw did not shred Brownstar, though I am told they were on the verge of ripping each other apart as Cedarclaw declared his independence. They say Brownstar's gaze was so burning it could have melted a frozen river." He added ominously, in a low whisper.
"He and his former deputy spat words at each other, and the evil leader and his supporters insulted the righteous rebels harshly, but Cedarclaw and his followers would not back down. His best friends, Russetpelt and Littlewhisker, both stood up for him as well, speaking out against the injustices the tyrant had committed. That very day, Cedarclaw left with his cats, swearing to find new land for them all and never return."
He took a breath, pausing for a moment and then continuing. This really was exciting - he could practically see the events before his eyes.
"The Journey was harsh and long, and many cats died of hunger, sickness, thirst, attack, or just gave up the will to live. But many kittypets and loners joined along the way, so their ranks were somewhat reimbursed, although deep scars were left in cats' hearts from the losses."
His gaze became sad, as he remembered the loss of his mother and the loss of Holly. He never had told her how he felt about her...it might have lead to doom.
---
Ember Stonekit stared up at the old elder his eyes round with wonder. "Wow, how long did it take them to get here? I wonder if we're part ForestClan, Kittypet, or Loner..." His thoughts trailed away as he thought about all his questions he wouldn't speak out loud because there were too many.
Dovekit looked up at the elder. "Did you make the journey too? Where did you come from? Did you loose anybody on the journey?"
Stonekit perked up as I he noticed the grief filled glow in the elders eyes, "Um Dovekit....I don't think that's a good..." Dovekit looked at him. "A good what?"
Stonekit looked down, "Never mind." He looked up at the elder, his saddened gaze reminded him of how he himself looked at the world half the time. Of course Kitewhisker had made the journey. That's how he knew so much about it. He had indeed lost somebody, probably family or someone close to him. Stonekit felt a connection with the elder, they both had obviously lost someone dear to them.
Stonekit felt a pang of sympathy for the old cat and felt his heart grow heavy with grief at the thought of his own family. He looked at Dovekit, who was still staring curiously up the elder with her sparkling round eyes. Why didn't she get it. Did she not understand what had happened to them 4 moons ago? Did she realize that Spiderstorm was just some stupid old cat who felt bad for them and that she didn't actually care for them at all?
Spiderstorm wasn't their real mother, Snowflower was! Batkit and Mothkit weren't their real siblings, Specklekit was! Ottertail wasn't the father, Hawkheart was. How could she be so happy knowing that? Why did she have to be so naive? Sometimes he wished he could make her realize that, but he knew that her happiness and spunkiness was what kept him going. He couldn't take that away from her.
---
Cloudbat The tuxedo tom looked down at them, surprised, snapping out of his memories. "Me? Oh, no. I've always lived around here. I've lost cats...my mother and my best friend, but that was long ago, and I have a whole Clan now. But as an elder, I'm supposed to know stories, of course. They're interesting, if sad sometimes. Cloudstar told me a lot about the journey and well, everyone knows Cedarstar's story, since he brought the Clans here."
The little elder thought about Stonekit's question, which he honestly didn't know the answer to. All he remembered was that one day a pregnant white she-cat had stumbled into camp, been accepted by Cloudstar, had her kits and died soon after, one of her daughters dying too, and then Spiderstorm had raised Dovekit and Stonekit as well as her own children.
"I honestly don't know, Stonekit." He mewed gently. "I suspect your parents were both rogues, however, though possibly not because I heard your mother refer to your father with a Clan name, Hawkheart. But I know no one who was formerly from ForestClan recognized her or those names, so I don't know what to make of it."
He remembered his mother's death, so many moons separating then from now it seemed like an eternity. He'd recovered, of course, but it was then that he had truly known how dangerous the world was.
He didn't want such pain to happen to these kits, even if they had already lost their parents and sibling. Though he knew he couldn't do much to help, he'd grown to like the kits, and Kitewhisker swore to himself he would do whatever he could to keep them from harm, even if he would know their dooms. He couldn't wait for their apprenticeship ceremony - they would make good ones, he was sure, even if they were doomed to be injured, sick, emotionally tormented...
"Anyway, do you want me to continue about the Journey? The story's almost done."
---
Ember Stonekit was jolted from his thoughts. So he had been wrong about Kitewhisker being part of the journey, but he had lost someone close to him. "Yes, please continue with the story! I am really enjoying it." I actually kind of like this cat. He isn't cranky and weird. I actually have a lot in common with him history wise. I could make a good friend out of this cat.
Dovekit's voice interrupted him and he was jolted back out of his own little world. "I'm sorry, Kitewhisker. Did I make you feel bad? I didn't mean to if I did." She looked up at him with the small traces of a frown on her face. Stonekit could tell she felt bad.
---
Cloudbat Kitewhisker smiled, as he had done so often already. He looked at the gray-and-white she-kit in surprise and shook his head, her strange but simple smell comforting him. "It's all right. These things happened so long ago that the pain is dull, and not fresh. I can remember without wanting to die of grief, as I once wished. But I had to live on, you know?" He coughed, then looked a bit apologetic. He wasn't trying to patronize them, only explain his own feelings.
"Anyway, yes, the story. So they traveled for many moons, despite their hardships, and eventually, Cedarclaw found the territories. As soon as he took the first steps into the area and smelled the air he knew StarClan had meant them to be there." the elder recited, not sure if it was true, but it sounded good nevertheless.
"Deciding that there were now far too many cats to contain in one Clan, Cedarclaw received a dream from StarClan telling him that Owlstorm and Cloudfang were both destined to lead their own Clans, and Gingerclaw announced that she too would lead her own Clan, one that did not believe in StarClan. By now the territories had been fully explored, and each leader claimed a quarter of the land for themselves.
Cedarclaw took the great meadow that had a bit of forest in it, to the northeast. Gingerclaw took the dense pine forest to the northwest. Owlstorm took the mixed, rocky forest with a strange fog to the southwest. And of course, Cloudfang took the marshy southeastern territory that had some forest and the biggest river flowing through it. Thus the four Clans were named for their environments: Meadow, Pine, Fog, and Stream.
And so the leaders - even Gingerclaw, to be traditional - all traveled to the newly discovered MoonGlade, where leaders and medicine cats could communicate with StarClan in times of need, and received their names. Thus was the age of our four Clans born." The tuxedo tom finished quietly.
---
Ember Dovekit stared up at him in awe. "Wow. THAT is an amazing story! I love it. Hey, Kitewhisker, can you tell us another story? About where you came from and what happened before you joined the clans. PLLEAASSEEE!!!!!!" She begged trying to make herself look cute in order to persuade the old cat. "I'll bring you the fattest bits of prey when I'm an apprentice!!! PLEASEEEEE!"
Stonekit rolled his eyes a purr rising in his throat. "Yeah, what she said. Except not all giggly and cute!" A playful gleam flashed in his eyes as he looked at his sister.
Dovekit growled, "I'll show you giggly and cute!" With her claws sheathed she launched herself at her brother. Stonekit pretended to be knocked back by the force of it,which was maybe...what? the force of a leaf? He wouldn't fight her back, because last time he fought back he ended up hurting her. "Oh, oh no. Please spare me! Just don't hurt me!" He playfully whined.
Dovekit stared down at him and she placed her paws on his broad shoulders and pretended to lash her tail, drawing her lips back in fake snarl. "It's too late for begging, foxdung. I'm gonna send you up to StarClan!" Trying to hide the purr rising in her throat she nipped his throat.
Stonekit pretended to wail in pain. "NOOOO!!!!! ooohhh the pain!" He stared up the sky his eyes clouded with fake pain. "And the great warrior...dies...." After whispering the last part he made himself go limp.
Dovekit purred, "Okay, Kitewhisker can you tell us another story now PLLEAASSE?
" Stonekit got up from playing dead and settled down next to his sister once more. "Yeah, please?"
---
Cloudbat Rarely did an expression of joy stay so long on the tuxedo tom's face. Not that life was supposed to be all happiness; the seriousness of predictions and the study of misfortune was just as important. Nothing was accomplished with only smiles, after all.
But the antics of the two siblings made him purr in his old throat as he watched the pair tussle with happy grass-colored eyes. They gave him the pleasure of company that he hadn't realized how much he was missing.
"Of course I'll tell you my story, younglings, though it's not nearly exciting as Cedarstar's and the Journey's. If you get bored I can always tell another one."
He paused for a few moments, trying to think back in his 77 moons of life to the earliest experience he could remember. It was his mother telling him her - and his - story.
An image of the friendly, warm tortoiseshell blossomed in his mind. He blinked, remembering he was supposed to be telling the kits this and not just dwelling on it.
He cleared his throat, looked at them, and began.
"I was born just outside the Twolegplace nearby, the only kit in my litter." For of course, he had never known of his stillborn brother. "My mother was a tortoiseshell rogue named Speckle who raised me all by herself, for my father was a kittypet who loved us, but apparently not enough to live with us." He said dryly.
He'd never hated his father, but Kitewhisker had resented him for rarely even visiting his mate and only son. It was hard to hate a soft weakling, just to look down upon him. Tommy must be long dead by now, anyway, or perhaps not, considering his easy life.
"We lived a hard but good life by ourselves, and she taught me all about the world and how dangerous it was. I grew up happy if a bit lonely from the lack of companionship of cats my own age. But that all changed..." His meow faltered as the details of the saddest day of his life came back to him. Not the worst or hardest, but certainly the most heartwrenching day of his life.
"...on the day my mother died. I was only a bit over seven moons old, and she was gone when I woke up. She'd been out hunting, and I thought she'd be back by now, so I looked for her. And I found her...dead in the middle of a Thunderpath, hit by a speeding monster."
He said bitterly and angrily, his voice louder than it had been in the entire time he'd been telling stories. He'd hated Twolegs since then. Hated them for keeping his father from him, hated them for killing his mother. He'd almost forgotten his hate...until this story had reawoken it.
But he breathed, and calmed himself, frightened of his own anger. Surely this would spell doom for him if he did not control himself. There was nothing he could do, anyway, and it was a wound long since inflicted.
"I'm sorry." He said quietly. "Old memories die hard, even for someone as forgetful as me. But I can continue or stop, if you want."
---
Ember A small gasp came from Dovekit. "Oh Kitewhisker, I'm so sorry. That must have been awful! I don't really remember my mother. I can remember her and Specklekit's scent though. Her's was very warm and and sweet, it was a beautiful smell. I may not know what she looked like, but I know she was beautiful from her scent. Specklekit's scent was fresh; almost like freshly dug up dirt. I loved it. I miss them both dearly even though I don't remember them."
Stonekit hung his head in silence as he listened to his sister's description of his sister and mother. He was able to relate to Kitewhisker's story. His heart felt heavy with grief at the thought of his mother. "I don't really remember her. I just remember her scent, like Dovekit. I remember it because of Dovekit's scent."
"Mine?" Dovekit asked softly. "Why mine?"
Stonekit looked at her, "You have the same scent. I may not remember her at all, but I know that you look just like her except for the gray on you...you got that from Hawkheart. I hear cats talking about how much you look like her."
Dovekit looked down, then back up at Kitewhisker, "Do I look like her?" After a couple seconds she said, "Can you also finish the story? It's starting to get VERY interesting!"
---
Cloudbat As different as they were, in age, possible origin, coloring, rank, the old tom felt a thread of connection to the two young cats before him. They too had lost their mother...and someone else dear to them. It was true that in their case they had lost their sister, not their best (and only) friend.
But still, he could relate. He listened with slight wonder to their description of their lost relations' scents. Fascinating. Yet, sadly perhaps it also meant they would die of a scent..perhaps choking on a poisonous gas or dead by suffocation of falling into a hole filled with mud...but he would let them keep their innocence.
He nodded to Stonekit's words of Dovekit and her coloring. "It's true. Snowflower, of course, was nearly pure white, and though I only saw her once or twice I can tell you resemble her, Dovekit. You have her face, though her eyes were amber, not blue. I'll continue with the story now.
Thus I learned what was to be my greatest lesson - nothing in the world could be trusted, and everything was to fear. I realized could only trust other cats, and even then, I must be careful." He left out that he'd also realized he was doomed to die a horrible death. They were only kits, after all.
"So I traveled throughout the land, nearly dying thrice: once from a fox, once from a badger, and once from sickness. I was avoided, called insane for my caution. But then I met Holly." His face, which had been crumpled, sad, regretful, brightened up and his shoulders relaxed as he thought of the beautiful white and brown tabby she-cat.
"She was the only one who understood me. We became friends...she taught me how to see misfortune, to warn others even if they wouldn't listen." He looked in the distance, remembering her. Her face. Her laugh. Her smile. Her cute, stubby tail. Then he came back to reality, although, of course not realizing as he never had that he was somewhat insane.
"We spent nearly twelve moons together...the best twelve moons of my life. But then she saw her own future and realized that her fate was to die outside this land, so she left me, and I was distraught, though I understood, because no one can escape fate, in the end.
I lived on my own again, slowly losing my health, worrying of my own demise. But then....then I heard about the Clans. I knew I might die trying to join, somehow. Still, I was drawn to them. Food, shelter, safety. But also a sense of destiny. And I think, I know now that I was meant to join so I could tell you stories, kits. That's why I'm here."
The tuxedo tom had gone crazy long ago, and would be until his dying day. He had his flaws. But he had found two cats that he could love - not as true family, but as someone to watch over them. For now, he only wished to live to see them become warriors.
---
Ember Dovekit looked up at the old elder, "Kitewhisker, I'm so sorry. Do you ever know what happened to her? I mean she couldn't have actually known she was going to die, I mean that's crazy! You must miss her terribly."
Stonekit looked at his sister then back to Kitewhisker, "Wow Kitewhisker, That's an amazing story. Sad yes, but amazing. That's quite an adventure too! Pretty neat for one cat to do by himself!"
Dovekit looked at Kitewhisker, "Did you love Holly?"
Stonekit roled his eyes typical she-cat turns everything into a love story.
---
Cloudbat He stared off into the distance for a moment, lost in the past. Then the squeaky kit's voice and a sudden waft of her strangely sweet scent both floated toward him, an anchor to here and now. The tuxedo tom did not smile, but the edges of his mouth turned up a little, his old nose getting gooey in the cold.
The elder shivered, the taste of wood faintly on his tongue as he yawned, then frowned as he gazed at the little gray and white kit, but his expression quickly softened. She was very young, after all, and no idea about the skill of predicting the future. So he could forgive Dovekit her ignorance. Barely any cats understood, after all, and good as these young ones were he could expect them to be no different.
So ignoring her insult, he sighed, "I do miss her. I never heard from her again, so no, I don't know what happened to her."
He cheered up slightly as the tabby tom spoke. He even felt a little flattered, which was an emotion last known many moons ago, when Holly had taken him on as her apprentice. "Thank you, Stonekit. I'm sure there are far more interesting stories, though." He said modestly. His was somewhat interesting, but there were certainly tales of far greater cats than he.
And then Dovekit made him embarrassed, because yes, he had loved Holly. At first just as a friend...but during those last four moons his feelings had changed. And he had never confessed, far too scared to ever let her know, ever ruin what they had. He'd wanted to keep her, and yet he hadn't even gotten that. For a heartbeat he felt bitter, but then grateful. At least he had known her, even if she had never belonged to him. And yet...he wondered, could Holly have ever belonged to anybody? She was so free.
"Yes, Dovekit, near the end of our time I did love Holly. But she was always just a wonderful friend to me. Trust me, friendship is the more useful - and often more fun - relationship. Love is very confusing." Possibly the truest thing the crazy old cat had ever said.
---
Ember Dovekit
Dovekit was taken back at the old cat’s words. “Kitewhisker, how could say that love is confusing? Love is wonderful! It what makes the whispers in the wind. It what makes the birds sing. Without love the world is nothing. Without love none of us could have been born! Love is wonderful!” The young she-cat truly believed her words. She believed in love. I can’t wait until I am older and find love. I’ll have a mate and kits; everything will be perfect. I’ll have a handsome young tom by my side through everything. Her thoughts began to trail back the young kit that was back with Spiderstorm, Mothkit.
Mothkit was a quite handsome young cat. When she pictured herself as a warrior, watching her future kits play at her feet, it was always Mothkit curled up next to her. She began to realize that her feelings for him were more than just the love of siblings. She shook these thoughts away. No! No, I can’t love Mothkit! He’s my brother! Well, foster brother. Could I be in love with him if we are not blood related? She began to ponder this thought.
She considered asking Kitewhisker. No! She mustn’t! She could be in trouble or frowned upon if it was a forbidden love. But if it wasn’t, she’d be satisfied and hope that the young tom could possibly love her back. She began to build up the courage to ask the question. Raising her head high, she looked straight at Kitewhisker. “Kitewhisker?” She paused, “Could a cat love an adopted sibling, one that isn’t blood related? Such as Mothkit?”
Stonekit
Stonekit could have choked if he had been eating a piece of fresh kill. He stared at his sister in shock. What in the name of StarClan would bring her to ask this question. Why in the name of StarClan would it be Mothkit? Mothkit! The useless scrap of nothing that was their adopted brother. The little twerp couldn’t even defend himself against that puny black puffball named Batkit. Why in the name of all four Clans and StarClan would she ask about him.
Could his hopeless romantic of a sister like Mothkit? Oh StarClan no! She couldn’t like him. He hated having the runt as a littermate, let alone his sister’s future mate! He couldn’t stand the thought of having nieces or nephews sharing that….that….thing’s blood! Please let her question be out of curiosity and not love. Oh please, for the love of anything sane, not love![/color][/font]
---
Cloudbat "Hmm?" He said absent-mindedly, drifting off as the rather senile tom often did during long conversations. He knew Dovekit was chattering on about love - her perceptions were cute, if somewhat ridiculous. The tuxedo tom snapped back to earth when she began to say it made the whispers in the wind, and looked at her incredulously. That didn't even make sense. Maybe it made the birds sing, but...honestly Kitewhisker had no idea what made the birds sing, so it could just as easily be love as anything else.
Without love the world is nothing...that was arguable, certainly. But it depended on what kind of love. Family, friend, romantic, place, thing, activity - there were so many different kinds to pick apart and examine for their worth and use. He doubted the little she-kit really knew what she was talking about, but then again she was young.
Mmm...he begged to differ that without love they couldn't have been born. Of course, that was a conversation for when they were much older. But love on the whole was wonderful, indeed.
"Confusing does not necessarily mean bad, little one. And love is a very complicated thing with many faces and many ways of expression. I hate to sound cliche and crotchety, but you'll understand when you're older, trust me." He chuckled gently at his own slight silliness.
He was quite nonplussed at her query, frowning and sniffling up his cold, runny nose, his thin tail wrapped closely around his paws for what little warmth it could give.
"Goodness, Dovekit, you're much too young to be thinking of romance yourself. I have no idea if that's right or wrong, never having had siblings myself. I'd imagine it'd be looked upon as odd, but I can't speak for every cat. I can tell you this, though: I'm certain it'd lead to nothing but agony if you pursue it." He didn't even need his powers for that; it was obvious as the whiskers on his old black and white face.
He switched to a gentler meow and continued, "Leave chasing toms for when you're an apprentice at least, Dovekit, preferably a warrior. You've far more important things to work for until then."
---
Ember Dovekit
Dovekit looked at the old tom and bunched up her whiskers in frustration. Being the naive kit she was she refused to see the old cat's point. She was never going to grow out of her beliefs and no cranky old tom was going to tell her any different. She had grown to like Kitewhisker, but he was being very irritating right now. She knew deep down that this cat was right and that she would end up realizing that love wasn't all fun and games, but for now she would continue to believe the way she liked.
"Kitewhisker, why is love confusing? I know you say that I will understand when I am older, but I want to know. What makes it confusing? I refuse to believe you without a reason why I should. Also, how am I too young? The best romances blossom at a young age. I know I can't have a mate or kits until I am a warrior. There is no harm in deciding who I want right now...is there?"
Dovekit looked up at the old cat challengingly. She dared him to answer her. She didn't see any harm in liking a cat, what in StarClan was wrong with that! She thought it was almost sweet. She wanted a good reason as to why she shouldn't love a cat right now! She continued to stare at the tuxedo tom with an "I dare you to move" look etched into her gaze.
Stonekit
Stonekit stared at his sister. Why was she being so challenging. She should know that kits shouldn't be falling in love with other cats/kits, especially their brothers! Ughh, he hated calling Mothkit his brother, but still Dovekit needs to not act the way she is acting. I mean come on, who talks like that to an elder. Doesn't she know that any other elder would claw her face off. Doesn't she know she is being extremely disrespectful to Kitewhisker?
Stonekit liked this cat, he didn't want Kitewhisker to stop telling them stories because Dovekit decided to get snippy with him. Dovekit needed to stop, she was acting incredibley mousebrained right now. Why does she even care about that useless scrap of fur Mothkit anyways. He didn't want to spend the rest of the time with Kitewhisker listening to his sister argue. He wanted perhaps another story before Spiderstorm came to fetch them.
"Dovekit, just drop it, please? I want to hear another story and I don't want Kitewhisker to hate us because you want to be disrespectful to him!" He glared at his sister. Let's see her get sassy with me. I'll put on the ground faster than she can say Mothkit.[/color][/font]
---
Cloudbat Kitewhisker shook his head and smiled sadly. "Oh, little one, that would take ages to explain. But it's difficult when you fall in love with someone who's your best friend, let me tell you. And yet we can only truly be in love with cats we know well, so that is one of the greatest conundrums of love, and there are many more that even I haven't imagined."
He raised a black eyebrow at her, his green eyes amused.
"Sometimes they do. But there have been plenty of cases where older cats have fallen in love, and it's better for them because they're mature and they know what they want and need in a relationship and who would be best for them. Many a young cat has been made a fool because of mistaken love."
The old tom wasn't entirely sure about all of this, but it seemed plausible enough.
His gaze turned from her face and went across the rough wood of his hollow log home with its scattered patches of fungus and small holes adding some color and light to the uniformly dark brown tree as he considered her last question, and then laughed. It was so ironic. She was wrong...and yet he would be hypocrite for saying so, because unlike many cats, there had only been one she-cat for him. His old voice meowed a wheezy laugh before looking at her with wistfulness and warning in his face.
"I must say no, Dovekit, and yet I am a hypocrite, because there was only ever one she-cat for me, and that was Holly. But I lived a very lonely and isolated life, for the most part, so I never really knew any other she-cats anyway. You, however, are growing up in a Clan of cats, and I'm sure you'll meet many other young toms, so don't decide at the tender age of five moons that Mothkit's 'the one.' I would bet you don't even know how he feels about that." The tuxedo StreamClanner smiled slightly.
He turned to her darker-pelted brother, who seemed less patient with his naive sister. "It's fine, Stonekit. I'm here to dispense wisdom, after all, and I've been admittedly negligent with my duties. But if you want another story, sure. I think I can tell one more before I'm properly worn out." He yawned after saying so, his eyes shutting as his white muzzle opened to display his yellowed fangs and bright pink tongue.
---
Ember Dovekit cocked her head and looked up at the old elder. "Okay if you say so, Kitewhisker." She smiled up at him. She guessed he was right. He was wise and older than her so it would make sense that he knew better. "Kitewhisker, I know you say it's better if you wait. But I still really like Mothkit and that's not gonna change for a while. I like Mothkit like Stonekit likes Featherpaw!"
Stonekit straightened up. What?! What?! Psh No! In what world! Ha. Ha. That little...I do not! "NO I DON'T!" He growled defensively. Who the hell did she think she was?! He didn't like Featherpaw. No way! Okay, maybe he kinda did...but Kitewhisker did NOT need to know that.
"DO TOO!" Dovekit said with a purr. "I see how you look at her! And you talk about her in your sleep! 'Oh, Featherpaw, I loovee you! Mua mua mua.'" Stonekit felt his ears get hot. "I do not!" Dovekit purred, "Do too! Just ask Spiderstorm. She hears you too!" Stonekit narrowed his eyes, "I do not!" He turned to the elder, "Kitewhisker can you tell us a story now. Whatever you want to tell us." He layed down, extremely embarrassed by now.
---
Cloudbat The elder had drifted off for a few moments as Dovepaw mewed in the background. What would it have been like if he and Holly had had kits? Would he ever have joined the Clans at all, having a family of his own?
He snapped out of it at Stonekit’s furious protestation of…something? He looked at the siblings, puzzled. Surely Dovekit was joking? She must be. Stonepaw wouldn’t be that silly, ever. Kitewhisker examined the young tabby tom, trying to figure out his fate. No…he didn’t see any misfortune with love, only a deep bitterness that would one day cost a life, though whose, he couldn’t tell. Anger too, but…Kitewhisker didn’t want to see more. Stonekit was only a kit, and he shouldn’t have to worry about the distant future just yet.
“Whatever you two feel about others is none of my business,” he said gently, then added “though you can always come to me for advice if you want.”
“Hmm…another story. What others do I know?” He asked himself out loud, trying to remember, and then recalled the tales of the olden days, when the giant cats had reigned. “Well, there is the tale of the three ancient Clans of mighty cats; LionClan, TigerClan, and LeopardClan. Would you like to hear that?”
It was unusual that he thought such morbid things of himself, usually fretting about the fates of others. But something about today made him wonder about his own future.
It also made him want to forget such unpleasant thoughts...and not predict doom, for once. He wanted to do something else for a while. Yawning, his white muzzle stretched and pink tongue curling up, the old tom began to stretch a paw out of his nest - and then stopped. What was he going to do? He was kind of hungry...but he felt restless. Just sitting and talking randomly wouldn't satisfy him today.
Surely elders had some other duty he was forgetting...and then it came to him. Kits!
As quick as he could (which wasn't very fast for the tuxedo cat's frail black limbs) he heaved himself out of his tangle of moss and bracken and pottered out of the fallen tree that was the elders' den, landing with a blink into the camp, the sunlight making the pupils in his green eyes contract.
Now where was the nursery...oh yes, the especially deep scoop between those bushes near the apprentices' den. He sniffed the air happily, delighting in the cold air despite the fact that it made his joints ache a bit. The elder ambled over to the queens' den and poked his head in.
"Hello?" His high voice trembled slightly.
"Hi." sighed Spiderstorm, watching her four kits. Mothkit and Batkit were both asleep, but her adopted children were awake and looking bored.
"Can I tell these two little ones a story?"asked the old tom hopefully.
The skinny queen's face brightened a small increment and she sighed in relief. "Sure. Take them to the hollow tree and keep them busy, will you?"
Kitewhisker nodded vigorously, and he backed out of the bush-encircled dip. "Come with me, kittens." He said softly, looking at the cute little gray tabby and the gray and white she-cat. "I'll tell you whatever story you want." He waited by the entrance expectantly, so glad he'd thought of this.
---
Ember Dovekit, who had been batting at Mothkit's tail in an attempt to wake him up, jumped up immediately. "Yay! A story!" With her eyes twinkling, she scampered over to her brother. "Up! Get up! Kitewhisker is gonna tell us a story!"
Stonekit groaned. "Why do I have to go? I'm perfectly fine sitting here." He looked back down and continued drawing circles in the dust with his paw.
Dovekit shoved her nose under her brother's belly and tried to force him up. "UP! Up, Up, Up,!" Rolling his eyes, Stonekit rose, "Fine, I'll go." "Yay!" Dovekit squealed and bounded off to join Kitewhisker.
Stonekit took his own sweet time to catch up. Walking slowly, with his head down. He didn't want to hear another story about some old cats, especially the ones that took his family away from him. He finally caught up with the two cats.
Dovekit, was bouncing circles around Kitewhisker. Drowning him with questions."What story are you gonna tell us? Why didn't you come visit us earlier? Have you ever had a squirrel? I haven't yet. What do they taste like? Is it fun to hunt? Is it hard?" Stonekit shook his head, a faint purr rising in his throat. Typical Dovekit, never shuts up.
They reached their destination. Dovekit plopped down in front of Kitewhisker, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Stonekit setteled down next to her, a lot less enthusiastically. Taking a deep breath he looked up at Kitewhisker, as he began his story.
---
Cloudbat The small elder was happy, if somewhat bemused by his two young charges. One seemed to never close her mouth and the other had hardly said anything at all. He wondered how such different cats could be siblings, and if they would survive as happily as they were now. Probably not - misfortunes of some kind found every cat sooner or later. But he would put aside his predictions for now.
The tuxedo tom thought for a minute as he wondered how to reply to all of the fluffy kit's questions.
"I don't know yet what story I'm going to tell, we need to get to my den first." He chuckled in rare amusement at her enthusiasm. "I didn't come visit you earlier because...well, I forgot, I suppose. Old age and all." Kitewhisker looked sheepish and guilty, because that was somewhat of a lie, although he was forgetful and actually had forgotten to visit them. He'd been too obsessed with his predictions, which he realized now. Not that they weren't important, but he'd neglected his other duty, too.
He cast his fearful gaze around the camp, worried that a fox might suddenly leap out and hurt the kits. Or they might trip on something, or get thorns in their paws...he should get them into his den fast.
"Come, come, I'll answer the rest of your questions inside." He said, glancing around anxiously, his green eyes wary, and padding swiftly as he was able to the hollow tree, slinking in.
After he had settled down on his nest, paws tucked under his white chest, he faced the youngest members of his Clan and looked at Dovekit, trying to remember the rest of what she said. "Um, I have eaten a squirrel, and they're mostly kind of bland but a little spicy. Hunting is...difficult, mostly." He shivered, thinking of all the lives he'd had to take as a loner. What if they had life after death, too, and their spirits were planning some horrible fate for him?
Again he had to wrench his brain away from his usual mental pursuits and try to think of possible stories he could tell the siblings. Of course, he would give them a choice, first.
"What do you two want to hear about? ForestClan? The big cats of the past? Stories of the leaders? I could even make something up, if you like." His own life would be good source of inspiration if they preferred the last option, long as it was.[/quote]
---
Ember Stonekit groaned and rested his chin on his paws, looking up the elder. "I really don't care. Let's just get this over with."
He sighed, I probably won't be listening anyways. He yawned and took a deep breath.
Dovekit bounced around in circles, tripping over her fluffy tail a couple of times. "Ooh! I wanna hear about Forest Clan! Wait no, Big cats..wait, actually make something up! Wait...no. no. no Forest Clan... I don't know I can't decide!"
She stopped bouncing and stood still. She pricked her ears and looked at her brother, "Stonekit." Stonekit sat still, gazing off into space.
"Stonekit," again he didn't respond.
Dovekit dropped her front end low to the ground and wiggled her haunches. She pounced on her brother, "Got ya!"
Stonekit shoved her off, "Stop! I'm not in the mood!"
Dovekit shrank back, meeting her brother's glare. "I'm sorry,"
she mumbled softly.
Stonekit softened his gaze, "What did you want?" He asked after settling back down.
Dovekit perked up, "What story do you wanna hear? I can't decide. I need your help! Pleeeaaasseeee help me choose."
She bounced up and down excitedly. Stonekit rolled his eyes, "Dovekit, stop bouncing."
Dovekit stopped bouncing and cocked her head looking at him with her big blue eyes. Stonekit shook his head feeling another purr errupt from his throat. He looked at his sister, "I wanna hear about ForestClan."
"YAY!" Dovekit squeeled and settled down next to her brother and pushed her head against his muzzle, purring and staring up at Kitewhisker. Stonekit purred and rested his chin on top of his little sister's head, also looking up at the elder.
---
Cloudbat Kitewhisker's eyebrows performed an odd squiggling motion on his face, as did his mouth. His features smoothed out again, though he still looked surprised (which he was, of course) at the tomkit. He seemed to be very grumpy and annoyed, though his unerringly cheerful sister seemed to make him a bit happier.
Still, now that they'd decided what they wanted to hear about, he should offer them the stories he knew of it. What did he know?
Well, there was the story of Cedarstar rising against Brownstar, of course. But that was a short story...there was the story of the Journey, although that one was so important he would be surprised if Spiderstorm hadn't told them it yet, even the cats who hadn't been on it knew about it, like him. If only he had some denmates from ForestClan to help him, but he'd have to rely on his failing memory.
Then the old tom grinned. Well, that was the point of stories, wasn't it? They were based on fact, yes, but they were meant to be added to and embellished, glorified and dramatic, even if the truth was more plain and boring. They were kits' tales, after all.
"Well, there's the story of Elkstar, Brownstar, and Cedarstar - how Cedarstar rose to power and all, and there's the Journey but I expect Spiderstorm's told you about that, and of course..." The frail StreamClanner paused and on a burst of inspiration, added "how ForestClan was founded."
He hadn't a clue how it was founded, of course, but he was confident he could figure the general idea out, or think of something.
---
Ember Stonekit's ears pricked when he heard the word "power". He was suddenly interested, "I want to hear the first one." He blinked and stared up at the old cat.
Dovekit nodded, "Can we hear about the journey too! Spiderstorm told us but I wanna hear it again! IT'S SUCH A GREAT STORY!!"
Stonekit flattened his ears, "Dovekit, you're in my ear."
Dovekit, looked at her brother and swept her tongue over his cheek. "I'm sorry, Stonekit" She purred and rubbed his cheek.
Stonekit felt a purr errupt in his throat and he rested his chin on her shoulder, "Cederstar and the Journey, that's what we wanna hear about." He gazed up the elder with an unusual interest in his eyes.
Dovekit also gazed up at the elder with her usual excited gleam in her eyes. "Yeah, I wanna hear those too."
The two siblings sat huddled together as they waited for the story to begin
---
Cloudbat He smiled a puzzled but happy smile, and meowed, "I'll tell you them all. They're all part of one story - the story of why we're here, which is the most important tale of all."
How odd that he should enjoy this so much. He'd only gone over to the nursery on a whim, anyway. Yet he found himself excited at the prospect of telling stories. Perhaps they weren't so different from his habits. Well, they were - but just as good in their own way.
The black and white tom paused a moment, took a breath, and began, his green eyes staring off into space as if he could see the tales he was going to tell.
"Long ago, there was a mighty Clan who lived among huge, ancient trees that covered a vast swath of land. They were brave, and noble, and powerful. They were...ForestClan!" He ended on a dramatic note, his face alight with excitement.
"They prospered for many moons, and eventually a leader called Elkstar came to power. He was wise and good, but he had his flaws like all cats and foolishly picked a deputy called Brownfang, who was a strong and hardworking warrior but possessed evil ideas unknown to all. Still, Elkstar's saving grace was that he raised his son, Cedarclaw, to be a strong and intelligent warrior who followed the warrior code.
When Brownfang became leader as Brownstar, it was evident that he was twisted and cruel under his mask of dignity. He regarded the practice of medicine as 'dishonorable' and encouraged his warriors to make war on other Clans without an excuse. Eventually, Cedarclaw, who was now Brownstar's deputy, decided he wouldn't stand for it anymore.
He stood up against the corrupt tom publicly, declaring he wouldn't stand for this anymore and that anyone who still had loyalty to the true ways of a warrior would leave with him to make a new Clan."
He stopped there, panting slightly and his tail twitching. This was fun. Perhaps predicting doom was more important, but it wouldn't hurt to make this a regular hobby as well.
---
Ember Stonekit blinked, This is actually interesting. He looked over at his sister who was staring wide eyed up at the elder. He looked back to the elder.
"What happened next?" Dovekit asked in fascination.
" Yeah did Brownstar shred Cedarclaw? Did he go down without a fight? What happened?" Stonekit asked excitedly.
He looked around to find Dovekit and Kitewhisker staring at him as if he had grown wings. What I can't be interested in a story? Great StarClan. We must be dying. He thought sarcastically.
Dovekit nodded and looked back at the elder. "Yeah. Was Cederclaw okay?" She blinked and stared up at the elder with her big round eyes.
Stonekit returned his attention back to the elder, continuing to listen to the story
---
Cloudbat His tail weaved happily through the twigs and soft grass and feathers that made up his nest, scattering a few scraps on the floor. He noticed the tomkit frowning a bit at him, and looked away politely before looking over both kits' heads. He wasn't that strange after all, and he seemed interested in the story.
They both liked it, which meant he wasn't a total failure. Good.
"Unfortunately, Cedarclaw did not shred Brownstar, though I am told they were on the verge of ripping each other apart as Cedarclaw declared his independence. They say Brownstar's gaze was so burning it could have melted a frozen river." He added ominously, in a low whisper.
"He and his former deputy spat words at each other, and the evil leader and his supporters insulted the righteous rebels harshly, but Cedarclaw and his followers would not back down. His best friends, Russetpelt and Littlewhisker, both stood up for him as well, speaking out against the injustices the tyrant had committed. That very day, Cedarclaw left with his cats, swearing to find new land for them all and never return."
He took a breath, pausing for a moment and then continuing. This really was exciting - he could practically see the events before his eyes.
"The Journey was harsh and long, and many cats died of hunger, sickness, thirst, attack, or just gave up the will to live. But many kittypets and loners joined along the way, so their ranks were somewhat reimbursed, although deep scars were left in cats' hearts from the losses."
His gaze became sad, as he remembered the loss of his mother and the loss of Holly. He never had told her how he felt about her...it might have lead to doom.
---
Ember Stonekit stared up at the old elder his eyes round with wonder. "Wow, how long did it take them to get here? I wonder if we're part ForestClan, Kittypet, or Loner..." His thoughts trailed away as he thought about all his questions he wouldn't speak out loud because there were too many.
Dovekit looked up at the elder. "Did you make the journey too? Where did you come from? Did you loose anybody on the journey?"
Stonekit perked up as I he noticed the grief filled glow in the elders eyes, "Um Dovekit....I don't think that's a good..." Dovekit looked at him. "A good what?"
Stonekit looked down, "Never mind." He looked up at the elder, his saddened gaze reminded him of how he himself looked at the world half the time. Of course Kitewhisker had made the journey. That's how he knew so much about it. He had indeed lost somebody, probably family or someone close to him. Stonekit felt a connection with the elder, they both had obviously lost someone dear to them.
Stonekit felt a pang of sympathy for the old cat and felt his heart grow heavy with grief at the thought of his own family. He looked at Dovekit, who was still staring curiously up the elder with her sparkling round eyes. Why didn't she get it. Did she not understand what had happened to them 4 moons ago? Did she realize that Spiderstorm was just some stupid old cat who felt bad for them and that she didn't actually care for them at all?
Spiderstorm wasn't their real mother, Snowflower was! Batkit and Mothkit weren't their real siblings, Specklekit was! Ottertail wasn't the father, Hawkheart was. How could she be so happy knowing that? Why did she have to be so naive? Sometimes he wished he could make her realize that, but he knew that her happiness and spunkiness was what kept him going. He couldn't take that away from her.
---
Cloudbat The tuxedo tom looked down at them, surprised, snapping out of his memories. "Me? Oh, no. I've always lived around here. I've lost cats...my mother and my best friend, but that was long ago, and I have a whole Clan now. But as an elder, I'm supposed to know stories, of course. They're interesting, if sad sometimes. Cloudstar told me a lot about the journey and well, everyone knows Cedarstar's story, since he brought the Clans here."
The little elder thought about Stonekit's question, which he honestly didn't know the answer to. All he remembered was that one day a pregnant white she-cat had stumbled into camp, been accepted by Cloudstar, had her kits and died soon after, one of her daughters dying too, and then Spiderstorm had raised Dovekit and Stonekit as well as her own children.
"I honestly don't know, Stonekit." He mewed gently. "I suspect your parents were both rogues, however, though possibly not because I heard your mother refer to your father with a Clan name, Hawkheart. But I know no one who was formerly from ForestClan recognized her or those names, so I don't know what to make of it."
He remembered his mother's death, so many moons separating then from now it seemed like an eternity. He'd recovered, of course, but it was then that he had truly known how dangerous the world was.
He didn't want such pain to happen to these kits, even if they had already lost their parents and sibling. Though he knew he couldn't do much to help, he'd grown to like the kits, and Kitewhisker swore to himself he would do whatever he could to keep them from harm, even if he would know their dooms. He couldn't wait for their apprenticeship ceremony - they would make good ones, he was sure, even if they were doomed to be injured, sick, emotionally tormented...
"Anyway, do you want me to continue about the Journey? The story's almost done."
---
Ember Stonekit was jolted from his thoughts. So he had been wrong about Kitewhisker being part of the journey, but he had lost someone close to him. "Yes, please continue with the story! I am really enjoying it." I actually kind of like this cat. He isn't cranky and weird. I actually have a lot in common with him history wise. I could make a good friend out of this cat.
Dovekit's voice interrupted him and he was jolted back out of his own little world. "I'm sorry, Kitewhisker. Did I make you feel bad? I didn't mean to if I did." She looked up at him with the small traces of a frown on her face. Stonekit could tell she felt bad.
---
Cloudbat Kitewhisker smiled, as he had done so often already. He looked at the gray-and-white she-kit in surprise and shook his head, her strange but simple smell comforting him. "It's all right. These things happened so long ago that the pain is dull, and not fresh. I can remember without wanting to die of grief, as I once wished. But I had to live on, you know?" He coughed, then looked a bit apologetic. He wasn't trying to patronize them, only explain his own feelings.
"Anyway, yes, the story. So they traveled for many moons, despite their hardships, and eventually, Cedarclaw found the territories. As soon as he took the first steps into the area and smelled the air he knew StarClan had meant them to be there." the elder recited, not sure if it was true, but it sounded good nevertheless.
"Deciding that there were now far too many cats to contain in one Clan, Cedarclaw received a dream from StarClan telling him that Owlstorm and Cloudfang were both destined to lead their own Clans, and Gingerclaw announced that she too would lead her own Clan, one that did not believe in StarClan. By now the territories had been fully explored, and each leader claimed a quarter of the land for themselves.
Cedarclaw took the great meadow that had a bit of forest in it, to the northeast. Gingerclaw took the dense pine forest to the northwest. Owlstorm took the mixed, rocky forest with a strange fog to the southwest. And of course, Cloudfang took the marshy southeastern territory that had some forest and the biggest river flowing through it. Thus the four Clans were named for their environments: Meadow, Pine, Fog, and Stream.
And so the leaders - even Gingerclaw, to be traditional - all traveled to the newly discovered MoonGlade, where leaders and medicine cats could communicate with StarClan in times of need, and received their names. Thus was the age of our four Clans born." The tuxedo tom finished quietly.
---
Ember Dovekit stared up at him in awe. "Wow. THAT is an amazing story! I love it. Hey, Kitewhisker, can you tell us another story? About where you came from and what happened before you joined the clans. PLLEAASSEEE!!!!!!" She begged trying to make herself look cute in order to persuade the old cat. "I'll bring you the fattest bits of prey when I'm an apprentice!!! PLEASEEEEE!"
Stonekit rolled his eyes a purr rising in his throat. "Yeah, what she said. Except not all giggly and cute!" A playful gleam flashed in his eyes as he looked at his sister.
Dovekit growled, "I'll show you giggly and cute!" With her claws sheathed she launched herself at her brother. Stonekit pretended to be knocked back by the force of it,
Dovekit stared down at him and she placed her paws on his broad shoulders and pretended to lash her tail, drawing her lips back in fake snarl. "It's too late for begging, foxdung. I'm gonna send you up to StarClan!" Trying to hide the purr rising in her throat she nipped his throat.
Stonekit pretended to wail in pain. "NOOOO!!!!! ooohhh the pain!" He stared up the sky his eyes clouded with fake pain. "And the great warrior...dies...." After whispering the last part he made himself go limp.
Dovekit purred, "Okay, Kitewhisker can you tell us another story now PLLEAASSE?
" Stonekit got up from playing dead and settled down next to his sister once more. "Yeah, please?"---
Cloudbat Rarely did an expression of joy stay so long on the tuxedo tom's face. Not that life was supposed to be all happiness; the seriousness of predictions and the study of misfortune was just as important. Nothing was accomplished with only smiles, after all.
But the antics of the two siblings made him purr in his old throat as he watched the pair tussle with happy grass-colored eyes. They gave him the pleasure of company that he hadn't realized how much he was missing.
"Of course I'll tell you my story, younglings, though it's not nearly exciting as Cedarstar's and the Journey's. If you get bored I can always tell another one."
He paused for a few moments, trying to think back in his 77 moons of life to the earliest experience he could remember. It was his mother telling him her - and his - story.
An image of the friendly, warm tortoiseshell blossomed in his mind. He blinked, remembering he was supposed to be telling the kits this and not just dwelling on it.
He cleared his throat, looked at them, and began.
"I was born just outside the Twolegplace nearby, the only kit in my litter." For of course, he had never known of his stillborn brother. "My mother was a tortoiseshell rogue named Speckle who raised me all by herself, for my father was a kittypet who loved us, but apparently not enough to live with us." He said dryly.
He'd never hated his father, but Kitewhisker had resented him for rarely even visiting his mate and only son. It was hard to hate a soft weakling, just to look down upon him. Tommy must be long dead by now, anyway, or perhaps not, considering his easy life.
"We lived a hard but good life by ourselves, and she taught me all about the world and how dangerous it was. I grew up happy if a bit lonely from the lack of companionship of cats my own age. But that all changed..." His meow faltered as the details of the saddest day of his life came back to him. Not the worst or hardest, but certainly the most heartwrenching day of his life.
"...on the day my mother died. I was only a bit over seven moons old, and she was gone when I woke up. She'd been out hunting, and I thought she'd be back by now, so I looked for her. And I found her...dead in the middle of a Thunderpath, hit by a speeding monster."
He said bitterly and angrily, his voice louder than it had been in the entire time he'd been telling stories. He'd hated Twolegs since then. Hated them for keeping his father from him, hated them for killing his mother. He'd almost forgotten his hate...until this story had reawoken it.
But he breathed, and calmed himself, frightened of his own anger. Surely this would spell doom for him if he did not control himself. There was nothing he could do, anyway, and it was a wound long since inflicted.
"I'm sorry." He said quietly. "Old memories die hard, even for someone as forgetful as me. But I can continue or stop, if you want."
---
Ember A small gasp came from Dovekit. "Oh Kitewhisker, I'm so sorry. That must have been awful! I don't really remember my mother. I can remember her and Specklekit's scent though. Her's was very warm and and sweet, it was a beautiful smell. I may not know what she looked like, but I know she was beautiful from her scent. Specklekit's scent was fresh; almost like freshly dug up dirt. I loved it. I miss them both dearly even though I don't remember them."
Stonekit hung his head in silence as he listened to his sister's description of his sister and mother. He was able to relate to Kitewhisker's story. His heart felt heavy with grief at the thought of his mother. "I don't really remember her. I just remember her scent, like Dovekit. I remember it because of Dovekit's scent."
"Mine?" Dovekit asked softly. "Why mine?"
Stonekit looked at her, "You have the same scent. I may not remember her at all, but I know that you look just like her except for the gray on you...you got that from Hawkheart. I hear cats talking about how much you look like her."
Dovekit looked down, then back up at Kitewhisker, "Do I look like her?" After a couple seconds she said, "Can you also finish the story? It's starting to get VERY interesting!"
---
Cloudbat As different as they were, in age, possible origin, coloring, rank, the old tom felt a thread of connection to the two young cats before him. They too had lost their mother...and someone else dear to them. It was true that in their case they had lost their sister, not their best (and only) friend.
But still, he could relate. He listened with slight wonder to their description of their lost relations' scents. Fascinating. Yet, sadly perhaps it also meant they would die of a scent..perhaps choking on a poisonous gas or dead by suffocation of falling into a hole filled with mud...but he would let them keep their innocence.
He nodded to Stonekit's words of Dovekit and her coloring. "It's true. Snowflower, of course, was nearly pure white, and though I only saw her once or twice I can tell you resemble her, Dovekit. You have her face, though her eyes were amber, not blue. I'll continue with the story now.
Thus I learned what was to be my greatest lesson - nothing in the world could be trusted, and everything was to fear. I realized could only trust other cats, and even then, I must be careful." He left out that he'd also realized he was doomed to die a horrible death. They were only kits, after all.
"So I traveled throughout the land, nearly dying thrice: once from a fox, once from a badger, and once from sickness. I was avoided, called insane for my caution. But then I met Holly." His face, which had been crumpled, sad, regretful, brightened up and his shoulders relaxed as he thought of the beautiful white and brown tabby she-cat.
"She was the only one who understood me. We became friends...she taught me how to see misfortune, to warn others even if they wouldn't listen." He looked in the distance, remembering her. Her face. Her laugh. Her smile. Her cute, stubby tail. Then he came back to reality, although, of course not realizing as he never had that he was somewhat insane.
"We spent nearly twelve moons together...the best twelve moons of my life. But then she saw her own future and realized that her fate was to die outside this land, so she left me, and I was distraught, though I understood, because no one can escape fate, in the end.
I lived on my own again, slowly losing my health, worrying of my own demise. But then....then I heard about the Clans. I knew I might die trying to join, somehow. Still, I was drawn to them. Food, shelter, safety. But also a sense of destiny. And I think, I know now that I was meant to join so I could tell you stories, kits. That's why I'm here."
The tuxedo tom had gone crazy long ago, and would be until his dying day. He had his flaws. But he had found two cats that he could love - not as true family, but as someone to watch over them. For now, he only wished to live to see them become warriors.
---
Ember Dovekit looked up at the old elder, "Kitewhisker, I'm so sorry. Do you ever know what happened to her? I mean she couldn't have actually known she was going to die, I mean that's crazy! You must miss her terribly."
Stonekit looked at his sister then back to Kitewhisker, "Wow Kitewhisker, That's an amazing story. Sad yes, but amazing. That's quite an adventure too! Pretty neat for one cat to do by himself!"
Dovekit looked at Kitewhisker, "Did you love Holly?"
Stonekit roled his eyes typical she-cat turns everything into a love story.
---
Cloudbat He stared off into the distance for a moment, lost in the past. Then the squeaky kit's voice and a sudden waft of her strangely sweet scent both floated toward him, an anchor to here and now. The tuxedo tom did not smile, but the edges of his mouth turned up a little, his old nose getting gooey in the cold.
The elder shivered, the taste of wood faintly on his tongue as he yawned, then frowned as he gazed at the little gray and white kit, but his expression quickly softened. She was very young, after all, and no idea about the skill of predicting the future. So he could forgive Dovekit her ignorance. Barely any cats understood, after all, and good as these young ones were he could expect them to be no different.
So ignoring her insult, he sighed, "I do miss her. I never heard from her again, so no, I don't know what happened to her."
He cheered up slightly as the tabby tom spoke. He even felt a little flattered, which was an emotion last known many moons ago, when Holly had taken him on as her apprentice. "Thank you, Stonekit. I'm sure there are far more interesting stories, though." He said modestly. His was somewhat interesting, but there were certainly tales of far greater cats than he.
And then Dovekit made him embarrassed, because yes, he had loved Holly. At first just as a friend...but during those last four moons his feelings had changed. And he had never confessed, far too scared to ever let her know, ever ruin what they had. He'd wanted to keep her, and yet he hadn't even gotten that. For a heartbeat he felt bitter, but then grateful. At least he had known her, even if she had never belonged to him. And yet...he wondered, could Holly have ever belonged to anybody? She was so free.
"Yes, Dovekit, near the end of our time I did love Holly. But she was always just a wonderful friend to me. Trust me, friendship is the more useful - and often more fun - relationship. Love is very confusing." Possibly the truest thing the crazy old cat had ever said.
---
Ember Dovekit
Dovekit was taken back at the old cat’s words. “Kitewhisker, how could say that love is confusing? Love is wonderful! It what makes the whispers in the wind. It what makes the birds sing. Without love the world is nothing. Without love none of us could have been born! Love is wonderful!” The young she-cat truly believed her words. She believed in love. I can’t wait until I am older and find love. I’ll have a mate and kits; everything will be perfect. I’ll have a handsome young tom by my side through everything. Her thoughts began to trail back the young kit that was back with Spiderstorm, Mothkit.
Mothkit was a quite handsome young cat. When she pictured herself as a warrior, watching her future kits play at her feet, it was always Mothkit curled up next to her. She began to realize that her feelings for him were more than just the love of siblings. She shook these thoughts away. No! No, I can’t love Mothkit! He’s my brother! Well, foster brother. Could I be in love with him if we are not blood related? She began to ponder this thought.
She considered asking Kitewhisker. No! She mustn’t! She could be in trouble or frowned upon if it was a forbidden love. But if it wasn’t, she’d be satisfied and hope that the young tom could possibly love her back. She began to build up the courage to ask the question. Raising her head high, she looked straight at Kitewhisker. “Kitewhisker?” She paused, “Could a cat love an adopted sibling, one that isn’t blood related? Such as Mothkit?”
Stonekit
Stonekit could have choked if he had been eating a piece of fresh kill. He stared at his sister in shock. What in the name of StarClan would bring her to ask this question. Why in the name of StarClan would it be Mothkit? Mothkit! The useless scrap of nothing that was their adopted brother. The little twerp couldn’t even defend himself against that puny black puffball named Batkit. Why in the name of all four Clans and StarClan would she ask about him.
Could his hopeless romantic of a sister like Mothkit? Oh StarClan no! She couldn’t like him. He hated having the runt as a littermate, let alone his sister’s future mate! He couldn’t stand the thought of having nieces or nephews sharing that….that….thing’s blood! Please let her question be out of curiosity and not love. Oh please, for the love of anything sane, not love![/color][/font]
---
Cloudbat "Hmm?" He said absent-mindedly, drifting off as the rather senile tom often did during long conversations. He knew Dovekit was chattering on about love - her perceptions were cute, if somewhat ridiculous. The tuxedo tom snapped back to earth when she began to say it made the whispers in the wind, and looked at her incredulously. That didn't even make sense. Maybe it made the birds sing, but...honestly Kitewhisker had no idea what made the birds sing, so it could just as easily be love as anything else.
Without love the world is nothing...that was arguable, certainly. But it depended on what kind of love. Family, friend, romantic, place, thing, activity - there were so many different kinds to pick apart and examine for their worth and use. He doubted the little she-kit really knew what she was talking about, but then again she was young.
Mmm...he begged to differ that without love they couldn't have been born. Of course, that was a conversation for when they were much older. But love on the whole was wonderful, indeed.
"Confusing does not necessarily mean bad, little one. And love is a very complicated thing with many faces and many ways of expression. I hate to sound cliche and crotchety, but you'll understand when you're older, trust me." He chuckled gently at his own slight silliness.
He was quite nonplussed at her query, frowning and sniffling up his cold, runny nose, his thin tail wrapped closely around his paws for what little warmth it could give.
"Goodness, Dovekit, you're much too young to be thinking of romance yourself. I have no idea if that's right or wrong, never having had siblings myself. I'd imagine it'd be looked upon as odd, but I can't speak for every cat. I can tell you this, though: I'm certain it'd lead to nothing but agony if you pursue it." He didn't even need his powers for that; it was obvious as the whiskers on his old black and white face.
He switched to a gentler meow and continued, "Leave chasing toms for when you're an apprentice at least, Dovekit, preferably a warrior. You've far more important things to work for until then."
---
Ember Dovekit
Dovekit looked at the old tom and bunched up her whiskers in frustration. Being the naive kit she was she refused to see the old cat's point. She was never going to grow out of her beliefs and no cranky old tom was going to tell her any different. She had grown to like Kitewhisker, but he was being very irritating right now. She knew deep down that this cat was right and that she would end up realizing that love wasn't all fun and games, but for now she would continue to believe the way she liked.
"Kitewhisker, why is love confusing? I know you say that I will understand when I am older, but I want to know. What makes it confusing? I refuse to believe you without a reason why I should. Also, how am I too young? The best romances blossom at a young age. I know I can't have a mate or kits until I am a warrior. There is no harm in deciding who I want right now...is there?"
Dovekit looked up at the old cat challengingly. She dared him to answer her. She didn't see any harm in liking a cat, what in StarClan was wrong with that! She thought it was almost sweet. She wanted a good reason as to why she shouldn't love a cat right now! She continued to stare at the tuxedo tom with an "I dare you to move" look etched into her gaze.
Stonekit
Stonekit stared at his sister. Why was she being so challenging. She should know that kits shouldn't be falling in love with other cats/kits, especially their brothers! Ughh, he hated calling Mothkit his brother, but still Dovekit needs to not act the way she is acting. I mean come on, who talks like that to an elder. Doesn't she know that any other elder would claw her face off. Doesn't she know she is being extremely disrespectful to Kitewhisker?
Stonekit liked this cat, he didn't want Kitewhisker to stop telling them stories because Dovekit decided to get snippy with him. Dovekit needed to stop, she was acting incredibley mousebrained right now. Why does she even care about that useless scrap of fur Mothkit anyways. He didn't want to spend the rest of the time with Kitewhisker listening to his sister argue. He wanted perhaps another story before Spiderstorm came to fetch them.
"Dovekit, just drop it, please? I want to hear another story and I don't want Kitewhisker to hate us because you want to be disrespectful to him!" He glared at his sister. Let's see her get sassy with me. I'll put on the ground faster than she can say Mothkit.[/color][/font]
---
Cloudbat Kitewhisker shook his head and smiled sadly. "Oh, little one, that would take ages to explain. But it's difficult when you fall in love with someone who's your best friend, let me tell you. And yet we can only truly be in love with cats we know well, so that is one of the greatest conundrums of love, and there are many more that even I haven't imagined."
He raised a black eyebrow at her, his green eyes amused.
"Sometimes they do. But there have been plenty of cases where older cats have fallen in love, and it's better for them because they're mature and they know what they want and need in a relationship and who would be best for them. Many a young cat has been made a fool because of mistaken love."
The old tom wasn't entirely sure about all of this, but it seemed plausible enough.
His gaze turned from her face and went across the rough wood of his hollow log home with its scattered patches of fungus and small holes adding some color and light to the uniformly dark brown tree as he considered her last question, and then laughed. It was so ironic. She was wrong...and yet he would be hypocrite for saying so, because unlike many cats, there had only been one she-cat for him. His old voice meowed a wheezy laugh before looking at her with wistfulness and warning in his face.
"I must say no, Dovekit, and yet I am a hypocrite, because there was only ever one she-cat for me, and that was Holly. But I lived a very lonely and isolated life, for the most part, so I never really knew any other she-cats anyway. You, however, are growing up in a Clan of cats, and I'm sure you'll meet many other young toms, so don't decide at the tender age of five moons that Mothkit's 'the one.' I would bet you don't even know how he feels about that." The tuxedo StreamClanner smiled slightly.
He turned to her darker-pelted brother, who seemed less patient with his naive sister. "It's fine, Stonekit. I'm here to dispense wisdom, after all, and I've been admittedly negligent with my duties. But if you want another story, sure. I think I can tell one more before I'm properly worn out." He yawned after saying so, his eyes shutting as his white muzzle opened to display his yellowed fangs and bright pink tongue.
---
Ember Dovekit cocked her head and looked up at the old elder. "Okay if you say so, Kitewhisker." She smiled up at him. She guessed he was right. He was wise and older than her so it would make sense that he knew better. "Kitewhisker, I know you say it's better if you wait. But I still really like Mothkit and that's not gonna change for a while. I like Mothkit like Stonekit likes Featherpaw!"
Stonekit straightened up. What?! What?! Psh No! In what world! Ha. Ha. That little...I do not! "NO I DON'T!" He growled defensively. Who the hell did she think she was?! He didn't like Featherpaw. No way! Okay, maybe he kinda did...but Kitewhisker did NOT need to know that.
"DO TOO!" Dovekit said with a purr. "I see how you look at her! And you talk about her in your sleep! 'Oh, Featherpaw, I loovee you! Mua mua mua.'" Stonekit felt his ears get hot. "I do not!" Dovekit purred, "Do too! Just ask Spiderstorm. She hears you too!" Stonekit narrowed his eyes, "I do not!" He turned to the elder, "Kitewhisker can you tell us a story now. Whatever you want to tell us." He layed down, extremely embarrassed by now.
---
Cloudbat The elder had drifted off for a few moments as Dovepaw mewed in the background. What would it have been like if he and Holly had had kits? Would he ever have joined the Clans at all, having a family of his own?
He snapped out of it at Stonekit’s furious protestation of…something? He looked at the siblings, puzzled. Surely Dovekit was joking? She must be. Stonepaw wouldn’t be that silly, ever. Kitewhisker examined the young tabby tom, trying to figure out his fate. No…he didn’t see any misfortune with love, only a deep bitterness that would one day cost a life, though whose, he couldn’t tell. Anger too, but…Kitewhisker didn’t want to see more. Stonekit was only a kit, and he shouldn’t have to worry about the distant future just yet.
“Whatever you two feel about others is none of my business,” he said gently, then added “though you can always come to me for advice if you want.”
“Hmm…another story. What others do I know?” He asked himself out loud, trying to remember, and then recalled the tales of the olden days, when the giant cats had reigned. “Well, there is the tale of the three ancient Clans of mighty cats; LionClan, TigerClan, and LeopardClan. Would you like to hear that?”
