[ Child of Mine ]

[nightfall]

Chapter 01
Contemplations


It was raining.

Funny, it had been raining the day they left.

Joshua, aka Ravenheart, sighed as he peered out into the pouring rain. He was sitting in the medicine den. He never really liked rain. There hadn't been much in Australia. And, of course, it was cold, wet, and made him feel heavy. Stupid fur. He had way too much fur.

His mother used to say he'd gotten it from his father. Jareth would laugh, look his mate in the eye, and tell her Joshua had gotten everything else from her. He would poke and tease and joke. Then he would say, "And he definitely got his brains from you because I still have mine!" Rhea would hit him then tell Joshua to run along and play with his little brother and older siblings.

He didn't actually. He didn't actually get everything other than his fur from his mother. In fact, he was nothing like his mother. He was pretty much a carbon copy of his dad. He was laid-back, relaxed, calm, and gentle. He had a great (read: horrible) sense of humour, and always knew when to be serious.

On the other hand, Joshua's mother had been sharp, volatile, and tough. She'd always had a quip or a comeback to say to any comment. Rhea always knew when to yell, and when to whisper (unlike Jareth, whose general vocal level had been sightly above that of a jet engine), and she'd always been careful and gentle around her kits.

Nevertheless, Joshua's mother and father had loved each other dearly. Jareth used to tell his sons how he gallantly swooped in and saved Rhea from some rude toms. He'd beaten them back with his claws and teeth, and then heroically walked into the sunset with his damsel.

Of course, he'd get three whacks in the head for stories like that.

Joshua used to love talking about how he would one day swoop in and save a she-cat of his own.

That never happened. Which is pretty much how Joshua found himself in Pineclan, with a different name, a different story, and a different demeanor.

Someone was calling for him across the clearing. Ravenheart was pretty sure it was Crowflower. He didn't know any other cat who said, "Oh, flowers. Ravenheart!"

Ravenheart got up, and with a groan, padded out into the rain. Yuck. He still hated rain. Nothing in his life would change that.

x--


"Damn it, Lichenheart!"

This loud exclamation came from none other than Meadowclan's grumpiest elder. Yes, Rhea, also known as Flamestorm, was considered Meadowclan's grumpiest elder.

It wasn't a bad title. It was a warning. It said, "Mess with me and I will kick your butt." Rhea loved the title. It made her feel more important. After all, being forced to sit around a dry, boring camp all day and being taken care of was a blow to one's self importance.

Rhea, personally, hated being an elder. Heck, she hated being a clan cat. Being a rogue had been perfectly fine with her. She'd enjoyed being able to run, happy and free, wherever she wanted. She'd liked being able to hunt for her own food.

And she'd especially enjoyed being away from a certain idiot by the name of Lichenheart.

"Lichenheart, how many time have I told you? You're not transforming into lichen!"

Of course, Lichenheart didn't listen, and continued to roll on the floor dementedly. Rhea let out a long-suffering sigh. Screw it. Let Aldernose deal with him. She got up, shook off her fur, and padded out of the elders' den.

It was a full moon tonight, and the Gathering party was leaving soon. She watched quietly as cats gathered at the entrance of the camp.

"Flamestorm."

Rhea turned around. There stood Cedarstar. Ah, yes, the beloved leader of Meadowclan.

Of course, he wasn't her beloved leader, but he was, unfortunately, her leader nonetheless.

"Yes?" She responded calmly, turning to sit down and wrap her tail around her paws. "What would my dear, great leader like of me, a lowly elder?" Her words were thick with sarcasm, and Cedarstar took the hint, glancing towards the elders' den where Lichenheart was hallucinating.

"I take it he's already..."

Rhea sighed. "Yes, and it was driving me insane."

Cedarstar chuckled. "Then you will be happy to know that you won't have to suffer through it for the entire night. I'd like you to come to the Gathering."

Rhea was very surprised. The last time she'd gone to a Gathering, she'd nearly bitten another cat's head off for being idiotic. It hadn't been her best moment.

"Are you sure?" She asked with a snort of amusement. "I might try killing someone again." Cedarstar shrugged.

"I'm sure Cindertail can stop that kind of nonsense tonight."

As if on cue, Cindertail came bounding up, eyes bright with excitement. As the gray tom nuzzled his mother's fur, Rhea found herself smiling ever so slightly.

"Look at you, you rascal! You haven't come to see me in forever!" Rhea scolded him jokingly. Cindertail hung his head, abashed. Rhea smiled. She couldn't help it. She missed her little kit. She could remember when he had been small, a little thing that was so close to death. She'd saved him, and look at what he'd become! Strong, handsome, gentle. He had a mate with kits on the way.

Rhea couldn't have been happier for him. Yet, when she thought of him, her thoughts drifted away to another time, before little Cinder had ever entered her life. Back to Lowe, to Russ and Cleo, to Lara and Den, and to Jared and Joshua.

All her little ones, gone to the wind, to the throes of life, probably never to be seen again.

Rhea was snapped out of her thoughts by soft nudging on her flank. Cindertail looked at her, eyes filled with worry. He cocked his head to one side, paws scratching at the dirt on the ground between them. She sighed softly.

"I'm alright, little one. Just thinking about things." She lifted her head high, her tone becoming stern. "Now, off you go. Go see your dear little mate. I'll be along shortly."

Cindertail blinked, and nodded. As he walked away, he looked back behind him to watch her, still worried.

The elderly she-cat let out a sigh, looking up at the darkening sky with sad resignation and fear.

"Oh, my little ones. Where have you gone?"

chapter one end