aclanby-anyothername

[aclanby-anyothername]

dustcloud in the dashcon ball pit what orphans will he find this time

[aclanby-anyothername]

my first attempt at drawing the gang! will probably give this another shot later lol

all of these characters are a part of a clan by any other name, my multimedia clangen fanfic! you can read more about it here.

[aclanby-anyothername]

a clan by any other name.

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newleaf, year 2. moon 13.

motheye and breezepelt were quick to tell the clan of their new relationship, and the response was enthusiastic all around.

even creekleap, whose reaction motheye feared more than anything else, expressed relief at the development.

creekleap: "oh, thank the stars! i thought you two were going to continue tiptoeing around each other forever. i don't think i would have been able to handle the secondhand embarrassment."

breezepelt: "you mean you knew? i was hoping i was a little less obvious than that …"

amberflame: "everyone knew. even cave."

cave: "hmph. you say that as if putting my nose where it doesn't belong wasn't my specialty!"

dustcloud: "what would we do without you, cave?"

cave: "perish the thought. you and i both know this clan would fall apart without me."

motheye: "this is so embarrassing …"

their happiness was infectious. the mood around the camp was bright and airy, fitting for the gentle newleaf around them.

i wish i could say that happiness would last forever. alas, it seldom does.

amberflame: "…"

amberflame was keeping watch alone that night. the camp's sleeping quarters had grown tremendously since she was a kit, though the entrance remained inconspicuous.

she soon heard a rustling sound from somewhere in the distance, but she did not budge.

amberflame: "i know you are there."

the rustling stopped with amberflame's words. soon, a sheepish figure emerged from the shadows.

???: "oh, shoot! looks like you caught me. i'm usually more careful than this …"

"look, i just wanted some grub, alright? thing's are hard for a loner out there. if you don't mind -"

amberflame: "zero."

the rogue's demeanor changed instantly, his face becoming serious.

zero: "… yes?"

amberflame: "i don't think you are here for food. what were you planning on telling me this time?"

zero: "i - what? listen sweetheart, i don't think -"

amberflame: "don't call me that."

zero: "i - sorry."

amberflame: "…"

amberflame: "we've done this all before. you only seem to show up when i'm on watch. why is that?"

zero: "well, i -"

amberflame: "the only reason i have not told the others is because you were willing to trade information on the other rogues in exchange for doing so. i have kept my word."

zero: "…"

amberflame: "i'm not a fool. please, just tell me your true intentions."

zero twisted in head in either direction, his ears alert. he quickly relaxed, sighing deeply.

zero: "you're a sharp one, i'll tell you that."

amberflame: "why are you so eager to share your information with me, and why only me?"

zero: "listen, i just … i don't want any trouble, is all. i don't need everyone in your clan knowing all about us, getting all angry, picking fights they can't win."

"oh, don't give me that face. i know what our group is capable of."

"… i know a little too well, honestly. that's why i know that at least one cat needs to have an idea of what's going on."

"there, does that to it for ya? or is your curiosity still piqued?"

amberflame: "why me specifically?"

zero shrugged.

zero: "you were the one on watch the night i decided to start visiting like this. that's all."

amberflame: "…"

zero: "also, some of your group seem like the type to have loud mouths. just a hunch."

amberflame: "i … can't disagree with you there."

zero: "hah! you've got jokes too. i love it."

amberflame: "that makes sense to me, i suppose."

"now, what did you come here tonight to tell me?"

zero: "aww, you sure you wanna know so soon? we could exchange pleasantries, maybe talk about the weather -"

amberflame: "zero. please."

zero: "okay, okay. i'm just going to warn you now, though. things aren't looking great."

amberflame: "i can handle it. tell me."

zero: "they … well, let's just say they plan on shrinking your territory."

amberflame: "what do you mean? i thought they were content with the way things were. you said they would leave us alone as long as we expanded no further."

zero: "yeah, about that … they changed their minds."

"the boss, y'see … she's getting tired of playing nice. she sees a whole patch of the forest being used up by - her words, not mine - a bunch of miserable nobodies."

amberflame: "…"

zero: "at first they weren't thinking anything of it, since our territory is further east anyway, but … things are happening on our front, too. everyone's convinced see need to expand."

"personally? i think things are fine the way they are too, and everyone's getting hysterical over nothing … but i'm not the decision maker over there."

amberflame: "… how far do they plan on expanding?"

zero: "they want to the edge of the woods. you'd be completely blocked out."

amberflame: "that's unacceptable. we can't do that!"

zero: "h-hey, you said you could handle it! bring the volume down a notch, would ya? last thing i need to happen is that old man waking up and trying to kill me where i stand."

amberflame: "we … we need that territory. without it, we would have to rely entirely on the river. and … it's a part of our home."

zero's eyes softened, but he shook his head.

zero: "it is what it is. i've given you the info, and you can do with it what you like."

amberflame: "… what do you think we should do?"

zero: "me? wow, someone actually wants to know my opinion for once! what a damn miracle."

amberflame: "zero."

zero: "…"

"i know you guys are attached to this little hole you've dug for yourselves, but i think you need to leave."

amberflame: "not happening. think of another plan."

zero: "you asked for my opinion. you got it."

amberflame: "please."

zero: "you - you're being unreasonable. i dunno what sentimental attachment you have to all this twolegs junk is, but it's not worth it. take your crew and find another place to pass out."

amberflame: "you know we're not doing that. i need another idea."

zero: "then you'll think of it on your own! i gave you all i had, and i'm not aiding in some sort of group suicide mission."

amberflame: "why not talk to them? surely you must have some sort of sway."

zero: "not enough to change their minds on something like this! their minds are made up, sweetheart -"

amberflame: "don't call me that again. or else."

zero: "i - you've never given me your name! i need to call you something."

amberflame told zero her name.

zero: "okay … amberflame. i'd love to tell you that there are other options, but i'm not going to lie to you. i think you and your group need to leave. maybe go to the other side of the river, i don't know."

amberflame: "i'll think of something. i refuse to leave, and i can defend myself if necessary. i have been trained to be a warrior since i was a kit."

zero: "i don't care what you think you're capable of, i promise you they're capable of worse. just - just be serious with yourselves."

"if you choose to stay, we … we're done here, okay? you're not getting any more info, and i'm not pilfering your prey pile anymore. you're on your own."

amberflame: "…"

"fine. leave, then."

zero: "… i -"

amberflame: "just go."

"we'll figure things out on our own. we'll fight if we have to."

"we' re not leaving. if i ever have to fight you … i'm not going to hold back."

"if that means we're done here … so be it."

zero: "a-amberflame. listen. i'm just trying to help."

amberflame: "why?"

zero: "what do you mean?"

amberflame: "why are you trying to help?"

"you are not a part of this clan. your clanmates nearly killed cave, and now we are being threatened."

"why?"

zero: "i …"

zero: "i don't need to see anymore blood spilled, alright? it's unsightly."

"my group is great and all, don't get me wrong … but sometimes they get a bit carried away."

amberflame: "why not just leave?"

zero: "excuse me?"

amberflame: "you're already leaking their information, and you don't seem especially attached. why not just leave?"

zero: "hey, just because i don't always agree with their decisions doesn't mean i hate them or anything! they're still my family."

"shouldn't you of all people get that?"

amberflame: "…"

amberflame: "if you ever change your mind, you could stay with us."

zero: "oh, that's the worst idea you've had all night, and that's saying something!"

amberflame: "just keep it in mind."

"i'm going to have to tell the others about this. i'm sorry for breaking our deal."

zero: "don't worry about it. just don't let them know who told you, okay?"

amberflame: "i can do that. thank you for your help, zero."

zero did not leave right away, but amberflame did not seem to mind.

amberflame's head was swirling with thoughts, but her gaze stayed fixed, determined.

zero: "your name's real fitting, you know that?"

amberflame: "i agree."

zero: "i was expecting you to ask me to clarify, but … this is nice, too."

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[aclanby-anyothername]

a clan by any other name.

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newleaf, year 2. moon 12.

motheye: "…"

"their scent markers are getting closer and closer …"

motheye sighed.

"dustcloud's gonna freak out."

breezepelt: "what do you think we should do?"

motheye: "i don't know. i haven't ever seen any of the other cats, except for that one time. maybe they're nice?"

breezepelt: "motheye, you saw what they did to cave. i really doubt that they're nice."

motheye sighed again. she was getting pretty good at it.

motheye: "but still … they know we're here, right? if they were mean, wouldn't they have tried to, like, attack us or something?"

breezepelt: "i don't know … let's just keep going."

despite the clan regularly sending out scouts, none had claimed to see the rogues thus far. it left the camp in a permanent state of uneasiness that only seemed to grow by the moon.

motheye and breezepelt continued their border control, the two walking side by side. occasionally, motheye's bushy tail would flick against breezepelt's tail, and he would sheepishly step aside. motheye found it, to be blunt, utterly adorable.

motheye: "…"

"hey, breezepelt? can we talk about something?"

breezepelt coughed, choking on air. he quickly composed himself.

breezepelt: "uh, sure! what's up?"

motheye smiled, but it quickly slid off her face.

motheye: "it's just, um …"

"if there was - if there was something you wanted, but somebody else wanted the same thing, and only one of you could have it … what would you do?"

breezepelt relaxed at the question, and he smiled.

breezepelt: "oh! if this is about the kill pile incident, i'm not mad at you at all! i know that was your favorite, and i didn't mind you taking it at all, i just -"

motheye: "o-oh, yeah! you catch on quick, haha. it's just …"

motheye: "well, let's say that you DID mind. you minded a lot. and i … i still took it from you."

"and i knew you wanted it, too. and i took it anyway. how would you feel?"

breezepelt: "wait, okay. in this hypothetical situation, am i still just about to take a bite, and right before i can, you drag it out from under my paws and scurry away from it yelling 'sorry, it's mine now!'?"

motheye: "um … no. i just - i just get to it first, i guess. and i feel really bad about it."

breezepelt: "um, okay. in that case … i would say that you're fine."

motheye: "what? how can you be so sure?!"

breezepelt: "well, you got to it first. i'd be sad, yeah, but i would get over it."

motheye: "b-but what if you never get over it? what if it was your favorite food in the whole world, and you'd never be able to eat it ever again. what then?"

breezepelt: "i … i don't think that would ever happen? if it did, though … i would be sad, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. i would be okay, and … and i'd be happy that you got what you wanted. seeing you happy … makes me happy, too."

motheye: "w-what? no! you can't just … you can't just be okay with that!"

breezepelt was taken aback.

breezepelt: "huh?"

motheye: "you … you don't get it! i-it not that easy! i can't just do something like that. i can't …"

breezepelt: "…"

motheye: "get mad! take it from me! do something!"

motheye sighed.

"what if you never got over it for as long as you live, huh? why do i deserve it more than you? why do i deserve to make you sad?!"

"what if - what if you're happier with someone else? what if you - i mean, what if … what if …"

motheye sat frozen in place, unable to meet breezepelt's gaze. the two were quiet for a long while, the silence punctuated only by the early newleaf breeze rustling against the canopy of leaves overhead.

motheye's chest was heaving, and she was quick to hide the tears that she had no choice but to shed.

breezepelt's expression was inscrutable. he said nothing, did nothing. he simply waited.

motheye: "sorry. stars, how embarrassing. i - i'm sorry for being such a baby about this."

"l-let's head back to camp. we'll tell the others about the -"

breezepelt: "motheye."

motheye looked up, their eyes locking for but a moment before motheye's shot to the ground.

motheye: "what?"

breezepelt: "motheye … do you remember when we were kits?"

motheye: "y-yeah. what do you mean?"

breezepelt: "…"

"you … you always knew what you wanted, even then. and you always worked so hard to get what you wanted."

"you were always smiling, even when things were hard. just looking at you was enough to make me happy. you … you were radiant."

motheye: "…"

breezepelt: "n-not that you aren't that way now! i just mean … you've always been wonderful, motheye."

"i …"

breezepelt: "i understand if … if you don't feel the same way."

"if there's someone else … if you love someone else, i'll be okay."

"so don't worry about me, okay? i just want you to be happy."

"no matter what … no matter what, your smile will always make me happy. that's all i want."

motheye: "wh-what are you saying?"

breezepelt: "i-i'm sorry, i'm too embarrassed to say it any more directly."

motheye: "no - not that - it's just - of course there's not anyone else!"

"breezepelt, i - i just need to say it - i'm so embarrassed that i'm misunderstanding but i need to say it. i'msorryifthismakesthingsawkwardbetweenusbut -"

motheye exhaled exaggeratedly, as if she had run out of breath. she paused, breathing in deeply as she composed herself.

motheye: "breezepelt, i love you. i always, always have."

breezepelt: "…"

motheye: "…"

motheye was looking at breezepelt, her eyes fierce though uncertain. breezepelt looked stunned, his jaw hanging slightly open.

eventually, motheye's eyes softened, and she looked at breezepelt with a warm smile. breezepelt responded with a similarly loving smile of his own, which motheye repaid by headbutting breezepelt in the face.

breezepelt: "wh - ow!"

motheye: "o-oh, sorry! i didn't mean to - i just got so excited - are you okay?"

breezepelt: "y-yeah, i'm okay. i ... i'm better than okay!"

young love sure is something to behold. admittedly, by telling this part of the story, i feel somewhat like i'm intruding … but that's okay.

i've always been such a romantic, truthfully. by this point, i had grown quite fond of both motheye and breezepelt, so this development made me quite happy.

i suppose you could say i … i 'shipped' them?

hm? what does that word mean. oh, worry nothing of it, dear friend. it is simply something i heard during one of my many lives.

as happy as i was for them, i worried for their safety just as much.

the future was uncertain, but motheye and breezepelt chose to focus on their happiness …

perhaps they felt that love made them stronger? perhaps it is worth it to experience love, no matter what may happen at the end of it?

i … i want to believe that it is. no matter what happens.

oh, apologies! i was simply lost in thought. i was … thinking of something that happened long, long ago.

worry not. in the future, i will try to minimize these sorts of editorializing interjections.

there is a story here that must be told, and it will be told to the end.

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[aclanby-anyothername]

my first attempt at drawing the gang! will probably give this another shot later lol

all of these characters are a part of a clan by any other name, my multimedia clangen fanfic! you can read more about it here.

[aclanby-anyothername]

"hey, boss. i don't think this one will make a very good prisoner with its leg like that and all … plus, his bad temper is grating as hell."

"should we kill him?"

"i-if you don't mind, i think i have a better idea."

"oh? do tell."

[aclanby-anyothername]

cave

"don't bite your tongue around me; i certainly won't be biting mine around you, hah!"

[aclanby-anyothername]

dustcloud

"… i just want you all to grow up to be happy and healthy."

[aclanby-anyothername]

amberflame

"i don't care if starclan is guiding us or not. i never cared about that. i just want to stay with everyone for as long as i can."

[aclanby-anyothername]

breezepelt

"do you think i can become a good warrior? i don't like to hunt, and i get scared easily, but … i want to do everything i can for them. i … i really love them."

[aclanby-anyothername]

creekleap

"sometimes i miss being less genuine, hah."

[aclanby-anyothername]

motheye

"i'm not having it! this is our home, our clan! warriors don't just leave their clan just because they get a little bit scared."

[aclanby-anyothername]

a clan by any other name is an extremely serious story full of heartbreak and turmoil. also cats saying swear words.

(you can learn more here.)

[aclanby-anyothername]

a clan by any other name.

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leaf-bare, year 1. moon 11.

leaf-bare had begun to gasp its last breath, newleaf eager to take its place. the threat of the rogues had seemingly resolved itself, at least for now, and the camp fell once again into a comfortable sense of normalcy.

the clan - dustcloud had finally allowed himself to call him that, though he still winced when someone suggested giving their clan a name - was composed of a tight-knit group that considered themselves family …

… and cave.

cave was aware of the clan's uneasiness, but he didn't seem to mind. he had been a loner his entire life, and he appreciated the distance afforded to him more than they could know.

still, cave was more than willing to work alongside the clan. his leg now mostly healed, he had no issues taking part in a two-warrior hunting party for the day.

cave: "look alive, my boy!"

creekleap: "… what?"

cave: "you heard me. you look like you've see a ghost, hah!"

creekleap's eyes widened an imperceptible amount.

creekleap: "hah."

(you crazy old man …)

cave: "in all seriousness, are you alright? your eyes have been glazed over since we came out here."

creekleap: "oh, it's just a trick of the light. i'm as chipper as ever!"

cave stared at him blankly, and creekleap shifted uncomfortably.

cave: "you may be able to fool the others, but i can see right through you."

creekleap stood silently, frozen in place.

"you don't have to say anything, but if you would like … i can be an especially good listener whenever i want to be."

creekleap: "n-no, seriously! i'm fine. i'm really fine."

cave stared at creekleap once again. creekleap dare not meet his gaze.

cave: "hmph. whatever you say, boy."

the hunt continued silently for a long while, cave seemingly indifferent to the tension that now hang in the air between them.

creekleap was worried about many things, truth be told. but he would never tell anyone that.

there was one thing, though, that was worrying him more than anything else.

creekleap: (... besides, if there's anyone in the clan whose opinion matters the least to me, it's cave.)

creekleap: "i … i'm scared that i'm losing my mind."

cave's eyes widened.

cave: "well, not many of us have fully-intact minds, anyhow. what makes you think that, though?"

creekleap: "it … i don't know. it's just …"

creekleap sighed.

creekleap: "it's mostly when i'm dreaming, but not always, and i … i don't know what to make of it."

cave: "take your time."

creekleap: "…"

(…)

(i've been having strange dreams lately. i don't really know what to make of them.)

(in my dreams, i'm not … me. i'm someone else. i have a different name, a different life.)

(it's all so vivid … sometimes when i wake up, it feel like it's the dream that was real, not this. it terrifies me.)

(other times, i'll be doing whatever, and suddenly it's like i'm back in my dreams again.)

(it's just getting more and more vivid. i'm terrified.)

(i don't want to lose my mind before my life has even started for real.)

creekleap: (i … don't really believe in starclan, if i'm being honest. it sounds nice, but it felt like a kind of … it just felt like another story.)

(i dunno about anyone else, but i think that would freak dustcloud out. probably amberflame, too - she's really into the warrior code and stuff.)

(it'd be nice to be wrong, though. just this once.)

creekleap conveyed his concerns to cave, albeit less directly. he stood there silently, eyes cast downward, for a short while before cave finally interjected.

cave: "… oh, is that all?"

creekleap: "um, yes?"

cave: "oh, okay. yeah, you're fine."

creekleap: "wh-what? were you even listening?"

cave: "it's simple. you're having visions from your past life."

creekleap looked at cave with all of the exasperation his feline facial muscles could muster.

creekleap: "excuse me?"

cave: "oh, you know! your past life. the life you most recently lived through, or possible even the life before that."

creekleap: "you're making no sense. that … that's not a thing!"

cave: "oh? what makes you so sure? i'm no expert, but is that not a part of your warrior religion as well?"

creekleap: "... not that i remember? even if it was, that doesn't mean - nevermind."

there was a pause. creekleap was looking anywhere but in cave's general direction.

cave: "well, if you want to know the truth … i knew someone once. a long time ago …"

cave's voice trailed off.

creekleap: "um, okay?"

cave: "oh, sorry! they … what you told me just now reminded me of them a great deal. they struggled, too, with visions of their past life."

creekleap: "still not sold on that, but continue."

cave: "they were able to make sense of things eventually. once they accepted the truth of the situation …."

"you see, their past life taught them things, thing they wouldn't have been able to figure out on their own. ended up working out quite well for them, i think!"

"i mean … things did end up going south eventually, but not because of that. i'd … i'd rather not discuss it any further, if you don't mind."

creekleap: "…"

(that … that's a lot to take in.)

(i've always thought cave was kind of weird. he's been alright, but he's always just … i don't know what to make of him.)

(cave, you better be not be messing with me right now.)

finally, creekleap spoke.

"okay? i don't know if i'm really following, but ... i'll think about it. thank you, cave?"

cave: "why does your thanks sound like you're asking me a question?"

creekleap: "i don't know what you're talking about?"

cave: "hmph."

creekleap: "... seriously, thank you."

the two did not end up catching anything that day despite their best efforts. it was simply just not meant to be.

creekleap did has a bit more spring in his step on the way back to camp. still, his worries had yet to be fully alleviated, cave thought.

cave couldn't help poking the hornet's nest. it was what he was best at.

creekleap: "while you are laying your soul bare like this, would you also like to discuss what is happening between you and the other young-ins?"

if cave's words cut through creekleap to any considerable extent, he was all that he could to not let it show.

and the words did cut, to be clear.

creekleap: "i don't know what you're talking about."

cave: "hmm? well, if i remember right, the three youngest of you used to be inseparable. lately though, you are often on your own. is that correct?"

creekleap: "no. you're seeing things."

cave: "oh, i apologize! if this is a sensitive topic, i will stop."

creekleap: "it's - it's not a sensitive topic. i'm just answering your questions."

cave: "… very well."

are you wondering if cave's theory is correct? is creekleap truly having visions from his past life?

well … all will become clear with time, as i've said before. i think you know the answer, though.

cave's advice would ultimately serve creekleap well. much like cave's friend before him, creekleap had much yet to learn from his dreams, even if they made little sense to him in that moment.

i was more surprised than anyone about this development. what a twist! i thought.

well, not really. but it was fun to pretend!

tell me … does anything in this story ring familiar to you at all?

hm? no reason, i am simply wondering.

… we have peeked behind the curtain for long enough. where were we?

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[aclanby-anyothername]

a clan by any other name.

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leaf-bare, year 1. moon 10, part 2.

... hello, my friend. i apologize for leaving so suddenly when we last met.

the truth is ... i fear there are parts of this story i still lack the strength to tell. i am sorry.

i ... i just need time. that's all. i promise you, by the time we reach this story's end ... i will tell you everything.

it … dustcloud and i were able to speak once again, and that … was a very emotional moment for me. i'm embarrassed, to put it simply.

for now, please just know that … whatever it is that dustcloud saw, it assuaged his guilt in some ways, though burdening his heart in others.

he also decided that, no matter what may befall him, he would never allow any harm to befall those that he loved.

he had the strength to keep them safe, no matter the personal cost.

it … still made me sad, that he thought so little of himself, even then.

… that's all. let us continue.

dustcloud: (…)

(i can keep them safe i will keep them safe.)

mothpaw: "dustcloud, are you okay? you - you're crying."

dustcloud: "o-oh, am i? i - i got some dust in my eye."

mothpaw: "i … i guess that's what you got your name from, after all! haha -"

before mothpaw could finish her sentence, dustcloud let out a loud, guttural sob.

amberflame jumped to his side almost immediately, eyes full of concern. creekleap and breezepelt not too far behind.

mothpaw: "oh my gosh, are you okay? what happened -"

amberflame: "just - just give him a moment. he needs us now. he can explain later."

creekleap: (i … he's been acting weird for a while now. does he think nobody noticed?)

"..."

breezepelt: "d-dont worry, dustcloud, it's okay …"

the group waited patiently, trying earnestly to figure out the best way to comfort the crying cat, though not quite sure what to do.

finally, dustcloud recollected himself, his breath now steady.

dustcloud: "thank you, everyone. i … i will try my best to explain later. for now … for now we continue, as long as that is okay with mothpaw."

mothpaw: "wh-what? of course!"

dustcloud: "mothpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, to protect and defend your family, even at the cost of your life?"

mothpaw: "i alrea - i mean, of course i do!"

dustcloud: "… i give you your warrior name. mothpaw, from this moment on, you will be known as motheye."

motheye: "oooh, i like it! it's because i'm so good at noticing things other people miss, right?"

dustcloud: (i'm too embarrassed to admit this, but … i just thought it sounded nice.)

"uh, sure! let's go with that."

dustcloud walked forward, his eyes still slightly damp. he rested his head on top of motheye's, and his face muscles contorted as he tried to hold in a sob.

motheye, in turn, licked dustcloud's shoulder, which was salty from tears. she was crying now, too.

with a sigh, dustcloud turned to the others.

amberflame had been crying along with them.

creekleap's head was turned, trying to conceal his own tears.

the only two who were not crying were breezepelt and cave; the former's face contorted in presumed sadness and nervousness, while cave seemed mostly uncomfortable.

dustcloud: "s-sorry about this, everyone. ahem … let us honor motheye!"

amberflame: "MOTHEYE! i'm so, so proud of you."

"and ... i am sorry for acting like i was your mother. i - i shouldn't have presumed -"

motheye: "oh! i … i've been scared of you mentioning that, actually."

"what i said was ... cruel and hurtful. i was just trying to get back at you in that moment … you have nothing to apologize for. i'm so sorry!"

amberflame: "even if you didn't mean it, you were still correct ... i'm sorry, too."

motheye: "amberflame … thank you for everything you've done for me. i want to help you now, too. we … we're sisters."

amberflame: "… okay!"

creekleap: (wait so like - are they BIOLOGICALLY sisters and just now admitting to it, or it is a more metaphorical thing? oh well, not my business -)

"motheye! i'm going to be sincere for once. i'm genuinely proud of you, and i think you're going to be a great warrior. that being said, i am kind of sad that it's not fun making fun of you anymore. it just makes me feel bad."

motheye: "honestly, you should feel bad! you really hurt my feelings sometimes!"

creekleap: "wait, really?! i thought it was a mutual thing, like that we were just joking."

motheye: "well, sometimes it was, but sometimes you took things too far!"

creekleap: "oh well, i … i'm sorry, motheye. i should have been kinder to you. i -"

motheye sighed.

motheye: "creekleap, it's okay. i'm letting you know now. that's all."

"… not to mention, i hurt your feelings, too."

creekleap: "wh - what are you talking about? yeah, you said some rude things too, but it's different -"

motheye: "it's not JUST that. it's also … you know."

creekleap: "oh yeah … that. i … just. congrats on becoming a warrior, motheye. i'm proud of you, genuinely."

(sometimes i miss being less genuine, hah.)

motheye: "… thank you, creekleap. i'm proud of you, too."

breezepelt: "congratulations, motheye! i'm so proud of you, too. i know we sometimes joked about you, but … i've always thought you were the strongest of any of us."

motheye: "wh - what? what do you mean? that's …"

breezepelt: "it's just … i just always thought you were the one out of the four of us that was the most like a, you know … real warrior hero, like from the stories dustcloud told us."

motheye: "th - that … wow. i … i don't even know what to say to that."

breezepelt: "y - you don't have to say anything! it's okay. i just … i just wanted to let you know."

motheye: "breezepelt … thank you. no matter what was going on, you always made me feel safe."

breezepelt: "… motheye, you …"

cave: "it's my turn now, yes?"

motheye: "actually, we were kind of in the middle of - actually, yeah, fine. what's up?"

cave: "this is the part where we say your name, right? well then - motheye!"

"i have known you for only a short while, but i can see that you are a strong young lady! definitely flattened my ego a bit when we met, you did."

motheye: "oh, i … i'm sorry? i mean, not really, but -"

cave: "think nothing of it. you and your clan saved my life, after all. don't bite your tongue around me; i certainly won't be biting mine around you, hah!"

motheye: "i … i think i get it? thanks, cave."

dustcloud: "motheye, you … you fought for this clan, even when you had to fight alone. i'm sorry for that, but i am also so, so proud of you."

"you made me realize something. what we have here together is precious, and we shouldn't give up on it easily."

"even if harm befalls us in some way … we will do what we can to support each other."

motheye: "y-yeah, of course! didn't you know that?"

dustcloud: "n-no! but i do now. so … thank you, motheye."

motheye: "… you're a dork, dustcloud."

dustcloud: "huh?"

and so the rest of the night passed comfortably. the group chatted for a long while, sharing stories with one another of moons long passed. they stayed up well into the night, and slept in the night after.

notably, dustcloud did not leave. and he would not leave them, not ever, not unless that is what they wanted.

the coming times would bring heartbreak after heartbreak, but they would face it together.

they would not be alone, of course.

they would have me, as well.

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[aclanby-anyothername]

a clan by any other name.

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leaf-bare, year 1. moon 10.

the moon came and went, and the rogues never arrived. however, that doesn't mean the threat was clear; there was a definitive scent marker outlining their territory, far at the other end of the woods.

in response, the clan make began to take their border patrols far more seriously. there was always at least one or two warriors on guard duty as the others slept. the air was tense, but besides that life continued as usual.

cave, seemingly safe from further harm at the paws of the rogues, relaxed. he slowly began to recover, but he was left with large scar on his leg, a permanent reminder of what had transpired that fateful night.

the clan was still wary of him, but they all agreed that helping him recover was the best course of action.

mothpaw's warrior ceremony grew closer by the day, something dustcloud was painfully aware of. he had told no one of his plan; he intended the leave the same night, as soon as he could sneaky away from the others after the ceremony.

a violent pang of guilt shot through him every time someone so much as smiled at him, but he had made up his mind.

the time dustcloud had spent in the clan seemed to fly by before he had time to make any of sense of it, and that last moon was no exception. as dustcloud's last day grew closer and closer, he found himself wishing for even one da longer to spend with them.

his nightmares increased in frequency, and he found his waking hours spent poring over his past, trying to make sense of it all. truly, what crime did he commit that was so heinous as to deserve this curse? or rather, what was he DESTINED to do, off in that far off future dustcloud couldn't even imagine?

he found himself half-praying to starclan as he had many times before; he wanted with his whole soul to cry out to them, plead with them, beg them for help … but, just as he had every time before, he shut the stars out of his heart. he could not speak with them. he was so, extremely terrified of their answer. he would rather not know at all, to the detriment of himself.

… i would know, wouldn't i?

… apologies. this part affects me more than most. i need just but a moment, please pay me no mind.

…

it's just …

during this time, i ...

never mind. let us continue.

the half-moon came with little regard for dustcloud's turmoil.

dustcloud: ( … maybe if we just - postponed mothpaw's warrior ceremony, even for just a day?)

( … yes, i know i can't do that. how incredibly selfish of me.)

"… mothpaw, please step forward."

mothpaw's original plan, of course, was to conduct herself with the utmost seriousness, a poise befitting the strong, intimidating warrior she ever so clearly was.

mothpaw's plan never came to fruition; she was so excited that she practically bounced forward. the entire clan collectively looked at her with a smile that they hoped mothpaw couldn't see.

mothpaw: (… the others don't understand. it's been my dream to be a warrior since before i could really even speak properly. not only that, but … )

(i HATE how i was always one step behind everyone. i hated being the baby. at no point was i ever taken as seriously as everyone else.)

(this is the last milestone before we're all equals … THEN they'll have to stop treating me like a baby!)

(though, now that i think about it … i know it was out of love. and sometimes, i even enjoyed it! it felt nice knowing that, even if you couldn't handle something for yourself, you always had a big group of friends and family to swoop in.)

(so … i guess it's kind of bittersweet after all?)

(oh, i'm not worried about it right now! i'm a warrior now, and i'm so, so excited!)

dustcloud: (dammit, what does she have to look so happy? i can't … i can't just leave her like this.)

"… i, dustcloud, mentor of mothpaw, call upon the heroic warriors of old to look down upon this apprentice."

it was the most confidently he had ever said those words. he hated that especially.

dustcloud: (i don't know if i can do this. i can't - looking at her - looking at EVERYONE'S faces is just - i can't ...)

"mothpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, to protect and defend your family, even at the cost of your life?"

(please say no please, please say no i)

mothpaw: "of course i do!"

dustcloud: (SAY NO - i can't, i can't do this -)

dustcloud: (st-starclan! i can't go on like this anymore! not now ...)

(SHOW ME THE TRUTH! whatever it is, i'll bear it. please, just TELL ME!)

(LET ME HATE MYSELF! LET ME KNOW HOW AWFUL I BECOME, THE PAIN I'M MEANT TO BRING! I'LL TAKE IT ON!)

(I CAN'T - I CAN'T LEAVE THEM!)

(PLEASE)

(…………..)

(what)

(what is happening)

(what is)

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[aclanby-anyothername]

a clan by any other name.

leaf-bare, year 1. moon 9, part 3.

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content warning: blood

cave: "... and then, well. you know the rest."

dustcloud was too stunned to speak. his mouth had been agape throughout most of cave's story. cave chuckled at the sight.

cave: "do you get it now? you all need to RUN. run, and don't look back."

cave looked to the sun and sighed.

cave: "we've already lost too much time."

dustcloud: (i thought … i thought we were safe. something must be happening to the north, driving the cats this direction.)

(the land here is harsh … i don't know if there will be enough prey to sustain everyone.)

(these rogues … i don't know if we would be able to defend ourselves.)

dustcloud: "… okay. we will have to wait for everyone else to get back, but … i'll talk to them."

cave: "there's no time to spare! you need to go get them now."

dustcloud: "and leave you by yourself? what if they come back?"

cave: "… hmph."

mothpaw: "no! absolutely not! i refuse!"

dustcloud: "mothpaw, i know it's not what you want to hear, but -"

mothpaw: "i'm not having it! this is our home, our clan! warriors don't just leave their clan just because they get a little bit scared."

dustcloud had told everyone an abridged version of the story that cave told him, and they were all standing in the center of camp, each in a different stage of shock.

dustcloud: "it's more than 'just a little scared', mothpaw! this is serious, more serious than anything else we -"

mothpaw: "you taught us to be warriors! if you don't like that, that's your own fault."

dustcloud: "i - but - please, someone, back me up here …"

amberflame: "mothpaw … dustcloud's right. we should leave."

mothpaw: "and go WHERE? the twolegplace? that would be even MORE dangerous, and you know it!"

amberflame: "… we'll figure something out."

mothpaw: "no! we won't! we're staying here, and if the rogues come to find us, we - we'll talk to them! we can figure something out …"

amberflame: "absolutely not! i'm not letting you -"

mothpaw: "STOP! i'm almost a warrior now. you don't get to boss me around anymore! you're … you're not my mom, so stop acting like it."

you could cut through the tension with your claws. it wasn't until the words were out of her mouth that mothpaw realized what she had said.

she expected amberflame to look furious, but that was not the case; rather, amberflame looked entirely defeated. she turned away from mothpaw and was quiet for a long time. everyone was too afraid to speak.

cave: "okay, wrap it up! we need to get going!"

well, almost everyone.

breezepelt: "i … i think it should go to a vote."

dustcloud: "pardon?"

breezepelt: "it's the only way we're going to come to a decision. we can vote on it, then we'll go with whichever option got the most votes."

dustcloud: "i … no! this isn't something that there is room for disagreement on. we need … we need to go."

breezepelt looked at dustcloud sadly, and dustcloud recoiled. was that … pity?

breezepelt spoke to the group next.

breezepelt: "does everyone agree to a vote?"

the group acquiesced quickly. if there was a decision to be made, it needed to be made now.

breezepelt: "… okay. let's start. all of those in favor of leaving, play say 'i'."

cave, amberflame, and dustcloud said 'i' in unison.

mothpaw: "what? no fair! we don't even know that guy. he shouldn't get a vote!"

dustcloud: "mothpaw …"

mothpaw: "see? this vote is stupid! we're all just gonna fight over whether or not this guy gets a vote, and if he does then we're tied anyway!"

amberflame: "… continue the vote."

mothpaw: "huh?"

amberflame did not respond. she was looking at breezepelt.

amberflame: "please, continue the vote."

breezepelt: "what? why … okay."

"all of those in favor of staying, please say 'i'."

mothpaw, creekleap, breezepelt, and … amberflame said 'i'.

mothpaw: "what? you can't vote twice!"

amberflame: "there was no rule against voting twice."

mothpaw: "i-it was implied!"

amberflame: "oh, well. then, i rescind my former vote. i vote to stay."

mothpaw: "w-what?"

breezepelt: "that … that makes the vote two to four. the clan is staying."

dustcloud looked close to tears. he was looking from one clan member to the next, eyes wide and sputtering.

dustcloud: "i … we can't. breezepelt, we can't do that. we can't!"

breezepelt: "i'm sorry, dustcloud …"

cave: "IDIOTS, ALL OF YOU! i can't believe anyone could be THAT stupid -"

mothpaw: "shut up! just shut up! we saved your life, and you haven't had a nice thing to say since you woke up."

cave: "…"

mothpaw: "how far do you think we would make it if we had to lug you around like that, anyway? even if we left, we wouldn't take you with us!"

cave: "…….."

mothpaw: "i … i'm sorry that they hurt you like that, but that's not an excuse to be a massive jerk."

creekleap: "hey … anyone mind if i say something really quick?"

the group, who had been squabbling amongst themselves, fell silent at creekleap's words.

dustcloud: "no … no, go ahead."

creekleap: "okay …"

creekleap: "… anybody else remember when we used to see who could reach the creek the fastest? i … i always liked the creek, obviously, 'cause i named myself after it, but …"

mothpaw: "… yeah. breezepelt was always the first one to get there, but i almost beat him once."

creekleap: "what? no way! i definitely beat him at least a couple times."

mothpaw: "what? hmmmm. nah. pretty sure he always won."

creekleap: "unbelievable …"

breezepelt: "i remember you winning at least once … i think."

creekleap: "your confidence warms my heart, breezepelt."

amberflame: "… i remember when dustcloud was first teaching us to hunt. creekleap thought that roaring at the prey would intimidate it … we lost a lot of prey that way."

creekleap: "aw, come on, amber! don't go bringing that up now of all times."

mothpaw: "remember that time i sprained my ankle? that was so much fun! not the … not the spraining my ankle part, obviously. but running through the rainy forest with you guys … that was fun."

dustcloud: "… i'm thinking about when we made all of those renovations to the camp … you guys would always groan about it, but you never slacked off."

creekleap: "oh, i DEFINITELY slacked off."

amberflame: "we know."

breezepelt: "our camp wasn't much of anything when we were first starting out, but it's grown so much … i'm proud of all of the work we've put into the place."

mothpaw: "i … i still haven't had my warrior ceremony. everyone else got to have theirs here, but not me, not yet …"

dustcloud: "…"

creekleap: "… do you think starclan is watching over us? i mean, i know we're not an 'official' clan or whatever, but they've got to at least admire our dedication, right?"

breezepelt: "i … i think so. i really do."

amberflame: "something … something led dustcloud to us on that day, nine moons ago. it was destiny. i'm … i'm sure of it."

dustcloud: "everyone, i …"

dustcloud: "… okay. i get it."

cave: "hmph."

dustcloud: "i … i don't want to leave, either. but sometimes …"

dustcloud thought back to the promise he made to himself. mothpaw would be a warrior next moon.

dustcloud: "… sometimes leaving is the only choice. please, everyone, promise me … promise me that you'll leave if things get any more dangerous. that's all i ask."

mothpaw: "we … we'll do anything we need to stay safe, but we're not leaving … not unless there's no other option."

breezepelt and creekleap voiced their agreement, followed by amberflame.

cave: "guess i don't have a choice, do i? for your sakes as well as mine, i hope you've made the right decision."

the camp was quiet the rest of the evening. none could know what the future would bring, so they had no choice but to wait.

dustcloud: (starclan, please … should anyone be punished, please let it be me. please …)

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