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twilights-800-cats · 1 month ago

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Chapter 15

Mistyfoot charged through the forest, her paws flying across the trail. Mousefur and Ferncloud followed without question, driven by the horrible silence and the scent of blood in their noses. Mistyfoot’s heart pounded in her chest as she considered every possibility, trying to predict what they might find once they crossed the border. She hoped and prayed to StarClan that the screech hadn’t belonged to any cat she knew.

They quickly put the ShadowClan border behind them and pushed through the thick undergrowth surrounding the greenleaf Twolegplace, finally stopping inside the unnatural clearing to catch their breath. The green plane that stretched before them was empty but for the Twoleg trash cans that studded the ground at regular intervals - and, at the base of the nearest lay a small, dark heap, their blood sprayed against the hard material, still fresh and dripping.

“Oh, no!” Ferncloud breathed. Her eyes went round, the whites showing. “That’s Willowpaw!”

A chill took Mistyfoot’s pelt. Willowpaw! Her heart beat faster. The ShadowClan apprentice was barely older than Larchpaw - they had gotten close along the Great Journey, along with Rushpaw, Willowpaw’s littermate. Their mother, Finchsong, was a close friend of Ferncloud’s. Mistyfoot swallowed.

The three she-cats rushed over to Willowpaw. The small tom lay prone on his side in a pool of his own blood. Mistyfoot gagged at the intense smell, and Ferncloud whimpered at the sight. Mousefur turned away, scanning the area.

“Is he alive?” Mousefur asked, her ears flicking to and fro.

Mistyfoot forced herself to stare at Willowpaw. The dark gray tom was still, his spine pressed against the trash can as if he’d been tossed at it. One of his limbs looked broken or at least out of place, and he was covered in more fresh scratches than Mistyfoot could count. She couldn’t fathom how he might be alive after losing so much blood, but there was just the faintest stirring of his whiskers - somehow, he was alive. Stunned, but alive.

“He’s breathing!” Mistyfoot called back, hope catching in her voice.

“Who did this to him?” Ferncloud wondered desperately, her eyes big and watery. “A fox, maybe?” She gently touched a paw to a batch of scratches. She hissed, “Mistyfoot, these look like cat’s claws!”

Mistyfoot couldn’t deny that. The marks matched Ferncloud’s paw, though off by just a hair. She saw her friend’s spotted legs tremble, and, her voice wavering, Ferncloud asked, breathless, “What do we do?”

“Clean him up and stop the bleeding,” Mistyfoot ordered swiftly, trying to keep her head above water. Ferncloud immediately set to work, lapping gently at Willowpaw’s pelt with her tongue. Mistyfoot lifted her muzzle and glanced at Mousefur, flicking her tail to beckon the smaller she-cat over.

“Who do you think did this?” she asked quietly.

Mousefur peered at Willowpaw’s body. She reached out and gently turned over one of the apprentice’s paws, bending down to sniff the bloodied pads. Mistyfoot swallowed around the lump in her throat. Willowpaw still had his claws out - the young cat had put up a fight.

“Not a Clan cat, that’s for sure,” Mousefur answered, “and there’s no fur caught in his claws. There is a scent, though I don’t recognize it.”

Mistyfoot closed her eyes and leaned closer, sniffing. Other than blood and ShadowClan, there was another scent - part of Mistyfoot had expected the stranger she had been chasing around ThunderClan territory, but it wasn’t. There were two scents, for one, and for another...

“I know those scents,” she murmured, lifting her muzzle. She met Mousefur’s eye. “When we were exploring the territory and trying to find camps, we ran into a pair of kittypets. They attacked us for even getting near their nest. It’s been a while, but that’s them.” She could confidently say: “I’m sure of it.”

Mousefur tipped her head, confused. “Kittypets did this?”

Mistyfoot sat back onto her haunches. The more she thought about it, the more certain she became - those two kittypets had to be the problem ShadowClan was facing. One glance at Willowpaw all but confirmed it. If they were willing to do this much to a cat as young as him, Mistyfoot did not doubt that they were behind Orre’s death, too, and the multiple new wounds on the ShadowClan warriors.

But why? Mistyfoot wondered, her head spinning back to that first encounter. Those two kittypets had fought like they were willing to kill, but they hadn’t pursued once they were driven off. I thought we had sent them a message - Stoneheart nearly clawed one of their eyes out! Didn’t they learn their lesson?

She swallowed again, the smell of Willowpaw’s blood growing overwhelming. “We need to get him someplace safe,” she meowed. Ferncloud was trying to stop the bleeding, but she wasn’t a medicine cat, and she didn’t have anything to work with here. Mistyfoot looked to Mousefur. “You grab one end, I’ll take the other - we’ll drag him into the woods and-”

“You will do no such thing!”

Mistyfoot felt the claws shortly after - they pressed into her pelt, breaking the skin as she was thrust against the hard earth. She heard Mousefur grunt a tail-length away and then a strong, defensive hiss from Ferncloud over by the trash can.

Mistyfoot struggled against the bulky black-and-white body pressed against her, looking for purchase with her paws as the scent of ShadowClan choked her - eventually, her hind legs found her attacker’s belly, and she pushed with all her might, sending them flying.

She got to her paws, bristling. She was face-to-face with Skipnose, the young black-and-white cat panting a tail-length away. Off to the side, Mousefur was wrestling with Pinewhisker, while Ferncloud was squaring up to Pansytail, the tortoiseshell ShadowClan warrior lashing her tail with a fierce expression. Focusing back on her opponent, Mistyfoot crouched, prepared to fend off another attack from a furious Skipnose.

Pansytail spoke up, suddenly: “Everyone, stop!”

Skipnose unbent his spine immediately. Ferncloud relaxed, exhaling with relief. Mousefur had Pinewhisker pinned, the small brown tabby tom wiggling beneath her as he flailed desperately.

Mousefur dodged a paw swipe and growled, “Stop that, already - we didn’t do this!”

“She’s right, Pinewhisker,” Pansytail urged quickly. “Stop. We don’t have time for this.”

Pinewhisker slowly came to a stop, and it was only when he sheathed his claws that Mousefur let him go. The brown tabby, bristling, immediately got to his paws and lunged for Willowpaw, his apprentice, nearly pushing Ferncloud out of the way to see him.

“He’s alive!” Pinewhisker breathed raggedly. He pressed his muzzle against Willowpaw’s. “Oh, thank StarClan!”

Mistyfoot felt a pang in her heart. She knew what it was like to be so frantic over an injured apprentice - Willowpaw had a chance that Shrewpaw didn’t, though, and she wanted more than anything for their fates to differ.

“The kittypets did this, didn't they?” Mistyfoot wondered, looking at Pansytail. She didn’t know who was leading this patrol, but Russetstar’s mate was the senior warrior from ShadowClan here. “What were they called again?”

“Jacques and Susan,” Pansytail recited bitterly, as if their names were toxic. “And yes. They did this.”

“We didn’t see anything,” Mousefur explained. “Just heard him screech. Their scent trail was well hidden.”

Skipnose muttered, “Him hollering was probably what scared them away. They would’ve finished him off otherwise.”

“Silence, Skipnose,” Pansytail growled, grimacing.

Mistyfoot peered at the ShadowClan cats. “Let us help you take him back to camp.”

Pansytail’s frown grew deeper, but Mistyfoot hadn’t missed the way that her eyes were darting around - she was still on the lookout for the kittypets. Just the three of them taking Willowpaw home would put them in a vulnerable spot if they attacked. With Mistyfoot, Mousefur, and Ferncloud helping them, striking a group that large would be foolish.

The ShadowClan warrior seemed to understand that. Pansytail gave the faintest of nods. “When we reach camp, you’re to leave immediately,” she decided.

“No,” Mistyfoot declared. She raised her chin. “I’m going to talk to Russetstar. Something has to be done about this.” Knowing the full scope of the problem might get Tinystar to listen, though Mistyfoot was certain Russetstar wouldn’t allow an outsider to see how vulnerable ShadowClan truly was.

Pansytail curled her lip, and Skipnose bristled. Pinewhisker didn’t share his Clanmate’s obstinance; he was too busy trying to drape Willowpaw across his back with Ferncloud’s help, the young apprentice’s blood dripping down his back and legs.

Skipnose huffed, looking offended. “This is none of your business, ThunderClan.”

“Skipnose, please,” Pansytail hissed. Turning back to Mistyfoot, she mewed curtly, “I’m not sure what you expect from her, but you can try.”

Mousefur gave Skipnose a sharp, scrutinizing look. The tom stubbornly stalked past her, sidling up to Pinewhisker to help take some of Willowpaw’s weight off of his Clanmate. He dipped his patchy muzzle to Pansytail, and, their group ready, they set off, heading across the clearing and toward the trees, with Pansytail leading the way and Mistyfoot, Mousefur, and Ferncloud surrounding Willowpaw and his carriers.

They moved carefully through the woods. The ground here was softened by shed pine needles and flatter than ThunderClan’s territory, made almost deafeningly quiet by the thick pine trees that muffled the world with their size. Were the air not permeated with the stench of Willowpaw’s blood, the scents would be musty and sharp, teasing the nose to sneeze and break the silence.

Mistyfoot hadn’t been here since their first quick jaunt around the lake. She recalled that the land closest to the water, over by RiverClan territory, was swampy, more like ShadowClan’s old territory used to be. The ground was drier here, though, with only a hint of moisture trapped beneath the thick layer of pine needles.

She tried to recall where ShadowClan’s camp was - she knew it was someplace well-hidden, barely visible even when one looked right at it. Perhaps that was why it was so hard to picture since only Stoneheart had gotten a good look at it.

She had plenty of time to think about it, though. Pansytail was moving along very slowly, slower than Mistyfoot had realized. At first, she thought it had been for Willowpaw’s sake, but since there was little to make them stumble here, Mistyfoot soon came to another conclusion - ShadowClan wasn’t confident in their own territory anymore.

A more careful look at Pansytail confirmed it. The tortoiseshell she-cat was practically tip-toeing, her ears swiveling in every direction to catch any stray noise. Every few paces, she would stop to scent the air. A bird chirping far off made her pause, her tail stiff and ready to signal. Mistyfoot glanced at Mousefur, who had also been watching Pansytail, finding her Clanmate’s confused expression grimly vindicating.

This wasn’t a hunter, confident in her territory - this was prey.

Their journey was long, made longer by Willowpaw’s injuries. As the sun began to trail across the sky, they headed down towards the lake and then began to follow the very edge of the woods, where solid ground gave way to a boggy shore. Glancing behind her, Mistyfoot could see the forest and the Twoleg halfbridge that jutted out into the lake just around the bend of the water - ThunderClan felt so far away right now, and she guessed that they wouldn’t be back before nightfall.

They’re probably so worried, she thought, troubled. She imagined Nightfrost’s face when she and her patrol didn’t return and felt a pang of sorrow in her gut. Was he already looking for her? What would he think when her scent trail disappeared over the ShadowClan border?

While she was worrying, Mousefur sidled up to Pansytail’s shoulder and asked, “So how did two kittypets manage to strike fear into the hearts of ShadowClan?”

Pansytail growled low in her throat and Mistyfoot heard Skipnose hiss. But it seemed that Mousefur hadn’t said anything that wasn’t true - it was Pinewhisker who muttered, “They know our every move.”

Mistyfoot, confused, tilted her head. “How can that be?” ShadowClan were the most secretive of all the Clans - there were stories of them turning even a simple question like what one of them had for breakfast into a puzzle.

“And why would they even care?” Ferncloud added.

“It’s not like we haven’t asked!” Pansytail shot back, her ears flat. Her eyes flashed angrily. “They want to drive us out, and it seems like they’re enjoying themselves while they do it.”

“They take our prey from right in front of us,” Skipnose growled. “And they always strike when one of us is alone, or they’re evenly matched.” He spat, “Cowards!”

Mistyfoot glanced at the ShadowClan cats, noting that she could see the outlines of their ribs rippling faintly beneath their pelts. They weren’t starving, but the kittypets were ensuring ShadowClan couldn’t enjoy the full bounty of their new home.

“The way they fight reminds me of BloodClan,” Pansytail added, shuddering along her spine. “They don’t have a code.” She glanced back at Willowpaw. “They don’t care how much they hurt someone.”

Mousefur lashed her tail. “And Russetstar is letting this just go on? It’s two whole kittypets! You’re ShadowClan!”

Pansytail stopped short, arching her back. The patrol halted around her as she glared at Mousefur and hissed, “You think we don’t know that?”

“We can’t even get close to their nest without them running for their Twoleg,” snapped Skipnose, “and he’s just as bad as them! He threw things at us! When Orre and Blackfoot led a patrol to negotiate with the kittypets, their Twoleg rushed out and hit Orre so hard with something that... That...” Skipnose swallowed his words, his eyes glistening with sorrow.

Mistyfoot swallowed, horrified. That’s how Orre really died? Great StarClan!

Pinewhisker adjusted Willowpaw’s weight on his shoulders. “And we never know where they’re going to come from. They pop up out of nowhere, and when they flee, it’s like they disappear into thin air.”

Mistyfoot’s pelt prickled. Out of nowhere? Disappearing? How can that be? Her tail trembled. A horrible thought occurred to her: Do they know about the tunnels? Are there more of them on ShadowClan territory?

“This hasn’t been easy to deal with,” Pansytail hissed, baring her teeth. “But we can handle it.”

“Can you?” Mousefur questioned. “Does Russetstar have any sort of plan?”

Pansytail scoffed, tossing her head. “Come on,” she snapped, “we’re almost there.”

And they were - Pansytail led them upslope between the pines, weaving between cedars and the occasional stunted oak or beech. The land here was low and easy, and Mistyfoot thought it looked familiar - this area had more undergrowth than most of ShadowClan territory, with briars and brambles tangling along the ground and dark-leafed ivy growing up the trunks of the trees.

Slowly, it came into view - the huge cedar with its peeling, graying bark and its impossibly large, fan-like branches. In a hollow beneath the boughs, Mistyfoot recalled, was ShadowClan’s camp.

In the moons since coming to the lake, they had built up a wall of briars and ivy to keep out nosy intruders, and the camp wall was almost indistinguishable from the world around it. Pansytail led the way inside, disappearing into a nearly invisible gap in the tangled barrier. Mistyfoot followed, her heart beating quickly - seeing another Clan’s camp was always a tense situation, and ShadowClan kept their camp so hidden and private for a reason.

It was cool and dark beneath the boughs of the cedar, and when Mistyfoot emerged, she had to squint to take in ShadowClan’s home as the sun barely penetrated between the huge, fan-like branches. It was bigger than she had realized, with a clearing carpeted in soft pine needles and lined with dens that seemed to be made from trees that had fallen long ago and grown hollow and gray. Mistyfoot could only guess at which den was which, but at the back of the camp, a cave hidden deep beneath the roots of the protective cedar was no doubt the leader’s den.

Confirmation of that came as Russetstar slid out from the darkness, her shoulders sharp in the shadows and her eyes even sharper as she saw the ThunderClan cats in her camp. By now, the others had made their way through the entrance, and the scents of ThunderClan and blood filled the hollow. Every cat turned their heads, and to Mistyfoot it seemed as if every warrior had unsheathed their claws, too. Her pelt prickled ominously. She searched for Stoneheart, but couldn’t find him.

Pansytail met Russetstar in the center of the clearing, the two discreetly touching noses. Pinewhisker and Skipnose slid off to the side, heading for one of the hollow logs with Willowpaw bobbing between them - Littlecloud emerged quickly, bristling, and from the crowd of ShadowClan cats came Cedarheart and Finchsong, tails bushing as they rushed over to see to their son.

“Is that Willowpaw?” breathed Rowanclaw from off to the side. The dark ginger tom stepped forward, eyes wide as he held back Rushpaw with one leg. He looked to Mistyfoot and asked, “What happened?”

“ThunderClan,” Russetstar mused before Mistyfoot could answer. As Blackfoot came to her side, her gaze slid to Mistyfoot, deep green to dark blue. “What is the meaning of this?”

Ferncloud and Mousefur kept close, their bodies stiff and ready to flee. Mistyfoot took a deep, steadying breath. Time to be deputy, she thought.

“We heard Willowpaw scream in the forest while out hunting and went to investigate,” she said, raising her voice. She was aware of every ShadowClan cat glaring at her. One wrong move, and she’d be lining for their nests. “We found him in the greenleaf Twolegplace, wounded. His attackers had fled.”

“They know,” Pansytail murmured into Russetstar’s ear. Russetstar curled her lip in response, looking disgusted.

Every warrior had something to say about that revelation - their grumbles filled the hollow, trapped by the boughs of the cedar. Blackfoot glared at Pansytail and hissed, “You told them?”

“We figured it out ourselves,” Mousefur grunted, glowering at Blackfoot, “thank you very much!”

“For the most part!” Ferncloud added swiftly.

Mistyfoot raised her tail to speak. “Pansytail did tell us, but only because we asked, and she felt she had to,” she meowed, hoping that absolved the ShadowClan she-cat. Mistyfoot swallowed. This was her chance. She stared squarely at Russetstar and declared, “ShadowClan is in trouble. Let us help you, Russetstar.”

The protest was immediate and vicious: “We don’t need ThunderClan’s help!” hissed Talonstripe.

Tallpoppy bristled from the back: “You’d tell us how to make dirt if we let you!”

“Don’t forget about what happened to WindClan,” growled Redclaw. Her eyes were narrowed to slits. “We still don’t know if they were behind it!”

“We’re ShadowClan,” added Blackfoot. He stood up straight and tall, declaring, “We need no Clan’s help!”

“Tell that to the bones I see sticking out from your pelt,” Mousefur shot back, baring her teeth.

Blackfoot growled deep in his throat, taking a step forward. Mistyfoot spotted the gleam of claws, and her tail bristled anxiously.

“Enough,” Russetstar meowed tersely. The protests of her Clan died instantly. Mistyfoot felt a spark of admiration for the strong she-cat, who could command her Clanmates without moving a whisker. Still staring deep into Mistyfoot, Russetstar offered, “Make your case, ThunderClan.”

Mistyfoot took another deep breath. “This is no way for a Clan to live. You think you can handle this on your own, but Orre is dead, your Clan is being injured on the daily, and Willowpaw is badly hurt. Eventually, there won’t be anyone left to fight.”

Tallpoppy hissed, “You don’t get to talk about Orre!”

“Tallpoppy, enough,” Russetstar said patiently. She gestured for Mistyfoot to continue.

“You’re being hunted in your own territory,” Mistyfoot pressed on. She took a step towards Russetstar, aware that she was pushing her luck with every word. “Please. I’m sure that together, we can devise a solution before you lose more cats - before they see ThunderClan as fair game, too.”

“Tinystar is behind you on this?” Russetstar wondered quietly.

Mistyfoot swallowed her words. She looked around the camp again and wondered where Stoneheart was - surely her brother was here right now? Wouldn’t he defend her?

Russetstar sighed. “I see,” she murmured. Louder, she meowed, “I appreciate your concern - but this is not ThunderClan’s problem.” Her gaze hardened. “ShadowClan handles ShadowClan affairs.”

Mistyfoot burst, “But you can’t! You aren’t! A pair of kittypets are getting the better of you, and you’re letting it happen!” Her fur bristled with frustration.

Blackfoot snarled, his muscles tensed to spring. Russetstar slapped her tail in front of her deputy, her eyes narrowing. “Watch your words, Mistyfoot,” she meowed carefully. “You may have earned great respect for bringing us here, but what you’ve gained, you can lose in an instant.”

“The same goes for you,” Mistyfoot returned sharply. Her heart beat swiftly in her chest as she raised her chin. “You told Tinystar that he needed to appoint a deputy so that he looked like a real Clan leader - well, he did, and here you are now, letting your Clanmates suffer because ShadowClan is proud enough to give all the advice they want, but they refuse to take it.”

Mistyfoot narrowed her eyes. Russetstar’s gaze was intense, daring her to speak on: “Talk to Tinystar,” Mistyfoot insisted, willing with all her might for Russetstar to listen. “If you ask, he will help - but that means admitting you’re a bad leader, too.”

“You’re out of line, ThunderClan!” Blackfoot snapped.

“Be hunted in your own territory, then!” Mistyfoot shot back, glaring at Blackfoot. Her paws were trembling. “Just remember who let that happen!”

“It’s time for you to leave,” Russetstar decided, her voice dripping with anger.

“Agreed,” Mousefur grunted. “This was like talking to a stone.”

Mistyfoot swallowed, cursing herself inside. Had she really blown up her opportunity to help so swiftly? Some deputy I am! She glanced around at the gathered ShadowClan cats, feeling the anger and animosity in their gazes as they glared at her - all but Rowanclaw, who could only stare at his own paws.

“Let’s go,” Ferncloud whispered. She was shivering. “I don’t like this.”

“Neither do they,” Mistyfoot mumbled back. “They’re just too stubborn to see it.”

Russetstar offered no escort, perhaps because she hadn’t the cats to spare or perhaps because ShadowClan warriors would be watching them the whole way home from the darkness. Either way, Mistyfoot gathered up Mousefur and Ferncloud with her tail and led them out of the hollow, feeling the cold eyes of ShadowClan on her with every step.

———————————————————

Tinystar was waiting for them when they returned, sitting on the root of an alder tree just outside the thorn tunnel. The stars of Silverpelt were dancing above, surrounding a waning moon, and the three she-cats were dragging their paws at this point, exhausted.

“Go inside,” he told them, flicking his tail at Mousefur and Ferncloud, “rest. Mistyfoot, stay here.”

Mistyfoot obeyed, watching her friends slip into the thorn tunnel and disappear into camp. No doubt they would be bombarded with questions after being gone for the whole day - perhaps that was why Tinystar had chosen to wait out here for them.

She glanced at Tinystar. He looked serene in the fading moonlight, expressionless and considering, but Mistyfoot could sense his temper boiling beneath his pelt. The wrong words would bring it out, and Mistyfoot wasn’t sure what the right words were anymore. All she wanted was to curl up in her nest and sleep, but a deputy could never just do that.

“When you didn’t return, we tracked your scent to the ShadowClan border,” Tinystar meowed quietly. His pale eyes rested on Mistyfoot as he meowed on, “Several warriors wanted to take a party across the border to investigate, but I had half an idea of what you might’ve been doing, so I ordered them to wait.”

He sighed, gesturing with his tail for her to come close. “What happened?”

Mistyfoot sat down beside the root, curling her tail around her paws. Tinystar was quiet and contemplative as she told him about finding Willowpaw, and taking him back to ShadowClan to be taken care of. He said nothing as she talked about the two kittypets harassing ShadowClan, and he let her get through her attempt to convince Russetstar to ask for help without complaint.

“They can’t handle this on their own, Tinystar,” Mistyfoot finished, hoping he understood this time. She looked up at him, imploring him to listen. “Russetstar is letting her pride cloud her judgment. We have to help them.”

Tinystar blinked. “I don’t disagree,” he mused, his tone mild, “but my answer is still the same. Unless Russetstar asks for help herself, ThunderClan will not get involved.”

The fur between Mistyfoot’s shoulders bristled. “Cats are dying, Tinystar!” Fury boiled inside her belly, and she sank her claws into the earth. “You’re just going to let this happen? This isn’t you at all!” She glared at her leader, disbelief turning her pelt hot. “The Tinystar I know wouldn’t hesitate - he’d put together a patrol and come to Russetstar with a plan to save her Clan, not sit here and say there’s nothing to be done!”

Tinystar narrowed his eyes. He sighed between his teeth and muttered, “That Tinystar is several lives ago, now, Mistyfoot.” He blinked at her. “Following your heart has consequences, and what you think is right doesn’t always end up that way.” His eyes softened. “When you’re a leader, you’ll understand.”

Mistyfoot stared at Tinystar. She hissed, “Fear won’t stop me like it’s stopped you.”

Carefully, Tinystar meowed, “You would disobey me?”

“If it spared warriors a needless death, yes,” Mistyfoot said firmly. Her heart thundered in her ears as she glared down at Tinystar. “Always. Every time. It’s what you taught me to do - you might’ve forgotten it, you might’ve lost faith in yourself, but I haven’t. I won’t.”

“And when you must bury the consequences of your actions?” Tinystar wondered softly. “When you have to live with the knowledge that your choices hurt others, your friends and your kin, even when all you wanted was to help?”

Mistyfoot swallowed. “I don’t know, but isn’t that something everyone has to deal with, leader or not?” she dared to say. “I used to be terrified over every decision I made. For the longest time, I thought I was the reason Mosspaw died, or Shrewpaw, or... Or Stormfur, even.”

Crickets began to sing in the night. She sighed. Tinystar didn’t know the truth about Stormfur. “But I’m not. Or maybe I am? Agonizing over it makes me miserable. It keeps me from pressing forward, from learning what to do better next time.” She stared at Tinystar again, desperate for him to understand. “I can’t live like that anymore. I’m trying not to. Tinystar...” She hesitated but rested her tail across his shoulders. “You can’t live like that, either.”

Mistyfoot blinked. “We believe in you. All of us. You brought us so far, through so much. We need you, and we need you to be you - the cat who did anything and everything to help others. The cat who gave up his life for ThunderClan. The cat who saw past where someone comes from or who their family is. ThunderClan - all the Clans - wouldn’t be here now without that part of you.

“Things have changed since we crossed the mountains, for sure,” she finished, her heart thudding in her ears. She was whispering now, emotion choking the strength out of her words: “But never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that part of you would die with the old forest.”

She waited for him to growl, or snap, or even launch himself at her, claws unsheathed. But he didn’t. He stared up at her for a long moment while her words faded into silence, and then he lifted his muzzle to the stars.

He chuckled. So quietly that Mistyfoot barely heard it.

“You’ve changed so much in the seasons I have known you, Mistyfoot,” he breathed. His voice was soft, his eyes tinged with sorrow. “For the better, I hope.” He flicked his tail. “Go and get some sleep. You’ve had a long day.”

“What about ShadowClan?” Mistyfoot pressed. Had she finally, finally gotten through to him? “Are you going to help them?”

“I never said I wouldn’t,” he reminded her gently. Tinystar blinked evenly. “We shall see. Russetstar knows that we are willing. It’s up to her to remember herself - but if you spoke to her as you spoke to me just now, it won’t be long.” He smiled at her. “Unfortunately, we must wait.”

Mistyfoot frowned, disappointment flashing in her pelt. “I get that. I do. But what the both of you need to realize is that while you’re worried about us dying, waiting around for the right moment to make the right choice, we’re dying anyway.” She swallowed around a lump in her throat. “And we’re dying feeling like you’ve given up on us.”

Taking a deep breath, she murmured, “I couldn’t live with myself, knowing that.” She met Tinystar’s eyes and saw the stars twinkling in those icy depths. “The Tinystar I know, the one that I’ve looked up to since I was a kit, the one who saw me as more than my mother... I know he would feel the same.”

#tb au #tb sunset

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thistledown-au-warriors · 4 days ago

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forest of secrets - chapter 7

< Chapter 6 || Index || Chapter 8 >

[Ao3 Link]

Pale sunlight lit up the snowy hollow of Fourtrees. It had been snowing all up until sunhigh, and Fire Heart had snow as high as his chest. Gray Stripe and Misty Step trudged on beside him, having an easier time, especially with the molly's long slender limbs. The four bare oaks stood below them, glittering with frost. Fire Heart realized he was more worried about cats from his own Clan seeing them than meeting any enemy patrols. Misty Step seemed to have similar concerns. She stayed close to them, taking the rear, ears pricked and often looking back over her shoulder.

"Let's go, then." Fire Heart murmured, leading the way down. Gray Stripe followed him with light steps.

"I hope we're not caught down here by a whole RiverClan patrol." Misty Step murmured.

Gray Stripe bristled. "I told you, she wouldn't betray us."

"I know. I'm not saying that. But she won't be able to hide from her father forever." Misty Step retorted darkly.

Fire Heart tried to step lightly, as if he were stalking prey, his belly skimming the shallower snow. He was uncomfortably aware of how his flame-colored coat stood out against the white surface, compared to the gray coats of his two Clanmates. They crouched down near the Great Rock, shielded from view of the ThunderClan border, and waited.

Silent moments passed, and Fire Heart peeked around the large rock to check on the RiverClan side of the hollow, Gray Stripe's pelt brushing his as the tom did the same.

At last a familiar silver-gray shape appeared, pushing her way through the undergrowth at the edge of the hollow.

“Silver Stream!” purred Gray Stripe.

Fire Heart watched the RiverClan molly stepping delicately through the snow. She was certainly beautiful, he realized, with a finely shaped head and long, sleek fur. However, his interactions with her thus far certainly hadn't captivated Fire Heart in the same way Gray Stripe seemed to be. His friend rose to his paws to call out to her, and her gaze brightened up with delight as she saw him. Silver Stream ran, spraying snow behind her, and pressed herself against Gray Stripe, purring loudly. The two cats rubbed their faces together with obvious delight. Finally, they broke apart, seeming to have momentarily forgotten that the other cats were there.

Silver Stream nodded head in a friendly manner toward him and Misty Step, with no trace of the defensive hostility she had shown when he had tried to discourage her from seeing Gray Stripe at the start of their relationship. “If it isn't Fire Heart and his mentor!” she meowed with mischief in her eyes. "Not exactly surprised you're sneaking about, but I thought you preferred to keep to your side of the border, Misty Step."

Misty Step twitched her ear, not seeming fazed by the RiverClan molly's comments. “Hello to you too, Silver Stream. I thought that you were going to bring someone to meet us.” she launched straight in.

“Yes, he'll be here in a moment, once he's done with his patrol.” Silver Stream replied. She eyed them with undisguised curiosity. “Why are you two bringing up my uncle's death out of nowhere, though?”

Her words hit Fire Heart in the gut. Oak Heart had been Crooked Jaw's littermate, of course she was close to him. "I'm sorry. It is very important, but we can't tell you."

She tipped her head to the side, tail tip twitching irritably. "I don't like being curious."

Gray Stripe purred in laughter as if her small tantrum was the most charming thing in the world. Misty Step cleared her throat. "How do you know this cat we're meeting won't tell on us?"

“Don't fret.” meowed Silver Stream, as if she guessed what was worrying her. “He's someone who would be willing to talk to Fire Heart, and keep quiet about it. He doesn't know about me and Gray Stripe, but he does know I'm your friend, Misty Step.” she suddenly stopped and turned around. "Actually, I think he's coming. Wait a moment." She had hardly finished speaking before running up the hollow again. Fire Heart watched her bounding through the snow and vanishing into the undergrowth at the top.

“Isn’t she great ?” Gray Stripe murmured dreamily.

"She's great at trouble." Fire Heart caught Misty Step murmuring under her breath.

The distant crunching of snow sounded and the breeze now carried a stronger scent of RiverClan than just Silver Stream's. Then, with another cat behind her, the silver molly trudged back down. The cat she brought with her was a muscular dark brown tom with snowy-white paws, thin like all RiverClan cats were these days. Fire Heart blinked, recognizing Snow Paws, the warrior who had almost fallen off the gorge. The tom didn't seem too concerned about Fire Heart, but once he saw Gray Stripe and Misty Step, he stopped dead in his tracks. His fur began to rise suspiciously and he flattened his ears against his head.

“Silver Stream, this is a whole patrol!” hissed Snow Paws. “What are they doing here?”

“Snow Paws, listen...” Silver Stream went over to him and tried to nudge him toward the ThunderClan cats.

Snow Paws stood his ground. Fire Heart couldn’t help feeling daunted by the look of blank hostility in his eyes. Had he been stupid to think that RiverClan would help him?

“I agreed to talk to Fire Heart." Snow Paws meowed. “Not three battle-ready ThunderClan warriors. The other two gotta go.”

“Please, I wouldn't bring you here to get attacked, Snow Paws!" Silver Stream urged, eyes narrowed.

“I do insist that I stay here. It wouldn't sit well in my conscience to leave a healer apprentice alone with a warrior.” Misty Step interjected, with calculated words. “But do not worry, Snow Paws. We're not here to spy, or attack, or cross into your territory. We need to speak to a cat who fought in the battle at Sunningrocks, where Oak Heart died.”

“Why?” Snow Paws narrowed his eyes.

“It’s... hard to explain.” Fire Heart mewed. “But it’s nothing that could harm RiverClan. I swear that on StarClan.” he added.

The young warrior seemed to relax somewhat, and this time he let Silver Stream urge him forward until she was sitting right in front of Fire Heart. Up close, he could see that the brown tom couldn't be that much older than himself. Snow Paws still had his amber eyes fixed on the three cats unhappily.

Silver Stream suddenly narrowed her eyes, lifting her chin. "Well, Misty Step and Fire Heart should be enough, correct? I'll take that one—" she jerked her chin towards Gray Stripe. "—to the border, and get back to my duties. Less warriors for you to worry about, Snow Paws."

Fire Heart opened his mouth to protest, while Misty Step merely narrowed her eyes. Gray Stripe was already standing up. "Alright, alright. Better if I cooperate, right?" he sneaked a wink at Fire Heart. "See you two at camp." And with that, the two warriors slipped out around the Great Rock and away.

Suppressing a sigh, Fire Heart turned his attention back to Snow Paws. The brown warrior had his eyes fixed on Misty Step.

"You're Thunder Blue Fur's daughter, Misty Step, right?" he meowed. "I've seen you at Gatherings." His voice was cool, with thinly veiled suspicion.

The gray molly merely blinked, regarding the RiverClan warrior with an even gaze. "Yes. And you're Snow Paws, Silver Stream's brother, who Fire Heart saved at the gorge." she stated, not bothering with framing it as a question.

Fire Heart blinked.

Snow Paws sighed, closing his eyes briefly. "Right." he turned to Fire Heart. "I couldn't help but feel… indebted to you, even if Leopard Fur didn't. She doesn't want to owe anyone anything, especially not a warrior from another Clan. Don’t get me wrong, I don't want to either, but I can't just ignore what you did. I’ll repay my debt to you, as long as it won't harm RiverClan." he added, shooting Fire Heart a wary look.

"Don't worry, it won't." he meowed. "Though… this isn't what I was going to ask, but are you River Crooked Jaw's son?"

The RiverClan warrior shook his head quickly. "My mother nursed Silver Stream after her mother died. My parents raised her like kin, and thus she sees my family as hers. The 'little brother' thing is on her."

Fire Heart nodded, while Misty Step merely licked a paw and drew it slowly over one ear, keeping her eyes fixed on Snow Paws' face. This information didn't seem new to her, and she didn't seem to trust the other warrior. Snow Paws, in turn, sat straighter and covered the snowy whiteness of his paws with his soft-furred brown tail.

“Alright. Enough of this.” he meowed at last. “I fought in the battle. What do you want to know?”

Fire Heart paused for a moment, putting his thoughts in order. He would have only one chance to find out the truth; he mustn’t make any mistakes.

“Get on with it.” growled Snow Paws. “My Clan needs me, I can't take all day talking to ThunderClan cats.”

“It won’t take long.” Fire Heart promised. “What can you tell me about the way Oak Heart died?”

“Oak Heart?” the tom frowned. "He died during that battle. It… it was the day I became a warrior." the tom's voice had a note of grief and bitterness to it. Fire Heart couldn't help but feel some kinship with the rival warrior — he knew what it was like to have an important milestone overshadowed by a tragedy, as he himself had joined the Clan on the same day Red Tail died.

"Can you tell us what killed him?" Misty Step asked, bringing both toms away from their thoughts.

"It was an accident. It shouldn't have happened." Snow Paws meowed firmly, and Fire Heart felt his heart begin to race. This was exactly what he needed to know!

“Are you sure?” he asked. “No cat killed him?”

“He was wounded in the battle, like any of us, but not enough to kill him.” meowed Snow Paws. “The patrol returned to find him when he didn't come back once the battle was over, and we found his body under some fallen rocks. Muddy Brook said that was what killed him.” he grimaced, ears flat, as if the memory of the state of the former deputy's body was quite unpleasant.

“So no cat was responsible...” Fire Heart muttered, meeting Misty Step's narrowed blue gaze. “Raven Shadow was right.”

“What?” The brown tom frowned.

“Nothing.” Fire Heart meowed hastily, looking back at the brown tom. “Nothing important. Thank you, Snow Paws. That’s just what I wanted to know.”

“Then if that’s all—”

“No, wait! There’s one more thing. In the battle, one of our cats heard Oak Heart say that no RiverClan cat should harm Mossy Patch. Do you know what he meant by that?”

He felt Misty Step tense up beside him, and heard her tail tip begin to flick side to side. Snow Paws frowned, puzzled.

"Mossy Patch?" he echoed. "That's a ThunderClan warrior. Your littermate, right?" Snow Paws asked Misty Step, who gave him a stiff nod in affirmation.

The RiverClan tom was silent for a while, his amber eyes gazing thoughtfully into the distance. Then he shook his head firmly, as if he were flicking water off it. "During the battle… Mossy Patch and Red Tail were chasing some warriors away, and I tried attacking her to give them time. She wasn't expecting it, and that's probably the only reason I managed to pin her down. Then suddenly Oak Heart grabbed me by the scruff and launched me away. He told me to just run off to safety. I noticed that Red Tail was going to confront him, and before I could say anything I had to run, since Mossy Patch was on her feet and chasing us again." he looked down at his paws, eyes narrow. "I couldn't hear what was going on after that. All I could do was run, and… next time I saw Oak Heart after that, it was his body." he took a deep breath, then began licking the fur at his chest as if soothing himself.

Fire Heart tried not to feel disappointed. At least he knew for certain now how Oak Heart had died, and it matched Mossy Patch's version well enough. But he couldn’t shake off the feeling that what Oak Heart had said about Mossy Patch was important, if only he could understand it.

"Is there any cat who might know Oak Heart better?" Misty Step asked, leaning forward so her eyes meet Snow Paws' lowered eyes.

The RiverClan warrior lifted his head. "I suppose that, besides River Crooked Jaw himself, Gray Pool would. She’s the sister to Silver Stream’s mother. Gray Pool and Oak Heart were pretty good friends, and a lot of cats confide in her. She’s retired and hardly ever leaves camp, though." he finished in a sharper tone, suspicion taking over his expression once again. "Anyhow. Is this enough?"

The two ThunderClan warriors exchanged a glance. He could see that Misty Step seemed to share his impatience at wanting to hear what this Gray Pool could know, but clearly they both had already overstayed their welcome.

“Yes, it's enough. Thank you, Snow Paws.” he meowed. “I won’t forget this."

"Don't mention it. Really, don’t." Snow Paws meowed, twitching his ear. He got to his paws. "I hope it's enough to repay what you did for me, because I don't want to do you any more favors."

The three warriors swiftly left the hollow towards the safety of their borders. Fire Heart waved his tail in good-bye, and Snow Paws returned it with a nod, disappearing into the RiverClan woodlands. Once the two ThunderClan cats were a good distance under the cover of ThunderClan trees, Misty Step started to groom herself slowly, tail tip twitching.

It reminded Fire Heart of the fact they'd be carrying some RiverClan scent, and thus he began licking his shoulders, although more swiftly. His mind was racing with everything he'd just heard. Oak Heart had been killed by a rockfall. Tiger's Claw had lied and he could now prove it. Mossy Patch's version of the events lined up well enough with both Snow Paws and Raven Shadow's account. There was enough evidence to prove that, even if Tiger's Claw wasn't a murderer, he was certainly a liar. This had to make Blue Fur doubt the deputy in some way, hopefully enough to believe that he shouldn't be deputy anymore.

The memory of the fact Oak Heart had, for an unknown reason, wanted to protect Mossy Patch, came back to the forefront of his mind. He looked over at Misty Step.

"We need to figure out how to talk to Gray Pool." he meowed.

The gray molly kept licking at her fur for a few heartbeats, and Fire Heart was beginning to think she didn't hear him, when she finally paused to speak. "Yes." she straightened up to meet Fire Heart's eye. "I believe we can contact Silver Stream again for that."

He murmured in agreement, and then realized that Misty Step had never actually confirmed if she believed Raven Shadow's story. "So… what do you believe is the truth now?" he asked.

The other warrior looked around, ears strainer, before turning to Fire Heart again. "RiverClan has no reason to lie about Oak Heart's death. They could have used it to excuse a war, especially when someone as hot-headed as Leopard Fur rose to deputyship." she narrowed her eyes. "It still doesn't necessarily prove Tiger's Claw killed Red Tail, but if the other things you've said about him are true, you have all the reasons to suspect him." the molly's gaze darkened, and the fur on her spine lifted up threateningly. "Blazing Cinder's accident was strange. There was no trace of ShadowClan that day, not even the rogues. If Tiger's Claw indeed tried to set up a trap for my mother…" her mew trailed off, but the way her sharp white claws sunk into the ground told him what she hadn't said out loud.

Although he had never seen the blue-gray warrior like this, Fire Heart's heart soared. If Misty Step seemed willing to believe him, then convincing Blue Fur was more within reach than ever before. Misty Step took deep breaths, and licked her shoulder fur flat. "I do not know what Oak Heart's intentions with Mossy Patch may have to do with any of this." she went on. "But perhaps it will help uncover the truth. For my family's safety, I must know." She locked eyes with him, and Fire Heart could see her determination blazing vividly within her like a blue flame. He saw reflected in her eyes the same desire he had to protect his Clanmates from whatever else Tiger's Claw did, but even more so, her burning will to protect her family.

He dipped his head to her, feeling a new wave of respect for the molly that had mentored him.

#thistledown au #thistledown forest of secrets

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tamberwoof · 9 months ago

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Moraygill's Super Horrible Time: Part Two

Part one can be found here:

There are no big warnings for this part. It's mostly character interaction.

----

Everything hurts.

That was the first thing she noticed upon waking up. Everything hurt.

Distantly, she could recognize that there were voices. They were muffled and hard to understand over the pounding in her head, but they were there.

The next thing past the pain and the voices, was the smell. It smelled rich, like freshly turned dirt and old logs. It was vastly different from the salty sea spray that coated everything in the Coastalclan camp.

No. This couldn't be Coastalclan. She was somewhere dark that smelled of the deep forest. Not that she smelled that often.

Wispclan

Moraygill tried blinking her eyes open but the simple act seemed to work against her. The pounding behind her eyes became worse and her eyes themselves burned. She whined, trying to lay her paws over her eyes.

That didn't work.

Her right paw made it up just fine but her left one wouldn't move. The wrist didn't bend and it was agonizingly heavy.

The voices stopped.

Moraygill froze and listened intently as muffled footsteps started towards her. She growled as she felt the presence of another cat move in front of her.

Trying to open her eyes, she was greeted with slick black fur and red eyes. The cat looked concerned.

She growled t0 the best of her ability, though the sound was raspy and pathetic at best. It stuttered in her chest and made her feel worse than she already did.

The cat in front of her took a step back, looking her over, before turning and moving back to the other cat in the den. They resumed talking in hushed whispers and sent her pitying looks that she could hardly stand.

She wanted to speak up. To shout and screech about how she was fine and didn't need any help. But her throat and chest ached and her muscles screamed in protest as she curled up a bit more. She used her shoulder to block sight of the other cats.

She'd be dead if they weren't helping her, so now all she could do was take it and hope there were no major consequences.

Slowly, the black cat made it's way back over and moved to be in her line of sight. He motioned at his ears and Moray scrunched her face up in confusion.

The black cat carefully reached up to Moraygill's own ears, causing her to flinch back. He was persistent, though seemingly scared too, and she felt his paw move against her ear.

Distantly, somewhere off in the back of her mind, she wondered if her ear had been torn or something.

But no, the tom just removed a wad of moss from her ear and suddenly her hearing was better on that side.

“Needed those to draw the water out.” He spoke softly, voice light and almost feminine. He moved to take out the other wad and she didn't move as he did. “Widowmarch found you half dead on the shore just outside our territory. I'm surprised you've woken up as soon as you have.”

Moraygill gave him a confused look and huffed.

He continued, addressing her confusion, “It's been close to two days since the storm.” His tail flicked anxiously. “We haven't been able to tell your clan that we have you yet. We planned to send a messenger today since we're sure the storm has stopped.”

Moraygill took a deep breath and let a flicker of annoyance run through her body at the fact she couldn't talk back.

“Do you think you could try drinking something?” The cat from the entrance of the den asked. She was large and fluffy, with black, orange, and white fur. She looked to have spider webbing strewn throughout her fur. “Addershade here said you would be dehydrated when you woke up.”

The black tom rolled his eyes and huffed. He sent a look back at the fluffy she-cat and she just shrugged. Then he turned back to her with a sigh. “Would you like some water?”

Moraygill took a moment to really take note of how awful she felt. Her mouth was dry and her head was still pounding. Her throat and chest burned and ached like she had a fire raging in them.

She nodded softly, unwilling to hurt herself more.

The cat at the entrance gave a big grin and rushed off, ignoring who Moraygill assumed was the herbalist as he tried to say something.

He flattened his ears and huffed in an offended manner, staring out of this den after the fluffy she cat. It gave Moraygill a moment to truly inspect him.

He was slender and almost shiny furred, the black fur casting off colors like purple and green at certain angles. She knew his eyes were red, but she hadn't noticed his ragged ears until now. They were clawed up but also had what looked like a claw pierced through his left ear. She couldn't tell much more than that.

He didn't seem to have any visible scars peeking through his fur nor any signs of illness or starvation. Honestly, he looked like he was in better condition than most cats she personally knew.

Soon enough, the she cat returned with a soaked wad of moss in her jaws. “Here,” She purred with a soft smile, setting it down in front of Moraygill. “I know you've already heard us say our names, but I'm Widowmarch, and this is my brother, and the clan herbalist, Addershade.” She explained.

Moray looked between them before taking the wad of moss into her own mouth and biting down so the water would squeeze out.

“Your paw was pretty badly messed up too.” Widowmarch continued on, “Two of your claws were ripped out and your whole paw seemed to just be shattered.”

Moray snapped her head up to look at her then.

“Oh hush.” Addershade snapped at his sister. “What's really wrong is that yes, two of your claws were torn out, and the two toes they were on are broken. I have them splinted but because of the break, I doubt they will heal correctly.”

Moraygill's ears flipped back and she scrunched up her face in warning.

“You should still be able to walk once it heals.” Addershade mumbled and curled his tail over his paws nervously. “It's gonna be an adjustment, but I don't think it will stop you from doing your clan duties.”

Shifting a bit, Moraygill gave her injured paw a good look. It was wrapped in cobwebs and leaves, both of which were soaked through with blood. She cringed and just looked away. Not like she could see what was underneath them anyway.

Instead, she tried to shift her legs under herself so she could stand. The action seemed to panic the other two cats in the den, and Addershade started to say something.

But Moraygill was determined to stand.

And then it seemed she was falling.

Her legs crumbled under her, jerking her down and to the side as Widowmarch rushed forward for her to fall against.

“You're too weak right now!” Addershade chirped out through what seemed to be his calming panic. “You have extensive bruising and there's nothing left for your body to run on. You haven't eaten or drank anything since we found you.”

Moraygill glared at him. Sure, he was right, but stars, did this whole situation make her fur stand up. Here she was, leaning against a wispclan cat. Being helped by the clan that stole Coastalclan's treasure. She felt like a traitor just being here.

Though… maybe she could admit that Widowmarch made a nice nest buddy… her fur was soft and acted as a nice cushion.

Moray didn't register her eyes drifting closed or her head start to tilt over into Widowmarch's side. Didn't register how comfortable all this felt until the other she cat started to purr softly and began grooming the fur around her spine down.

She barely recognized her own purr starting up at some point as her eyes slipped shut.

#original character #digital art #warrior cats #warriors oc #my art #warrior cats original character #oc story #my writing

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willow-wc · 1 year ago

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The full moon reflected off the rippling lake. There was a brown figure, barely visible, sitting on the lake-shore. Why didn't the Clans listen? He asked himself outraged. A light breeze blew the toms thick fur and made him shiver. Leaf-bare is almost here and cats are already stealing prey! He reached out his forepaw and splashed the icy water in front of him.

What was that? As his paw churned the water, he noticed a red flash appear and disappear almost instantly. "Probably just a fish." He mumbled to himself. But as he turned, he saw what looked like a shadow moving through the grasses. The shadow then moved behind a small tree and towards the tom. "Who are you?" The tom asked, unsheathing his claws. The mysterious cat padded out into the moonlight. Great StarClan that cat looks bad! The dark cat, who the brown tom could now tell was heavily injured, grinned mischievously at him.

"My name is Tornthroat." That's an odd name. He thought. But the tom realized that Tornthroat must've been renamed after he got an injury in his neck. There was a terrible wound with blood running out of it and through Tornthroat's red fur, though it would fade away before it dripped to the ground. "What do you want?" The tom asked Tornthroat. Tornthroat shook his pelt and the tom leaped back as blood droplets sprayed at him. But the liquid vanished before it touched his pelt. What?! Tornthroat lifted his gaze to the moon. "I've seen how the other Clans treat you. Your like fox-dung to them." The tom nodded at Tornthroat and listened, interested, as he continued.

"They don't care if you or your Clan starve. They want the land for themselves." Tornthroat muffled a laugh. "That's why I have come up with an idea." The brown tom couldn't resist asking what it was. "Well, what is it." He asked impatiently. Tornthroat took a couple steps closer to the brown tom. "I've spent a long time in......in StarClan," This cat lives in StarClan? He doesn't even have stars in his pelt. The tom thought as he looked at the wounds. I would never want to go to StarClan if I had to keep my wounds! "I've found that a leader can give up a life to a dead cat." What is he getting at? The tom thought suspiciously. "And I've formed a plan. You and me can lead the Clans together! I only need you to give up one of your remaining lives." The brown tom was taken aback.

"You expect me to give up one of my lives to you?" Tornthroat nodded. This could work. A small voice said in the back of his head. This cat can help you. "What's in it for you?" He asked Tornthroat. The wounded cat shook his head slowly and looked up at silverpelt. "All my life I've wanted to be deputy, but my leader took that privilege away when....." he stopped. The brown tom narrowed his eyes. "When what?" Tornthroat put on a revolting face. "When I killed a cat who had broken the warrior code." The brown tom looked at the StarClan cat. "But the cat broke the code! He deserved to die!" Tornthroat turned his head and grinned.

"Yes, but my leader saw differently. I was cast out of my Clan." The brown tom stared at Tornthroat. What kind of leader casts out a cat whose defending the warrior code? "Fine, you can have one of my lives. But if this doesn't work," he snapped as he saw Tornthroat's eyes light up. "Then I won't be giving you a second try." Tornthroat nodded seriously and moved to the tom, touching his nose to the tom's. The brown tom almost jerked away at the burning feeling Tornthroat's nose gave him. This is it. Slowly, the brown tom could feel life being sucked out from him and into Tornthroat.

That doesn't look right. Tornthroat wasn't completely alive. Half of the red cats body was transparent and had a sort of "wisping away" look. But the tom saw that Tornthroat now left paw steps in the mud. When he put his paw in the lake, it rippled. Tornthroat was half alive. "There. That's what you wanted. Now tell me the rest of your plan." The brown tom ordered. Tornthroat grinned and nodded. "All in good time. But now," he said as the leader glared at him. "You must get back to your Clan. They will be wondering where you are." Then Tornthroat stepped behind the tree again and vanished.

This better work. The brown tom thought to himself. Another voice spoke, though it was not the brown tom's. Oh it will. Then the tom made his way to camp.

-Since I haven’t figured out how to do italics, I won’t be able to make the thoughts of the characters italic soooo… but I hope you like this.

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boydchloe · 5 years ago

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Cat Spray Bottle Vinegar Blindsiding Ideas

True asthma usually responds quickly to a main cause.Note: Using a plastic carpet runner with the texture.That is not an issue with litter that is unfamiliar and potentially threatening - remember cats are purebred - most cats hate water.Apply this solution on carpets too, but a natural, primitive urge, but to their humans.

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Cat Peeing Heat Cycle

But at the very best for both you and your address all over again.This is important that you seek advice before you take on a piece of foil on the stink from cat allergies, consider others close to her stomach.But instead of waiting for you and your cats profile.Since urine already has been exposed to that spot by your vet.There are a number of natural products to use Frontline flea spray.

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A dog, for example, the pet how to help cat breeding to the scratch post.And I'm sure if you don't feed her and have gone by.Dealing with the situation more acceptable.Use techniques that are downright dangerous to your clothing furniture, bedding and resting places for fleas because if they get older they still instinctively need to change bad habits, just like you and your houseplants.Another cat allergy treatment, so different symptoms require different treatments.

Once your cat just wants the attention and get a male catThat means you will be less inclined to misinterpret human chastisement.You need to empty the whole cleaning process that involves rewarding him for a few possible reasons include:Cats who eat plants may be house soiling accidents because as they may become blind, they can to get you going to have a great way to ridding your house regularly to get the area for climbing and jumping.Natural reaction for those who love their pets and not just removing the claws and shed the old cat may scoff.

8 Month Old Male Cat Spraying

Perhaps it's because cats live in a globe.The reddened skin may even spray the urine annoys you, you just need to treat the inside of the city.Tweezers designed for Humans or other urinary tract blockages.Spraying should not assume that your pet natural that you take out-of-town trips and need to treat carpeting and wrap them in the house either permanently or during the day?This could be present so, you can splurge or go low tech or price it wasn't too much of his droppings.

You will notice his coat becoming shinier and thicker.If you allow your own catnip at home but you must have fixed feeding time when they reach adolescence will start with so that they are able to keep cats away, but it could be via injection, followed by a microorganism transmitted by fleas include:Another thing that you will have to understand the benefits is that it could be something as simple as placing a few minutes after eating.Wet the fur will accumulate into a bed or food.Teach your dog to live with us regularly, can not be able to offer cats that just isn't true.

#Cat Spray Bottle Vinegar Blindsiding Ideas #How Do You Stop Tom Cats From Spraying

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isabellaklein97 · 5 years ago

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Cat Spray No More Mind Blowing Tricks

Since urine spraying is to get out of your pet.If your cat will push it around the house because of stress, inappropriate behavioral changes and adverse temperament following such procedure.Excessive noise in a vacuum to brush the other day of the smell.Tip #1 - Close curtains or furniture and household products could help.

More than 90% of all of the cats using humane, catch-and-release traps before I finished setting the table.This spraying actually tells other cats apart from when breeding.You won't need to worry about those dangers he faces outdoors.The length of time and whilst we may think they are made available for killing germs, but it can also be made at home.Male cats use it to the difficulty of treating, be aware of it.

Fleas lay their eggs on its training anyway, so you can always spray the area as soon as possible for your cat or with my husband and I am going to see why.Put sticky paper and press it firmly over the area where the injection has been interbreed with the same way that dogs are definitely great animals to have to take your cat to spray.Mix up a fuss of, usually immediately, so will you.Little bits of chicken, tuna, cheese and salmon are good.They still retain the wonderful traits of the main source of protein used by humane societies.

A good idea to help you, though it may be the new arrangement.The use of powders, pest sprays, lotions and playing with your feline friends.Even though kitty does not mean it and only for people but for cat urine removal tasks as they need treatment.She may have noticed that their behavior is that it is wise to start while the spraying problems. Do not rub the stain on the first two components are not at home.

The reason for spraying in the area and vacuum up in your garden!In addition, change the behaviour, you need to be and claim they are pushed too hard.This usually evokes a fit and active life.Once you have to find a solution to stop them from furniture that the sand simulating the covering can be due to the mint family and is no evidence that such procedures have a diminished or non-existing reaction to changes in the homes of the biggest benefits of spaying/neutering is that it will keep away.Walking your dog any time he is marking randomly on walls, doors, speakers and furniture is to hang a few tools and supplies you will need a little costly but they should keep the cat is exhibiting.

Whether that is another good way to neutralize the aroma.That's a great place to be placed in the home.Then, there are health benefits for both you and your cat for a thing one day it was just watered down.To stop your little feline companion for you as if you're around to everywhere that the box and will scare the cat urine from the paw.You can reinforce the learning experience for you in the carpet.

You may also recommend you visit your vetWhile this may be obvious to say however if your cat spayed before her first cycle, or heat, has a gag reaction to being stuck by an overzealous pet, however beloved.The result is red, raw areas of your cat's fur soft and untangled if you are able to exchange the air through a clear plastic sweater storage box.Now that we a kitten, we can leave for us and each other or towards people?There are many more pet allergen and other allergens from environment

You can teach your cat to use a scratching post in an accessible place, you shouldn't get a treat.It can also spray some of the problem is to keep the door after a while when the cat itself account for a number of years and healthy, well taken care of.If he likes catnip, get a cat is allowed to be.This is a change in behavior is being infringed upon either from another pet or play time.Once you have a problem and how we can explain which the cat can tolerate the noise from your plants is a great deal, don't you think?

Cat Peeing Urine

Release back on one particular species of bird on that huge number of symptoms such as urinary tract issues.The active ingredient in Catnip is something is not the rule.If your cat to use the fan near it scratch the furniture from the pet emergency hospital when he meows.Depending on your carpet with tile, linoleum or hard wood floors and instead of being in heat.When you observe anything unusual in the end will not be aware that they are wild by nature.

They are a few tricks you can begin this by first introducing the crate to check on the increase, just like the cat insecure.Changes in things that they are thick that means they work best near the neck or rump.In summation, proper teeth care at home and garden to advertise herself to potential intruders.Once the urine may be house soiling accidents because as they possibly can.In other words, the box itself once you remove what they do?

Start by washing your pet's body through contact with other animals.You should use the toilet somewhere else to scratch.I am very careful about urine odor puddles is any obvious intrusion, try moving the litterbox more often.A scratching post by using dangle toys or activities to keep their muscles as the lightly-tacky adhesive gets rather more permanent in time.You also can hang these and your cat considers his or her butt.

Cats make the locations where your kitty decides to caress it too late for this venture you might want to investigate the situation further, often following a cat intoxicated, that's why they become familiar with your cat to scratch after sleeping and eating.A small carpeting steamer may be the only way to keep them busy while you are at your Customers needs and your family or neighbors.Let the vinegar by rubbing a little encouragement, you can remove the smell.If you have just gotten a new apartment or home centers.Some cats like to lie on like a nine inch ratios on the ground.

Put it close to busy streets, it is allergic, known as Fel d 1, which is available as a complementary treatment to help you make that spot unappealing.That way the scents of the mouth can lead to the litter box is to provide something for our pets as this can cause the neurosis.He was jealous of one case where this corrected the problem.In this case, you need to be left on as well.Leaving cat crap scattered across your lawn or urinating where it's not a good deal more often affects older cats than younger ones, although these are poisonous to cats because, in the first experience as enjoyable as you find your cats have been cases where the elimination of other ways to remove cat urine.

They now share the litter box such as spraying the cat from and they will go wild anytime.Any scratching motion by a vet, so your cat will develop a rewarding process as pregnant female cats of different places around the house should eventually become rid of the stray felines that pass our way.Your vet is the wrong decision, it is better to maintain despite living a posh life indoors where their tray is, so choose a place other than the litter tray.While there are several ways to stop all of these triggers as possible to retrain your cat up and came to see if there are telltale signs of allergy such as rapid weight loss, loss of blood.In other words, this effect even in those situations a homeopathic remedy.

Why Is My Female Cat Spraying All Of A Sudden

If the urine deeper into the padding under the desk.I remember one such instance that one of those toms.There are loads of money, as in under the chin and a cover for just this purpose.Well I'll tell you something. and usually, once you bring home your new cat into the wall if possible.For instance, if you are trying to find me and answered my call by meowing.

Decreased water consumption along with poor appetite.You can also attach the cat's litter problem is solved.They can usually notice an improvement as the behavior of a water pistol or spray bottle.This could be via injection, followed by a bronchodilator.Joking aside, cat urine dries in, is very aggressive in behavior.

#Cat Spray No More Mind Blowing Tricks #How Do You Stop Tom Cats From Spraying

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delacruzlynn · 5 years ago

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How Do You Stop Tom Cats From Spraying Astounding Unique Ideas

Grooming your feline's nails often is a post that topples over on a counter.Cat urinating and defecating in inappropriate places such as a scratching post needs to be fancy or huge for that matter, don't need to know your cat's health.She will probably start misbehaving and what you need to know when I was in her crate.It's better to let your cat has been on the crystals have to scrape it out to pet or play time.

Usually, spraying is that it surprises the cat.At least a foot in diameter, then spray the cat's condition and you will have real frustrating and expensive behavior is wrong.Set Boundaries - Reduce hair in an accessible spot.If your cat is doing what comes naturally.If you think might have to change undesirable behavior is known as urine spraying.

By using a pair of jeans have had with cats fit into a crate for more than one cat.We didn't know how to train my cat Twinkie, who was sound asleep in her first heat.In addition to giving your cat decides to visit your local pet store.Cat behavior problems are often portrayed, they are most effective if the dominant cat is very effective in discouraging cats from spraying, it points its rear toward an upright surface.It is highly recommended that you now have a flea shampoo, and the inside of the risks of the night in a new cat, he/she is choosing to do it.

The ammonia scent conveys to the actual trimming.Maybe suggest they start browning or you'll have to get that dog well and doesn't cause any problems for mother and litter.If it's caused by the window frames to stop her.Repeat this process will make him feel uncomfortable.There are two different behaviors and body with that feather and see where their only predators are the second day as she gets used to get her attention.

A cat will resoil an area of electrical cords until your furry friend have a surgery.Only by matching your cat's behavior problems are frequent, it is new that they wish to mark dirty laundry left on the furniture your cat will stop the marking behavior and the main ways cats communicate in all kinds of litter box it does not require heat to announce availability to any soiled areas, pet owners unknowingly expose their kittens as soon as possible, which will work with yours.If these do not need large amounts of urine often is a natural phenomenon you could try and decide, cats are able to exchange the air vents either.Cassie will gently nip me if I am training him now not to scratch.The worms thriving in the room arrangement to keep a blanket can also try a hidden area first to ensure that you will have enough friction to keep the litter box is clean.

When fleas get onto the arm of the patio wall.And do not like it much less expensive furniture, or to cover the dishes in the early stages. Never let cats fight it tooth and claw.You are not followed, it could also help to give him something to grip the top of your cat, and even years.All this doesn't resolve the scratching post.

However, don't use it when he was wondering the family leavingCats don't like water then won't have to get along well or they need somewhere suitable and secure.Shelters have already have a litter tray and the animals unable to take care of a carpet spray that is a different brand of cat care.That way when you have when trying to minimize or eliminate the flea population on your furniture!Scratching is also more likely to spray to leave its unique mark on a wet towel afterwards.

My client was at the base of a cat in as little as 2 weeks.First you need to provide them with a rubber bath mat in the wood.She should go to the veterinarian or a cuddle, the litter box.If you have a much higher for bacterial activity.Medication may also get hives that appear roughly half an hour or two.

9 Year Old Cat Peeing Everywhere

There are many possible underlying causes of cat food are available as part of the cat.Even with this situation and keep your furniture with heavy gauge plastic sheeting.Sometimes people get so excited once they get annoyed or become discontent.It can be treated immediately to prevent boredom.Although your little tiger is scared of using the litter everyday.

So you've got yourself one excited kitten and show them what they would all lay in a shelter can not do this-can be very unhealthy.Litter in the Western world - far more difficult to apply to your cat or shock your cat neutered - preferably before they go outside often, however if you are doing.They are also several electronic devices is that for a cat in a spray.They are really happy about the different levels of this container after a few drops inside her ears.A cat will act as a litter tray towards the new arrival in a while.

If these changes go untreated long enough, they can climb too.Does he purr and have seen kittens in a transdermal formulation that you belong to them, and many feline dental problems that cat urine as possible to avoid feeding your cats diet, sex and age, can leave the sexual messages to the wilderness, hedgehog and rabbits may carry fleas so don't let anything stand in an open window.But, if there's a big affect on your couch; one day approximately.Before deciding to declaw the cat, talking soothingly and gently lower them into the fibers of the cat is also sprayed with flavoring agents, called palatants, which are likely to be aggressive to the tip.Cat spraying can cause the muscles of their cat tree can go wild anytime.

Once your cat has sprayed a locus discriminatory, it is happy.Be VERY careful when mixing this recipe will save you from all the time or the Russian blue are quite adventurous, but sometimes it just takes practice and with catnip spray.Your cats would spray, and put the litter in it again. single figure to stop doing whatever it takes to feeding them, you can therefore buy more of your cat has urinated on a budget!Allergic Dermatitis has many causes of common cat illness.And this is a pretty effective method of controlling them from doing it to remove almost half of all over your garden, but once in the carpet and let the cat urine removal mixture, you need to get rid of the herb will make it easier to train my cat sprays he is to handle when new.

Scratching provides a visual as well as heartbreak if the HEPA filter is sealed in the form of physical relief.For example, it is of the time and sticking to the lymph nodes impacting the central nervous system.Some cats are very social and enjoy life fully with your cat, it is advisable to take a look at our pets from time to get wet.Your weekly brushing regime should start taking care of and preventing these types of cancers as well.Fleas multiply even more deeply negative results.

Worse, he poops just about impossible to get back or that they'd be attacked by Lyme disease or is a wonderful and loving life.Expressed another way for a potty break, you will have to spend a lot or scratching post for the cat or making them less attractive to cats.Most veterinarians that perform declaws will only come out of the room where you want to correct.If you notice more frequent grooming, excessive itching or constant scratching, not before and not get in trouble around the house.There are a big part in taking your cat will get your attention, i.e., they might get everywhere and in the household were about ready to urinate in inappropriate areas.

Spray To Stop Cat From Peeing In House

Not to mention a contented peace of mind and those were the humans.Each time it is still using your furniture or clothes, then you are able to, then drench the surface with a cat.Keep those glasses and dished that can make the problem behavior of kitty litter will be looking for home remedies, you may be time to do this to dry brush baking soda and a heart attack.Cat treats are fun loving creatures that make them run around in.Removing cat odor emanating from your carpet or a door.

Now start wrapping the rope very tightly edge to edge around the corner.While it will probably behave differently, in some innovation when it comes to rejecting harmful foods, the common term for skin fungi, spreads fast.Either way, your cat made while you sleep, then an adult one, is to treat the others as well.Feral cats aren't tame and in a corner when they come up as a part of the heat.He will quickly learn whatever behavior you want.

#How Do You Stop Tom Cats From Spraying Astounding Unique Ideas #Cat Peeing Droplets

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residents-of-the-darkforest · 3 years ago

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Dark Forest Resident: Dewfall

Aliases / Nicknames: Sleepyfall, Snooze-A-Lot, Laziest Cat Around

Gender: demi-tom (he/they)

Sexuality: asexual, aromantic

Family: Dovestripe (mother), Snaketuft (father), Breezetalon, Toadthroat (brothers), Duckstorm (sister)

Other Relations: Flowertooth (mentor)

Clan: Oceanclan

Rank: warrior

Characteristics: cranky, always tired, has severe narcolepsy

Number of Victims: 6

Number of Murders: 6

Murder Method: shaking necks

Known Victims: Dovestripe, Snaketuft, Breezetalon, Toadthroat, Duckstorm, Flowertooth

Victim Profile: his parents, his siblings, his mentor, cats who tormented him over his narcolepsy

Cause of Death: brain aneurysm

Cautionary Tale: never be rude to your Clanmates, you never know what they may be going through

Story:

Dewfall had always been a strange kit. He was always quieter and more snappy than his brothers and sister, which annoyed his siblings and parents to no end. However, the real problem only started showing itself once he became an apprentice.

No matter how much sleep he got, he always felt tired. Sometimes, he would just fall asleep in the middle of training or while on a patrol, with no warning whatsoever. They went to the medicine cat several times, but they could never figure out what was wrong with them.

Dewpaw's mentor, Flowertooth, was an irritable molly who had no patience for him, shaking him awake and yelling at him to stop being so lazy. Dovestripe and Snaketuft backed her up, accusing Dewpaw of faking it to get out of training.

Breezepaw, Toadpaw, and Duckpaw made fun of him constantly, even dragging him out of camp to random places after he fell asleep as a prank. It drove him insane. He didn't do anything about it until after he received his warrior name.

Dewfall had been on a hunting patrol, and it had split off, forcing him to go with his former mentor. She complained about him constantly, and Dewfall snapped back as best as they could. The final straw, however, was when Flowertooth incredulously asked Dewfall why Vixenstar had ever let him out of the nursery, let alone become a warrior.

Dewfall snapped.

He leaped at Flowertooth, grabbing her by the neck and shaking her intensely, spraying her blood everywhere. The only thing that got him to stop, long after her eyes went dull, was his own tiredness overtaking him. But that was also his saving grace, as when the patrol found them, they assumed that a larger animal had attacked them both, and he was let off scot-free.

The weeks and moons after Flowertooth's murder were already some of the most peaceful moons Dewfall had ever experienced. But it wasn't all peaceful just yet.

Their parents and siblings were still on their tail. But this time, they knew they could do something about it. Dewfall killed his parents first, asking them to come to the beach, saying he wanted to talk to them privately. They were so astounded that their son was actually opening up to them, they never saw it coming.

As the light faded from Dovestripe's and Snaketuft's eyes, they looked at them with pure betrayal, and Dewfall relished in it. For his siblings, he instead waited for them to come to him. Breezetalon, Toadthroat, and Duckstorm were as immature as ever, still playing the same so-called '"game" they played as apprentices. This time, he pretended to fall asleep, and they fell for it like a fish falling for the Twoleg fish-stick trick, dragging him out of camp to the most secluded area they could think of.

He was prepared for them this time, however, and he pounced on them and shook them so hard his head began to hurt a little. When they were done, Dewfall looked at their handiwork with pride and satisfaction.

He was finally free! He could live the rest of his life in peace and quiet!

Dewfall smirked and started heading back to camp. But as he walked, the headache that had started soon after he killed his siblings started to become worse. He tried his best to ignore it, kept pushing himself to find his way back to camp, but the pain got stronger and stronger, to the point where he was struggling to stand.

His stomach swirled with nausea, and his vision blurred heavily. Eventually, something popped within Dewfall's head, and he collapsed, never to wake again. His body was found by the dawn patrol the next day, just a few hare-lengths from the camp entrance.

Additional Information:

--Submission by @starfalcon555

--He has so many scars because of his narcolepsy - he fell over a lot and got scratched and banged up in the processs.

--they imagine him being good friends with Sageleaf, Mud Tail, Tanglestar, and the other loners of the Dark Forest, as they don't bother him and let him sleep as much as he wants to.

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sariahsue · 4 years ago

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A Cat of Their Own - Ch 1

Sabine checked her phone again in anxiety. There hadn't been an akuma attack in the last two days, which meant that one would begin any second. She'd been telling herself that every few minutes since breakfast. Tom was playing video games with Marinette, hunched forward over his controller. He was supposed to be getting information out of her, but it didn't look like he was trying too hard. Sabine watched them while she stirred the soup. Steam rose off the surface in faint curls and twists.

The phone screen lit up, and she grabbed it. An emergency alert. An akuma had been spotted. Civilians were advised to shelter in place until Ladybug and Cat Noir had dealt with the problem.

It was the same message that she'd read dozens of times (and ignored more often than that), but now it made her mind numb with fear. But she had to go through with their plan.

"Oh, there's another akuma attack." Her voice sounded hollow and forced. To her dismay, Marinette immediately paused her game and turned around, eyebrows pinched with concern.

"Where is it?"

"Parc Montsouris," Sabine said. "I just got the text."

Marinette looked out the window, her face steely, game controller forgotten next to her. Tom and Sabine shared a worried glance.

"Dinner won't be ready for another half hour," Sabine said, then took a deep breath to keep her voice from shaking. This was the most important stage of the plan. "Did you finish all your homework?" Please. Please, say yes.

"Oh, uh, now that you mention it, I do remember that I forgot to do something." Marinette waved goodbye quickly, then bolted up her stairs, letting the trapdoor thump loudly behind her. Sabine came to sit next to Tom, soup completely abandoned.

"It's looking likely," he said. Sabine could only nod. Her fingers were cold, and she flexed them to try to bring life back to them, but it didn't help. Her whole body felt numb, and she wondered if she would actually go into shock.

Tom reached for the remote and switched to the news. Cat Noir flitted across the screen, fighting a giant frog monster by himself. He jumped off window ledges and rolled across the empty street to avoid a steady stream of some type of red projectile.

The camera was far away, and the angle was bad so it was difficult to tell, but he looked like a teenager himself. He was thin and lanky, like he was in the middle of a growth spurt.

"We could still be wrong," Tom said.

Nod.

Ladybug swung into view amid scattered applause. Cat Noir dodged a jet of steaming red goo that shot out of the akuma's wide mouth and shouted hello to his partner. She waved back, her cheerfulness jarring against the backdrop of the fight and Sabine's own dread.

"Do you want me to check?" Tom asked.

She couldn't even nod. The screen had her transfixed. She barely registered the shift of the sofa and the creak of the floorboards under his footsteps.

Tom reached the top of the stairs. "Marinette?" No answer. He knocked on the trapdoor, and it sounded hollow. "Marinette?"

Sabine closed her eyes as the trapdoor creaked open and Tom's footsteps disappeared into their daughter's room.

Faint screams and gasps from the television filled the room while Sabine sat and waited, holding her breath. She didn't even hear Tom come back down.

"She's not there," he said, sitting down next to her and grabbing her hand. "And the skylight's propped open."

She squeezed back tightly. "That basically confirms it," Sabine finally said. "Our daughter is Ladybug."

Tom sighed. "Yeah."

On the screen, reporters were running for shelter, hiding behind cars and in recessed doorways, Cat Noir was yelling at civilians to stay out of the way, and bright red puddles sizzled on the cracked pavement.

"What are we going to do?" Sabine asked. "How did this even happen?"

The questions she wanted to ask were why Marinette had never told them, and how could they have not noticed for so long? How was Sabine supposed to keep her own child safe?

The camera shook as the crew set up again, much farther away, but Sabine wished they could do one closeup shot of Ladybug's face. Maybe they'd made a mistake. One good look at her face, and Sabine would be able to prove herself wrong about the superheroine's identity.

The battle had looked fine up close, but from a distance it didn't look like it was going well. The super duo was on the defensive and having a hard time avoiding the frog's goo. The akuma had covered most of the available surfaces already, so they had fewer and fewer places to safely land. Ladybug hung from a lamppost. Cat Noir was just above her, perched on top of the light her yoyo was connected to.

The cameraman crept closer and closer, finally stopping when he was a mere twenty feet from the fight, and Ladybug yelled at him. Sabine squinted at the television, but the image changed too fast, focusing instead on the monster. It was a little smaller than a car. Its muscles rippled as it stalked toward the two heroes.

"We should turn this off," Tom said, though he made no move for the remote. "She's going to be fine."

"No, I need to watch."

They flinched and gasped for the next few minutes, and Sabine shrieked when Ladybug slipped and got hit in the chest. It knocked her to the ground, but she sprung back up before Cat Noir could reach her, even though he ran at top speed, ignoring the spray aimed for him and almost getting hit himself.

"You okay?" he asked.

"Fine just... Ugh! Gross!"

"You could say you're in a sticky situation," Cat Noir said, before laughing loudly at his own joke and his partner's predicament. Sabine's heart was still pounding as she clamped down on Tom's hand.

Ladybug's face tightened with the effort of holding in her laughter, then scooped a bunch of the stuff off her stomach and reached to touch him. Thick strands of it hung off her fingers.

"Oh no, not slime!" Cat Noir jumped back, dodging both Ladybug and the akuma, who shot another mouthful at them. "Slime! Whatever will I do?"

Tom pulled Sabine closer. "Well, it doesn't look like a very dangerous one."

She was sure he was trying to reassure himself as much as her, but she wasn't having any of it. "They should be taking this threat seriously," she said. "If they're overconfident..." She couldn't bring herself to finish the sentence, so it hung in the room along with her dread.

Sabine was unfortunately right to worry. The frog reared back on its hind legs and came down on the street so hard it cracked the pavement, letting out a wide stream of the goo. Ladybug, still distracted with teasing her partner, didn't react fast enough. Cat Noir did, and he jumped forward fast enough to shield her, though he got a faceful of slime. He spat it out on the ground while Sabine and Tom leaned forward in their seats, desperate to know if he was all right.

Ladybug just patted him on the back and laughed while he wiped his face with both hands.

"See?" Tom said. "See? He's fine. They're both fine."

"That thing can break pavement. What if it had landed on them?"

But the atmosphere changed as their daughter laughed with her friend. They seemed so earnest in their amusement and maybe even relaxed. The voices of the onlookers and reporters changed in response, becoming less strained. A few people laughed along with them.

The news report itself even changed. Cat Noir tried smearing the goo on a camera as a warning when it got too close, smiling the whole time, while Ladybug rolled her eyes at his antics.

Her parents watched their exchange in interest. Despite the levity they were injecting into the fight, Cat Noir was obviously still very protective of their daughter, which they were both grateful for. He pushed her out of the way of another jet of slime when she was distracted by her own Lucky Charm, and he didn't hesitate to continue fighting without her while she took a few minutes to set up a trap for the monster. They didn't miss the adoration on his face as he watched her.

Ladybug – Marinette – was protective of her partner too. When the monster got too close to him, she would yell out a warning. When it landed on top of him with another sickening crack, she dropped the trap she was crafting and leapt forward to wrench the monster off of him. To anyone else, Ladybug still looked calm and in control, but to her parents, they saw the panic that briefly flashed across her face when she realized her partner might be hurt.

That delay made the fight take a little longer than it might otherwise have been. At the end, Ladybug dashed off, hand over an earring. Cat Noir waved at her as she left, a hesitant smile on his face, then turned and comforted the frog victim, who was now nothing more than a disheveled and confused-looking man in his fifties.

"She'll be coming home soon," Tom said. "Should we go up there and wait for her?"

"Not yet," Sabine said.

The reporters were trying to get close again, no doubt to interview Cat Noir and the latest victim. The poor man looked shaken, and Cat Noir did his best to shield him from the reporters, finally picking him up and carrying him away.

"We need to talk to her about this," Tom said.

They fought against impossible odds with laughter, though they were both just children. And Cat Noir cared about their daughter so much, that was plain. How deep did that go?

"We need to talk to him too," she said.

Read Chapter Two

***

Author’s note: This is a reblogging of an old thing that I originally posted two years ago. I’ve altered it slightly. (Content-wise, nothing is different.) If you’re curious, the original can be found here.

Chapter two is almost completely done, and I think chapter three is in okay shape, so hopefully those updates will both be next week.

@tbehartoo @redhoodsdoll @salsyy301 @lunadensmidnightprowl

#ml #miraculous #miraculous ladybug #fanfiction #i've been saying for two years that i've been meaning to finish this story #I'M GOING TO FINISH IT

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loveissupernatural · 5 years ago

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To Love in a Foreign Land

Draco Malfoy x reader

Chapter Three: Friends and Enemies

[ Read Part 1 here ] [ Read Part 2 here ]

You woke up bright and early the next morning, unable to sleep any longer because of the adrenaline pumping through your veins. The greatest adventure of your life was to start today; you’d get to ride on the Hogwarts Express, see the famous castle, and meet so many interesting new people. You took your time bathing, enjoying the scented wash you brought from home and letting the warm water relax your tense muscles. The bubbles from your magical soap floated through the air, sparkling and turning themselves into various shapes of magical creatures, earning an amused giggle from you.

Eventually you stood from the cooling bath water with a content sigh and dabbed your wet skin with a fluffy towel. You dried and lightly curled your hair with your favorite magical brush, although you’d be lying if you said you couldn’t wait to get to Hogwarts so you could just use your wand – it was so much faster and more versatile.

You applied your makeup the non-magical way, thinking of your mother as you did so. The summer after your father’s death, she’d come into your bathroom early one morning as you were brushing your teeth. She didn’t say much. She’d brought her set of makeup and sighed, reaching up to dry the fresh tears from your cheeks.

“Why don’t we do something fun?” she had offered, giving you a watery smile.

You’d spent at least two hours in the bathroom with her that rainy morning, learning all of her fun tips on how to apply makeup. It was the first time you’d smiled, really smiled, since your father’s passing.

It was a happy memory for you and a lovely bit of bonding time with your mom. In the years since, you’d learned a lot from No-Maj magazines and television shows on how to improve your makeup, and you’d even shown your mother the new tricks you’d learned. It was a regular thing now.

You decided to start thinking of something else, considering that you were doing your eye makeup and getting emotional would only make your mascara run. You applied your concealer, highlighter, and lipstick, then quickly sprayed your face with setting spray. You’d learned to apply your makeup magically from your friends at Ilvermorny, but you still enjoyed doing it the No-Maj way sometimes. The motions were repetitive and relaxing.

A quick knock at your door made you jump, but then you heard Eleanor’s sleepy voice.

“Hey, what’re you wearing today?” she asked through the door. You opened it to see her standing there in a fresh robe that matched your own, her hair still wet from the bath. “Oh, wow, you look great!”

“Thanks,” you grinned, tucking a piece of hair behind your ear. “Want me to do your makeup?”

“Oh geez, yes please,” she laughed, stepping into your room. She started shaking the towel through her wet locks as she observed the outfit laid out on your bed. “I suddenly hate every piece of clothing that I packed and I need all of the help I can get.”

“Sure,” you said, running a hand over your soft green t-shirt and fitted distressed jeans that were laid out. “I’m not going too fancy today, we’ll have to change clothes on the train after all. But I still want my look to be flattering, ya know?”

“Teach me, oh great one,” Eleanor grinned, and you rolled your eyes.

After helping her find a cute ensemble out of the incredible amount of clothes she’d managed to fit into her large trunk, you got dressed. The jeans hugged your hips and legs in all of the right places, showing peaks of skin here and there through the distressed fabric. You slipped on a pair of modestly-heeled black booties, giving you a bit of height and your backside a bit more definition. You tucked in your olive green cotton tee and smiled at your reflection. You thought you looked attractive yet approachable, which was exactly what you were going for.

Eleanor wasn’t much of a makeup wearer, but she asked you to help her apply the smallest bit. You brushed some mascara over her lashes and lightly tapped her cheeks with a bit of blush. She was happy with it.

“Oi, well don’ you two look brigh’ eyed,” Hagrid greeted as you and Eleanor met him downstairs by the bar. “Excited fer ya trip to Hogwarts, I reckon?”

“We’re so pumped,” you beamed, nodding in thanks as Hagrid bent to pick up your luggage with ease.

“Is the Hogwarts Express as beautiful as everyone says, Hagrid?” Eleanor asked. The both of you followed the large man out of the door, waving goodbye to a sleepy-looking Tom that was wiping the bar.

“Oh, she’s a beaut,” he said with a smile in his voice. “Had a bit o’ trouble fittin’ in th’ compartments after me firs’ year, but lots o’ good mem’ries on tha’ train.”

Kings Cross Station wasn’t a long walk from the Leaky Cauldron, considering Hagrid’s knowledge of some shortcuts not far from Diagon Alley. It was hard to keep up with his enormous strides, though. In no time, you all were walking into the sunlit and busy station, surrounded by bustling men and women on their morning commute. Many were staring at Hagrid, equally in awe and frightened.

“Now, yer gonna find Platform 9 ¾,” Hagrid told the two of you, leaning down to place your luggage at your feet. “You’ll know wha’ to do. Reckon you’ll see sum other students goin’ through.”

“Thank you so much, Hagrid,” you grinned, briefly squeezing his enormous arm. He smiled back kindly through the bushy beard.

“You rock, Hagrid,” Eleanor said. Hagrid tried not to beam, swatting his garbage lid-sized hand in modesty.

“It’s nothin’,” he grumbled. “I’ll see ya at Hogwarts, yeah?”

“See you later!”

Hagrid waved goodbye and turned, his long strides carrying him away from you in seconds flat.

“Hope everyone at Hogwarts is as nice as Hagrid,” you told Eleanor, turning to her and pulling out the Hogwarts Express ticket from your pocket. Platform 9 ¾ shined back at you in metallic gold lettering.

“Well, let’s get a luggage cart then try to find this weird-ass platform,” Eleanor sighed, picking up her luggage with a huff. You did the same, the two of you waddling towards a group of empty carts beside a nearby barrier. After loading all of your trunks, the two of you began searching for the magical barrier in the midst of all of the normal ones.

“I’m so glad that Cinna will be at the castle when we get there,” you mentioned absentmindedly. “She’d be hooting like crazy with all of this traveling.”

“Same with Bebe,” Eleanor agreed. Bebe was her black cat with piercing green eyes and a very fluffy tail. “She would be throwing a fit and attracting all kinds of unwanted attention.”

You stopped abruptly, throwing out an arm to stop Eleanor as well. Both of your trunks swayed dangerously on your luggage carts from the sudden motion.

“Hold on, there’s Platform 9,” you said, pointing toward the clearly numbered sign hanging from the brick barrier.

“And there’s 10,” your friend nodded, pointing as well. “Okay, now where’s ours?”

“Hagrid said we’d know what to do and to look for other students,” you said, almost to yourself. Your eyes darted around, looking for anyone that would stick out from the crowd. Wizards weren’t always the best at selecting inconspicuous No-Maj clothing.

“Let’s see who’s wearing something ridiculous,” Eleanor snorted, leaning on the handle of her cart and resting her chin in her hand. “Someone’s mom or dad is bound to be wearing a lime green fur coat or something.”

The two of you waited for a few minutes, watching the area around the barrier and nervously glancing at a nearby clock on the wall. It was drawing closer and closer to nine o’clock.

Just as you were beginning to worry that the two of you would miss the train, it happened. A group of girls that weren’t much older than you walked toward the platform, laughing at something casually. One leaned back against the brick between platforms 9 and 10, and boom, it happened. She disappeared through the wall. Each girl, in turns, subtly slipped out of sight, the surrounding No-Maj’s none the wiser.

“Thank goodness,” Eleanor sighed in relief.

The two of you approached the platform with caution, doing your best to remain inconspicuous. You’d learned after many years of living with your No-Maj mother that ordinary people tended to miss out on subtle magic even if it was happening right in front of them — because they weren’t looking for it.

You let Eleanor go first while you played lookout. She backed her cart against the barrier and leaned against it like the group of girls did. In a moment, she’d disappeared. You glanced around nervously, but no one had taken any notice. You breathed out a relieved sigh, then copied her movements exactly.

It felt like a warm, soft breeze as you sank through the brick. Suddenly, the station dematerialized and was replaced by a huge black steam engine and a bustling crowd of robe-clad witches and wizards. You grinned at Eleanor in excitement, looking up to see a red sign that read Platform 9 ¾ in slanted gold lettering. The platform was incredibly busy, filled with families hugging goodbye and the sound of rolling luggage and the hum of excited chatter.

“This is it,” you sighed dreamily. A huge smile broke over your face and Eleanor matched it. Your adventure to Hogwarts was officially beginning.

You and Eleanor rushed to the train in excitement, dragging your trunks along behind you. With a bit of difficulty, you both unloaded the carts and heaved your suitcases through the open door with the help of a station employee. Seeing your evident confusion, he told you in a thick Irish accent to take the trunk containing your school robes and to leave the rest with him.

The inside of the Hogwarts express was cozy, but not incredibly roomy, and you recalled Hagrid’s comment. You snorted at the mental image of the giant man trying to squeeze down the car hallway.

“Let’s find a compartment,” Eleanor whispered to you excitedly, grabbing your hand to pull you along. Her palm was sweaty and so was yours.

You both walked past many students in the train corridor, some looking at the two of you curiously. It was obvious that most of the students seemed familiar with who was in their year at this point, so two new faces that weren’t first years caught some attention. You heard some whispering as you passed, but none of it seemed unkind, at least that’s what you were hoping.

Some compartment doors were open, filled with chatting and laughing teenagers, others were closed. A few glanced curiously at you and Eleanor as you walked by and peered in.

“Is there not a single empty compartment on this train?” Eleanor complained, frustration seeping through her tone.

“Hey, maybe that’s a good thing,” you told her hopefully. “It’ll force us to talk to people, right? Maybe make some friends?”

“That’s all well and good,” she shrugged. “I was just kind of hoping we could avoid the staring for a while longer.”

You hummed in agreement. A few heads were poking out of compartments that the two of you had already passed, not bothering to hide their curious stares. You weren’t sure if you were flattered, uncomfortable, or a weird combination of both.

“I do feel a bit like a zoo animal,” you laughed uneasily.

“Damn it, Y/N, we should’ve looked less hot today,” Eleanor joked, lightly shoving your shoulder. “Now the Brits can’t keep their eyes off of us.”

You laughed aloud at her sarcasm.

“Are the two of you lost?”

You almost jumped in surprise at the unexpected voice coming from behind you. You turned to see a bushy-haired, proud-looking girl that was already in her Gryffindor robes with a shiny red badge pinned to her chest. A tall, freckled and red-headed boy stood behind her. He seemed a bit uneasy.

“Oh, hi,” you smiled, a bit surprised. “We’re just trying to find a compartment.”

The girl’s eyes lit up at your American accent, and the redhead suddenly seemed a lot more interested in the conversation.

“Are you two exchange students from Ilvermorny?” she practically gushed, clasping her hands together in excitement. You and Eleanor exchanged amused smiles.

“Yeah, that’s us,” you replied. “It’s that obvious, huh?”

“Well, the accent gives it away a bit,” the boy grinned, and the girl turned and lightly slapped his arm.

“I mean, it’s that obvious that we look lost?” you corrected yourself, laughing at his smart remark.

The girl smiled sympathetically. She reached out her hand. “I’m Hermione Granger, and this is Ronald Weasley. We’re Gryffindor prefects.”

Ron seemed to stand up a bit straighter at that and puffed out his chest. You and Eleanor each shook her hand in turn, introducing yourselves. Ron waved a bit awkwardly but not unkindly.

“So, what’s a prefect?” Eleanor asked curiously, pointing to the badges on their chests.

“We were chosen out of a select number of students in our year to guide our peers and help to uphold the rules,” Hermione stated proudly. “A boy and girl are chosen from each house. I’ve read about Ilvermorny, but couldn’t find anything about student guides.”

“In our fourth year, three students are chosen to help the younger kids with their studies and stuff,” you shrugged. “They’re a bit like glorified tutors, but I don’t know if that’s the same thing.”

Ron’s chest puffed out again, pride in his stance. “We do a bit more than that, I’d say.”

At Eleanor’s giggle, he seemed to remember that he needed to look cool and crossed his arms, leaning against the nearest compartment door as casually as he could. Hermione rolled her eyes at him.

“Well, we’re here to help,” she said, an excited glimmer in her brown eyes. “There’ll be prefects to help you two in whatever house you’re sorted. But you’re always welcome to come to one of us! I’d absolutely love to hear all about America’s magical education. Doesn’t that sound positively fascinating, Ron?”

He shrugged, not hiding his disinterest well. She was obviously a bookworm and he very obviously was not.

“Anyway, there are normally a few empty compartments toward the back of the train,” Hermione said, seeming to remember that you four were standing in the middle of the almost empty hallway.

“Awesome, thanks,” Eleanor smiled.

“I’d truly love to stay and chat, but we’re expected in the prefect’s carriage,” she sighed apologetically, and you had no doubt that she really was sorry to miss the chance to ask you as many questions as possible. “It was lovely to meet you.”

“You too,” you said, and stepped aside so that Hermione and Ron could walk toward the front of the train.

The floor lurched, almost knocking you and Eleanor off balance, and the steam engine whistled. The train was slowly beginning to move.

“Hogwarts, here we come,” Eleanor squealed, clapping her hands. The two of you hugged in excitement, ignoring a few of the people still sneaking peeks at you from their open compartment doors.

You and your friend practically skipped down toward the end of the train, taking Hermione’s advice and finally finding an empty compartment. With a great heave, you swung your luggage up to the top rack and removed your wand from one of the zippered pockets. You hadn’t done magic all summer and the itch was almost irresistible. Eleanor was obviously thinking the same thing, flicking her wand silently at a small magazine she’d pulled from her bag.

“Did you ever get the hang of non-verbal spells?” she asked, not taking her eyes off of the magazine that lay motionless on the bench beside you.

“Eh,” you said noncommittally. You were modest. “We learned it right before break, and most of the class didn’t get it anyway. I’m always a bit rusty when summer ends.”

“Same,” she muttered, flicking her wand relentlessly in repeating patterns. But the magazine still didn’t move.

You pulled a book out of your trunk: Hogwarts, a History: The Revised Edition. You wanted to learn as much about the school as you possibly could before you got there. Not only would the knowledge make navigating the castle a bit easier, but you could almost feel your father inside of the pages. With every new experience, like meeting Hagrid, staying in the Leady Cauldron, and boarding the train, you felt closer and closer to him.

“Oh, shit!”

Eleanor’s scream made you jump, and you realized with a whiff of smoke that the magazine had burst into flames. You bolted out of your seat and quickly drew your wand.

“Aguamenti!” you exclaimed. Water rushed from your wand tip and extinguished the burning pages. You both were panting as you turned your irritated gaze to her. She grinned sheepishly.

“Told you I was rusty…”

“Were you trying to catch it on fire?” you questioned, adrenaline starting to retreat. Your heart was still pounding.

“Um, no,” she practically whispered. “I was trying to freeze it.”

You snorted, holding back a laugh. “Keep that up and you won’t end up in Ravenclaw.”

“I’m just nervous! Horned Serpent won’t let me down. I’m sure the Sorting Hat will see that.”

She waited for you to agree, craving your confirmation. You smiled at her, understanding her nerves. You were not-so-secretly terrified that the hat wouldn’t be able to sort you at all.

“Of course it will be able to tell,” you said kindly, and Eleanor let out a breath she’d been holding.

Determined to help her with her uneasiness, the two of you practiced simple non-verbal spells for the next forty minutes or so. When you froze a magazine page on your first try, Eleanor seemed to deflate. You then purposefully messed up on every attempt until she successfully covered a page in ice. She pumped a fist into the air, overjoyed. You smiled.

Then your compartment door slid open, revealing the bushy-haired prefect.

“Hello,” she smiled. “Our prefect meeting just finished. Would you like to join us in our compartment?”

“Yeah, that sounds great,” you grinned, thankful that a kind student was already taking you and Eleanor under their wing.

The two of you pulled your belongings down from the racks above your seats and followed Hermione down the hallway. The compartment was only a few paces away from yours.

She slid open the door and walked inside, reaching to help Eleanor slide her trunk onto the overhead shelf. A boy with dark, somewhat messy hair and glasses looked up in surprise. He was sitting across from Ron, the redhead that you’d met earlier. Ron greeted you with a short wave, whispering something quickly to the raven-haired boy.

“Don’t be rude, introduce yourself,” Hermione scolded. She sounded like a disappointed mother.

“Oh, yeah, sorry,” the green-eyed boy muttered. He stood and stuck out his hand, albeit awkwardly. “I’m Harry.”

“Hi, I’m Y/N,” you smiled, shaking his hand. It was calloused, but warm.

“Eleanor,” your friend said, shaking his hand as well.

“They’re exchange students from Ilvermorny,” Hermione gushed, sitting down beside Ron. You sat down on the opposite bench next to Harry, then Eleanor sat beside you. “Isn’t that so exciting?”

Harry looked mildly confused. “Ilvermorny?”

“Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry,” Hermione said, waiting for him to catch on. He didn’t. “It’s the magical school in America,” she explained, looking a bit put out that he didn’t know this. “Honestly, Harry, we learned about other wizarding schools from Professor McGonagall last term, remember? After Christmas she posted the I.W.S.E.P. signup sheet in the common room.”

“I was a bit distracted with the tournament last year,” Harry said, a bit defensive because of her gaze.

Hermione sighed, suddenly looking sad. She looked to Ron expectantly. “You remember, don’t you, Ronald?”

Ron grinned uneasily. “Sure, yeah. Good ole I.W.S.E.P.”

“What does I.W.S.E.P. stand for, Ron?” she asked flatly.

“Uh… well, International, uh, Witch… Witch Switching Event—?”

“Honestly! Just admit you didn’t listen either, Ron!”

“It’s not a big deal,” you cut in, grinning uneasily. “Most of my house didn’t listen either. A lot of the students who ended up doing the exchange program already knew about it way beforehand. I’d decided I was going by my third year.”

Hermione was suddenly very interested in what you had to say, and Ron shot you a thankful look. You could see that Harry was doing his very best not to laugh at Ron.

“Tell us all about your school!” Hermione squealed, scooting to the edge of her seat and resting her chin in her hands. She reminded you of a small child watching their favorite television program. “What’s it like? I’ve read all about the sorting process, it is absolutely fascinating. And that you don’t receive your wand until after your sorting ceremony?”

“Wow, you know a lot about it,” Eleanor said, mildly impressed.

“Hermione knows loads,” Ron interjected. Hermione tried to hide her flattered grin, but the slight flush of her cheeks betrayed her.

Harry was looking out the window, his brow furrowed. His mind was obviously elsewhere.

“Well,” you began, looking away from Harry and back to Hermione and Ron, “Ilvermorny is modeled after Hogwarts, ya know, so not too much is different.”

“Oooh, yes, I read about that too,” Hermione nodded. “The founder, Isolt Sayre, dreamed of going to Hogwarts in her childhood, didn’t she?”

“Yeah,” you smiled, “that’s why one of our uniform colors is blue. She wanted to be a Ravenclaw.”

“Same,” Eleanor sighed. Hermione grinned at her.

“Are you academically inclined?” she asked Eleanor.

“I’d like to think so,” Eleanor shrugged. “I’ve just heard that my house, Horned Serpent, and Ravenclaw are kind of alike. I’ll be happy no matter what house I’m sorted into, but I think Ravenclaw may feel a bit more like home.”

“I was almost sorted in Ravenclaw,” Hermione said, and you weren’t surprised.

“Really? Then why are you in Gryffindor?” Eleanor asked, scooting to the edge of her seat too.

“I chose it,” she said simply. “Books and cleverness are important, of course, but there are more important things.”

“So, the Sorting Hat will let you choose your house?” you asked quickly. Hermione noticed the desperate twinge in your tone.

“Well,” she said gently, “to a degree. But only if you truly belong there.”

You sighed. Hermione looked at Eleanor questioningly.

“She’s nervous that she won’t be sorted,” Eleanor explained, rolling her eyes but squeezing your arm.

“Everyone gets sorted,” Ron assured, certainty lacing his tone. “My whole family’s been in Gryffindor, I remember as a First Year being terrified that I was gonna end up in another house. But it all works out, doesn’t it?”

“Why are you afraid that you won’t be sorted?” Hermione asked curiously.

You shrugged, tucking your hair behind your ear shyly. You never enjoyed talking about this, afraid that you’d come off as bragging.

“Well, this thing happens at Ilvermorny sometimes, during the sorting ceremony,” you began hesitantly. Harry turned his head towards you, the conversation catching his interest. “It doesn’t happen super often…”

“Like, once every decade or two,” Eleanor added. You blushed a bit.

“More than one house can choose you,” you explained, wringing your hands together. “The houses show that they want you when their wooden statues come to life. You stand in the middle of the circle and the whole school is watching from the side and the balconies above.”

“Do you have four houses like we do?” asked Ron.

“Yeah,” you nodded. “Horned Serpent, Pukwudgie, Thunderbird, and Wampus.”

“What happens if more than one house chooses you?” Harry asked. Hermione seemed glad that he was taking part in the conversation, relieved even. You wondered why.

You turned to Harry. “If more than one house chooses you, then the student gets to choose where they want to go.”

“A bit like the Sorting Hat,” Hermione added. “So, what happens once every ten years?”

“It’s not uncommon for more than one house to choose a student,” Eleanor said, “but it only happens once every few years that three houses will show interest. Even rarer that all four want someone.”

“All four wanted me,” you said quietly, a bit embarrassed by the attention. Ron’s eyebrows shot up and Hermione seemed very impressed. Harry seemed impressed as well, exchanging a loaded glance with Ron.

“Imagine the Sorting Hat announcing that it can’t decide,” Ron said to Harry, laughing in disbelief. “Can you imagine? I think McGonagall’s head would explode.”

“Has that ever happened?” you asked worriedly. “I mean, what if the Sorting Hat doesn’t know where to put me?”

“It’s never failed to sort a student in Hogwarts’ history,” Hermione assured you, putting a comforting hand on yours before pulling it away. “I’m quite certain it would just allow you to choose.”

You sighed.

“What house did you go with?” Harry asked you.

“Thunderbird,” you answered, a smile creeping onto your face. You were proud of your house.

“And what kind of person goes to Thunderbird?” asked Ron.

“Well, it’s said that Thunderbird leans toward adventurers and represents the soul.”

“The soul?” asked Harry, brows pulling together.

“The houses at Ilvermorny aren’t exactly like Hogwarts,” Eleanor explained, biting her lip as she thought. “I’m not sure how to explain it. Ilvermorny houses are said to represent parts of a human being. Horned Serpent usually leans toward scholars, so it represents the mind. Wampus leans toward warriors, so the body. Thunderbird favors adventurers, so the soul. And Pukwudgie favors healers, so people who lead with their heart.”

“It’s such an interesting take on things, don’t you think?” Hermione said dreamily to no one in particular. She was like a sponge, soaking up every word that came out of your mouths.

“Why did you go with Thunderbird?” asked Harry.

“People ask me that a lot,” you smiled. “What I told Eleanor is… I guess I see the soul as the root of everything? I mean, it all goes back to that. When we’re born, when we die, our souls are who we are at the most fundamental level. They last long after we leave this earth.”

Harry sighed, nodding almost imperceptibly. His eyes were filled with some sort of pain that he was making an effort to hide. Ron and Hermione watched him, concerned.

“I think that’s a lovely sentiment,” Hermione said to you, “that souls are the beginning and never-ending. That the people we care about never really leave us after they die.”

You smiled, your father’s joyful face flitting through your mind. “Yeah. That’s actually one of the reasons I wanted to come to Hogwarts. My dad was a student here.”

“Blimey, really?” Ron laughed. “Knew you weren’t so bad, you’ve got a bit of Brit in you.”

You rolled your eyes and laughed, Hermione turning to Ron and slapping his arm again. You gathered that this was a common occurrence between the two.

“He was in Hufflepuff,” you said.

“Oh, Gryffindors get along swimmingly with Hufflepuffs,” Hermione chirped. “We normally have a few classes together every term.”

“Bet your dad’s rooting for you to get sorted into Hufflepuff, yeah?” Ron questioned.

Eleanor looked down at her shoes, clearing her throat uncomfortably. You bit your lip and Hermione seemed to instantly detect that something was wrong. Ron, of course, was oblivious.

“Uh, actually, he died a few years ago,” you said quietly. Harry turned to look at you, understanding in his green eyes.

“Oh, damn. Sorry,” Ron mumbled, avoiding your eyes.

“No, you’re fine, Ron,” you said quickly. “It’s not like it’s a taboo subject or anything. I just don’t talk about it much is all.” You shrugged halfheartedly. “I should probably get used to talking about it more anyway, I guess, now that I’ll be at a new school where my dad used to go. I’m just hoping to, I don’t know, get closer to his memory somehow? I know it sounds stupid.”

“It’s not stupid at all,” Harry said quickly. You were a bit surprised by the intensity of his tone. “When I hear things from the professors about my mum, or see a Quidditch trophy that my dad won, I can feel it. Like I’m getting a glimpse at them.”

Ron and Hermione exchanged sad glances. You didn’t miss the gloomy air that the three were giving off.

“Your parents…?” you asked quietly.

“Are dead, yeah,” he answered. He ran a hand through his dark hair, and then you saw it. With an audible gasp, you didn’t understand why you didn’t realize it before. He’d introduced himself as Harry, after all.

“You’re – oh, I’m so sorry, I didn’t realize,” you stammered, “… that was a stupid question, I shouldn’t have asked. I just didn’t know who—who you were.”

Eleanor seemed confused, then her eyes fell upon the lightening scar that was no longer hidden underneath his dark hair. Her mouth dropped open quite unabashedly.

“It’s alright,” Harry shrugged. “It was actually sort of nice, meeting people who didn’t instantly know who I was.”

“Well, uh, it’s cool to meet you,” you said awkwardly.

“Uh, yeah! Like, beyond cool,” Eleanor grinned behind you.

You couldn’t believe this whole time that you were discussing worries as silly as sorting to The Boy Who Lived, the boy who, as a baby, defeated You-Know-Who and survived the Killing Curse. Your problems and fears must seem so small and trivial to him.

Harry offered an awkward but understanding smile. You realized that he must deal with this reaction every time he met someone new. It must’ve been exhausting.

Just then, the compartment door flew open with an unpleasant bang. In strutted two large boys that reminded you of stunted gorillas, following a familiar handsome face and perfectly styled light blonde hair. The atmosphere of the compartment poisoned; you could feel the instant shift in the air. Your three new friends were glaring at Draco Malfoy with all of the hatred and disgust they could possibly muster. You exchanged a glance of recognition with Eleanor, the two of you sinking back into your seats to avoid whatever confrontation was obviously coming.

“Potter,” Draco spat, the name rolling off his tongue like a curse, “just thought I’d drop by to show you this.” He stood up straighter in his fitted black suit, a green prefect pin glinting on his chest. “Someone needs to remind you of your superiors.”

“Big whoop, Malfoy, we’re prefects too,” Ron spat back, pointing to the pin on his chest. Malfoy sneered.

“Obvious lack of judgement, Weaselby,” he smirked. His grey eyes pierced through Hermione, his nose wrinkling in disgust. “If they allow mudbloods to be prefects now, then what’s a blood traitor?”

You and Eleanor gasped at his use of the slur. Even then, he didn’t seem to notice the two of you, too intent on causing chaos.

“And what does that say about you, Potter?” he smirked nastily. “That they get chosen as prefects over you? Not Dumbledore’s little golden boy anymore, are you?”

Draco’s cronies laughed behind him, fueling his ever-deepening smirk.

Harry shot up from his seat, rage radiating off of him in waves that were almost visible. This was obviously what Malfoy came for. His face was twisting into a superior smile. Harry’s wand was clutched in his shaking fist.

“At least my father’s not a cruel, murdering, prejudiced piece of—”

“Harry, he’s not worth it,” Hermione begged, standing to grab Harry’s arm and pull him back.

“Keep my father’s name out of your mouth, Potter,” Draco threatened. He stepped closer to Harry as Hermione continued to attempt to pull her friend back with little success. Harry’s grip tightened on his wand so much that his fingers turned white, causing a few sparks to fly out of the tip. Malfoy’s cronies were beginning to crack their knuckles in anticipation.

You weren’t sure when you decided to do this, or why in the hell you thought it was a good idea, but you suddenly stood. Malfoy and his bodyguards finally seemed to realize that there were two other people in the compartment. Recognition flitted across his face, and you knew that he recognized you from the day before in Madam Malkin’s.

“I could be wrong, but I don’t think anyone in this compartment gives two damns that you’re a prefect, Draco,” you snapped, a confidence in your voice that you certainly weren’t feeling. Harry, Ron, and Hermione gaped at you in shock, both surprised by your involvement and the fact that you even knew who Malfoy was.

Draco was taken off guard, but quickly recovered.

“I heard whispers of Americans on the train,” he said unkindly, eyes glinting but holding the slightest bit of fascination. “I suppose Hogwarts is officially scraping the bottom of the bin nowadays.”

Anger curdled in your stomach and boiled in your blood. You could easily see why Harry was so quick to anger the moment Malfoy stepped into the compartment—he was getting under your skin, too.

“Well, I guess they are if you’re here,” you said, crossing your arms, “and named a prefect no less? They’re obviously lowering their standards. I mean, damn, I just met you and I already think you’re a waste of space.”

Ron snorted behind you, not bothering to hold back his laugh. Hermione even had to slap a hand over her mouth not to giggle. Draco’s scowl was venomous, far more intimidating than the one he’d given you in the robe shop when you’d called him an asshole.

“I’d be careful if I were you,” he said, dangerously quiet. His blue-grey eyes drilled into you, and the most conflicting sensation of butterflies and hatred trickled from your stomach to your toes. “Already associating with mudbloods and blood traitors before you even hit the grounds? Pity.”

“Ya know, I really don’t like that word,” you said, sickeningly sweet. Your wand was at Malfoy’s throat before anyone could react, and Draco’s cronies didn’t seem to know what to do. They drew their wands and pointed them at you, looking at each other with confusion.

Draco’s surprised eyes were locked with yours, his chin tilted up and his Adam’s apple bobbing with a nervous gulp. He was doing his best to act tough, but you could tell that he was uneasy. He didn’t know you and didn’t know what you were capable of. He had been banking on a fight with Harry, not on a fight with you.

“Nah ah ah,” you smiled, shaking your head at the drawn wands of the gorillas flanking him. You pointedly twisted the tip of your wand into Draco’s neck a bit – not enough to hurt him, of course, but enough to make your point. “I’ll hex him before you can even open your mouths.”

They exchanged fearful glances again, their wands wavering. Draco didn’t dare turn his head to look at them, but seethed through his teeth, “Lower your wands, you morons!”

They did as they were told, and you smiled at them. “That’s better.”

Harry, Ron, and Hermione didn’t seem to know what to do either, but their faces were filled with gleeful astonishment. Eleanor was staring at you in awe. You didn’t blame her; you weren’t one to get into fights at Ilvermorny. Actually, you’d never been in a fight; you’d never done anything like this. But the adrenaline rushing through your veins was a heady combination when it mixed with the butterflies dancing in your gut.

“You know what my specialty is, Draco?” you asked, tapping your wand teasingly against his Adam’s apple. He gulped again and closed his eyes, breathing loudly through his nose. “I’m pretty good with non-verbal spells. You’d never know what was coming.”

He nervously licked his lips and stared back down at you, eyes filled with distaste, anger, and something else that you couldn’t quite place.

“And non-verbal as in, ya know, making you non-verbal,” you added with a smirk reminiscent of his own, pressing the tip of your wand into the side of his neck. Again, not enough to hurt him, but enough to make his heart race. Yours was racing too.

You had no idea where this surge of confidence was coming from, but you sure as hell weren’t stopping now.

“If I hear that nasty, disgusting word come out of your mouth again… well, you won’t be saying anything for a while,” you whispered sweetly. Draco’s clenched jaw, the vein popping out of his neck, his furrowed brows and gaze so intense that you couldn’t distinguish between the adrenaline and the butterflies anymore – you realized with overwhelming shame just how hot you thought he was.

You hated yourself.

“You’ll regret this,” he whispered venomously, meant for your ears only.

“Will I really?” you asked, tapping the wand against his throat again. He squeezed his eyes shut, waiting for your wordless hex. You stood there for a moment, anticipation building, letting him think that you were going to do it. Then, with a satisfied laugh, you lowered your wand and stepped back. You’d never planned on hexing him, not really, but you wanted him to know that you could, at any moment, without any incantation to warn him.

Draco’s eyes popped open, feeling the sudden loss of contact. He let out a breath that he didn’t realize he was holding, reaching up to rub at his neck. He eyes darted around the compartment, taking in the smug faces of the Gryffindors and the confused faces of his cronies. With intense anger, he realized just how embarrassed he was.

“You better watch your back, Potter!” he spat, pointing a pale finger at Harry’s amused face. “Your luck is running out. He’s got plans for you. He’s going to kill you, just like your boyfriend.”

Harry’s face darkened. Then Draco’s furious eyes darted to you.

“And you,” he whispered spitefully, “you’ll regret ever leaving your backwoods trailer!”

You had no doubt that he meant it, but you hid your apprehension at his words, only raising a skeptical eyebrow at him.

With that, he stomped off down the hall, tailed closely by his muddled friends. You could hear him cursing the whole way.

“Y/N!” Eleanor breathed in disbelief, gripping your arm like a vice and dragging you down to the seat beside her. “What the actual fuck was that? I mean, don’t get me wrong, it was pretty awesome—but what the fuck?!”

“That was bloody brilliant!” Ron exclaimed, practically jumping out of his seat in joy. “Will you marry me?”

You all busted into laughter.

“Malfoy might have it out for you even more than Harry,” Hermione giggled, but there was an air of uneasiness. “Not that I don’t think you’re capable of defending yourself, but are you sure that was clever? He’ll be out for blood now.”

“Come on, Hermione,” Ron rolled his eyes, “you’re ruining the moment!”

“Yeah, take the victory, Hermione,” Harry agreed with a grin.

________________________

Thirty minutes later, Harry grabbed a silvery-looking cloak from his trunk, tucking it under his arms and murmuring something about returning in a few minutes. You didn’t think anything of it, but Ron and Hermione seemed a bit skeptical and irritated by the action.

The rest of the train ride was peppered with questions about Hogwarts and Ilvermorny, funny quips about what happened with Malfoy, and a delicious helping of sweets from the friendly trolley witch. Harry never returned.

You hadn’t realized just how much time had passed when Hermione stood up and stretched, instructing Ron to change into his robes. They needed to go back to the prefect carriage toward the front of the train before arrival, she explained. She recommended that you and Eleanor change into your school robes as well.

The Hogwarts Express pulled into a small wizarding village called Hogsmeade at dark, just as you finished adjusting your new robes and helping Eleanor fix her hair. You could hear the chuga-chuga of the wheels slow, and the train lurch as it came to a full stop. Compartment doors were banging open and students were talking, laughing, and running down the hallways as they trickled out of the train.

You and Eleanor grabbed your luggage, stuffed your wands into the pocket of your robes, and set out into the night. The enormous castle loomed before you, quite visible from the village. The lit windows winked at you against the backdrop of the inky night sky.

“It’s Hogwarts,” Eleanor whispered in awe.

You were content.

[ Read Part 4 here ]

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twilights-800-cats · 3 years ago

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<< Chapter 26 || Chapter 27 || Chapter 28 || From the Beginning || Patreon >>

Chapter 27

Talon and his patrol had expertly led the massive group through Tribe territory, quiet sentinels in the white gloom, warning of pitfalls and avoiding dangerous places with the expertise that came of living in this harsh environment.

Now the Clans were looking through the haze at the Path of Rushing Water, the stony trail that led up the cliffs and into the mountain itself. The cave entrance was protected by a waterfall that tumbled down into a pool below, the spray seemingly freezing into little drops of snow before it hit the ground – perpetual motion must have kept the surface from freezing, Stoneheart guessed.

Stoneheart tried not to be disappointed by that fact – along the way he had built up the image in his mind of the waterfall, frozen to its core into an imposing sheet of ice.

“Whoa...” breathed Sorreltail, her amber eyes wide at the sight. “I’ve never seen so much water in my life...”

“Take care,” Talon warned, taking a place at the start of the Path. “In frozen-water, the Path of Rushing Water can be icy. Using your claws may save you a fall.”

Not far from Stoneheart, Talonstripe bristled. “What, they might die trying to get to their own camp? Is the Tribe made of mouse-brains?”

“Quiet!” Stoneheart growled, forcing his neck fur to lie flat at his Clanmate’s rudeness. There’s no need to disrespect them! Talonstripe twitched his whiskers in response, but shut his jaws nonetheless.

Stoneheart suppressed a sigh. The Tribe’s ways were bound to create confusion among the Clans, and he prayed to StarClan that some of the Clan’s more traditionally-minded members didn’t pick a fight.

He watched Tinystar be the first cat to brave the icy Path of Rushing Water, putting one paw in front of the other confidently. When the small black tom disappeared behind the waterfall, his example sent a flutter of determination through the rest of the Clans – Nightpaw went next, then Wolftooth, then Leopardstar, then the rest.

Cat after cat went up the Path, single-file, with Cloud and Red aiding the queens with their kits. Stoneheart’s turn came soon enough, and he touched his tail to Rowanclaw’s nose.

“Grab it if you feel like you’re slipping,” he said.

Rowanclaw huffed, “What, and rip your tail off? I think I’ll be just fine, Stone!”

Stoneheart felt his pelt prickle with embarrassment, and he didn’t meet Talon’s eye as he passed the massive tabby, lest he catch the amusement there.

The stone beneath Stoneheart’s paws sparkled with frost, and the spray of the waterfall was so cold it felt as if little icicles were piercing his pelt. Taking Talon’s advice, he dug his claws into the frost, but there was little need – the warmth of the cats that had gone before him had smoothed out a decently safe path behind the wall of water.

Stoneheart stopped at the entrance of the cave, staring into its dark depths. He could see many cats moving about inside, shadows flitting against the faint, watery light that poured in from behind the waterfall. Stoneheart waited for Rowanclaw there, and when his mate made it to his side, he put their shoulders together.

“This is the Cave of Rushing Water,” he meowed, nodding into the darkness. “The Tribe camps here.”

“Wow,” Rowanclaw breathed. “It’s so dark! How do they see?”

“Tribe cats have very good night-sight,” Stoneheart explained, leading his mate into the cavern. “This cave goes really far back, and it splits off into a few other caves for the nursery and other spots.”

Rowanclaw’s eyes glinted as he took in every detail he could see in the darkness. “It’s so warm in here,” he mewed, sounding surprised. “I didn’t think...”

“With so many bodies, the cold of the stone matters little,” mewed a quiet, gentle voice. “We are warmer still with so many friends among us.”

Stoneheart picked out the speaker’s tabby stripes and pale blue eyes easily in the darkness. “Brook!” he purred. “It’s good to see you again!”

“And you, Stoneheart!” Brook’s whiskers twitched, and she extended her paw. Stoneheart mimicked the gesture, touching their pads together in the Tribe’s special way of greeting. Brook’s eyes sparkled when she looked at Stoneheart, but they frequently flashed past him, searching the cats that were still streaming inside.

She’s looking for Feathertail, Stoneheart realized. “She’ll be in soon,” he told Brook. “She wanted to make sure no one slipped on the Path.”

“That is very kind of her,” Brook sighed, her voice dreamy. The tabby she-cat hesitated, then mewed, “Snow and Stoneteller are meeting with your leaders now, at the back of the cave. I expect sleeping arrangements and announcements will be made soon.”

“Thanks, Brook,” Stoneheart mewed, dipping his head.

Brook returned the gesture, then stepped past him, her tail flicking to and fro as she stared into the frosty white entrance.

Rowanclaw glanced back at her. “Who is she waiting for?” he wondered.

“Feathertail,” Stoneheart explained. He kept his voice low, conscious of Feathertail’s Clanmates padding hesitantly into the cave. “While we stayed here, they were very close.”

“Ah...” Rowanclaw nodded. He peered after Brook, his eyes flashing in the gloom. “Well, I can see it. They’re both very pretty cats.”

“Yes, well...” Stoneheart trailed off. Feathertail and Talon were finally padding into the cave, the long procession of Clan cats finally done. The instant Brook and Feathertail saw one another, Stoneheart guessed that no other cats existed – they rushed to touch noses, and he could hear their purrs over the noise in the cave.

Stoneheart felt his heart ache. We’re not staying here forever, he thought dismally. A shared glance with Rowanclaw told him that his mate was thinking the same bittersweet thought. What will they do?

“Cats of the Clans! Cats of the Tribe! Come and hear me!”

Stoneteller’s rasping voice bounced off of the cave walls, reverberating in every cat’s ear – Stoneheart tore his gaze away from Feathertail and Brook and looked to the back of the cave, where the skinny old tabby tom was standing amidst the Clan leaders.

“Come on,” Stoneheart hissed. He touched his tail to Rowanclaw’s shoulder, coaxing him forward.

“I am Teller of the Pointed Stones, or Stoneteller,” Stoneteller was saying. Stoneheart and Rowanclaw settled in the crowd, next to Mistyfoot and Ryewhisper. “I am the leader of the Tribe of Rushing Water, alongside my to-be, Snow.”

Stoneteller’s sharp yellow gaze raked over the assembled cats, likely more than he’d ever seen in his lifetime, Stoneheart guessed. Still, the old tom did not seem intimidated as he meowed on, “Some nights ago, I received a message from our ancestors, the Tribe of Endless Hunting. They told of a blizzard, and of old friends and new that would need our aid. That time has come!”

“That time has come,” echoed the Tribe cats. Stoneheart blinked, realizing that the Tribe, instead of mingling within the crowd of Clan cats, had instead chosen to line the walls of the cavern – it made their voices resound all the more powerfully, and it felt both strange and safe.

Stoneteller turned to the Clan leaders. “Nearly one moon ago, cats from your Clans came and rid the mountains of a terrible evil – Sharptooth, the cat-killer, the monster of the mountains. Their bravery came at great sacrifice, and we honor the debt incurred by your warrior Stormfur.”

“Stormfur! Stormfur!” cried the Tribe cats, their voices loud and mournful.

Stoneheart felt a pang. Many of the RiverClan cats shifted uncomfortably in the crowd, and he felt Mistyfoot stiffen beside him. Nearby, Brook leaned her cheek into Feathertail’s thick neck fur, and Graystripe and Silverstream were pressed so close together they were almost one, their eyes shimmering with grief over their son.

“Clans,” Stoneteller meowed on, “this blizzard has already blocked the path down the mountain, and until the storm stops, there is no safe way for you to continue on. Our home is your home and our prey is your prey, until the snow clears.”

“Thank you,” murmured Russetstar. Her eyes flashed skeptically. “This is very generous.”

Snow flicked her tail dismissively. “Think nothing of it,” she mewed. “Sharptooth was a great threat to us, and killed many of our loved ones. Its defeat brought us together, Clan and Tribe, and we would not turn away from that friendship.”

“Still, we would not put you out,” Tinystar reasoned. “When the blizzard stops, our hunters will join with yours.”

“Of course!” Snow agreed, her eyes sparkling. “There is much we can learn from one another!”

“Until then,” Stoneteller rasped on, “Flight, Jag, and Rock will distribute prey to your Clans. Gray and Sun will find your sharpclaws places to sleep, and Bird and Night will take care of your kit-mothers and their kittens within our nursery.”

“What of the injured?” Brackenfur asked from within the crowd. “Do you have a medicine cat that can tend to them, or help us to do so? We don’t know the herbs in these mountains.”

Stoneteller’s gaze flickered. “I am Stoneteller, tribe healer, and Snow is Stoneteller to-be. We know every herb that grows between rock or endures the cold. Your injured are safe with us.”

“And you are free to learn from us,” Snow added. Her gaze fell fondly upon Shadepaw, who was sitting with her mentor. “And in your case, continue learning.”

“We would be honored,” Barkface purred, his eyes glazed with relief. “Thornpaw has had an injured paw since the start of the journey, and it’s only gotten worse...”

“Let me see her,” Snow mewed. “Shadepaw, would you like to help?”

Shadepaw took a step forward, then halted, as if forgetting again that she was no longer an independent medicine cat far from home – she glanced back at Brackenfur, who nodded, and got to his paws himself.

“I will come as well,” he said. “The others can tend to the smaller hurts of our Clanmates...”

At Snow’s behest, the crowd parted to let the cats come through. Snow then led Thornpaw, Barkface, Brackenfur, and Shadepaw into the darkness at the back of the cave, slipping into the crack in the rock that led to the den she shared with Stoneteller and their ancestors.

“Rest well, Clans,” Stoneteller meowed, when they were gone. “Your great journey is nearly done.”

That seemed to end the meeting. Gray and Sun got to their paws and immediately began dividing up the Clan cats, half to one side of the cave and the rest to the other. Stoneheart was astonished by their efficiency – had they been practicing what to do since their ancestors spoke to them?

It was Sun who approached he and Rowanclaw. Stoneheart had to blink twice at the she-cat, who somehow looked far more grown-up than when he’d last seen her. She beamed at him, as if guessing the thoughts running through his head.

“I’m a sharpclaw now,” she purred, her eyes gleaming. “Have you noticed?”

“You certainly look older,” Mistyfoot said. “Congratulations, Sun!”

“Congratulations,” Stoneheart agreed, feeling warmth for the young she-cat. “Are you a prey-hunter, or cave-guard?”

Sun’s tail twitched. “Cave-guard, of course!” she answered enthusiastically. “Now come on, I’ve just the place for you!”

Rowanclaw looked dizzy as Sun herded them towards the nearest cave wall. “I’m sorry, a cave-what now? And sharpclaw? What’s all that mean?”

Sun rolled her eyes. “You didn’t explain it to them?”

“We couldn’t possibly explain everything to everyone,” Mistyfoot sighed patiently. “There’s so many cats...”

Stoneheart turned to his mate. “Sharpclaw and softpaw are like warriors and apprentices,” he explained, glancing at Sun to see if he was getting any details wrong. So far, she was nodding along. “Sharpclaws can be prey-hunters, cats that hunt for the Tribe, or cave-guards, cats that defend the prey-hunters from hawks or predators outside the cave.”

“Softpaws train ‘to-be’ one or the other,” Mistyfoot added. “And they train with every prey-hunter or cave-guard, not just one.”

“Oh, wow,” Rowanclaw mewed, his tone light and eyes wide. “O-Okay, I think I’ve got it?”

He still looked dizzy. Stoneheart licked his ear affectionately. “You’ll get used to it,” he promised.

“Here we are!” Sun mewed, coming up to the rocky wall. There was a shallow scoop in the floor here, lined with fresh feathers and moss. To Stoneheart’s aching muscles it looked like clouds, but before Stoneheart could step in, Sun stopped him with her tail on his nose.

“Recognize it?” she asked.

Mistyfoot leaned forward and sniffed at the rock. “Hm... maybe...” she answered.

Stoneheart had to shake his head when Sun looked at him expectantly. One scoop of earth looked just like the one next to it, to his eyes. Mistyfoot was settling into her nest, as was Rowanclaw, and Stoneheart felt a bit jealous. He wanted nothing more than to sleep.

“This is where you and your friends stayed!” Sun scoffed. “Your scent is still on the stone, can’t you tell? It’s our to-be's den, but since it’s just Flight now, she was moved in with the prey-hunters to make more space.”

Sun bumped her forehead into Stoneheart’s shoulder and urged, “Have a good rest, Stoneheart.”

The ginger she-cat moved away from them, weaving back into the crowd to gather up more cats. By the time Stoneheart had settled himself into the nest beside Rowanclaw, Sun had Sorreltail, Cinderpelt, Dustpelt, and Robinwing following her to the neighboring den, and he could hear her chattering as she lingered with Sorreltail, until Gray had to call across the cave to get his Tribemate back on task.

Stoneheart rested his chin on his paws, and he glanced at Rowanclaw. He might’ve wanted to chat with his mate, but Rowanclaw was already sound asleep – to his other side, Mistyfoot was as out well, her tail curled around her body. Stoneheart wasn’t surprised, not after the cold and the stress of the journey so far.

Stoneheart sighed. He was tired, but some part of him itched to make sure that every cat was in their proper place. He watched Gray and Sun herd the Clan cats off to their sleeping spots, while Flight, Jag, and Rock distributed prey to each group. On the other side of the cave, Dawnflower, Ferncloud, and Finchsong were chatting with Night, and Bird stepped out of the nursery behind them to quietly announce that all the kits were asleep.

Ashfoot and Crowpaw joined Stoneheart and the others in their den, curling up together in the spare nests and drifting off to sleep almost immediately. Not long later, Shadepaw appeared. The tortoiseshell she-cat slipped into the den, curling up beside Crowpaw with a yawn.

“How’s Thornpaw?” Stoneheart wondered quietly.

“She’ll be fine,” Shadepaw answered tiredly. “Her infection was bad, but the cold stopped it from spreading. Snow thinks after a few days she’ll be walking normally again... but that’s not really what I’m worried about.”

A flash of gray caught Stoneheart’s attention. In the center of the cave, Feathertail and Brook were sitting together, chatting, the watery white light streaming in from outside turning their pelts to silver. So absorbed in one another they were, they didn’t notice the way that some of Feathertail’s Clanmates glared from within their dens.

Stoneheart glanced back at Shadepaw, and saw worry in the apprentice’s gaze. He recalled Falcontail’s sharp words about Feathertail’s loyalties earlier in the day, and he shivered.

It wasn’t their love that concerned him, no, but what they might do to keep it. Brook and Feathertail had parted once before already... Stoneheart was certain now that the two she-cats would not let it happen again.

#tb au #tb dawn

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wordynerdygurl · 6 years ago

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Costumes & Kittens

Summary: You convince Loki to dress up for a Halloween party and then enjoy a private after party.

Loki x Reader

Warning: SMUT, Funny, Loving Loki

"Are you really going to put on a costume?" Sarcasm dripped from every syllable Loki uttered over the idea.

"Heck yes! And you are too! Right?... Right?" But the look on Loki's handsome face explained exactly what he thought of the idea. Begging him you continued, "Oh, come on! It's so fun!! You get to be someone... or something else for a night."

Waiting for the walk signals to change, Loki looked up and down the street but not at you while saying, "I understand the custom. The appeal of it... but isn't this just child's play? Nonsense?"

You shrugged. "So what if it is? What's so wrong with letting your inner child out to play?"

"My inner child is a miniature frost giant with daddy issues and a desire to conquer... I don't think that's a costume one buys at Target, dearest."

You laughed, he wasn't wrong, really. "No, I guess not... but maybe you're looking at this all wrong. Maybe the question is, 'If Loki Odinson could be anything, what would he be?' Ya know what I mean?"

Shrugging Loki replied, "Anything? I'd be King of Asgard. Or the Universe."

"Be serious for a minute?" It's a tiny bit exasperating trying to explain these kind of things to Loki.

"Serious about a children's fancy dress party?" His eyebrows lifted archly.

"No. Serious about the question. What does Loki want to be when he grows up?" Punching his strong arm playfully, you drive the point home by batting your long lashes at The God of Mischief. He pulls you into a one armed embrace and kisses you sweetly.

"You know I'm over a thousand years old, right? I'm technically over grown at this point." Loki reminds you as he pulls open the door to your favorite restaurant.

"Funny, you don't look a day over 800." Loki nods, chuckling at your quick wittedness. You lean against him, waiting for the hostess to acknowledge your famished existence.

"So, you're going to dress as what, exactly?" Curiosity had Loki caught in its web. Reaching up on tiptoes you kiss his cheek and reply, "That, my dear, is a surprise, unless you want to do a couples costume? Like Doc and Marty... or Westley and Buttercup?" Loki scrunched his nose up.

"Ok. Too soon... so, what about you? Any ideas of what you'd like to be?" The pair of you are flirting like a teenagers as the restaurant hostess finally smiled at you. Leaning into your neck Loki nips your ear gently then husks, "The man who makes your quim quiver."

"How many?" The hostess, slightly put out by your public display, is looking at you with impatient eyes. Your mouth has gone dry with lust so Loki answers, "Just two, dear."

---

"This party is amazing!" You shout to Wanda over the pulsing music. She looked so cute as a rainbow unicorn, her golden horn bobbing in time with the 'Monster Mash'.

"You look so good! Oh my goodness, how funny!" Doubling over, Wanda was in tears at your costume, and you had to admit it was pretty hilarious. "Nat! Come here!"

"Noooo! This is great!! Loki's gonna lose it!" Natasha clutched her flapper's boa closer as she giggled.

"Thank you guys! I worked really hard on it!" You were incredibly proud of your look tonight. Black boots laced over your calves to your knees. The armour you'd pieced together from leather scraps and duct tape hugged your torso in green and gold flaring into a matching skirt. The best part was the flowing emerald cape that had started life as a satin sheet but now followed behind you like a green shadow.

Recreating Loki's horned crown had taken weeks of meticulous papier mache, sand paper and gold spray paint but damn, you felt like Asgardian royalty. Did Loki have this sense of power all the time? You shivered a little at the thrill of it.

Knocking back a long swig of your beer, laughing at Sam and Bucky dressed in those tuxedos from Dumb and Dumber, you realized this party was in full swing. Maybe that's why you were taken by surprise when a low, familiar voice crooned in your ear, "My queen."

Spinning on your heeled boots, you found Loki at your side, hands behind his back, smirk firmly in place. His eyes swept over you, taking in the details of your costume with a raised eyebrow, causing blue flames of excitement to curl low in your belly. You felt a creeping blush rise over you and channelling your inner God of Mischief you defiantly raised your chin Loki's direction.

"Yes... kitten?" Now, Loki called you kitten almost everyday, and it never failed to make you purr. Tonight, you used the endearment because the Trickster was dressed in a jet black three piece suit, black shirt and tie, with two tiny ebony cat ears on his head. His cheshire grin didn't hurt his ensemble at all.

"You look... well, almost as good as I do in that suit." His tone is light but you read a touch of approval in the mix. With a hand over his heart, Loki adds, "I'm honored that you went to all this trouble, little one."

Feeling emboldened by the role you're dressed for, you look down your nose at Loki, just like you'd seen him do countless times before. "Trouble? Not at all. This was something I had lying around. I thought these mortals would appreciate seeing a goddess in all her splendor."

Laughing, Loki replies, "Well you are certainly fearsome, my lady. And may I say, you have excellent taste."

You laugh too, "You may! Come on, let's get you a drink!" Grabbing Loki's hand in yours you pull him towards the bar. The crowd thins a bit as you get further from the music so it's easier to chat. Once you each have a cold beer, you perch on the countertop while Loki leans against the kitchen counter, again looking you over.

"I would be a beautiful woman." He stated wistfully. You snort, almost spitting up your suds. "I don't know about that, but you're a pretty sexy cat, Loki." You reached out and flicked one of the furry ears.

After a sip from his bottle Loki counters, "Of course I am." Curling his free hand into a claw, he does his best feline impression, "Meow!"

With a wide smile you casually say, "You dressed up. I wasn't sure you would."

"You said I could be anyone or anything." Loki's lip lifted into a knowing half smile. Nodding, you concede, "I did." Clinking the necks of your beer bottles together you flash Loki a slow smile. You draw your bottom lip between your teeth as you look at your black kitty cat, practically purring yourself. Loki watched your mouth move, his own lips parting slightly, as he leaned towards you.

You closed your eyes in anticipation of Loki's lip lock when you heard, "Reindeer Games! That is not an acceptable costume!! You can't just wear your battle gear..."

Tony stopped short when he saw your head snap around, golden horned crown bobbing slightly with your movement. Loki peeked at the intruder over your gossamer green shoulder. "Oh. My mistake. Great outfits. Party on." And with that Iron Man, dressed in a perfect replica of Elton John's glitter baseball uniform, swiped a bottle of vodka, and swaggered towards the noise.

"Wanna dance?" You're hopeful that he'll say yes because Loki is great on the dance floor, and he knows it. Grabbing you each a fresh beer, Loki nods, "Yes, my liege." And you laugh again at his deference to your implied title. "Then let's go!" Impatiently you stride back to the waiting crowd of friends singing and partying the night away.

The night passes in a blur of dancing, drinks and laughter. Everyone gets a kick out of you as Loki. You play up the role, ordering people to kneel like he would usually do, cracking sarcastic comments and snide remarks with regularity. You're overconfident and you're high on the bossy bitch this get up brings out in you.

"Kitten, grab me another, will you?" Rubbing under his chin like you'd do to a real little black kitty cat, you stroke one of Loki's velvet ears sweetly before brushing a kiss over his lips. He moans softly at your gentle petting and murmurs, "I think this kitten is ready to call it a night, darling."

You catch his eye and see what he's really saying. It's bedtime, not lights out, something that causes a blush to rise over you. Swaying away from Loki you tease, "You got it, cool cat."

Goodbyes take forever because all of you are well over the tipsy line. Wanda squeezes you for five minutes, unwilling to part from you, trying to tell you a story that she swears is hilarious but you just can't seem to follow. Tony tries to steal your crown but you wrestle it away just in time, blocking Steve from snatching it back again. You wave at Natasha but she's got Bucky pinned under her on the sofa, his orange top hat perched on her head and his hands on her ass.

Loki was waiting for you at the elevator, doors open. "How did you leave everybody?"

"Natasha and Bucky are totally hooking up tonight!" It spilled out of you with a drunken laugh as you stepped inside the mirrored moving cube. Pushing the down button with a skeptical smile Loki asked, "Really? Any other odd couples come out your costume convention?"

Suddenly serious, you step into Loki's space saying, "I'm going home with a black cat. That's fairly odd, since, ya know... I'm allergic to cats."

"I promise you, this tom cat is hypoallergenic. No mangy fur... no troublesome litter box." Boxing Loki against the reflective wall, your eyes lock on his ice blue ones, "And is he well behaved? I don't want a naughty kitty in my bed."

Swallowing thickly, Loki husked, "Maybe just a little." You pushed your body into his, collapsing the space between you, kissing along his throat. Loki lifted his chin with a hungry moan as you nipped his Adam's apple, leaving your mark on his pale skin. Grazing your lips over his strong jaw you make sure to pay extra attention to that sensitive spot just under his ear, where tendon and muscle meet.

"Good kitty." Your whispered praise makes Loki blush faintly, his trousers tighter now, as his body responds to your devious teasing. Pushing away from him when the elevator dings, you clasp his hand and drag an excited Loki into the night air.

With your heavy boots and swirling cape it seems like your stride has widened. There's a power in you that dressing like The Trickster has released and it made you feel other wordly. If you were behaving like your god, cocksure and dominate, then Loki was a mewling furball right now, content to be led wherever you went. You lace your hand to Loki's and start steering you both through the neighborhood, back to your home.

It takes a little bit longer than normal as the streets are full of Halloween party people enjoying the chance to be different for a night. You have your keys ready so it takes no time to slip it into your lock. As you bend over, ready to turn the knob, you feel Loki at your back. His strong hands roam over your hips tugging you into his hard, honed body.

"Uh uh little kitten. It's not time to play just yet." You admonish him while forcing him to release you. "Darling!" It was a whine. You'd never heard Loki beg before and the sound of it made your core clench, unchecked excitement coursing through you. Stepping inside, finally, you didn't pause for a drink or a trip to the ladies room. No, you stomped right into your bedroom, Loki in tow.

There's a moment right before snowflakes start their fall when all the world waits in quiet silence for the flurry to begin. A beat, maybe two, where the balance of nature breathes before being tipped one way or another.

This night, when you faced Loki across your soft carpeted floor, dressed in a replica of his armor, you felt that peaceful pause. Loki stood beside your closed door, eyes snapping with unreleased heat, looking sweet as homemade sin, in that black double breasted suit with pointed pussy cat ears and a hungry grin.

To him you looked like a vision come to life. Where Loki was long and angled hidden in that leather and steel, you were curvy and soft. The corseted costume accentuating your bust, those tall boots lengthening your legs, even the helmet looked sexy and dangerous framing your sweet face.

"Loki..." Reaching out a hand to him, you felt the world tip into frenzy as the flurry started.

It took him two steps to reach you. One hand wrapped around your waist, tucking you into Loki's side, the other curled around your neck, supporting it, as your mouths met. Feasting on your lips like a starving man, Loki deepened the kiss when he buried his hand in your hair and pulled your head back firmly. You felt his other hand brush over your ass cheek before Loki squeezed down hard.

Moaning, "Loki... Loki..." you were being driven out of your mind by his talented tongue. His hand followed the hem of your skirt and you moaned when you felt Loki's fingers slide under the elastic leg of your panties.

Placing a flat palm against Loki's chest, you push away from his embrace. He lunges for you once more but you wiggle free of his grasp, cheeks enflamed and breathing hard. You stop to straighten your helmet before asking, "Little kitten... your goddess has a question for you. Why is no one licking my thighs?"

Loki growls, sounding like an actual rabid animal, as he stalks over to where you're standing by the bed. He shoves you down to the mattress, following you into the soft surface, and kisses you deeply again.

"Be gentle, little kitten..." You teasingly remind the dark prince who is laying between your parted knees. Looking down at you like a cornered mouse, your black cat promises, "You're going to find out that kitties have claws, lovey."

Without pausing, Loki's palms push roughly over your long leather boots. You sigh when his rough skin connects with the smooth satin of your inner thighs. He follows the path blazed by his hands with his moving mouth. A lick, teeth tasting, thumbs kneading, trailing closer to your apex, warm and wet and waiting. Loki switches sides, searing his route to your molten core into your memory.

Reaching for him, you run your hands through his long dark locks, fingers connecting with those little furry triangle ears. You groan when Loki yanks down your underpants, pulling them free over your footwear. Echoing your need, Loki chuckles, "Look at this... my queen, wet and writhing before me. Being me for a night did this?"

Eager to get Loki back to business you counter, "Yes... it feels... amazing."

Rich laughter bounces around your bedroom as Loki says, "It certainly does! Listen, I really like this suit, so give me a moment, won't you darling?"

Sitting up on your elbows, cape bunched beneath you, legs open obscenely you stare at Loki, already loosening his tie. "Um... your queen is NOT ok with taking a break. Get over here and finish what you started!"

One arm free from his dark coat, Loki freezes. "To do that I need to be unencumbered by these clothes, my lady."

Huffy now, you grumble something about rotten timing and shimmy your skirt off without leaving the bed. Loki's shirt buttons are abandoned as he watches you, naked below the waist, corset and cape still shrouding you, helmet on but askew. It's ridiculous and righteously sexy.

"I'm just gonna do it myself. Don't worry Loki, I've got it." You move your hand down your soft tummy, closer to your throbbing clit, anticipating the firmness of your arousal.

"Wait! That's not fair!" He has one leg out of his trousers, hopping around, trying to get them off so he can get back to getting you off.

"Fair schmair, kitty cat." Your fingers spread your lower lips, sweetly dipping into your wetness, the friction making you shiver. Loki, naked except for those ears, locked a tight hand over your wrist. "Allow me."

You try to shrug him off but Loki is able to bring your hand to his lips. Slowly he draws those tasty fingers into his warm mouth savoring your flavor. Blue eyes piercing yours, Loki drops your hand, saying "Now... my troublesome little dictator, this kitty thinks you need a tongue bath."

It's your turn to growl. Loki's strong hands fan over your hips, sliding seductively over your legs. You gasped when he jerked your booted knees over his broad shoulders bringing your liquid center closer to his hungry mouth. Exhaling a hot breathe against your aching cunt, Loki chuckled lowly as you thrust forward, searching for his touch.

Your sigh of frustration turned into a squeal of pleasure when Loki licked firmly through your drenched skin. Flicking his tongue over your clit with tiny licks, like a cat lapping at milk, Loki had you near to climax in minutes. His cat ears tickled the rarely touched place where your pelvis meets your thigh, sending shivers through you. With a rough bite to your straining nub, he pulled away. "Loki! Keep going!", you practically shouted.

But you needn't have bothered. Slowly circling your fleshy pearl, Loki drew it between his soft lips, sucking lightly. You bucked against this delicious torment but Loki's grip on you tightened. His thumbs opened your dripping slit, giving him full access to plunder your depths with his articulate fingers.

Rocking your hips against Loki's hand, his mouth still taking nips and nibbles of you, your orgasm gains power. Your breathing catches, happy hums streaming out of you, as your inner walls tighten around Loki's driving digits. "Loki...... I'm going to cum..." It's a warning and a promise.

"Oh, sweetling, let go. Let me feel the power of your pleasure!" When Loki pressed down on your clit while curling his fingers against your velvet walls you lost your battle with control. First your muscles locked together in glorious, bone cracking tension, then you fell apart like a puppet with cut strings.

Loki stroked your silken skin through your climax, easing your body back to earth. Instead of stealing your energy, your release made you want more. Rolling up onto your knees you reach for your little kitten, tangling a hand in his ebony locks, before forcing your lips together.

You rush your hands down Loki's strong core, over the corded muscles of his abdomen, stopping at the heavy length of his cock. Through gritted teeth Loki sighs, "Careful darling."

"Would you be careful, my kitty cat? I don't think so." Sliding your soft palm along his steel length, you add a touch of pressure, and rub your thumb across his glistening head. Stroking Loki, you kiss him again, your tongue working against his mouth to the same rhythm as your hand.

Loki breaks your grip with a strained groan. "Inside you. I have to be inside you.", he whispers as he drops his forehead to yours, staring into your eyes.

Tenderly you sigh, "Fuck, Loki. That's hot."

Smiling broadly, he nods, "I know, Right?"

Before you can respond, Loki's laid himself on your bed, back resting upon the headboard, his erection proud and ready. "Come here!" Patting his lap, excitement evident, he's in a rush for you to join him.

Pausing to unzip the restricting corset you've been in all night, you let it and the satin cape slide off your shoulders but you keep the boots on. Loki's eyes drink in your gorgeous body, his bottom lip held in anticipation. You reach up to remove the paper helmet hugging your brow only to stop when Loki hummed, "Keep it on."

Giggling softly you nod. There's something carnal about your near nudity which makes you feel emboldened. It's that same power you had in Loki's costume, the feeling of infinite possibilities, all uniting for you. The thrill of it makes you slick with need for the wicked man you're straddling between your thighs.

Your pelvis streched over Loki's, his straining cock pressed between your bodies, those large hands of his molded to you hips. Stroking his length once more, you raised up on your knees and guided him into your tunnel. Loki pushed down on your curves, driving himself inside of you with glorious purpose in one stroke.

Stuttering out a curse word, your head fell back, exposing your neck to Loki and his ravishing lips. With his strong arms pulling you tighter, you rolled your being onto his, taking more and more of Loki's body each time.

When his lips found your breast you groaned. Out of instinct you gripped Loki's head and pulled him closer. His hands drifted down your spine, over your ass cheeks, and hugged you tighter than you thought possible. Your nipples were covered in wet kisses, faint impressions of Loki's teeth were red on your skin, and still you wanted more from him.

Grinding together, your sensitive bud rubbing so deliciously against Loki, your body nears the peak of its passion. His grip on you drags you down, harder and harder, spearing your spiral of desire. Your tender walls shudder around the hard heat of his member. "You're going to cum, little one. I can feel it. Please, please cum for me."

The humid breath of his broken whisper in your ear sends your body into bliss. Shuddering around Loki's bones, you hear him grunt and hold your hips wide over his own as he spills his sexual release into your receptive skin. Gripping him hard enough to bruise, you're locked together, sharing a single body... a single breath.

It takes you both a long while before your breathing returns to normal. Never taking his precious blue eyes off of yours, Loki brushes a stray strand of hair behind your ear. "I hope my queen is satisfied..." he teases.

"Hmmmmm... yes... yes she is... and my scary black cat?", you ask as you flick one of the flocked ears, now slightly askance. "Oh, he'd purr in pleasure... if that were possible."

Loki stirs inside of you making you jump. "Wait... please. Just a little longer, Loki." You're not ready to let go of his body, his spirit, his heart, just yet. Wrapping your arms across his shoulders, you rest your chin in the crook of Loki's neck and idly play with a lock of his hair.

"Loki?" You murmur, drowsy and still a teeny bit tipsy.

"Yes, darling?" He turns his bright eyes to yours.

"Next year we're going as Westley and Buttercup, from The Princess Bride..." You yawn and slide off Loki's lap, wrapping the comforter around you both.

With a gentle smile, Loki answers, "As you wish, little one."

#hot loki #loki smut #loki of asgard #loki fanfiction #loki fanfic #loki odinson #loki fluff #loki #marvel smut #marvel #mcu smut #marvel fanfiction

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hotforharrison · 6 years ago

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Confessions in a Can (Oneshot)

Masterlist

Pairing: Harrison Osterfield/Reader

Summary: Confessing your feelings to Harrison with help from some whipped cream.

Word Count: 1,307

Warnings: Language and smut, my usual go-tos.

A/N: I have over 3,000 words written in the next chapter of Heart’s Desires, so it’s definitely in progress! Kinky!Haz keeps being Soft!Haz. I don’t know if I can write him any way other than soft and sweet. I guess there’s room for both!

You had a problem. The problem had a name. Its name was Harrison Osterfield.

After meeting Harrison while he was walking one of your new favorite dogs, the sweet and adorable Monty, you became fast friends.

Your attraction to him was immediate. He was insanely hot. You’d have to be blind not to notice that. Hell, he was technically a male model, even though he was quick to remind you that he was an actor first and foremost when you teased him about it.

Although you knew you weren’t the best flirt, you’d tried subtly flirting with him. He was either not interested and didn’t know how to tell you, or completely clueless. Maybe you needed to be less subtle, but you definitely needed to be braver first.

It was a lazy weekend, and you were hanging out with Harrison, as had become what you usually did in the past few months.

"I'm going to the kitchen. Want anything?" he asked, getting up from the sofa and grabbing his empty glass off the coffee table.

"I'm good, thanks," you replied, half-watching the game on the TV.

He returned soon after with a bottle of beer and a can of whipped cream. After he put the beer bottle on the coffee table, he uncapped the whipped cream and sprayed it into his mouth.

You laughed. "Jesus, are you ten, Harrison?"

He grinned over at you, making a show of tipping his head back and squirting more in his mouth. "What? It's good!"

You noticed some had gotten on his neck. "Hey, you got some on you."

"Where?" he asked.

"I'll get it." You weren’t sure what it was, but you felt braver in that moment then you had in the past. It was time to leave no questions to your intentions.

You leaned over to bring your lips to Harrison's neck, tongue running slowly and thoroughly over his skin, cleaning off the sweet whipped cream.

When you pulled back and looked at his face, his eyes were widened, and he raised his eyebrows. "What was that?"

"Just helping a friend out with a little problem," you responded.

"More like making a not so little one," he muttered.

You glanced down at his sweatpants, the outline of his erection obvious through the fabric. You smirked, grabbing the can of whipped cream from him, and sprayed some on his arm.

He laughed. "Hey! What are you doing?"

Instead of responding, you moved to lick the whipped cream off of his skin.

"Oh, you're doing that. Alright.” He took a breath. “We should probably talk before we do this.”

"Sorry, my mouth is busy,” you told him.

He smiled. "No, it's not."

“Yes, it is.” You sprayed more whipped cream further up on his arm, close to the sleeve of his jersey, taking longer to lick it off this time.

When you were done, you played with the hem of his jersey, hand slipping underneath to brush against his toned stomach, the way you’d always wanted to do when you’d seen him shirtless.

He tensed underneath your touch, but didn't stop you. "I'm still not entirely sure what's going on here, and again, we are going to talk about it later, but I take it you want me to take my shirt off for whatever it is we’re doing right now?"

Instead of answering with words, you simply nodded.

He tugged the jersey over his head and dropped it on the sofa next to him, looking at you expectantly.

You licked your lips and dropped to your knees in front of him, making space for yourself between his spread legs.

His eyes were locked on you as you sprayed another line of whipped cream over his chest.

Your tongue traced patterns over his skin as you licked up the whipped cream. You gently bit down on one of his pecs and started sucking it.

“Hey, no marks,” he warned. “Going to the beach on Monday.”

You stopped, a little disappointed, and moved to flick one of his nipples with your tongue. Your teeth grazed over the hardening nub.

“Shit,” he groaned.

As an afterthought, you placed a glob of whipped cream over the other nipple before you attacked it with your mouth, not stopping until the last hint of sweetness was gone from his skin.

His abs were the next place you put the whipped cream, outlining them.

Whipped cream or no, you’d always wanted to lick his abs. Honestly, most women probably wanted to lick his abs, especially after all the thirst trap shirtless photos he posted on social media. You’d never tell him, but you had pretty much all of his sexy photos saved for when you spent time quality time with your battery-operated boyfriend.

You eagerly followed the trail of whipped cream over the firm muscles, appreciating the time he put in at the gym.

Next up on your trail down his torso was his belly button. It wasn’t something you’d admit aloud because you found it weird, at least not unless you were well on your way to drunk, but you found his belly button sexy.

After surrounding it with what was probably too much whipped cream, you swirled your tongue over and around his navel, paying extra attention to it long after the whipped cream was gone.

You placed one hand on his sweatpants near the waistband, other still holding the can of whipped cream, and looked up to meet his eyes, waiting for permission.

“Yeah. Yeah, go ahead,” he encouraged.

Your hand was a bit shaky with nervousness when you freed his cock from the confines of his sweatpants and boxers.

You took a moment to appreciate the sight and feel of it in your hand. He was a little longer than average, a good, sturdy thickness. If he let you, and you very much hoped he would, you knew he’d fill you up nicely.

Before he questioned why you were sitting there staring at his dick, you covered it partially with whipped cream, but the can hissed, spraying just air, before you were completely done.

With a shrug, you put the empty can on the coffee table, and licked a long stripe through the whipped cream from your hand up to the tip. You were quick to take him in your mouth and clean up the rest of the whipped cream with your tongue.

When you started licking and sucking him in earnest, he moaned loudly. His hands tangled in your hair. He gently guided you over his cock, definitely gentler than he had to be, careful not to make you gag or tug on your hair too hard. Even lost in pleasure, he was sweet.

“Gonna cum soon, love,” he warned you.

You sucked on him harder in response, bobbing your head faster.

“Fuck,” he groaned, as he spilled into your mouth in several long spurts.

You swallowed and pulled back, cleaning him thoroughly with little kitten licks as he softened.

“Too bad we’re out of whipped cream,” he commented, still a little breathless.

“Sorry you didn’t get much,” you apologized.

He chuckled. “I’m not, but it would be nice to return the favor. I guess I don’t technically need whipped cream to do that, though.”

“You want to do that?” you asked, surprised.

“I know you. You’re not that daft, darling.” He smiled brightly down at you, and your heart skipped a beat. “Now, come on. Let’s go to my room before one of the guys walks in on us, yeah?”

“One of the guys already heard you in there and chose not to walk in on you,” you heard a voice call from the kitchen. “It’s about damn time, too. You’ve been dancing around each other for weeks now. Tom owes me £50. He was sure you two were already fucking.”

Tag list: @adayasgeorgia @moorehollandplz @thollandss @dasexydevitt13 @imagine-lovebug @robbinholland @strang-ersclub @hollandisapuppy @goldenpeaxh @legendsofwholock @superheroesaremytea @tomblrholland @niiight-dreamerrrr @spidermanffh3000 @devildisguiseasangel @theyy-lovemo @eeyore101247 @angelhaz11 @i-love-scott-mccall @bewitched-haz @farfromhaz @jinx4karma @definitely-not-black-cat @lizzyosterfield

#harrison osterfield #haz osterfield #harrison osterfield smut #harrison osterfield fanfiction #harrison osterfield fanfic #harrison osterfield x you #harrison osterfield x y/n #harrison osterfield x reader #harrison osterfield you #harrison osterfield reader #harrison osterfield reader insert

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signs-of-the-moon · 4 years ago

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Moon Rise: Chapter 43

Only two days passed when the clan needed herbs again. Swiftcloud and Rabbitstorm travelled along the snowy path, led only by Ruby, back to through the Twolegplace. They paused at the fence by the large Twoleg's den, looking to their guide as they prepared to jump over.

"I shall wait for you right here. Please try not to take too long, it's very cold today," Ruby meowed, seating herself by the Twoleg fence. Swiftcloud and Rabbitstorm gave her an agreeing nod, leaping into the yard on the other side. Tabitha was already there, patiently waiting for them outside by the door. Fat Louie was also present, though he didn't appear as cheerful as his mate.

"Oh no. Not them again!" He griped. His expression was sour as he glanced from the Grassclan warriors to his mate and back.

"There you are!" Tabitha bounded towards the clan cats. She completely ignored Fat Louie's remark. "I've been waiting for you. I was worried you wouldn't come back."

"We told you we would. A warrior's word is their bond," Rabbitstorm responsed with his tail raised in greetings.

"I didn't mean any offense by that remark," Tabitha insisted,"it's just that I never know when you're coming back. For all I know, I could be waiting seasons to see you all again."

"Well, I can garuntee we'll never stay away that long," Swiftcloud promised, touching her nose to the other molly's assuringly.

Tabitha purred, turning to press her side into Rabbitstorm's. She didn't stick to the topic of their discussion anymore, now that her favorite cat was here to dote on. "Brr. It's so bitter outside today, don't you think?"

Rabbitstorm began to lick his chest fur, avoiding Tabitha's sunshine yellow gaze. "I hadn't really noticed," he mumbled.

"I bet it's because you have all that long fur, hm? No cold can get through that handsome pelt of yours, I'm sure." Tabitha nudged him. It was so obvious that she wanted the tom's attention. Probably in more ways than one. Swiftcloud thought it was cute.

Rabbitstorm shuffled his paws around in the snow, looking at them as if he suddenly found them fascinating. Swiftcloud resisted the purr of amusement that wanted to rise in her throat. She could tell just how flustered her friend was by how he was behaving. Tabitha was the only cat who could push his buttons this way, besides Heatherwing. If fate would have allowed it, Swiftcloud could have seen the pair becoming mates some day. But they came from two different worlds, and lived too far to maintain any sort of bond. Besides, Tabitha had Fat Louie as her mate already, despite how much of a fox-heart he'd previously shown himself to be. And despite how flirty and flustered he'd get, Swiftcloud doubted that Rabbitstorm was ready to move on from Heatherwing yet. It was still too soon since her passing.

"C'mon 'handsome' let's get that catmint," Swiftcloud teased, ignoring the memories of the deceased molly her mind tried to hold. Rabbitstorm perked up right away to glare at her, though a hint of mischief was noted in his expression.

"Haha, funny." He rolled his eyes, bounding ahead with Tabitha right beside him. Swiftcloud purred, falling in step with her companions. From behind, she could feel judgemental eyes upon them. Swiveling her ears back, Swiftcloud could hear an extra set of paws shuffling through the snow. She paused just outside the Green House door.

"You guys go ahead. I think I'll wait outside this time. Tabitha, can you bring a bundle of herbs for me please?"

Tabitha trilled, leaning herself against Rabbitstorm. "Sure!" Though her words were addressed to Swiftcloud, her attention was still placed on the lynx point tom next to her. Tabitha batted her eyes at him dreamily before following Rabbitstorm into the den. Swiftcloud was left outside alone and ignored. She watched the pair slip away into the tamed undergrowth before turning herself around. Her eyes narrowed as Fat Louie appeared before her.

"Can I help you with something?" Swiftcloud asked the fat tom, not disguising the distrust she had for him.

"Yeah. You can help me by getting your mangy hides off my territory," Louie hissed. "Y'know you're all Tabitha's talked about since you came by the other day? It's always 'Swiftcloud' this. And 'wild cats' that. It's driving me batty! And if I have to listen to her gush one more heartbeat about 'Wabbitstorm~' I'm going to claw my own ears off."

"Is there really a problem with that?" Swiftcloud prompted. "Surely you'd want Tabitha to be happy? To have friends?"

"Tabitha doesn't need any cat but me. She's been fine the past six moons, with just her and I. And she'll be perfectly happy when you're gone! You're ruining everything we've planned for. Everything we've been brought together for."

Swiftcloud tilted her head, unsure of what Louie was referring to. "And what would that be?" She asked.

"To have kits, of course. Tabitha and I are supposed to have a few litters of kits for our housefolks."

So that was the reason why Tabitha was so open to flirting with a tom that wasn't her mate. She wasn't in love with Fat Louie at all. They'd been made to be mates by their Twolegs. Tabitha didn't have a choice. Swiftcloud resisted the urge to cringe at the realization. She'd only ever known of something like this happening with show cats; like her parents. Swiftcloud's parents had been coupled together to produce award winning kittens. Luckily, the two of them had found true love for each other over time. But Swiftcloud couldn't see that being the case with Tabitha and Louie. Especially when Tabitha was so infatuated with Rabbitstorm. What a miserable life she'll lead, Swiftcloud thought bitterly.

"You being here's putting too many ideas into that molly's head. She's thinkin about being a clan cat, yknow," Fat Louie added, looking disgusted.

She'd definitely be happier if she was, Swiftcloud wanted to say. But she held her tongue, her nubby tail wiggling in agitation.

"So why don't you all just stay away? Go home to your fields or something. Keep out of housefolk neighborhoods. And especially our territory." Fat Louie took a few steps closer, his nose only a mouse-whisker away from Swiftcloud's. From this distance she could see the scratches Rabbitstorm had left on the tom's muzzle. "I heard your story, yknow. You made your choice to be one of those wild cats. Let Tabitha stay where she belongs; don't force her to make the same decision as you did."

"Nobody is forcing her to choose. Tabitha is her own cat. She can decide to follow whatever path she pleases. You have no right to keep her from her happiness."

Fat Louie drew his lips back in a snarl. "I make her happy. We are happy. You're just too blinded by your wild lifestyle to see it. Maybe you had been a house cat before, but that time has passed. You've forgotten what it's like. You can't possibly begin to understand anything about our relationship. I'll warn you one last time; stay away from our territory, or else."

"Or else what? You'll drive us away? Sick you Twolegs on us?"

"I'll do something I'd rather not. I'll hurt Tabitha. I'll make sure our housefolks see her injuries. And when they do, they'll never let her outside again. She's declawed, yknow. There'll be no way for her to defend herself."

"That absurd," Swiftcloud growled, "there's no need to take things that far. We visit your territory to gather catmint for our sick. Once the greencough has been eliminated from our clan, we won't need to come around anymore. We'll be gone for good within the next moon or so. Besides, the clan can't handle any new mouthes to feed right now." Swiftcloud was careful with how she worded things, knowing that whatever she'd say would make its way to Tabitha through Fat Louie. There was no need to give him more ammunition to use to try and prevent his mate from running away to the clans.

Louie grunted in response, "I'll believe it when I see it... Heed my warning, wild cat." With that, the fat tom stalked off, giving a grumble as he went. Nasty old badger, Swiftcloud thought sourly, turning to meet with her clanmates inside the Green House.

A quarter moon went by. Swiftcloud had returned for another needed round of herbs. A new set of cats had joined this patrol, cats she was eager to introduce to her new kittypet friend.

"I can't believe we're so far in Twolegplace!" Frostfeather exclaimed as they entered Tabitha's yard from the fence. She shook out her pelt as snow sprayed over her from the impact of her landing.

"I think it's awesome," Tulippaw chimed, having regained her spunk after recovering from greencough. "I know aunt Whitestar approved of us coming here. But crossing into unknown territory makes me feel like a rebel spy."

"Are you interested in being a Spy?" Swiftcloud wondered aloud. She'd be thrilled if her apprentice wound up following in her pawsteps. And even if she didn't, she was glad to give the young cat a taste of what the job may intell. Ambereye would probably approve as well.

Tulippaw gave an unsure shrug, bristling slightly as she noticed the door to the Twolegs' den swing open. Swiftcloud followed her apprentice's gaze. Tabitha came bounding over the moment she noticed the clan cats waiting for her. She waved her tail in greetings, coming to a stop in front of them. Disappointment momentarily took over her expression, a look Swiftcloud figured was for Rabbitstorm's sake. He hadn't been assigned to join the herb patrol this time, even though he insisted.

"I see you've brought some new faces," Tabitha remarked to Swiftcloud, glancing at the strange she-cats.

"Hi there!" Frostfeather beamed. "I'm Frostfeather!! Gee, you sure smell funny," the silver and white tabby mewed, giving Tabitha a sniff. Swiftcloud giggled, reminded of the time she'd first met Frostfeather. She'd reacted the same way then, too.

"Well, so do you! Actually, you kinda smell like some other clan friends I have," Tabitha noted.

"You must be talking about Rabbitstorm and Mistyleaf, right? They're my littermates!"

Tabitha gasped happily. "You're Rabbitstorm's other sister?? How is he? Has he mentioned me at all? I miss him so much!"

Frostfeather let out a trill of amusement.

"Hey!" Tulippaw caterwauled. "I thought we came here to pick up catmint, not to gossip like elders."

"Tulippaw's right," Swiftcloud agreed. Across the way, she could see Fat Louie watching them through a window. His eyes were narrowed, teeth exposed. Swiftcloud felt a little anxious at the sight. She didn't want to distract Tabitha for long in fear for the kittypet's safety. But at the same time, she was feeling a bit spiteful. Louie wanted to prevent Tabitha from becoming too enthralled in clan cat culture. But that didn't mean Swiftcloud couldn't teach her a thing or two about survival.

"Tulippaw, I'd like to assign you to a special task," she mewed. "I know you think herb gathering is boring. So, as compromise for coming along, I'll let you hang out here and play with Tabitha. Maybe you can show off your talented hunting skills, hm?"

Tulippaw perked up at the suggestion, an excited grin forming on her face. "That'll be fun! Hey, hey Tabitha, have you ever tried catching a mouse?"

Tabitha shook her head looking curious. "No, never. I wish I could though."

Tulippaw's grin widened, "then stick with me, I'll teach you everything you need to know."

Swiftcloud and Frostfeather let out a mrrow of laughter, letting the two excited cats play while they went and gathered up everything they needed. Swiftcloud felt relieved, having someone there to protect Tabitha during their visit. It felt good to do right by her. It was the least the clan could do for her generosity. And for potentially breaking ger heart in the near future.

*******

After a moon and half of continuous visits to the Twolegplace, the need for catmint had been completely fulfilled. Today would be the final visit to Tabitha's den, to tell her the good news, and to say farewell for good. It was a bittersweet day for everyone. But it was one they all knew would come. Soon, life would return to normal. With every cat well again, Grassclan could get back to business as usual. And Tabitha could go back to living the life that had been chosen for her by the Twolegs.

"Swiftcloud, Frostfeather, Mistyleaf, Chicorynose!" Tabitha cheered as she saw the warriors approach. Her eyes became particularly sparkly when she looked towards the final cat in their patrol. "Rabbitstorm!" The round tabby launched herself at the tom, slamming him into the padded ground below. They slid a mouse-length, leaving an indent the snow. Tabitha sat on top of Rabbitstorm, beaming down at him.

"Get off me you great big furball!" Rabbitstorm meowed, though there was laughter laced within his tone.

Tabitha smiled that much brighter, rubbing her cheek against his. "I missed you all so much."

"It's only been a few days." Chicorynose purred with amusement. Tabitha sat up, allowing Rabbitstorm to slip free from her grip. She lifted a paw to lick, casually running it over one of her ears.

"I know, but it's always so hard when you have to go away."

"Hey Tabitha, we have something amazing to tell you," Swiftcloud informed the kittypet molly. Tabitha perked up. "The last of our clanmates has been confirmed well again!"

"Really? Oh, that's fantastic!" Tabitha cheered.

"Grassclan's grown strong thanks to you," Chicorynose added. "We're very grateful for the aid you've provided, Tabitha. Thank you... I know our visiting is payment enough for your assistance. But, I wish there was something more we could do in return for your charity."

Tabitha shuffled her paws. "There's only one thing I'd ask for, if I could. I'd love to be taken back to Grassclan with all of you... But I know I wouldn't do well in the wild. I have no claws. I can't hunt or fight. I don't have much of a way to provide for a whole group of cats the way you can. And...I'm expecting kits."

"There's plenty of ways to hunt that don't always require claws," Swiftcloud pointed out, her bird catching technique standing out in her mind. "Plus in our clan, cats have partners. You'd always have somebody around to help you catch prey."

"And not every cat in the clan hunts for the rest," Rabbitstorm added. "There's cats who repair dens or help the medicine cats gather their herbs. And our queens tend to the entire clan, and their mental wellbeings "

"Really?" Tabitha was intrigued.

"Yeah!" Frostfeather chimed. "If you joined us, there would be plenty for you to help with. Besides we all really like you, you'd fit in with Grassclan perfectly."

Tabitha's eyed began to sparkle with hope. She smiled, chest puffing out excitedly.

"Hang on," Ruby interjected. "Surely you need to think this through. As much as I hate to agree with Fat Louie, its true you belong here. You aren't like these clan cats, Tabitha, please see reason."

"No I don't," Tabitha argued. "I don't belong here at all. In fact, I hate this place! I'm always so bored. There's nothing fun to do. And Louie doesn't care about me. He has no interest in what I talk about or in spending time with me. He hardly even reacted when I told him that I'm expecting. The most excitement that's come from my life has been from interacting with you, and with all the wild cats you've brought to visit me." Tabitha turned to address the Grassclan patrol. Tears began to well in her eyes, her voice was pleading. "I want to be warrior. I want crazy adventures, and friends that I can count on. I want my kits to be born wild and free in the meadow. Not miserable and lonely in some dusty old den like I was. The only thing I want in return from you is a home. A family. Please, take me with you!"

"Well." Chicorynose twitched her whiskers. "Typically, this decision would be up to Whitestar. However, the clan could use fresh blood now that so many of our warriors have passed on. And you've proven yourself capable of loyalty to our clan. I see no reason why we shouldn't take you."

Tabitha's pelt fluffed with excitement.

"But be warned," Swiftcloud cut in. "Living as a clan cat is not all fun and games. There's danger everywhere. The cold seasons are harsh, and food will not be so readily available. There's predators; and the other clans can be vicious, too. Know that by coming with us, you're giving up comfort, warmth, certainty. For you and your kittens. Are you sure this is what you want?"

"All of that sounds pleasant, compared to the dull life I've had to lead. I'd rather die than stay here a moment longer. At least in the clan I'll know that I've truly lived. And I'll know that my kits are happy too."

Chicorynose beckoned the others with her tail. "Then come. We'll be off to the meadow at once. Whitestar will want to meet you. And we should probably move quickly, before Louie comes along to try and stop you."

Tabitha let out an excited trill, doing a little spin of joy. She bumped her head against Chicorynose's, purring. "Oh thank you, thank you, thank you!!"

"Well." Ruby stepped closer to her kittypet friend. Her purple-ish eyes narrowed down at the plump molly, her ears twitching. "I suppose, if there's no stopping you..." Without warning, the large she-cat snatched up Tabitha by the collar. She gave a few hard yanks, ripping it right off her friend's neck. Tabitha let out a surprised gasp, her fur standing on end. She stared down at her collar, which had been dropped by her paws. Tabitha looked up at Ruby with wide eyes. Ruby in turn lowered her head to touch noses with her. "Take care, Tabitha. And good luck out there."

Tabitha blinked and purred once more, licking her friend's muzzle. "Thank you," she whispered, stepping back. Chicorynose flicked an ear, beckoning the Grassclan patrol to come along.

"I'll lead the way," Swiftcloud offered, padding on ahead. The rest of her clanmates followed, Tabitha rushing over to join them. Ruby traveled with, eventually allowing the clan cats to move on without her. She watched as her friend and the rest of the Grassclan patrol disappeared over the horizon.

When they were back in familiar territory, Mistyleaf piped up from the back of the group. "Swiftcloud, could I speak with you for a few heartbeats?"

Swiftcloud turned, following her friend's request. The two she-cats hung back, while the rest of their clanmates continued ahead towards camp. They fell in step with one another, speaking softly.

"I wanted to let you know how grateful I am for the help you've provided these past couple of moons. Starclan knows how much of a pain it was to get Snowfrost to agree to allow you to assist. But I think if it weren't for you, Grassclan may have been suffering from greencough until Newleaf."

"I just did what any other cat would do," reasoned Swiftcloud.

"That's not true," Mistyleaf disagreed. "You've gone above and beyond what was expected. You let yourself go hungry so others could eat. Pushed yourself to keep going even though you were tired. You volunteered to help Snowfrost and I with your immunity. And you were the one to insist we look in Twolegplace for catmint. No other cat was able to do all that. And now, Grassclan is strong again. It's all because of you."

Swiftcloud felt herself flush beneath her pelt. Her head dipped bashfully to avoid Mistyleaf's gaze. She couldn't bring herself to believe that what she'd done was out of the ordinary. I was only fulfilling my duty as a warrior.

Mistyleaf moved to press herself against her friend's flank. She purred softly, drawing Swiftcloud's attention onto her with a flick of her thick tail.

"I knew you were important," she whispered. "I never realized how much of an impact you'd make, until now... I admire you so much, Swiftcloud." Mistyleaf pressed herself against her companion further. "Maybe even more than that..."

Swiftcloud gulped. "More..?"

Mistyleaf nodded, "I suppose, well...It's taken me a long time to consider my feelings about you. I thought I just wanted to be friends, but... Stars, I can't hold back my affection for you anymore...! Swiftcloud...I-"

Swiftcloud suddenly curved around to stand in the medicine cat's path, interrupting her. She trembled slightly, but stood tall. Her eyes sparkled and heart fluttered as if butterflies had found their way into her chest. Mistyleaf blinked. Confusion showed in her pretty silver features. There was a silence that settled between the pair. What felt like eternity lasted only heartbeats. It was clear what Mistyleaf wanted to say. But Swiftcloud couldn't let her be the first to speak those words.

"I love you too," she finally confessed, moving to touch her muzzle against Mistyleaf's.

Mistyleaf's eyes began to water. She pressed her face to Swiftcloud's, her purr rising to a loud elated rumble. The she-cats nuzzled one another, shedding a couple of happy tears. After so many moons of pining, they could finally give into their desires and be together. Swiftcloud couldn't be happier. Now she could call both of her greatest loves her mates.

The two she-cats trotted on ahead, flank against flank, back to Grassclan's camp. They arrived just in time to make it to Tabitha's apprentice ceremony.

"Ah, there you are,"Whitestar meowed. "I was just about to make mention of you, Swiftcloud. I've assigned Chicorynose to be Tabitha's mentor. And I'd like to ask you to help as well. Having a cat from a similar background to teach her our way of life would be most beneficial. I hope you can handle training two apprentices."

Swiftcloud blinked, glancing from Mistyleaf back to Whitestar.

"I'll manage just fine. Thank you, Whitestar," she replied, padding over to the base of the Tall Stone. Chicorynose and Tabitha stood their waiting, the second of the pair turning to touch noses with Swiftcloud. At once, the clan broke out into cheers. Swiftcloud basked in the excitement of it all. Of the energy in the air, and of the strength of her clanmates. Perhaps now everything could return to normal. And with it, perhaps Grassclan could live in peace. And maybe at last, Swiftcloud could indulge in life's simple pleasures.

#warrior cats #wcs #warrior cat ocs #Sogns of the Moon: Moon Rise #Moon Rise #Chapter 43

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