Memories

Erol watched BlackClan grow with happiness. The clan was slowly returning to the state a clan should be in. He watched Sunnyblade talking to Raggedflame. She had moved out of the Nursery 3 moons ago when their kits, Rapidpaw and Tinderpaw, had become apprentices. He started to pad towards his mate, nodding at Raggedflame. Raggedflame dipped his head and padded away. Erol smiled then looked at Sunnyblade.

"Life is pretty normal now."

Sunnyblade smiled.

"This is so much different then the BlackClan I remember, You've done a good job."

Sunnyblade seemed far away as she spoke, like she was somewhere else.

"Are you okay?"

She looked ay Erol again.

"I don't know... I always hated living in LakeClan cause I hated clan life. I was born a loner, and that's what I liked. Then when I was stolen... the old BlackClan was so different. Nothing like LakeClan. Though it was horrid, and Fierystar used me only for kits... I liked it there. I liked the thought of the danger and the difference. And now... BlackClan is becoming like LakeClan. I... it isn't me. My life isn't this."

Erol stood rooted to the spot. He didn't know what to think. He had done this all for her. Of course, it was StarClan's will, but if she had told him she didn't want it like this, he would've done it. He would have done anything for her. Finally he nosed her cheek.

"We can... We can leave. We can become loners."

Sunnyblade's eyes widened.

"You're the leader! You can't leave. And you're happy here. I wouldn't make you leave."

Erol looked down.

"How can I be happy knowing you aren't? I would do anything to make you happy. Even if it means handing my clan over to someone else."

Sunnyblade shook her head.

"We can't... We couldn't anyways. What about Rapidpaw and Tinderpaw? This is their home. The only home they've known. I couldn't take them away."

Erol sighed.

"They'd understand."

She shook her head.

"No... We're not leaving."

She looked at Erol, her eyes set. He sighed.

"Okay. I'm going to see how Icycurrent is doing. You want to come?"

Sunnyblade shook her head, her hard resolution dissolving. He licked her cheek before padding to the medicine cat den. Windingflame looked up then dipped his head. Erol smiled slightly before spotting the ginger tom and going over to him.

"Hey."

Icycurrent looked up and sighed, before resting his head back on his paws. He stared listlessly at the wall, his eyes dull. Erol closed his eyes, remembering what Sunnyblade had said, how her life isn't this. How it was the fierceness of the old BlackClan.

"Is this your life?"

Icycurrent looked at Erol, and Erol continued.

"This clan. This isn't your life. You grew up in a world of fierceness. It's who you are now. This, this clan is not enough for you. Sunnyblade said the same thing. She isn't happy here. She likes being a loner. She prefers a fierce and dangerous life over this one."

Icycurrent closed his eyes tightly.

"I miss it. I'm probably horrid to say that."

Erol shook his head.

"No. No you're not. I want to leave. With Sunnyblade. I want her to be happy, but she won't leave. If we leave, I want you to make this clan fierce. Make it a clan to be feared, but also make it be able to be an ally other clans can trust. Keep the clan happy, but have that dangerous spirit the clan has lost. Promise me that."

Icycurrent stayed still for a while, before nodding.

"Okay. I'll try."

Erol nodded.

"Now, to do that you can't be depressed. It's making you sick. You need to get better. Please try."

Before Icycurrent could answer Erol got up and padded away, his head low.

The Travels- Part 2

Bluegaze opened his eyes to darkness, as usual. He remembered being swept down the river, choking on water and Dreamstar's fur. He remember at one point he lost his hold on her scruff, and that's when he felt hopeless. Shortly after he blacked out. He struggled to his feet, feeling a warmness run over his left eye. He wiped his paw over his eyes and sniffed it. Blood. He must have hit his head. He sniffed the air, hoping to catch a scent of Dreamstar. He lowered his nose to the ground and soon heard what he was looking for. He bounded over to the sound, and pushed his muzzle into Dreamstar's shoulder. Her breaths were ragged, and she had small cuts too.He tried to nudge her awake.

"Dreamstar. Get up. Please..."

Dreamstar opened her eyes and immediately Bluegaze let his mind open. He saw through her eyes, an noticed Two-leg houses. Where were they? There were no two-leg houses within miles and miles of LakeClan. Bluegaze shivered at the thought.

"Are you okay?"

Dreamstar got to her feet and shook herself out.

"Y-ya. I just don't know where we are."

Bluegaze sighed.

"Why didn't you swim to shore?"

Dreamstar's gaze was blank and was looking at nothing.

"I... I thought I may be able to find Rippleblaze if I was swept down the river too. But the waters had gone down and slowed. So I don't know where he is."

Her tail drooped, and she sighed in defeat. He nudged her gently.

"We'll find him. We can split up, and I'll go look a bit upstream, and you can go downstream. I'll catch up with you."

::---::

Rippleblaze was sitting up for the first time in almost three moons. His sight was blurry, his back leg was numb, and it still hurt him to breathe, but he was alive. Sitting in front of him was a black she-cat. She had introduced herself as Sola. She had said her name meant Sun. She had helped Rippleblaze heal, though it was taking longer then she had expected as his whole body was wrecked. His ribs were almost healed, and so were his two broken legs. There was only his one leg. It had seemed to be almost torn to bits, and infection had soon come to it. He had grown severely weak as the infection made him become sick with Green-Cough. She had wrapped his leg in leaves and put sticks in to help support it. Even now he still didn't have full feeling in the leg. Sola didn't think he ever would, and would have to have a new leaf wrap put on everyday. His bones had been almost crushed in that leg, and they were still healing. 

Rippleblaze shook his head.

"You've never told me where I am."

He looked at the black she-cat, and she flashed her silver eyes at him before continuing with the herbs.

"Don't be stingy. I did save your life. But I don't know exactly what you want to know. This is where I have lived. That's all I know."

Rippleblaze let out a quiet groan before lying down again. Sitting had made him to tired with the effort. Sola narrowed her eyes.

"I said to stay sitting. Take some pressure off of your side!"

He rolled his eyes.

"I'm not a kit, and you aren't the boss of me. I just want to go home..."

Blurry memories ran through his head of a she-cat with amber eyes. He shook his head and looked at his surroundings. All he saw were blurred leaves that were slowly falling off the bushes. Rippleblaze narrowed his eyes.

"What season is it?" 

Sola spat out some leaves.

"Close to Leaf-fall."

Rippleblaze gasped.

"What!? How long have I been here for!"

The she-cat looked at Rippleblaze carefully.

"Almost 3 moons... Where do you come from...?"

Rippleblaze moaned.

"3 moons? I need to find my home..."

He closed his eyes then answered again.

"I come from a clan. LakeClan. My family is there. I... I don't remember fully how I got here, except I was trying to help... my... my mate? I don't remember..."

Sola tilted her head.

"LakeClan? I've heard of that. It's very, very far upstream. You've come a long way. I don't know the way though, and even if I did, you can't even walk yet. Let alone sit!"

He sighed.

"I just... ah never mind..."

He let himself drift off to sleep as Sola watched him with worried eyes.

::---::

Dreamstar had been away from the clan for almost 2 moons. Dreamstar lay by the river shore, staring into the endless flow of water.

"We should just go back...."

Bluegaze sighed.

"A little longer. We'll keep going downstream."

::---::

Ink sat by the window, staring out. Ridgefeather had just gone out, and taken Oakkit. They were just in the backyard. Ink groaned. Ever since they turned 3 moons old Ridgefeather had started to take them outside, and had been teaching them the hunting crouch.

Ink looked back at Maple who was watching him.

"When is it my turn??"

Maple purred.

"Soon. They're coming in right now, see."

She flicked her tail to the door where Oakkit came bounding in. Ink leaped down and raced to the door.

::---::

Crowkit leaped up into the air as a moth flew by him. He stared at it as it flew out of reach. His siblings and him were  only 2 moons, and he could already not wait to become an apprentice.

A New Life

Grin leaped until the LakeRock, calling the clan together.

"Since Dreamstar is not currently here, we can not hold any warrior or apprentice ceremonies. I am sorry, we will try to find her as soon as possible. But we also have good news!

Before Markstar died, Strongspirit was expecting their second litter. She has recently given birth. Her kits came later then usual, but they all survived. She had three kits. Two she-kits, Featheredkit and Sweetkit, and a tom, Crowkit. Sweetkit... is different though. You shall see what I mean when they open their eyes and start exploring. Markstar would have been proud to be standing up here announcing his own kits births, but he sadly can only watch from above. For now we shall celebrate the new life that LakeClan needs."

Murmurs of congratulations spread through the clan. Grin nodded.

"Otherwise the clan shall continue as it always has. Thank-you. That is all."

He leaped off the LakeRock and padded to the warriors den, his head low.

::---::

Maple grabbed Ink's scruff.

"You can't go over there right now. When Ridgefeather gets back we will."

Ink growled.

"That's not fair! We're a moon old!"

Maple purred as Oak-kit nodded with his brother.

"Ya! Why does Ridgefeather have to always be here?"

She smiled.

"Cause he wants to watch you two grow up too."

She licked Oakkits shoulder and he backed away.

"When will he be back?"

"Soon little ones. Come sleep for now."

Ink and Oakkit groaned, then they pricked their ears and ran towards the window. Ridgefeather leaped up onto the windowsill, then leaped inside. He shook his fur off as it was damp from the oncoming rain. Ink squeaked happily then raced off in the direction he had wanted to go earlier. Oakkit followed close behind. Ridgefeather watched them run off, his heart feeling heavy. Part of him was still loyal to StarClan. He had broken the code so much. He had become a kitty-pet and had kits and a mate. What had happened to him? 

It had been a long time since he had been in a clan. Almost four seasons, as Leaf-fall was coming soon. He shook his head. What was happening in the clan? Nestflame said Dreamstar was back. How? Then he looked at Maple and he smiled. He was living a new life now.

Now and Forever

Burst nudged Ebonywing awake. He nosed her ear, whispering.

"Come with me into the forest. I... need to tell you something."

Burst then padded carefully around the cats, making sure Singe and Flash were both fast asleep. Once in the clearing he looked around. The clan was on edge ever since Rippleblaze had disappeared and Dreamstar had sunk into her sorrow. He looked behind him and saw Ebonywing. She blended perfectly into the darkness, with only her white paws and green eyes showing that she was there. He sniffed the air and padded through the entrance. The guard was circling the camp, so it was safe to go. Burst started to run, and he felt Ebonywing running slightly behind him. He found himself at the lake. He looked into the black water, and flicked his tail before jumping in. Ebonywing followed, swimming close to Burst.

After a while of swimming, Burst clambered onto the island. He leapt onto a flat rock, shaking himself off before lying down. The rock still held the warmth from the sun, so it was warm with the chilly lake breeze. Ebonywing laid down beside Burst. He looked at her, his heart beating fast.

Please Forgive me if I seem forward,
But I've never been in front of anything like you,
It's the last place I ever thought I'd be when I woke up this morning,

"I... wanted to tell you something. Something I shouldn't, but I feel like I can. Because I trust you."

He stared at her before looking away.

Is it true that you are always this breathtaking?,
And you're smart and you're willing,
And my god this is killing me.

Ebonywing rested her head on the rock.

"I'll always listen."

Tell me all the things you never said,
We can lie here and talk for hours in my bed,
I don't have anything to hide,

"After I tell you, I'd like to know everything about you too."

I don't have anything everything is not for certain,
I don't have anything to hide,
I don't have anything everything is not for certain.

 She nodded.

"I've noticed something was different about you and your brothers."

You started to see right through me,
And I'm loving every minute of it,
It's like I'm born again every time I breathe in so,

Burst smiled slightly.

"We're very much different."

If you're curious my favorite color's blue,
And I like to sing in the shower,
If you like I'll sing to you,

He took in a deep breath.

"Singe, Flash and I aren't from here. We're not normal cats. We're... we're from the Dark Forest. We were sent to destroy LakeClan... I... my real name isn't actually Burst. See, we have two sides to us. Our "normal, good" side. Which is this one. Me, Burst. And our evil side. Our evil sides have different names... If someone else says our name, then our evil side takes over. I can say my own name, and as long as Singe and Flash don't hear theirs, I can say them. Singe is Sear, and Flash is Flare. My name is Break.... If anyone else other then me says it, I start killing. It's dangerous to be around me... I'm evil."

Ebonywing didn't respond, she just looked at Burst. She then put her paw on top of his, and he looked at her. She whispered.

"I trust you. And I... I love you. I trust you not to hurt me."

Burst's ears rang, and his heart beat faster then ever.

Tell me all the things you never said,
We can lie here and talk for hours in my bed,
I don't have anything to hide.

 He looked at her paw on his, then looked back at her. He whispered very quietly.

"I love you too... I shouldn't."

I don't have anything everything is not for certain,
I don't have anything to hide,
I don't have anything everything is not for certain,

He shut his eyes tight.

"We can't be anything Ebonywing! How can we? I'll be gone one day..."

Ebonywing nudged him lightly.

"We can make it work."

Burst looked back at her.

"T-tell me all of your hopes,
All of your dreams.
I want you to take me there.
Tell me all of your hopes,
All of your dreams.
I want to take you there."

He took a deep breath, and touched his nose to her cheek.

"Tell my everything,
Every breath.
I want you to know I'll be there."

Ebonywing nodded, and Burst continued.

"There's just one more thing. 
One request.
I want you to take me with you.

I want to be with you forever. "

Ebonywing closed her eyes, shaking slightly.

"Of course... always. Forever."

Burst layed his head down next to Ebonywing's. Their pelts were brushing, and everything felt right, even though Burst had just told her his biggest secret. He whispered very quietly as they drifted to sleep.

"Take me with you.
I will never let you down.
I will love you... now and forever..."

::---::