Storm on the Horizon Pt. 4

Dreamstar watched the clan get ready for the night. They still had no idea where they were going, and had been traveling for moons now. She'd have to do ceremonies soon. Some of the older apprentices could probably become warriors soon. They were short on warriors, and with many new apprentices, they needed them. Two new apprentices had just come, Hazelpaw and Wildpaw, while two new warriors also had joined, Wolfwind and Dawnfall. Dreamstar watched her own apprentice, Ivypaw, pad after Grayshadow who had been training Sweetpaw and Ivypaw. Dreamstar just found she didn't have the time, though she did occasionally take Ivypaw out when they stopped and showed her some things.

It was warmer now, though. Prey was plentiful, and even if they didn't have a permanent home yet, it was okay. They were all surviving, and the kits seemed to like always having an adventure. Nettle had her paws full taking care of her kits and also volunteering to take care of the others.

Dreamstar looked up when she saw Rippleblaze padding over to her.

"You okay?"

She nodded.

"Ya, just homesick I guess. I miss my den. I was born in that nursery... grew up in that apprentices den. It's just so weird."

He lied down next to her.

"I know. But it gets easier, really. I left MarshClan. All for you."

She smiled weakly.

"Ya..."

She pricked her ears as she heard a noise.

"I'll be right back."

She stood up and padded to where it came from. What she saw, shocked her. A kit, probably 5 moons was nudging a form. Dreamstar took a careful step towards the mewling kit, gasping as the form came into clear view. It was... Archwhisper. Grayshadow's kit who left moons ago to be with her mate who was outside the clan. The kit spun around, looking up at Dreamstar.

"Is this... your mother?"

The kit looked back at Archwhisper, then nodded.

"Come with me. You'll be safe. Where is your father?"

The kit looked at Archwhisper again.

"My mother told me he died before I was born."

Dreamstar nodded, and gently grabbing Archwhisper's scruff, led the kit along with her tail. Once she got back to the clan, they gathered around. Grayshadow immediately recognized Archwhisper's still form.

"Archwhisper! What happened!?"

Dreamstar shook her head.

"It looks like she was attacked."

The small red kit spoke up then.

"She was defending me. A fox came, and almost got me before she rescued me, driving the fox away."

Grayshadow looked at the kit, then realizing this was her kin, thus making this kit Dreamstar's kin.

"What's your name?"

The kit looked at Dreamstar.

"Crykit."

Dreamstar purred.

"You can stay with us. Your mother is my kin, you'll be safe here."

Crykit nodded, looking at Grayshadow who smiled warmly. Nettle padded forward.

"I can look after her before she becomes an apprentice."

Dreamstar looked at the 5 moon old kit.

"I think I'll look after her this time, thank you though, Nettle."

Any cat could see the longing in Dreamstar's eyes for kits of her own again, so no one said anything.

::---::

A couple days later once they had stopped to rest again, Bluegaze padded up to Dreamstar while Crykit was playing with the other kits.

"Dreamstar? What are you going to do?"

She looked at the blind tom, blinking slowly.

"What do you mean? Is this something to do with Crykit?"

Bluegaze shook his head.

"No, nothing with her. But you. You're getting older Dreamstar, so is Rippleblaze. He can't even walk anymore without a limp, and his sight is only getting worse after his injuries. You're... slowing down too Dreamstar. Grayshadow's pretty much taken over Ivypaw's training, even though she's older too. Any other cat.... your age, would already be an elder by now. Rippleblaze is still only a warrior because you are."

Dreamstar stared at Bluegaze. Of course she had considered her age, and how she would have to find a replacement, but she had to lead her clan to their new home. 

"I'll lead my clan until my last breath. This clan needs me, and I need to protect it."

Bluegaze sighed.

"But how can you protect your clan when you're getting weaker with age? I just think... that once we find our new home, you should consider retiring and letting a younger cat become leader. It would be in the best interest of the clan, isn't that what you want? I don't mean any offense, but... we can't have elders fighting a fight that is meant for warriors. You should be able to enjoy the rest of your life in peace Dreamstar."

He turned away, and Dreamstar bristled.

"I'm not an elder Bluegaze. I can fight just as well as any warrior here!"

The tom simply shook his head and didn't respond. Dreamstar sighed. He's right. I just don't want to admit it to anyone else. Who could replace me anyways? No one would be right for the job... or there are some, but they're getting older too...

She shook her head, smiling as Crykit ran over to her. She treated Crykit as her own, and even though the kit was pretty independent, she was glad Crykit had warmed up to her. She looked up and saw dark storm clouds on the horizon.

"Come on, we should try to find some proper shelter before this storm hits."

She stood up and waited for the clan to gather around before moving on again as the wind picked up.

Perfect

(I know, I'm sorry for not posting, I've had no inspiration. So here's a little side story from MOONS back, before Dreamstar and Rippleblaze became mates.)

Ripplestar stared in horror at Dreamstar as she spoke.

""Listen to yourself! You are forgetting that you have a clan to take care of! You're a leader now! I am too! Just forget me and go on with your life!"

He shook his head. He loved her! He didn't care that they were both leaders! As he looked in her eyes, he could see his pain reflected in them.

Falling a thousand feet per second, you still take me by surprise
I just know we can't be over, I can see it in your eyes 

"Dreamstar. T-that's not true! I can't ever forget you!"

Dreamstar was silent for a while, then she shook her head.

"I-I can't do this anymore. You're wrong! I love Soaringheart!"

At that, Rippleblaze spun around, running, to where? Anywhere.

Making every kind of silence, takes a lot to realize
It's worse to finish than to start all over and never let it lie
And as long as I can feel you holding on
I won't fall, even if you said I was wrong 

 ::---::

Memories whipped by him, and he heard Dreamstar yowling his name. He saw the time they first met, face to face. Dreamstar had just been made deputy, Dreamriver then. She had been very nervous and shy. Ripplestar, Rippleblaze then, knowing what it was like to be a new deputy, padded up to her as she sat at the base of the rock.

"I heard you're deputy now. I'm sorry about Flameriver, he was a good deputy to LakeClan."

His ears flattened as Dreamriver shot a fierce glare at him.

"You don't know anything about Flameriver!"

She lashed her tail angrily before turning away. Twitching his ears in amusement at her fierceness, Rippleblaze sat beside her.

"I was only complimenting him, no need to rip my ears off."

She looked at him out of the corner of her eyes, and he saw such deep sorrow in them, that it hurt his own heart. He felt this need to comfort her, to protect her from whatever was hurting her so deeply, even though he didn't know her. Dreamriver didn't respond, and Rippleblaze rested his tail on her back.

"Hey... are you okay? You seem upset."

She turned away more, not answering and the leaders call the clans together. Miststar, the leader of LakeClan at that time, started.

"We've had some troubling times this past moon. Flameriver, our deputy, has died."

Mournful whispers spread through the clans. He had been well known, and Miststar's first deputy.

"Dreamriver has been appointed in his place. I hope she will succeed him well, and I have high hopes for her, even though she has had a rough life. I am proud to be her mentor again, this time though teaching her how to lead. Even "

Dreamriver ducked her head slightly as the other clans cheered her name.

"Cloudriver was also killed by our fellow warrior, Hawkclaw. Hawkclaw was a traitor, and Cloudriver's death was avenged by his mate, Dreamriver. He will be truly missed."

Rippleblaze looked at Dreamriver he sat, unblinking, as if she still couldn't come to terms with Cloudriver's death. But, there seemed to be a deeper sorrow in her eyes too, a longing.

"Though, shortly after Cloudriver's death, three new kits were born. We welcome to the clan Coastkit, Prairekit and Fleck-kit. Their mother, Leaf-fall is very proud."

The clans murmured congratulations for the new kits.

"Though we have lost much this past moon, we have gained some also, and we are as strong as ever."

Miststar nodded and stepped back, letting the other leaders speak. Rippleblaze didn't say anything to Dreamriver for the rest of the gathering, but silently watched as she stood up and left with her clan.

::---::

He continued to speak with her at gatherings, wanting to learn more about this she-cat. She seemed to want nothing to do with him though. Many moons after Cloudriver's death he saw her pad into the gathering with a mottled tom beside her. She nuzzled him affectionately before going to sit with the other deputies, her eyes on him the whole time while he made his way to some other warriors. Rippleblaze felt his pelt bristle slightly. Was this what jealousy felt like? Dreamriver sat beside Rippleblaze, smiled and nodded.

"How is MarshClan?"

She was bold now, not afraid anymore. No one doubted her as deputy anymore, she had shown that she earned to title, and she was well respected, even for being only a deputy.

"We're doing good. Can't wait for New-Leaf of course."

He stretched and yawned, looking at her.

"How's LakeClan?"

She smiled, nodding again.

"We're doing good also. And of course, we've always had the fish to keep us full!"

She smiled, and Rippleblaze could've sworn her eyes twinkled, or maybe it was just his imagination.

"That's good. You seem happier now. What's up?"

She tilted her head, eyes lingering to the tom again. He followed her gaze, narrowing his eyes.

"I found a new mate. I'm hoping to have kits with him soon. I want to be just like my mother was to my siblings and I. I want to feel that joy."

Her voice was merely a whisper, and she wrapped her long tail around her body, a longing in her voice. Rippleblaze nodded.

"Congratulations. I'm sure you'd be a great mother, but you have a clan to take care of too."

He laughed slightly, and Dreamriver smiled, oh how he loved that smile. She was about to speak, when the gathering was called to order. She looked up, a hint of pride in her eyes as Miststar spoke?

"We have 3 new apprentices just made yesterday! Coastpaw, Prairepaw and Fleckpaw! I'm sure their mentors will teach them well, and I hope they enjoy their first gathering."

The clans followed Miststar's gaze to the three apprentices. They cheered the apprentices names, and Rippleblaze flicked his ears toward Dreamriver, where she seemed to be cheering the loudest.

::---::

It had now been a couple moons, and Rippleblaze watched as LakeClan padded into the gathering. Rippleblaze watched as Dreamriver padded towards him, but Miststar was no where in sight.

"Dreamriver, where-"

Dreamriver looked at him for a second, before leaping onto the Great Rock, her long legs easily allowing her to get on, but she still scrambled slightly. The gathering was quickly called together, and all the other leaders went first. Reedstar turned to Dreamriver before she spoke.

"Is Miststar sick? Is that why you stand in her place?"

Dreamriver didn't respond to the leader, and a ripple passed over the clans. To show such disrespect to a leader during a gathering, even from another clan, was not a good thing.

"I am standing here where Miststar should be standing. Sadly, she was killed by a fox that caught her by surprise just a few sunrises ago. I stand here today as the new leader of LakeClan, Dreamstar. I hope I can lead my clan well, and we are all coping with this huge loss. Miststar will always be remembered as a leader, mentor and friend. A mother too, even though she never had a mate or kits of her own, she was a mother to every new kit. She will be greatly missed. Thank-you for listening."

She dipped her head and the clans murmured before cheering Dreamstar's new name. Rippleblaze cheered also, but he felt his hopes plummet, even more than they did when he found out Dreamstar had become mates with Soaringheart. He sighed as the gathering ended, and Dreamstar jumped off the rock, giving him a quick nod before bounding to her clan. Soaringheart wove his tail through hers, whispering unheard words. Rippleblaze watched and jumped as a cat touched him. He looked and saw Dovesoar staring at him.

"Rippleblaze, the gathering has ended. We're waiting for you."

Rippleblaze looked to where Reedstar stood. He nodded and followed Dovesoar, throwing one last glance over his shoulder, but Dreamstar was already gone.

::---::

I'm not perfect, but I keep trying
'Cause that's what I said I would do from the start
I'm not alive if I'm lonely, so please don't leave
Was it something I said or just my personality?

It had now been 5 moons, and Dreamstar's hopes of kits of her own still hadn't come, even 7 moons after she first told Rippleblaze that. She now stood on the Great Rock, a well respected leader already. She was announcing the names of three new warriors, pure pride in her voice as she gazed down at them.

"Three of our apprentices were recently made warriors! We welcome Coastpebble, Prairefall and Fleckwater here tonight as warriors."

She smiled as they held their heads high, but Rippleblaze only stared at Dreamstar, pride and love in her eyes. He had slowly been putting together the pieces no one else seemed to notice. He looked back at the three warriors, carefully looking over them. They didn't resemble Dreamstar's pelt colour, but their face... and the way their muscles moved, or the subtle ways they moved their paws. Rippleblaze was not mistaken now. These three... were Dreamstar's kits. Why had she never told anyone about them? They were Cloudriver's surely, as they were born shortly after he died. That's why she looked so upset. She had given them up... to become deputy. But her clan didn't seem to know. I won't tell anyone, not if you don't want them to know.

 Making every kind of silence, it takes a lot to realize
It's worse to finish than to start all over and never let it lie
And as long as I can feel you holding on
I won't fall, even if you said I wrong

::---::

Rippleblaze padded quickly now, leading the clan. Reedstar was at the back, keeping watch. They had left many, many moons ago when they were being threatened. He doesn't know what happened to Dreamstar, or how she's been. It seems like forever since he's seen her, and he feels like a kit on the day of his apprenticeship. Dovesoar yowled behind him.

"Rippleblaze! Slow down! The elders and kits can't move that fast! We don't want anyone to get sick."

Rippleblaze sighed and stopped, waiting for them to catch up. Dovesoar stopped beside him.

"Why are you in such a hurry?"

She brushed up against him, and he shrugged.

"I just can't wait to be back."

He saw cats murmuring and looking at them as they passed, and Rippleblaze stepped away. He had been told by his friend that Dovesoar "most obviously" had feelings for him. They all told him to become her mate, but... he didn't like her like that. Then they'd always ask who he did, which he then replied with "No one". He couldn't tell them. It was against the warrior code, and she was a leader now... He shook his head and kept walking, Dovesoar staying in step with him. Would Dreamstar even remember him? He would like to think they became friends while they were both deputies... Though they didn't talk much after she became leader. He sped up a bit, leaving Dovesoar behind. He heard her stop, but he didn't want to look back.

::---::

"Wait! Ripplestar! Please! I'm sorry! I never meant any of it! Please!" 

She whispered, her voice barely able to be heard.

"I need you. As much as you need me. I wish we could be. But we can't. But please don't be mad at me. Please. I love you too."

He stopped, turning around to see Dreamstar panting behind him. He padded up to her and pressed his muzzle to hers.

"I promise I'll protect you, care for you, love you. We'll find a way to get around the warrior code. I promise."

I know that I'm not perfect, but I keep trying
'Cause that's what I said I would do from the start
I'm not alive if I'm lonely, so please don't leave
Was it something I said or just my personality?

::---::

Ripplestar gasped as he saw Dreamstar stumbling through the snow. She was heavy with kits, his kits. He ran across the log to her, rubbing his muzzle against her. She spoke in short gasps, her frame shaking.

"I-i wanted you-you to see your kits birth."

She gasped and collapsed to the ground, teeth chattering as the cold hit her weakened state.

"Dreamstar!"

He curled around her, letting her rest her head on his paws. He tried to move her away from the cold ground as much as possible, giving her his body heat. He wanted desperately to get a medicine cat, to get her back to camp, but she couldn't be moved now, she was too far into it. He whispered softly.

"You'll do great, it's okay..."

When you're caught in a lie and you've got nothing to hide
When you've got nowhere to run and you've got nothing inside
It tears right through me, you thought that you knew me
You thought that you knew

She shook and yowled as a contraction went through her. He pulled her closer to him, closing his eyes tight, wanting to take the pain from her.

"I will never leave your side."

The snow fell more heavy now, and the wind grew stronger. A kit was soon born, but it was still born. He moved away from Dreamstar, licking the kit until it was clean, and placed it beside Dreamstar. 4 more kits came, 1 other still born. He licked them all carefully, and placed them next to Dreamstar who was getting colder by the second. Ripplestar quickly got names for them. The two still born were Mistykit and Shadekit. The other three were Fellkit, Mudkit and Webkit. The kits were barely mewling because of the cold, and he tried to find shelter. He found a hollow log not far away, and took the kits first, before dragging Dreamstar to the log. He got the still born kits last, placing them just at the entrance of the log. The kits curled close to Dreamstar, and Ripplestar curled on the other side, trying to keep his family safe. He remembered how Dovesoar had reacted. She had been his best friend, and than his deputy, but she had loved him. She couldn't even look him in the eye anymore after MarshClan found out Dreamstar was having his kits. He watched Dreamstar for a short time more, before falling asleep. He woke up to find Dreamstar staring at the three kits beside her. Webkit and Mudkit had both passed in the night, and Ripplestar nuzzled her gently. He left her shortly while he buried the four kits, before coming back. Dreamstar was now standing, Fellkit in her jaws. Ripplestar let Dreamstar lean against him, and they padded back to the LakeClan camp.

 I'm not perfect, but I keep trying
'Cause that's what I said I would do from the start
I'm not alive if I'm lonely, so please don't leave
Was it something I said or just my, just myself
Just myself, myself, just myself

::---::

Rippleblaze gazed at Dreamstar. She was sleeping, and he smiled. It was his first night in LakeClan, as a LakeClan warrior, and he couldn't be happier. He was finally with his love, Dreamstar. The cat he had loved for moons and moons. They were no longer forbidden, and now he could have the family he wanted, and the kits Dreamstar had always wanted. Oh, he knew she had had many kits before, with Cloudriver and Soaringheart, but he saw this as a new start, and he was finally able to comfort her when she was hurting, and protect her with his life.

(Well that's it >.< I just had this idea for a few days now, so ya xD The song is Perfect by Hedley.)