Join us in an exciting story full of twists, new discoveries, a rich mythology and the search of what lays at the core of the Clans of the mountain. After sealing a pact with two fickle gods, Helios of the Sun and Aletheia of the Moon, twin clans live under the shadow of their pact, and the price paid to live another day.
YOU CAN APPRECIATE THE LIGHT... BUT BEFORE THAT, YOU MUST KNOW DARKNESS.
The Sun and Moon rain down chaos and tragedy over the Clans, as punishment for crimes finally revealed. Tension rises between both groups as they're forced out of their homes, and a call from the past haunts those with enough sense to listen.
The weather was relatively colder than normal, giving Leafheart a chill beneath her tortoiseshell coat. Luckily, the clouds were quickly leaping over the heads of the camp, therefore there was no worry of rain around. Hope surged through Leafheart's chest. After the battle two days ago, she was feeling more refreshed than ever after some time of healing from her wounds. Her right-side ear had lost it's pointed tip, as the she-cat then remembered seeing her ear-tip lying between a clump of gentle grass stems beside her during the vicious battle. Scarlet blood had seamed from the side of her body, staining the greenery around her and almost having her hope for rain in the present, to wash away the dried crimson marks she had lost through her strong courage and relentless perseverance. Perhaps the clans' Gods had assisted both Leafheart and her brave comrades through that fateful scene.
The patterned warrior shook her tortoiseshell fur in agitation. Now was not the time to ponder on the past. She must concentrate on her future, and the future of both her precious MoonClan and the brightest SunClan. Relaxation eased her concerns as the she-cat felt the soft touch of a fire-coloured leaf settled softly over her, now-resting, broad right shoulder. Why dwell on situations she could no longer control? It was time to concentrate on what she was able to do now. Leafheart gazed indulgently at the trees and boundless sky as the light clouds groomed the ether atop the sturdy mountain where the two Clans called their home. These Clans respected both Day and Night, yet whatever tragic stories occur to either Clan, the promise of protection from these deities will hold them upwards forever. That was what Leafheart tended to wonder about every time she felt worried or wretched. It brought her the most tremendous comfort.
Returning her curious gaze back towards the camp and the cats mingling all around her lithe visage, the young warrior did her best to roll confidence through herself. She had a patrol today, and according to their deputy Witheredrose it was to be just her and one other cat - Tigercry or something. Whoever this cat was, most cats were usually either completely delighted to patrol or utterly enraged at any hunting patrol. Leafheart prayed with all her wishes that this warrior wouldn't be the latter. Might as well give it a go, at least. Who knows, anyway? Padding while pondering around MoonClan's camp, the she-cat searched diligently for the warrior she would be patrolling with. Eventually, she thought she could spot him trotting through the camp. Leafheart was unable to tell where he was coming from, but at least he was arriving. Hoping she'd found the right cat and preparing for humiliation if she'd made such a mistake, the tortoiseshell figurine quietly slipped between warrior after warrior until she managed to reach him. Being a little short on size while she was an apprentice had been more than helpful for sliding unnoticed through large crowds, however she had grown since then and was forced to master the skill with her newfound regular height - which wasn't necessarily a bad thing for her. The young feline had always wished she could grow ever taller, until she reached the heights of her clanmate comrades. Now she had finally achieved that goal, she was pleased rather than irritated at having to grasp the skill all over again.
That wasn't worth dwelling on now, though. Silently Leafheart wished she were able to withdraw backwards through time, and tell her apprentice-self to simply be patient, as she had always lacked the patience a warrior needed back then. However, there were no methods of actually executing that, unfortunately - although the warrior was perfectly content to continue looking further towards the future ahead. And she would begin by performing her absolute best on this hunting patrol.
"You're Tigercry, right?" the she-cat inquired, feeling apprehensive. She was doing the greatest she could to hide the hint of nervousness within her meow. "Witheredrose told me I had to patrol with you this morning."
make me feel alive, [break] like there's nothing wrong.
@leafheart β 673 WORDS
[attr="class","tokkideul"]
[attr="class","tokkises"] The smells of fresh milk and kittens radiated off his pelt. It was a sweet aroma that contradicted his stricken appearance. A knight, brought soft by the cares of his family: that's what he thought he was. He bent to the will of his fatherly instincts, and soon, he understood why some parents are the way they are. Having new lives connected to yours was a troublesome and frightful task. It changed you in one way or the other, even if you never realized it. That change was something Tiger embraced, yet discouraged. It egged him on and kept him alert at all times - sharpening his senses. It also softened his emotional responses, nulling feelings that would at one time be intense.[break][break]
And after moons of being cooped up with his sons and other parents' kits, getting invited to a patrol by Witheredrose was a breath of fresh air.[break][break]
It was a grey morning. Murky clouds made clusters in the skies with looming eastern movement. Rain, maybe, he thought to himself as he looked up. The distant sounds of blackbirds and heavy winds provided soothing background noise as he relaxed in the camp. Now, the kittens were all asleep - though it was always trouble getting Tadpole to lay down. They often slept through the colder times of day, enjoying when the Sun's out to play with them. Tigercry, however, made an effort to be awake whenever he could. It made no sense for him to rest such an aching body. Under the impression of sleep, you were defenseless. You cannot see, you cannot hear, and whatever it is your senses do pick up it's, a gamble of if it's real or not. Most attacks happen at nighttime for a reason. Tigercry learned through the years, and he had no trouble applying it to daily life, especially now that he had children. So he stood in camp and espoused his few minutes of freedom. Breathing in the crisp air, he found rest in simple relaxation. His eyes were open, and he could see danger from a mile away. But dangerous isn't how he would identify Leafheart as she approached.[break][break]
With his lean limbs still and stiff, the aged man greeted the smaller feline with a few blinks. After registering her words, he answered: "Yes, that's me." He listened attentively for her purpose of talking to him, and when he heard it was a deputy-issued patrol, he figured the day couldn't get any better. He felt a small voice tell him to smile, but he didn't. Instead, he stood and stretched out his grizzled body, pulling and releasing muscles that seemed to be growing dust. A yawn gapped his toothy mouth, though it was mute. Shaking his head and readjusting himself, he turned to the little girl. "I'm guessin' round' the haunted lake since the recent attacks," he spoke as if he was thinking out loud, then turned his head to face Leafheart. "Lets' get going." Tiger didn't know much about the young warrior besides her temperament. Jittery and sweet, the tortoiseshell molly always tried to help with something. She had an admirable spirit. With anchored movements, Tigercry padded out of camp with a careful step not to leave her behind.[break][break]
As they trailed through the territory together, he took in the sights. The world continued in its seasons as if the unscheduled winter didn't happen. Airs were crisp against his sensitive nostrils, and he found himself sniffling frequently. The silence between them grew awkward, like a bulking root in the middle of a clearing. But Tiger paid it no mind. They weren't here to talk but to inspect their home's perimeters. However, there was one thing on his mind. They crunched through dewed grass and traveled under lowering trees. His dusky brown pelt blended in well with the environment. When they came into the Starlit Forest, he looked at Leafheart with unreadable green eyes. "Why're you so nervous, hm? Yer like a firefly that flickers on and off, unsure. What's botherin' ya?"[break]
Relief washed over Leafheart's anxious body as Tigercry confirmed her curious question as to who he was. She felt herself relax smoothly as he subsequently began to stretch his aching limbs in preparation for this patrol. At least, she pondered, she was not mistaken. She was still nothing more than a young yet experienced warrior of MoonClan, and wished more than anything to get to know her comrades so she would never end up having them look down on her to the point of pushing restrictions upon her - rules she and only she had to follow. Her tortoiseshell-coated figure shivered slightly at the harrowing memory of when this exact thing had happened to her from her very own... No, Leafheart's mind was affirmative. I can't dwell on this now. Precisely. She ought to primarily drift her introspections into contemplating observations throughout this warrior patrol.
Tigercry's prediction of being dispatched over to the haunted lake was a brilliant one. Witheredrose had, in fact, mentioned the unearthly pool while deploying Leafheart onto this prowling mission. "You're more vigilant than I originally assumed," the pretty she-cat commented casually, before quickly averting her eyes. With groups of cats, Leafheart was perfectly fine and able to communicate well enough to keep the group going - but discussing anything with only one other cat regularly left her feeling a little too pressured, perhaps because of her own history and past experiences... Darn it! I said, stop reminiscing! The young she-cat always strived to help others while keeping up with her own spirits. Being herself was her longest goal, and she liked to encourage other cats to do the same before they fell into the same rabbit-hole she once did. How many times do I have to tell myself this? Concentrate on the patrol. With somehow ardent curiosity, Leafheart returned herself back to her usual ethos, standing with ready posture and heartfelt determination playing her expression. "What I meant to say is.. yes, you're right. We're off to the haunted lake!" Enthusiasm embraced her eager meow as the she-cat prayed for her confidence to increase here. If she was able to assist MoonClan in any way at all, even by such a minor mission like patrolling around the haunted lake, the brave young warrior was willing for the task.
Swiftly padding in pursuit of the older warrior, Leafheart did her best to stay prudent rather than allowing her nervous intuition to remain present. Although however hard she tried or put her mind to it, the tortoiseshell soon realised with despair that her tail was whisking - softly, of course, as a natural instinct not to scare away any approaching prey - back and forth with a little anxiety. The young cat had hoped the more experienced Tigercry would fail to recognise this, yet deep down she knew it was impossible to turn a blind eye to her obvious signs of trepidation. This was quickly confirmed as her ears pricked impulsively as the mature tomcat made a quite informal comment enveloping her stress. Well, the haunted lake was a reasonable distance from the sacred campsite, so of course both cats were bound to discuss something.
Wherefore, Leafheart mewed her expeditious response. "I've just never been on a patrol with only one other cat before, other than once. I'm bound to be nervous, aren't I?" The tortoiseshell prayed her reply wasn't too ambitious or even too loud. She remembered, all of a sudden, the recent events with Splitkit and the employed patrol - including herself - dispatched on his rescue. Leafheart and Mothblaze had been the two cats meowing inspirational motivation onto the rest of the cats during the whole first journey. The young warrior had memorized that unexpected confidence burst she had had within those moments. Exactly! When placed in an emergency situation, with the support of others all around her, Leafheart was completely capable of lifting them up through her kind words and passionate encouragement. However, when it was only one other cat - with no urgency - anxiety would pressure her from ears to tail-tip until she had to start pretending there were imaginary other cats all around her. Kitten-like behaviour, if I'm being honest, the ridiculing thought enveloped her mind, although just for a mere moment. Concentrate on the patrol, Leafheart!
make me feel alive, [break] like there's nothing wrong.
@leafheart β 641 WORDS
[attr="class","tokkideul"]
[attr="class","tokkises"] A gentle sky's breath blew through ruined ears, chilling the cut-out pieces of flesh. All of Tiger's wounds healed properly besides those of his ears. Tender pink tissue drilled holes through his skin. The wind sent shivers down his spine. A frosty wave caused his aching body to tremble against the lowering temperatures. Greenleaf would be ending soon, and the world would become a landscape of copper and bloody reds. He'd watch the cycle of Leaffall six times already, and this year would be his seventh and coldest. The premature Leafbare that cursed the clans only a few quarter-moons ago lingered in the back of his mind. He knew that the designated time of Earth's death would remain longer than ever before. The subtle worry of his kit's survival vexed him lightly, but their temperaments reassured him of their safety. He would have to keep extra watch of them this year, given everything the gods put in their sight.[break][break]
Not only would he have to be more vigilant, but the clans as well. Tigercry knew of the devastation that winter could cause. From the bullets of hail to the bone-curdling world of dead white - mountains were known for their weather in the colder times. And the God who provided these things, Azaris, proved to be especially dyspeptic this time around. The entire land would suffer for the anger of one being Tiger was sure of it. Devilish birds and foxes with remnants of loved ones only confirmed his theory. When Witheredrose and his patrol returned with their account of what happened, the aged man was satisfied knowing he didn't attend. If he were to face a crow with the voice of Frigid and the claws of bloodthirst, he knew he would've lost his remaining lucidity. And now, here he was, risking the encounter with a bashful amateur warrior.[break][break]
Leafheart had a sense of nonchalance around her demeanor. According to her response, this was just another patrol with a different crowd. Her focus is on her company rather than the task at hand, and that irritated Tigercry. She did not understand the importance of their watch. Warriors who put more value on their preferences than the wellbeing of the clan never prospered. She had too much potential to let it all go to waste on futile anxiety. "Ain't no different than goin' walking with a friend or by yourself, lass," he said, "Don't fret over such trivial things."[break][break]
During a captivating silence, he thought of his time as a young warrior. Doubtful, driven, and scared of being alone - his constant need for approval made him feel weak. Empathy dawned on him. "When I was as green as you are, I confess, I only went on patrols if there were three or more cats with me." A still chuckle came out as a cough, and a calm grin came on his face as he reminisced. "It had always been me, Quicklight, and my brother when I trained as an apprentice. When I finally got my name, took a while to break old habits." The smile was replaced by a solemn stare. His eyes resembled the coat of a stink bug. He held her there with a gaze. "You've a lot of promise, Leafheart. Moonclan needs warriors who can hold their own, 'specially in these times. It ain't gonna get much easier from here, kid, and the last thing we want is a squirrel on a battlefield of wolves. Who mentored ya, lass?"[break][break]
The fresh sun-up seemed to kill the Starlit Forest. It was true that Moonclan territory was only in tune with the night. There were no glittering golden fireflies to light their path, nor the peering eyes of protection by nocturnal animals. Dull grey browns substituted the peart misty blues in the pillars of oak. It bored Tigercry to look.
Really, I still feel like a kitten for worrying about how I'm acting when with one other cat, Leafheart scolded herself silently. She had a pure and true spirit when it came to battle or bravery, especially when she was either alone or with a group of others by her side. Her weaknesses properly revealed themselves whenever the highly valorous warrior was in the face of just one cat, specifically when that cat was almost a complete stranger to her - Just like today's patrol, she mused, particularly bothered that this day had such an awkward occasion in store for her. The she-cat knew, undoubtedly, that she had to focus primarily on the mission ahead - however she always found herself susceptible to getting distracted quickly, concentrating instead on one pointless anxiety or a tiny scrap of prey at the other end of the night's forest.
Her rounded ears perked suddenly when Tigercry responded to her previous swift meow of self-defence. Leafheart was compelled to admit that, indeed, through reality this really was just the same as padding alongside a close friend. Although, she wasn't so sure it was at all similar to the relaxing walks of peace that always seemed to stretch for an eternity of time when she was all alone. Having another cat adjacent to her was an entirely divergent experience when compared with the presence of just herself - any cat who had lived even only for a moon would realise this imminently; whether they appreciated that or not, it was a refined fact that no one could counter - which, of course, was exactly why Leafheart often enjoyed spending time alone. Unchaperoned strolls through MoonClan's woods of infinite nightglow would soften her heart and serenity would envelope her unrestricted mind as freedom would swiftly overwhelm her. Obviously, that was absolutely, entirely, certainly abstract to the feeling of another cat's paws' vibrations travelling through the ground below. Not one part of the specific peacefulness and authorization any cat must feel when left alone would ever be felt with another cat, even if some form of tranquillity could still be experienced with someone else.
Enthralling silence followed Tigercry's bold statement. Leafheart wondered what Hyssopheart would have said here, back when she actually "existed". As agonizingly torturous it had been to have her around, Leafheart had never once felt lonely with her. Somehow, some way, she missed Hyssopheart. Well, she's not here now... And neither is your sister.
Leafheart proceeded to continue listening as Tigercry recounted a part of his own past. She wondered curiously what else such a solemn cat had experienced, and how it had shaped him to be who he really is to this day. Every cat had a story, whether tragic, brilliant, both, or neither.
Yet, just when Leafheart was beginning to relax on their mission after hearing the older cat's story... was he calling her a squirrel on a battlefield of wolves?! Excuse me! I killed a full blown hawk with Soothawk on the patrol to save Splitkit. If you think I'm a squirrel, then you'll have a nasty surprise when I next plunge into combat! Her body straightened. "I know how to fight. I'll do fine in battle.... and, thanks for telling me I have promise." Trotting steadily further into the forest of the moon, she continued, "I'm a dauntless warrior in bloodshed and war, but every cat has their weaknesses, don't they?"
make me feel alive, [break] like there's nothing wrong.
@leafheart β 674 WORDS
[attr="class","tokkideul"]
[attr="class","tokkises"] He'd seen this type of warrior before: filled with all the right ingredients, yet lacking to finalize the recipe. In his time, he'd seen many cats of her characteristics. If they got past their fears, they would rise to greatness in their clan and families. But more times than not, they would choke under the pressure of their thoughts and fears and lack courage when times needed it most. With this new age of clans, cats seem more prone to giving in to failure. The gentle words of mentors and sob stories lull the warrior strength in them to sleep, discouraging the concept of independent thinking. It was a disgustingly passive way to live, in the eyes of the man, and Leafhear would prove to be victim to this.[break][break]
In those amber eyes of her's, he saw wonder and fascination. Inquisitive thoughts swarmed behind a tough exterior. Her youth and passion drove each step she laid against the earth, yet she choked on her potential. Tigercry lived in the past. All he could compare the present and future to were the things he had already seen. The dangers of unsheathed training, constant border battles, and four clans judged by the ghostly eyes of the stars - this is how he lived at her age. She would never have to experience the honest way of living under the safety of their Gods. As they ventured closer to the ending of the forest and the beginning of the lake, Tiger's eyes slit as he glared at her words. The child spoke of things she knew not, only to seem like she was doing something important. A throaty laugh rasped out of his maw and sighed.[break][break]
"The kitten speaks of bloodshed and war," the old man spoke with a condescending tone and a crooked smile. "You ain't never seen, let alone know even the beginnin' of war, lass. What, you've killed one hawk with the help of bout' three others? You call that war and bloodshed?" The smile dimmed into a blackened scowl as he stopped in his tracks. Curling his long body to block her path as well, Tiger stood face to face with the young fool. "E'ry cat's got their weakness, but a true fighter ain't gonna let it stop them. You call yourself a dauntless warrior, yet you fret at the moment of being with someone other than your mind. You stink of summer and the gentleness of these... Gods, lass. You ain't seen shit yet."[break][break]
"War is more than just fighting, fighting, claws, claws. Claws don't mean a fuckin' thing if you don't know why yer usin' em, or if yer too scared to do so. My fuckin' kits know this." Cold anger seeped into each flick of his tongue as he looked down at the she-cat. "Your mentor ain't teach you that? Your weakness will be your fuckin' death if you use it to excuse your incompetence."[break][break]
The fit of rage passed by in moments, and his breath was heavier than usual. He looked into her wide sun-smitten eyes. She wasn't worth all of this, but maybe he could help that. Tigercry turned around hesitantly and resumed walking. "By stars, yer just another victim of this damned mountain, ain't you? A new generation of soft kits with egos higher than their tails. Your pelt is clean of history, while mine is riddled in stories and nightmares. I've seen more dead bodies than you have fuckin' blades of grass, yet you think yer some big shit." A cooled expression drifted into his face as opportunity struck. Maybe he could help this new age of false warriors and gods, starting with Leafheart. "Now I'm gonna ask you one last time, lass, and you better answer me: who trained you? Cause' it's clear they've got you thinkin' yer some battlefield goddess who quivers at a fuckin' leaf. An oversized apprentice is all you are and will ever be til' someone teaches you the proper way of the warrior, lass."[break][break]
The memory played, again and again, across Leafheart's troubled mind. What could possibly be going on in that ancient, agonized mind of his? His tragic past was his alone to bear and Leafheart certainly had no interest in it whatsoever. Tigercry could never even assume of the horrors and threats howled from the hawks; a deadly battle of... bloodshed. Hyssopheart would have criticized her panic here, agreeing that she was hardly any kind of real warrior if this was the personality she released. Whitewhisper would have neatly informed a structured and personalised retort, joining with her own past experiences and even, if she dared mention, with what she had taken from Leafheart before her cowardly flee from her. But Eaglewing... No. I'm not dwelling on that.
What does he mean - a true fighter won't let their weaknesses stop them?! I've had my panic when talking with you, but I'm still here, ignoring my fret and overcoming my concerns to the best of my ability! This cat hasn't got a clue what he's meowing about.
"I know that war isn't just battles of blood." The young tortoiseshell warrior restrained her fury. "I've had emotional wars. I've watched a sacrifice that I myself created." Her breath escaped with an unusually sly air emanating from it. And now he believes I'll die to a damned weakness. I've survived this far, haven't I? Her glowing amber eyes widened with a burning throb echoing through her heart.
"You want to know who trained me?" Leafheart scoffed, her once-pretty golden eyes blazing with uncharacteristic confidence. "Fine... Eaglewing was my mentor. And she never had me believe I'm a goddess with some childish fears. In fact, she taught me to always have self-belief; to always know how to care for myself with the presence of a friend or even foe at my beck and call; to always use my creativity and friendship while simultaneously focusing on the tribulations of reality. Even after everything that happened to me, I'm slowly overcoming my weaknesses and transforming into the cat I've eternally wished to become ever since I really was a kitten." Now, her quick breath came in rapid puffing and claws digging into the soil with self-defence.
After a moment's silence, Leafheart recomposed, relaxed, and straightened. Deep breaths. You can do this. She suddenly wished those words had come from Hyssopheart. Tigercry spoke his final line: a declaration of solidarity and a firmness of belief Leafheart had never witnessed before. He really was something else. "You can fix me," the she-cat repeated, now solemn with her previous brave serenity before her improper rant. "And how do you intend on doing that, then?"
make me feel alive, [break] like there's nothing wrong.
@leafheart β 408 WORDS
[attr="class","tokkideul"]
[attr="class","tokkises"] It was the first time he could voice his thoughts on the mountain's change, and he let his voice be loud. Bottled-up anger spilled out into the flooring wind. After a time, he stopped speaking to Leafheart and instead chastised the twisted Gods who allowed devolution to happen. Worries and complaints mingled in the place where they stood. The robins and crows above head listened to his lecture while the wood stayed silent. An echo of his yowl thrust through the thickness of pines and magnolias and floated into the skies. When all ceased, all could be silent besides Leadheart's rebuttal. It was only fair that Tiger heeded to her words since she endured his. But in her speech, flaws among flaws is all the aged man heard. She misunderstands my point, he thought to himself with a verbal groan. Looking away from her youthful eyes, Tigercry realized that his task was more than he'd imagined it.[break][break]
The hardness of his jaw locked in desperation as he waited for her to stop speaking. His spider-like legs standing above her and his brittle eyes glaring down - she was nothing but a kitten. The hazy scent of the rich lake waters melted into his nose. They were closer to their destination than they realized. With the flick of a tattered right ear, he pointed to the northern direction. "Emotional wars between cats don't exist, lass, it is about the mind," the gritting of his teeth spat out. Resisting the urge to insult her further, he continued. "You cannot fight a feeling, let alone someone else's. It is an idea that ruins many. A concept, an ideology, an action - that is where war and sacrifice are born. And it is not about believing in yourself, lass, not wholely. It is about believing in your ideas and your actions. It is about believing in the cats you fight for. It is about believing in why the fuck you were put on this earth." Desperate to finish what he started, a sigh parted ripped lips. "For fuck all, lass, where do you find the effort to put friendship, creativity, rainbows, and sugarcane in the same mention as war and bloodshed?" Tigercry turned his ragged tail and pawed away from Leafheart steadily, with a look over his shoulder to make sure she would follow. "Look, Witheredrose ain't send us out here to bicker, so my apologies. Let's move."[break][break]
Glassy rays of sunlight freckled raw brown soil as they moved forward. The morning was clear, but Moonclan territory always steeped in shadows. The Haunted Lake was a vast clearing within the forest. A broad opening of dark cyan waters sweated a thick white mist, resembling a tainted sort of dew. To the sunny outsiders that visited Moonclan's lands, it is a terrain of puzzling paths that leads seemingly nowhere. Even the sun fights to get through the shade of protective trees. The gloomy atmosphere attracted Tigercry to this new home, as it reminded him of Shadowclan. His lungs took in the dense fresh air as they arrived and he began to pace towards the lake. In it, he found his reflection. His once sleek brown and black striped furs that granted his name, now ruined by openings of flesh. No. It is not ruined, it is perfected. A grim smile shone off the corner of his muzzle as he sat.[break][break]
"Leafheart, lass," his voice was the softest of murmurs, with the throaty rumble of his voice, "tell me. Why are you a warrior?"
As the two unflinching warriors padded on and on through MoonClan's forests, unshrinking and undaunting against each other, Leafheart reduced her unsteady panting to a whisper. "This cat has no idea what he's on about." No. She must remain calm - an outburst of frustration can never help any cat; and, besides, the feline knew it would take much more than this to completely release her confined outrage. Fragrant foliage silently encouraged her - an incoherent whisper that felt somewhat comforting to any warrior of the forest of the Moon. The more you concentrate on this damned patrol, the sooner it will end. Half-wishing Tigercry would somehow realise this echoing thought crossing Leafheart's mind and would plunge once again into irritation, the idea of arriving back at the sacred camp and finally getting some well-earned rest from such an agonizing sunrise to sunset amused her - as such, pushing the young warrior back into her usual state of explicit solemnity and serene selflessness that created her character.
Another relaxing scent exploded an almost euphonious aroma. River. We're pretty much here. Leafheart remembered the captivating tale that had always overwhelmed her with enchanting tenacity - that this is indeed the "Haunted" location of the passing to the stars after the death of each and every soul. In actuality, she wasn't too sure how much she truly believed in this story, however she liked to entertain the ideas contaminating it's corners every now and again to fill herself with hope for her own passing - which, she prayed, wouldn't be any time soon, due to the sparks of youth setting her ablaze every morning and every night. Tigercry's comment surprised her - the warrior had almost fully forgotten his presence through her mindless daydreaming about pointless philosophy. This was something she found herself performing more than often. Her surprise was swiftly defeated, however, when she realised with exasperation what exactly he said. Of course emotional wars exist! Emotional wars take place between two cats because of the mind, too! It can cause much greater rifts than death, even.
And now he's talking impudently again. While some of his idioms were deeply true and complimented Leafheart's own beliefs, the rest of his statements left her with utter bewilderment. How could a cat with so much 'experience' genuinely believe that support, amity, and even emotions were barely involved with the beginnings of war and bloodshed? Actions are more significant than anything else within the spirit - but half, if not all, of actions are only orchestrated as a result of emotional detriment, or the loss of something comforting or valuable? "Okay, I'll admit I almost completely agree with you here," she admitted, resisting the urge to release every one of her complicated thoughts aloud. "But sometimes, you have to fight feelings to be able to prevent yourself from starting some kind of conflict or even war. It's common for everyone to resist feelings like anger or even joy to the point where it's practically an internal battle. Hell, I bet even you've experienced this before. We all have." He won't believe me or even pay attention to me if I don't throw in some sincere and honest compliments. "Trust me, I still have to agree with your point. Ideas and actions speak so much louder than words can ever express. And you have to believe in all those you're fighting for - I could never doubt such a significant fact." Guilty that even after Tigercry's statement about refusing to start a quarrel, she was continuing this forstalling conversation, Leafheart added her final meows, "Believing in why I'm on this planet is even more important, to me. Believe me, I definitely agree with you. However, emotions and friendship play a massive part in the beginnings and even endings of any age, for every cat, for every war. Surely you can see how I'm able to put these things alongside all the tenebrous bloodshed that happens around here?" Finally, she shot him an apologetic glance - continuing this conversation probably wasn't necessary in the slightest, yet she had still decided to bore him with her stereotypical opinions.
Much quicker than Leafheart had expected, they arrived at the beautiful lakeside - and the she-cat solely believed that the rotten marshes and grotesque branches surrounding their environment only made the sapphire ripples even more elegant and almost alluring. Ripple... ripple... the serenity of the waves washed relief and delectation over the feline's snow-coloured front paws. A few pebbles with unattractive grains of soil conjoined these cleansing ripples. This felt like home - to both her mind and her lithe visage as her claws dug ever so slightly through the displeasing compound of soil mixed over pebble-shards to keep herself straight as her coral eyes flitted over the mere moana ahead.
Tigercry appeared pleased with his reflection as he, too, gazed into the murky wonders of this supposedly haunted lakeshore. Scars and ancient wounds coated his fur from what Leafheart assumed were received from all the bloodshed he had been speaking about. Silently, she consented that scars and bruises were indeed wounds to be proud of - courage, effort, and relentless perseverance were present in each and every one. I can see why he thinks he's so knowledgable.
His proceeding question provoked Leafheart's mind like a paradox; puzzling her motives until eventually forming a clear answer and escaping the awful ferocity of the problem. Why am I a warrior? Well... because I want to fight for my Clan... because it's mandatory for almost every cat in the clan? Surely that can't be her real reasoning. "Well... we're all warriors to protect our clan, aren't we? Every cat wants to find some way to properly prove their courage and satisfy their wishes for a rush of adrenaline. We're raised to long for that because it gives us the fighting spirit we need to survive." But what about her? What did Leafheart wish to achieve by being a faithful warrior of MoonClan? "And me..? Well, to be honest, I always wanted to be a warrior to prove to myself that there's something I can excel my sister at. It was always her excelling me in all our kit games and even warrior training. I had to prove I wasn't just a lame copy of her who was only created to make her feel better about herself. Well, she's gone now, thanks to that." I'm oversharing again, aren't I?
make me feel alive, [break] like there's nothing wrong.
@leafheart β 741 WORDS
[attr="class","tokkideul"]
[attr="class","tokkises"] The sun shone brightly that day. Quicklight's honey-dipped furs caught the rays of the sunshine and sparkled with glints of gold. Even in its pitch-black emptiness, her pelt radiated warmth and closure. Her sharpened teeth and amber eyes smiled whenever he woke up, and she spoke to him with only the sweetest parts of her voice. "C'mon, Tigerpaw. Training time." With a boyish gait, he followed her into the territory. As they walked, he saw the beauty in the nature around him. Herons cawed their greetings to one another. The swamp waters were clear, with the pebbles and fish underneath open to the sky. Clarity emitted from the pure blue skies as he gazed upon them, and he would linger at that moment until the end of his days. But the memory turned bitter and cold as he thought upon it. He remembered seeing his brother torture and the evils of the world for the first time. He remembered the callous, frightened look in his littermate's glassy eyes. Betrayal and violence reared their ugly heads at him, and he responded. "You're not pets anymore," Quicklight murmured while cleaning the blood off her claws. Her tongue was long, pink, and wet with red. "Wake up before it's too late, Tiger."[break][break]
And he did. He woke up before his childish cares could consume him, and he hoped he could inspire Leafheart to do the same.[break][break]
Tigercry was a man grown now. He had a family to protect, a mate to avenge, and a life that he owed to the cats around him. But as he stared at his rippled reflection in the lake, he saw his dying drive and energy. He was getting older and more stoic, and there wasn't much he could do about it. Somebody needed to be the rock of their kin, he felt. A sturdy foundation built upon a solid cat's mind and soul is what they needed for him to be, even more now that he'd failed them once. In the lake, he saw the lover and friend of his youth. Her blue eyes burned with desire and will, and that gracious smile she would give to him. A cool aching laid to rest in his heart as he gazed on.[break][break]
This place is as damned as haunted, Tigercry reflected as he shook the thoughts away from his mind. Upon returning to the present, the question he raised to Leafheart remained answerless. She was closer than he had last seen, silently puzzling what she should reply. Then her voice broke through the murky air full of release. The calico molly spoke about her purpose with surety. It reminded him of the young days when he would pray to be the perfect warrior. But the rank was granted to every six-moon-old cat, regardless of their demeanor or actions. There were times where anyone could become a warrior in name only. And many warriors betrayed their solemn unspoken oaths to their clans. Did they deserve praise, despite being the opposite of what they swore? Did he deserve mercy, despite putting everyone behind him? The answers were right there in front of him, but he let Leafheart have her moment. Tigercry couldn't help but chuckle lightly at her last statement. So young.[break][break]
"I had a brother once," he said, "Blackwatcher. They loved 'em. He was lots like yer sister: a ball of raw possibility and willpower." Tired hazel eyes found the young warrior's. "And just like her - I'm guessin' - he died by his younger lil' sibling's paws." She was shy with her private stories, but he wore them on his body. He looked at the tattoos of history on his body and gestured towards the three slices on his neck. "See these? Came right from him." A paw pointed at the fleshy bites on his legs. "He got me like a fuckin' gator here." There were more pink wounds on him, but they weren't from his brother. "A full name doesn't give you honor. We're raised thinkin' we're just gonna be warriors without the heart. But you don't need no damn warriorhood to be a fighter. I know loners who got more heart than most of these clanners. Shit, I was one. As long as you only think within' these moun'ins, lass, yer gonna be in for a rude awakening." His voice turned deep and somber.[break][break]
"Wake up 'fore it's too late, Leaf. Now what happened to yer sister?"[break]
Unanswered questions consumed Leafheart's mind - yet, to this stiff-necked tom, the true answers were kit's play. Well, he does have some experience, the young calico gradually admitted to herself. A battle to the death with one's littermate or blood-related kin could be traumatizing yet necessary. Blackwatcher, a cat who had been just as loved as her sister would have been... if she had survived. Tigercry's assumptions on what Leafheart had done were surprisingly accurate. He, too, had fought his sibling for some complicated reason. As he presented his wounds received from a brother who had possessed so many possibilities, the she-cat was swiftly reminded of her own memories. A scar on her back right leg, but that was about it. Leafheart had been stealthy. Unlike how Tigercry's wounds appeared, her own battle had been so rapid she hardly remembered the moment.
A stab of sympathy engulfed Leafheart. So many scars, injuries, memories of war from a cat he was meant to be close with - he really was as experienced as he had originally claimed. Amazement struck her, yet was soon overtaken by even more evocation. Fury and howls had pierced the night's air, yet although it was her physical body she couldn't help but continue believing it were Hyssopheart who had carried out the deed. Hyssopheart was bold, brave, even selfless at times, and confident in her abilities. Yet Leafheart held so little of those admirable qualities - hence her bravery within the battle to save Splitkit, and the battle against those fearsome eagles. Her most courageous moments came from her best friend. Or, to dive deeper, these moments came from within herself only. The name of Hyssopheart carried all the wounds she could possibly bear. It was no whispering leaves, no tranquil forest heart. No meaning was attached to Hyssopheart's name other than the cruelty of it's origins. However, Leafheart had overcome this cruelty and reclaimed her rights after the death of her sister, whom she now has named Whitewhisper.
Tigercry kept yearning to speak more statements of experience. A full name doesn't give you honour. Perhaps, then, her sister had been wrong to steal Leafheart's name back then. Warriors without the heart. That section was pure fact - when the calico pondered the actions of her clanmates, she quickly recognised their rapid ability to obey orders without question, and carry them out while only using their own thoughts when urgent. A rude awakening. Was Leafheart unaware of so many significant parts of a warrior's life? What exactly was it that Tigercry meant by that valourous statement?
Now, however, the question about Leafheart's sister had been raised. Whitewhisper. She never went by that name, yet instead chose to go by Leafheart's. Considering Tigercry's own sharing about his brother, Leafheart decided to be fair and give him just a little bit of information. I'll probably end up oversharing, though. I always do.
"My sister? What happened to her? Well..." Leafheart found she wasn't quite certain where to start. "She's dead. Killed. I'll just go from the beginning. We were close as kittens; could even communicate telepathically. I always stuck by her, until we became apprentices and had to train separately for a while. Her name at the time, was Whitepaw. She excelled me at every single skill there was in training - except for one. Scouting. Adventuring. Finding tracks. I was better than her at that, and that only. So I focused all my concentration on it. Well, after three moons of practicing, she beat me at that, too." Of course she did. Whitewhisper was the embodiment of everything Leafheart was not, and her sister knew that, too. "Whitepaw became a warrior at three moons of training. Insanely early for any apprentice. But she just had so much talent that there was already not much left for her to learn. But I was stuck there, still in my apprentice training." Leafheart swallowed, not really wanting to remember the next scene. "Because of how early her apprenticeship finished, her mentor asked her to choose her warrior name. She took my prefix, Leaf, and named herself Leafwhisper." The pain of the news reconciled itself into her mind once again. "Then, when I became a warrior at around the regular time, I still trusted her enough to suggest a warrior name for me to our leader. Because we now had the same prefix, mine was changed. She chose to name me... Hyssopheart." Leafheart glanced down nervously at her paws and narrowed her eyes to hide the tears for just a little longer. "As you can tell from my name now, I got my prefix back when my sister died and I confessed everything else she did after my warrior ceremony." Claiming her own sister's life was one thing, Leafheart reminisced, but that had only been the beginning.
"I figured that if she wanted to be me, I'd let her do that for now and make myself someone different to honour my new name. Prefixes are everything to a warrior, since generally they never change throughout their lives. I felt like a different cat, so I acted like one." The rest.... well, Leafheart decided to explain that in as little details as possible. "She continuously mocked me and took pride in my sorrows and weaknesses. Which wasn't the enthusiastic sister I had grown up with. So, in basic terms, neither Hyssopheart or the version of me hidden inside her could handle that anymore, and... she died." Phew. Glad that's over, Leafheart puffed. She remembered the punishment she had received by her Clan after the death of her sister, yet when she explained all the other details on what her sister had done, that she had strategically left out of her story just now, her prefix was finally changed and Leafheart could be herself again.
Her now-sorrowful gaze shifted onto Tigercry's. "And, what about you? What happened to make you and your brother fight so... drastically?"
