10-17-2020, 07:17 AM
vistor 1
Warnings: Mentioned minor character death and unwanted affections.
Warnings: Mentioned minor character death and unwanted affections.
Spoiler:
Allegiances:
Leader: Hawkstar - Silver lynx point tom with a jagged pink scar down the right side of his face and muzzle. Has blue eyes. (6 lives)
Deputy: Bonejaw - White tom with gray tabby markings, has amber eyes.
Warriors: Duskcreek - Dusky black and red tom with hazel eyes.
Silverpool - Silver molly with blue eyes.
_______
I slunk up the hill, my fur spiked with blood and dirt, my claws sore, and a few broken. My wounds still bloody, but scabbing. I slowly stopped at a fresh mound of dirt, heart heavy, eyes wet.
“Hey, mum.” I wetly mew, “I guess, you really did get me to listen for once, huh?” The battle was yesterday, and my mother told me to run and I did. She was dumped on the border after the battle, and I still can’t believe it. Even after she’s in the ground.
My paws are smudged with freshly churned dirt and dried blood. I haven’t cleaned myself yet. I did not have the energy or wanted to yet, “I think you’d be having a field day, mum,” I chuckle, “My fur is sticking up everywhere and it’s so dirty that you can’t tell fur from dirt and blood.” My voice is getting more and more crackly as I spoke. I can barely hold myself together.
I would like to visit her.
“I didn’t think I would miss you fussing over me, mum…”
_______
I hold my head high, tears running down my face. I am being named the same day, bloody and dirty. I don’t know if I deserve it, my mum is in the ground cause I ran (if I stayed would she have lived?).
“I, Hawkstar, leader of Riverclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in their turn.” Hawkstar’s voice booms across the clearing, his voice not showing an ounce of sadness for the fallen warriors, “Duskpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan to your last breath?”
“I do.” I sneer, I cannot believe Hawkstar has already forgotten the 7 cats that died last night.
“Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Duskpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Duskcreek. StarClan honors your bravery and your strength, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Riverclan.” He looks down at me, “Your mother would be proud.” A bit of a smirk is on his face, he knew.
He knew.
_______
I have a permanent snarl on my muzzle since my name ceremony. I know Hawkstar is not worth a fish’s tailfin now. I know something is wrong. I know. I know it’s something.
I plan on finding out.
I am awakened by a tap from Silverpool, her eyes show worry, “You didn’t sleep very well last night Duskcreek. Are you sure you are up to hunting?”
I grunt, I feel myself soften a little, “I am alright, I’ll hunt.” I see her brighten as I pull myself up, and stalk out of the warrior den.
I look at the hill where my mother lies and pause, squinting ever so slightly at it. I thought I saw a flicker of starlight in broad daylight. I think I’ll visit my mum when I get back from the hunting patrol.
I lighten my steps as I sit with the other cats on the hunting patrol, my mind whirring with thoughts of my mum. I don’t know who we’re waiting for since Silverpool is here, she never mentioned who the third cat is.
Said molly fidgets next to me as I critically glance at her, wordlessly asking what is going on. Finally, she bursts, “It’s just us! I wanted to go hunting with you, and just you!”
Blinking in surprise, I cautiously glance around, my eyes catching Hawkstar nowhere to be seen, or even Bonejaw, “I guess I can go with you.” She looks so happy as if she will explode. Silverpool is purring so loud and I can’t turn back now.
We leave camp and she keeps brushing her fur against mine. I awkwardly scoot a little away, but she follows me. She keeps trying to twine tails with me, but I keep my tail low and near my paws. She keeps trying to catch my eye, but I look away.
She likes me.
But, I don’t like her.
I can’t.
By the time we’re at the river, Silverpool looks at me, “We’ll start here, let’s catch enough for everyone, yeah?” she laughs.
I didn’t laugh, I just nod and look into the river. I see a few trout, and a bass (“Mum! I caught a bass! It can feed half the clan!”). I crouch by the edge, making sure my shadow doesn’t fall on the water, and I wait.
I wait.
I wait.
I wait.
Now!
I flash a paw out, hooking the bass on accident. I pull it up, holding on to it with both paws, and desperately try for a few stressful moments to give it the killing bite. I end up slamming its head into the stone next to the river. It stopped struggling. Looking down in dismay (why is everything tinted with memories I don’t want to remember?), I feel Silverpool brush up against me, a lick on my face. I feel numb.
I feel eyes on me, and a flash of white disappearing from the edge of my view.
Bonejaw.
The fish is in my jaws, I can’t speak. I look at Silverpool preening over a catch she didn’t make, and her tail twining with mine. I look at her trying to tell her we need to head back, she doesn’t understand.
I pull away and bolt back to camp, bass heavy in my jaws.
________
I got back to camp, Bonejaw’s scent still stale. He was sent to watch me, but why?
I shake my head, ‘Not now, focus on visiting her.’ I deposit my catch, hearing the mew of congrats from a few warriors and an apprentice. Hawkstar watches me, his eyes sharp and calculating. I don’t know what he wants from me.
I see Silverpool and Bonejaw come back into camp with two trouts and bluegill. I feel ill looking at the silver molly. I look away, but she comes bounding up to me even when I’m heading back out to see my mum.
“Duskcreek! Why don’t you eat with me? I’m so proud you caught a bass! Did you know Bonejaw found a conch shell! You only find those at the ocean, which is why they always mean good things happen when they are found! He told me kittens are the thing it alludes to the most!”
“Cool…” I mumble, clearly knowing where this is heading, “I’m heading back out.”
Silverpool faulters, “But...you-” her head suddenly snaps to Bonejaw back at the fresh-kill pile as if she felt his gaze on her, “Be back soon, okay?” she licks my cheek and picks up a trout for herself.
I escape, feeling sick at her blatant affection. I never told her she could do that. I race to the hill where the soil is no longer freshly churned or even disturbed. Flowers and grass are the only things on her now.
I collapse, my eyes close, and I lay my head in front of the little mound of dirt, whispering, “Hey, mum. I missed you.”
The wind blows as if she answered, “I can’t help but remember you at every little turn. I know it’s been awhile, but it’s close to when the battle happened and weird things have been happening.” I take a deep breath, steading my thoughts “Hawkstar has been arguing to start a second camp, and has been having Bonejaw keep an eye on me. I don’t know why…” I open my eyes ever so slightly, everything is blurry, “Silverpool keeps trying to make me her mate, and I’m so confused. I don’t like her, but she keeps hitting on me and giving affection. She acts like I don’t get a say. I just don’t find anyone or anything romantically attractive. I don’t really think I feel it.”
The wind blew harder, a whisper carried on it, Beware the talons and bones that will carry the river to death.
I freeze, my heart racing. I can’t breath, “Mum?” she couldn’t have given me a prophecy, I’m just a regular warrior. I’m just broken Duskcreek. Named after his mother, Mistycreek, the morning after she died. I’m right about Hawkstar and Bonejaw. Something isn’t right.
I would like to visit my mum.
Leader: Hawkstar - Silver lynx point tom with a jagged pink scar down the right side of his face and muzzle. Has blue eyes. (6 lives)
Deputy: Bonejaw - White tom with gray tabby markings, has amber eyes.
Warriors: Duskcreek - Dusky black and red tom with hazel eyes.
Silverpool - Silver molly with blue eyes.
_______
I slunk up the hill, my fur spiked with blood and dirt, my claws sore, and a few broken. My wounds still bloody, but scabbing. I slowly stopped at a fresh mound of dirt, heart heavy, eyes wet.
“Hey, mum.” I wetly mew, “I guess, you really did get me to listen for once, huh?” The battle was yesterday, and my mother told me to run and I did. She was dumped on the border after the battle, and I still can’t believe it. Even after she’s in the ground.
My paws are smudged with freshly churned dirt and dried blood. I haven’t cleaned myself yet. I did not have the energy or wanted to yet, “I think you’d be having a field day, mum,” I chuckle, “My fur is sticking up everywhere and it’s so dirty that you can’t tell fur from dirt and blood.” My voice is getting more and more crackly as I spoke. I can barely hold myself together.
I would like to visit her.
“I didn’t think I would miss you fussing over me, mum…”
_______
I hold my head high, tears running down my face. I am being named the same day, bloody and dirty. I don’t know if I deserve it, my mum is in the ground cause I ran (if I stayed would she have lived?).
“I, Hawkstar, leader of Riverclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in their turn.” Hawkstar’s voice booms across the clearing, his voice not showing an ounce of sadness for the fallen warriors, “Duskpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan to your last breath?”
“I do.” I sneer, I cannot believe Hawkstar has already forgotten the 7 cats that died last night.
“Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Duskpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Duskcreek. StarClan honors your bravery and your strength, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Riverclan.” He looks down at me, “Your mother would be proud.” A bit of a smirk is on his face, he knew.
He knew.
_______
I have a permanent snarl on my muzzle since my name ceremony. I know Hawkstar is not worth a fish’s tailfin now. I know something is wrong. I know. I know it’s something.
I plan on finding out.
I am awakened by a tap from Silverpool, her eyes show worry, “You didn’t sleep very well last night Duskcreek. Are you sure you are up to hunting?”
I grunt, I feel myself soften a little, “I am alright, I’ll hunt.” I see her brighten as I pull myself up, and stalk out of the warrior den.
I look at the hill where my mother lies and pause, squinting ever so slightly at it. I thought I saw a flicker of starlight in broad daylight. I think I’ll visit my mum when I get back from the hunting patrol.
I lighten my steps as I sit with the other cats on the hunting patrol, my mind whirring with thoughts of my mum. I don’t know who we’re waiting for since Silverpool is here, she never mentioned who the third cat is.
Said molly fidgets next to me as I critically glance at her, wordlessly asking what is going on. Finally, she bursts, “It’s just us! I wanted to go hunting with you, and just you!”
Blinking in surprise, I cautiously glance around, my eyes catching Hawkstar nowhere to be seen, or even Bonejaw, “I guess I can go with you.” She looks so happy as if she will explode. Silverpool is purring so loud and I can’t turn back now.
We leave camp and she keeps brushing her fur against mine. I awkwardly scoot a little away, but she follows me. She keeps trying to twine tails with me, but I keep my tail low and near my paws. She keeps trying to catch my eye, but I look away.
She likes me.
But, I don’t like her.
I can’t.
By the time we’re at the river, Silverpool looks at me, “We’ll start here, let’s catch enough for everyone, yeah?” she laughs.
I didn’t laugh, I just nod and look into the river. I see a few trout, and a bass (“Mum! I caught a bass! It can feed half the clan!”). I crouch by the edge, making sure my shadow doesn’t fall on the water, and I wait.
I wait.
I wait.
I wait.
Now!
I flash a paw out, hooking the bass on accident. I pull it up, holding on to it with both paws, and desperately try for a few stressful moments to give it the killing bite. I end up slamming its head into the stone next to the river. It stopped struggling. Looking down in dismay (why is everything tinted with memories I don’t want to remember?), I feel Silverpool brush up against me, a lick on my face. I feel numb.
I feel eyes on me, and a flash of white disappearing from the edge of my view.
Bonejaw.
The fish is in my jaws, I can’t speak. I look at Silverpool preening over a catch she didn’t make, and her tail twining with mine. I look at her trying to tell her we need to head back, she doesn’t understand.
I pull away and bolt back to camp, bass heavy in my jaws.
________
I got back to camp, Bonejaw’s scent still stale. He was sent to watch me, but why?
I shake my head, ‘Not now, focus on visiting her.’ I deposit my catch, hearing the mew of congrats from a few warriors and an apprentice. Hawkstar watches me, his eyes sharp and calculating. I don’t know what he wants from me.
I see Silverpool and Bonejaw come back into camp with two trouts and bluegill. I feel ill looking at the silver molly. I look away, but she comes bounding up to me even when I’m heading back out to see my mum.
“Duskcreek! Why don’t you eat with me? I’m so proud you caught a bass! Did you know Bonejaw found a conch shell! You only find those at the ocean, which is why they always mean good things happen when they are found! He told me kittens are the thing it alludes to the most!”
“Cool…” I mumble, clearly knowing where this is heading, “I’m heading back out.”
Silverpool faulters, “But...you-” her head suddenly snaps to Bonejaw back at the fresh-kill pile as if she felt his gaze on her, “Be back soon, okay?” she licks my cheek and picks up a trout for herself.
I escape, feeling sick at her blatant affection. I never told her she could do that. I race to the hill where the soil is no longer freshly churned or even disturbed. Flowers and grass are the only things on her now.
I collapse, my eyes close, and I lay my head in front of the little mound of dirt, whispering, “Hey, mum. I missed you.”
The wind blows as if she answered, “I can’t help but remember you at every little turn. I know it’s been awhile, but it’s close to when the battle happened and weird things have been happening.” I take a deep breath, steading my thoughts “Hawkstar has been arguing to start a second camp, and has been having Bonejaw keep an eye on me. I don’t know why…” I open my eyes ever so slightly, everything is blurry, “Silverpool keeps trying to make me her mate, and I’m so confused. I don’t like her, but she keeps hitting on me and giving affection. She acts like I don’t get a say. I just don’t find anyone or anything romantically attractive. I don’t really think I feel it.”
The wind blew harder, a whisper carried on it, Beware the talons and bones that will carry the river to death.
I freeze, my heart racing. I can’t breath, “Mum?” she couldn’t have given me a prophecy, I’m just a regular warrior. I’m just broken Duskcreek. Named after his mother, Mistycreek, the morning after she died. I’m right about Hawkstar and Bonejaw. Something isn’t right.
I would like to visit my mum.