Drifted Feathers
A fluffy brown tabby cat dashed through the forest, disturbing the freshly fallen snow, her frantic breathing left puffs of icy smoke in the still air. "Skystrike! Where are you?!" She yowled, panicked with concern and worry.
Gritting her teeth, she pushed through the cold and continued onwards, refusing to let the chill get to her. "Skystrike!" She yowled again, hopping over a fallen tree trunk. She can hear mice and squirrels scurrying away and birds flapping their wings and squawking in alarm around her, but she couldn't care less, she needed to find her sister.
The brown molly didn't notice the sounds of pawsteps behind her until a deeper voice called out her name, "Wildsong! Slow down!" A grey and white molly shouted, forcing the other warrior to stop for just a moment. A golden spotted molly panted as she tried to keep up with her partner and clanmate. "We can't help you look for Skystrike if we're busy chasing after you!" She scolded softly, though Wildsong could see worry laced within her sea green eyes.
"I'm much faster on my own, you lovebirds can go search without me." Wildsong scoffed, whirling around and bunched her hind legs to sprint off again. The big grey and white warrior moved to block her path, "Wildsong. This is a search party, there's a reason we were sent out together." She narrowed her eye and glared at the brown molly sternly.
"And why is that Mosscreek?" Wildsong sneered mockingly, rolling her eyes. Mosscreek bristled, "So we can look out and keep each other safe, you should know that." She hissed, looking very disappointed in the other warrior, her lips quivered as she tried not to draw them back into a snarl.
The third cat in the party moved to put her spotted tail along her partner's back, "Mossy, go easy on her, she's worried for her family, you can't expect her to calm down." She reasoned. The grey and white warrior turned her head so her one working eye can settle on the golden cat, she seems to relax but only by a little.
Wildsong's tail bristled in irritation, lashing from side to side, "Don't treat me like a kit Freckleberry!" She snarled, "Now get out of my way!" She forcefully pushed herself between the two mollies standing before her, not sparing another glance at them. Mosscreek cursed when she got shoved and fell into a ditch hidden by the snow, "Wildsong! Get back here right now!" To nobody's surprise, Wildsong didn't stop.
Freckleberry held out a paw to help, but because of her small size, it didn't do much other than making both of them stumbled deeper into the snow, "Woops...sor-" The golden queen was about apologize but got cut off by her partner. "It's fine Frecks," Mosscreek sighed in defeat and decided sinking into the snow was better than chasing after their clanmate.
After laying there in silence for a bit, the warrior spoke up, "You should head back, I can tell you're tired, I told you it was a bad idea for you to come." Mosscreek pushed herself out of the ditch, then dragged Freckleberry out as well with a grunt.
"But-"
"Frecks."
Freckleberry would usually just admit defeat, her paws did hurt from the freezing snow and running all over the territory, but...at the same time she wanted to be there for her partner, "Mossy please, just let me tag along this time." The golden queen pleaded. Mosscreek sighed again, making a big misty cloud. "What about the kits?"
"The kits will be fine, you and I both know Goldenflame wouldn't let anything happen to them." Freckleberry pointed out, she knew her partner was just making excuses now. Mosscreek cursed under breath though her gaze softened, "Fine, come on, let's go before Wildsong does something crazy." She huffed and followed the pawprints the other warrior left behind.
Wildsong sniffed the air, there were snowflakes drifting down now. She didn't understand why, why her sister would just disappear like that, she knew Skystrike was growing unhappy and stressed these past few days, she didn't know the reason but she knew her sister wouldn't just leave without warning.
"Wildsong!" The shout from Mosscreek jolted the brown cat out of her thoughts, she spun around and glared at the two mollies, "Why did you follow me?!" She hissed, looking annoyed. Freckleberry spoke up this time, afraid that Mosscreek and Wildsong will get into another fight, "Because we care about Skystrike's safety as well, and we want to help you look for them."
Wildsong's nose flared in anguish but she didn't say anything else, she just let out a grunt as she continued on the search. The three traveled across the territory, looking at every nook and cranny, but they couldn't catch a sign of the missing warrior.
Wildsong stomped on the ground in frustration, spraying snow everywhere, it was getting dark and snow was falling heavier by the minute. The brown tabby looked across the border, and an idea struck her like a bolt of lightning, "I'm crossing the border." She announced, and without waiting for her companions, she set off.
"What?! No! Wildsong come back!" Mosscreek shouted in alarm and raced after her with Freckleberry close behind. Wildsong didn't care though and pretended not to hear, she trudged through the unfamiliar terrain, poking her head around.
Mosscreek skidded into a halt just before the scent marks, "Wildsong!" She yowled and got no response, "That piece of-" "Mosscreek!" Freckleberry nudged the grey and white warrior, cutting her off, "Not now, we need to go after her."
Mosscreek gawked at her partner, "Are you insane?! We don't know what's out there! It's dangerous!" She meowed loudly, there was a clear hint of panic in her tone. Freckleberry frowned, her partner was smart but she really can't think clearly when she's under stress.
"That's the point." She stated simply, "Wildsong could be in danger and we need to stay together and look out for each other. You said that yourself." She reminded her partner. The grey and white cat blinked, feeling embarrassed for panicking like that, damn was she glad she had a cat like Freckleberry by her side. "Y-yeah, of course. Let's go."
The two stuck to each other's flanks and set off, following the other warrior. Mosscreek looked wary of everything, the snowstorm was picking up and it was getting hard to see anything now, they couldn't even use the pawprints to find their way anymore.
Freckleberry nudged the bigger warrior, "There! I can see her over there!" The small golden cat had to strain her voice so she could be heard within the storm. Wildsong stood there, as still as a statue, unphazed by the wind and snow whipping at her.
Freckleberry left Mosscreek's side and rushed over to Wildsong's, placing a paw on the fluffy cat's shoulder, "Wildsong?" The brown molly didn't acknowledge her, she was clutching a blue feather to her chest. The golden queen's eyes widen in recognition, "Is that...the same feather Skystrike wears?" Wildsong nodded shakily in response.
"Guys look! Over here!" Mosscreek pawed away some ferns and bushes, revealing a white and brown tabby kitten, the kit was clinging on to another blue feather, identical to the one Wildsong was holding. Mosscreek and Freckleberry looked at each other, no words were spoken but they knew they were thinking of the same thing.
He looks related to Skystrike and Wildsong.
The kit was a perfect blend between the two cats, though he seemed to resemble Skystrike more, with the lean build and spikey fur, and the feather next to them wasn't helping the case. Wildsong looked distraught, the tears gathering in her eyes were freezing over and frosting her eyes. It hurt, but the pain in her heart hurt deeper than any physical wound. Suddenly, a strong gust of wind blew, showering them all with more snow and ice.
Mosscreek didn't waste anymore time and dug the kit out of the snow, "We're gonna freeze death out here! We need to go back now!" She held the kit by the scruff, and started pushing her way through the thick icy layer of snow, making a path for the others. Freckleberry shook Wildsong out of her trance, "Come one, we need to go!" She urged, nudging her back.
The brown tabby caught a glimpse of bright blue in the sea of white, she forced the smaller cat out of her way and plunged deeper into the frozen stardust. "Wildsong! Leave them!" Freckleberry shrieked in alarm, she couldn't believe that her clanmate was willing to risk her life out her for a couple of feathers.
"No!" Wildsong growled through gritted teeth, Desperate to reclaim what she has lost, she was willing to risk it all away. They're not just feathers, they're the smile that her sister bares, they're the same shade as the sky on a bright cloudless day, they're the thing that reminds her of her family, "They're all I have left of her!"
The golden spotted molly flattened her ears, she couldn't blame Wildsong for acting like this, a howl that sounded like a wail of despair caught her attention, she paused for a moment. That sounded like a cat. Freckleberry stared off to the distance, squinting her eyes in attempt to make out anything other than white.
Wildsong finally managed snatch the second feather, in the whirling wind, she turned back to see Mosscreek gone and Freckleberry staring blanking into the forest. Wildsong smacked the other molly with her tail and gestured to the path Mosscreek made for them.
The small golden cat jumped , she was so focused on trying to figure out where the sound came from that she stopped paying attention to the rest of her surroundings, she looked up and nodded, following her clanmates out of the blizzard. It must have just been the wind. She concluded.
The patrol made it made it back to camp, luckily Hurricaneclan's camp was in a cave so once they funnelled themselves through the entrance, they were safe from the blizzard and harsh winds outside. Mosscreek set the kit down by her paws, and before she could even take another breath, they were surrounded by their clanmates.
"They're back!"
"Are you okay? We were so worried when the blizzard started and you guys-" "Did you find he-" "Is that a ki-" "You guys look-" "Where'd you find tha-" "Is he de-"
"ENOUGH!" A loud voice rang through the cave, echoing slightly in the walls, making everyone hush down in mere seconds, "Everyone back off! Give them some space!" The gathered cats parted and a white and ginger molly with bright green eyes stepped forward, "You three, go see Flarelight immediately. Everyone else, hold off from asking questions for now." She ordered, "Go."
Wildsong didn't need to be told twice, she trudged forward with her companions at her side. She could hear their clanmates conversations as they retreated. "Chrysanthemumstar! Did I do good? Maybe I was too-" "You did fine Gleamfire, your parents would be..." The voices faded out as the padded further away.
The three huddled together in the healer's den, shivering with cold. Flarelight stared slacked jawed at them for just a moment before taking the kit from Mosscreek. "I...need to focus," Flarelight meowed, her voice wavering. "Out, there isn't any herbs I can give you to warm up. Come back when you start feeling symptoms that isn't just 'cold'." And with that, she waved them away with her tail.
Mosscreek dipped her head and backed away obediently, Freckleberry was about to follow her partner when she realized that Wildsong was rooted to the spot, her gaze was fixed on the small kit. "Wildsong, come on, let her work in peace." The golden queen rested her tail on her back.
Wildsong didn't want to move, but she sighed and let the smaller cat guide her outside anyway. She immediately dropped down and curled up on the ground when they left the healer's den, Freckleberry didn't leave her side, "Wildsong? Are you okay?" The other molly asked.
Wildsong shivered in her thick coat, still holding on tightly to the frost covered feathers, her breathing was quick and shallow, and her eyes darted to look at every little movement, every moving shadow and every flickering light. She was clearly, not okay. Perhaps the whole weight of the situation finally dawned on her.
Freckleberry grew increasing worried for her clanmate, she put her paw on her shoulder, "Wildsong?" That's when she lost it, "I'm FINE!" The other molly snapped, flicking away the golden cat's paw away like an annoying fly. Freckleberry flinched but still stayed nearby, "A-are you sur-"
"YES! Leave me alone!" The warrior roared. The fur along Freckleberry's spine fluffed up, she muttered a hushed sorry and skittered away like a startled fawn. Wildsong watched Freckleberry dashed away from her, she ran up to her partner, who was talking to their babysitter. They entered their den together.
Wildsong slumped down tiredly into the moss covered ground, she held the feathers close to her heart and flattened her ears, she can hear her clanmate's whispers, their speculations and accusations, it was driving her up the wall.
"That kit...they looked like Skystrike and Wildsong, don't you think?"
"Yea, who knew Skystrike would have a kit with some rouge!"
"I don't think they would do something like that though..."
"Come one! Skystrike's always been flighty!"
"And look at Wildsong, I bet she knew about it, they tell each other everything."
"She does look guilty..."
"I'd say they got what they deserve!"
Wildsong scraped her unsheathed claws across the floor, a low growl formed in her throat, she shot up and stormed over to her clanmates, "I dare you to say that again!" She hissed, her fur fluffed up so she looked twice her size.
"Excuse me?"
The brown molly snarled with hackles raised, "I know my sister more than anyone in this world! I know for a fact that she never had interest in a partner or kits!"
Before the other cat could even open their mouth to retort, Gleamfire hopped in between them, "Hey what did I just say?! Back off!" She meowed with a slight growl, the cats looked at each other, not wanting to fight with the young cat and picked themselves up left.
Gleamfire glanced at Wildsong and nodded, turning away without another word, it seemed she didn't want to pick sides and went back to the leader's side. Wildsong sighed and decided that she didn't want to spend another second with her clanmates in sight and went to her nest, letting her aching bones rest and closed her eyes.
Meanwhile, in the healer's den, Flarelight stared at the small kit, she managed to get them warmed up and things seems to be pretty stable for now, though she would definitely have to keep a close eye on their condition. Flarelight sat back, looking at her paws, she couldn't ignore it any longer, there was a tingling sensation of magic rushing through.
This kit has magic blood, it was as clear as day. That isn't good, the clans hate all kinds of magic, they wouldn't accept a kit like this. She was already on thin ice with Gleamfire from sneaking off and learning the ways with magic with a witch. The dark ginger cat sighed, no wonder the kit was surviving, any normal kit would've froze to death by now.
Wildsong tossed and turned in her bed, it was cold without her sister, eventually she gave up and headed to the healer's den. Poking her head through the vine curtains, she called out hesitantly, "Flarelight? I've come to visit." The healer jumped, she wasn't expecting anyone to come back so soon, "C-come in."
The brown tabby stepped inside, she still looked like a mess, "How is he?" She rasped quietly. A seed of suspicion form in Flarelight, "He'll be fine...um Wildsong, may I ask a few questions?" With how the kit looked and Skystrike's recent disappearance, she had to make sure and no one could get away with a lie to a healer.
Wildsong tensed, she had a feeling she knew what the dark ginger cat wanted to ask. "What may those be?" She growled defensively. Flarelight raised her paws, "Don't get your tail in a twist. I just want to know the truth." She meowed steadily, she didn't want to show how uneasy she was to the other warrior.
"The truth?" Wildsong snorted, unimpressed. "Fine I'll give you the truth! The truth is that my sister definitely froze to death in that blizzard and we saved this kit from having the same fate." She barked, already irritated from the earlier fight.
Flarelight didn't seem satisfied, she didn't get the answers she was looking for. "Where'd you find the kit? And did you actually find Skystrike's body?" She questioned further, putting on a stone face.
The warrior growled in annoyance, "Outside the territories, and...no, but just look at what happening outside! We almost died out there for The Star's sake!" The healer nodded, "So, you don't know their origins? Not even a clue?" She took a step forward, narrowing her amber eyes at the brown molly.
Wildsong bared her teeth, "No." She snarled, "They probably got abandoned, even if they're weren't, the parents are surely dead by now anyway." She lashed her tail angrily, accidentally knocking off a few bundles of herbs on a nearby shelf.
Flarelight tsked at the mess, but at least she now knew that Wildsong wasn't lying, the healer herself didn't have any proof about the kit's bloodline, but she had a feeling that she knew. I'll have to check with Amethyst later.
Flarelight didn't bother Wildsong with any more questions, "I'll have to find a caretaker for them...hmmm Freckleberry and Mosscreek could take them in, their kits are around same age..." She hummed in thought, "But they definitely need help taking care of 4 kits and Mosscreek is needed for hunting food..."
"I'll take him." Wildsong said with determination. Flarelight jumped, snapping her head around to look at the brown tabby, she didn't realize that she spoke her thoughts out loud, "Oh! Uh, okay? He still needs milk from Freckleberry but I suppose you can take care of him after they've weaned." Wildsong just nodded.
The healer thought about it for a bit, she still needed to keep a close eye on the kit in case any magic leaks but for now, it should be okay. "Alright, I'll tell Chrysanthemumstar about the news then." The dark ginger molly turned to face the other cat, "What would you like to name him?"
Wildsong thought back to her sister, her feathers were still stuck in her thick brown fur, she plucked them out and tucked them into the small kit's fur, "Feather..." She muttered quietly, "His name will be Featherkit."