Thoughts - 04/14/2024

Poppyflake was worried. She was worried about her family’s safety, she was worried about the safety of her clan, and she was worried about the future. The way things are…the way things are heading, she’s not looking forward to it or happy about it.

After the issues with the rogues, Hailbelly, and Fawn, Poppyflake was happy to just relax and spend time with her clan and family. Pikesplash wasn’t ignoring her siblings anymore, Berrybelly Sunspark and Peachpounce seemed to be in better spirits then before.

Berrybelly even found love! Poppyflake has really enjoyed the past few moons of getting to know Weaselshell, he was a sweetheart and a wonderful addition to the family. They even had kits! Poppyflake loved all of them so much and they just fit in with the rest of them so well.

Unfortunately, things went downhill from there. Their camp got attacked by beavers, fires started again and one thing happened after another. She was thankful they didn’t lose anyone from either of those events- she’s already lost so much in her time and she didn’t want to lose anymore family or friends. (She still has dreams of Hollypaw, maybe if she did more her kit would still be alive.)

They ended up having to go to RavenClan, the fires were too much and the other clan thankfully agreed to give them shelter- SnakeClan too. Poppyflake could see the tensions rising between RavenClan and her clan- she’s not surprised considering she has already been through one war with RavenClan, but that doesn’t mean she liked it or wanted to contribute to said tension. So she mostly stuck to her clan and family- even when they were herded to an outer part of the territory- she’s not surprised considering how many cats were in that camp. RavenClan would not have been able to fit them all even without any of the aggression between their two Clans.

Only after Nettlestar lost a life and the metal birds came did LynxClan finally go home- and while Poppyflake hoped that would be the end of it…she knew better. She saw what happened last time, and she was watching it happen again.

LynxClan being the aggressors most of the time too.

The gathering had her gasping in shock at one of her fellow warriors not only attacking the deputy, but an elder of the clan too! There was no need for that during what was supposed to be a peaceful time but things were just escalating and escalating.

She could only be grateful that Beetlestar and Nettlestar agreed to a truce for leaf-bare. Fighting a war while also being close to hunger and starvation due to lack of prey was a recipe for disaster, one that would only end badly for everyone involved.

So she could only hope that her clanmates were smart enough not to stir things further while the worst of the season happened. Things only got worse after it was revealed a RavenClan warrior was killed. It didn’t matter that they attacked first- the first death called for war.

Poppyflake could only listen in horror as Coppershade explained the patrol she lead was ambushed by RavenClan, causing them to retreat back home to heal up. She knows Beetlestar would not be happy- and he wasn’t.

She heard his words, heard his tone and intent, and saw the look on his face. There is going to be a war. And its going to be a bad one.

She could only hope that her family survives this. And while she didn’t like fighting, if her clan needed her, they had her.

Hopefully this can end before things get worse.

(Word Count: 609)