[Taxx]

Ferngaze

of RainClan

Ferngaze had hated every step she took away from the camp, and yet she went quickly. There was no telling who would get it into their heads that Rushwhisker needed to be gone, and the sooner she got this over with, the sooner she could make sure he had remained- just a little longer. She'd let go of Swanfeather the moment her body had settled on the cold ground in the medicine cats' den and returned to the clearing; before too much longer, she was off once more, this time with her former mentors at her side.

It wasn't any easier leaving this time, though. Not when she knew that she'd be returning alone. She dragged her paws, tail tip dragging through the slush on the ground, her gaze flashing to Rushwhisker now and then. For a moment it was quiet, just their steps, their breaths, the wind, the quiet fall of snow to the ground. He was going away, she was losing him. Her eyes squeezed shut a moment, and when she opened them she spoke, her voice sounding far too loud.

"Where will you go?" A slight pause before her gaze met his and she continued, "I'll see you again, right? You'll come back?"

STEADY AS THE RIVER RUNS

Made By Fawn || @zen

[Deleted]

With Ashflight at his side, he had been allowed to wait until Ferngaze returned to camp with Swanfeather’s body, so his former apprentice could say goodbye. He had sat in silence, his shoulder and Ashflight’s pressed together. His sister had glared at any cat that dared to give him any questionable look over what had transpired, but Rushwhisker was glad at least to see some relief on certain faces as well, over Swanfeather’s death. It had brought peace to some, and he could only hope that more peace would follow, once he was gone. Bravebird had been raised by the old medicine cat, it was unlikely her death would ever grant him peace, the same as Dewfrost. But sacrifice for the greater good was simply the nature of life as a warrior.

He needn’t worry himself over it anymore. He was no longer a warrior.

Finally the three of them were on their way. After they were out of camp, Ashflight fell back to give the two of them a bit of privacy first. She would say her own piece to him once they reached the border.

Rushwhisker padded alongside Ferngaze in silence, waiting for her to say whatever she needed to say. He looked over at her as she questioned him. He was silent for a few moments longer as he considered his answer. “Perhaps I’ll follow the river, see where it leads…. I’ve been wondering for a while….” He couldn’t help but think of his conversation with Jade. As to whether he would come back….

He sighed, “I don’t think I should. But I know some cats would worry.” He flicked his tail lightly against her, half playful in accusing her as one. Ashflight would be another. “I need to stay away for a while… but I’ll come back so you know I’m safe.” He was silent for a short time again, “What I want, most of all for you… is for you to follow your heart wherever it leads you, and never, ever deny it. If you betray your heart, you betray yourself, and you’ll never stop regretting it. Don’t let anyone or anything else dictate your path. If you do that, Ferngaze… there’s nothing you could do that wouldn’t make me proud of you - proud that you were my apprentice and that I can call you my friend.”

Taxx

[Taxx]

Ferngaze

of RainClan

Rushwhisker was acting so calm about it all- whether it was a front or his true feelings over the matter, she didn't know. He'd always seemed the steady sort, calm and cool under pressure, and maybe he was just keeping himself in check now to keep from upsetting her. He had to be sad about losing the friends he'd come to know, and Ashflight- his only kin left, but they were close.

Ferngaze's eyes turned to the ground underpaw. There was nothing she could say to stop him, no matter how much she wished he could stay. This was his punishment, and while some might not miss Swanfeather, others would mourn the traitor and think the exile not enough. For all he'd done for RainClan, too many would only use this as a way to remember him in the moons to come- not as their once-deputy, but as the killer of their medicine cat. Would those same cats care that Swanfeather had been the reason for their pain and suffering during the war?

"I'll look out for you," she replied, leaning over to rest her head against his shoulder. "I wish I could go with you..." But RainClan was still her home. She couldn't leave her mother, her Clan, even though she worried that she'd never see Rushwhisker again. She couldn't leave for another reason too, one that nobody but she and Aspenfire knew.

A glance over her shoulder to make sure Ashflight was out of hearing before she continued. "I have something to tell you. I was going to, eventually I think, but now... I met someone. A tom, from TreeClan. He was being chased by NightClan cats and fell into the river. I was on patrol and saved him- he would have drowned otherwise. And I've seen him a few times since. RainClan wouldn't approve of it... but, Rushwhisker, I like him. Is that really okay?"

STEADY AS THE RIVER RUNS

Made By Fawn || @zen