[Taxx]

Ferngaze

of RainClan

Ferngaze was well into the pregnancy now, the kits growing so quickly- they’d begun kicking lately, rippling motions against her belly and sides that were startling enough she’d checked with Dewfrost that they were normal. Once assured that it was a good sign, she’d let herself enjoy them.

Dewfrost had also warned that it might be time to consider settling into the nursery; her warrior duties were likely to put her or her kits at risk. Loathe as she was to consider giving up the rank, even temporarily, Ferngaze admitted that the growing kits had made those duties harder. Running and swimming wore her out faster; she found herself sleeping more, eating more- but there were two very important things she still had to bring up to Silverstar before then. And at least one wouldn’t be easy to explain.

She found her father at the river, mostly frozen over by now; she knew how much he loved to walk the ice. He was made for winter, it seemed, with his long thick coat, a good buffer against the icy cold that sunk right through her own short pelt. Ferngaze stifled a shiver and called to her father. “Silverstar! Can I have a word? It’s about Sablepaw.”

STEADY AS THE RIVER RUNS

Made By Fawn || Justice

[Justice]

For the first time since he'd awoken from his first death Silverstar's head was clear, his mind quiet. No nagging feeling of dread, no nightmares lingering to make him feel like he was drowning all over again. Just the peaceful, beautiful snow and his place in it. The look on his face was joyful and peaceful, usually the look one had when gazing at a much beloved mate and their shared kits. Leafbare was his truest love and it showed on him now.

The cold snow crunched under his paws and in that moment he felt truly happy. He was Silverfrost again, just a young warrior who enjoyed flirting and playing and just doing whatever he pleased within the limits of the code. He wasn't a StarClan chosen leader, he wasn't someone that everyone relied on, he was simply himself. He let the illusion of it take him as he tested to see if the ice was solid enough yet to walk across.

It wasn't, and he'd decided he'd come back in a few days when he heard the sound of his daughter's voice and looked over to the she-cat. "Ferngaze!" He turned and padded over to her, headbutting her and purring affectionately. He'd gotten better about being around his offspring since saving Willowbreeze's kits, had tried very hard to be more present in their lives. He didn't always succeed, but he tried.

He had noticed the distinctive roundness with which her body had begun to fill out with, and wondered which lucky tom had captured her heart. He wouldn't ask, but he could wonder. "Sit now, rest your paws, growing kits is a very hard task." He settled next to her and cozied up as much as she'd let him, wrapping his fluffy tail around her to help buffer her from the biting cold.

He may have liked leafbare, but for those with shorter pelts, like Ferngaze, it was a struggle. "I assume its about time for you to go to the nursery? Or is something else on your mind with your apprentice?"

Taxx

[Taxx]

Ferngaze

of RainClan

Silverstar and Echoshade had both seemed quite thrilled to learn the news about her kits, not that Ferngaze had expected differently; she'd still held on to her rank as long as possible. Until now, when warned that any accident could have serious consequences for her or the kits, did she grudgingly accept that it might be best to put aside her duties until her kits were old enough to be apprentices themselves.

Silverstar padded to meet her and Ferngaze dipped her head in a nod as they settled together, her father's longer fur creating a decent buffer from the cold. "That's right. I'm sad to have to leave his training to another, but I'm not fit enough anymore, and Dewfrost says I could hurt the kits if I'm too active." She wasn't particularly looking forward to giving up her role for an entire six moons, but she'd survive and return to it when her kits reached apprentice age.

"But there's something else too." Clear blue eyes lifted to meet Silverstar's, her tail flicking around to rest against her paws. "Someone you should meet. Come with me?" Rising to her paws, Ferngaze turned in the direction of StarClan's Claws, wondering if Aspenfire was waiting there already. She knew there was going to be a chance this wouldn't work out how either of them wanted, but it was up to Silverstar to accept it- he was RainClan's leader, after all. But it couldn't hurt to try, and she knew Aspenfire was willing to do his best to fit in- if Silverstar was agreeable.

STEADY AS THE RIVER RUNS

Made By Fawn || Justice

[Justice]

"I'll have him reassigned by tomorrow. You concentrate on taking care of yourself and my grandkits." He beamed at her, making sure he could buffet her from the biting cold winds. Once she rose he rose with her, staying close in case she needed him and making certain she was safe.

Blue eyes regarded his daughter, head canting. "Oh?" He followed at her urging, not in any particular hurry. She wanted him to meet someone. He had the feeling that he might be meeting the father of his daughter's kits. Excitement hit him at that concept. He and Echoshade had decided they wouldn't ask, but would be delighted to learn from their daughter if she chose to tell them. "Your mother will kill me if I let you out of my sight this far along outside the camp." He gave her another smile and kept pace with her.

As they went further and further from camp he started to get a little anxious. "Ferngaze, where are you taking me?"

Taxx

[Hellion]

"What if he wants me dead? Will he kill me?" Aspenfire thought aloud, his voice carrying upwards into the leaves of the willow tree he sat under. The weeping tree limbs swayed with an easy wind. Was that StarClan's answer? Nervous he missed a sign from his warrior ancestors, Apsenfire crept closer to the base of the grand tree. Perhaps he needed to listen closer.

It remained fruitless. StarClan did not speak to him. He'd likely be the last one they'd ever whisper to. A healthy band of medicine cats and leaders were ahead of him. And he found himself unworthy of a prophecy. Too many rules broken.

Not that's he'd ever apologize for such actions. Ferngaze grew steadily every day. His kits coming close to entering the world, ready to start their lives. It would take an act of StarClan to prevent him from being there for them. Even if Silverstar told him no. He'd find himself a den nearby. Carve out a place for himself so he could visit his kits every day. Borders be damned. Nothing would keep him from them.

Turning away from the trunk of the willow tree, Aspenfire found his paws pacing back and forth near one of her exposed roots. His black and white fur would contrast enough. Ferngaze and Silverstar could see him from fox-lengths away, the wind likely alerts them before then too. He still smelled of TreeClan. For how much longer he was not sure, but he hoped it would fade soon.

It pained him each time he tucked his tail over his nose as he slept. Knowing in TreeClan his sister and mother would be without him. The threat of NightClan weighed heavily on his heart, but selfish in his actions he decided to leave. He couldn't die without seeing his kits. While for some it would make them a formidable opponent. Aspenfire saw the hatred in NightClan's gaze. He couldn't risk it. One missed attack and it would be the end. So he took the cowards way out, even if shame burned in his belly for it.

His young family's safety came first. No matter the guilt.

33 Moons TreeClan Tom

Aspenfire

Honesty has a power very few people can handle

## Justice Taxx Notes:

[Taxx]

Ferngaze

of RainClan

A purr and a nuzzle met her father's words, but Ferngaze couldn't sit here all night as she might want. Aspenfire might be waiting, and she couldn't leave him thinking she'd changed her mind. She flicked her tail at him as she rose and turned to guide him, padding steadily along familiar paths toward the Willow Tree, where she had told the tom to wait for her.

Her blue eyes flicked back over at Silverstar as he asked where they were going, tail flicking in a moment of nervousness at his reaction to what he was about to find out. She paused, let him catch up, and leaned her shoulder into his for a moment. "Please don't be upset at me," she murmured, pulling in a heavy breath before straightening again and padding the last few tail-lengths. "Aspenfire?" she called, claws sinking into the slush underpaw and waiting with held breath for the black-and-white TreeClan tom to appear and then giving a sigh as she spotted him.

Padding to his side, Ferngaze pressed her head to her mate's and then turned to face Silverstar. "This is who I wanted you to meet. His name's Aspenfire- and he's the father of my kits."

STEADY AS THE RIVER RUNS

Made By Fawn || Justice Hellion

[Justice]

He had this terrible feeling in his gut as they started moving through the territory. Even snow covered as it was he recognized the place. He took a deep breath and released it, keeping his gaze locked on his daugther and hoping his bad feeling was wrong. A few minutes later, after asking him not to be upset, his bad feeling materialized in the strong scent of TreeClan that hit his nose.

Silverstar felt hot then cold, blue eyes lightening almost to silver as a cold rage settled into him. "Ferngaze come away." His tone made it an order. "This young tom and I need to have a chat." And her delicate state she didn't need to hear it.

The silver tom stepped forward and stalked quietly towards the other, looking him over and nudging at Ferngaze to move her away. "Go on now, its too cold for you to be in this wind. I won't hurt him." He only wanted her against the trees, protected from the biting winds.

He finally turned to Aspenfire, his cold gaze hard. "As for you young tom, lets have a chat. What exactly is your intention towards my daughter? You let her call you her mate, but you're covered in the scent of another clan. Do you intend to abandon them to RainClan, to break her heart? Because I swear, if you turn out to be the sort I will shred you so badly even StarClan won't recognize you."

Taxx
Hellion

[Hellion]

He heard his name, head-turning in the direction of his beloved's voice. Joining her and greeting the she-cat he loved with all his heart, Aspenfire remained nervous about Silverstar. He knew no matter what she was safe with her father, but it didn't stop him from wanting to protect her. His tail finding it's way to rest over her flank. Keeping her close.

A heavyweight of dread filled his chest as Silverstar called her away. The loss of her at his side, made his heart pound. Respect for his mate and her love for a family kept him from growling in disapproval. The implications that he was some sort of threat put him on edge. His heart wanting to stay with her but his head recognizing he was at a disadvantage. Silverstar had moons of experience, not to mention Aspenfire preferred hunting over fighting. He could probably last in a fight but if it came to life or death, Silverstar had StarClan on his side.

While he had no proof that Silverstar would be the bloodthirsty type. Aspenfire could relate. Even with his kits still growing within Ferngaze, he had a fierce protective drive. He'd tear the world apart to keep them alive and safe. He did not doubt Silverstar had the same sentiment.

Silverstar sent her away, claiming he would do him no harm. Aspenfire wanted to believe him. Had to trust the willow tree wouldn't be his final resting place.

Amber eyes fixed on Silverstar, as Ferngaze went. Aspenfire had a similar expression. He watched Silverstar for any threatening behavior. Unable to fully relax.

He fully expected the onslaught of questions. Readying himself to flee if the conversation turned aggressive, Aspenfire answered.

"I love Ferngaze and she loves me, so yes we call each other mates," He hadn't uttered the words to anyone else other than Ferngaze, it felt right to say them.

"I would never break her heart and I intend to be a father to our kits. I only ask if I can join RainClan so I can be with her every day. If not I will find myself a home nearby and still see her every day. " Aspenfire paused, calming the fluttering of his heart. He had only once chance to impress Silverstar. One-shot at being happy with Ferngaze.

"I'm not asking your permission to love her it's too late for that. I'm only asking if I can wake up beside her every day and watch our kits grow to serve their mother's Clan. I'm asking for a chance to be a real mate to her, to support her and our family," He exhaled, his heart still hammering but calming. His proclamation giving him confidence.

33 Moons TreeClan Tom

Aspenfire

Honesty has a power very few people can handle

## Taxx Justice Notes:

[Taxx]

Ferngaze

of RainClan

Silverstar's order only got a raised eye from Ferngaze, leaning into Aspenfire's side as his tail draped over her back. As he approached, nudging her away, she paused to give one last nuzzle against the black-and-white tom's shoulder, her blue eyes gazing into his before she turned away. "Call me when you're done putting the fear of StarClan into him," she teased her father, tail flicking against his flank as she headed away.

She didn't go too far- the words shared between the two were lost among the rustle of leaves and the gurgle of water, but she didn't go out of sight, curled down among the roots of one tree with her paws tucked beneath her chest and her fur fluffed against the chill. She didn't think Silverstar would attack, not without good reason, but she was still unsure how he was taking this news. Finding out that she was mates with a TreeClan tom- that she was having his kits? It couldn't be easy. But it was her life- her choice. And this was what she'd chosen. She could only hope her father understood that.

STEADY AS THE RIVER RUNS

Made By Fawn || Justice Hellion

[Justice]

Silverstar stood on edge, watching the other tom for any sign that he was lying. He watched for the lie, he watched for any hesitation in his words and his resolve. Anything that had the chance of breaking Ferngaze's heart. He may not have been the best father, but he was her father and he would protect her. Even if she hated him, he would protect her.

He let the other finish his words and took a deep breath, feeling relief rolling through him. As a father, he could accept this tom. As a leader, there were still a few things that would need to happen. "Your determination to stay even if it means not being in my clan proves that you mean what you say." He sighed, eyes turning back to his distinctive blue and his pelt smoothing back out. "Her mother would skin me if I let someone break her heart when I had it in my power to stop it." He gave the other his gaze. "I love my family, I will do anything to protect them and my clan. If you want to be part of that family then there's something you have to do first. I will welcome you into my clan, butt his task is non-negotiable."

He swept around, giving the other a look over. "Go home. I will not have it found out moons later that I have brought you into my clan without yours knowing what happened to you. I refuse to let you disappear into RainClan. So you go home, tell them you are leaving. Make peace with your family if you have any, and tell Lionstar. I will take your word that you have done this when you return, but let me find out you lied and I will throw you into the river to drown and feel no remorse. A cat that won't keep his word has no place in my clan."

Another hard sweep of his tail as he turned back to his daughter. "Ferngaze." He padded over to her, headbutting her and settling next to her to keep her warm while he finished the conversation to include them both. "Your mate must go back to his clan, finish things there, then you both have my blessing. You get to introduce him to your mother. And once he returns he will be watched until after the kits are born, and then we'll see how to best fit him into the clan. During that time he will be watched by a warrior. I want to trust the one you chose, Ferngaze, but I have to make sure the clan is safe too. Safe for you, safe for these kits, safe for everyone. That is my choice, and I hope you both are happy when its all said and done."

Love was something he understood but hadn't truly found. He loved the she-cats in his life, but he wasn't really in love with either of them. He knew that true love, like what Ferngaze and Aspenfire had, was hard to come by, and he envied them just slightly.

Hellion
Taxx

[Hellion]

Aspenfire found it easy to respect Silvestar, not just as leader of RainClan but as the father of his mate. At the mention of Ferngaze's mother and the respect Silvestar appeared to have for her, Aspenfire worried about that meeting as well. He hoped it would be smoother, softened by the prospect of kits.

When Silverstar spoke those coveted words of welcome, Aspenfire could only guess the task. The silver tom held a unique position. He could cast him away without a second thought, but that would suffer the relationship he had with Ferngaze. As a father to be, Aspenfire dreaded having to decide for his family with such grand consequences. Silverstar could be viewed as a threat to TreeClan, especially with the threat of war between the two clans. RainClan needed to keep their neutrality and in the case of him, needed to ensure it was public.

A deep-rooted sadness filled his chest. Silverstar's task would prove the most painful. Facing his birth Clan and his mother to give a farewell. But for Ferngaze, he'd suffer it.

He dipped his head in agreement, carefully following after Silverstar to stand beside Ferngaze. His head pressed against her's for a brief moment.

"I will leave now to see if I can catch Lionstar before he is too busy. I'll be back soon my love," He told her quietly, gently leaving a lick to her cheek. Before parting from her entirely, Aspenfire bowed his farewell to Silvestar.

The black and white tom disappeared down the path he knew would take him back to StarClan's claws then to cross over to TreeClan territory. The further he went from Ferngaze the greater the dread became, but he faced it. Determination growing with each step.

33 Moons TreeClan Tom

Aspenfire

Honesty has a power very few people can handle

## Justice Taxx Notes: end??