Post by Hellion on Sept 2, 2016 1:41:09 GMT -5
BRIGHTPOOL
"Tonight is the night Shadepaw!" Brightpaw whispered and suddenly as if he was summoned by her, Shadepaw arrived closed the gap between them. She attempted to brush along side him, against only met with cold air and chill that made her fur prickle. A faint almost distant purr hummed in her ears. "I am so proud of you!" Shadepaw praised, flicking his tail as they circled one another for a moment. It was in that moment Brightpaw realized she didn't know how he spelt! A tiny bit of panic set in, but was washed away as Shadepaw, with his constant ability to sense her in distress had licked her cheek. The fur there felt cold, but the gesture was felt warmly by her heart.
"Redstar said I'll be called before the Clan tonight," She went on to say, flicking her tail back and forth excitedly. A sensation she didn't always let herself feel when around her Clanmates. Perhaps it was because they were living or because they always looked at her differently, but Brightpaw never felt like she fit in with them. A deeper part of her knew partly why, it was because she had fallen in love with Shadepaw. She had always promised and swore to StarClan and back that she'd never do it, but just being fully accepted by him was enough to let her forget all her 'rules'. Even if she considered 'odd' by her Clanmates, Shadepaw didn't seem to care and was more then willing to spend hours with her.
Another reason she hadn't made a large amount of friends was due to what she called, spirit-lingering. Many cats, especially the older ones, often had cats who were loved ones or enemies in some cases still linger around them. Brightpaw was often caught off guard when she'd see a living elder surrounded by two or more cats. She instantly felt uneasy around cats like that, knowing full well that if she went near the elder the spirits would want to talk to her and make things awkward.
It wasn't until Shadepaw cleared his throat that Brightpaw realized she had lost herself in a train of thought. "Sorry," She mumbled which only made him laugh and attempt to nuzzle her again. "Are you nervous? He asked as their eye met and her whiskers twitched, her own little tell.
"Um a little, Kindleflare and Nightstep are already warriors. I'm the last of our litter," She replied, letting her gaze fall to the ground, pressing her forepaw over his star-lined paw, the coldness somehow feeling safe. "Well like they say, save the best for last," He told her, which only made her smile and nod.
"Will you be there?" She asked tilting up to look at his starlight-blue eyes.
"Of course I will, I wouldn't miss it for the world. You'll hear my shout your name the loudest," He promised, finding it easy to do so.
"I'll see you then, I need to head back. Kindleflare wants to talk to me about something," She told him before brushing past him and getting that chilling charge. He watched her go before disappearing form sight.
----
Lets cats old enough to catch their own prey gather below high hill
Brightpaw moved toward the front of the crowd, turning her neck to look behind her for a moment. There nestled between her siblings and seeming out of place was Shadepaw. Her eyes lingered on him for a moment before focusing on her ceremony.
Do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?
"I do" Those words suddenly felt very heavy on her tongue and for a split second she wanted to take them back. Shadepaw had died serving his clan, or was it him being a foolish apprentices? Forcing those intrusive thoughts out of her head she focused back on Redstar, listening to the rest of the ceremony, unknowingly her little bit of happiness with Shadepaw was slowly disappearing.
~
"You can come to the forest now Shadepaw," The voice tickled his ear, forcing him to look around. Brightpaw never mentioned another cat able to see or talk to spirits. Confused he stood up and missed Brightpaw agreeing to the warrior code. Turning around in his spot, he felt a sudden pull, lifting him towards toward the sky. Frantically he called out to Brightpaw but she wasn't able to hear him, too busy having her new warrior name called out.
"I missed her name!" He shouted in anguish struggling to fight what ever was pulling him away. It wasn't until a sudden drop did he realize he had closed his eyes. Opening them and looking around he was no where familiar. Instead he was standing across from an old she-cat, one he didn't know by name. Until it dawned on him, it was Lightbreeze the medicine cat. She had been the one to try and take care of his wounds, she didn't save him.
"You have to let me go back, I was supposed to be there when she got her warrior name! Let me go back!" He shouted at her, confusion radiating off of him like a fever. "You don't understand, I love her, I made a promise!" He continued to rant, circling up as he talked. Perhaps he was hoping if he walked enough he'd fall back down to earth.
"Shadepaw your time there is up, you are now able to go to StarClan's forest, you can see your brother again," Lightbreeze spoke softly to him. Instead of rejoicing Shadepaw shook his head.
"Please, I'll do anything just let me see her again, at least let me say good bye,"
"We can't Shadepaw, you can't go back to the world of the living as a spirit anymore," She replied her voice stern.
"Then let me go back as a living cat,"
"That's impossible Shadepaw, you know that," She half scolded.
"Make it possible! You are StarClan!"
"Lightbreeze, what is going on?" Came a different voice, turning his attention from the she-cat Shadepaw was greeted with the uniquely named leader, Furzestar.
"She won't let me go back, I have to go back. I made a promise to a very special she-cat. I was supposed to yell her name the loudest!" Shadepaw went on, Furzestar simply nodded appearing almost indifferent.
"Going back to the world of the living is impossible for a cat in your condition. Your spirit would be mixed up in the process you'd likely only be a glimmer of your self and not strong enough to take a astral form," Furzestar explained which only forced the panic feeling to deepen within the tom-cat.
"There has to be a way,"
"There is one way but it won't be easy," It was Lightbreeze who spoke again, Shadepaw remained confused by Furzestar seemed able to understand what she meant.
"I'll do it, I'll do anything for Brightpaw," Shadepaw told him, sealing his fate without a second thought.
"It will be painful and your entire spirit won't make it. Certain things will be lost, but if you feel this strong about her then you will be able to find her again," Lightbreeze went on to explain, adding only more confusion to Shadepaw's current state.
"What do are you talking about?"
"You will be reborn, if you are lucky your spirit will find itself within a Clan kit, if not you land within a loner but you will still be drawn to Brightpaw, if your love for her is strong enough," Furzestar replied, taking a step toward Shadepaw, he defensively took a step back.
"I know it is strong enough," Shadepaw replied, almost offended that they doubted his feelings.
"I wish you the best," Furzestar stated simply before pressing his nose to the forehead of Shadepaw. There wasn't anytime to prepare before the sensation of being pulled in a thousand different direction over took him. Shadepaw was no more.
~
"BRIGHTPOOL BRIGHTPOOL!"
Her new name was shouted over and over but there was distinct voice that didn't join the chorus. Turning to look for him, Brightpool was heartbroken to see that he wasn't there. Confusion overtook her, but she had to focus on looking fine. She went through the motions of dipping her head in acceptance of her praise. Finally after it all died down, Brightpool found herself a place to sit for her vigil, which gave her time to mull over the absence of Shadepaw.
It was at dawn that she finally admitted to herself that he must have moved on. The sight of seeing her earn her warrior name must have allowed him to head toward StarClan. She'd be lying if she said her heart wasn't broken. But her old rule of don't get attached to spirit was re-iterated for her mentally. Brightpool fell into a depression, which concerned her family but she gradually worked herself out of it. Shadepaw wouldn't want her to be dwelling over him finding peace. Instead he worked on finding her own. She'd live the rest of her life for Shadepaw, until the day she could see him again.
awake the stars 'cause
they're all around you