[Ghost the Undead Goddess]

Ebonyheart,

Livin' in ruins of a palace within my dreams

"Oh darling, Petalrain was such a fiery thing. Such passion and soul in everything she did." A beautiful sing-song voice echoed from just outside the comfort of the underground Elder's Den. The tone of the voice was both gentle but proper and held the utmost respect when talking about the she-cat that now resided within Starclan. 

"Why, when we were in the Nursery together we just had the times of our lives." The rather rich tone continued as a soft chuckle once again fell from the throat of the aged queen. 

"She had quite the spirit." Came a more monotone voice and proper all the same, though still rich with that same air of respect as the former voice. It seemed that several of the elders were out enjoying the warmth of the Greenleaf sun upon their pelts and weary joints as clan life continued on.

"You never were much for talking, Rabbitfur." The melodic tone came up again as the young healer made her way around from her own, herb scented den with several goods wrapped in leaves clamped genty within her jaws. Ebonyheart's green pools flickered over each of the elegant looking cats resting peacefully near the entrance off their den upon her arrival. 

"And you talk to much, Bunnytail." Rabbitfur, the black and white patched elder blinked those intense green pools of hers before glancing from her cream coated sister to where her daughter had just arrived. "Ah, Ebonyheart it is good to see you today." Her rasp was proper and soft but there was a flicker of faint affection that rose within her more vibrant gaze. 

"Mother." Ebonyheart dipped her head respectfully to the former warrioress that had raised her, though there was still a faint ache within her heart at the reminder that her mother was far older than she liked to admit. It was hard, on occasions, being so young compared to the moons and wisdom Rabbitfur had experienced before birthing the large black healer. 

"Bunnytail, Nightpetal." The young molly turned to give the other elders her respect with a low head bow and quick flicker of her nubbed tail. They deserved it after all, spending their lives providing for the clan, even Bunnytail who had spent most of her moons rearing kits that turned into hard working warriors for Stoneclan's proud name. 

"Such respect." Bunnytail purred in a raspy voice, plume tail flickering with delight at how Ebonyheart had presented herself. Though of course, being the sister of Rabbitfur, there was no shock that the two older mollies held that air of respect and respectful about them. "You know," She started again, lifting a paw to press it softly against her pale chest fur, "I raised all my kits the same. Like how Mother and Father did us"

"It's only natural." Rabbitfur flickered an ear as she responded to her talkative sister.

"Manners are essential, anything less would be barbaric and quite rude." Ebonyheart took the pause to reply rather than interrupt either of the elder she-cats. Those pale green pools held an unreadable expression as she flickered her gaze over each of the gathered cats, not spotting a few other elders. 

"Are Sandblaze and Hareleap still in the den?" She asked after a moment, returning her gaze to those near her as she lowered her haunches to join them in their circle of chatter. Sandblaze was her former mentor, and since having retired had been somewhat reclusive and pulled away.

It was hard to see him look so... defeated. 

"Oh, you know our brother, Ebonyheart." Bunnytail shifted to get more comfortable as though her hips were causing her mild annoyance. "Hareleap has always preferred to spend his time alone, and gossiping like a bunch of hens has never been his forte." Her whiskers twitched with amusement as she spoke of the old black and white tomcat. 

"Hm, and Sandblaze went out with Silverglade just before you got here." Rabbitfur agreed as she shifted one paw on top of the other, tail flickering slightly as she too got herself more comfortable upon the stony ground beneath him. "And what are you doing here, daughter?" A tease on words, but nonetheless the question stood as the black and white she-cat watched her offspring.

"With the storm yesterday I figured i'd check on you to see if you have any aches or pains for me to soothe." Always straight to the point, but that was how Ebonyheart went about her business. Besides, the Medicine Cat meeting was tonight and it'd be better for the black healer to check in on those who needed her now before she slipped off with her patrol escort.  

18 Moons StoneClan Medicine Cat Apprentice

Abyss || Made by Fawn || 799 Words

[Abyss]

Nightpetal

Stoneclan Elder

A large and fluffy black ear flicked at the mention of the name Petalwish. Vibrant yellow eyes, slightly paled from old age, barely opened to listen in on the gossip of his fellow denmates. It wasn’t too often that he fully listened in Rabbitfur and Bunnytail’s talks, but today’s topic highly interested him.

As they spoke, his bulky head lifted from his paws and turned towards the sister she-cats, a deep smile forming across his maw. Petalwish. One of the most talented she-cats that he had ever known in his lifetime, as well as the love of his life. The mother of five cats who now served as strong and dedicated Warriors for their birthclan. The grandmother of multiple litters of kits who were either grown or in the process of growing. Once a gorgeous and spontaneous cat who was never seen without a smile, now just a brightly-lit star in the sky when the sun disappeared over the horizon.

At Bunnytail’s mention of the two of them residing within the Nursery together, a light yet deep chuckle fell from the tom’s jaws.

“She always loved being with kits, even if they weren’t her’s.” He could recall so many times of showing up back in camp after a patrol and turning to find that the silver-pelted tabby was being clambered over by a plethora of kits. Sometimes he found her this way even when she wasn’t a Queen herself. Always so eager to help raise the next generation of cats. That was one of many traits that he adored about her.

“I’m sure quite a few cats saw her as a mother figure, even those that weren’t our’s. I know your whole personal clan of kits were always fond of her, ” he teased, always making light pokes at dear Bunnytail. Though he teased her often about this, it was all with good intentions, for he truly did respect her for all she had done. Sure, she was never really one for the hustle and bustle of Warrior life. But the amount of dedication and effort that she put into birthing, nursing, and raising many kits for Stoneclan was admirable. He was sure that if Petalwish had been given the chance, she would have done the same. She always did want more kits. But, of course, sometimes age catches up to you faster than you wish to believe.

A familiar voice filled his ears, bringing him to look passed the sisters and to the dark-pelted cat that approached. No surprise to him, Ebonyheart had made her way over to the gaggle of Elders, two of which she was related to and another that looked as though he could be her father. At her kurt greeting, he nodded in return, though was unsure if it was visible due to him relaxing in the shade of the Elder’s den rather than the sun like his companions. As much as he did enjoy the warmth of the sun, he wasn’t able to withstand it for too long anymore, a dark pelt and aching bones unable to take on all that they used to.

At her mention of checking on them after the storm, a sideways frown formed to one side of his jaws. That storm had indeed brought with it some aching joints, though a good portion of that pain had diminished at the more clear weather of this day. He didn’t really feel the need for any treatment, for the aching was starting to go away little by little. But Ebony was never the type to take stubbornness or refusal of help when it was needed.

“I do still have a few aches.” He lightly shook his head. “I hope all of this ‘feeling old’ stuff goes away when Starclan greets me. Having both bad bones and a black pelt make for miserable days even when the sun is out.”

Sometimes he found it...odd...how easily it was becoming to speak of Starclan. When he was younger and in his prime, he hardly ever spoke of Starclan or what it would be like to join his ancestors one day. Nowadays, he found it hard not to think of Starclan. He wasn’t sure why, it was almost like a calling of sorts. A feeling that he sometimes got when thinking about his pains and aches.

Nightpetal knew he was old. He knew that his time beneath the stars rather than among them was growing short. When it came to this topic, it was somewhat easy to talk casually of it, but internally...he found himself conflicted.

He loved Stoneclan. He was born into this clan and had served it for many moons. He hunted, he fought battles, he provided kits. He had done so much and had watched so many of these cats grow, or grew alongside them. There were so many cats that he loved spending time with, Bunnytail, Rabbitfur, Ebonyheart, and Valiantstride among them. He couldn’t imagine himself anywhere other than his home.

But, at the same time, there was that feeling. That calling. That instinct. He wasn’t completely sure of what it was. But he hoped, he felt, that it was Petalwish. She had sent small messages to him many times. Singular drops of rain falling on his nose. Brushes of wind across his pelt. Dreams of the two of them running together in the territory along with their kits and grandkits. He knew that they were her.

But this...he couldn’t tell. He did hope that it was her. But there was only one other option. He didn’t fully know how he felt about going to Starclan. He wouldn’t get to interact with or see any of those in Stoneclan who are alive. He would only be able to watch what happens to the clan from a distance under Birdstar’s rule. But he would also be with his mate, and his family, and his friends that he had lost.

He didn’t wish to think of his physical life being taken from him and his soul taken to the stars. But with his age and his pains, he found that these thoughts were impossible to escape. Does this mean...that I will be leaving soon…

1035 | Ghost the Undead Goddess

[Ghost the Undead Goddess]

Ebonyheart,

Livin' in ruins of a palace within my dreams

A light purr of pure adoration rose from the slender chest of the creamy coated elder, her plume tail flickering before curling over her back in a carefree fashion. It was obvious she enjoyed the small bit of chatter Nightpetal added in about his deceased mate, who happened to be a fairly good friend to the former permanent queen.

"I do believe you are correct deary, after all my first litter was highly fond of her." Bunnytail flickered an ear as she continued the conversation, speaking about the brood she had sired with her first mate: Redshadow, Bluefeather and Wildfern who had recently received their senior status within the last season of Newleaf. 

"And honestly, she was the best shoulder to lean on when I lost Tigerstripe." The chatty she-cat continued as she turned those rich amber pools from the black pelted tomcat to her more stoic sister who still wore a rather unreadable yet content expression upon her face. "No offense Rabbitfur, but you aren't much of the 'share your emotions' type."

Rabbitfur simply gave a roll of brilliant green pools as her sister giggled behind a raised paw, gray quickly replacing the gentle colors of cream and fawn near the ends of her limbs and along her nose. 

"You'd think being an elder would save me from constant chatter." Rabbitfur's whiskers twitched in mild amusement as her gaze once again returned to where Ebonyheart sat quietly and patiently, always respectful of those older than her. The black and white elder she-cat was pleased with the manners and proper attitude that her healer daughter showed despite the youth of her moons. 

The large Medicine Cat flickered an ear, catching both her mother's statement and Nightpetal's as he spoke up quietly from where he comfortably lay in the shade. Of course, Ebonyheart had to agree that it was probably the best spot to be with fur as inky as hers.

The sun wasn't known to be gentle to those with darker or thicker coats.

"Aches and pains come with life, it just means you've lived a filling one." The young she-cat's tone was proper and sharp as she padded past Bunnytail and Rabbitfur to settle down next to the eldest of Stoneclan. His once rich black fur had a sort of dimness to it, gray trailing across and speckling his face and paws that showed his age while a ghostly dust settled within the core of his sun yellow gaze. 

However, despite her original statement there was a flicker of sympathy that quickly flickered through the young healer's pale mossy pools for a moment before disappearing. "But, I can help ease it for the rest of your moons." Her tone was a bit softer this time, quieter for only him though she was sure both her mother and aunt had heard her for they were oddly quiet for a moment before Bunnytail quickly resumed chattering about her many offspring and new grandkits.

Ebonyheart was sure Nightpetal was feeling his moons, it wasn't often that warriors reached such an age as he. His body was slowly failing him, as all elders came to such realization sooner or later. Even Rabbitfur had recently made the decision to retire, her movements slower and stiffer with each passing day. Though, the black molly was curious as to if Nightpetal knew he was nearly at his end, especially with the tone in his voice and soft sound of surrender that he was about ready. 

Could she blame him? Honestly, the fluffy feline was sure that he was ready to see Petalwish again, the love of his life who had the unfortunate of meeting Starclan far earlier than Nightpetal would be greeting them. They inky black healer had seen the way he talked about her, the way his gaze drifted off as he remembered her face, her scent. She could truly believe that the she-cat of Nightpetal's dreams was waiting to pad with him to the other side when the time finally befell the elder. 

All the same... the youngster of the group couldn't help but feel a slight twinge of pain lance through her heart at the idea of Nightpetal no longer being around within the clan. Ever since she had started her training under Sandblaze, the black elder had been a constant within her life as she often came to check on him. 

Stoneclan had lost much recently, it didn't really seem fair to take Nightpetal.

Flickering the fluffy nub of her tail, the black healer nosed forwards a few poppy seeds to help ease the elder into a comfortable rest later, "This is for tonight, perhaps give you some comfort during the night."

18 Moons StoneClan Medicine Cat Apprentice

Abyss || Made by Fawn || 800 Words

[Abyss]

Nightpetal

Stoneclan Elder

A smile crossed the large tom’s maw at Bunnytail’s mention of Petalwish being a good shoulder to lean on. Her words were an understatement in his eyes, but they still weren’t wrong. Petalwish wasn’t just a good friend to talk to when you were down. She was a very talented Warrior who served Stoneclan with her whole heart, a great friend who would always be there for you, and a fantastic mother who raised all of her kits to be amazing Warriors as well.

Their two litters of kits who now took on the roles of either a Warrior or a Permaqueen were a testament to this. Crow-wing, Stormcloud, Robinbreeze, Raventalon, and Quietwind. All of them had become tremendous cats that the clan could rely on and trust, and Nightpetal could not be prouder of them.

Though, they weren’t the only ones anymore. Momentarily, the grayed tom’s smile faltered and his eyes lowered. He and Petalwish also had grandchildren, quite a few by now. Crow-wing and his dear mate had brought Rimetooth and Sparrowlight into the clan. Robinbreeze had produced at least two or three litters by now, all of which grew to be equally as amazing of cats. Even Stormcloud and his mate had two litters, the second litter only a few moons ago, having brought Ashpaw, Hailpaw, and Sandpaw into Stoneclan. But it wasn’t the thought of his darling grandchildren that caused his smile to fade. No, it was the fact that Petalwish had not gotten the chance to meet most of them…

Though this thought caused his heart to clutch in his chest, he tried to push it away. She may not have met them in person, but he knew that she was watching over all of them, just as he knew she watched over him and their children.

A voice catching his attention, the fluffy tom was brought from his thoughts, those paled-yellow eyes looking up to catch Ebonyheart’s gaze. Her words caused the smile to return and a grateful expression to cross through those dusty eyes. She wasn’t wrong. Despite the fact that he had spent the last thirty moons or so staying in the Elder’s den, only leaving the camp on rare occasions, the other sixty moons he had lived had been worth every second. In truth, even his time in the Elder’s den had proved to be very fulfilling for him. It was thanks to his time in the Elder’s den that he had become so close with Ebonyheart, afterall.

The fluffy black molly settled next to him, which was a comforting notion which he greatly appreciated. Though her slightly whispered words caught him, the slightest ping of pain going through his chest as well. The rest of his moons...how many was that? How much longer would it be until Starclan called him to join them? Though his wording, had he said it out loud, may have suggested that he wished to go, he was...conflicted.

If he did indeed get called to Starclan soon, he would get to see his dear Petalwish. He would get to see his parents. He would get to see Hawkstar and Frozenrain. But, at the same time, if he did pass sooner than later, he wouldn’t get to really talk with those he now shared a conversation with. Bunnytail, Rabbitfur, the other Elders. He would never wish for any of them to join Starclan just so that he could see them again, but...he would miss them.

As for Ebonyheart, she was the Medicine Cat. He was sure that, if he really had the ability to, he could see her in her dreams. But he wasn’t even sure how that worked, really. He wouldn’t know until those days came.

“Thank you.” In an attempt to push away the thoughts beginning to form about his age and Starclan, the tom flashed a small smirk. “It’s alright. If I get uncomfortable or lonely, I’ll just get some comfort from Rabbitfur. I’m totally sure that both of us could fit in her nest, “ he chuckled, glancing over at the Medicine Cat’s mother playfully. His words were sarcastic, for he knew for a fact that he would not fit in her nest with her. He may be an old coot, but he was still a big cat. His nest was always made quite big for a reason.

727 | Ghost the Undead Goddess