[Abyss]

Something was...different. They could feel it. All of them could.

Narrowed blue eyes peered out of the Warriors den, a black face poking out as well. They scanned the camp, an uneasy feeling settling in. Large paws brought the black tom out of the den, looking around the camp for anything. Signs of danger, signs of life. Nothing.

A tired and drowsy voice filled the tom’s ears, causing his head to turn.

“Crow-wing? What are you doing awake?”

He turned away from the silver-brown bengal, looking around the camp again.

“Do you not feel it, Ripplepool?”

Her brother’s deep voice pulled her from her tired state, her own blue eyes looking around the camp as well. He was right. Something was different.

Almost on cue, Stormcloud, Raventalon, and Quietwind woke from their slumbers within the Warriors den, standing at their siblings’ sides. All five cats looked around the camp, all feeling the same thing settle over them. It was...strange. It was not a good feeling, but it also wasn’t bad, such as danger or uneasiness. It almost felt...calm.

Passing glances between each other, each cat departed, checking different dens.

Ripplepool approached the Elders den, stopping when she realized that the feeling was growing stronger. Her expression began to shift, a worry crossing her features. Her paws slowly moved forward, looking in the den. All the elders appeared to be asleep, but she approached one.

Nightpetal.

“Father?” She slowly approached, looking down at his sleeping form. He didn’t budge.

“F-Father?” Still nothing. It was now that she realized...his back wasn’t rising or falling. She leaned forward, nudging him with her nose, dread slowly filling her chest.

“P-please….father...” He didn’t move. He didn’t wake. He remained where he was, curled with his chin resting on the edge of his nest. She turned her head and pressed her ear against his side, listening.

It wasn’t what she heard. It was what she didn’t hear.

Her chest began to heave as she turned, walking only a step or two out of the den. She looked up, the other four just then meeting up again and locking eyes with her. Crow-wind stepped forward, looking at her with both a slightly worried but also questioning expression.

She locked eyes with each of them, her sides beginning to quiver. Tears began to fill her eyes, and Crow-wing realized.

“Father...” His voice was quiet, but the one quiet word brought it all down.

Ripplepool broke. Her legs collapsed and she released a loud and sorrowful cry, one that echoed through the camp. All four siblings rushed forward to her side, Raventalon and Stormcloud pressing their faces against their sister’s side. Crow-wing and Quietwind stepped into the den, looking down at their father with sadness drenched in their eyes. Both were stoic toms, but even they felt her chests clutch at what they knew they were seeing.

He was gone.

Lowering his gaze, Crow-wing was the first to turn, leaving the den slowly. His paws took him forward, past his three siblings who laid in a small pile on the ground, and towards the Leader’s den.

Granted, he was getting older and did have to physically climb up the stones, but he still made it. He did not enter, but he stayed in the entrance.

“Birdstar...” He waited until he got some sort of response, or spotted the other tom. “It’s...it’s Nightpetal…..he…” His words couldn’t come out. He was not one to show emotion like his siblings were. But this didn’t stop him from feeling. His eyes closed, head lowering and chin falling to his chest.

Quietwind, within the Elders den, began to lightly nudge the sleeping Elders in each nest, not speaking, but allowing the cries that echoed from outside the den to reveal what was happening.

Raventalon parted from Ripplepool’s side, moving quickly between multiple dens. The Medicine Cat den first, calling out briefly to Ebonyheart before going to the Warriors den and the Apprentice den. Soon, each cat who called Nightpetal grandfather exited their dens, freezing at the sight of Ripplepool and Stormcloud in the distance, as well as Crow-wing sitting solemnly atop the stone pile.

All of their eyes locked on the Elders den.

All that could be heard, at that moment, was Ripplepool and Stormcloud’s combined cries.

This thread is open to anyone with a Stoneclan cat.
KARAZHAL (for Birdstar) Ghost the Undead Goddess (for Ebonyheart)

[Ghost the Undead Goddess]

Ebonyheart,

Livin' in ruins of a palace within my dreams

Something woke her. 

It wasn't unusual for the young healer to feel shifts within the stars, but the feeling she had wasn't the same as normal. Her dreams hadn't been much to remember upon regaining consciousness but the one thing that had lingered past was the faint scent of Nightpetal. As if he had been in the walls of her lonesome den sometime throughout the night.

Large ears flickered at the sudden sound of movement throughout the camp despite the earliness of the morning. Something wasn't right, and the large black she-cat could feel it within the pits of her stomach and the depths of her heart as the organ in her chest pulled her to her flat paws. 

By the time Raventalon had poked her head within the secluded entrance Ebonyheart had already made her way over, pale green pools watching the face of the older warrior distort into intense pain and sadness. There was a clenching feeling that wrapped itself tightly around the young healer and she easily pieced together everything within a few seconds. 

Nightpetal...

Exiting after the elder's daughter, Ebonyheart slowly padded towards the den in which all of Stoneclan's eldest resided. There was a small huddle of cats, littermates, daughters and sons from the old Maine Coon's bloodline who had not planned to wake and mourn for the loss of old Nightpetal. 

Take care of him Petalwish... It was a gentle thought that rang through Ebonyheart's head as she pushed through the group that had gathered. The familiar shape of the Medicine Cat's mother drew closer upon entering the den, sad green pools turned to look at the large black molly only seconds later.

"Let us bring him out, the whole clan deserves to sit with him." Rabbitfur said in a gentle tone, something the rather proper elder was not known for. The youngster could only imagine how much her mother was hiding behind that perfect wall she had crafted to keep a respectful appearance. The black and white elder was not much younger than Nightpetal, they had all gone through their youth and parenthood moons together. 

And now, the large black tomcat of Stoneclan joined Hawkstar, Frozenrain, Smokestar and of course, his beloved mate within the stars that still faintly twinkled above their heads in the sky. 

Nodding her head, Ebonyheart stepped aside as quiet, old Hareleap shifted to help with lifting Nightpetal on both his back and that of his sister, Rabbitfur. The cream shape of Bunnytail appeared from further back within the den, streaks of wet tears trailed down the graying fur of her muzzle as distress was clearly written across her normally graceful expressions. 

A morbid thought shifted within Ebonyheart's mind, causing her heart to squeeze with grief. How much more time did her mother have left to breath easy within Stoneclan's comfortable walls before she too joined their ancestors. 

As Rabbitfur passed her daughter, those same gentle green pools rested upon the larger of the two she-cats while a sad smile fluttered to the elder's maw for but a moment. "You are allowed to be sad my little bunny..." She said in a soft tone before continuing to aid Hareleap in slowly easing the passed elder into the clearing of Stoneclan's camp. 

Though she knew her mother was correct, Ebonyheart didn't want to feel the sharp claws of pain that squeezed around her heart. Each breath she took waved off the small twinge of sorrow that threatened to overtake her. Logically, the proper molly knew there was truly nothing she could do to give the elder more time, but this time it didn't seem that logic gave her any relief. 

Through the shallow pool of sadness that was slowly filling her belly, Ebonyheart felt the need to seek out Birdstar for comfort. His gentle nature and warm green pools always seemed to soothe her, though she wasn't entirely sure why her mindheart chose to seek his name first.  

24 Moons StoneClan Medicine Cat 

Abyss KARAZHAL || Made by Fawn || 678 Words

[KARAZHAL]

Birdstar, unusual for Leaders, did not sleep in the Leader's Den, but rather in the Warrior's Den as a common man. Before his eyes opened, his ears twitched astutely, pivoting in the direction of soft whispers at the entrance of the Warrior's Den. Slowly, the tom opened emerald eyes, giving himself a moment to adjust. Was there something wrong? Did the night patrol have something to report? He became uneasy as three more warriors rose from their beds and padded out into camp.

Licking his chops, Birdstar instantly rose to all fours, stretching his legs as he exited his nest and plodded to the exit of the Warrior's Den. He peered out just as he saw a cat leave the Elder's Den and go to the gathered cats. One of them, Ripplepool he saw in the moonlight beaming through the ceiling, crumpled to the ground and let out a howl that jolted Birdstar's fur on end. He rushed forward as well, worried eyes flashing from Raventalon to Stormcloud. "What...happen--?" He was in the midst of asking the question when he realized he was looking at Nightpetal's kits. He whipped around, seeing Crow-wing walk over to the empty den he didn't like to use. "I'm here, Crow-wing!" he called out to the tom, running over immediately to intercept him. His eyes widened as the warrior could barely get the news out about Nightpetal, but Birdstar knew. He looked up at the small patch of clear night sky visible through the stone hill, and he saw a brand new star, blinking and gleaming right above their camp, right beside another one. It seemed to form a constellation of a flower.

Birdstar's eyes glistened as tears immediately welled within the green pools. He did not hesitate to show his emotion; every Clanmate lost was like a whisker yanked from his cheeks. He squeezed his eyes shut tightly, forcing the droplets to spill across his matte-gray fur. His nostrils widened as they sucked in air sharply, and he forcefully shook his head, regaining his composure.

"A great tom. A great... friend," his voice cracked. Birdstar cleared his throat. He hadn't been related to the old man, but he remembered when Petalwish died and how every Clanmate had come together to support her mate and chant his new name of Nightpetal when he'd gone to the Elder's Den. Only yesterday had they spoken so candidly; little did Birdstar know that their conversation had given Nightpetal closure, entrusting him with the clan's progression.

As the other elders became pallbearers for the large old tom, Birdstar raised his voice and gave a eulogy as he passed. "Long live Nightpetal, the oldest of us all. He gave us kindness, compassion, and a father's love to all of us whether you were related to him or not. Weep for he who was here but has now left us, but do not mourn, for his life is not extinguished, but lives on forever within our hearts and within StarClan. He runs unhindered by age and blindness. He hunts in starry fields and sleeps on warm stones. Most importantly, he is reunited with the love of his life and the many friends who have gone before him. We will see him again." He bowed his head to the ones who would bury him and give vigil to the venerable tom.

When he looked up, he was shaken to glimpse sadness upon Ebonyheart's face. He had expected it from Nightpetal's kits, but hers? Birdstar hadn't thought she was close to him, but now that he thought about it, he supposed she would have been born around the time he'd been made an elder and thus would have been among the first to hear his old tales. He gave a nod of condolence to Crow-wing before hastily approaching his medicine cat's side and meowing forlornly. "He was so good to us. I'm sad to see him go, but it warms my heart more to know he feels no pain and only love, from all of us and from Petalwish above," he told her.

TAGGED FOR Abyss Ghost the Undead Goddess
OOC ok i teared up, y'all

[Ghost the Undead Goddess]

Ebonyheart,

Livin' in ruins of a palace within my dreams

Pale green pools rippled with a deep sadness as the large black molly stood near the Elder's den, watching as her mother and uncle silently brought the lifeless body of Nightpetal into the opening of Stoneclan's camp for the mournful morning. The organ within her chest clenching at the distraught faces of so many of her clanmates. 

Death was one thing she couldn't keep at bay with all her knowledge, all her remedies and all her herbs. It was a pain she couldn't avoid as life droned onwards, and moons crept up on those with white growing within their fur. 

Ebonyheart's ears threatened to flatten against her head as Birdstar raised his voice in a solemn note, the final obituary for Nightpetal as he now raced through Starclan with his beloved Petalwish. With Hawkstar and Frozenstream, and all those who had slipped from his side before him, in all his many moons. She knew he was ready, he was tired and age was starting to hurt him... that didn't mean she was ready to lose him.

Though, she supposed none of his actual blood kin was either.

It was a paralyzing thought, almost. One that had been plaguing her more and more recently as terror gripped the young molly's heart. Someday, Ebonyheart was going to enter the Elder's den and find Rabbitfur the same way Nightpetal had been found. Her journey in the valley finished, her time among the stars brought to life. The age difference between mother and daughter was a large gap, and the youngster wasn't sure if she was ready to be alone.

Mossy pools shifted to focus on Birdstar as the blue-gray tomcat made his way over. The grief raw upon his face, but the concern for her present as well. There was another squeeze within her chest, a fear that she didn't realize she had been holding onto until that moment. The handsome tom was older than her, but now he bore nine lives... 

Did that mean she was going to be forced to lose him nine different times... Did she even had the strength to bare such a thing?

"He couldn't wait to see her again..." Her voice broke free after a moment as her jaws parted, her tone was wavering as if she were trying to keep herself packaged tightly within that proper, lady-like circle she was comfortable in. She could only imagine the delight upon the old tom's face when Petalwish greeted him throughout the night, a reunion made for the stars. 

Ebonyheart's gaze fixed on Birdstar for a moment, her heart still painfully beating within her chest.  

24 Moons StoneClan Medicine Cat

KARAZHAL Abyss || Made by Fawn || 456 Words

[Fawn]

BeetlejaW

Will you be my breath through the deep, deep water

It was the worst kind of morning. Not just for Skunkspots and Valiantstride, who were perhaps the last to see the old tom alive, but for the offspring of Nightpetal and every life the elder had touched throughout his lifetime. Beetlejaw's chest felt tight, as if he wanted to yell -- yell and fuss against the inevitability of death. When his parents had moved into the elders' den, rational thought wanted to be happy that they were finally getting the rest they deserved. But his heart, the part of him that feared losing them, knew that it was a mile marker. A reminder that their time on this earth was now limited.

In the wake of Birdstar and the others, Beetlejaw slowly crept out of the warriors' den. There was no mistaking the body that was brought out into the center of camp, and his chest squeezed even tighter. He lived a good life. He had so many kits and grandkits. Why am I so upset? Why were they doomed to be sad, even over a life that had been lived to the fullest?

Grief was one of those inescapable things...

"L-Long live Nightpetal." Honeynose wept quietly nearby, and Beetlejaw stared at her in awkward silence, torn between trying to comfort a Clanmate he did not know very well and simply minding his own business. Hesitance saved him, as her sister Cloverspring came up swiftly beside her to offer a soft shoulder for Honeynose to cry on.

Beetlejaw found his own littermate, Cicadasong, and they, in wordless agreement, sought out their parents. While Birdstar delivered the eulogy, Beetlejaw tried to imagine Nightpetal walking around and talking, tried to imagine the old tom's reaction to his passing in the night. I guess he's with his mate now... That was something to be happy about. But Beetlejaw struggled to feel relief or joy. Pain wasn't something he knew how to simply brush aside for logic's sake.

Instead, he limped his way over to Birdstar, putting voice to an idea that had wormed it's way into his head during the entire eulogy. "Birdstar. Can we... sit vigil for Nightpetal in Hawkstar's old den?" A brief flash of a grimace betrayed Beetlejaw's realization that they would have to carry the elder up the rock pile, and then back down again when it was time to bury him. It was birdbrained of him to suggest it, especially when he could not bear the weight on unstable ground with only three good feet.

In a small voice, Beetlejaw seemed to sigh. "He was their friend... I know you aren't using it so I just thought..." He gave an uneven shrug.

Can't stay in the shallows, please tell me I won't wash away

Abyss KARAZHAL Ghost the Undead Goddess || 36 Moons || StoneClan || 440 Words

Jos (feel free to have Squirrelpaw join in!) Phoenix (always in need of uncle Osprey)