ShadowClan Life Before Destruction

[yummyluc]

Originally Posted by king kaleb!

¨you lie.¨ they replied. their eyes attempted to grasp her gaze, disappointing seeing how she refused to even look at them. they had dealt with things like this before. not wanting help, or needing it but you just...cant verbally say it. when you so desperately showed it,yet did nothing. they mentally yell at theirself for not attempting to see her sooner.

they were stubborn. if they were to be ignored, they would simply sit down next to her until she talked, they could sit all day in simple silence if thats what it took to make her feel comfortable around them. they were her medicine cat, their only purpose in life was to help cats like her, and thats what they would do, no matter how long it took. so they settled down infront of her, tucking their paws neatly under their body, silently making it aware that they weren't going any where, any time soon.

they had so much to say, yet they stayed silent. they could relate, in all honesty. the feeling of being alone;the loss. the feeling that you live everyday to be a simple burden and nothing more, that life was pointless. they felt it so strongly it hurt, so there was no way they were letting someone else go through that. they couldn't heal their self, but they could heal others, so that is what they were going to do.

they wanted to reassure her, to tell her its okay to talk to them, that they were going to hurt her, or give shame; that they could relate. that they didnt regret saving her life during the flood, that they wouldve gone through all of that and more, over and over if it meant they got to spare one life, that she mattered. but they couldnt, not if she wouldnt talk to her. obviously it was going to talk time, perhaps more then just a one simple day, but they were patient. they could wait it out.

¨answer again.¨

their words werent aggressive at all, just neutral. they looked past the simple four letter word, the word most cats wouldnt push past, and if they did, didnt stay around long enough to push even further. they wouldn't buy it, and made it apparent that they werent going to go one with their day like any other cat wouldve, accepting her answer like it was nothing. that was bull crap and irresponsible, something only a dumbass would believe.

A small light of anger flared up in Marshfur's chest, though becoming nothing more before she extinguished it quickly and without thinking. Feel nothing. Something she did and reminded herself every day, for if she felt anything she would be someone again, and she didn't want that. That's what she told herself. The truth was, she did want it. She craved it, yearned for it. She needed it. She needed to be someone again, or she'd be lost and end up in a place that left no place for redemption. But the thing is, when cats like her face hardships, they give into the demands of the beast. They crumble and give in, letting those black tendrils tear into them mercilessly. They get angry, or upset, or tired. Eventually, they stop feeling. Stop being. They quit. It doesn't matter in what sense, quit living, quit trying. It all means the same in the end, they stop being something. Something that loves and cries and laughs. They become an empty shell of something that's hard to fill again. Cats like Marshfur don't fill their shell again. Instead, they decay, and eventually, are forgotten.

"Fine," She answered again, still letting her eyes focus on something other than the enby who'd planted themself in front of her. Still flat, maybe a little harsher, but monotone nonetheless.

She still didn't move, rooted to the ground like a tree and as unmoving as stone. It wasn't any of Daydream's business what Marshfur felt like, or how she was feeling. This wasn't an ailment they could cure. This wasn't something they could wrap up and advise to rest, or rub poultice on, or anything. It wasn't physical. And something deeply rooted in Marshfur's stomach told her that it couldn't be fixed. It couldn't be. She was broken, and no amount of medication could help that. Nothing. She was the kind of tired that sleep couldn't fix. The kind of sadness a long talk couldn't cure. The kind of heartache that love and time couldn't heal. It's just not how it works. She decided to hurriedly change the subject, though her emotionless voice didn't falter.

"Your name. You've earned it recently. Congratulations." Those sentences were probably the most she's ever spoken in the past few days, but in reality, they meant nothing.

If she could be, perhaps Marshfur would be happy for the medicine cat. All their hard work paid off. But in the moment, the very breath she used to speak them was a decision she'd thought hard to make, the words themselves held no true meaning. It was just to fill the empty space where, perhaps, Daydream wanted Marshfur to speak truthfully. She would not give in so easily. The beast wouldn't let her.

[graves]

Originally Posted by yummyluc

A small light of anger flared up in Marshfur's chest, though becoming nothing more before she extinguished it quickly and without thinking. Feel nothing. Something she did and reminded herself every day, for if she felt anything she would be someone again, and she didn't want that. That's what she told herself. The truth was, she did want it. She craved it, yearned for it. She needed it. She needed to be someone again, or she'd be lost and end up in a place that left no place for redemption. But the thing is, when cats like her face hardships, they give into the demands of the beast. They crumble and give in, letting those black tendrils tear into them mercilessly. They get angry, or upset, or tired. Eventually, they stop feeling. Stop being. They quit. It doesn't matter in what sense, quit living, quit trying. It all means the same in the end, they stop being something. Something that loves and cries and laughs. They become an empty shell of something that's hard to fill again. Cats like Marshfur don't fill their shell again. Instead, they decay, and eventually, are forgotten.

"Fine," She answered again, still letting her eyes focus on something other than the enby who'd planted themself in front of her. Still flat, maybe a little harsher, but monotone nonetheless.

She still didn't move, rooted to the ground like a tree and as unmoving as stone. It wasn't any of Daydream's business what Marshfur felt like, or how she was feeling. This wasn't an ailment they could cure. This wasn't something they could wrap up and advise to rest, or rub poultice on, or anything. It wasn't physical. And something deeply rooted in Marshfur's stomach told her that it couldn't be fixed. It couldn't be. She was broken, and no amount of medication could help that. Nothing. She was the kind of tired that sleep couldn't fix. The kind of sadness a long talk couldn't cure. The kind of heartache that love and time couldn't heal. It's just not how it works. She decided to hurriedly change the subject, though her emotionless voice didn't falter.

"Your name. You've earned it recently. Congratulations." Those sentences were probably the most she's ever spoken in the past few days, but in reality, they meant nothing.

If she could be, perhaps Marshfur would be happy for the medicine cat. All their hard work paid off. But in the moment, the very breath she used to speak them was a decision she'd thought hard to make, the words themselves held no true meaning. It was just to fill the empty space where, perhaps, Daydream wanted Marshfur to speak truthfully. She would not give in so easily. The beast wouldn't let her.

their eyes went into slits. no, not out of annoyance, but they were analyzing. the small difference in tone she was using,the sudden subject change. she didnt want daydream to prod, that was obvious. she was used to the way she was feeling; alone. and anything that wasnt in that bubble was scary and unwelcome, as if it were a parasite. it was the same when it came socially. things that were uncommon and foreign were frightening, either getting an angry or frightened response. daydream had seen the behavior pattern before, studied it well by now. they were more then a cat who just rubbed plants on cats and called it day. they were more then just a physical healer, then most thought they were.

there were no herbs that could cure what she was feeling, there were no words that daydream could say to make it go away, to make her happy. but they would try. they would sit here and prod, prod like a unwelcome parasite until she cracked. they knew how it was going to go. she would attempt to change the subject, to stall, to get them off track. but it only made it more clear of how numb she truly was, and it only made daydream grow more concerned. so they would continue to prod,until she would probably eventually snap. sometimes you need to break in order to repair.

they gave a small nod of the head,¨thank you.¨ their words were calm and collected, playing along for a moment in fake conversation. to was to simply fill the empty space of the conversation they should be having.

¨answer again.¨ they repeated. they both knew she was stalling, and unlike most cats, daydream wasnt going to simply wait around in awkward conversation. they wanted to get to the point.

[yummyluc]

Originally Posted by king kaleb!

their eyes went into slits. no, not out of annoyance, but they were analyzing. the small difference in tone she was using,the sudden subject change. she didnt want daydream to prod, that was obvious. she was used to the way she was feeling; alone. and anything that wasnt in that bubble was scary and unwelcome, as if it were a parasite. it was the same when it came socially. things that were uncommon and foreign were frightening, either getting an angry or frightened response. daydream had seen the behavior pattern before, studied it well by now. they were more then a cat who just rubbed plants on cats and called it day. they were more then just a physical healer, then most thought they were.

there were no herbs that could cure what she was feeling, there were no words that daydream could say to make it go away, to make her happy. but they would try. they would sit here and prod, prod like a unwelcome parasite until she cracked. they knew how it was going to go. she would attempt to change the subject, to stall, to get them off track. but it only made it more clear of how numb she truly was, and it only made daydream grow more concerned. so they would continue to prod,until she would probably eventually snap. sometimes you need to break in order to repair.

they gave a small nod of the head,¨thank you.¨ their words were calm and collected, playing along for a moment in fake conversation. to was to simply fill the empty space of the conversation they should be having.

¨answer again.¨ they repeated. they both knew she was stalling, and unlike most cats, daydream wasnt going to simply wait around in awkward conversation. they wanted to get to the point.

Once again, the small flicker of anger tried to light, but Marshfur doused it just as quickly as it had attempted to ignite. There was something else in it, too. Something she no longer recognised. She ignored it. She'd no use for it, and Daydream was a healer. They had patience. Unfortunately, so did Marshfur, being so used to keeping her mouth shut, so used to staying in the back, she'd learned how to wait. The beast had taught her to wait, so she did. There was a moment's pause, Daydream staring at her. She knew they were reading her, she could read them, too. But she didn't care enough to. She didn't care about anything most days, other than the day she won't have to worry about pretending to be something that feels anymore.

"No." Her voice was firm and dead, the single syllable somehow so articulate it hurt the molly's throat to say it, "I'm fine."

However persistent Daydream was, Marshfur could be ten times as much. That's what she told herself. That's what the beast told her. She didn't look back at Daydream, it was easier to evade the help she was offering that way. Besides, with every breath the enby wasted on her, the beast slammed down stronger walls, but clearer walls. She could see Daydream clearly now, more than just a flashy, muffled blur in her peripheral. She could see the clearing and the other cats milling about it, socialising. A strong, familiar ache filled her throat. The ache to be someone again. But she denied it. She denied herself it. She didn't deserve it. She didn't want it. Quickly, her eyes flickered down to Daydream, hardly able to make eye contact with her before going back to stare blankly into the clearing. Just as quickly as they'd left, they'd returned. The beast drug a claw through her back. Despite no one else able to see it, Marshfur could feel it. The icy, burning feeling of it raking down her spine. She could basically feel it split the skin, the muscle and fat, nearly touching the bone. It wasn't visible from any outward view, but her paw twitched from the pain that shot through her like lightning. She gritted her teeth and kept herself from yowling out in pain. Just as the beast kept her from breaking down and sobbing, telling Daydream about everything, begging for help and reassurance, screaming it. All of it, silenced by the beast on her shoulder.

[graves]

Originally Posted by Duststorm

Acornfall huffed in amused disagreement at Daydream's comment about being kit-like. Silently, he listened to other as they spoke about the use of the moss. Honestly, he had never thought about that -- using moss to promote movement that is. "That doesn't sound too difficult, not to mention a great idea. I would have never thought of that." He praised, quite proud that they were so crafty. Thankfully they were, otherwise Acorn would have been bound to stay in the elder's den forever. It was easy, but that wasn't what he was meant for. Acornfall was meant to be out hunting for the clan, helping rebuild camp, protecting his friends and family from threats - not being pampered by apprentices in the elder's den. His life would be pointless with out the medicine cat, they had his eternal gratitude honestly. The elder was anticipating this now, his heart was pumping fast as adrenaline began to course through his veins. "Alright let's do this." Rolling the ball of moss between his paws, Acorn gave it a good scuff before dropping it and positioning his body over top of it, his form sloppy, but defensive. It had been a /long/ time since he last practiced battle and already his eyes felt screwy as, but he persisted, holding his ground firm as he anticipated Daydream's next move.

¨with this, youll be in the warriors den in no time.¨ the medcat reassured the tom, eyeing the moss ball. they would go easy at first, seeing that this was their first time doing this. right. to simulate balance. the toms whiskers had grown back all the way, yet he still suffered from it with his over all balance. hopefully, with these training exercises, this would be better. they eyed the moss ball. they had never played the game before, honestly. they had never had a true kithood, they had grown up to fast. their their silence seemed a bit awkward at first, but eventually, they let their left from paw dart towards the mosses direction, claws extended. there was a noticeable caw missing from where they had lost it, and ever lasting scar of the flood. this game wasnt about winning, more so just the actual activity, not the end goal.

Originally Posted by Charmer

Nightpaw walked around the other side of the squirrel and plopped down beside the medicine cat. Having seen Daydream take their first bite, she turned to the plump meal and licked her lips. She was just about to take a big bite out of the neck when Daydream said something and she froze, listened attentively. She cocked her head as she listened, wondering why they weren't looking at her. Thank me... for caring? Nightpaw put on a wide grin. "Of course I care! You're the best!" The apprentice gave the medicine cat a quick lick on the side of their face and turned to take a bite of the squirrel.

they gave a small purr feeling the lick on the side of their face. even if they had been friends for so long, they would never get used to the affection she had brought into their life. they had lost so much, and they didnt want their unaffectionate attitude to tarnish the relationships they had left. they had lost their best friend. their mother. they didnt want to lose nightpaw, too. ¨in the gathering, the battle, i worried about you a lot.¨ they admitted. nightpaw was all they really had left. no family, not friends besides her. they had their duties, of course, but that wasnt enough now a days. there was nothing rooting them here, nothing keeping them put. their only purpose was to heal others and then die, only to be replaced by their apprentice and be forgotten, after all, thats how life worked. if thats all it was, they wanted it to have some..meaning to it. they knew nightpaw was that meaning. they took another bite of the prey, swallowing it down thickly,¨it worried me because of everything thats been going on. i dont want to lose you too.¨ their voice was noticeable softer; vulnerability. something they only let show to a few cats.

Originally Posted by yummyluc

Once again, the small flicker of anger tried to light, but Marshfur doused it just as quickly as it had attempted to ignite. There was something else in it, too. Something she no longer recognised. She ignored it. She'd no use for it, and Daydream was a healer. They had patience. Unfortunately, so did Marshfur, being so used to keeping her mouth shut, so used to staying in the back, she'd learned how to wait. The beast had taught her to wait, so she did. There was a moment's pause, Daydream staring at her. She knew they were reading her, she could read them, too. But she didn't care enough to. She didn't care about anything most days, other than the day she won't have to worry about pretending to be something that feels anymore.

"No." Her voice was firm and dead, the single syllable somehow so articulate it hurt the molly's throat to say it, "I'm fine."

However persistent Daydream was, Marshfur could be ten times as much. That's what she told herself. That's what the beast told her. She didn't look back at Daydream, it was easier to evade the help she was offering that way. Besides, with every breath the enby wasted on her, the beast slammed down stronger walls, but clearer walls. She could see Daydream clearly now, more than just a flashy, muffled blur in her peripheral. She could see the clearing and the other cats milling about it, socialising. A strong, familiar ache filled her throat. The ache to be someone again. But she denied it. She denied herself it. She didn't deserve it. She didn't want it. Quickly, her eyes flickered down to Daydream, hardly able to make eye contact with her before going back to stare blankly into the clearing. Just as quickly as they'd left, they'd returned. The beast drug a claw through her back. Despite no one else able to see it, Marshfur could feel it. The icy, burning feeling of it raking down her spine. She could basically feel it split the skin, the muscle and fat, nearly touching the bone. It wasn't visible from any outward view, but her paw twitched from the pain that shot through her like lightning. She gritted her teeth and kept herself from yowling out in pain. Just as the beast kept her from breaking down and sobbing, telling Daydream about everything, begging for help and reassurance, screaming it. All of it, silenced by the beast on her shoulder.

¨fine.¨ they replied back, just as firm. if she didnt want to talk, daydream wouldnt force her too. they knew too well what it was like to have other cats over step their boundaries, to have someone constantly push and prod at you for answer to why, why were they feeling like this? and what was the answer? daydream knew too well there wasn't one, but that didnt mean there wasn't room for improvement, that there wast room for work, to healing.not with herbs, no, but emotional healing.

they didnt want to push her away, but they knew that they had her attention now, even if it was just for a sliver of a moment. the gaze behind them, towards the clearing. the looking of longing, soon to be shut down within a matter of seconds, returned to the emotionless expression. someone was in there, daydream knew it. they wouldn't pick and prod at her, it seemed that method wasn't going to end up well. she was stubborn and so were they, it would lead no where.

so daydream would earn her trust. not just as their healer, but as a friend. even if they weren't a healer, they still genuinely cared. and they truly did, even if they didnt say it verbally, even if it looked like they were doing nothing but reading her, judging, which they werent. they were in thought. their adoptive mother, geckoleaf, had suffered the same thing for awhile. the numbness, the longing to reach out, but only digging yourself a bigger grave instead. she had lost two of her apprentices by slaughters, murders, infront of her eyes. and it wasnt until daydream had came along, that she started to breath again.

she was gone now. and daydream knew it was their fault.

they didnt want the same thing to happened to marshfur. they didnt want her to be gone. and as much as she believed she was, she wasnt, and thats all daydream needed. they stood up and stretched, a silent truce that they werent going to prod anymore. they gave a few small licks to their chest, tongue dragging over the large pink scars that laid there. the day felt..nice. even if their fur was short and thin, the coolness that seeped into their skin was welcomed. it was better then the humid prison they called their den. they looked up to make eye contact again, regardless if marshfur was going to return it. ¨its a nice day,¨ they prompted,¨would you like to walk with me?¨

they could come up with an excuse to why. well, it wasnt really an excuse, but they didnt like to go into the territory along. the pine needle shadows of their territory made self deprived eyes think they were monsters, hallucinations could easily be formed simply because if their lack of sleep. they had a fear. so it was always good to go with some body. but they were sure she would probably decline with out a reason, so they spoke again,¨i need to go herb gathering, i will probably need some help carrying the things back.¨

[yummyluc]

Originally Posted by king kaleb!

¨fine.¨ they replied back, just as firm. if she didnt want to talk, daydream wouldnt force her too. they knew too well what it was like to have other cats over step their boundaries, to have someone constantly push and prod at you for answer to why, why were they feeling like this? and what was the answer? daydream knew too well there wasn't one, but that didnt mean there wasn't room for improvement, that there wast room for work, to healing.not with herbs, no, but emotional healing.

they didnt want to push her away, but they knew that they had her attention now, even if it was just for a sliver of a moment. the gaze behind them, towards the clearing. the looking of longing, soon to be shut down within a matter of seconds, returned to the emotionless expression. someone was in there, daydream knew it. they wouldn't pick and prod at her, it seemed that method wasn't going to end up well. she was stubborn and so were they, it would lead no where.

so daydream would earn her trust. not just as their healer, but as a friend. even if they weren't a healer, they still genuinely cared. and they truly did, even if they didnt say it verbally, even if it looked like they were doing nothing but reading her, judging, which they werent. they were in thought. their adoptive mother, geckoleaf, had suffered the same thing for awhile. the numbness, the longing to reach out, but only digging yourself a bigger grave instead. she had lost two of her apprentices by slaughters, murders, infront of her eyes. and it wasnt until daydream had came along, that she started to breath again.

she was gone now. and daydream knew it was their fault.

they didnt want the same thing to happened to marshfur. they didnt want her to be gone. and as much as she believed she was, she wasnt, and thats all daydream needed. they stood up and stretched, a silent truce that they werent going to prod anymore. they gave a few small licks to their chest, tongue dragging over the large pink scars that laid there. the day felt..nice. even if their fur was short and thin, the coolness that seeped into their skin was welcomed. it was better then the humid prison they called their den. they looked up to make eye contact again, regardless if marshfur was going to return it. ¨its a nice day,¨ they prompted,¨would you like to walk with me?¨

they could come up with an excuse to why. well, it wasnt really an excuse, but they didnt like to go into the territory along. the pine needle shadows of their territory made self deprived eyes think they were monsters, hallucinations could easily be formed simply because if their lack of sleep. they had a fear. so it was always good to go with some body. but they were sure she would probably decline with out a reason, so they spoke again,¨i need to go herb gathering, i will probably need some help carrying the things back.¨

Of course, at the invitation, Marshfur sucked in a silent breath. What exactly were they trying to get at? It's not like they could help her, even if they understood her, she was lost. She was gone. There was no way they could drag her out of the grave she'd dug, even if they grit their teeth and dig their paws into the dirt. Still, some strange part of her decided to speak up, the most its done in the recent moons that she's chipped away in until she was the hollow vessel that called itself Marshfur. The beast growled in her ear, making it flicker against its demands. She never defied the beast, but for some reason, this was different. She didn't like to admit it, but it was. The beast didn't like it either, but strangely it was muffled. Now, Marshfur could ear distant conversations and the soft russle of leaves in the wind. Daydream's words seemed to make sense to her now. Her face screwed up in confusion, but she forced the expression away, blinking a few times before she got up, not exactly sure why.

"Okay." But the way she said it made her seem so distant, she might have been talking to herself. The beast tried to stick its claws in deeper, tried to drag her back down, tried to make her refuse, but now she was beginning to notice the cage she was in begin to bend.

She couldn't remember the last time she'd spoken to anyone, really spoken to anyone. Other than one-word answers or shrugs, she didn't really... speak. Even before everything, she never spoke much, the shy kit that hated interaction. An only kit. Her mother and father died in a flood, perhaps the reason she'd tried to make one her own demise. She couldn't quite recall how she'd lost Hazelpaw, her younger sister. Her only sibling. But she knew she never liked to talk about it. Throughout the events, Marshfur shrunk. She kept to herself and stopped feeling entirely. Shoving any and all friends and love interests away, perhaps afraid to lose anymore. Now, she didn't care. If anyone of her Clanmates died, she might not have even shown up to the funeral. She was slowly suffocating in all the memories she was burying, each one piling on top of her, each one heavier than the last. The way Daydream was speaking to her, the way they just seemed to understand, whether or not they voiced it. It was like being able to breathe again.

[Casual Scribbles]

Burrpaw felt himself being carried. He could smell the familiar scent of his Clan all around him. Despite all of this, Burrpaw still could not wake up. The drifting darkness has sunk its claws into his pelt and was holding strong. But maybe... just maybe Daydream could loosen its grip. Burrpaw trusted Daydream. He knew that if anyone could save him, it was the medicine cat.
@king kaleb!

[Mango]

Originally Posted by king kaleb!

¨cobwebs are good for bleeding. you find them under tree roots or in certain parts of grass, or sometimes in places that have been abandoned and not touched for awhile. if the bleeding isnt too bad, dont use cobwebs because they could cause an infection, seeing as we cant wash them off before using them.¨ they explained. they looked over towards soaringkit. they seemed..fairly silent.¨everything alright, soaringkit?¨
//
the molly was being delirious, but daydream simply shook their head. ¨theres no prophecy.¨ they reassured her. they were pretty sure starclan wouldnt want to talk to them, anyway.

Smokeykit nodded in excitement.

Bunnykit nodded in understanding.

Soaringkit froze and braced herself for being attacked. Quit hinting at attacking me and not attacking!

[Mango]

Originally Posted by Role

(So late! Sorry! Ive been super busy.)

Fogpelt was surprised at the molly's reaction. Her was stiff legged, and her fur was bristling. Nutpaw's eyes widened with fear and her back began to arch. She was scared. Fogpelt's own nervous gaze softened. The poor mite! Fogpelt had come from a hard kittypet background, so she could understand Nutpaw's nervous energy from being around so many cats. "Eh, don't be sorry, mite," she replied, brushing off the small mistake. Fogpelt sat down, tail sweeping the ground only to curl around her paws. "How're you doing?" Fogpelt set her yellow gaze on Nutpaw, smiling slightly.

Nutpaw licked the shoulder’s of her fur trying to calm herself before sitting down next to Fogpelt,” I’m still adjusting to the fact that I won’t get killed for being an apprentice, unlike the Syndicate where a fighter might decide I’m not a good healer and for no reason other than that kill me. Might explain why I’m so jumpy.” She meowed If she knew me when I was in the Syndicate I’d be stuttering at every word I say.

[Charmer]

Originally Posted by king kaleb!

they gave a small purr feeling the lick on the side of their face. even if they had been friends for so long, they would never get used to the affection she had brought into their life. they had lost so much, and they didnt want their unaffectionate attitude to tarnish the relationships they had left. they had lost their best friend. their mother. they didnt want to lose nightpaw, too. ¨in the gathering, the battle, i worried about you a lot.¨ they admitted. nightpaw was all they really had left. no family, not friends besides her. they had their duties, of course, but that wasnt enough now a days. there was nothing rooting them here, nothing keeping them put. their only purpose was to heal others and then die, only to be replaced by their apprentice and be forgotten, after all, thats how life worked. if thats all it was, they wanted it to have some..meaning to it. they knew nightpaw was that meaning. they took another bite of the prey, swallowing it down thickly,¨it worried me because of everything thats been going on. i dont want to lose you too.¨ their voice was noticeable softer; vulnerability. something they only let show to a few cats.

[/FONT]

The truth was, at the gathering, Nightpaw had been worried about herself too. She had found herself in the heat of a massive battle with no idea how to fight. If Snowpaw hadn't gotten her to safety, she didn't know what might have happened. And poor Risingstorm had taken a beating keeping that Dusk Syndicate cat away from her. "I was scared too," she said honestly. She hadn't realized that Daydream cared this much about her. She knew that she had always thought Daydream was the best, but imagined she probably annoyed them more than anything. And Daydream had lost so much. She knew from the trip to Skyclan that Geckoleaf was gone, and that Daydream had been really close with her, and she'd already told Nighpaw about her father and she'd heard about Cricketpaw too. It might have felt like a big responsibility to be all Daydream had if it weren't for the fact that she was so happy to be there for them. In Nightpaw's eyes, Daydream could do no wrong and she was as devoted as any cat could be. She looked at Daydream and smiled. "You won't lose me. You and Goldenstar are helping me to be a great warrior so that I can protect myself. And everyone in Shadowclan. I'm not going anywhere." She said it with confidence because she truly believed it. Even if something were to happen to her and she went to Starclan, she'd watch over Daydream and Shadowclan like a queen protecting her kits. But she didn't plan on dying. Not while even one of her friends needed her here. "I'm here," she said with a warm smile.

[Charmer]

@blue jellie

Pinebark had been napping a lot more lately. It was only fair considering how tired he felt these days. He'd been in the elder's den for about three leafbares now, and the fourth was coming up. During this last greenleaf, the trouble had started with his bladder, emptying it was beginning to get painful, and he felt weak and tired all the time. It didn't bother him though, the black and white tom had lived a long life and knew he was declining, but he still had his joy. He loved telling the kits stories when they came to visit, and he loved seeing the apprentices on their way to becoming warriors doing the same old apprentice tasks he did when he was their age. It was a comfort to know that things would go on without him just fine.

Nightpaw nosed her way into the den, intent on doing the chores she'd been sent to do. After all, this is what apprentices did and she was happy to help the older cats who needed it. The black shecat saw the tom and grinning, padded forward. "Hi there, I'm Nightpaw, what's your name?" she asked in her usual friendly and chipper manor.

"Well hey there, Nightpaw," the old tom replied, squinting as he looked at the shecat and wracking his brain. Had he heard of a Nightkit before? He was sure he had, but had she been black-furred? He couldn't recall.