#nightsplash

“Now, try not to fall into the water,” Nightsplash swished her tail to slow her down.

“Ah, sorry, sorry…” The young warrior ducked her head. “I just want to see them… Badgerpa— Badgerspots, do you think you’ll see your old mentor?”

“Of course,” He hauled himself up the slope. “She died a noble death. She deserves to hunt in StarClan.”

“Don’t get your hopes too high,” Beetail meowed. “The main question isn’t whether they’re in StarClan or not. It’s whether you even meet them.”

“What?” Both former apprentices stared at the senior. 

“Windstar decreed this ceremony because it was something you did from the old clans, didn’t he?” Brushnibble tipped her head.

“When I became a warrior, the Moon Well did nothing for me.”

Would my parents not want to see me…? Brushnibble’s ears and tail fell.

“But that was the old StarClan,” Nightsplash quickly said. “Maybe ours are more, you know, lax about who sees who.”

“Now come on!” She pointed her muzzle up the slope. “We should be there by Moonhigh.”

They reached the crystal in time. Under the quarter moon, everything softly glowed, and the chime from the crystals sang alongside Brushnibble’s heart. 

Please let me see them… Please let me see them!

The new warriors closed their eyes and touched their noses to the crystal.

“Brushpaw?” 

She opened her eyes.

Before her stood two cats. The gray she-cat was large, with a fluffy striped pelt. The other was a white tom with sleek fur and black splotches.

“I-It’s you!” She bounded up to Morningray. “Father!”

She dug her muzzle into his fur. The scent brought her back to her days as a kit; the times she fell asleep listening to his stories, or when she played mossball with him and Nightsplash. 

Although her ceremony happened after the clan’s destruction, she remembered his proud yowl for her new name. All the times he purred when she showed him the prey she brought back. All the times he fiercely protected her during the journey. 

“Brushpaw!” He purred and licked her forehead. “Or should I say Brushnibble? Made a warrior so early!”

“I’ve missed you so much,” She meowed softly. “I just… wish I could see you, everyday. Like back then.”

Most of her time was spent exploring the new territory, providing for the new clan. It was somethin she enjoyed without a doubt. But when the night fell and her paws were empty… The only feeling left was—

“Hey,” He licked her forehead. “I’m still with you everyday. I saw you chase off that fox last moon!”

It’s still not the same… She thought but simply nodded, sinking deeper into his pelt. After a few heartbeats, she slowly pulled away and turned to the other cat.

“Are you… Hawkwhisper?”

“Yes it’s me, dear,” The tabby purred, and the two cats touched noses.

Just like Morningray’s stories, her voice was as silky as the moonlight, and within her pelt was the strength that could drive out badgers. In her eyes shone all the love Brushnibble was never able to witness.

“I wish I could’ve been with you,” Hawkwhisper meowed. “Oh, you were so tiny back then. I watched every pawstep you made. Now you’ve grown into a fine warrior— a wonderful fighter. I couldn’t be prouder.”

“See? You do take after your mother,” Morningray laughed. 

“Just be sure to eat a bit more, dear,” She playfully swished a tail at Brushnibble’s belly. 

But I’m not that thin! The young warrior licked her chest in embarrassment. “I just want everyone to have a good meal first…”

Her parents simply purred, and Brushnibble’s ear flicked when she heard a cat from behind her.

“Nightsplash!” Morningray bounded past Brushnibble and pounced on his sister. 

“Hey!” She playfully hissed. They rolled across the stardusted grass. 

“Of course that’s their idea of a reunion,” Hawkwhisper’s whiskers twitched in amusement.

Brushnibble knew the two siblings were partners in crime. Their uncanny coordination allowed them to hunt all sorts of prey (or prank all sorts of senior warriors). Most importantly, it was Nightsplash who raised her and pulled Morningray out of his grief. 

“I’m glad you’re all happy here,” The young cat meowed softly. 

In the safe haven of StarClan, they could be as carefree as kits. There was no sickness, no twolegs.

The two eventually ended their play fight, with Nightsplash as the victor. 

“So Hawkwhisper, how are you doing?” The deputy looked at the she-cat. Poor Morningray was still under her paw.

“Less sick, but the lack of fighting is awful. Not even a spirit fox to yell at,” She rolled her eyes but playfully cuffed Morningray’s muzzle. “Unfortunately this rascal joined me…”

“Stop ganging up on me!”

“Anyway…” Hawkwhisper looked at Nightsplash and Brushnibble. “How are you two finding your new home?”

“The crystals make the camp so pretty,” Brushnibble purred. “And it feels great to be out in the meadows. I never knew rabbit tasted so good.”

“It’s comfortable and safe,” Nightsplash nodded in agreement. “Though Windstar and I have been doing border patrols lately. There are some traces of rogues, but they haven’t shown their faces yet.”

“Ah, those guys. We could tell you more but…” Hawkwhisper gave a nervous glance at Morningray. He simply flicked his tail.

“Come on, it’s nothing ChimeClan can’t handle. I even think Brushnibble can fight off three at once.”

“Father…” 

“Hey, where’s my vote of confidence?” Nightsplash meowed, taking the attention off her niece.

Morningray simply lifted his paws, showing nothing but air.

“You–” Before she could bite back, her face fell as she noticed the moon’s position in the sky. Soon, the crystal would no longer be lit, and their reunion would end.

“Hey,” Morningray wrapped his tail around her and pulled her close. Hawkwhisker guided Brushnibble closer, and both cats joined in. 

“Do you remember what you once told me, Nightsplash?” 

Nightsplash’s whskers twitched. “That as a kit you–”

“No, no! I’m being serious!”

“...That while it may not be the same,” Nightsplash finally meowed. “Our clanmates will be there for us.”

“And some day,” Brushnibble continued. “Our time apart will be nothing to our reunion ahead.”

“Yes,” He purred. “We’ll always be here in StarClan, and perhaps those words are too simple… But I hope they comfort you the same way they did for me.” 

Morningray licked Brushnibble’s forehead as Hawkwhisper curled a tail around her. The moon will soon fall out of view from the cavern, but she squeezed her eyes tight. Let her carry the memory of their warmth forever.

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