BRO THEY NEED A CAT DIVORCE I STG this couple is. Not Fun. Glad GoldenScorch is cool though, and I haven't finished reading so I hope YarrowScorch also ends up fine
For anyone who wasn't paying attention to the allegiances, Robinswoop is Charredbranch's recently (moon 5) graduated apprentice. So... very messy. (And yes, this is what happened in the ClanGen save file for SkyClan)
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âIâve got it handled,â Nightfrost said, âDonât worry about us.âÂ
Goldenstar sighed and nodded. âOkay, right. Weâll be back in two days at most.âÂ
âShe knows,â hummed Smokyrose, âCome on, we should get going.â She brushed her tail against Goldstarâs leg and nodded her head to where Sagetooth was impatiently waiting at the top of the slope out of camp.Â
âAlright, alright,â Goldenstar turned away and trotted with her to join the healer.Â
âStars guide you!â Nightfrost called after them.Â
Goldenstar gave her one last glance and replied in kind. âSame to you!â Her eyes flicked over to where Scorch was sitting with Yarrowshade. The rogueâs bright blue eyes were on her but twitched away the moment they met Goldenstarâs. Goldenstar sighed and turned back to watch where she was going.Â
âTheyâll be fine,â huffed Sagetooth, limping beside her, still bothered by her sprain. âItâs not like youâve never been out of camp before.âÂ
âI know, I just⌠I donât know.â She twitched her tail, frustrated by her lack of words.Â
âItâs alright to be nervous,â Smokyrose said on her other side. âBut you would want them to trust you if the places were reversed, right?âÂ
âYeahâŚâ Goldenstar sighed, feeling stupid. âYouâre right, youâre right. Letâs just focus on getting to SkyClan before nightfall.âÂ
~~~
Their pace was slowed by Sagetoothâs limp, much to the healerâs frustration, but it wasnât too late into the afternoon when they crossed the SkyClan border. The mountains loomed closer than ever and Goldenstar shivered at the cool wind flowing down from their peaks. She never got used to how big they were up close. Sagetooth frowned and looked to the sky and the dark clouds trying to gather overhead.Â
âThere better not be a heavy storm,â she hissed. âWeâll have to go back if the caves are flooded.âÂ
âIâm sure SkyClan would be happy to let us stay a day or two until the rains subside,â Smokyrose countered. Already, Goldenstar felt a chilly drop fall on the bridge of her nose.Â
âLetâs hope so,â she said. âBecause itâs definitely going to rain.â Slowly but surely, the rain started to come down. Despite its freezing temperature, the downpour was light for the moment, and Goldenstar smiled and breathed deeply of the fresh smell coming up from the earth. The rhythmic patter was soothing to her nerves, although she could have done without the muddy slopes.Â
Suddenly a hiss stopped the patrol in their tracks and Goldenstar cursed herself for not paying more attention. Leaping down from a rocky outcropping came two she-cats. The first was a brown tabby, her short pelt bristling as she arched her back menacingly at them. The second was a younger, pretty grey tabby whose eyes sparkled with interest. Goldenstar searched her memory for their names and while she didnât recognize the younger cat, she was pretty sure the older one was named Perchingcall.Â
âYouâre pretty far from the border,â growled Perchingcall.Â
âCalm down,â spat Sagetooth before Goldenstar could get a word in. âCanât you see youâre talking to a leader, a healer, and a mediator? Weâre here to visit the River of the Stars.â Perchingcall rumbled angrily.
Smokyrose stepped forward a bit to try and pull the warriorâs attention. âWe would be so grateful if we could rest in your camp for a bit before traveling deeper into the mountains.â
âSure,â said the younger cat with a shrug and Perchingcall glared at her, hackles prickling. âThis way.âÂ
âHey!â Perchingcall snapped, âWhoâs leading this patrol, you or me?âÂ
âWhat, youâre going to turn away cats who want to speak to StarClan?â The grey tabby rolled her eyes. âDonât be stupid.â She looked over to Goldenstar and said, âIâll lead you to the camp. Perchingcall can sit in the rain if she wants.âÂ
âThanks,â Goldenstar chuckled and padded after her. âWhat's your name?âÂ
âGreyvoice,â purred their guide. âPleasure to meet you officially.âÂ
âYour hospitality is much appreciated, Greyvoice,â Smokyrose said warmly. Sagetooth let out a tiny growl as she passed Perchingcall who bristled but eventually fell in to take up the rear, ears pressed angrily against her skull as they trekked through the mud towards the camp.Â
Skyclanâs camp sat in a cave tucked between two slopes. Goldenstar supported Sagetoothâs weak side as they clambered up the final stretch of cliff, paws slipping over mud and gravel. When they reached the mouth of the cave, they all paused just inside it to shake out their pelts and wipe their paws. Goldenstar looked down over the camp and once again felt her gut tense at the faces looking up at her. Like at the Gathering, she was again reminded that while she felt herself, they saw the leader of RisingClan, and she did her best to carry herself proudly.Â
âSnowstar!â Greyvoice called and bounded easily down the tumble of stones into the camp. Smokyrose followed her closely, having been here many times before, and Goldenstar pressed against Sagetooth again to help her down as well.Â
âThanks,â Sagetooth huffed under her breath. Goldenstar smiled.Â
Snowstar emerged from a den underneath the stones where they had entered and turned her crooked gaze on them. âGoldenstar!â she said in surprise, âYouâre back sooner than expected. Is everything alright?âÂ
âYes,â she responded, âJust⌠have some things I need to speak to StarClan about. I hope it's alright if we stay the night.âÂ
âOf course,â Snowstar waved her tail dismissively, âmake yourselves at home. Are you fasting yet?â Perchingcall grumbled and slunk quietly into the warriorâs den.
âNo,â Sagetooth shook her head. âA meal would be great.âÂ
âThen youâll have one,â Snowstar boomed with a smile. Goldenstar resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She couldnât help feeling like Snowstar was pleased at the opportunity to look magnanimous. That was alright, though, she guessed. Snowstarâs actions were more important than her motives after all.Â
Snowstar lifted her head and called out, âRobinpaw! Fetch some mice for our esteemed guests.â On the other side of camp, a nearly grown ginger tom sat up straight and hurried to do as he was told. Smokyrose purred and dipped her head respectfully.
âThank you, very much,â she said.Â
âNo thanks necessary,â Snowstar lifted a paw to stop her. âIt is our duty as the guardians of the River. Now please, sit down and dry off. Just ask if you need anything.â Greyvoice bid them goodbye as well and padded off to talk with a cat Goldenstar recognized as Charredbranch.Â
Goldenstar looked around, feeling out of place. She wasnât quite sure how to make herself at home when everyone was looking at her. Luckily, Smokyroseâs tail brushed against her leg and urged her to follow as the elderly mediator moved to a set of grooves in the ground that seemed to have been worn from repeated usage. Sagetooth and Goldenstar joined her, settling down, and a moment later Robinpaw arrived and dropped mice in front of each of them. Goldenstar immediately tucked in, relishing the taste of prey blood.Â
âThank you, Robinpaw,â Smokyrose thanked him. âHow is your eagle wound healing?âÂ
The apprentice twisted to look at the large scar under his right arm and up his side that was regrowing patchy bits of long ginger fur. âGood,â he purred. âIâm still hoping I can catch the eagle and give him one back.âÂ
Smokyrose chuckled. âWho knows, maybe youâll get your name for it! Just be careful, alright, dear?âÂ
âSure thing,â he nodded and headed off. Sagetoothâs ear twitched irritably and Smokyrose tilted her head curiously.Â
âWhy canât you just eat your food, you have to spend every moment making cats like you.âÂ
Smokyrose pursed her lips a bit and said, âI just try to make cats feel seen, thatâs all.âÂ
âRight,â huffed Sagetooth, returning to her meal. Goldenstarâs pelt prickled uncomfortably and she glanced between her two counselors.Â
Smokyrose took a deep breath and said, âI think Iâm going to see if Heatherfuzz is around. Excuse me.â She smiled and stood, taking her meal with her as she sought out the SkyClan mediator. Goldenstar watched her go, stomach churning. She sighed and looked back to Sagetooth who seemed unbothered.Â
âYou know she means well,â Goldenstar said, causing Sagetooth to look up.Â
âAll I know is sheâs always wanted to be liked. You should have seen how jealous she was when Sunstar got made deputy.âÂ
âWhy does it matter what she wants?â Goldenstar pushed back, a stubborn frown creasing her brow. âShe makes people happy, isnât that all that matters?âÂ
âItâs fake,â Sagetooth stated flatly. âI canât stand fake cats.â Goldenstar sighed and forced her fur to lie flat. There was no point in arguing right now. Sagetooth is just cranky because of her sprain, she told herself. Gloomily, she realized that would only get worse tomorrow when they fasted before their trip into the mountain. Fantastic. Sunstar had better have some good advice.
Goldenstar paced around the soggy clearing. Scorchâs fur couldnât help but fluff up as she sat in the strange tension in their little group, and the cold wet ground wasnât helping. She glanced around at the cats beside her - her Clanmates, she reminded herself. Sagetooth, Nightfrost, Smokyrose, Russetfrond, Pantherhaze, and Yarrowshade all sat in silence displaying varying signs of annoyance or anxiety, partially due to the cold, she assumed, but not entirely. It had rained all throughout the day and it wasnât until after sunset that the clouds dispersed.Â
âA good omen,â Sagetooth had commented looking at the sky. âStarClan blesses the gathering tonight.âÂ
Someone had explained that so long as the full moon could be seen, the gathering would progress, but if clouds ever covered the moon, that meant StarClan was unhappy and the gathering would immediately come to a close. Scorch had refrained from voicing the thoughts in her head.Â
Now, she glanced up at the moon as it started to rise above the clearing and the crumbling half of the old twoleg nest there. The other Clans were supposed to arrive soon, but so far, there hadnât been sight or scent of them.Â
âThis is ridiculous,â Russetfrond said, tail lashing. âWhy did we leave so early?âÂ
Goldenstar stopped her pacing to shake her fur a bit and look his way. âI overestimated how long the trip would take,â she said, âIâm sorry, everyone.â Scorch shuffled awkwardly. Goldenstar had confessed earlier that she wanted to arrive early so that RisingClan would start the gathering in a place of authority, to make things easier when she announced Scorchplumeâs joining and the changes she was planning to make. Scorch had been impressed by Goldenstarâs bravery, to be honest, but she hadnât said so, only promised to be on her best behavior.Â
âItâs alright,â Pantherhaze purred reassuringly. âThe others shouldnât be much longer, right?â He looked around as if hoping someone would back him up.Â
âTheyâd better not be,â grumbled Sagetooth. Russetfrond growled in agreement.Â
âPatience,â Smokyrose urged gently. âThey will come in time.â Sagetoothâs ear twitched but everyone fell silent again and waited quietly for the next several minutes.Â
Suddenly, Yarrowshade sat up sharply, ears swiveling, and said, âSkyClan?â Everyone turned their attention to the trees where the sounds of cats moving softly started to drift towards their ears. Scorch took a deep breath and gave her fur a few quick licks. Moment of truth, she thought.Â
A white she-cat with grey ears and paws led a small party of cats out of the trees and into the clearing. Goldenstar raised her tail to greet them and started talking brightly with the cat, who she called Snowstar. Scorch sat quietly beside Yarrowshade and listened as the two groups began to mingle. Sagetooth asked a fluffy white and brown tom about someone named Tangletooth and was told he had stayed home due to body aches. Smokyrose greeted a young ginger tom named Robinpaw and asked about a scar. Russetfrond and Pantherhaze spoke with a grey speckled tabby about the rain. Scorch did her best to memorize names and details and tones of voice, to gather who was safe and who was a threat and who would be easy to persuade.Â
Yarrowshade stood as a white tom with a black striped rear approached him, and Scorchâs attention was pulled closer when he called, âCharredbranch! How yâdoin, man?âÂ
âGood,â Charredbranch said, distractedly. Scorch watched him looking her over and she curled her tail tightly around her paws as if to shield herself from his eyes, âwho is this?â She picked up on the interest in his voice and resisted the urge to scoff.Â
âThis is Scorchplume,â Yarrowshade purred, his tail curling around her shoulders. âI found her on the thunderpath a while back and she decided to stick around.âÂ
Charredbranch tilted his head and smiled at her. âScorchplume, what a lovely name.âÂ
âYou flatter me, sir,â she purred smoothly with a cool stare and a grin.Â
âSir?â he mused with a laugh, âWow, sheâs a charmer too! Itâs a shame you didnât join SkyClan, I would have liked to get to know you better.â Yarrowshade laughed a bit, but Scorch picked up on some tension in the tail end of the sound.Â
âAlright, man, ease off,â he said, âyouâll make Greyvoice jealous.âÂ
âEh, sheâs not here tonight,â shrugged Charredbranch, settling down. âWhat she doesnât know wonât hurt her.âÂ
âHow is she?â Yarrowshade asked, finally twitching his tail off of Scorchâs back as he sat down too.Â
âSheâs good,â shrugged Charredbranch. The conversation moved on casually and Scorch was happy to let them change the subject, content to let herself slip into the periphery. After a while, another group of cats entered the clearing, led by a rosetted blue tom with sharp green eyes. Charredbranch perked his ears in that direction.Â
âIâm gonna go say hi to Blizzardmoon,â he said to Yarrowshade, âyou wanna come?âÂ
âNah, Iâm good,â smiled Yarrowshade. âSee ya âround.âÂ
âSure thing,â said Charredbranch, and then he dipped his head to Scorch and said, âIt was good to meet you, Scorchplume.âÂ
âLikewise,â she smiled back and he took his leave. Yarrowshade watched him go and then leaned in to Scorchâs ear.Â
âSorry about him,â he mumbled so that Charredbranch couldnât hear.Â
âWhat for?â she asked, shifting her eyes but not her head in his direction.Â
Yarrowshade faltered a bit. âFor being such a meathead?â he said as if it were obvious.Â
âOh, was he?â she said dismissively, one ear flicking. âI guess it takes one to know one.âÂ
He rolled his eyes and shoved her a little, causing her to chuckle wryly. âOh, come on, Iâm not that bad.âÂ
âSure,â she raised a brow skeptically. âYou sound exactly like that when you talk to Nightfrost.âÂ
Yarrowshade winced. âDo I really?âÂ
âA bit,â Scorch nodded.Â
âWell, at least I didnât flirt with you when we first met. He shouldnât have talked to you like that.âÂ
âHonestly, Yarrowshade, itâs fine,â she huffed, starting to get annoyed. âItâs not like I havenât been ogled before. I know how to take care of myself.â Her tail twitched as she looked out over the clearing. âHe wasnât even persistent or anything.âÂ
Yarrowshade frowned but fell quiet. Scorch almost felt more irritated by it. Was he pitying her? She huffed through her nose and turned to watch Goldenstar climbing up the ruins of the twoleg nest after the blue rosetted tom who had just entered. She had a feeling Goldenstar wasnât happy that he beat her there.Â
Shortly after that, the third and (to her understanding) final group of cats arrived, led by a fluffy ginger she-cat. Scorch was surprised to see a pair of older kittens among the group, a russet tom and a white she-cat with a ginger splotched tail. She flicked her tail to get Yarrowshadeâs attention and then nodded in their direction.
âYou bring kits to these gatherings?â she asked.
He brightened at the sight of them. âThose must be new apprentices!â He said, âTheyâve got to be at least six moons old to attend a gathering. By the looks of it, those are Furrowleapâs kits.â He pointed at the speckled brown tom hovering over them and introducing them to a SkyClan cat.Â
âHm,â Scorch said simply, intrigued. She supposed she had been younger when she started taking care of herself, so it wasnât that strange, but something about it being formalized made her pelt prickle. The ginger cat who had led the others in, bounded quickly to join the other leaders on top of the mossy ruins, and shortly after Goldenstar stood and raised her tail with a yowl, drawing everyoneâs attention.Â
âWelcome, everyone!â she called as chatter faded and everyone settled down to listen. âIâd like to start the gathering off by introducing a new member of RisingClan.â Scorch took a deep breath and made sure to adjust her posture to something more regal before everyone turned their eyes on her. âOur new warrior, Scorchplume, has joined our ranks along with a new healer named Oddstripe, who stayed home with their newborn kits tonight.â Everyone began to murmur immediately. Scorch cast her gaze around cooly, challenging anyone to stare. Many cats did.Â
Goldenstar continued after a moment, âBoth cats came seeking our aid and, after spending some time among the Clan, decided to stay. Furthermore, Scorchplume has brought some concerns to my attention that I have been trying to address in RisingClan and that I would urge you all to consider as well.â The crowd rippled apprehensively, even the leaders shifting on top of their perch, and Scorch braced herself. Goldenstar definitely wasnât the most effective speaker. Still, she admitted, this was a difficult topic to begin with.Â
âI have come to believe that the Clans need to change,â said Goldenstar, retaining her composure for the moment. âFor too long we have made the thought of life outside the Clans a terrifying fate worse than death. We have-âÂ
âIt is!â cried a cat from below, and a few cats hissed in agreement. Some laughed.
Goldenstar spoke louder and firmer, âWe have pushed away cats that could have strengthened us and disparaged those who find their paths leading them away from the Clans!â Several cats booed and hissed. Beside Scorch, Yarrowshadeâs muscles tensed and shifted expectantly.Â
âGoldenstar,â said the blue tom next to her, âlisten to what youâre saying. Are you really so weak to have let this stranger upend your Clan on a whim?â Scorch felt eyes turning on her and she glared back at a few of them.Â
âIâm not letting anyone upend my Clan,â Goldenstar retorted, ears pinning back. âIâm listening to feedback and trying to be more compassionate and open minded! This isnât a spur of the moment decision, Iâve spent weeks thinking about this, I even spoke to Sunstar about it!â Of course, there was that appeal to StarClan. It seemed effective though, causing confused murmurs in the crowd.Â
âFrom now on,â Goldenstar continued, pressing her advantage, âcats joining RisingClan are no longer required to change their names or renounce their old lives. Any cat who wishes to leave is free to do so and will be welcomed back at any time. Even strangers passing through, if they bear no ill will, are welcome in my camp.âÂ
âNext youâll be eating out of twolegâs paws and purring at their feet!â shouted a white and grey tabby she-cat and a few of her clanmates nodded. Goldenstar bristled, and Scorch realized quickly that she didnât have a good way to respond. A vision of the gathering spiraling out of control flashed before Scorchâs eyes, of Goldenstar being shamed and disgraced. Before she could think better of it, Scorch found herself lifting her tail and speaking.Â
âIt sounds to me like you would rather cling to your traditions even as they fail you than admit someone somewhere might possibly know something you donât.â Her voice was clear and strong and cut through the chatter. All eyes turned in her direction.Â
The cat who had just spoken rounded on her and stood, tail brushing up furiously. âYou have no right to speak here!â she hissed.
Scorch laughed. âIâm a full and respected member of RisingClan. I have just as much right to speak here as any of you.âÂ
âYouâre no warrior,â the cat hissed, lashing her tail and stepping closer. Scorch tensed, anticipating a fight. âYouâre nothing but a pitiable stray!âÂ
Scorch stood and took a step towards her, narrowing her eyes coldly. âReally?â She laughed again, harsher this time. âIâve fought for every scrap of food Iâve ever had. Iâve seen more and done more than you could imagine. I was attacked by a monster and survived! You?â She scoffed and looked the young warrior up and down dismissively. âYou look like youâve barely grown into your paws.â Beside her, Yarrowshade couldnât help but laugh and she even heard a few tense laughs or sympathetic winces throughout the crowd. The cat clearly grit her teeth in white hot embarrassment and rage and Scorch grinned smugly.Â
âWatch your mouth, stray,â hissed the cat, taking another step forward.
Suddenly, a voice from atop the ruins boomed, âTumblefang! There is no fighting at the gathering.â Both the she-cat, Tumblefang it seemed, and Scorch looked up to see Snowstar glaring down at them. Tumblefang growled lowly but sat back down, shoulders hunched.Â
Scorch bowed her head deeply and said, âMy apologies, Snowstar. Donât be too hard on her. I should have known better than to respond to such a childish outburst.â Yarrowshade chuckled again and Scorch sat down smoothly, a confident smile on her face. She glanced at Goldenstar who seemed to be trying very hard not to grin.Â
Snowstar nodded regally and asked, âIs there anything other news youâd like to share, Goldenstar?âÂ
âNo,â said Goldenstar, âI think Iâve said enough for now. Although I would urge any leaders or mediators to visit if they want to know more.â She sat down and folded her tail over her paws.Â
âAlright,â Snowstar nodded again. âI would like to share that Robinpaw has finished his training and been given the name Robinswoop.âÂ
The gathering didnât last much longer. As they left, she could tell that cats were watching her and made sure to be the picture of grace and composure. Regardless, she could tell Sagetooth was not happy. Oh well, she thought. As a priest of this StarClan faith, she was probably never going to be very fond of Scorch and her new way of doing things.
Goldenstar bumped up into her with a purr. âWow, you were amazing. Thanks for saving my hide there.âÂ
âOf course, your excellence,â Scorch purred. âIt was honestly very satisfying.âÂ
âI donât think Iâve ever seen a cat put someone in their place that effectively,â Yarrowshade laughed. âAnd without a single threat? You have a gift!âÂ
âI know,â purred Scorch. Goldenstar and Yarrowshade laughed. She continued, âDo you think there will be consequences for your announcement? Cats seemed pretty upset.â
âMaybe,â Goldenstar said seriously. âBut weâll be able to handle it. Thatâs a problem for another day.â Scorch nodded. The group fell quiet as they all walked home and Scorch realized that she felt a sense of camaraderie as they padded side by side under the moon, her and her clanmates.
Goldenstar and Sagetooth woke early the next day and, fasting in preparation, left the SkyClan camp with Greyvoice, Robinpaw, and his mentor Charredbranch. Thankfully, the rain had stopped some time before dawn, and the warriors led them up the steep slopes towards the River of the Stars without much trouble. Most of the time was spent on what seemed to Goldenstar like an endless series of switchbacks, a necessary detour due to Sagetoothâs sprained paw. Greyvoice assured them it was probably a good idea to familiarize themself with the longer path anyway, given Sagetoothâs age. Tangletooth went this way for every half-moon gathering.Â
While Sagetooth didnât seem to appreciate the comment on her age, she didnât say much. Both she and Goldenstar spent the majority of the trip panting and focusing on their paws so as not to slip or fall. Goldenstar marveled at the ease with which the SkyClan cats made the climb. Robinpaw didnât even look at his paws for most of it, eyes trained on the skies, likely searching for that Eagle he had mentioned.Â
They paused for a rest every hour or so, during which time Goldenstar was left with nothing to think about aside from her rumbling stomach. The fasting was intended to make it easier for the spirit to leave the body and travel to StarClan in dreaming, but she couldnât help but watch the birds further down the slope and dream of chasing them down. Mouth watering, she decided she officially didnât like fasting.Â
Sometime around noon, the group reached the mouth of the cave they were here to enter. It wasnât much more than two tail lengths tall, made of smooth dark stone that twisted and tunneled deeper into the mountain.Â
âHere we are,â Charredbranch said, doing a quick glance for hawks or eagles. âWeâll be hunting in the area and swing back around when weâre done. Hopefully weâll have enough to spare a meal for you when you get out.âÂ
âThat would be lovely,â Goldenstar laughed hungrily. âGood luck. We shouldnât be too long.âÂ
Sagetooth, already heading down the tunnel, called back, âCome on, weâre not here for small talk!âÂ
âRight, coming!â Goldenstar called after her. Charredbranch gave her a sympathetic smile and she grinned back before bounding to catch up with Sagetooth.Â
They padded through the tunnel for a good long while, their paw pads making only the slightest of noise on the cool stone floor. Soon the light from outside was obscured by the twists and turns of the tunnels and they were plunged into darkness. Using their whiskers to navigate, they didnât speak as they ventured deeper, the path slowly sloping downward. Just like the only other time she had been here, Goldenstarâs pelt prickled uneasily. It felt to her like all kinds of ghosts could creep up on them or spy from the darkness. Shuddering, she decided to strike up a conversation.Â
âWhat do you think StarClan will say?â she asked softly. Even in her attempt to make some noise, it felt wrong to talk at full volume in such hallowed passages.Â
âStarClan?â Sagetooth mused, âI doubt theyâll like it. But I know at least Sunstar will hear you out.âÂ
âGood,â Goldenstar nodded to herself - it wasnât like Sagetooth could see the gesture, âSheâs the only one I really want to talk to.â Sagetooth grunted but didnât continue the conversation. With a sigh, Goldenstar resigned herself to eerie silence.Â
After a while - a few minutes? Half an hour? More? It was hard to tell - her ears picked up on the sound of rushing and dripping water ahead. The sound grew louder and louder as the tunnel became thinner and shorter, squeezing down around them until she had to duck and follow behind Sagetooth single file. Still, hope bloomed in her chest as a soft blue glow started to reflect off the ridges of the smooth stone tunnels. Eventually, the light was just up ahead. The tunnel opened up into a grand chamber. Sagetooth padded down the stony bank ahead of them to the edge of a flowing river that emerged out of the rock and disappeared back into it a few meters later. Goldenstar stepped out of the tunnel and looked up, still in awe of the sight that gave the river its name.Â
On the roof of the cave was a spread of vibrantly glowing blue dots. They clung to the ceiling, crept down the walls, and reflected off of the dark surface of the river. Goldenstar felt like stepping into that water would cause you to be swallowed by the night sky itself. She slipped out of the tunnel and settled down beside the already loafing Sagetooth.Â
âWell, Iâll see you on the other side,â said the healer. She bowed her head to take a drink from the pool and Goldenstar did the same. Greedily, she lapped at the cool, stony tasting water, her empty stomach begging for anything to fill it. She forced herself to stop after a few heavy gulps and pulled back, curling into a ball against Sagetoothâs flank. She closed her eyes, took a few slow, deep breaths, and let the peace of the location take her into the depths of dreaming.Â
~~~
Goldenstar sat up suddenly, surrounded by gently swaying dark blue grass. Everything around her seemed to glow with a gentle luminosity. Everything was peacefully quiet, the sound of birds singing being the only real noise. It was interesting. Last time she had been here, she had been surrounded by every cat sheâd ever seen die, friends she had lost, the center of a throng of familiar faces. Now she seemed to be⌠alone. She sat up taller, peering over the grass and frowned.Â
âHello?â she called cautiously. âSagetoothâŚ? Sunstar?â
No response. She stood, stretched, and looked around a bit. The place was a mirror image of RisingClanâs territory, and she knew exactly the spot she found herself in. Smiling, she took off towards the little tree near the border that Sunstar used to go to relax. She arrived shortly and, sure enough, there was Sunstar, lounging in its branches.Â
âSunstar!â she trilled, picking up her pace to bound the last through meters.Â
âGoldensun!â purred the starry cat, lifting her head, âOr well, Goldenstar, I should say. What brings you to my neck of the woods?âÂ
âI need some advice,â Goldenstar said. She bunched her legs underneath her and sprang up into the tree to join her former mentor.Â
âWell, Iâll do my best,â chuckled Sunstar, âBut you really ought to learn to run the Clan without me.âÂ
Goldenstar smiled fondly. âI promise, Iâll give you a rest after this. How much do you⌠see? Like do you keep eyes on us?âÂ
âA little bit. I could see more but Iâve mostly been enjoying the peaceful season in paradise.âÂ
âHave you seen our guest?âÂ
âThe rogue,â Sunstar nodded knowingly. âI had to get a peek. Everyone is talking about her.âÂ
âThat figures,â Goldenstar chuckled, âSmokyrose has helped her bring some concerns to me, things that worry her about Clan life.â Sunstarâs face softened at the mention of her sister but she pulled it into something more serious as Goldenstar continued. âI can tell she needs a home, that sheâs⌠like a stranger in her own life. She seems to think Iâm some tyrant who will punish her if she steps a whisker out of line. She called me âyour excellence.ââÂ
Sunstar laughed a bit. âI see. Interesting. So you want her to join the Clan.â Goldenstar grinned. Of course, her old mentor and closest confidant knew exactly what she was thinking.
âYeah, but she has a few worries about the way we do things. And now that sheâs pointed them out, I canât stop seeing them.âÂ
âLike what?âÂ
âWell⌠Mainly, she thinks the Clan is designed to keep cats inside it, like to not allow them to leave.âÂ
âWell, Is it?â asked Sunstar, and Goldenstar was taken aback by the question.Â
âOf course not,â she said instinctively, then, knowing what Sunstar would likely say, added, âor⌠at least I donât want it to be.âÂ
âThere you go. So again, Iâm gonna ask you, do you think it is designed that way?âÂ
Goldenstar sighed. âMaybe. I donât know. Iâd like to think cats could leave any time they wanted but⌠she says they donât even know they canât leave most of the time. Or that they can leave, but if they do they get judged or⌠shunned. And⌠I mean, I hate to say it, but I think sheâs right. I mean think about someone like Redleaf.â Sunstar frowned and nodded and Goldenstar continued. âMy question is; what do I do about it?âÂ
âHmm. A good question,â Sunstar ran her tongue over her forearm thoughtfully, then passed it over one ear. âBut I think you already know the answer.âÂ
Goldenstar groaned in frustration. âEveryone keeps saying that!âÂ
âAre they wrong?âÂ
âI donât know!â she cried, tail lashing. âI donât feel like I know what to do! I canât just⌠start changing things, I-â
âWhy not?â asked Sunstar, stopping Goldenstar in her tracks.
âWhat do you mean, âwhy not?ââ she starred, baffled.Â
âWhy not?â repeated Sunstar, firmer this time. âYou are Goldenstar of RisingClan! You are one of the most powerful cats living in this territory, not to mention the most stubborn, headstrong, passionate cat I know.â Goldenstar blushed a bit under the praise, even if she was upset. âAll you have to do is decide to change things and you can! It sounds like Smokyrose is already on your side, and sheâs an excellent mediator and a perfect cat to help you through this.âÂ
Goldenstar sighed and shook her head. âWhy do you always have to be right?âÂ
âCause Iâm the best,â she purred, resting her chin on the back of one paw. âTell me what you have in mind. Iâm eager to hear your plans for our Clan.â