#when i got sick molly would lay on my chest and wrap her tail around my arm and purr. love her so much

[vpofcookies]

Missing my old pets so have some pictures of my old man and my little lady

[thunder-the-ranger-wolf]

A Proper Gathering

Excerpt from the Mute!Firepaw Ghost fic

@official-darkforest if you feel like reblogging this for the people interested in that AU, I’d be grateful. I wasn’t sure how much of this would fit in a submission.

▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂

The clearing was packed. Cats milled around with others, scents mingled as the four groups interacted in an almost friendly manner for the first time Firepaw had seen since he took this job. Several voices called out his name, all of them sounding like the bells that the humans put on their doors to tell the weather. Ghosts often sounded like that but it was more obvious when they were emotional. At least this time it was because these cats were happy to see him. The ginger tom was suddenly knocked off his paws by a rush of air. A mountain of fur surrounded him as each young cat clambered to be seen.

“Firepaw, you made it!” Thornkit of WindClan crowed. “This is the first Gathering I’ve been to ever, there are so many cats!”

“Alright, alright now, let the nice tom find his paws. I’m sure he’s just as excited as you are to be here.” One of the queens, a cream molly from ShadowClan, drawled fondly. “It’s good to see you well, Firepaw. One good thing about ThunderClan is they make sure their kittens are properly fed. Why, I bet the only Clan better at that would be RiverClan, with all their fishing.”

“Don’t you fish as well, Birchpool?” One of the apprentices snickered. “We live in a marsh!”

“That we do, kit, but the fish we find in the marsh aren’t always worth going after. Especially when the rest of those creatures are willing to fight you for it.”

You… have to fight your prey? Firepaw muttered, surprised.

“Has any cat ever mentioned a snapping turtle?”

No… I know what a turtle is, I think, but I’ve never seen one. And I didn’t know they could bite.

“I’ll take you to the marsh sometime and show you what I’m talking about. You won’t be so keen to visit us ShadowClan cats once you know how we eat.”

“Well, he might like it. I bet it would taste really good!” The apprentice, Branchpaw, crowed.

“How do you know, kit? No one’s ever gone after a turtle and lived to bring it back.”

“It’s prey!” Branchpaw scowled. “I bet I could kill one easy!”

“Maybe when we get back to StarClan.” Another apprentice scoffed. “They’re only ever easy hunting there!”

“Why can’t Larchfall see me?” A young voice that sounded close to tears asked quietly. The other ghosts stepped back to reveal a small tortoiseshell kitten with silver-blue eyes. “He’s my kin. I thought he loved me but he never talks to me anymore. He talks to the others, though! Why not me?”

“Well, kitten…” Birchpool crooned. “It’s because he can’t see you. He would talk to you all the time if he knew you were there.”

“But I am here! And you all can see me just fine!”

“It’s different, honeycomb.” Another warrior murmured, wrapping a ginger-spotted tail around her similarly colored kit. “Larchfall isn’t ignoring us, little one, we went to sleep. Remember how we couldn’t see or touch anything after that?”

“Yes.” The kit mumbled. “I wanted to climb a tree once but I just went right through it. I figured out how later though! We can fly, did you know that?!” The kitten crowed, fur bushed up.

“Yeah, it’s amazing!” Branchpaw chirped. “What’s your name? And who’s Larchfall?”

“This is Petalkit. Larchfall is my mate, I’m her mother’s sister, Lilystem.”

Well, Petalkit, why don’t I tell Larchfall that you’ve been asking after him? He might start talking to you if he thinks you can hear him. Firepaw prompted.

“You… you would do that?” Lilystem murmured, astonished. “He’s been so alone in RiverClan. I mean, of course, the Clan is there for him, but we never had any kits of our own and now we can’t reach Petalkit’s parents in StarClan because we got stuck here-. I mean-.”

“We get it.” Birchpool offered soberly. “It’s always rough when you figure it out. Oakheart was the most recent RiverClan cat to pass, he could probably tell you more about why we’re stuck here.”

The red-brown tom appeared by Lilystem’s side as if he’d been summoned by the sound of his name but said nothing.

“Oakheart… That’s one of Rainflower’s boys! He’s my nephew. Petalkit is his cousin by my other sister, Echomist. She and Hailstar are up in StarClan having a grand old time but I don’t think they know Petalkit is missing. They’d die of shock all over again.”

“Ouch…” Birchpool muttered, one eye closed as she tried to imagine what the tortoiseshell before her mumbled.

Okay, that’s… a lot to deal with and no doubt her parents are worried sick by now, but Larchfall should know that you’re still here and we, well, I, can do something about that. Do you want me to?

“I… yes. If only because he’s getting on in moons and it looks like he’s giving up and I don’t want that for him.” Lilystem insisted.

Okay. I can tell him. Let me get someone who knows how I talk and we’ll go from there.

“Well, if it’s because of that throat then Stormheart might have an idea of what to say.”

Stormheart?

“Oakheart’s brother.”

Oh, the RiverClan leader. He had the same warrior name as his brother?

“That happens sometimes. It did with the ThunderClan deputy and her sister. Their names were Bluestep and Snowstep.”

She’s the leader now. Firepaw crowed. And she’s mentoring me. She’s a great cat!

“No doubt she is, kit.” Lilystem chuckled. “Thank you so much for helping us get through to Larchfall. It’s been hard on Petalkit, not being with her parents and then getting stuck here like this.”

“Yeah, a lot of us had to figure that out the hard way.” Birchpool grumbled.

I can’t empathize completely, but I know it’s tough being separated from cats you love. Let me at least help you contact this one.

“You’re a sweet one, Firepaw. Good luck.” Lilystem murmured. Firepaw nodded his thanks and got to his paws, weaving through the crowd, and leaving the rest of the group to talk among themselves as they waited for him to get back.

“I wonder if it’s lifted yet. The barrier, whatever it is.” Birchpool mused. “I mean, WindClan is back in the forest and ShadowClan can’t drive them out again. Surely StarClan will welcome us once more now that the forest is balanced.”

“Firepaw’s not sure that’s what’s keeping us from StarClan.” Oakheart corrected nervously. “He thinks it’s something about Brokentail and now that WindClan is back, I’m inclined to agree with him. I don’t think StarClan can interact with the living as long as that tyrant is alive.”

“But that’s… he’s got nine lives! StarClan gave those themselves!”

“Maybe not.” Branchpaw scowled.

“What?” Lilystem hissed frantically, covering Petalkit’s ears. “Why would you say that?!”

“Well, you know ShadowClan is old-fashioned.” Branchpaw offered warily. “We’ve always been a bit more strict about the warrior code. Even though we accept rogues and were at the front of the kittypet raids, we taught those we recruited the Clan ways as we saw them.”

“Oh, yes, I remember hearing about the kittypet raids. Roachstar stopped them and everyone was outraged when Brokentail announced his new warriors from the Twolegplace. I’m surprised all four Clans didn’t rise against him right then and there!”

“It’s… complicated.” Birchpool added. “But we know there are other skies because of those kittypets and we choose to devote ourselves to StarClan. But with the news of other skies, well, Branchpaw might be right to say that another set of ancestors could have given Brokentail his lives.”

“What kittypet’s ancestors could give such a wretched being that much power?!” A new voice spat. “And who in their right mind would?!”

“Never said they were in their right mind, Thrushpelt. Just that it might be possible.”

“I hope it’s not.” Thrushpelt shivered. “I can’t imagine any spirit seeing Brokentail as a worthy leader.”

“StarClan wouldn’t.” Branchpaw insisted. “Not after all he’s done.”

Heads up everyone, I’m back with Larchfall and Longtail’s agreed to help me speak. Firepaw announced.

Indeed, Firepaw was followed by two cats, one a cream tom with dark stripes and the other a darker-furred elder with misty green eyes.

“Well, kit. This ThunderClan cat said you wanted to tell me something about my kin. What are we doing here?”

Firepaw nodded and trotted off, returning shortly with a flower that he placed on the ground. He pointed first at the stem and then at the petal of the flower. Then he pointed at Larchfall’s chest.

“Firepaw usually approaches cats when he knows a StarClan cat has mentioned you. In this case, there are two and you know them well. I think one is… Petal?”

Firepaw nodded and raised his paw so that it lay stiff in midair halfway between him and the ground.

“They’re smaller than him so it’s probably Petalkit?”

Firepaw nodded and pointed to the flower again.

“The next one is a cat with Stem somewhere in their name.” Longtail muttered. “Bigger than Firepaw, so either an older apprentice or a warrior.”

���Lilystem is my mate and Petalkit is her sister’s kit. You’re saying you heard from them? Did they come to you in a dream from StarClan?”

Firepaw made a “not quite” gesture.

“Firepaw can see the spirits of our ancestors.” Longtail explained. “Most of them are in StarClan but some of them come to visit their loved ones.”

“So… Lilystem and Petalkit are here.” Larchfall murmured. “Can they see me? Will they know if I talk to them?”

“They’ll always know.” Longtail said at Firepaw’s nod. “In fact, Petalkit thinks you should talk to her more.”

“Does she?” Larchfall chuckled roughly. “I… I can do that.”

“Good.” Longtail offered. “Thank you for hearing us out.”

The black tom nodded awkwardly and padded off, more than a bit stunned.

“Thank you, Firepaw.” Lilystem whispered, voice thick with tears. “I think he might actually believe you.”

Hopefully. But even if he doesn’t, he’s got something to think about.

“Yes… yes, I think he does.”

Petalkit pranced around her aunt, tail waving and face glowing with cheer.

Firepaw flicked his tail, signaling to Longtail that he could go if he wanted, and tuned back into the conversation being had around him.

“So… about this barrier.” Thrushpelt scowled. “What, WindClan being back wasn’t enough. It’s specific to Brokentail?”

“Looks like it.” Oakheart offered soberly. “And until this is resolved, I don’t think any cat will go to StarCla when they die.”

“What, like they’ll be stuck like us?! They won’t even know their ancestors are waiting for them?!” The other ShadowClan apprentice yelped.

“Be quiet, Pikepaw!” Branchpaw snapped, eyeing Oakheart nervously.

“Oh…” Pikepaw mumbled, following his fellow apprentice’s gaze. “Sorry. I didn’t meant to-.”

“It’s fine.” Oakheart sighed. Pikepaw licked his chest fur embarrassedly and curled up beside his friend, burying his nose in his own pelt and mumbling to himself.

“But yes, they’ll be stuck like us. And… we don’t know what it has to do with Brokentail. I said earlier that his lives could have been given by some other ancestors, but even that’s just a theory.” Oakheart insisted. “We don’t know that this will be resolved with Brokentail’s death.”

“Even if it is, as far as we know he’s never lost a life. How are we going to get to StarClan if he’s the one blocking our path and he’s got the nine lives of a leader?!”

A tense silence consumed the ghosts and Firepaw twitched his ears and bared his throat.

“Is Firepaw trying to say something?” Birchpool asked warily. “That’s an awful wound he’s got. Does he need a medicine cat?”

“A medicine cat can’t help.” Thrushpelt admitted. “But usually he does that to get a cat’s attention. Or if he’s talking to us, it means he’s nervous about what he has to say. Or doesn’t want to say it.”

“Makes sense.” Oakheart murmured. “But in this case… I think he’s trying to say something about his throat.”

Firepaw nodded awkwardly, hoping he wouldn’t have to say the rest aloud.

“He doesn’t need a medicine cat, so aside from the fact that the wound exists, nothing’s wrong.” Birchpool offered.

“He… we were talking about Brokentail just now. Could Firepaw be saying something about his throat has to do with Broktentail?”

“What, like Brokentail gave him that wound?!”

“No, we know who gave it to him and it wasn’t Brokentail.” Oakheart muttered bitterly. “Maybe he’s saying we have to hurt Brokentail… possibly like Firepaw himself was… hurt.”

“Oooo…” Several cats cringed or turned away at Firepaw’s confirming nod.

“He’s a leader, though. IF he dies, he’ll just come back and wreak havoc on the living all over again.”

“Then someone will have to make it an injury he can’t come back from.” Branchpaw insisted darkly.

“Stars above, Branchpaw!” Pikepaw yelped. “How in the name of the First Ancestors do you come up with this stuff?!”

“The same way he thought it was a good idea to slaughter us.” Branchpaw snapped, getting to his paws. “He deserves every scratch he gets! One for every star in the sky and ten for every cat he’s ever gotten killed! I bet Badgerfang would agree with me.”

“Badgerfang isn’t here!” Pikepaw howled. “You can’t speak for him and you can’t speak for me!”

“Don’t tell me you want that monster to live?!”

“No!” Pikepaw snapped. “I just… this isn’t right! We’re talking about killing a cat nine times over in the worst ways possible! He’s-.”

“Deserving.” Branchpaw sneered. “For all the pain and misery he’s caused this forest and every cat in it. He’s lucky all ShadowClan did was blind him.”

“If every ShadowClan cat is as vengeful as you are, we might not have to do anything to Brokentail. We could just let the living handle it.”

“They won’t.” Pikepaw scoffed. “They’re not fox-brained enough to risk dying at his claws when he comes back, and that’s if they succeed in the first place! This is mouse-brained and fox-hearted and I can’t believe you all are thinking of this!”

“Don’t you want to go to StarClan?” Branchpaw asked quietly. “Your mom and dad will be there. And your siblings.”

“Like that’s something to look forward to.” Pikepaw scowled. “I was the runt, remember? It’s why I died in the first place.”

“C’mon, Pike, they didn’t mean-.”

“They meant it!” The grey tom howled. “They never wanted me, none of them did! They were glad when I was chosen to start training!”

“Pikepaw…”

“You’re plotting! You’re planning for another cat to die just like Brokentail planned for us to die and kept at it until we did! My mother pushed me out of the nest early for that scheme of his and you want to try and turn it back on him?! When he’s the one who came up with all this in the first place?! It won’t work and we’ll all die! Why do you think my mother gave me up?”

“That’s a load of foxdung and so is she.” Birchpool growled.

“I… I can’t exactly blame her.” Pikepaw admitted. “She had to focus on the ones who had a chance. I was going to die anyway-.”

“You don’t know that.” Oakheart insisted. “You’re here because Brokentail was a cruel leader but more than that, your mother was cruel to you. That’s not your fault and it’s not your job to defend a cat that would do such a thing.”

“When it comes to Brokentail, it looks like the only way to restore this balance is to kill him.” Birchpool sighed. “But since we’re ghosts, we would have to use the world around us to do that. Possess a dog and set it on him, maybe. Or get someone to poison his food. We can’t interfere directly, though. The living will have to find some way to strip him of those lives.”

“You don’t have to be involved, Pikepaw. None of us have to do anything. The living cats are already upset with him. It’s only a matter of time before someone is desperate enough to want him dead completely.”

Firepaw found that he couldn’t listen anymore, too sick at the thought of all that Pikepaw had admitted. But the ghosts planned well into the night and decided to meet again in three sunrises after they got input from other Clanmates.

Firepaw didn’t know how this Mission would end, but these groups were some of the fiercest he’d ever run interference for.