Warriors: Tainted Paths

Chapter 3

On the way towards Howling Point, Wolfpaw had to experience the awkward silence with her mother as the two continued padding along the path. The young apprentice didn't dare to look up with the fear of seeing her mother's angered green eyes like before again, though on an off chance she would give quick snips up at her and looking away if Dawnflower were to look in her direction.

"Definitely apologize to mother since she almost had a heart attack hearing of what you were doing." The words from her brother kept echoing stronger and stronger as she continued walking. Almost annoyingly the more she tried to ignore her brother's words. Though the more she tried to ignore, the more she felt her brother's look of disappointment linger in the back of her head.

Ah! Fine, I'll do it...

Taking a deep breath, Wolfpaw broke the silence between the two, "Hey mom," immediately she gained her mother's attention. Her once angered green eyes were now a calm shade looking into her nervous eyes.

"Yes, Wolfpaw?" Her mother spoke, causing the apprentice to catch a big lump in her throat, almost stopping herself from continuing, though she fought through thinking her mother was looking at her with a worried expression when seeing her shaky, bugged-eyed daughter try to fight her nervousness in order to apologize.

"I'M SORRY!" Wolfpaw exclaimed, rather loudly causing her to look away embarrassed for raising her voice. Dawnflower gazed at her mother with a neutral look, though soon growing into a soft smile. Without knowing, Wolfpaw was met with her mother pulling her into her warm ginger fur, and soon enough was met with a loving lick on the head.

"Alright, your forgiven Wolfpaw," She said sweetly as she could feel the young she-cat try to escape her grasp of love, "You just worry me every time you go off with one of your crazy plans-- I'm still trying to get over your last plan of trying to see if you could walk on water," she quickly asserted herself before continuing, "What I'm trying to say here is that I love you with all my heart. You're the last memory I have of your father's spitting image, and you going through these deadly stunts makes me worry that I'll lose you too."

Wolfpaw could sense her mother's voice strain once she brought up her father. Wolfpaw didn't move, but instead embrace her mother, feeling her pelt brush up against her own. She never had the chance to meet her father only hearing stories of what type of warrior he was, and a wonderful mate he was towards her mother. Though not what may have happened, though she just put the pieces together that he had passed away in some way or another. Though knowing how much it pained her mother whenever bringing him up, it made Wolfpaw set aside anything she was doing just to make sure her mother was okay.

"I-I know, I didn't realize just how dangerous my ideas were getting. Guess I got out of hand. I'm sorry... I won't do it again, promise," Wolfpaw said, poking her head out from her mother's fur to look into her, now, glossy eyes. Dawnflower didn't say anything but smiled, though shaky knowing that she was trying to hold in the tears she was wanting to release.

"Thank you," was all she said before giving one last lick across the cheek and continuing on towards their destination.

Once the apology was made, Wolfpaw felt a weight almost lift off of her chest, making her feel much lighter on her feet when hurrying over to Dawnflower. "So," Wolfpaw started, "Could you tell me what the full moon gathering is like?"

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When the skies are clear of any signs of clouds, and the sky has turned into shades of night, Starclan initiates the meeting forming a big white orb that we all know as a full moon. We know when it gets close to it by the different shapes Starclan bestows us in order to get ready. Though when the moon has taken its full shape is when every leader of their clan goes, along with their deputy, and their chosen clanmates to help represent their clan to others and to Starclan themselves. It takes place under a very old fallen tree, free from any signs of rot or decay as moons taken over. Branches still strong to hold any cats is where the leaders sit and announce their news of what their clan has to offer, all the while their deputies sit just next to the tree itself along with the chosen warriors that we're blessed to accompany the gathering. Once the leaders said their news, all cats from every clan have a chance to relax and celebrate no matter what clan they came from until the full moon disappears, which signifies the gathering is over. This is the Full moon gathering that every clan cat gets to experience once they are worthy in the eyes of our leaders--