Colorful Doom

Chapter 19

Moonlight bathed the clearing, causing the grass to glow. Drops of dew hung from the blades, evidence of the short period of rain from earlier. The cats of ShadowClan weren't alseep quite yet, and though no cat would admit it, they were worried. Runningpaw had fell off a tall tree during training. One of the branches had dug into his back while he was falling.

Nightfeather bit into the soggy mouse, trying her best to keep her mind off Runningpaw. Leaftail and her kits had disappeared into the medicine den, followed by Wolffur. There was still no news of his condition.

The black she-cat looked up, giving a hiss as a droplet splashed against her nose. She was sitting just below the weeping willow, but the moisture somehow found it's way through the leaves and branches. The weather was quite gloomy for leaf-bare.

A pang in her chest reminded her of who used to sit with her under this very tree, laughing and sharing tales. She closed her eyes. For once in her life, she didn't have to worry about waking up in the Dark Forest. It was a relief, but guilt still rested deep under. Was it really worth it to pass it on to someone else?

A voice broke her thoughts, and she blinked her eyes open.

"Mind if I join you?" Snowstripe inquired, voice almost a whisper. Her eyes were dull and stormy.

Nightfeather observed the white-striped she-cat. She wasn't very social. The black she-cat guessed that her only friends were Mistflower and her, but she didn't mind.

"Sure." Nightfeather meowed crisply, using her tail to pat the spot next to her.

Snowstripe looked quite relieved as she scurried forward. "Thanks." She breathed. "I didn't have anywhere to sit."

Nightfeather nodded to show she was listening and used a paw to push the mouse towards her. "D'you want it?"

Snowstripe nodded eagerly and dipped her head to sink her jaws into it. Nightfeather watched her fondly and turned back to stare into the clearing. A pair of eyes stared right into hers. Her confusion grew when she realized they were Mistflower's. They burned with something bitter...jealousy?

Snowstripe licked a paw, eyes glittering with sadness. "Mistflower's mad at me."

Nightfeather gave her a curious glance. "Why?"

Snowstripe averted her gaze and flicked her tail. "Nothing."

Nightfeather rolled her eyes. "Honestly, Snowstripe." She muttered.

The she-cat sighed. "I'm sorry. I'm just not ready to tell anyone yet." Her tone grew bitter as she dug her claws into the ground. "My father wouldn't care either way."

Nightfeather winced inwardly. She recalled a time when she was a kit, when Addertooth and his mate, Gingerfur, were happy. But that was long ago. After her death, he closed up.

Fawnfur's eyes widened as the screams outside of the nursery grew louder. Nightkit suddenly felt herself being shoved deeper into the moss nest.

"You don't act like my dad!" Snowpaw's screech shook the den.

Nightkit pushed past her mother's tail and peered into the entrance. Her dark blue eyes widened as she spotted Addertooth, claws unsheated and flecked with something dark. Snowpaw panted heavily as blood trickled from her cheek. Her eyes darkened.

"You're no daughter of mine! " Addertooth spat.

Nightfeather closed her eyes. It had been horrifying to witness as a kit. She never really thought of Addertooth the same way again.

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Nightfeather blinked open her eyes, a little groggy from her nap. She peered through the branches of the warrior's den into the foggy clearing. Today was the day of the gathering, and the cats attending were slowly trickling in. She felt a rush of anxiety as she got up. What would happen? Would RiverClan attend? WindClan had agreed to nurse them back to their paws, but the damage they had suffered was severe.