Seppuku

Chapter 27

"Badgerkit! Pass it to me!" Twistedkit mewled, running in circles.

Badgerkit, Twistedkit, Nettlekit and Rainpaw were playing a game of mossball together. Badgerkit had the moss, and Nettlekit was between him and Twistedkit.

"Okay, don't drop it!" Badgerkit told him, before tossing the moss over Nettlekit.

She quickly stood up on her hind legs to try to catch it, but was too slow. Twistedkit caught the moss in his mouth, jumping in victory.

Nettlekit fell into a sitting position, and shook her head. "That's not fair!" She whined.

"Rainpaw, you bring that moss back here right now! It's for sick cats to drink water, not you to play with!" Tawnybreeze called from her den.

Rainpaw sighed. "Okay, sorry!" He called back, before padding over to Twistedkit who gave him the moss back. He then glanced over at Nettlekit, who was still sulking. "It's okay Nettlekit, we can still beat them next time!"

"Not while me and Twisted' work together!" Badgerkit exclaimed, bounding over to his best friend and playfully nudging him.

Twistedkit nodded in agreement, but as he looked into Badgerkit's eyes, everything around them changed, and his eyes now held a pained expression.

Twistedkit was now Twistedsky, and he was sitting next to Badgerstripe in his final moments. The black and white tom was slowly slipping away, and all Twistedsky could do was watch.

Twistedsky jolted awake, and immediately felt relieved. It was just a dream...

But as he gazed into the empty nest next him, he felt a cold jab at his heart. No... it's not just a dream.

~~~

Twistedsky was sat, curled up in his nest, as he was the majority of his time now. He only ever left for short training sessions with Pigeonpaw, sessions that were more of a chore to him now.

He felt completely empty, every morning it was a struggle to just get out of bed. Was there even a point to it anymore? There was no one to talk to, no one who cared. All he got were some pitying glances, but still, no one bothered to talk to him.

No, that's wrong. Pigeonpaw's still here.

He was right. Pigeonpaw cared, and had always been supportive. His apprentice had been trying so hard to make him feel better; he would bring Twistedsky fresh kill when he refused to leave his nest, he would do all his apprentice duties without being asked. Twistedsky was thankful to have him, but still found himself questioning, if I died, would anyone care?

He kept thinking, that maybe, if he tried hard enough, the pain would lessen, and he could go back to living a normal life. But every day it hurt more, every second he realized more and more that he would never see Badgerstripe again, every minute he thought about how there was nothing left looking forward to.

Twistedsky came to the conclusion that maybe he was right, and there was nothing left for him. Yes, Pigeonpaw was there, but he was just holding him down. He deserved a much better mentor, a much better life.

Maybe everything would be better if he just disappeared.

~~~~~

Nettleskip was sitting in the sun, just finishing eating a mouse. Rainpuddle was next to her, their tails intertwined. She was glad that he confessed to her, and that they became mates. She was finally able to get her mind off of Badgerstripe and her brother.

Nettleskip missed him; Badgerstripe. No matter how much she was mad at him, she still loved him. When he died, she grieved alone. She couldn't let anyone see her weak, she had to stay strong. She had duties as a warrior to take care of her clan, and no matter how upset she was she had to keep pushing forward.

Twistedsky probably didn't think the same way. He would always mope around, like he didn't want to do anything. It pained Nettleskip to see him this way, he was nothing like the excitable kit she remembered.

Though even now, Nettleskip couldn't work up the courage to talk to him. She wanted so badly to reassure him, to be there for him, but she just couldn't. Why is it so hard? He's my littermate!

"You okay Nettleskip?" Rainpuddle asked, concern in his voice.

Nettleskip met his eyes, and her worries almost melted away. "It's nothing, I'm fine." She replied, leaning into him.

He nuzzled her, and licked the top of her head. "You know, you can tell me anything. I love you."

"I love you too." Nettleskip purred.