Runningfoot's Backstory

N w3 -90999DT90'

      Small shafts of sunlight seeped through the roots of the elm as Dreampaw stretched her limbs. Shaking scraps of moss of her back. Beside her Briarpaw stirred awake and yawned deeply, "Good morning." "Good morning." She thought of last night with Bluepaw. "I saw you with Bluepaw last night," said Briarpaw breaking her from her thoughts. Dreampaw looked and saw a hint of amusement in her mismatched eyes. The same heat from last night crept along her pelt.

"Hey Owlpaw," whispered Briarpaw, "guess what?" "What?" Owlpaw whispered back. "Dreampaw is in love," she cooed. "Oh that's why we're whispering. With who? Bluepaw? I bet it's Bluepaw!" "I am not in love with Bluepaw! We're just good friends..." she trailed off.

"Ooh I'm gonna go tell him!" "No, nobody's telling anything to anybody," growled Dreampaw. "Unless you want me to tell Cloudpaw you have feelings for him." She purred teasingly. "What? No don't tell him!" Gasped Owlpaw. "Okay, now that's that."

"Let's go eat," suggested Dreampaw, hoping to let the Bluepaw subject drop. As they walked to the fresh-kill pile she realized that she was pretty hungry. They met up with Bluepaw, Gingerpaw, and Cloudpaw, who were eating by each other.

From the corner of her eye as she picked out a wren, Dreampaw could see Owlpaw fidgeting with a squirrel next to Cloudpaw. She should just tell him. Well in her own time. She couldn't help but feel a prick of jealousy at those two sitting next to each other, talking comfortably. Why am I jealous, I shouldn't be jealous. She reminded herself.

When she was finished she padded to the dip in the clearing to sun herself. She couldn't help but notice Bluepaw and Russetpaw talking. Didn't she matter to him? Or was last night only a mere memory? "Hey Dreampaw," he called. She pretended she couldn't hear him and stalked off. Although, she couldn't help but notice the hurt in his eyes. She felt her chest tighten with guilt. Her tail just drooped.

"Hi Dreampaw!" A little voice squeaked. Dreampaw looked around for the owner of the voice and saw Flowerkit bounding up to her. "Hi, Flowerkit." Dreampaw gently nosed Flowerkit in the right direction, a few moons ago Flowerkit was diagnosed with cataracts, and about a moon ago became blind. Poor Flowerkit, usually elderly cats get cataracts. Dreampaw looked into the once seeing, now foggy pale golden eyes of Flowerkit.

Suddenly a yowl broke out in the clearing. Dreampaw, snapped her head around. "Tinyears has fallen ill!" It was Cloverfrost. Tinyears was Cloverfrost's mother. Her sister Honeykit had caughten greencough and had died. Cloverfrost was very close to Tinyears. Violetdream had already rushed out of her den, Pebblepaw right behind her.

––-––

Violetdream had been in the elder's den with Tinyears all day, sending Pebblepaw in and out to gather more herbs. Soon all of the hunting patrols turned into search parties for herbs rather than prey.

They returned with mouthfuls of herbs.

It was around moonhigh, when a defeated looking Violetdream slipped out of the elder's den. "Tinyears, is dead." Her voice shook. Shocked cats slipped out of the shadows. Cloverfrost ran into the elder's den. "No!! She can't be dead!" Cloverfrost appeared, grief filling every movement. Dreampaw's chest welled up with grief for the golden elder, and sympathy for her mentor, who was with Tinyears in her last moments.

Feathersky, Cinderclaw, and Rosedew carried the lifeless body of Tinyears into the clearing. All of Tinyears' close friends and family would sit vigil with her, sharing tongues with her, and saying their final goodbyes. The whole clan would remember and honor her.

Blackforest, Cloverfrost, Clearstar, Feathersky, Rosedew, Cinderclaw, Lilystream, Violetdream, Pebblepaw, Emberspots, Blizzardfoot, Loonsong, Otterfang and Heatherflight, and Flowerkit with Littledawn, all sat by Tinyears' body. They were her dear friends, children, and apprentices.

Dreampaw went over to sit with them, Tinyears had been a dear and comforting friend. She felt a pelt brush her side. She looked to see Bluepaw standing beside her and she remembered that Tinyears was his grandmother. "I-I'm sorry, Dreampaw if I hurt you," he said. "You shouldn't be sorry, I am the one who is sorry, I shouldn't have ignored you." She purred as he rasped his tongue over her ear and returned it. The two padded to join the clump of cats to share their last tongues with Tinyears.

AN:

Short chapter I know, but we're getting to a good part, I promise. Oh, and the title has been created by Pip lol. 

~ Wolf ;3