Warriors ✽ Ethereal «A One-shot Series»

✧ Part 1 | Reprisal ✧

Prompt | Write about a cat witnessing the traumatic death of a loved one, and the extreme lengths he/she will go through to avenge them.

Word Count | 4500

The skeletal trees ran tall, their branches so bare, their leaves could be counted by anyone who passed by. The base of the trees seemed to be buried under pools of rusty copper leaves, which became animated when a breeze blew. The leaves fluttered in the breeze, dancing and pirouetting around the tree trunks to their own melodic frolicking.

Two cats rested beneath an oak tree, their muzzles pressed close together. The tom, a silver cat with black stripes, gave the other cat a lick affectionately. The she-cat, a brown tabby, returned the gesture with a purr.

"Have you heard about the Justice Seekers killing an EtherealClan cat just because they think his name is ridiculous?" the tom asked, chuckling in amusement. "His name was Fluffycloud. He was a senior warrior."

"Seriously? That's awful!" the she-cat gasped. "They are really messed up."

"I want to show you something, Crescentwing," the tom mewed, flicking his tail towards the she-cat.

"What is it?" Crescentwing asked, her eyes glinting in amusement. "It better be good, Runninggale."

"Better than anything I know in the world," Runninggale promised, nudging Crescentwing.

"All right," Crescentwing smiled, running after Runninggale. "You know I can't keep up with your speed."

Runninggale had broken into a sprint, his paws soaring across the dusty brown grass. A soft whoosh was heard whenever Runninggale passed. "I know."

The two cats halted in front of a flower field, every flower seemingly shrivelled and wilted from the cold. Runninggale sat down and beckoned Crescentwing to sit beside him.

"See this field?" Runninggale pointed to the flower field with his tail, his voice soft.

"Yes. It has suffered from land's hibernation," Crescentwing sighed, placing a paw on a crisp, rusty brown daisy. "I hope leaf-fall will pass swiftly with leaf-bare, so the land may recover."

"You are a kind cat, Crescentwing. That is a quality I cherish very much. Look closer - what do you see?" Runninggale mewed, using his paws to push away the dead flowers, revealing a snowy white flower. The flower was covered in frosted dew, but stood strong against the unforgiving chill.

"It's still alive," Crescentwing breathed, marvelling at the flower. Its white petals were curled, giving it a gentler appearance. Its delicate green stem was decorated with tiny shards of frost, but it never faltered and gave in to the cold.

"You are like this flower - no matter the odds, you will stand strong, and continue to live on. Even when everyone thinks you can't make it happen, you will always prove them wrong in the end," Runninggale purred. He picked the flower between his teeth and locked his blue eyes with Crescentwing's amber ones.

"W-what are you trying to say?" Crescentwing breathed nervously, staring deeply into Runninggale's eyes.

"You are everything to me, Crescentwing. As I came to know you more and more everyday, I realised I want you by my side every single day. I love your kindness, your smile," Runninggale paused, smiling nervously. "I love you."

Crescentwing inhaled sharply, her jaws open wide in surprise. She froze, her words seemingly lost in her surprise. She could vaguely hear her heart pounding loudly against her chest as Runninggale spoke his next words.

"Will you be my mate?"

Runninggale held out the flower in his jaws, his eyes hopeful. Overwhelmed with immense joy, Crescentwing pounced on him. "Yes!"