Lost Memories

Chapter 7

The next morning, I call a meeting with my patrol.

"I'm going to continue on from here alone," I meow. After hearing my clanmates exclamations of protest, I continue. "You guys need to stay here. I know you want to come, but I just feel like meeting my sister is something I need to do on my own. I promise I'll be back very soon."

Tempestclaw bows his head. "With all do respect, shouldn't you have someone with you, just in case something happens?"

I shake my head. "I'll be fine. Nightshade can't hurt me, I'm strong enough to take her."

He looks like he still wants to argue, but doesn't say anything more. I can see that that someone he was indicating was himself, but I especially don't want him with me, so in the case that I do meet Nightshade, she won't have any leverage over me.

"Meet new people," I motion around me at the ThunderClan cats. "These cats are wonderful, so I'd advise you to make friends. Even if we live far away, alliances are always welcome."

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Just as I cross the scent markers on the northern side of ThunderClan territory, I linger for a moment. The last time I crossed these borders, I was a loner with nowhere to go; an undetermined destiny. Now I'm a leader and I have duties to fulfill.

I continue on until I see a small twoleg place. Nostalgia hits as I enter into a familiar area. Lush trees surround the area, with a few uninhabited twoleg dens. The bushes and trees are a bright green and a few songbirds sing.

A rustle sounds from a bush in the corner of my eye. I look over and recognize the bush that the two of us-Smokey and I-used as our home. A lean, black she-cat with amber eyes and white markings similar to my black markings emerges, eyes wide.

"Silverwillow?" The she-cat inquires quietly.

"Smokey?" I ask.

Tears fill her eyes quickly and she jumps towards me in greeting, rubbing her whiskers on my face. Once she embraces me, I can't stop the tears either.

Oh gosh, it's been so long! I think to myself.

We sit there for a brief moment relishing in the sisterhood we hold. Smokey is the first to break away and she motions for me to join her in her once-shared nest. She pushes long ferns out of the way to reveal a small area perfect for two inside the bush. We sit down on lush pieces of moss right across from each other.

"Hi sis," I say awkwardly. "I know it's been a while-"

"18 moons."

"Yah, 18 moons," I continue. "But I hope that everything has been alright."

Smokey moves awkwardly in her nest. "I missed you so much, Silverwillow! I didn't know if you were ever coming back! I mean, I know that you had a dream, but...." her voice trails off.

"I know. Can you forgive me? It's been a crazy 18 moons," I say.

She nods. "Of course. Forever and always. So what exactly did you do in the moons that you were gone?"

"Uhh, that's kind of a long story," I mutter. "Why don't we begin right after I left?"

I spend plenty of time talking about how I met ThunderClan, became a leader, gained a new name, rounded up all the felians that would come and join my new clan, dealt with the drama of this "Nightshade" she-cat who pretended to be my sister, etc. The whole time, Smokey sat, listening intently, sometimes adding in exclamations, just like she used to do.

"I didn't think it was really you," I promised. "I knew that of all the people in my life, you would never do anything like that! Something had to be off, which I was right about."

Confusion crosses Smokey's face. "Why would someone impersonate me? What do they have to gain by hurting you?"

I shake my head. "I don't know. That's what we're here for. And also to see you again of course. And one other thing. While we were on our way here, we met a white she-cat with black specks, white wings, and two different colored eyes. She said she was Nightshade, but she's dead."

A look of alarm flashes across Smokey's face.

"What is it?" I inquire quizzically.

"No, no, it can't be.....but that doesn't......." She mutters, looking at the moss at her paws. Finally, she raises her head and speaks up. "A while ago, a moon or two after you left, a she-cat with that description attacked me here. She demanded to know everything about you and I and wouldn't let me leaf where I was until her questions were answered. She in a way held me prisoner in my own home, acting like you and I had committed a terrible sin against her. I didn't answer her questions at first, but eventually she did get some answers out of me. I'm sorry, I didn't think-"

"It's ok, it's not your fault," I interrupt. "Can you tell me exactly how she acted, what she said, things like that?"

Smokey shakes her head. "It's been so long, but I remember what I said before, and that she was really rude and didn't take 'no' for answer....ever. She beat me a lot when I refused to answer. I was so weak back then, but still, her strength was so much. What surprised me the most was her wings. I thought that you and I were the only ones with wings, but I guess I'm wrong, especially if you have a whole clan that is filled with felians now. Oh, Silverwi-star, I don't know if my information can really help, but that's what I have."

I nod my head. "Yes, thank you so much. I assume that's how she knew a lot about the both of us, but why she didn't know everything. I know it's weird that she came back from the dead, but we're working on that. ThunderClan had an encounter with evil dead cats a while ago, so they are helping us with that. I have one final thing to ask of you."

She nods, indicating I can go on.

"Would you be willing to join me on this quest for answers, and maybe even join my clan? I miss you, and now that I know what I'm doing with my life, I think you should join."

Smokey tears up with happy tears. "Of course! I miss you too!"

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I meant to update yesterday, but I didn't have time to publish it......but yah. Happy reading everyone! :)