Icestar and Blossom

Chapter 16

Blossom crept nervously to the old twoleg house. She hadn't visited Embertail in two weeks with the pain and shock of the death of Sammy, plus the struggle of being a mother. Blossom walked with Tulip though, wanting to show the kit her mother.

Tulip ran up ahead, her calico pelt gleaming in the sun. "Momma, where are we going?" she asked. Blossom found Tulip adventurous, just like herself. She seemed the most interested in the stories of IceClan and the clans.

"We're going to see your father," Blossom announced.

Tulip tilted her head. "But Snickerdoodle is back at home."

Blossom stopped in her tracks, remembering the same conversation with her mother. Was this how it felt? Lying to your own kit? Raising your kits to make them think another cat was their father?

"Come over to the bush, Tulip," Blossom said, padding to a nearby bush. She crawled inside, Tulip following after her. "You must never ever speak of this to any cat, especially Snickerdoodle," Blossom spoke. Tulip nodded, though Blossom did not trust her.

"Snickerdoodle is not your father. Embertail is. He was a clan cat, but once IceClan was destroyed, he moved to an old twoleg house."

"A CLAN CAT IS OUR FATHER!" Tulip exclaimed.

"Hush!' Blossom hissed. Tulip shrank back, no more words coming out of her mouth. "Yes. Now be quiet, and don't say a word or else I'll throw you in the forest," she joked.

Tulip said nothing more, continuing to walk with Blossom on the path. Soon, the house came into sight. The paint was chipped, the walls were charred. Broken windows and broken pieces of wood were present. Dust surrounded the ground.

Before Blossom could explain anything, Embertail rushed out of the house, greeting his mate and kit. "Blossom, how long it's been! I was so worried. I was going to come visit you," he turned, spotting Tulip. "And this is your kit?"

"This is our kit," Blossom told him.

She pointed to Tulip. "This is Tulip," she smiled. Tulip looked up at her father and nudged against him.

Embertail's ginger pelt shined in the sunlight, almost as bright as his smile. "She's wonderful!' he said, licking the top of her head. Blossom smiled, seeing them as one big family.

Tulip was very interested in her father, beginning to ask him about being an IceClan warrior. She smiled at the two talking, a tear streaming down her eye. She wiped it before any cat could notice. She wished she could've been an IceClan warrior. She could've been a strong warrior like her "father". Her father was a kittypet, and her mother gave her away to live a soft like instead. Her sister had gotten to live the life Blossom wanted.

Blossom sighed and shuffled her paws. Tulip say goodbye, as did Blossom, and the two headed back home.

"Mommy, are you okay?" Tulip asked.

Blossom nodded, not knowing what to say. She was afraid if she spoke, she would begin to cry. She did not say anything as they headed home. Blossom climbed the fence, helping Tulip over. Snickerdoodle sat on his fence, smiling.

"How was your walk?" Snickerdoodle asked.

Blossom gave a nod, heading inside to sleep.