The sweet scent of mint and lavender filled Silvermoon's nose as she gathered around the bodies of her fallen clan-mates. Whitestripe had his eyes widened with shock, flowers were covering his wounds. Meanwhile, Goosewing's eyes were half-lidded. Badgersight had just finished touching up the bodies. Silvermoon didn't stay for long, she just dipped her head, padding off.
Across the clearing, she spotted Smallpaw. He was eating besides Tigerpaw, Mosspaw and Bramblepaw. Silvermoon walked over, sitting besides her apprentice and siblings. "We're trying to figure out who murdered Whitestripe and Goosewing!" Tigerpaw stated. Bramblepaw flicked his tail. "Bramblepaw is convinced it's a black cat!" Mosspaw mewed. Silvermoon gave a weary smile, looking at her apprentice. "Smallpaw, aren't you going to grieve for your parents..?" She asked. Smallpaw looked at her, anger and sorrow in his disfigured face. "They never cared for me!" He sniffled. Silvermoon rested her head on his. She licked his ear comfortingly. "I've lost my father too. I've lost my mentor, my friend.." Silvermoon whispered. "Take your time to grieve. Even if it takes forever. " She finally murmured. Smallpaw just flicked his tail. Mosspaw pressed her nose to Smallpaw's. Tigerpaw pressed his body to Smallpaw's. Bramblepaw awkwardly laid his head on Smallpaw. "I think you're in good paws." Silvermoon smiled. "I'll take you on a patrol tomorrow, get some good sleep." She purred. Smallpaw nodded, licking his friends heads.
Early day cracked through the den, warming a spot on Silvermoon's back. She stretched her paws, yawning. Silvermoon shook out her fur, getting to her paws. The young she-cat strutted out of the den, padding over to Redsnow. She stared at his large figure, as he barked orders at his apprentice. "Who should I take to the dawn patrol?" Silvermoon asked. She didn't like spending time near Redsnow, after what Branchstalk told her of what he supposedly saw. Why would Redsnow murder Tigerfang..? "Maybe, Thornbush, Duskfoot, Shinefire and Darkeye, along with your apprentices." Redsnow mewed. Silvermoon nodded, quickly leaving.
Duskfoot strutted out with a groan. Silvermoon just rested her tail on her apprentice's flank. Smallpaw just looked down tiredly. Rownpaw tried cheering him up by play fighting, but he just rolled over. Thornbush walked out besides Snow-whisker and Darkeye. Silvermoon blinked, overhearing a small conversation. "You know, some cats were convinced you were the father to Redheart's kits for a long time." Darkeye meowed, flicking his tail. There seemed to be a sadness running through him. "Gross. I hate kits." Thornbush snorted. "Plus, I'd never leave Snow-whisker's side." He added with a purr. Snow-whisker pressed his head to Thornbush's neck. "You goof." The white tom purred. Silvermoon narrowed her eyes. Thornbush and Snow-whisker are mates? "Hey! Thornbush and Darkeye, we're on the dawn patrol." Duskfoot yawned, shaking her fur out. She nodded. "Can I join?" Snow-whisker asked. "Sure." Silvermoon meowed. "Bring Hoppaw." She added. The white tom nodded, sprinting to the apprentice's den. Duskfoot sat besides Silvermoon and Smallpaw, talking with her apprentice. She felt Smallpaw wriggle beside her, and he looked up at Silvermoon. "Can I stay in the den..? I'm so tired." He murmured. Silvermoon frowned. He was just starting out. She'd give him a bit of a break. "Alright, but later, let's train okay?" Silvermoon murmured. Smallpaw nodded, trekking back to his den.
Silvermoon lead the patrol across the StoneClan border. She had to make sure no StoneClan cat crossed it. She hadn't affiliated herself much with these cats, mostly because of the age gap. "How do you feel about Blackfeather?" Duskfoot suddenly asked. Silvermoon shivered. "I hate him." She muttered darkly. "He's troublesome and annoying." Thornbush growled. "I hated training him. All he ever talked about was Silvermoon, it was either that or him hating Spidercatcher and Cloudtuft." He added. "I wasn't surprised when he got in trouble." Darkeye murmured. "Blackfeather is just troubled." Snow-whisker added. "I think Blackfeather is just someone who needs a friend." Duskfoot purred. Silvermoon dug her claws into the ground. "We don't know him." Rowanpaw meowed. Hoppaw nodded. "Yeah, he seems like a meany from what Hollyeyes told us." He contributed. Silvermoon just sighed. She wouldn't speak of this anymore.
The monsters zoomed by quickly as the marked the borders between AcornClan and them. Silvermoon was mostly silent and castoff, while the others gossiped. "Mosscloud is expecting!" Duskfoot purred. "The more kits the better." Snow-whisker purred. "I wouldn't be surprised if Shinefire is in there soon." Thornbush snorted. "The way her and Tumbleweed act together." He added. Silvermoon remembered Fireshine and Shinefire's vote for Blackfeather. Betrayal filled her. Her friends, voting for someone who hurt her. "What about you Silvermoon?" Rowanpaw suddenly asked. She was pulled back to reality. "Do you want kits?" She asked. "I'm not sure.." Silvermoon mumbled. "Why not?" Duskfoot asked. "I want kits someday." She purred. "Kits seem like.. a hassle. I'd only have kits if I knew I could handle it." Silvermoon stated, before shutting up again.
Once they were finally at camp, Silvermoon saw the group disband into their friend groups. She watched as Rosefoot's kits nervously padded out of the nursery, amazed and nervous of their surroundings. She smiled, remembering her first time out of the nursery. Such fun and innocent times. Silvermoon grabbed a vole, and padded into the medicine cat den.
As she walked in, she tripped over a small nest. It was a mess! "Branchstalk?" She called. She heard a pile of herbs rustle, and a small black kit popped out. "Hiya!" He purred. "Where's Branchstalk? Who are you?" Silvermoon asked quickly. She dropped the vole in surprise. Badgersight started a loud coughing fit, padding over to Silvermoon. "He went out searching for Pebbleheart. This is Alan, a kit we're taking care of." Badgersight replied, taking the vole. "When will he be back?" Silvermoon asked. She hadn't shared tongues with him in awhile. "Before nightfall hopefully.." The elderly she-cat meowed, before hurrying the she-cat out of the den. Silvermoon sighed, padding off.
Cloudtuft started softly grooming Silvermoon's face. He mostly spoke and told about kittypet life, and the future, while she just pressed into his fluff and got lost. Out of the corner of her eye though, she saw Blackfeather and Redsnow padding away from the medicine cat den, Badgersight storming off behind them.
YOU ARE READING
Wild Shadows (Book Two; Series One)
FantasyA couple moons have passed.. After Silvermoon got away from Blackfeather, she continues life as before. Yet, she still only feels safe in camp. She builds up walls, protecting her from hazardous cats. Meanwhile, Branchpaw is focused on his new care...
