Silverwing's Story: Unraveled

Chapter Three

A long pause followed Rin's words. Silverwing's mind was spinning, and her heart was racing. What did this strange cat mean? There were cats in her own clan who wanted Sparrowsong dead?

No, she told herself. It's not possible. This she-cat is just mouse-brained, there's no one in Thunderclan would even dream of hurting Sparrowsong! I should leave, I don't want to hear this fox dung--

"I know what you're thinking," Rin's voice ripped Silverwing away from her thoughts; the she-cat was looking into her eyes steadily."You think I'm insane to say that. After all, everyone in your clan is innocent. They weren't behind your mentor's death; it was all Crow's doing, was it not?"

Silverwing remained silent, and Rin took this chance to continue, glancing to the side, "The truth is, silver bird, that your clan isn't the way it seems. I'm just trying to warn you before it's too late."

After a long moment, Silverwing finally spoke, meowing quietly, "I get that... But whatever your reasoning behind this is, I'm going to have a hard time believing that my own clan--no, my own family is behind Sparrowsong's death."

Rin dipped her head, swishing her tail gently. "Every family has their secrets. Your clan is no exception. Silver bird--"

"It's Silverwing."

"Silver bird, Crow was not the one behind your mentor's untimely death. He was simply a tool." Rin's purple eyes were gleaming now. Persistence reflected from them into Silverwing's; this she-cat was not going to give up anytime soon. She stood up, taking a step closer to the young warrior. "I'm only telling you to be care--"

"Stop it." Silverwing couldn't take it anymore. "I'm tired of this." She looked back down, parting her jaws to take a deep breath. "I'm tired of all of these secrets, questions, red-eyed villains, everything. If you're here to tell me that I'm not safe in my own territory, then don't say anything." She was surprised with herself. She saw hurt flash through Rin's eyes, but although she felt bad, she couldn't back down now. "These stupid, secretive meetings are going to get me killed. I'm done. I've seen you before. You were walking away from those rogues that night. You might've tried to cover it up, but you can't fool me. I saw you from the treetops. You reeked of their scent, and you still do." Silverwing's memories flooded back like a monster barreling down a Thunderpath. Even in the dead of night, she couldn't mistake those purple eyes. 

Rin was too surprised to say anything. Silverwing knew it. This she-cat was trying to fool her by pretending to be some kind of ethereal messenger coming to warn her about the trials she'd face in the future. No. She was just a rogue who came to stir up more trouble. "You need to leave. My clan has had enough of your kind for a lifetime." She began to turn away, starting towards the exit.

"Wait, please, I--"

Silverwing turned and snapped, "Just leave me alone!" She was surprised by the emotion cracking through her voice. Silence settled in between the two she-cats for a long moment before finally, Silverwing continued. "I just want a break. Is that too much to ask? I don't know what every cat around this lake has against me, but I am sick of it."

Rin didn't speak. Instead, her gaze was focused on her paws, guilt-ridden. Deciding that further ranting wouldn't settle this, Silverwing sighed and turned away once more, padding quietly towards the exit. Her heart was ready to beat out of her chest. She had never scolded someone like that before, and it almost made her feel bad. No, you're right. She's just a rogue, nothing more.

Walking back to camp alone would have been refreshing if it wasn't for her cluttered thoughts. They tugged at her conscience, begging to be heard, but Silverwing didn't want to listen. Just as she said before, she was tired of everything. Fighting a dog, arguing with Windclan and a rogue... she was in great need of a mental rest.