Sometimes a Shadow Wins [C]

Sprucebark had just finished his 3rd … no wait, 4th patrol of of the day. He had been going nonstop since the awful event of finding his sister dead by the river with soot also drowned too. He had been burying himself in work. Most days he would finish exhausted and pass out in his nest just to wake up shortly after to repeat the process. He had not handled the grieving process well at all and was underneath an absolute mess. He didn’t know how to deal with this, the awful complex feeling that haunted him. He felt so empty and miserable.

The river that once offered comfort and calmness now only made him sick and the sound of the running water was just a reminder of what had happened. His mom requested his presence in the leader den. He followed her in. He already had a decent guess what this might be about. His bloodshot eyes glanced up to her, just empty. So far he had tried to run from facing his grief head on. It was eating away at him and he wasn’t really sure how long he could do this anymore.

Generally, Sprucebark was a very open with how things were going especially to his mum. But so far on this one it hasn’t been so easy to even think about yet alone speak about it.

Poppyshines presence helped and he nuzzled her back gently. She pulled away a bit to his dismay and asked him questions… he blinked having to repeat the question in his head a couple times. He took a shaky breath. Sprucebark was a very honest warrior and especially to his mum and deputy. If she asked a question she would get the whole truth. I’m not doing so well mum he finally managed to say. His eyes clouded bordering tears.

I feel just hollow. I’ve never felt this terrible in my life

Sprucebark stayed still letting his mum groom at him like a kit all over again. He didn't know how Poppyshine could always be so loving, warm and positive even after all that had happened to them.

He stayed still the whole time she groomed at him and spoke softly about how Mink and Soot were now in starclan. It didn't really make the hurt any less, but the idea that Mink and Soot were not alone made it at least bearable. Somehow though even in what should have been the lowest point for them she was still able to care for him so much, somehow she had the strength to keep going after losing her daughter and leader and close friend. Just her company was enough to lift the spirits of anyone around her.

She unexpectedly pulled away from him and he glanced upward not really wanting for that moment to end but he guessed it had to have at some point.

She gave him a serious look and he felt the whole mood shifting as he scooted upwards wondering what this was about.

He listened to all her concerns over him. About 100 arguments/excuses popped into his mind of why he was okay to keep working and how the clan really needed him now more than ever with Perch missing and possibly down a life. He was a warrior and needed to help. He let out a little half sigh similar to how he might give before giving Rowansong a lecture on how Rowan shouldnt be breaking some small rule.

All these explanations and excuses were haulted in place however by her last sentence that really hit home to him...

The last thing I want is for you to collapse from working too hard.

He blinked like something hit him gently on the nose. Of course, she was worried that something like what had happened when the twolegs were at 4 trees and he passed out because he and hawk had only just before been swept out by the river and only just gotten back. He gave a little nod of acceptance.

How could he make his mum relive that? Or even have the worry or fear that it could happen again? Especially not right after losing Minksplash. Besides, even if this was not a formal order from his deputy and currently acting leader: it would be viewed as such by him.

"Alright he finally agreed with a little nod.

"I will stay in camp and try and get some rest and recovery. Promise"

He moved back over to her again leaning against her a little, giving a little yawn as he did so. "Mum? Can you tell me a story? Like the ones Auntie Kitespring used to tell when I was a kit?" he asked emrald green eyes looking up at her. He flicked his tail a little thinking of what he wanted to hear about. "Can you tell me the story of how you got your scar?
I asked you as a kit and you told me once I was older... I'm older now" he requested glancing at her.

Sprucebark listened quietly his eyes widened as the story seemed to get darker and darker. He felt numb when she said that this Softfall fellow had tried to kill her. How could anyone want to kill such a kind and loving cat as Poppyshine?

He hid his face into poppyshine's shoulder fur as she finished the story. "I understand now, why you didnt want to tell me as a kit" he finally replied.

As a kit he had just figured some badger or weasel or MAYBE a dark forest cat had gotten her there... he never in his wildest dreams would have thought that another cat would have been capable of such hate. Then again, he also always had been a big history lover often listening to the elders stories of the past and the wars between the thunder and river. It was only now more confirmed in his mind due to what Poppyshine had said the reason for Softfalls anger came from.

It also only further cemented in his mind how important the rules and code were for when strayed from only pain seemed to come from it.

"Thank you, for the story" he knew talking of that maybe wasn't always so easy, however he had in the past always been very open with Poppyshine telling her all about his current life happenings and the such. It wasn't required in his mind that she do the same but it was nice to learn what it was like when she was growing up too.