Love Can Mend (CLOSED FOR DIMMEH)

Emberfall trotted along the path she took to visit the Thunderpath, her mind was clear as the season seemed to be getting warmer. She was hoping to find her mate, Blacktwig, who she hadn't seen in a long while. Was Blacktwig going through a hard time though? She really needed to know, it was very important to her.

Blacktwig, with the same desire in mind, prowled along the Thunderpath. Since the last meeting with Emberfall, the tom had grown—he was more rugged, with a full pelt color and even scarcely noticeable flecks of grey across his muzzle. He raised his head, the pale cadmium light drifting softly over his broad crown. "Hello?" he mewed tentatively, gazing across the hard, ebony path. The stench rose up, rank to his nostrils. He resisted pulling back; for his eyes craved the sight of Emberfall. So many events had occurred, and he needed to inform her. He watched diligently for the fur of his calico mate, like patches of snow, coal, and wheat.

The warm calico had noticed the outline of her mate. He had grown much older, his fur was noticeably different and he seemed to have looked as if he had faded since the last time they had met. It was true that there were many differences to the she-cat herself but she hadn't of looked at herself in a slight amount of time. The colorful splotches that were placed on her back had also seemed to of loosed their color too. Her eyes were less colorful and her tail was mostly held down until she had seen her mate, slowly it raised up proudly. Her mouth curled into a smile and her gaze lit up as if they were restored with kit eyes "Blacktwig!" she said, her voice chipped like a birds voice.

Blacktwig raced across the Thunderpath, as soon as the sweet sound entered his ears. He barrelled her over, adoration in his gaze. He grinned from audit to audit. "Emberfall," he purred. Blemishes of melting snow were scattered and strewn throughout the grass. He raised himself on his paws, neck still craned to touch his nose to his mate's. "I have so much to tell you... where do I begin?" he asked. He felt as if his youth was fully restored, a kit-like excitement connoting in his voice. He wouldn't tell unless Emberfall prompted him, of course—some of the news was dismaying, and he wouldn't force it down the calico she-cat's throat.

The she-cat smiled and purred happily as her mate had responded to her, she was happy that he had news to tell her, what if it was bad though? She looked at him worriedly now "Is the news bad, I'm fairly worried about it...and you" she mewed, her gaze turned to her worried one and her voice began to crack as she spoke, she was easily driven be upset about news sometimes.

"Well..." hesitated Blacktwig, his tail's joyful waving abruptly ceasing. The breeze howled moodily around them, as if it expected the news to be disappointing. "Emberfall, some is good and some is bad." Blacktwig got off of the calico molly, grooming his fur. "Which do you want to hear first?" he offered, looking up. Even though he expected the answer, he wanted to be completely sure. Mottledwing had vanished; if she chose bad, perhaps he would tell that to her first.

Emberfall listened carefully to Blacktwig as he spoke to her, she was very cautious on what she would pick. Maybe, if she picked the bad news first, the good news would be able to help her get over the bad news and hopefully make her feel better. To her, the only thing she could chose first was the bad news. She opened her mouth "Bad news" she mewed, her mouth was trembling as she already half regretting what she had chose to say, but it was probably too late to change it now. She stared at Blacktwig, waiting for the news to slip out of his mouth.

Blacktwig stayed silent for a long time, his eyes darkening. He felt a sob rise up in his throat, recalling all of the terrible events that occurred. "Okay," he whispered, with a baleful tone. He wasn't mad at her; he was mad at himself, for failing as a father. With a lugubrious expression, he began—tentatively, like he'd hewn all of his confidence. "I fear... M-Mottledwing is gone. I don't know where she is, or if she's even alive..." he said, voice cracking. "I'm sorry... a-and Emberheart nearly killed a ShadowClan warrior... she's my sister." Blacktwig looked up, fretting inwardly. How would she react? Probably angrily. He continued, drawing in a breath that was all aquiver. "She mated with a RiverClan cat... her daughter doesn't trust her or Pinewhisker anymore... but none of that matters." Blacktwig said coldly. "Markedpaw is dead, Swiftheart is dead." The tom hung his head, choking on his own words, as if he had fresh-kill stuck in his throat. The morbid vocalizations were like cobwebs snaring his body. A single teardrop slid down his cheek, falling to the ground. The wind howled, as if it were mourning, too.

Emberfall stared, her eyes showed disbelief. Her mouth showed nothing, and her body soon moved towards Blacktwig. She wrapped herself around him and closed her eyes "We still haven't failed as parents, Blacktwig. Our kits may have gone down different paths that they shouldn't of gone down but...that isn't either of our faults." she explained softly "Remember that we can't control everything and we need to just be proud that our kits are happy. Mottledwing though...she may not be gone...if she is that won't change us. If someone blames you about that, you can't let that sound like the truth. She will always be with us no matter what." Emberfall was careful with her words. She pulled herself away from Blacktwig and look into his eyes, her vision was blurry as she felt the small drops run down her face.

"I hope so," whimpered Blacktwig. He sighed softly, burying his muzzle into Emberfall's thick fur. He wrapped his tail around her, knowing that Mottledwing was gone for now. What if she never returned? Blacktwig's mind swam with disdainful thoughts.

Emberfall was reminded of the good information that Blacktwig was probably going to be happy to share with her, she looked back at Blacktwig "Now, I tit's time we have the good news be brought" she mewed with a smile, hoping to make Blacktwig feel a little better. She didn't want to deal with sadness right now...it was too early.

Blacktwig blinked warmly at her, recalling all of the good memories that came flooding back. "Emberheart had a litter of kits," he said, nuzzling Emberfall suggestively, "and we have several new members as Leafbare progresses into warmer weather. Maplecloud is a warrior, and Lionspark and Bramblefrost are mates now." Blacktwig smiled brightly. He felt like a leader at a Gathering, and although the news came in swift breaths, he was glad to pronounce it. "Grasswhisker had a litter of kits, too," he mewed. He curled his tail around Emberfall, letting out a soft giggle. He enjoyed being around her; she smelled of the moor, cinnamon and cloves.

Emberfall smiled "That is great news!" she chirped, something she hadn't done in some time. Emberfall sometimes wished she could just move to ThunderClan and be with her whole new family, though it may never happen, it made her happy inside just thinking of it. But leaving WindClan would be a bigger choice, one she wouldn't be able to make fast enough.

Blacktwig settled down on Emberfall, feeling as if the world would just... stop. Stop and leave them in this moment, until the end of time. And, the tortoiseshell tom didn't want it to cease; he wanted it to thrive. He saw the moor, breaking off where the wooded thicket of trees gestured to their shade, but he stayed with Emberfall. He let out the soft note of a purr.

Emberfall was snuggled next to Blacktwig, his warmth felt nice. She began to speak "I believe that I have carried some good news on the way here as well..." she mewed, with a smile that showed it was pretty important to the two.