A New Hope (OPEN, TC Reunion Topic)

Mosspaw pulled her face away from Emberheart's chest as Leoparstar called the summons, and looked up to Highrock with tears still in her eyes, wet streaks down her cheeks. She watching in curiosity as Pricklebush himself moved up the Highrock, but it seemed like something was weighing his paws down, and concern for the medicine cat she respected so much grew. Maybe he would feel a little better once he saw that his nest had been fixed for him, and that some herbs had been gathered already - that might take some worry off of his mind. He certainly needed a good rest after the long journey they had endured. Different expressions crossed her face as Pricklebush told his tale, respect and admiration for the way he took charge of things, surprise and happiness that there was another group of cats who helped them in their time of need, and then horror and fear as he spoke of a terrifying creature called Sharptooth and the battle with more dogs. She shuddered, remembering the group that had left to go to the mountains at Amberdawn's request from StarClan, and the thought of what all had happened. Then the sobs reached her ears, and dismay filled her as Pricklebush choked out the last of the message he had. Blizzardshine... Was dead?... She hadn't gotten the chance to talk to the she-cat much, but she knew parts of her story, and had respected the she-cat.

"Oh no..." She whispered, bowing her head down towards the ground. Then the sound of paws hitting the ground and fleeing into the forest, away from camp came, and she raised her head in time to see Pricklebush's tail disappearing into the forest. She stared at the now empty spot in the tunnel, then up to Leopardstar on the Highrock, then to Emberheart. Should she follow him?... Make sure he stayed safe?... There was still a lot of dangers out there, and he had just gotten home... But maybe he just needed time... Torn between wanting to go comfort him, even if she hadn't ever experienced his level of loss, and not wanting to upset or disturb him more, she hesitated for a few heartbeats longer before sprinting towards the medicine den.

Pushing her way through the ferns, she found the dried pod she was looking for. The head of a poppy flower, she knew that sometimes the seeds would be given to ease the mind and calm cats down sometimes, but as she stared at it she realized she didn't know how many to take. Not wanting to guess and get it wrong, she wrapped the entire head in a leaf carefully before making her way quickly back into the main clearing, and following Pricklebush's scent out of camp, keeping her pace quick to try to catch up to him. Hopefully he hadn't gone far, and the poppy seeds would be able to ease his pain - even if only a little. She gripped the leaf bundle tightly, and hoped it's contents would bring him comfort.

"The two cats were... Firestone of ShadowClan and... And..."

"Blizzardshine."

Leopardstar, who only a moment ago was sitting erect, ears pricked interestedly as the fluffy tan tom recounted marvelous adventures of traveling and fighting and conversing with strange cats, suddenly felt as if he had been struck by lightning.  W-what...?  His heart was pounding; no, it couldn't be true...how could it?  Blizzardshine was not dead.  She had always been there, ever since the day Blacktwig had carried him into camp.  She had stood alongside Darkflight as he had been given his name...and a place to belong.  She was as much a part of ThunderClan to him as she was ThunderClan.  His image of leadership, of how the clan functioned and lived their lives, came from her, and her legacy.  He was her legacy, her apprentice in leadership...but now...never again would he be able to look upon her smiling face, or go to her for advice and support.  Never again...would he stand alongside her on the Highrock.  The last cat whom he would've called a mother...was gone.

He let out a great sigh his lungs had been clinging to, one that rang of such deep pain he could not put it into words.  The golden tom's hazel eyes were dull and unseeing, staring down at the rugged stone beneath his paws.  She used to stand here...she lived in the cave I now inhabit...this is her place.  Maybe if she was still leader...she...  No, he couldn't think that way.  Scrambling together every shred of joy he still possessed, the spotted tabby leader lifted his head to speak to Pricklebush, Blizzardshine's son, only to watch through startled eyes as the distraught medicine cat launched himself off of the stone and raced out into the forest, long tail streaming in his wake.  He rose to his paws, about to try and call him back, before reconsidering.  After all...he himself had always craved silence when mourning.  He could understand.  Nonetheless, Mosspaw followed him with a leaf-wrap in her jaws, but he let her go.  If Pricklebush didn't want help, he knew that he wouldn't hesitate to send her away.  He was a strong cat...but even the most powerful of warriors had no chance against the destructive forces of grief.

A tense quiet had settled over the clearing, and Leopardstar hesitated to break it.  If he was able to, he would already be back in his den, mulling over his memories and trying to pin them down so they could never escape him, but he was the leader.  He needed to be strong...for the sake of all.  His paws shaking, he stood up and gathered himself on the edge of the stone, looking down at the sad faces that surrounded him.  They all grieved, he knew, so it was only fair to allow them to do so in their proper way, despite the lack of a body.  "...Blizzardshine died how she lived...defending her clan and putting us above all else.  She was a true warrior, one not focused on blood or battle, but peace.  She wanted nothing more than to see us all living happy, secure lives...and now, thanks to her sacrifice, we can.  Tonight, we will sit vigil for the she-cat we once called leader, but tomorrow we will continue our work.  Rebuilding the camp, stocking the prey pile, re-marking our borders...she would've been so happy to see our home become what it once was.  So, I ask even those who were never able to know her, to remember Blizzardshine.  With every weaving of a twig, with every creature felled beneath your claws, remember her and all she gave to give you the life you have.  Without her...we would not be the Clan we are today.  And for that, I will be forever thankful."

Lifting his muzzle to the sky, Leopardstar spoke in a tone low and broken, yet there were undertones of nostalgia, of better times flashing through his mind, despite the tears that lingered in the corners of his eyes.

"Blizzardshine...Bluepaw, Violetfall...may you all find good hunting, swift running, and shelter where you sleep.  You will be missed...the stars have gained three good cats."

Marshstorm watched as Pricklebush took the place of Leopardstar at High-rock. Content to let the medicine cat speak as needed, desperate for some news. There were faces missing in the crowd of cats that had just arrived, and he was anxious to learn why. The cause was appearently justified, but as the tale of the sharptooth was told, dread formed a pit in his stomach. His head lowered at the mention of Blizzardshine's death.

The she-cat who had taken him in was gone. She, who had opened up her clan, let Marshpaw into the camp and allowed him to work his way into warriorhood. Who had allowed him to stay even when the ties of family were severed with Coyotefang's death. When she could have turned her back to potential trouble after what he had heard of his sister Wolffang's exploits. The white and black she-cat, Blizzardstar had served her clans for moons... and now... it felt strange to consider her gone.

He glanced over at Leopardstar, as the other tom spoke, he lifted his head. His eyes closed in silent contemplation over the loss that waved over him. Fine warriors and a fine apprentice were lost due to the waters destruction and a sharptooth... yet, as he opened his eyes and looked around. The clan was strong. ThunderClan would survive this, aching and bruised by this new revelation... but it would survive. It had to.