The Need to Run Away (c)

Swanmist didn't like this.

She knew she wasn't liking it but she thought it would get better. She thought that more land prey would come or she would get over her fear.

But still... She couldn't bring herself to eat fish.

She didn't want to die. Nobody did. She couldn't leave her kits alone like that. They'd have Snowdash, but Snowdash wouldn't help them more than he has already.

She had been meaning to thank her father, for everything, and that morning, she did.

But she had also mentioned something else.

And that something... Made Snowdash cry. It tore her up inside to see him tear up like that. But he understood. She understood. So why was she so hesitant to tell her own children?

Deep inside, maybe the queen knew why. Maybe she knew why she was so hesitant, so fearful, to do what needed to be done.

So this time, she WILL tell her children.

Dainty paws leading the way to the Apprentice den, she found her three kits. She whispered quietly near them. "I need to speak with you all, please come meet me outside of the den. It's important, it's for everyone's safety." She was going to tell them. She needed to. She can't stay here any longer.

So she moved outside of the den, away from the groups of cats in the camp, and certainly away from the fresh kill pile.

Hopefully they'll understand... Understand that they needed to leave.

Mintpaw swept out first, concerned by her mother’s words. The grey-furred apprentice pressed close to Swanmist briefly, ears canted to the side in question. I know Mom’s been worried about something. But what could be wrong? Is it about Da? Or... The tallest of her kits’ shoulders tightened, and green eyes glanced inside the apprentices’ den. Is it about us? “Are we okay, Mom?”

The sleepy she-cat woke to her mother's small voice, calling them outside. Stretching her limbs, she felt her leg brush against Pebblepaw, a warm and skinny bundle in their nest. Flurrypaw yawned and gently prodded Pebblepaw. "Pebble, wake up... ma's got something to tell us." Her eyes blinked rapidly, adjusting to the sunlight. Something felt a little off. What could it be? Mintpaw seemed to be wondering the same.

Pebblepaw let out a sleepy groan when Flurrypaw nudged him awake. “Nmh… Can’t she wait till sunrise?” He yawned, sitting up and shakily stretching his lanky limbs. He waited for Flurry to follow Mint outside before he attempted to follow after them. He kept his eyes on his paws as he tried his best not to accidentally step on their new denmates.
When his paw’s finally touched frozen ground instead of another cat’s tail, Pebblepaw let out a quiet sigh and visibly relaxed into his usual crouch beside his sisters. He glanced round at every one and twitched his whiskers. “Everything okay, Ma? You look like you had a bad mouse…”

Swanmist waited for each kit to sit down beside her before she started talking, whispering, more like.

She wasn't sure whether or not they'd agree to leaving the only home they'd ever known. She wouldn't blame them if they didn't, she was hesitant herself, especially after Snowdash's reaction.

"Alright, I know you all are very confused, I've already told Snowdash this but..." She shuffled her paws. Is this the right thing to do?... No, of course it is... She swallowed down her last bit of hesitance and let it all out. "We're leaving Riverclan. We'll go to Thunderclan instead. They have less fish and more good prey there, and I think Minkstar is kind enough to understand... Is... everyone alright with that?" Please be alright with this.. it's for your safety...