your last pretense (solo)

Perchstar should have known that the peace would not last long.

All things considered, RiverClan was thriving. Finally, the dark shadows that had lingered for so long had been driven away, never to return. The sun shone down brightly, warming Sunningrocks as well as the sandy shores by the river. Flowers and herbs were beginning to grow again. Fish filled the rivers, and even the Beech Copse was beginning to be overrun by birds and voles and other such prey. There was a new leader, and a new deputy, and the Clans would meet again at Fourtrees under the full moon tomorrow night. All had returned to normal. Or at least, that was how it seemed.

She had gone out for yet another walk. The territory was just too stunning to resist; rustling reeds, the soft sound of rushing water, and the ever-present glowing sun warming the earth beneath her paws. The gray and white she-cat found herself wandering the territory often once more, now that she was no longer buried under a mountain of duties to perform. Of course, there was still work to be done, but far less than usual. And so-- for the first time since she had become deputy-- Perchstar was once again able to indulge in her favorite, peaceful pastime. Except now, it no longer felt like an escape from her Clanmates. It was no longer a mechanism where she had to go somewhere else to feel like herself. She was incredibly blessed that all of her Clanmates and friends were so kind to her. Friends. I can actually say that I have friends now. And not just friends... a mate. Another burst of happiness suffused her heart once more at the thought of Ashflight. His bright green eyes were always with her in her thoughts, making her feel more at peace than she ever had before. He loved her... and she loved him. It would take some getting used to, but it was an idea that she was particularly fond of. It seemed like everything was as close to perfect as it could possibly be.

Pondering these thoughts, enjoying the lingering warmth of the sun on her pelt, Perchstar walked along the banks of the river. It was still full and high, but not as overflowing with chunks of snow and ice as it had been over the long, harsh leaf-bare. Now, though the current was still fast, the silver gleam of a fish would be visible through the clear, sparkling waters. It was almost tempting to stop and swipe a few of the plentiful fish out of the water. However, the fresh-kill pile in camp was already large, and every cat had more than enough to eat. If she caught any more, they would just go bad sitting out in the sunlight. Still, out of habit more than anything else, her blue eyes flickered towards the river every so often, keeping an eye out for the fish that inevitably appeared every so often. She had to walk for a few more minutes before she noticed that something was off.

Floating down the river... a chunk of cream-colored fur.

Perchstar stopped for a moment. Where had that come from? Was somebody swimming upstream? Had they begun to shed from the warmth of the sun after several frigid moons of snow? Yes... that had to be it. Still, it was a large chunk of fur. And the color looked suspiciously familiar. Despite the lack of evidence that it might be from something bad, her stomach began to churn. Her paws moved quicker, eyes no longer leaving the river that she walked alongside. Sure enough-- another scrap of fur floated past. Then another. That was too much for the cause to be innocent. Where was the fur coming from? A strange smell laced the air as her pace picked up. It smelled off, but she couldn't quite place why.

A memory, returning strongly to her mind, unbidden, made her stop in her tracks again. It reminded her strongly of Poppyshine as an apprentice... after she had dragged the she-cat out of the river by her scruff. The scent of waterlogged fur, of silt from the river bottom, accompanied by another that had become all too familiar over the moons of the Dark Forest's reign. The scent of death.

Perchstar began running upstream, almost unthinkingly. Her heartbeat sped up. Anxiety began to shoot through her veins, accompanied by the adrenaline of fear. It couldn't be what she thought it was... could it? No, it was unthinkable. And yet, as the scent grew stronger, and as she neared its source, it seemed believable. After all, it had happened before, hadn't it? That patrol with Jaystar and Ashflight and the others... When they discovered what had happened to Ivystar. That had also been unthinkable. Yet, it had happened. But, who... and why?

There, in the distance-- a form, in the river. Another chunk of fur floated by. Undeniably, that form was the source. Perchstar slowed down unconsciously. A creeping sense of dread began to accompany the churning in her stomach. Some part of her wanted to turn around, to leave, so that she wouldn't have to find out whose body was pinned there between the rocks. If she didn't see it, the childish part of her reasoned, then it wouldn't have happened. She wouldn't have to deal with the potential fallout... or the grief. "Perchfall, I give you the life of courage." Something tightened within her-- some kind of resolve kept her paws moving forward. As much as she wished that she wouldn't have to. A few pawsteps forward confirmed what she had been afraid of. It was a corpse. Familiar cream-colored fur, torn ears.... There was no mistaking the she-cat. Cloverheart. The medicine cat's body had drifted for a while, until two large rocks kept it from drifting further. As Perchstar watched, another piece of fur came loose and began to slowly drift down the swift river current. The scent of death was so thick it almost made Perchstar choke. Still, there was something else buried under that scent... something other than the scent of herbs, and silt, and muck, and water. A scent that was normally only present at Gatherings, or even further upstream the river, on their side of the border.

"SkyClan." It was unmistakable.

Squaring her shoulders, Perchstar leaned forward, grabbing the she-cat's scruff between her teeth. Not only was Cloverheart's corpse dead weight, but it was also weighed down by water. She could barely budge it, but after a few minutes of pulling, she managed to drag the waterlogged form from between the rocks that had kept it from becoming lost to the current. Then, panting, she leaned forward, inspecting the body closer. "Sorry, Cloverheart... I promise, after this, you will receive a vigil. But I need to check something." The smell of death was strong, but-- sure enough-- the stench of SkyClan radiated from the medicine cat's pelt. On her shoulders were pinprick wounds, obviously caused by the claws of another cat, pushing Cloverheart down into the water in order to drown her. The dread and fear in the leader's stomach was slowly transformed into a calm, cautious anger. What SkyClan cat thought they could get away with this? And what cat would have reason to murder the spunky medicine cat? Whose vendetta would be so bold? The scent was so strong, Perchstar had to take a deep breath before leaning even closer, looking down at her Clanmate's claws. A medicine cat would rarely unsheathe their claws... but Cloverheart had. And, it was just as she'd hoped. A scrap of fur-- silver tabby instead of cream. Likely from the murderer. Better yet... a lead. Proof.

The emotions swirling around inside Perchstar's head were a mess. Grief for a cat she had barely known... rage at her unnecessary, untimely death... fear for their Clan without a trained medicine cat or apprentice. However, there was one clear course of action that rose beyond all of her feelings. She had to take Cloverheart back to camp. There, she would converse with Poppyshine and the rest of the Clan. This crime would not go unpunished. With her heart as heavy as the task before her, the leader steeled her nerves before leaning down to Cloverheart's body once more. It was a long way to drag her back, but she could not leave her lying there so pathetically a moment longer. She deserved rest in her camp, surrounded by the Clanmates she had served so well. And... she deserved justice. You will have it, Cloverheart. I will find your killer.