ooc - warning: mild description of death
SkyClan's beautiful forest was unfurled in a breathtaking display of vibrant life - the canopies of the trees were lush and the emerald leaves shimmered in the dappled sunlight that filtered through the strong branches overhead. Shafts of golden light painted the forest floor, creating a mosaic of sunlit patches. The humid air was infused with the scent of blooming flowers and damp soil, carried by a gentle breeze. Over the soft rustling of the leaves were the the calls of songbirds and the crashing of the lake against the shore.
Yewkit raced through the forest, weaving in between trees and his fur brushing against the tall ferns - laughter bubbling from his tiny chest as Cricketkit and Myrtlekit darted ahead. As they playfully leaped through the underbrush, he struggled to keep their pace. They disappeared into a thicket of brush and they were nowhere in sight after he cleared it. In that moment, it felt like the world shifted. Panic seized him and he unsheathed his claws, digging into the dirt. "Cricketkit? Myrtlekit?!" He called out to his sisters, his voice cracking with distress as tears welled up in his eyes. "Where are you?!"
The ground beneath him released an angry roar as it crumbled, and he plummeted into the darkness below with a loud scream. He crashed, falling onto a cold and smooth floor with a loud thud. He lifted his head to a shallow cave, and his eyes flashed with recognition. This is where Honeypaw told me she'd always look out for me. She was there, cuddling the rest his litter in that same scene. Their faces were blank, missing and they were not moving. She's a kit trying to fill footsteps too big for her. "Thank you, Honeypaw." He mewed quietly to himself, his tone as formal and detached as it was on that very night. We have nobody else. Unalarmed and uninterested in joining them once again, he padded towards a small puddle that had pooled into the center of the cave from melting snow. He sought his reflection in it, curious if he didn't have a face either. He sat down and peeked into it, his eyes sparkling with interest.
To his surprise, Mallowpaw's smiling face stared back at him - his eyes squeezed shut with joy. Liar! His ears flattened and he released a loud hiss. He lashed out, claws unsheathed, desperate to erase the tom. He striked the puddle and he released a soft sigh of relief as cold water sprayed his chest and front legs. As he lifted his head up, Paledove stood silently on the other side of the puddle. Her expression was twisted with disappointment and anger, rage roaring in her mismatched gaze. It contrasted harshly against the shock that painted his own.
Overwhelmed with guilt, he crouched down and dipped his head. "I'm sorry, mommy." He whimpered out. Tears streamed down his face, mixing with the puddle at his paws.
Cowards never make it far in this world.
He released a soft sob as her very words echoed in his mind. The weight of them made him feel like he couldn't breathe. Every word felt like it was being etched into his pelt.
SkyClan deserves cats who can stand tall, like trees. Not those who crumble at the first sign of trouble. SkyClan needs warriors, not weepy kits. Do you see any other cat breaking down like you are? No. Because they understand the importance of composure.
He looked up at his mother - his vision blurry with tears, yet her expression remained unchanged.
Do you think crying will earn you sympathy? Mallowkit is an anomaly - other cats won't be as kind. How do you expect to protect your sisters?
In an instant, the sorrow transformed into a fiery rage that coursed through his veins. His claws unsheathed and scrapped against the cold and smooth cave floor. His tear-streaked face contorted with fury, and with a guttural growl, he jumped across the puddle at Paledove. His tormentor. His teeth sank into her neck, the taste of copper flooding his mouth as he clamped down. Warmth ran down his chest in pulses. The moment felt like an eternity, but he eventually lightened his grip and her lifeless body collapsed to the ground at his paws. He wasn't quite sure when she stopped breathing and went limp. He looked down at her motionless form with wide eyes. The satisfaction he derived from looking at what he had done was both alarming and strangely empowering. Better yet, it was the best thing he had ever felt. His breaths were ragged, his body trembling with the intensity of the final emotions that lingered.
The echoes of his mother's harsh words began to fade, repeating for a final time.
You must learn to control your emotions, Yewkit. Or else, you'll be a liability to yourself and the entire clan.
Yewpaw awoke in the middle of the night. His wide eyes darted around the dimly lit apprentice den as he lifted out of his nest. The soft breathing of his peers surrounded him. His heart was still racing. The taste of copper that lingered in his mouth served as a haunting reminder of why he was stirred awake. He felt a strange clarity in his mind and he was unsettlingly calm. He surveyed the sleeping forms of his denmates as he stepped around them, his nose wrinkling in disgust as he passed Mallowpaw. Finally, he slipped through the entrance and padded towards the exit of the camp.
He just needed a breath of fresh air.
