Cloudflare, Pipertuft, Rowanglade, & Anyone who wakes up.
A dream, & the aftermath of that dream.
Warrior's Den, WindClan Camp
11
Love is just a cloudy sky as far as I can see
⤝ ⥈ ⥈ ☁ ⥈ ⥈ ⤞
Cloudflare shifted in his nest, the moss rustling faintly under the weight of his broad frame. Sleep clung to him like tatters and never quite settling. His muscles twitched as if chasing some unseen quarry, paws kneading against the bedding before stilling again. His tail tip gave a restless little flick brushing against the wall of his nest.
Beneath his closed lids his eyes darted, sharp and unsettled, chasing shapes and fears that refused to quiet. His breath came uneven, chest rising and falling in shallow waves. Each time he stilled it wasn't long before it came again and stretched for what seemed to him to be an eternity.
Worry sat heavy in his mind. All he could think about was his kin in the sick den. Pipertuft’s ragged breaths and the hot rush of blood between his claws. They had frantically dashed back to camp, but was it enough? Had he done enough?
To all those who will listen
. · ˚ ✧ · ˚ · ✧ ˚ · .
The gentle rolls of the dark mists of sleep drifted around Cloudflare, ebbing and flowing like the waters of the great sea that none had visited in living memory.
Quietly the mists coalesced, slowing forming into a familiar section of moor with a thin line of trees shielding the thunderpath from view. This time it was clear of the signs of battle and damp as if rains had come and washed it clean.
Then the brush of quiet pawsteps and a flash of red fur.
First we make our choices. Then our choices make us
‹‹‹‹ ››››
”Cloudflare.” The voice was quiet, as if trying not to startle. ”Brother of mine, I need you to wake up.”
Love is just a cloudy sky as far as I can see
⤝ ⥈ ⥈ ☁ ⥈ ⥈ ⤞
Cloudflare’s ears flicked at the sound, the dream mists curling tighter around him until that flash of red fur brought him upright from sleep.
”Pipertuft - “ The name tore from him in a rough desperate rasp and for a heartbeat his chest swelled with relief so fierce it almost hurt. His paws carried him forward before he even thought, tail bristling with unspent dread that melted in the sight of her standing whole. Okay. ”You’re - StarClan, you’re here…”
But as quickly as the warmth rose, it guttered. His ears tilted back as the weight of truth pressed down on him. This wasn’t dawn breaking over the moor. This was mist and silence, and the kind of meeting that only came when paws had already left the waking world.
His throat tightened, voice thinning to a rasp. ”Pipertuft… I - ” He faltered, claws flexing into the ground of the dream so that they may ground them both here. A soft, wistful chuckle left him. ”Y-You should be in the sick den…”
First we make our choices. Then our choices make us
‹‹‹‹ ››››
Her green eyes softened as Clourflare’s voice tightened. ”I am here.” Pipertuft’s voice was quiet as she confirmed the truth. ”And I am there. Just only what I will leave behind.”
She walked around her brother, the fluff of her tail lifting over him in comfort as the scent of lavender clung to her fur. ”StarClan knew it had to be me or us.” She stopped when she was in front of him again. ”Whatever happened, I was going to walk in StarClan.” There was pain in her voice and green eyes. She had chosen, but that didn’t make the pain of change any less.
Love is just a cloudy sky as far as I can see
⤝ ⥈ ⥈ ☁ ⥈ ⥈ ⤞
Cloudflare’s breath hitched, his broad frame seeming to draw in on itself as her words sank in. He wanted to argue, to demand she take the path towards recovery and not the stars. But her scent wrapped around him, and the brush of her tail stilled the protest trembling on his tongue.
His copper eyes burned, a low rumble catching in his chest as though growl and purr warred within him. "You should’ve had more time...I would’ve carried you every step back if it meant keeping you here."
He drew in a sharp breath, lifting his gaze again to hers steadier but shining with unshed grief. "But if this is the path… then I’ll see you in the stars, Pipertuft." He stepped close. "And I swear, every cat you leave behind will remember your strength. I’ll make sure of it."
First we make our choices. Then our choices make us
‹‹‹‹ ››››
Pipertuft purred at Cloudflare’s conviction. ”The attacks will not fade from memory without a fight, even when other things come to pass.” Her eyes went distant for a moment, as if seeing far beyond the place they were. Then Pipertuft shook herself violently. ”I don’t know how Laughingfox was so focused when he told me to protect Rowanglade at all costs… You would not believe how vast the skies are…”
She rose back to her paws. ”I’ve only just started to see just how much there really is…” Pipertuft’s voice was quiet as her eyes drifted through the empty, ethereal moor around them. Occasionally her eyes slid to a stop and drew a focus on something only she could see.
Love is just a cloudy sky as far as I can see
⤝ ⥈ ⥈ ☁ ⥈ ⥈ ⤞
Cloudflare’s ears pricked his breath catching as her words tumbled through the mist between them. Laughingfox… The name alone stirred a ripple of awe and unease through his chest. He had grown up on stories of the medicine cat who’d walked before Rowanglade.
”He spoke to you?” The words left him half whispered, rough with disbelief. His tail lashed once, then stilled as his gaze fixed on her, hungry for every detail. ”He told you that - to protect Rowanglade?” His heart thudded, sharp and heavy, as the weight of the meaning settled in.
He glanced around the mist. ”Pipertuft…I’ll make sure Rowanglade knows. I don't know what she'll do, but...it's good to know that you're still fighting for us.” His gaze softened, caught between pride and grief.
First we make our choices. Then our choices make us
‹‹‹‹ ››››
”At all costs, yes.” She confirmed Cloudflare’s question, suddenly fully present again. Pipertuft looked directly at Cloudflare, finally meeting his eyes again.
”Rowanglade has likely realized what he must have told me.” There was a hint of humor in Pipertuft’s words now. ”He whispered them to me right in front of her.”
She made her way around him once more, sitting has she had in the same manner as the beginning. ”That message doesn’t matter, but I do have one that will…”
Love is just a cloudy sky as far as I can see
⤝ ⥈ ⥈ ☁ ⥈ ⥈ ⤞
Cloudflare’s ears tipped forward, the flicker of humor in her tone not lost on him though it barely softened the tightness in his chest. He turned as she moved his broad shoulders shifting so his gaze never left her.
Her words pulled him taut with attention. A message that mattered.
”Then tell me.” His voice came low and steady. His copper eyes burned with fierce devotion and his whole frame drew toward her like a moth to flame. ”Whatever it is, Pipertuft...I’ll carry it. For you.”
He heaved a grounding breath. ”I swear, sister, you’ll not have spoken in vain.”
First we make our choices. Then our choices make us
‹‹‹‹ ››››
Pipertuft gave a pleased purr when Cloudflare swore to bring the message. ”I have four to choose from… And one is not like the others. The one I choose is the one that will take up my duties.”
Then Pipertuft reached down into the grasses of the moor, where their was nothing and yet somehow pulled forth a twig of ash that was rich with the fresh green leaves and keys of spring to drop at her half-brother’s paws.
”Tell Rowanglade that she must begin now if she wishes to retire. She’ll know what that means when you give it to her.” An ear quirked towards the verdant little twig.
Love is just a cloudy sky as far as I can see
⤝ ⥈ ⥈ ☁ ⥈ ⥈ ⤞
Cloudflare stared down at the ash twig, its fresh leaves trembling faintly in the dream mist, before lifting his gaze back to Pipertuft. His breath caught, and for a moment he simply looked at her memorizing her as she was now, whole and shining untouched by wounds or blood.
His voice broke rough when he finally spoke. ”I’ll give it to her. I’ll make sure she understands.” He bent his head.
Then he rose, stepping close enough that his fur brushed hers. His copper eyes burned bright, wet with the grief he could no longer hide. ”Goodbye, Pipertuft. May your paws run easy in the stars.”
His tail brushed her flank once, lingering, a final tether before the mists threatened to pull her away. ”I’ll see you again, sister.”
First we make our choices. Then our choices make us
‹‹‹‹ ››››
Pipertuft returned the gesture, dissolving into the sudden breeze that sprang up and blew the ghostly tendrils of her form towards Cloudflare. ”Take your time, Brother.” Those last words drifted in the melting moor before it all drifted back into the darkness of sleep.
Love is just a cloudy sky as far as I can see
⤝ ⥈ ⥈ ☁ ⥈ ⥈ ⤞
Cloudflare jolted awake, his chest heaving as if he’d run the length of the moor. His nest crackled beneath him, moss kicked askew by the force of his sudden rise. For a heartbeat he thought it had only been a dream until his gaze fell to the ash twig resting among the bedding, green leaves still fresh and whole.
The sharp scent of lavender clung to his nose, achingly real. There was no time to waste. Rowanglade had to know.
He barreled from his nest and scooped the twig up in his jaws, broad paws pounding the earth as he shouldered through the quiet of camp. The cool night air bit at his fur but did nothing to slow him as he made straight for the medicine den as if there was another emergency.
”Rowanglade!” His voice rang rough, urgent to cut through the stillness. He ducked into the shadows of the den entrance, copper eyes burning. “Rowanglade!”
Healing is a matter of time,
but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity.
‹‹‹‹ ››››
”Quiet!” A soft voice hissed. The pale shape raised her head from where she lay between the still red form next to her and the entrance of the Sick Den. ”You’ll wake the dead making so much noise!”
Rowanglade slide as lightly to her paws as a cat of her age could. Her ears were back when she looked in confusion at the red and white tom. It was impressive that he’d been loud enough to wake the entire camp while carrying a leafy twig.
Love is just a cloudy sky as far as I can see
⤝ ⥈ ⥈ ☁ ⥈ ⥈ ⤞
Cloudflare froze at Rowanglade’s hiss, his ears flattening as the weight of her words struck him. The copper of his gaze slipped past her to the still red pelt lying in the shadows of the den. His breath caught in his throat, the reality of it crashing down hard enough to steal his voice for a moment.
His chest ached, and he swallowed hard against the tightness rising there. Did Rowanglade already know? Or was he the one who had to shatter what little rest she had left?
He stepped forward slowly, careful, the ash twig lowering from his jaws until it rested gently on the earth between them. His voice was quieter now, rough around the edges, but urgent all the same.
”Rowanglade…” He dipped his head, steadying himself before the words came. ”Pipertuft walks with StarClan. I saw her.. In my dream. Pipertuft came to me.” His tail lashed once and stilled, claws digging faintly into the ground. ”She wants me to deliver a message to you.”
Healing is a matter of time,
but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity.
‹‹‹‹ ››››
”WHAT?!” The snarl that ripped from the old Medicine Cat only added to the disturbance that Cloudflare had already made. Rowanglade whirled, leaping back into the sick den. There, in the darkness, she reached for her apprentice with a paw.
What she found was not just still, but cold and without the pulse of life’s blood through her veins. Rowanglade stayed in the darkness next to the body, and her voice was eerily calm as she spoke next. ”She came to you?”
Rowanglade felt overwhelmed with failure. With cowardice. With dread.
Love is just a cloudy sky as far as I can see
⤝ ⥈ ⥈ ☁ ⥈ ⥈ ⤞
His heart thundered against his ribs as he bent to take up the twig once more. With careful, deliberate steps he followed her into the sick den. Pipertuft. His sister’s form lay still and cold.
He sank to his belly beside her, pressing his nose deep into her pelt. The scent of lavender clung there faintly still, so achingly real that it nearly undid him. He lingered there a heartbeat longer before pulling away, forcing himself to be steady. For Pipertuft... and for Rowanglade.
Setting the twig down at the old medicine cat’s paws, Cloudflare’s copper eyes lifted to meet hers. His voice was low and reverent, carrying the weight of every word.
”She did. She came to me whole and strong, in a thick mist. She told me Laughingfox told her to protect you at all costs but she said that you probably already suspected as much since you were there with her. But...this is what she really wanted me to tell you.”
He nudged the ash twig forward, the green leaves trembling in the dim light. ”And then she gave me this. Said to tell you 'you must begin now if you wish to retire'. That you’d understand the meaning. Rowanglade… she wanted me to carry this to you. She said it was her choice to pick... To make sure her message reached you.”
His gaze softened raw with grief and pride alike. ”She fought for us, even in her last breath. And she wanted you to know.”
Healing is a matter of time,
but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity.
‹‹‹‹ ››››
There was a flare of anger at the confirmation that Laughingfox had been at play in Pipertuft’s choices. That he had been the pressure that brought omen and power together into her obedience…
How dare he!
Then, as quickly as it came, she let the thoughts go. The feelings lingered, but that would be for another time. When she could vent them where she wanted.
”Begin now?…” Rowanglade asked herself quietly, while reaching a paw out to catch her claws in the wood of the twig and lift it.
Ash.
Verdant and healthy, still putting forth new buds even though it was Green-leaf, not budding-time in New-leaf… She couldn’t mean… Could she?
”He’s too young. We can’t start now.” Confusion colored Rowanglade’s voice. ”You’re positive that’s what Pipertuft said?”
Love is just a cloudy sky as far as I can see
⤝ ⥈ ⥈ ☁ ⥈ ⥈ ⤞
Cloudflare’s ears flicked back, uncertainty tightening his chest at her words. Still... he didn’t look away. "I’m positive." He answered, the words firm despite the ache in his throat.
"Every part of her felt… real. Her voice, her scent. Pipertuft didn’t stumble in her message. She wanted me to carry it to you, and she trusted... me to." He glanced to the twig again, copper eyes softening as if it were Pipertuft’s paw pressing it forward. "She knew you’d understand...I know he's too young, and it's a lot of StarClan's expectation to be put on him..."
He drew a breath, even softer. "Pipertuft belives in him, though...and she believes in you." His own tail went to rest lightly on the medicine cat's flank in comfort.
FROM RIVERCLAN:
Cottonbright, ♀ Anxious Senior Warrior
Nettleplume, ♂ Cynical Medicine Cat
Merryaster, ♀ Insightful Warrior
Otterwhisker, ♀ Adventurous Elder
Tangleloon, ♂ Whimsical Elder
FROM THUNDERCLAN:
Bravesong, ♂ Gracious Elder
Leopardrose, ♀ Striving Warrior
Wildcry, ♀ Fierce Elder
Rimekit, ♀ Rowdy kit
FROM WINDCLAN:
Cloudflare, ♂ Suave Senior Warrior
Barleyswipe, ⚧ Ornery Elder
Heatherpaw, ♀ Sincere Apprentice
Smokekit , ♂ Assured Kit
FROM SHADOWCLAN:
Palestar, ♀ Stern Leader
Honeyglow, ♂ Reserved Elder
Emberdust, ♀ Artless Warrior
Duskmantle, ♂ Opportunistic Warrior
FROM WHITEHART & BEYOND:
Ahryndae, ♀ Princess of Camelot
Lelouch Von Noon, ♂ Marquess of Noon Cattery
Kosmo, ♂ Visionary Feral
Montgomery (Monty), ♂ Sentimental Semi-Feral
Like the sun, I may burn fiercely, but it's my fire that warms those I hold dear.
━✦━✶━✺━☀️━✺━✶━✦━
A soft growl came from the entrance to the den, though there was no real bite behind the noise that came from the mink elder at least not really. "Seems the warriors these days wouldn't understand a good nights sleep if it hit them in the-" Sunbear paused her words, glancing towards Rowanglade and the limp red form laid beside her. A soft dip of a muzzle was all the consolation Sunbear knew how to give in that very moment.
"I'm... sorry Rowanglade" Sunbear muttered, the dark scent of death, faint and new, all at once drifted about but it didn't need mentioning. Sunbear had no need to be grumpy with the cat that essentially allowed her a home in WindClan. Though she assumed StarClan had some role in it too.
Then she turned to Cloudflare, holding was looked to be a twig that rested in his paws. The elder could hardly make sense of it, especially since she had only just broke the threshold of the den no more than a few seconds ago. "Should I leave? This seems to have the importance that is far to regal for my torn ears" She stated, the tone was meant to be light and airy, but Sunbear's stern looking stone expression didn't do the words much justice.
Bee’s Characters
FROM WINDCLAN
Beewhisker - ⚧ A Bubbly Warrior (They/Them)
Sunbear - ♀ A Stoic Elder (She/Her)
Basilflame - ♀ A Gentle Warrior (She/Her)
Berrypaw - ♂ An Energetic Apprentice (He/Him)
FROM THUNDERCLAN
Greypebbles - ♂ A Quiet Warrior (He/Him)
Robinpaw - ♀ A Considerate Apprentice (She/Her)
Orchidflame - ♀ A Sincere Elder (She/Her)
FROM SHADOWCLAN
Clovershine - ♀ An Optimistic Senior Warrior (She/Her)
Wolfkit - ♂ A Reserved Kit (He/Him)
Eaglecry - ♀ A Maternal Elder (She/Her)
FROM RIVERCLAN
Goosesong - ♂ A Disciplined Senior Warrior (He/Him)
Lilyriver - ♀ A Fierce Queen (She/Her)
Skykit - ♀ A Gracious Kit (She/Her)
Hailstrike - ♀ An Ambitious Warrior (She/Her)
OUTSIDER/S
Duchess - ♀ A Charming Semi-Feral (She/Her)
Laetitia Von Noon - ♀ A Poised Domestic (She/Her)
Fox - ♂ A Charismatic Feral (He/Him)
Healing is a matter of time,
but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity.
‹‹‹‹ ››››
”Cat’s from StarClan feel alive when you’re there.” She gave the confirmation to Cloudflare. ”As soon as I can I’ll take the whole thing to Fawnstar. Not many are older than me. Time in the territory is short.”
She knew that was why Pipertuft was urging the immediate start. She would be as the chipmunk and act.
”You’re too old to be mouse-brained, Sunbear.” Rowanglade was firm with the she-cat. Directness was best. ”A Clan has no secrets.”
Love is just a cloudy sky as far as I can see
⤝ ⥈ ⥈ ☁ ⥈ ⥈ ⤞
Cloudflare dipped his head slowly, the weight of Rowanglade’s words settling in his chest. She would act. For a moment he could almost see Pipertuft there again, her strength guiding them both.
"You’ll do right by her.' He murmured, voice rough but sure. "Fawnstar will listen. Pipertuft wouldn’t have spoken if it wasn’t meant to be heard now."
He turned his copper gaze toward Sunbear then, a faint huff leaving him despite the heaviness of the den. "No, don’t leave." His tail flicked once, easing the sting of Rowanglade’s sharper tone. "I was just saying my final goodbye to Pipertuft...She's with StarClan now."
FROM RIVERCLAN:
Cottonbright, ♀ Anxious Senior Warrior
Nettleplume, ♂ Cynical Medicine Cat
Merryaster, ♀ Insightful Warrior
Otterwhisker, ♀ Adventurous Elder
Tangleloon, ♂ Whimsical Elder
FROM THUNDERCLAN:
Bravesong, ♂ Gracious Elder
Leopardrose, ♀ Striving Warrior
Wildcry, ♀ Fierce Elder
Rimekit, ♀ Rowdy kit
FROM WINDCLAN:
Cloudflare, ♂ Suave Senior Warrior
Barleyswipe, ⚧ Ornery Elder
Heatherpaw, ♀ Sincere Apprentice
Smokekit , ♂ Assured Kit
FROM SHADOWCLAN:
Palestar, ♀ Stern Leader
Honeyglow, ♂ Reserved Elder
Emberdust, ♀ Artless Warrior
Duskmantle, ♂ Opportunistic Warrior
FROM WHITEHART & BEYOND:
Ahryndae, ♀ Princess of Camelot
Lelouch Von Noon, ♂ Marquess of Noon Cattery
Kosmo, ♂ Visionary Feral
Montgomery (Monty), ♂ Sentimental Semi-Feral
Like the sun, I may burn fiercely, but it's my fire that warms those I hold dear.
━✦━✶━✺━☀️━✺━✶━✦━
'A Clan has no secrets' The word looked as if it pushed Sunbear a step back like a physical blow. When she had been in ShadowClan, with her family, she had hardly known anything that happened in her family until the aftermath, it felt nice to have a Clan that knew the value of honesty, Sunbear was ever grateful for Rowanglade interpreting StarClan's signs the way she did. However her only response was a flick of her ear to acknowledge the words and to show that they were heard.
"Staying it is then." Sunbear replied to both the cats in the medicine den and took a seat next to Cloudflare, glancing only slightly down at the stocky warrior. "I thought as much. May they welcome her with open paws then" she added, curling her tail over her paws.
However she couldn't help but taking a glance at Pipertuft's body so still, so peaceful, any pain she would have had left in her body, maybe not even that. Great StarClan she wished that Fennelwhisker looked that peaceful when she found him... a look of longing lightly washed over her features but was soon replaced with a stone face. "I'll collect the elders to help with a burial when Fawnstar is notified."
She glanced over at Cloudflare for a moment, it was his kin that died today, in a fleeting moment of vulnerability, she laid her tail comfortingly on her shoulders, however she didn't do anything else, just a silent sign to say 'I'm here if you need me' nothing less, nothing more.
Bee’s Characters
FROM WINDCLAN
Beewhisker - ⚧ A Bubbly Warrior (They/Them)
Sunbear - ♀ A Stoic Elder (She/Her)
Basilflame - ♀ A Gentle Warrior (She/Her)
Berrypaw - ♂ An Energetic Apprentice (He/Him)
FROM THUNDERCLAN
Greypebbles - ♂ A Quiet Warrior (He/Him)
Robinpaw - ♀ A Considerate Apprentice (She/Her)
Orchidflame - ♀ A Sincere Elder (She/Her)
FROM SHADOWCLAN
Clovershine - ♀ An Optimistic Senior Warrior (She/Her)
Wolfkit - ♂ A Reserved Kit (He/Him)
Eaglecry - ♀ A Maternal Elder (She/Her)
FROM RIVERCLAN
Goosesong - ♂ A Disciplined Senior Warrior (He/Him)
Lilyriver - ♀ A Fierce Queen (She/Her)
Skykit - ♀ A Gracious Kit (She/Her)
Hailstrike - ♀ An Ambitious Warrior (She/Her)
OUTSIDER/S
Duchess - ♀ A Charming Semi-Feral (She/Her)
Laetitia Von Noon - ♀ A Poised Domestic (She/Her)
Fox - ♂ A Charismatic Feral (He/Him)
