The Truth (Lemonade)

[Icestorm]

OOC: It has been agreed that we will just skip to this part now. Alright Lemonade here we are finally with Poppyshine.


The large tom couldn’t get his fur to lay down flat, his anger was boiling over in him. Of all cats to break his trust, his own kin, Poppyshine. He had always held her so high, he treated her like his own daughter. Yet maybe that was the problem. His streak on being a father was rather low. First Owlkit and now her. He shook his head. He knew she was still behind him, she had been following him since they left The Pond of Truce. He hadn’t even spoke to her about Blackcloud since they left him there. He was afraid of what he would say to her, or maybe what she would say to him.

The small black she-cat followed Thornfur with her head down and tail tucked. Out of anyone she knew, he really was the last one she wanted to know. He was angry, she knew it. It was quite obvious to her. She felt a pang in her heart, now Blackcloud doesn't know about the kits, and she had hurt her only kin. She let out a heavy sigh, falling in love with Blackcloud had been a mistake, yet he had made her feel good, more so than most of her own clan.

These kits were going to be a heavy reminder of her mistake, of her foolishness. Thornfur had to know, she had to tell him.

“Wait, Thornfur,” she stopped in her tracks sorrow filling her voice, “I- I’m sorry for putting you through this. I just-” He turned to her cutting her off, “Just what? Did you even think Poppyshine! We have to tell Froststar. I can’t just keep this to myself! We are going to him right now and you will tell him everything. I don’t want to hear it from you right now. I am in no mood.” His words hit her hard, she shrunk to the ground in shame. Her ears flattened. She nodded to him, following him back to the clan, back to their leader’s den. She knew he wasn't one to just ignore the warrior code. She wondered if he would still tell Froststar if he knew about the kits.

It was late, the stars had been out for a while now, Starclan was watching them. Thornfur let out a sigh as they approached Froststar’s den. His anxiety was eating away at him, how was Froststar going to handle this? Maybe he wasn’t doing the right thing, no. He had to do this. She would understand. He cleared his throat, “Froststar? Froststar you awake?”

[Lemonade]

Froststar was roused from his nap, and blinked sleepily at the walls of his den as he heard Thornfur's faint voice calling for him from the entrance. The young leader stood with some difficulty, a little sore from the hard hunt the day before. This moon had proved to be a long one. The decisions he had made, and the corruption that seemed to lace his clan, made every day a struggle. LeafClan seemed to have forgotten the warrior code, and although he didn't want to harden himself as Silverstar must have done to become so twisted, it seemed like he might have no choice in the matter. LeafClan had to learn. If there were no punishments, what good was their good behavior?

Oh, if only he knew how deeply ran the rivers of discontent.

"I'm up, Thornfur," He meowed groggily, arching his back up into a luxurious stretch before padding forward to greet the tom at the entrance. He had expected it to be morning, thinking he had perhaps overslept, but StarClan winked down at him as he sidled out to meet Thornfur. His blue eyes narrowed with some suspicion, and worry, as he noticed Poppyshine lurking behind her uncle. "Is something the matter, has something happened?" He asked, assuming the worst- some horrible accident at moonhigh, potentially.

[Icestorm]

Thornfur looked to his leader, his resolve wanting to shake away. He really did not like having to do this, yet he knew it was the right thing to do. "Well yes, something has happened." He looked back to Poppyshine who still had her tail tucked and her head lowered slightly. He moved to the side letting her come forward, "It seems that Poppyshine," he took a deep breath, "has been breaking the warrior code. I just found her meeting with Blackcloud of Stormclan."

The small warrior looked to her uncle as he stated her mistake. She knew it was hard for him. but it didn't make it easier for her. "Froststar I-I didn't. I mean, I just," she stumbled with her words unsure what to say to him. Somehow she had to tell Froststar about the kits. but how? "I won't do it again. I promise."

Thornfur kept a hard look in his eyes, but his heart felt as though a thorn was stuck in it.

[Lemonade]

The concern in Froststar's eyes dulled to a meek disbelief as Thornfur spoke, and he looked to Poppyshine for confirmation, but the young she-cat was already stammering through her apology, and Froststar felt a claw of dread carve a crescent moon around his heart.

StarClan help me- what has LeafClan come to? This was the third illicit relationship since he had become leader. The third occurance of cats disregarding the warrior code... and for what? Some brief fling with a kittypet- a loner- another clan cat?

Enough was enough. "What were you thinking, Poppyshine?" He said in a low, cool voice. Froststar was normally warm, but when faced with such betrayal by his clanmates, he seemed to live up to his name, growing inconceivably icy... almost enough to burn. "Your promises mean nothing to StarClan. One mistake is enough. When I made you a warrior, I trusted you to know better." This he said with particular bitterness. If it had been a warrior crowned before his time, he could have played it off as Silverstar's poor leadership corrupting the clan... but this time, it was his responsibility.

And Froststar had little sympathy for his own mistakes.

"Come in, both of you." Beckoning sharply with his tail, the leader stalked into his den, standing in the center of it, in the darkness. In here, they could talk with little fear of being overheard. "How much does Blackcloud mean to you, Poppyshine?" He asked abruptly. "Do you value this tom over your own clan?"

[Icestorm]

Poppyshine felt herself shrink at her leaders harsh words. She knew he was right, and she knew he had every right to be angry, just like Thornfur. Something in her made her wonder if she should continue to quiver before her leader or try and stand tall to him. Could she do that when she truly knew how badly she had messed up? No. Not with the looks she was receiving from both Thornfur and Froststar. She couldn't even answer him. What had she been thinking? Even her uncle had asked her that question.

Thornfur waited for Poppyshine to move into the den before bringing up the rear. Poppyshine sat in front of Froststar not able to look him in the eyes. Thornfur came in and stood off to the side of Poppyshine.

Poppyshine's ears fell back as Froststar abruptly asked about her relationship with Blackcloud. She looked to him now, "Nothing. Well, I mean I thought he meant something to me but," she looked away again, "but I realized what I was doing. I realized he wasn't worth my clan. Froststar I love Leafclan. This is my home, this is all I know. Blackcloud, he just made me... he made me feel like there was more. but.." she turned to her uncle, "but I know now that what he offered wasn't for me."

Thornfur watched Poppyshine no longer keeping his cold stare. He felt guilty now for telling Froststar her secret. but he knew that if he didn't tell their leader it would come back to haunt them later. This was for the best. He just kept telling himself that. His gaze shifted to Froststar wondering what the leader would do.

[Lemonade]

Forgiveness.

That was one of Froststar's defining traits- a trait StarClan had selected him for, and although he found it difficult to extend his forgiving paw to those who abused his kindness time and time again, the image of those phantasmal cats glistening on the end of each whisker brought him back, and he could not be angry. He was not given nine lives so he could tear LeafClan apart with hate.

"You regret it," he said simply, a heavy sigh weighing him down. "And perhaps that's enough. StarClan will judge you as they please, but if you fight and hunt for LeafClan with all your heart, you will always have a place here, Poppyshine."

Every cat made mistakes, after all. Some more than others. He would punish her, and then they would let it go. "The last time a cat came to me asking for forgiveness and acceptance after breaking the code like this, I had him confined to the camp until his kits became apprentices." Froststar's nose twitched thoughtfully. "I will do similarly for you. Poppyshine, you are forbidden from leaving camp for six moons. You will work alongside apprentices, removing ticks from elders' coats, repairing dens, and running errands for the medicine cats. And you will not be receiving an apprentice until I decide that you have proven yourself capable of teaching another cat the warrior code."

As long as there were no other unpleasant surprises, this punishment seemed fitting enough. "You were righ to tell me," he added soothingly. "And right to stop meeting him. You're perfectly capable of finding a good tom in your own clan, Poppyshine. Good warriors always do. but you belong to LeafClan."

[Icestorm]

Poppyshine felt her heart stop at Froststar's words. Nodding her head. Regret was there, she would never admit that a part of her would always care for Blackcloud, but these kits made her realize that he was not meant for her. Her clan was where her heart lied. Even if she did love him and tried to make a life with him, Leafclan would be home.

She listened to her leader as her told her the punishment. but what about- her eyes widened as he continued. This wasn't going to work. She couldn't be on apprentice duty, not with her stomach growing. She took a deep breath, trying to gather all the courage she could get. "Thank you Froststar," she tried to look him in the eyes, but she just couldn't hold it, "There is one thing I have told you yet."

Thornfur looked to Poppyshine in surprise. She had just been spared being kicked out of the clan, what in Starclan did she have to say now other than thank you. His green eyes turned to her watching her closely. Whatever it was she was scared he could see it. Her tail was tucked completely under her, more so than when she was begging for understanding and forgiveness. "You see, the reason I was going Blackcloud this last time was... was to tell him the reason we needed to stop," she stopped to catch her breath, he could see her muscles shake under her fur. He was worried where this was going. "I'm expecting kits," she said quietly and quickly. Thornfur stopped breathing his. He stared at her wide anger, yet he felt he knew - or a part of him knew. He bit his tongue holding back his anger, but his fur still bristled. He looked to Froststar. What would happen now?

[Lemonade]

The promise of untold news set Froststar's teeth on edge again, and he was right to worry, for the next words that Poppyshine meowed made him hiss sharply with mingled distress, disappointment, and frustration. For a moment, his irritation was apparent, and he lashed his tail.

This was clearly going to become a great nuisance. Leafbare was nearly upon them, and more kits- especially Half Clan kits- would be another burden on the clan.

but then, she cats seemed almost incapable of timing their pregnancies properly... and who was left to clean up the mess for them when things took a turn for the worse? Their medicine cat... and their leader.

"Your punishment will be the same," he said coolly, again managing to hold himself back. He would not be his normal happy self. Poppyshine would have to feel his anger with his detachment. "You will be banned from warrior duties and restricted to the camp for six moons... or, until your kits reach the age of six moons. And yo will not be allowed to mentor any cat, especially not your kits. You will not be present for any of their training. You will resume warrior duties only under supervision, until you've proven that you can be trusted again."

but it was not enough. His frustration, like the prickle of sharp bee stings or the frantic pecking of a bird scratching against his muzzle, boiled just under the surface. "but. You will attend the next gathering, Poppyshine. As soon as you are able, you will march yourself up to Goldenstar, and tell her all that you have told me. You will tell her that you and Blackcloud broke the warrior's code, and that you are expecting his kits. Blackcloud will not be free from punishment. Whatever Goldenstar wishes to do to him is her business."

If she cared at all for this tom, his punishment would surely sting her. After all, Goldenstar could very well exile Blackcloud from StormClan. She had every right to.

[Icestorm]

Poppyshine looked to her leader unsure how to feel. Even with these kits she could not be the mother she had always dreamed of being. They would know of her mistake. She had hoped the kits would be able to grow up without being punished for her mistake. Her punishment wasn't as bad as she had feared, just embarrassing for her. Yet it wasn't her she was worried about. "I understand. Thank you Froststar," her voice waivered slightly. She had every right to be happy with what he had given her. Every right.

Tell Goldenstar? but Blackcloud didn't even know. This would mean her kits would definitely be looked at as lesser to the other warriors. What would Goldenstar do to Blackcloud? What would he think of the kits? Would she even tell Blackcloud? "Froststar I don't think Blackcloud knows about these kits," she looked to her uncle, it was his gaze that hurt her. She wondered if they could ever be the same again. She would like for her kits to know their kin. Especially since he raised her.

Thornfur looked to Froststar, "It seems I interrupted them before she could tell him-" He voice was cut off my the small black she-cat.

"Froststar... I have been selfish in every way, but for these kits. I will do everything in my power to make them into strong Leafclanner. Because," she took a deep breath her courage slowly driving her to continue, "They will be Leafclan and they will be great warriors. I just, I just don't want them to suffer from my mistake. I don't want to be looked on as though they are less than everyone else. The clan's blood still runs through them."

Thornfur looked to her as she spoke his eyes softened a little. He could tell she was trying to help the kits the best she could. He even had to agree with her. At this rate these kits had everything going against them. With so many half blooded kits in the clan how does Leafclan even look? 

[Lemonade]

(( Short post so much happening uguu~ ))

Froststar's nose twitched, and his expression softened with the greatest care for these- his clanmates. "Don't worry, Poppyshine," he said gently, finding it in himself to at least trust her loyalty, although he could not forgive her. "Your kits will not suffer for this. No cat in LeafClan will be allowed to treat them differently. I trust they will be loyal to their clan, through and through. Your mistake is not their fault."

His ears twitched thoughtfully as he considered Thornfur and Poppyshine's appeal to him. "However, you will still tell Goldenstar everything. Blackcloud will learn of the kits through her, if he must. He deserves to know that he is a father, and your kits deserve to know who their father is, whatever the circumstances." Otherwise, of course, their hearts might wander. Otherwise, they would seek answers from StarClan, and dream of a father beyond the stars- and beyond their expectations. He would allow them no delusions.

It was time for LeafClan to stop living like in a dream. "Is that all?" He said with an air of finality. "Given your confession, I feel like I have a message for the entire Clan."

[Icestorm]

Poppyshine looked to Froststar as he assured her. She was glad he had reassured her. She still wondered though if it would be enough. Would the clan still follow his command of their treatment. His emphasis on her mistake made her cringe, yet she knew it was true and she knew she would have to try and accept that this happened because of her choice. "Thank you, Froststar."

The she-cat looked to her paws as Froststar still told her of her punishment. Blackcloud did have a right know, she agreed, yet she feared what Goldenstar would do. Her heart stopped for just a moment as the thought of her telling Stormclan. If Shademinnow found out... what would she do to Blackcloud or even her? Taking a deep breath she tried to push the thoughts away. Now was not the time to worry about them. "Understood."

Thornfur listened to Froststar carefully. Everything seemed fair, did he like that the kits were going to grow knowing they weren't full Leafclan, no. Did he like that Poppyshine had to tell Goldenstar, no. In fact he wondered how she could tell the leader when she was shaking so bad in front of her own. Thornfur wished there could have been another way, but he knew this was the only way. Froststar had every reason to know about Poppyshine. He really wished they could have kept their father hidden from them though. He shook his ears. What he wanted did not matter here.

Poppyshine dropped her head to Froststar, "Yes."