Mother (Ice)

[Ambrose]

Icestorm

There was no better word than "white" to describe the LeafClan camp; snow was piled up at the corners of the camp, cleared by the members of LeafClan and ice lined every surface. The weather was mild, thank StarClan. Every day seemed to be a challenge to overcome, but Willowbranch just knew that her Clan would overcome it, and she would give her life to help them.
-
Willowbranch padded into camp after training her second apprentice, Cedarpaw. She was very pleased with how it had gone; her apprentice was pleasant and eager to learn, and that was admirable. It was quite difficult to train in the snow, yes, but training had to be done no matter what. Snow will not hinder LeafClan. LeafClan will always prevail over such things, weather being an easy obstacle. Willowbranch thought, padding over to the fresh kill pile, or rather, fresh kill scattering. Only two or three items of prey were left after the queens, elders, and kits being fed, and Willowbranch was unsure if she should take something. I need my energy to help the Clan.. but so do the Warriors. she pondered, standing, thinking of what to do. Her tail swished on the icy ground from side to side with frustration at the problem.

[Icestorm]

Stormkit made his way out of the nursery as quickly as he could. He couldn't stand being in there anymore. It was all his fault and the nursery only reminded him of it everyday.

After all Icestorm should still be sitting in there. She should still be watching her kits grow, with a smile on her. He wanted to know the queen, not the stories of the queen. He didn't even know what his mother looked like. Apparently, he had her eyes though. At least that was what Poppyshine would say, no said. The kit felt his claws dig into the white snow beneath his feet in frustration. How could he lose bother his mothers? Was he that cursed?

The gray spotted tabby shook his head in frustration. He had to think about something else. If he kept on thinking about his mother and foster mother he would only make himself short tempered. Then the warriors or worse a queen would never leave him alone. They would all push and push. No thank you.

Just then Stormkit's attention was caught by a swift movement.

The kit's eyes narrowed as he crouched, he needed a distraction and practicing his stalk was perfect. Slowly the kit moved closer, his body low but his behind high. His tail sticking straight up as if at attention. His bright yellow eyes followed the movement carefully...until...it... was perfect!

Stormkit charged towards the tail of Willowbranch, his claws partial exposed.

[Ambrose]

After a period of unsureness, Willowbranch took a small bird from the fresh-kill pile. It was easily savaged due to its small size and her large appetite. She felt newfound energy rush through her body; she really needed the food, as if it wasn't obvious enough by her protruding ribs. The already petite she-cat couldn't afford to lose much more of her body fat. 

Suddenly, Willowbranch felt pain. 

Was it from the food? Was it a sickly bird? Willowbranch quickly realised the pain was in her tail. She shrieked as an electric pain seared through her tail, and whipped around to face her offender. Who it was surprised her; a little kit. "Tut tut, someone's being naughty!" Willowbranch scolded playfully, smiling. "Is your mother not keeping you out of trouble?"

[Icestorm]

Stormkit had been so focused on the tail, he hadn't even bothered to look at who the tail belonged to. However, once the silver kit realized it was non-other than his deputy the kit went harder at the tail. He was going to get a few good nips in. After all what other kits could say they did? She didn't seem mad so it was the perfect chance for some practice.

"Is your mother not keeping you out of trouble?

Stormkit froze for a moment as his emotion were once again boiling over. but he quickly tried to play off the moment. He wasn't going to look weak. Not now. Not ever. He had to be strong for Icestorm, and now for Poppyshine. He couldn't show his weakness. Especially to the deputy who would one day be his leader. "Icestorm isn't here, and neither is Poppyshine," the kit refused to look to the she-cat until his final words, "So, no," his eyes shinning brightly with determination. He wasn't going to let this warrior see his emotions. He wasn't going to let anyone see them. It was always just easier to smile and pretend nothing was happening.

[Ambrose]

Willowbranch's pain became more intense; Stormkit was really going for it now, quick bite after bite. Willowbranch tried hard to resist the pain, almost statue-like in her efforts. It made her joyous to see that this kit had so much energy; he certainly wasn't feeling the effects of leafbare, the lucky thing. 
It reminded her of her own kits, how energetic and joyful they were when they were that little. Now her family wasn't quite the same. Willowbranch didn't care that her kits grew up. She didn't care about that at all. Willowbranch was just a little broken inside; she would always remember Duskpounce, Flowerkit, and Toadpool. Always.

but her mind was racing off to other places, as it did in the most inappropriate situations. Willowbranch noticed the pain had stopped. The kit had frozen in his tracks. "Icestorm isn't here, and neither is Poppyshine," Oh. Oh my StarClan, what have I done... Willowbranch looked the kit in the eyes, and she noticed his determination to keep his emotions inside of him. "So, no." Willowbranch could say nothing for a moment; she smiled and ran her tail down his back. She lied down on the ground beside Stormkit, and whispered to him, "It's okay. Let your emotions out, little one." She licked his head in an effort to console him. Willowbranch felt so sorry for this kit.. she was going to say something she said not a lot. 


"I'll look after you, Stormkit."

[Icestorm]

Stormkit felt an array of emotion build in him with Willowbranch's simple words. Though meant to comfort him, it only mad him angry. He wasn't going to let them out. They were his emotions, his to handle. He wouldn't give them to anyone else, not even Poppyshine. The she-cat had tried with him several times and it always ended with him angry. He couldn't help it, after all Icestorm's death was his fault. He was her namesake and he carried the burden, non of his siblings just him. He couldn't let them take it on. He was the first born, it was his job as oldest. The silver kit took a deep breath trying to gather himself back together.

"I have nothing to let out," he said calmly, trying to attack her tail again. Hoping it would serve as a distraction for both of them.

Look after?

"I'm almost an apprentice. Two more moons you know." I'll make Icestorm proud and become the best warrior in Leafclan. I'll prove to everyone. Stormkit looked to Willowbranch faking a smile, "I'll be a warrior sooner than most think!"

[Ambrose]

Willowbranch knew how it was. To have a mother that passed on into StarClan's glowing fields. Willowbranch's mother was savagely murdered by her evil mentor, and she would never forgive him. Never. It made her shiver; or was it the icy gust that passed by? Rosestrike, her older sister, had always looked after her, but never with the love of a mother, and Willowbranch knew that he was Icestorm's oldest in the litter. Her glowing eyes were filled with sadness. but they were also filled with love and a desire to protect. And so she looked to Stormkit, who was occupying himself with her tail. She withdrew her tail and wrapped it around her paws. "Stormkit.. I know you're almost an apprentice. And you're going to be an amazing one. I can tell." she said softly, searching the kit's eyes for emotion. "but you need to be looked after. My mother went to StarClan too, but when I was an apprentice. And I wished I had someone to look after me. My sister could never look after me like a mother would. Even now, as the deputy of LeafClan, I need someone to look after me.

I know you're the oldest, so who's going to look after you?" she asked.

"I would love to be your foster mother, and to look after you and help you grow." she mewed, a little worried that he would reject her offer. Every kit needed a mother.. or a "mother."

[Icestorm]

The kit glared at Willowbranch's tail as she took it away. With no other choice the kit sat straight up, pushing his shoulders back. He wanted to look large so the she-cat would stop giving him that look. He didn't need that look, not now not ever. Poppyshine gave it too him enough to last him a life time.

"I look after myself," the kit glanced up for a moment before looking back to the deputy. He couldn't understand why she was getting to him. Or why she even wanted to do this. What purpose could it possible serve? "And I can look after my kin just fine too!" Why was she acting like she knew? The only memory the kit had of his mother weren't even his own. He never knew the queen. He didn't even remember her scent. Why couldn't he remember her scent? Sure it was only there for a moment, but it was the first thing he ever smelt, he should have tried harder to remember. He doesn't even know what she looks like! Sure he can look at his kin and imagine it, but that's not the same.

"You can't be," the snapped his fur bristling, "Our mothers do nothing but die! So you can't!"

They only die.

[Ambrose]

What if the kit said no? Who would look after him then? He was only an apprentice; well, not an apprentice yet, but soon to be. Willowbranch always sought to tell someone of her daily victories - or failures - that she had accomplished as an apprentice, and there was nobody. Rosestrike was usually busy herself, and had no time to listen. It was such a lonely world. And if a lady such as herself were going to present herself to her, Willowbranch would have agreed in an instant.

"I look after myself." the kit said, Willowbranch panicking. It was a no. The kit would have no mother. The kit would return home from training every day without someone to praise him. "And I can look after my kin just fine too!" Willowbranch looked into his eyes with worry. She kept on listening and would deliver her reply when he was done. "You can't be!" he snapped. "Our mothers do nothing but die! So you can't!" Willowbranch's smile melted off of her face. 

"It's impossible to look after your whole kin, even as a deputy.. Stormkit... you can't. There are so many amazing things you can do. I can see it in your future. but looking after your kin is like being a parent. You're not old enough to be a parent yet, Stormkit.. but I am. I'm old enough to be your mother. I could look after your kin, too." she mewed in a reassuring tone, trying to soothe him. "And I know I'm not going to die for a long time. I want to look after you. I remember when I was an apprentice, I always wanted to tell someone about my day so that they would praise me, and there was nobody. I don't want you to end up as sad as I was." she mewed, sadness in her eyes. "I want to be that person for you. I know I can never replace Icestorm or Poppyshine, but I've had kits of my own and I know how to be a mother. I really want to look after you; it's the worst thing ever not having a mother, and I just want to help you." Willowbranch laid one of her paws out in front of her. "Are you sure you don't want a mother?"

[Icestorm]

Stormkit wanted to run away from the deputy. Why didn't she get it? He was cursed, and every she-cat that tried to take care of him was doomed. He killed Icestorm, and now Poppyshine died. If Willowbranch tried to take care of him he would cause the clan to suffer. She was deputy, next in line to be leader, she was a queen. He couldn't take the chance because if she died everyone would blame him. They say they don't now, but he knows. Why did she want to be his mother so bad anyways? Did she really want to die that badly? Was her life so miserable that she could no longer stand it?

"If you were to be a mother to me, you would only die. Just like the others. You would be doomed, and there would nothing you could do. Poppyshine sure in Starclan didn't plan to die. She still had her kit to take of and all of us. She made a promise to Icestorm to watch us until we were warriors. Well guess what, she can't now. It doesn't matter if you don't plan to die or not! Starclan won't let me have a mother! Why don't you get that?" The kit kept a passive face, showing no emotions. He wasn't going to let her see him weak and upset. Not now, not ever. He was going to be strong.

[Ambrose]

Her attempt to take in the kit wasn't going well, but she was stubborn. Willowbranch would take this kit in, though she didn't know how she would do that yet. Her gaze was frozen on the little spotted silver tabby who was clearly hiding his emotions from her.. any male kit would do the same, especially to the deputy. I used to think the deputy was so important.. but I am the deputy now.. Willowbranch didn't truly realise that she was respected and looked up more than other warriors. It still hadn't sunk in.

Stormkit seemed to still be stubborn, too. "If you were to be a mother to me, you would only die. Just like the others. You would be doomed, and there would be nothing you could do." The little kit thought that he was the cause of his mothers' death, which clearly wasn't true. She was about to enunciate her feelings until the kit continued. "Poppyshine in StarClan didn't plan to die. She still had her kit to take care of and all of us. She made a promise to Icestorm to watch us until we were warriors. Well guess what, she can't now." Her heart wrenched hearing the anger in the kit's voice. He really, truly thought he killed his mothers.
"It doesn't matter if you don't plan to die or not! StarClan won't let me have a mother? Why don't you get that?" Willowbranch's face was stoic as she spoke again; "Stormkit. I can tell you with absolute certainty that you were not the cause of your mothers' death. It was unfortunate and a coincidence, not because of you, or any of your siblings. StarClan planned for your mothers to join them; it's a beautiful place there, and they will always watch you."  She looked up to the sky momentarily before continuing. "but I will not die for a long time; I am in good health now, I overcame greencough. I will soon have nine lives. StarClan doesn't want to take me yet." Her eyes were full of passionate motherly fire, and though her pelt laid flat, determination surged through her veins. The kit needed a mother. 

[Icestorm]

Stormkit's face was still, not showing his emotions. but on the inside he felt like he was shattered. He was a mess; his chest, no his heart hurt. He knew why, and he knew he had to stop. He hated opening up like this. It made him feel weak, and already made a promise to Icestorm - he was going to be strong. He had to be. He was going to put a smile on his face, and he wasn't going to let anyone see his pain. It was his pain, not theirs. Poppyshine always told him that though in pain Icestorm made sure very few actually know she was. She always had a smile on her face, and was always willing to help the queens and kits. He wanted to make her proud. And hiding his pain was the only way he could do that, just like her. It didn't matter that his pain was emotional and her's was physical.

The kit let out a sigh, she wasn't listening to him. She didn't know what killed Icestorm. How could see know I didn't do it? It was clear. She died having kits, and as the first born he bore the guilt for his kin. Poppyshine was fine, until she caught one little cough. Just one. That was all it took, a cough. Just over coming it once meant nothing to him now. "Do what you want Willowbranch. Who am I to stop the deputy? but if you die, and if you try to be my mother you will, I warned you." Only one thing was certain in his life, and that was death. "And I know Starclan is a beautiful place, Icestorm and Poppyshine are there. It couldn't get much better than that."

[Ambrose]

The kit sighed, and Willowbranch's mind tried frantically to figure out why; was she being too pushy with her offer of mothering him? Was he remembering his late mothers? Perhaps he was just exhaling deeply? Willowbranch couldn't choose one, so she tried to forget about it and focu more on the situation. The she-cat's determination was unwavering, and would stay that way until her desired result came her way, as with many other things. 

Stormkit went to speak again, and the deputy braced herself for anger, instead met with far less anger than expected. "Do what you want, Willowbranch. Who am I to stop the deputy?" Stormkit said. A delighted smile swept across Willowbranch's face, and she felt as if another biological kit had been delivered to her. but still, the kit continued; "but if you die, and you try to be my mother, you will, I warned you. And I know StarClan is a beautiful place, Icestorm and Poppyshine are there. It couldn't get much better than that." Willowbranch's smile dimmed and then returned with the kit's statement. She frowned, trying to console him. "Don't worry, Stormkit. I won't die; I promise it's not your fault. You're a very kind kit, and StarClan wouldn't punish you like that. And Icestorm and Poppyshine are an asset to StarClan, just as they were to LeafClan." She gazed up at the sky, where she hoped her ancestors were, and whispered a silent prayer. Icestorm, Poppyshine, please tell me I'm doing the right thing.

"So, since you said you can't stop the deputy and this is what I really want.. I am going to be your foster mother from now on." she said, smiling gently. Maybe the kit would hate her, but this was what she really wanted, and she was sure he could get used to her.