If Tomorrow Was Too Late [Tagged]

[Dyzzie]

if today was your last day and tomorrow was too late

It felt so foreign to be back . . . foreign and yet familiar. Like a dream come true, and a promise kept after a long time of working towards it. A relief . . . and yet, Duskpounce often fund himself worrying that he'd suddenly wake up - and find himself a t the start of the journey. He'd awaken and realize . . . he wasn't as close to being home as he had hoped. That it was nothing but a dream . . . and he still had so far to go. It was in those private moments in which he thought hard about the troubles it had taken him to get here. The troubles that led him home . . . to find his mate with another tom . . . There were so many problems he'd found himself in since returning. Problems with him. With his relationship to his beloved Willowbranch . . . Even Flower wasn't quite the little bundle of sass and energy that she once was . . . And while Duskpounce was glad to be home, he occasionally wondered if perhaps it might have been better to stay gone - at least for the sake of his mate, and his daughter.

could you say goodbye to yesterday?

but things were beginning to get better now . . . In a morbid way, but better. He and Willowbranch where on the mend, their relationship strengthening and starting to return to what it once was. Though, could one blame them? She was his everything, his world, his existence, the breath he breathed, the beat of his heart, the very essence of his being . . .w with out that little, petite creature who held his heart . . . he was nothing but a shadow of the tom he once was. It wasn't such a surprise that he'd do just about anything he could for her . . . He'd do anything, and then some just to be rewarded with her smile, her favor, her affection. He'd take what ever it was that she would give him. Take it and embrace it, and still want more . . . because no amount of her was ever enough. She had him all. His heart was sheltered in her paws. His thoughts where wrapped up in her being. His very need to exist seemed dependent on what she needed of him.

Truth be told, he'd do anything in the world for her . . . He'd cross to the ends of the world, and back again for her . . . hadn't he already proven that in his efforts to return home. It had been no easy manner to get back either. he knew that many of the clan didn't really know what he and his daughter went through to return. No one really could fathom just how difficult it was. Sure, they were amazed that they'd done it . . . but . . . they knew nothing of how hard it had been. The moments when both were to exhausted to move forward. When one horrid snow storm nearly cost Flower her life. When another moment of distress at the hands of a dog intent to hunt them down had nearly kept them away by the means of death. They'd overcome every obstacle in their path, crossed great planes, mountains, deserts, human lands, rivers, anything that it took to return home.

would you live each moment like your last?

Because, Duskpounce knew that Willowbranch was waiting for him. Or at least - that had been what he'd thought. Ther had been no greater pain to befall him, then to see her there, come racing towards him . . . and for his scent upon her to be replaced with that of another male. Replaced . . . he had been replaced. Even now, knowing things were better, fixed . . . it pained him greatly. To have been working, struggling to return home to her, and to find she'd taken a new mate. That despite their love that had kept him moving, she'd attempted to move on. It wasn't so much that she had moved on that had hurt him, had he actually perished, he'd have wanted her to find love, to find someone to take care of her like she deserved . . . but for her to have such a lack of faith in him, to think he'd never return to her . . . that had been the most severe blow of all.

but, things were better. They were getting closer, and no longer was Duskpounce hurt by what had happened while he was gone. His heart sang once more, when the femme came close to him, showered him with her affections and care. but his worry still existed for sweet Flower, now named Flowerblossom. His daughter was not doing well . . . She had been raised a clan cat, and he made sure she knew what to expect . . . but, she was also raised like a rogue, or loner, traveling from place to place, her life spent learning what it meant to be a clan cat, but struggling to survive with only she and her father to rely on. This exposure to clan life was shutting her down. And Duskpounce worried that one day he'd wake up to see her gone, returned to the loner life, the life beyond the clans, in the world she'd grown up in. And, if she did one day leave . . . Duskpounce wouldn't blame her.

leave old pictures in the past, donate every dime you have?

The tom's thoughts where weighing in heavily, floating between the struggle to return, Flower's struggle to fit in . . . and he sighed heavily, pacing back and forth for long enough now that there was a slight indent in the ground, from where the snow-softened floor was giving way to his vigorous movements. Shaking his head, he knew he needed to stop worrying. Flowerblossom was an adult now, and it was her decision to do what ever made her happy . . . but still, he felt the need to comfort himself, to ease his own mind, and his paws began to take him through the camp once more. Green eyes sought out the one feline who seemed to set his world ablaze, and yet calm it with her soothing presence . . . He needed Willowbranch.

The large male moved quietly, his gaze searching for the femme who owned his heart and soul, pausing when his gaze caught sight of her multi-colored pelt, approaching her with a slightly lighter step. He brushed his pelt against hers, coming to a stop by her side, as his head fell over her shoulders, tugging her briefly against his body in a slight hug, needing to feel the closeness of her presence, to know that she was there. "Hello, Willow." He greeted softly, shortening her name as he tended to do when it was just them. He shifted back a step, licking her neck gently, "Can . . . we talk. I need someone to ease my concerns. No one sets me at peace like you do." He murmured gently to her, his green eyes turning towards her in a fiercely protective, and tender expression. "Come, let's find some place to lay down . . . . Distract me from my thoughts. Please." He asked quietly, his tail flicking softly over her back as he nuzzled her again, unable to keep his paws, tail, nor muzzle to himself. Needing to touch her - to know she was really - truly there.

if today was your last day



Ambrose

[Ambrose]

It was a glorious afternoon, not only weather-wise, but in terms of events, too. The former was explained in far more words than the second; the sun was white, with fresh, newleaf sunlight suffusing down through the trees, dappling the ground with its radiant light. The breeze carried a pleasant warmth, just the perfect temperature. The younger trees swayed rhythmically from side to side, while the elders stood rigid, their leaves dancing in the wind. It was truly a beautiful day, weather-wise, anyway; but the second reason was explained easily, though the words carried so much more meaning. I'm pregnant. Willowbranch, the LeafClan deputy, was expecting her second litter of kits! According to an earlier visit to the medicine cat, she was pregnant once again. It was obvious, even by looking at her; her back dipped in the middle in deep contrast to her usual proud, empowered posture. Her belly hung low, though she was not near full term yet; the petite shecat felt she'd be practically walking on her belly when she was full term. 

And she would work, serving her Clan, until she was full term. Pregnancy was no reason for her to stop serving her Clan - or so she believed. So Willowbranch was satisfied with her long day of work - hunting patrols and the like - and settled down in the Warriors' Den, lying in such a way that her belly was not visible. I'm so blessed. I'm so happy my life is like this; beautiful kits and the best mate anyone could ask for. Duskpounce. The charming blue tom that had stolen her heart and never given it back. Willowbranch felt so awful that she had tried to replace that irreplaceable soul with someone else, but when Duskpounce left did she realise how much she really loved him. It was like a tear in her heart that no herb could fix.

So she sought out love again, finding Smokecloud; a remedy, a replacement, but not the one. An admirable tom, of course, but not like Duskpounce. She felt sorry for him; she could see the burning hate in his eyes when Duskpounce and Flowerblossom walked back into the camp. but not much could be done anymore.

Willowbranch was roused by her daydream when her lover entered the Warriors' Den, walking over to her and embracing her, his head around her neck in a tight hug. "Hello, Willow." Her heart raced with love for the tom, and she could just breathe out, "..Hi Duskpounce." She nuzzled him, drinking in his scent gratefully. I'm so glad you're back.

"Can... we talk. I need someone to ease my concerns. No one sets me at peace like you do," he said, Willowbranch nodding gently. "Of course we can lay down. I've been wanting to talk to you for a while now; I've missed you so much." she purred, interlacing her tail with him and guiding him out into the forest. The sun was slowly making its way towards sunset, and it was just beautiful and ever so romantic. She stopped at the same tree they had cuddled under many moons ago, lying down and waiting for Duskpounce to copy her so that she could cuddle up to him once again. "What's on your mind, my love?"

[Dyzzie]

There was nothing that seemed to relax the tom more than having the petite female close to him. Her scent both enraptured him, and calmed him . . . set his world right and made everything seem less problematic. Less stressful. More . . . . easy. It was no longer a constant worry that had him wound up as tight as a spring, not when she was there to help him ease the tension that would have otherwise suffocated him in his own stress and worry.

Searching her out had been the right choice. He purred as he felt her fur mingle with his own, her response so open and bright to him showing up. How he'd ever gotten so lucky was beyond him. He'd formally been the flirt of the clan. Taunting, teasing, and flirting with any tail that passed, as long as they were the appropriate gender. He didn't care about breaking hearts, or finding real romance. He was just there to play the fields and see who he could rile up and snuggle with next. And then . . . He had met her.

Sure he knew her from a distance, and while she was always exceedingly beautiful to him, the tom had seemed to exclude her from his usual area of victims. Whether it was because of her slightly older age, her rank in the clan . . . or a part of him that recognized her for what she was . . . he didn't spend time trying to reel her in. And he never thought on why. And then, they had ran across one another. And what had started out as harmless flirting on his part . . . had turned into something so much more meaningful. She'd done the impossible and had tamed the beast that had vowed to only be in it for the thrill of finding a new female to bed. A new tail to chase. Now, he was soulfully hers. And he was as loyal as they could come despite his less than ideal past.

He smiled at her readiness to spend time with him, his purr growing in strength and volume as she stood, leading him away from the camp. It didn't take long for him to realize where it was that she was leading him, as his eyes locked onto the tree that they had spent a night beneath so long ago . . . Where they had first made their initial connection. Since that day, the tree had been marked in his skull as 'their' spot. He walked towards it with her, and as soon as she lay down, he was joining her on the floor of the earth, wrapping his larger body around hers so she could lean into his warmth, cuddle into his side where she always seemed to fit best.

As she voiced her question, he sighed softly, laying his head against her shoulder, "Our daughter," He answered, before explaining, "I am . . . worried about Flowerblossom. She's having a hard time adjusting. I raised her to remember where we came from, to be prepared to rejoin the clan, and know all she needed to know . . . but she spent the majority of her life roaming the lands like a loner, or a rogue. I think she's finding it difficult to fit into clan life. I was raised here, coming back is like coming home . . . " He sighed, "but, Flowerblossom is retreating in on herself. She avoids talking with other clan cats, she is tending to herself, and keeping a distance. She's not really socializing like I would hope. I'm worried about her." He told her gently, his voice that of a concerned father, despite his kit, all of his kits, being full grown and capable of caring for themselves. "I want to see her embrace the clan as her home, and succeed as a warrior, but, I can't help but worry that instead she'll choose to leave, to make it out as a loner or rogue. I know I can't make decisions for her . . . but . . . " He sighed, lightly shaking his head before cuddling her closer, "but I can't help but worry."

[Ambrose]

There was no better feeling than cuddling up to Duskpounce; it felt so right, so natural, so perfect. Willowbranch grinned as she felt one of her kits moving in her belly, filled with joy for the new life they had created. She wiped the grin off of her face; she didn't want to give anything away until the ultimate announcement. 

Duskpounce laid his head down on Willowbranch's shoulder, and she couldn't help but close her eyes and relish the moment. Everything was fine out here, cuddling in the roots of their tree, under the brilliant rays of the setting sun and the fresh newleaf breeze. Sometimes, Willowbranch pondered how it worked; such a sassy, strong, wise shecat with the little flirt, who she had changed into who she thought was the loyalest tom in the Clan. but there was absolutely no question that it did.

Her moment of total bliss was cut into by the Duskpounce's problem that she had asked to hear. "Our daughter," Willowbranch's ears perked. Which one? What was her problem? "I am worried about Flowerblossom." Oh. Willowbranch's mind dabbled in anxiety. She could already guess; something was wrong with her transition back into the Clan. It was likely to happen; after the many moons she had spent outside of LeafClan territory, she had not been exposed to much of the Clan. She listened to Duskpounce's worries, nodding periodically. Willowbranch's heart sunk as she heard of Flowerblossom's growing introversion; she was certainly a she-cat that was social, and to see one of her defining traits chip away like that was shocking. "I want to see her embrace the clan as her home, and succeed as a warrior, but, I can't help but worry that instead she'll choose to leave, to make it out as a loner or rogue. I know I can't make decisions for her...but ..." Willowbranch's eyes clouded over with sorrow. "I hope for her to make some friends here; I know it must be very hard. As for her leaving the Clan..." She sighed. "I really hope she doesn't. I want her to be happy, of course, but.. what if something happened to her?" Willowbranch knew of the fierceness of rogues; ask her about Varuin, for example. "A-and, you wouldn't be there to look after her... would you? You couldn't leave again, Duskpounce!" she cried, nuzzling his cheek. She tried to change the topic. "You don't know how much I missed you... there was a hole in my heart. And I was foolish to ever try to replace you. why-you don't have to forgive me.. but I regret it so much now." She hoped thoroughly that he would forgive her, but after what she had done to him... she couldn't expect it.

[Dyzzie]

The male relaxed softly, feeling the female curl up against him, cuddling as naturally as one would draw in a breath. He took a soft breath, breathing in her scent as he did so, pressing his muzzle against her neck before laying his head over her shoulder. He had to smile as she shifted closer, and he couldn't help but feel like this was what heaven must be like. To be so happy - content - with the love of your life. but, he needed to talk about their daughter . . . Flowerblossom just . . . He sighed as he spoke, exposing all that he'd been worrying about from watching their daughter lately. He glanced towards his mate, seeing her own gaze mirroring his. He nodded as he listened to her talk, his breath soft, "I hope that she'll make some friends, and they'll help her to adjust better . . . she's missed a lot, not growing up properly in the clan, I can only imagine how she must feel . . ." He murmured gently, before glancing towards his mate with a faint smile, "Our daughter is quite the force to be reckoned with . . . If she were to leave the clan, you'd see a whole different side of her, I'm sure . . . She . . . She was far more open before we came back. Sassy and playful, but she was tough too. She embraced any training you gave her, and wasn't afraid to fight to survive. It's a different way of life beyond the boundaries - and she was raised in a cat-eat-cat world, with clan morals . . . If she were to leave, she'd be able to handle her own - and give back double what she takes." He assured gently.

At her next concern, the tom look surprised, before cuddling her closer, "Hush, love . . . Don't you worry about it . . . I'd miss her deeply - and I'd always love her, but my place is here with the clan . . . with you. I won't be leaving any time soon. Not if I have anything to say about it. You'll have me, for forever. I won't leave you ever again, I swear. Not until I breath my last breath, and then I'll wait patiently for you to join me in starclan, so we can continue to live out the rest of our eternity together." He purred gently to her, grooming along her back.

At her change in topic, he had to smile softly, nuzzling her closer to him, "I missed you far more than I could ever begin to explain. Nothing mattered but to return to you here . . . Nothing else was as important as that." He told her softly, before nuzzling her again, licking her cheek, "My dearest Willowbranch, there is nothing that needs to be forgiven. I love you, no matter what happened. You thought I was gone - possibly dead. In such a situation, I would never fault you for trying to move on, to find happiness. Your happiness is all that matters to me. If I ever truly left you - ascended to the next world with out warning . . . I'd want you to be able to move on . . . I'd want you to live the rest of your days happy . . . And I would never blame you for it." He told her softly. Sure, it had been difficult to know he'd been replaced - but the harder part was her assumption that he'd just up and left. That was the part that hurt him . . . Everything else he could over look, as long as he had her by his side now. Now was all that mattered. Now - with her close and always near him.

[Ambrose]

The thought of her daughter leaving the Clan, after already leaving for an age, shattered Willowbranch's heart. Her first-born was held so closely to her heart, and she never wanted to release her from that position. Of course, she would remain there for all of eternity, but if she was gone... Willowbranch shook her head sullenly. "She could definitely make friends. She's such a likable girl, our Flowerblossom. I just feel that lack of socialization with cats her age has shut her off." She forged a smile. "She doesn't want to talk to her old git of a dad." Laughing, she licked his cheek affectionately. She felt a little better when Duskpounce reassured her that she would get on well in the wild, and she certainly couldn't disagree; Flowerblossom had her wit, sassiness and street-smarts to get her around, and her well-trained technique. 
With that, Willowbranch realised that her kit... wasn't a kit anymore. She was a fully grown she-cat who could make her own decisions now. It was like only yesterday that she had given birth at the Gathering, behind a bush for a lowest level possible of privacy. 

Willowbranch couldn't help but purr when Duskpounce cuddled her closer, comforting her with the statement that he would never leave her side. "You'll have me, for forever. I won't leave you ever again, I swear." Willowbranch nuzzled his muzzle softly."Duskpounce.. I couldn't have had you say a better thing to me. I've never felt so secure, so joyful.. all because of you, Duskpounce. I love you more than I can express." she purred. It was all just perfect, and turned even better when he said how he forgave her for replacing him. She knew that she would have found it extremely hard if he replaced her. "I'm so grateful that you forgive me. I feel so awful about it now, but it's in the past. The future is vast, Duskpounce, and I can't wait to spend it with you.." Would she say it now? Oh, why not? "..and our second litter of kits!" she exclaimed, her face glowing with joy.

[Dyzzie]

The tom gently nuzzled the female by his side, seeing the look on her face. She didn't like the idea of Flowerblossom leaving either . . . It would be hard for either parent to take. He licked her cheek gently, "We'll just have to see if we can casual push her towards some of the other cats her own age then . . . get her socializing again." He stated with grin that only a parent planning to manipulate their child's social life could manage, before he huffed gently at Willowbranch, "Old . . . git . . .?" He repeated, seeming to pout at the statement before playfully flicking his tail against her hip, his pout shifting in a smile as she licked his cheek.

The tom smiled at the soft sound of his mate's purr, gently cuddling her close and relaxing with her there. He glanced down at her when she nuzzled him back, smiling at her soft words, "What can I say, I'm trained in the art of keeping you happy." He mused, his tone gentle and loving before licking her forehead tenderly, "I love you just as much, and don't you ever forget that." He responded with a smile before relaxing with her, a purr building up in his chest, smiling at the thought of a vast future, spent with her . . . second litter of kittens . . . and . . . . He pauses, his head shooting up, looking at her with wide eyes, "Second litter . . . of kits?" He repeats, his shocked expression swiftly changing into a look of pure joy and bliss, "We're going to have more little ones running around!" He meowed with delight, before nuzzling her close again, "When did you find out - why didn't you tell me sooner!" His eyes sparked with joy before he leaned his forehead against hers, his smile soft, but his words truthful, "I get a second chance of being a father . . . I won't let anything separate me from our kits this time." Unless another such kit fell into the water, but he was a stronger swimmer now, and he wouldn't let the water carry them away again.