Username: βLady Raincloudβ
Cat's Name: Smokethorn
Cat's gender: Male
Clan Thread:
NocturneClan Prompt:
This was a trap of his own setting.
After the battle he lived his life, everyday, as if his lungs were being choked by smoke- a pitiful wording born in mockery to his own name in his troubled thoughts- and every night he had to force himself to hide any tears. It was shameful. He was not a young, naive warrior, kit or apprentice anymore. He'd fought in many battles, and he'd won his share, he'd hunted and scavenged for his clans for literal years.
Yet nothing was more stifling and heart wrenching, or even frightening, as this trap. It was strange- he'd only chosen to stay loyal to SerenadeClan. That was all it took. His mate was the new leader's sister, he couldn't do otherwise, even if his father's family were all rooting for Fishsong's continued reign, his darling Petalnose's views and concerns seemed to melt away all others. He was quite lost whenever the she-cat was gone, and lost still when she was there- in her voice, her eyes, how kind and noble she was!
He looked to her one night as he thought of this. His sister, Shadedflower, had often whispered to him that Petalnose was a deceiver, that she wanted to take him away from his true loyalties, and those who really loved him. Yet whenever he saw his mate, he could never believe it. He still didn't, especially now they had 5 grown kittens- may Kestrelwing rest in peace, however- and that wasn't including their two, beautiful little ones, who lay nestled up to their mother next to him. He could be happy here, with her!
Yet his mind echoed with the screams and growls of that terrible last battle. He'd seen his brother's kits and mate die at his own allies paws! And what had he done? He hadn't done anything. He'd just watched in silence. He'd even fought with his father, and it wasn't just words- to his very hour, Tempestshadow had a large scar going across his right eye which left it blind. Smokethorn would never forget the look of betrayal which shone in his eyes then.
Now he was trapped by his own thoughts of this day. Of the thoughts of seeing Tempestcloud, his brother named for their father, crying out for him to do something while Frostedflakes lay dying. While Edgewalker and Snowsight were being slammed into the cave walls by their former clanmates. And finally when Heronwhisker- this was Petalwnose's brother- when he took song to his name and banished each and every cat who dared still support the now deceased Fishsong.
It make matters worse, Fishsong had been his uncle. His own kin and he up and turned against him. What kind of loyalty was this? What truly mattered, the cats of SerenadeClan, or his now exiled kin who he truly, and deeply loved.
He looked down at his mate and kits again as he thought. He let his sigh stay fixed on them, for a moment. Barnaclekit looked just like him, and Dapplekit was as beautiful as her mother. He loved these three too. Yet it pained him to look at them.
And he knew then he couldn't stay in this trap anymore.
He wasn't sure Petalnose really was a liar.
But he was a deceiver, even if she wasn't.
He'd deceived himself, his clan, his mate and his family when he thought his loyalty lay with SerenadeClan.
There was only one thing to do.
He would go after them, and leave this lie behind him. Forever.