BlogClan Holiday Gift Exchange: Part 2
Icy and I hope you enjoy this second batch as much as the first! :)
___________________
“Ivory. It’s time.”
I opened my eyes and met the amber ones of my Superior. Greenleaf had arrived once again. Last greenleaf, my mate, Burnet, had gone through the Trial. She had not returned, which meant that she must have been accepted by the Conference. It had been a season since I’d seen her. My heart soared at the thought of being with her again.
“Coming, Rayhope!” I exclaimed cheerfully. I sprang up and, with more energy than an Initiate, ran toward the Valley.
“Slow down!” Rayhope called after me. But I could not be stopped. Not today.
She was there. Waiting for me. Her ginger fur gleamed in the sunlight, and she looked like she was on fire. No—Burnet looked like she was fire. And I was the ice. I kept running until I was face-to-face with her. For one moment, neither of us knew what to say.
Burnet was the one who broke the spell.
“Ivory,” she breathed. Just my name, nothing more. But it was as if a switch had been turned on, and I found my cream fur pressed tightly against her ginger, our tails entwined.
“It feels like it’s been forever,” I choked out, the tears that I had been holding back now threatening to spill over in a great flood. We finally stepped away, and I saw the tears gleaming in her eyes, too. But my Burnet is too fierce to cry. She blinked them away and shook her head, smiling at me.
Our short reunion was interrupted by the arrival of a silver she-cat.
“Welcome, Ivory,” she meowed, dipping her head in my direction. Unsure of what to do, I nodded back.
“This is the Guardian of the Flame!” Rayhope hissed in my ear. Shocked, I spun around to face my Superior.
“How long have you been here?” I muttered.
“I just got here. Now pay attention and stop acting like an Initiate!” he growled in response.
I turned back to the silver she-cat, whose whiskers were twitching out of amusement.
“It’s true. I am the Flameguard,” she meowed softly. “You wish to join the Conference?”
“With all my heart,” I responded, glancing longingly at Burnet. Flameguard followed my gaze, and slowly nodded.
“I see,” she murmured.
Rayhope chose that moment to go over the rules of the Trial for what seemed like the thousandth time.
“You are aware of how this works, correct?” he asked me. I sighed wearily in response.
“Yes, Rayhope,” I muttered, but I was ignored. Rayhope began explaining the rules once again.
“You must survive a quarter moon on your own in the Valley. You can come to the Conference for help, but if you choose to do so, you will fail. On the last day, a cat will be sent to fight you. If you beat them, you pass. “
It sounded easy enough. But there would be a twist. There was always a twist. This time, it was obvious—if you were smart. Greenleaf brought countless storms, and storm clouds sometimes hide lightning in their depths. Lightning causes fire.
I shook my thoughts away as Burnet padded towards me, worry present in her sun-like yellow eyes.
“Come home safe,” she whispered, her voice as soft as the dewed grass beneath our paws.
“I will,” I murmured. I gave her a lick behind the ear to reassure her, but it wasn’t enough. She cast me one last concerned glance before dashing off after Rayhope.
“Ivory,” Flameguard meowed, creating an atmosphere of tension that nearly suffocated me. “Your Trial begins now.”
Day 1
A warm breeze stirred the grasses, and blew the scent of a rabbit toward me. I followed the scent trail until I caught sight of the rabbit. It was nibbling on the heather, completely unaware of me. Perfect. I ran toward it (it does no good to stalk a rabbit) and when it finally noticed me, my teeth were already clamped around its neck. I bit into it, blood filling my mouth. I spat it out and shook my head, disgusted. It wasn’t my cleanest kill, but it would do. I ate half of it quickly, and stopped for a while, contemplating what I should do with the other half. I decided to build a makeshift nest instead of eating the other half, since the sun was almost completely below the horizon. I worked on my nest for a long while, gathering and flattening the heather, until an owl’s screech brought me back to reality. I settled down into me half-made nest, and fell asleep to the rustling of the heather.
Day 2
A sharp pang of pain woke me up, and, although I was still half-asleep, I had enough sense to roll away and out of reach of whatever had hurt me. I got to my feet, groggily, and attempted to assess my situation. A fox rammed into me before I had the chance to. My paws flailed in the air as I attempted to claw it, and, by some miracle, I clawed it in the stomach. It ran off, whimpering. I sighed in relief, and quickly finished the rest of the rabbit. Rayhope had tried to teach me the different herbs and their usages, but I did not have a memory for herbs. However, one thing stuck with me—cobwebs are used to stop bleeding. It did not take long to find a sufficient amount. I hastily pressed the cobwebs to my (thankfully) shallow wound. I settled down into my nest, silently promising Rayhope to learn as much about herbs as I could when I returned to the Conference.
Day 3
The day was blessedly peaceful. I caught a mouse and quickly ate it, watching out warily for…anything, really. But nothing came. Nothing tried to kill me.
I sat out the rest of the day in silence.
Day 4
It was as peaceful as it had been the day before. Nothing eventful. No attempts on my life. I dreamed of what it would be like, being a member of the Conference, a leader of the Passel. Being with Burnet again.
I could imagine nothing better.
Day 5
Run.
I had to run.
It was as I had feared. A storm had come. A nasty one, bringing with it lightning—and fire.
I ran.
But I wasn’t fast enough.
All at once, I was engulfed in burning hot flames that ripped away all my hopes, dreams, aspirations, along with my life.
And then I felt nothing.
Day 6
As soon as I opened my eyes, I knew that I was dead.
I knew because my mother was there.
Scarlet was arguing with another cat, insisting that I shouldn’t have died.
“Hush, he can hear us,” the other cat whispered. Scarlet turned to face me. She did not speak, but instead looked at me, her expression a strange mixture of sadness and anger. “Come, Ivory,” the other cat murmured, and it was then that I saw her face.
It was Flameguard.
Almost.
The silver she-cat had dark blue eyes, as opposed to Flameguard’s green ones. “I am Shimmerflame,” the she-cat meowed.
“You’re Shimmerflame? The first Flameguard?” I asked. I was in awe. I was just some nobody who failed their Trial, and yet, here I was, talking to Shimmerflame. I couldn’t wait for Burnet to…
Oh, right.
I was dead.
I wouldn’t see Burnet again until she died.
“Look, Ivory,” Shimmerflame murmured, directing my gaze downward.
I saw Rayhope, blinking away tears.
I saw Flameguard, comforting my beloved Burnet.
Burnet was on the ground, next to my charred body, begging me to wake up. I begged myself to wake up.
But I realized, with a sinking feeling, that I never would.
Day 7
“Please, Burnet, just… eat this.”
Burnet turned away from the silver she-cat across from her. She had not eaten anything since she’d found out of Ivory’s death. Not since she’d seen his body, covered with soot and ashes.
“Ivory,” she whispered weakly. She was vaguely aware of Flameguard laying down next to her.
“I’m so sorry,” Flameguard murmured. “It–it was my fault.”
Flameguard slowly stood up, and began pacing. “It was my fault!” she spat. “I should’ve included lessons on fire survival! This would’ve never happened, if not for me.”
“No!” Burnet exclaimed. “This was no one’s fault. Don’t blame yourself.” The ginger tabby she-cat gradually stood up. “Besides, Ivory would want me to move on.” Each syllable stuck in her throat, as if a rose had been shoved down it, the thorns scratching and tearing up her insides.
She took the starling from Flameguard and began to eat.
Riv, I know you changed your name (otherwise I wouldn’t be calling you Riv!) but I was too far along in the story to change Shimmerflame’s name. Sorry!
I hope you enjoyed it!
Hi Bramble I would really like to thank you for being the best mentor I could ever imagine. You have been incredible, congratulating me on getting my cringeworthy articles published and chatting to me about Maze Runner (RIP Newt) . I wish that my secret Santa gift could have been different but I just haven't had the time to get it finished, I hope I will be able to put it on the blog another time. Again Bramble, you are incredible and I hope you have had a great Christmas and a happy new year. I think my BlogClan New Years resolution is to try and be as good an apprentice as you are a mentor. Bramblefire you are amazing
Creative
Happy
Outgoing
Playful
Amazing
Wonderful
- from your BlogClan Buddy!
Here's an extra special message from your BlogClan Buddy:
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! YAY!!!
5 Little known Warrior cat facts
-Almost every single ThunderClan medicine cat after Featherwhisker fell in love (although many of them didn’t officially mate)
Spottedleaf – Firestar
Yellowfang – Raggedstar
Cinderpelt – Firestar
Leafpool – Crowfeather
-When Scrouge killed Tigerstar, he hit nine major organs, which is why Tigerstar lost all nine of his lives.
-Four deputies of RiverClan have come form the same family tree: Crookedjaw(star), Oakheart, Stonefur, and Mistyfoot. Incidentally, two members of that family were deputies in ThunderClan as well: Bluefur(star) and Whitestorm
-Since Redtail is Sandstorm’s father, that means Hollyleaf, Lionblaze, and Jayfeather have the most different kinds of blood in them of any known cats: ThunderClan, SkyClan, Kittypet, and WindClan (and technically loner since they are descended from Wind[star] as well).
-Bluestar was originally going to be named “Moonstar” but the Erins thought her name shouldn’t be after clan marks (Moonstone) Yet her mother is moonflower :D
So, Have a very merry Christmas and a great winter!! :D
Happy Holidays! Here’s a poem from me to you. :)
Enjoy!
You are sweet and so cheerful
Talented and so modest
Funny and so energetic
I hope you know how amazing you are!
Have a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! <3 :D
Mossball, I've been too busy to actually draw or write something, but here's some cute cat photos to (sort of) make up for it:
https://www.petmd.com/sites/default/files/petmd-cat-happy-13.jpg
http://www.themalaysiantimes.com.my/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/06-train-cat-shake-hands.jpg
http://kittenrescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/KittenRescue_KittenCareHandbook.jpg
https://www.petmd.com/sites/default/files/petmd-kitten-toys-1.jpg
https://fthmb.tqn.com/O0XIXoRwooIc-GclT39jigOCjb8=/960×0/filters:no_upscale()/germany-newborn-kittens-sleeping-on-blanket-close-up-140882478-57d961f43df78c583396727b.jpg
you’re a awesome and great person. i don’t know if you’re going through anything right now or not, but regardless you are an awesome and great person and blogclan is lucky to have you <3
_________________
They say some are just... taken.
They have disappeared.
Gone.
Forever.
Without seeing even a moon in your life.
That's what happened to me.
My sister Poolkit was too angry, too upset.
One night a fox broke into the nursery. It tore up the brambles protecting the den. I finally go face-to-face with my sister's blue eyes. We call kits like her late bloomers. Her eyes wouldn't open for days... and now it just happened, at the most chaotic of times.
"Your eyes eyes has opened!" I squeal. I couldn't draw my eyes away from my sister's gaze, her eyes being like deep, brilliant blue pools. They were beautiful.
They were also glittering with anguish and fear.
"We have to go!" Poolkit cried.
Cat were shrieking around me.
"Go! Get out!" A towering cat shouts.
I run for the exit of the nursery, Poolkit pounding her small paws on the dust in front of me.
Suddenly, I'm grabbed in huge drooling jaws.
"Ivykit!" Poolkit shrieks.
What was I going to do? My heart was in my throat, pounding its way out. I was blinded by fear.
I twist myself to look into the fox's malevolent, glittering eyes. Why me?
Why?
The fox's jaws went taut and it bounded out of the camp.
My home.
I was swinging from that monster's jaws.
Then suddenly it dropped me down on a clump of grass. I could pick up my Clanmates' shrieks of horror, edging their way to my location.
Then suddenly the fox gripped my puny body and snapped my neck.
I could feel myself floating away from my body. I saw myself, my head twisted in an unnatural position. When I looked down at my paws, they were swathed in starlight.
Starlight.
The place was beautiful, stars glittering in the ferns and grass. I felt a pang, imagining Cloudberry and Poolkit.
What will I do without them?
Before I could take a step, I was dropped down into an endless hole of black.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A few days later....
Darkness entangled me.
Endless darkness.
Sounds and scents of the nursery comforted me.
Suddenly, my eye muscles twitched and forced a soft light into my vision.
"They opened their eyes!" A squealing bundle of fur barreled into me.
"Welcome to the world, little Silverkit." A black she-cat gazed at me affectionately.
I nearly cry out with happiness when I recognized the place.
The Nursery!
Poolkit!
Here’s a little something I made for you! I hope you like it! (and sorry it’s late)
BLEEDING BERRIES
Do you remember the berries I left for you?
Do you know the place where they lay?
Those little juniper berries resting by the pool
Never touched,
Never thought of,
Never disturbed.
Why do I keep coming back?
Just hopeful, perhaps.
That longing in those eyes
But you never came, never came….
How can this midnight last forever?
How can this feeling never die?
See that fox?
How it leaps so high?
How it bounds and dives and scores?
But look how it misses those lonely berries,
Fading away in the dust.
Will you reach them?
Take them?
Save them?
Will they rot?
Will they survive this raging storm?
But how can this moment last forever?
How can this one story never die?
I’ve watched you,
Followed you,
Sought you,
Loved you…..
But will you ever take those little berries?
Will you ever take my shaking hand
Covered in that black blood that shed from your face?
I’ve waited for this moment since forever,
But who knows what the answer will be?
Together since the dawn of time,
Staring out into the skyline,
Never really knowing what our future would bring.
But we all know that the past doesn’t last forever,
We all know that those berries weren’t left to die.
This feeling is unbearable
So real, yet so blind….
But until that final breath becomes mine,
I know I finally fulfilled my destiny.
For it was not to force those berries into your hand
But to protect them from this wretched land.
Because that day when I faded away,
Those berries didn’t depart with me……
Now you see that fox that leaps over the pool?
How it always stays near that juniper tree?
That protectiveness in its eyes?
The swiftness in its step?
Even though you never touched those berries,
That fox is still there
Waiting,
Hoping…..
All those years I’ve waited
But perhaps when I stopped waiting,
When I finally left,
It was then that you took those berries.
Did you ever guess who I became then?
No, probably not.
But I must have told you through our touching thoughts
Yes my friend,
That fox was me.
But those berries weren’t from the juniper tree anymore.
A more special gift was not only given to you, but to me as well.
And that gift was you.
See that river run red?
See our hands and mouths turn scarlet?
I guess I finally learned what love is.
Would you die for a person you love?
Would it drive you to do such a valiant thing?
Once you’ve seen those berries turn red,
Red as holly berries,
You know your answer.
And that’s beautiful.
Ask for the interpretation on the blog! I’d be happy to explain ^^ But if you just want to leave it as a mystery and interpret your own way, that’s fine too. Hope you enjoyed it!
~ Your Secret Santa
I'm lucky to have you as my friend,And I just want to make sure you know how much you're loved,And always will be.
- from your BlogClan Buddy
*If you don't end up receiving yours by mid-January, get in touch with Icy or me and we'll see what we can do*
All in all . . . Happy holidays and have a blast this New Years Eve!!! :)
Icy and I can't wait to see all the gifts in December 2018!