We Can't Stay



"StarClan, what happened to you?"

"I tried to escape."

"Why?"

"I was trapped... and desperate."

The Blurb
Stormshine had her sister's kits to think about. But Gorsethorn was there, and eventually, he was going to leave. Nightkit and Fallowkit were tying her deeply to WaveClan, and sometimes, she felt a need to run away. Gorsethorn was offering her a way out... and Stormshine was desperate enough to believe him.

Prologue
“AUGH!”

The scream came from the nursery. Cats had been gathered around the thorn bush, and now, they all recoiled in fear.

A ginger she-cat poked her head out, and mewed, “Alright, everyone, stay back! We don’t have a lot of time!”

With that, she darted into a small den, and then back into the nursery, with leaves flowing out of her mouth.

“NYAH!”

The screams were becoming almost unbearable, and now, there were shudders. Kits pressed against their mothers, as the screams carried on.

One she-cat stood so close to the nursery, it seemed as though she would fall inside it. She was muttering quietly to herself, and trying to make sense of this.

Suddenly, the screaming stopped. Cats stood alert, as the ginger she-cat stepped out again. But this time, she was fazed in sorrow.

“Stormshine, come in. Quickly.”

The she-cat pulled herself away from the nursery walls, her heart beating quickly.

''Mistshade’s all right. She has to be fine! …Right?''

The ginger she-cat gestured to the pale gray queen.

“Mistshade!”

“I’m sorry, Stormshine.” The ginger she-cat mewed, “But Mistshade’s not going to make it. She’s far too weak.”

Stormshine whirled on the small she-cat, “Not going to make it? What in the name of StarClan are you talking about?”

The ginger she-cat nodded, “It was a rough kitting. You heard her screams. Mistshade… she’s dying as we speak.”

“What kind of a medicine cat are you, Goldenleaf?” Stormshine spat, “If you can’t save her…”

Goldenleaf sighed, “It’s astounding that she’s alive right now. You best speak to her. Mistshade won’t be alive at sunrise.”

With that, the medicine cat exited the den, and Stormshine threw herself beside her weakened sister.

Mistshade coughed, her eyes bleak, “Stormshine…” She murmured.

“Yes?” Stormshine cried, tears caking her face.

Mistshade’s voice was fading, but she still whispered, “Nightkit… and Fallowkit…”

Stormshine looked down at the two kits, and nodded, “What about them?”

“Take care… of my kits…” Mistshade muttered, “For me… please… Stormshine.”

Stormshine nudged her sister, “Of course I will. I’d do anything for you.”

“Promise?” She murmured weakly, her blue eyes fading.

“Promise.” Stormshine echoed.

Mistshade smiled, “Good. Stormshine… goodbye…”

And then, the nursery went silent.

Chapter One
Wind brushes through my fur. I stand in silence, hoping for a moment, that the wind can make me disappear. I’m not supposed to be here. In fact, I shouldn’t even be out of camp.

Nightkit and Fallowkit need me. There’s no question about it. Even if Finchbreeze is the one nursing them, they treat me like their mother.

Mistshade’s not coming back… so I suppose I do take her place. But this new relationship I have with the kits has trapped me inside WaveClan. Always asking about one thing or another. Never any peace and quiet.

I can't even leave the nursery, without being hounded by pitful mews.

As much as I love my sister's kits... they're a burden.

A burden that cannot be lifted.

~

I make my way back to camp, though nervous. I'm always being scolded for leaving, due to Nightkit and Fallowkit's fragile mental states.

As I brush into the clearing, one cat catches my eye. Gorsethorn's amber gaze is trained on me.

Oh no...

Luckily, he just nods, allowing me to continue. He's a good cat, to cover for me. Most cats will tell me off, or confront someone. Today, I am lucky.

Or as lucky as I can be, before Foxwhisker trots over, "Stormshine! There you are! You know you can't leave camp all the time, right? Fallowkit had a meltdown."

"Not again..." I murmur, "What this time?"

Foxwhisker sighs, "She was convinced you had died, or something equally as ridiculous."