❝Cold bones, yeah, that's my love She hides away, like a ghost..❞ Life had been so simple, so good. A mate, their first kit arriving into her life, her siblings doing great, friends thriving. What more could she want or ask for? Life was simple, so good. ❝Ooh, does she know that we bleed the same?❞ There had been hardships, of course. The distant, fuzzy life before ShadowClan, where the three kits had come from, a place even her memories couldn’t reach. But it was for the best that they’d been welcomed into the Clan - she couldn’t think of a better place to be. Learning to survive being a tripod, no easy task in the wilderness. But with help, they’d overcome it. Strawberrysmudge’s sudden death, something that still hurt when they thought of the happy-go-lucky brother who never got the chance to grow old. But they had family to get through it with. Sorrelsquirrel’s departure. A wound that had long since stopped biting when their mind spun back to that fateful night, now a dull ache in her heart when she thought of her Pa. But together, Lingo and her, came out of their ill feelings with a stronger bond. Their younger siblings’ successive deaths, one of four still with them. But she knew Beetrootpaw was doing exceptionally well, especially now that he was Lingo’s apprentice. So yeah, life wasn’t smooth sailing all of the time, but she’d gotten through it little by little, and the good outweighed the bad, always. Life was simple, so good. ❝Ooh, don't wanna cry, but I break that way❞ What about the good, then? Getting to grow up in ShadowClan alongside her adored siblings, their adventures still strong in her memory. Sorrelsquirrel tucking them into bed, reluctance from her of course, after a long day spent performing duties. Becoming an apprentice and meeting so many different cats. Friends she still had to the day. Training with Cloudbumble, a friend, mentor, and mother-figure to her. Someone she loved deeply for her spark and bubbly personality. Becoming a warrior, something she’d dreamed about since the days of being a starry-eyed kit. Meeting their younger siblings, a joyous and albeit nervous time for them. Who knew kits had such big ideas? Falling in love with Rascalcharm, her childhood friend that blossomed into something more. They’d confessed to one another by the beach, where they made each other gifts to celebrate their love. And then, Fathomkit’s finding. At the couple’s favorite place, too, the beach. Such a joyous day that had been, welcoming a new edition into their lives, beginning a family together. Life had been so simple, so good. ❝Cold sheets, oh, where's my love?❞ Until it wasn’t. ❝I’m searching high❞ Later that evening, Rascalcharm had ventured to the beach in search of any siblings of Fathomkit they’d happened to have missed accidentally. Fablechime, who had been messaged when they found their grand-grandkit and traveled to ShadowClan to meet her, and Gooseberrycrown had opted to stay behind until Fathomkit had fallen asleep, cozy in the new nest they’d created for their new little princess of the sea. Gooseberrycrown already loved the little kit immensely, and leaving her wasn’t something she wanted to do yet. But they hated the thought of leaving any kit behind, so she decided to join Razzy in the search, along with Fablechime, giving Fathomkit a quick lick on the forehead before she went. ❝I’m searching low, in the night❞ The woods were beautiful in the twilight, the sun casting long shadows through the trees. Stars were just beginning to wink into existence in the night sky, followed by the moon slowly rising. What a lovely evening it would have been. Would have been. Should have been. ❝Ooh, does she know that we bleed the same? Ooh, don't wanna cry, but I break that way❞ By the time Gooseberrycrown and Fablechime had made it to the beach, the sun was gone, but the air still warm as the moon rose higher and higher, illuminating the waves in beautiful light. The once crystal-clear teal water was dark in the night, now, the moon’s reflection and light shimmering on the breaking waves as they idly crashed into the sand. Their yellow and blue eyes gleamed in the darkness as they scanned the beach, looking for the familiar, fluffy brown pelt with pretty rosettes that belonged to Rascalcharm. “Razzy?” She called out, brow furrowing as they looked around. “Are you out here?” No response. ❝Did she run away? Did she run away? I don't know❞ “Cmon, you can’t be playing /another/ prank on me! Fathomkit is waiting for u-” Gooseberrycrown’s heart seemed to stop in her chest at the sight. It didn’t seem real. It couldn’t be real. ❝If she ran away, if she ran away, come back home❞ Rascalcharm laid there, in the wet sand where the water met land, her beautiful fur plastered to her frame. Still, unmoving. The dying sun illuminated her fur, making the intricate rosettes look like flames. Everything was still. So, so still. The waves barely lapped at the shore, hungry and
greedy. The claws who took her love. The gulls, usually so loud and obnoxious, were nowhere to be seen, huddled away with no voice left for the evening. It was just her. And the body of her love, her life destroyed by the very thing she loved so deeply. ❝ Just come home.. ❞ She had no idea when the tears had started. But they came like a tidal wave. Sick, terrible sobs erupted from Gooseberrycrown as she crouched by Razzy, once trying to awaken her, now crushed by the realization she’d never return to her. ❝ I got a fear, oh, in my blood ❞ She had no idea when Fablechime had heard, coming running as fast as the older cat could. Only to come to a sudden halt at the sight before them. The terrible realization must’ve hit them when the cinnamon furred warrior looked up at them, her usual joyous, goofy grin replaced by shuddering sobs that their grandkit was dead. ❝ She was carried up into the clouds, high above ❞ They had no idea how long they both sat there, sobbing over the body of one of the cats they held most dear. She had no idea when they had both finally moved, gingerly cleaning the sodden pelt of Rascalcharm before lifting her onto their backs. Beginning the terrible trek back to camp. To tell all in the Clans Rascalcharm was dead. ❝ Ooh, if you bled, I bleed the same ❞ How Gooseberrycrown had made it home, they never knew. How she didn’t collapse from the sheer pain she was in along the trip back, she had no idea. This terrible feeling plagued her. It hadn’t been this terrible when Sorrelsquirrel left, or when their younger littermates began to die, one by one, or when she heard of Cloudbumble’s departure. They’d all hurt so badly. But this, this was a thousand times worse. It didn’t help when cats rushed to meet their party, genuinely in shock. They’d offering words of comfort and condolences to her, but Goosey barely heard them. She’d barely heard when Fablechime told the awful tale of Rascalcharm’s death to the Clan. She could only turn and run to the only one she could think of. ❝ Ooh, if you're scared, I'm on my way ❞ Fathomkit still lay in her nest, cozy in the nursery after such a day of turmoil. The little dear was fast asleep, her chest rising and falling rhythmically. Her soft, plush blue-gray and sandy brown fur perfectly clean after her mothers’ coddling. Goosey could only hope that her dreams were full of wonder and joy as they came to curl around her, shielding her. And in the morning, she’d awake, her yellow and green eyes sparkling. Unlike Rascalcharm. Who would never rise from this StarClan-cursed slumber. ❝ Did you run away? Did you run away? I don't need to know ❞ The next morning, it was yet another phase in this cycle. The cycle no one wished to speak of or watch happen. The cycle the Clans upheld when one of their own died. The vigil had been held, those who loved Razzy whispering their prayers to her and the lovely times shared. Now, as the day wore on, marked by the rising sun over the treetops, it would be time to truly say farewell. The congregation had gathered early that morn, collecting the beloved feline and flowers picked from all those in the Clan. Then they set out, down the trails, through the trees, the birds singing their mournful songs all the way. To the forest overlooking the beach, where if one were to reach out, could be holding the sand in their paws. In a secluded spot, where the sun shone the best, they dug. Once the grave was dug, all that was left was to lower the inhabitant in. There were more tears, naturally. Last goodbyes spoken or whispered, dirt replaced to its former place, flowers set, last looks given. As they all stood there, in the silence of the woods, Gooseberrycrown clutched the accessories she'd taken off Rascalcharm: a hollow ram's horn, fashioned into a pouch; a coral, pearl, and shell chain, the one they'd given to her when they both confessed their feelings to one another that lovely day; the shell bracelet, from the same day; and lastly, the pearl, seaglass, and crystal tail charm Lilly-pillyspill gave to his daughter. These few objects held memories, precious feelings and moments. As Goosey held them to her chest, she knew that she couldn't ever hoard them to herself. No, they knew exactly what to do with these trinkets worn by Rascalcharm in life. She just hoped Fathomkit would love them as much as she had. ❝ If you ran away, if you ran away, come back home ❞ As Gooseberrycrown wandered through the woods, she couldn't help but smile to herself. Life hadn't been easy, but it had been so good. Rascalcharm's death was something she would carry with her for a while, but they'd get through it. They had Lingonberryhush and Budgie, the fun-loving loner she called a daughter. And, of course, her favorite cat of all: Fathompaw, the sea princess of ShadowClan, her daughter. Soon, she'd be a warrior - all grown up. Yes, it hadn't been easy, but, Life was good. ❝ Just come home ❞
