Mean~55

Instructions

        "Vineripple, you're up to something."         The she-cat bristled and glared at the aging Medicine Cat angrily. "And why do you think that?" She snapped.         "Because I've known you your entire life!" His voice was sharp and Vineripple flinched, ducking her head and looking away. The dappled tom sighed, calming himself. "Vineripple, I'm worried about you. I know how much you loved Thornstar, and I know how happy you were when he returned your love. But, I'm beginning to worry that you became much too dependent on that love, and when he said the things he did..." Heronfeather trailed off, seemingly not knowing what to say next.         "I thought you were here to check on my pregnancy." The tabby she-cat mewed quietly, her heart aching. /Had/ she grown too attached to Thornstar and his love for her? Was that why she was... doing what she was doing?         Heronfeather was quiet for a long time before letting out a sigh. "Yes, yes. They were due yesterday, so it could be any time now.. Have you had any more headaches? Nausea? Fatigue?"         Vineripple shook her head quietly, the air around them gloomy.         He sighed again, turning away. "Well, if any of that changes come straight to me."         Vineripple stared at his back, her ears flat. Then, she turned, padding quietly from the den. She had slipped out and was making her way to the Nursery when he called her back. She paused, looking over her shoulder to see the Medicine Cat staring at her, his eyes pleading.         "Vineripple, it-it's not too late." He begged, voice cracking. "You still have me, okay? Don't-Don't do this... please."         Their eyes met and for a moment, Vineripple's gaze misted with tears. She loved Heronfeather as if he was her own father, and he somehow /knew/ what she was up to... For just a moment, she imagined it. Imagined putting Thornstar and Nightshade and Strikestar behind her, caring for her kits, living a happy life... But then, his words came tumbling back.         /You're pathetic!/         /Don't lie to me!/         /I hate you!/         /I will never love you again!/         /You're a monster!/         Vineripple dug her claws into the ground, trembling with grief that was soon overpowered by the fiery rage that drummed through her blood. He thought she was a monster before?         Well, she'd show Thornstar just how much of a monster she could be. --------------------         Heronfeather watched Vineripple turn and pad away from him, his heart breaking as he stood just outside the Medicine Den. For a while he just stood there, frozen. But then he turned, heading back inside and pulling some goldenrod off a shelf to sort the wilted from the still-okay-to-use. Flashes of the unchangeable future bombarded his mind, and after a moment his vision began to blur. He blinked in confusion as a few tears made their way down his face.         What?         When was the last time that he, the cold, unforgiving, grumpy Medicine Cat... had cried? It had been moons, years even. But now?         Now the omen from the night before came back to him, flashes of Vineripple, blood covering her pelt and eyes wild with blind rage and glee. He heard cats screaming in pain and fury and saw fighting, and blood. So, so much blood... And at the top of it all, grinning with an evil glint in her eyes, stood Vineripple. The cat he had loved as his own daughter. The cat he had protected and comforted and cared for... There was nothing he could do to save her.         Maybe if he had told her not to fall for Thornstar, maybe if he had been there for her more when she already had, maybe this wouldn't have happened. But alas, now there was no changing it.         Heronfeather thought that his heart might've been ripped out of his chest for the agony he felt as he fell forward, sending leaves and flowers flying around him. Sobs shook his entire body as cried, burying his face into his paws to muffle the sound. Because, even now, even when he had lost absolutely everything that he had left, he was still the grumpy Medicine Cat. He still had to cover up, he still had to hide, he still had to put on a show...         The only two cats he had ever opened up around were either already gone, or fading fast. He had failed them both times, and now, there was nothing he could do to stop it. To stop time. To go back to the good old days.         War was coming. --------------------         Heronfeather was just beginning to pull himself together when he heard Vineripple's first screech.