It had been 7 days since Vineripple had given birth, and her kits meant the world to her. Thornstar was by her side practically every second of every day and she let him pamper her, if only to annoy and hurt Nightshade. Poisonkit and Crushkit seemed the closest, but Crushkit and Foxkit also often played. The russet tom didn’t seem to like his sister very much, though. But she assumed that was just because of most young toms thinking she-cats were gross. Or, were they too young to even think like that? She didn’t know. Vineripple was watching her three kits tussle playfully in the moss-Crushkit was losing-when the gray and russet tom entered the den, followed closely by Honeypool, who’s eyes warmed at the sight of the kits. Their eyes hadn’t opened yet and their paws were soft and clumsy as they batted at each other. Thornstar was carrying a squirrel in his jaws as he maneuvered his way around their tiny creations to the new queen’s side. He dropped the prey with a purr. “Hungry?” Vineripple beckoned for him to lay down beside her. “You just brought me a mouse a little while ago~why don’t we share this one?” Thornstar settled down beside her, giving her neck a loving nuzzle before taking a bite of the squirrel. Vineripple’s eyes caught on Honeypool and she laughed quietly at the look on the yellow she-cat’s face. “You can wash their pelts for me, if you’d like.” The tabby purred, taking a bite. Honeypool met her gaze for a moment before happily nodding and pulling Foxkit to her. He squirmed against her as she cleaned his fur, a purr rumbling in her throat. Poisonkit and Crushkit teamed up, following the scent of their brother on clumsy paws and batting at him while he was unable to protect himself. The adults chuckled at the sight. Vineripple smiled as Thornstar rested his tail over hers, his pelt soft against hers. She couldn’t lie: She still loved him. She still loved him a lot. Maybe... Maybe she didn’t have to attack. Vineripple smiled at the idea. Yes, yes. Thornstar wanted her back so maybe... Maybe things could stay like this. She liked this. —————————— Vineripple slipped back into camp, the smell of ShadowClan on her pelt covered by wild garlic. She wasn’t brave enough to tell Strikestar that she didnt want to do the attack anymore for a second time. Now she had two options: Tell ShadowClan to call off the attack, or tell ThunderClan beforehand what was going to happen so they could be ready. The attack would be in 3 days. Strikestar claimed that she needed enough time to recover from kitting, though Vineripple thought that she was fine. But she didn’t argue. It gave her more time to think. Her amber eyes darted across camp as Honeypool and Sheepstep trotted up to her, their tails entwined. Vineripple smiled. Honeypool and Sheepstep were both such good cats, she didn’t want them getting hurt. “Vineripple, where’ve you been?” The stand-in Deputy frowned. “Yeah, Heronfeather sent Petalpaw to check on you, but you weren’t in the Nursery!” Honeypool added, her eyes concerned. Oh, yeah. Nightshade’s sister, Petal, had joined the Clan. She was training to be a Medicine Cat now. Vineripple just purred, shaking her head. “Honeypool, when you have kits you’ll understand just how suffocating it can be in there.” Sheepstep and Honeypool’s eyes widened and their faces reddened. “I just needed to stretch my legs. Firefly and Thornstar are with them.” “O-Okay..” Vineripple slipped past the pair and into the Nursery where Firefly looked up, her mismatched eyes brightening at the sight of the mother. Vineripple always thought that was so beautiful and alluring-her eyes. One was yellow and the other green. “Finally!” The black and white she-cat mewed, jumping to her paws. “I’m not much of a kit person.” “Well thanks anyways.” She purred, heart warming at the sight of Thornstar and the kits sleeping, his tail wrapped around their tiny bodies protectively. “He wouldn’t have woken up if they had.” The other she-cat snorted as she slipped away. “No kidding.” Vineripple smiled as she gazed at her kits. Crushkit was on his back, his paws splayed out in the air. She chuckled just as a set of paws entered the den. Turning, she bristled at the sight of Nightshade.
The black she-cat’s eyes were cold and hard as she entered. “I followed you.” Vineripple was frozen for a split second, her heart catching in her throat. Then, she snickered. “Really? Again? Well where’d I go /this/ time?” She sneered, praying to StarClan that Nightshade was bluffing. “ShadowClan.” The black she-cat breathed. “You’re planning an attack.” Vineripple sucked in a sharp breath. “I-I can’t /believe/ you!” Her yowl woke Thornstar and the kits with a start, his head shooting up. His green eyes darted between the two. “What’s going on?” Vineripple opened her mouth to reply, but Nightshade got their first. “Vineripple’s plotting an attack with ShadowClan!” The leader’s eyes widened and he jumped to his paws, bristling as the realization dawned on him. Vineripple shook her head frantically, her paws trembling. “I-No, Th-Thornstar, don’t listen to her!” When he looked at Vineripple, his eyes held a mix of disbelief, hurt, and confusion. “Is this true?” He asked calmly, making Vineripple’s heart scream. “I-No! I mean yes, but-“ “TRAITOR!” Nightshade screamed, leaping at Vineripple with outstretched claws. She barreled into her, tearing her claws down her face and sides. “HE LOVED YOU! YOU HAD EVERYTHING! /EVERYTHING!!/“ Vineripple choked as Nightshade pressed a paw to her throat, choking her. She looked to the side, seeing Thornstar. He seemed to be frozen in shock, pain and grief flashing in his eyes. “V-Vineripple..” He choked out, looking broken. “No, no!” Vineripple gasped, clawing at Nightshade’s leg futility. “You have to listen to me, let me /explain/! You-You can’t just take my greatest enemy’s word over mine! Just-Just let-“ Nightshade pressed down harder on her throat, and Vineripple’s vision began to darken. “Let me explain...” She croaked. Thornstar stared at her for a moment, pain in his eyes. Then, he shook his head, turning away and leaving her to be killed by Nightshade. For a moment, Vineripple felt cold. And then, she was blazing hot. She didn’t even remember throwing Nightshade off her with such strength that the black she-cat damaged the nursery wall when she hit it. She didn’t remember barreling past Thornstar and into camp. She didn’t remember the stares of her Clanmates. The shock, the betrayal... She didn’t remember the look in Thornstar’s eyes. The cat that she had once loved who time and time again showed that he valued and trusted her greatest enemy over her. She had sacrificed for him, but it seemed like he could never return the favor when it counted. And, she didn’t remember running, the wind whipping at her pelt as she rushed for ShadowClan. And when she got there, she didn’t remember ordering that the attack would be at dawn. Written by @Stormstar1515 ;P Vineripple~ @Stormstar1515 Nightshade~ @FnafMangleTime Thornpad~ @Blacklist_Rogue Creekfrost~ @Endercat-uwu Skyfall~ @DJDoritoCO Honeypool~ @WarriorsSilverstream Chapter 1: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/383248637/ Next Chapter: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/412123173/
