Now, there are times when we might've been forced as a third wheel on things, but maybe you've overheard something that makes you glad you came, even if you're the only one who doesn't belong. Despite that you're only there to keep things calm, you can have fun during those times. However, sometimes the thought of only being there to make sure nothing bad happens can get to you. Hearing or seeing something mind-blowing, however, can be astounding and change all of that annoyance to instant pride. No, it doesn't have to be that thing when it's two of your friends and I'm sure nobody wants to see that. 

But I'm talking about the times when you see something that makes you stop and you question what you really just saw - again, not that - or heard. For example, what if your friend just opened up and let the walls down for once? Or they said something that really struck you and you couldn't have been prouder to hear them. Say, they finally forgave something that happened in the past and just let it slide down their shoulders, taking the burden off their chest. Something you thought would never happen just happened and you were there to witness it. 

What's it like? 


X X X

The sun rose again over a sleeping forest, arousing new kits to their feet.

The first cat out of the nursery was a white tom that had the energy of five warriors and the intelligence of a fat mole. His paws carried him out, screaming and shouting to start the new day as a queen snarled from the den, the black she-cat eventually coming out to grab her son. Soon after, a white she-cat came crawling out, silent as the night but smart as the sharpest thorn, sneaking away before her mother could catch her. A larger white she-cat pounced from above, landing next to the kit before she could escape.

The queen looked up to see Clearwhisker, her paw wrapped firmly around her second kit. She let out a groan and collected her kit, bidding the deputy farewell as she returned to the den, scolding her kits along the way. The deputy smiled at the soon-to-be warriors and then turned away, heading up the highrock to greet their snappish leader.

Inside, Aspenstar was up grooming herself, her eyes lost in another world. Frowning, Clearwhisker shook out her fur and cleared her voice. The leader's ear flicked and color returned to her blue orbs. Seeing her deputy, the leader nodded and went back to cleaning herself, saying nothing.

"Is something the matter?" Clearwhisker asked. "Leafbare is almost over and so far every cat has survived. Our prey is low, but we're managing."

"... I'm coming to an end, Clearwhisker," Aspenstar growled, roughly ripping her tongue down her paw. "Nobody lives forever and my time is coming to a close. Even as a leader graced with nine lives doesn't mean I'm immortal. I've been waiting for that sweet relief and escape from this world, but now that it's getting better, I don't think I want to leave just yet."

"Then don't die on me or CinderClan," she responded. "Know that even after you die I promise to protect our home with every ounce of my strength. If something does come up and happens to be a threat, I'd be more than willing to lay my life down for this Clan."

"That's not what I'm worried about," snapped the she-cat. "I know that CinderClan is in good paws with you as its deputy. If you happen to die before I do, I'm going straight to StarClan and yanking your ungrateful spirit back to your body."

"Then I'll wait for the day," joked Clearwhisker. "I don't see why this is worrying, though. You hardly ever speak or think of the day when you leave. Knowing you, there's something that you're worried about. Whether it's a certain cat or not, you're nervous." Aspenstar didn't reply and her stomach twisted, mind taking her to one solution and a certain she-cat that had a fiery pelt that blazed throughout the meadow and a sharp mind that could pick out the smallest of things.

"Don't tell me it's Amberfeather." When Aspenstar stopped grooming, Clearwhisker smirked and came closer, sitting beside her best friend. As usual, the skinny she-cat flinched and recoiled, taking a few paces back to avoid contact. The deputy shrugged and said, "If you're worried about that fight that caused you to run, then you're just like a kit. If Amberfeather's still mad at you then she's a bigger kit. Get over it already. She's your younger sister, isn't she?"

"And..." Aspenstar trailed off and stood up abruptly, kicking a small pebble at Clearwhisker, who easily dodged it and watched as it rolled off in a corner. "We're done here. Did you hear that MeadowClan lost another warrior due to sickness? Ashstar can't even protect his own Clan without risking his own life."

"I just know that the sickness isn't as bad anymore, but Ripplestone died regretting nothing," Clearwhisker continued. "That's what I heard, at least."

"Whatever. I owe Ripplestone my life and if he regrets nothing that means he died peacefully. The best I can do is respect him and hope that he's with Echoflight." Aspenstar left the den and Clearwhisker followed, eyes lighting up at the sight of CinderClan.

More kits bounding out of the nursery to greet the morning sun while their mothers chased them. Apprentices bouncing off the walls of dens as they waited for their mentors to wake up and start their training or go on a hunt. The only apprentice that hung back was little Frecklepaw, who stared at the highrock patiently for her mentor to climb down. Aspenstar locked eyes with the apprentice and bid Clearwhisker a farewell, meeting the medicine cat apprentice. She jumped off and headed towards the crowded warrior den, the apprentices moving out of the way for her.

As soon as she stepped foot in the den, warriors sprang from their nests, ready to head out. She delivered the news and noticed one tom hanging in the back, staring at his paws. Clearwhisker frowned and crept closer, coughing to catch his attention.

The tom turned around, flashing her a weak smile before getting back up. He tried to slip past and exit the den but she let out a snort, halting him. Clearwhisker smirked, running a paw down her pelt.

"What are you worried about, Beechcloud?" she pondered, licking her shoulder. "With you and Aspenstar acting strange, it's bound to draw attention."

"Nothing, really," he answered with a fake smile. "I'm just going to see Slatecloud before the patrol starts."

"Are you finally going to name your kit?" Clearwhisker prodded, walking out with him towards the nursery. "I'm surprised he's fine being nameless but it's about time you give him a name. Why hasn't Slatecloud overruled your choice and given one herself?"

"It was a deal between both of us," he sighed, stopping in front of the den. "She was the one who wanted kits and agreed that I'd be the one who names them."

Hearing this, her mind flashed back to a certain moment during the last Gathering she ever went to, one where two silver cats stood side by side as they discussed names. The silver she-cat that had the lightest eyes she'd ever seen constantly thought of ones while the tom picked out of the list of names. With a single blink, she was back in the present and staring after Beechcloud enter the nursery, greeting Slatecloud with a purr while there was a little mew that rang out, signaling their son. Clearkwhisker poked her head in and immediately spotted the brownish-gray tom with a set of bright, green eyes that sparkled at the sight of his father. 

Father and son greeted each other while Slatecloud looked outside, noticing the deputy. She straightened up and puffed out her chest and the tiny kit mimicked her actions, standing tall. Beechcloud gently poked his son with his tail and the tom let out a laugh, losing interest in the incomer and turning it to the striped tail in front of him. 

It's hard to believe we made it through leafbare with little cats, she thought, looking at the clearing. Then again, Aspenstar's firey determination melted the snow and pushed all of us forward. Perhaps meeting that broken MeadowClan warrior was StarClan's way of helping us in the long run. 

"Can I help you?" Slatecloud asked, reaching a paw out to take her son. 

"No, I'm just patrolling again," she answered. "I'll probably go on a hunting patrol though, so I---"

"Stop the excuses," she retorted, licking the kit with her pink tongue. "I've known you since I was a kit and even though you were only an older apprentice at the time, you've always been a terrible liar. Aspenstar and you don't seem to understand what the word relax means."

"I'll let you know that we both carry the weight of the Clan on our shoulders each and every night," she protested, keeping her fur down. 

"Don't all of us?" Beechcloud added, turning to face the white deputy. "During that battle, we all agreed to trust each other and lift some kind of that burden off. Let that be a lesson to you." The kit let out a yowl and jumped into the air, coming down on his father's tail, knawing on it playfully. The warrior lifted his tail and pushed him away, who rolled into his mother's side, sinking into the warmth eagerly. 

"I'm done here," Clearwhisker reported, turning around. "Just wanted to let you know that his time finally came." 

Beechcloud said nothing and looked at his paws. 

"He died having no regrets," she said and padded away without another word. Instead of leaving, she jumped to the side and sat down, facing the morning sky, looking at the sun. "But I think he did have one regret; not being able to see his son because of love." Clearwhisker sighed and raised a paw to head out and join Racoonstem for another long chat while her three kits danced and played on the side, messing with one another as they played a game called "Life and Death" with Lightkit acting as a messenger between his brothers. 

A voice from the nursery stopped her in her tracks and forced her to sit still. The words flowed into her ears like music, a sound she craned her neck and opened her ears to hear every morning, even when her home was in ruins. Her heart elevated and rose, and she could've sworn a cat was up in the sky, watching over CinderClan with his eyes swarming with pride. If she concentrated more, Clearwhisker thought there might be four other cats around the warrior, but her vision faded away and left her alone. 

Not that she cared it was gone. What caught her attention was the flower of hate finally, finally blossomed and withered. 

You should be proud, she thought, closing her eyes, letting a genuine smile ripple across her face. Your family is an interesting pair of cats. 

"I think I have the perfect name for him," stated Beechcloud. "I've actually had it in mind for the longest time just never said anything about it. I think I still had to accept it myself."

"Oh? What is it?" Slatecloud asked. "And I never cared about the wait. As long as you're happy with the name, I'll be okay. He's our precious son." 

"How about Ripplekit?"