Hello Feline Friends

Hazelpaw stumbled out of the den, as per usual.

Treewhisker awoke after a while, blinking the sleep out of his eyes as he emerged from his den and padded into the clearing.

Morning soon came and cats were leaving their dens to get on with the day.

Treewhisker eventually went to sleep, offering a sad sigh before closing his eyes and working on actually sleeping instead of just tossing in his nest all night.

Violetwing didn’t go back to their den that night, dozing in the corner.

Treewhisker stayed awake in his nest for some time, desperately hoping he’d be forgiven but knowing it was unlikely.

Violetwing quietly watched him leave.

Graypaw opened his muzzle, looking as if he was ready to protest again. However, the apprentice eventually stood up, looking back at Violetwing reluctantly as he padded into the apprentice’s den.

Violetwing sighed at him. “That will be a long time, Graypaw. You need to sleep so you can be well-rested for training tomorrow.”

Greypaw protested with a displeased mewl as his mother tried to push him away.  “No, I’m not leaving until you feel better.” It was unclear wether the tom would even be able to go the next few heartbeats without sleep, his ears back and his eyelids drooping.

Violetwing sighed. “You two need to go sleep,” she said, gently shooing them away. Hazelpaw didn’t want to leave, but she reluctantly did.

Treewhisker had stayed in his nest throughout the afternoon and now into the evening, seeing the sand outside his den turn orange with the color of the setting sun.

Graypaw didn’t want to leave Violetwing’s side.

Violetwing cuddled with her two kits until the sun set.

Graypaw nodded slightly. “I️ guess that makes sense.” The tom nodded slightly, though he pushed his nose back into Violetwing’s side.

Violetwing sighed. “Loving someone doesn’t mean you never get mad st each other of hurt each other. What your father said hurt me very badly.”

Graypaw looked away. “Snowpaw said that that’s what she heard. A-and you aren’t even talking!”

Violetwing frowned at her son. “What gave you that idea?”

Graypaw nodded sadly. “Then are you and Dad not going to be mates anymore?”

Violetwing stiffened slightly. “No. He was being very insensitive about it all. Not intentionally, but I’m still very angry and hurt.”

Graypaw sadly rubbed his cheek all over Violetwing’s side as he laid with his mother. “Why don’t you go be with Dad?” The tom mewed, a little naive. “He’s good at making you feel better when you’re sad…”

Violetwing clung to her two kits desperately, trying not to cry.

Graypaw‘s jaws parted in a silent gasp before he pressed his face into his mother’s shoulder lovingly.

Violetwing flinched slightly. “Mostly. I did, but..,” she took a deep, shuddering breath, “I was not remotely willing.”

Hazelpaw’s eyes widened in horror and she pressed against her mother more.

“The things some of the clan are saying are lies, right?” Graypaw finally mewed after what felt like seasons of calming silence, his eyes wide.

Hazelpaw nuzzled her mother, trying to comfort her.