Crystalshine Snowball

Embere; The Sight
Chapter 1; Hazelpaw’s POV

“Is she okay?”

“Leafpool, is she ill?”

“What happened to my littermate?”

The voices rang in my ears, not wanting to go away. Who were these people? Where am I? Who’s “Leafpool”? What even is a “Leafpool”? A pool of leaves? Oh well. At least I’m not dead…or am I?? Gah, I’m so confused!! My eyelids felt heavy, but I knew it would be best to open them. Maybe I could get something useful from these people, maybe they can tell me where I am. None of them sure as heck sound like my brothers Silverfire or Stargaze, that’s for sure. Forcing my eyes open, I expected to wake up in a hospital, or maybe just waking up in a house or something like that, I dunno know. But instead of seeing humans, I woke up to find cats standing over me, completely baffled as to why I was knocked out. What in the name of Bright Scar?! What’re they doing here? Judging from the surroundings, I could tell I was in a den or cave of some sort.

Taking in a deep breath, I let out a bloodcurdling screech. Maybe they might realize that I rather like having personal space! The cats took a couple of paces back, shock in their eyes. Calming down, I only breathed heavily, staring into space. Bright Scar, help me here. I’m surrounded by cats, don’t know where I am, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I got turned into a cat myself. One of the cats, a light brown tabby with amber eyes padded up to me. It gave me a sniff. I suppressed the urge to scream once more, not wanting to cause too much of a scene.

“Hazelpaw doesn’t seem to be ill, but I’m not sure what’s-” They began. A cat. Freaking. Talking. Wow. Just. Wow. And who’s this “Hazelpaw” anyways? My name might be Hazel, but I’m not Hazelpaw! But to be fair, these cats are probably trying. I guess. I looked down to see that I had paws, what a surprise! They were a soft, downy white that seemed to look as if it were silk. Not sure how I feel about that to be honest.

Rather confused and bored, I decided to interrupt the light brown tabby. “Excuse me, but who are you and where am I?” The light brown tabby tilted her head, bewildered. Narrowing my eyes, I let out an irritated grunt. “You can hear me, riiiiiiight?” The light brown tabby only blinked in response and looked over to another cat, a long furred cream colored cat. The cream coated cat had pure terror plastered onto her face, as if she was watching me bleed out. Huh? What’s up with them? Is they this “Hazelpaw”’s parent or something? If so, then that’s understandable. I’d be sick with worry if my kid was acting out of the ordinary or passed out suddenly.

“Hazelpaw doesn’t seem to remember me at all,” The light brown tabby mewed, and judging by the sound of their voice I’m guessing they were a female cat. So a molly? Or do they call female cats something different here? “Daisy, maybe she remembers you? You are her mother, after all.”

The cream furred cat rasped her tongue on my fur. “Hazelpaw, do you remember me? Are you okay? You’re safe, okay? You’re in ThunderClan. Do you remember your littermates, Berrypaw and Mousepaw? Oh, please tell me you haven’t forgotten everything!!” What is a ThunderClan? Who are Berrypaw and Mousepaw? And yes, I’ve forgotten everything according to you. Luckily I didn’t say that aloud, since the light brown tabby was staring me down. What’s her problem? Does she have something to say to me? Then say it, wimp. I think I can handle it. Only blinking slowly, I defiantly glared at the light brown tabby in the eye. She flinched, but kept her composure.

Sighing, the light brown tabby shook its head. “I don’t think Hazelpaw remembers anything, Daisy. Not even her kin or ThunderClan,” Yeah, no kidding! “I’ve never seen anything like this before. Maybe I’ll have to consult StarClan about this, it’s strange and abnormal,” My new ears pricked up at the sound of pawsteps rushing into the den. Huh. That might be useful if I’m stuck here. A cream furred cat thrusted their way into the den, pushing aside the light brown tabby. This cat was almost exactly like Daisy, but short-furred and smaller. It also had a stubby bobtail, which I honestly find at least somewhat adorable. It also smelled…different from Daisy and the light brown tabby. Does that mean that this cream furred bobtail cat is a male cat, or a tom? Then that probably means that the light brown tabby is a molly. Or do they call mollies something different here?

The cream tom thrust his muzzle into my fur. “Hazelpaw, I’m so glad you’re okay! What happened near the lake? Did something attack you?” I have no clue what you’re talking about, but whatever. What I’m worried about is how managed to wake up like this. But that cream tom is right to ask what happened. What had happened to this Hazelpaw at this lake? I guess I’ll have to take their place until I can figure this all out. “Leafpool, what happened to her?” He demanded. Oh. That’s what these cats meant. That light brown tabby molly. Is she some kind of cat nurse?

“I don’t know, Berrypaw,” She sighed, shaking her head. “But she doesn’t seem to remember anything or anyone at all. It’ll be awhile until her wounds heal up, and take awhile for her to get back to apprentice duties.”

Daisy’s face shifted into an expression of horror. “But will my kit be okay?” Yes, I’ll physically be okay! Well, that’s pretty iffy. Mentally? Hmm, depends on how used I get to this new body I have. Leafpool nodded, her expression giving away nothing. Daisy only sighed in defeat and headed back to wherever she was beforehand. Berrypaw touched my forehead with his nose.

He murmured, “Get better, okay Hazelpaw?” I only sighed, gazing at my paws. Berrypaw padded out of the den, muttering to himself.

Was there even any chance for me to get back home? I like cats, don’t get me wrong, but…I want my real family. My little brother Silverfire, my older brother Stargaze, and even our half brother Ralph. They’re actual family. But then again, I can see my friends as family too. Like Violet, Columbia, Jayson…maybe even Holly. But I know them. And I can’t stop missing them. It hurts…I want them with me at the least. Why’d I have to get taken away from them? Why? A twisted jab of dread gnarled at my heart. Where’s…Spiritmask…? He was the only one who really understood me and cared about me… A warm, light, fluffy feeling began reeling in my head as I thought of him. Spiritmask was always so kind and sweet to me, and never seemed to hold back. He even helped me escape from being executed as well…he gave me actual hope in the first time in years. He was always so kind to everyone, and even if he was extremely naive and prone to lashing out at someone, he still tries to make up for it. I miss him so much. The aching feeling in my chest swelled up even more, making my eyes begin to fog up.

“Hazelpaw, are you alright?” Leafpool asked, a bundle of herbs in her paws. She had a couple of spiky green leaves on them. Even from this nest I could tell that they had a pleasant aroma to them, an aroma I think would go nicely with some freshly squeezed lemonade. Are those supposed heal cats, in some weird way? That’s pretty cool, I guess. Not like I really care all that much though.

I shook my head. “I feel like I’m travel-sick,” I snapped, yawning a bit as well. Leafpool tilted her head in confusion. Oh, right. Leafpool’s a cat, not a human. “Poop. Waste. Dirt. I feel like dirt.” Leafpool only licked my forehead, sighing.

“I’m sorry that this had to happen to you, Hazelpaw…” She mumbled. “For now you should just rest. I’ll give you some poppy seeds to help.” Leafpool padded towards her herb stocks, which I’m guessing has these poppy seeds. Shutting my eyes, I sighed to myself. Just where am I? And why did I ever wake up here? The tanginess of some of the herbs finally hit my nose, leaving a disgusting reek in it. And for Bright Scar’s sake, why did it have to be here of all places?! Oh well. I’ll force myself to get over it. …Well, I hope I will.

Embere; The Sight
Chapter 3; Berrypaw’s POV

“W-What do you mean by that?” whimpered Mousepaw, his shoulder fur bristling. Hazelpaw only blinked, now looking away from us. A distant glimmer shone in her eyes. What’s up with her? Is she alright? “H-Hazel-”

“It’s private,” Hazelpaw snapped, her voice dwindling into a wistful sigh. Private? How? We’re her littermates; what reason could she possibly have for keeping something from us?? Inhaling a deep breath, I only closed my eyes in defeat. Hazelpaw doesn’t remember that, mouse-brain. “Why are you two here, anyways? And where’s that molly with the healing plants? What’s her name again…Leafpool?”

I began to utter, “Leafpool went out to find some more poppy seeds, last I heard. Didn’t she give you some?” Hazelpaw spat out some small, black seeds, wrinkling her nose. Why’d she do that? Why didn’t she even take them?

Hazelpaw chuckled breezily, rolling her eyes. “She gave me some alright. I gave her the illusion of thinking I actually took them, which I obviously didn’t. Idiot,” she snorted, her gaze diverted to the exit of the medicine den. Mousepaw cast an awkward glance at me, his amber eyes gleaming with uncertainty. I thought she’d taken them! Maybe that’s why she’s so grumpy. Or maybe this is just some wishful thinking. “Anyways, back to my other question- why are you here in the first place?!”

Sighing aloud, I murmured, “We were worried about you, Hazelpaw. That and Leafpool asked us to watch you while she was gone. But we didn’t expect that you…didn’t take the poppy seeds.” Which was really mouse-brained of you to do, I bit my tongue, resisting the strong urge to snap at Hazelpaw. She doesn’t remember anything, fuzz-brain. How’s she supposed to know that poppy seeds help you sleep when she doesn’t even remember her Clan? Or her littermates? Or even Daisy, the one who raised her?

“That’s nice and all, but I can take care of myself,” stubbornly mewed Hazelpaw, flicking another bundle of moss towards me. Why’s she flicking it towards me?? Mousepaw awkwardly stared down at his paws, his amber eyes shimmering with doubt. He only slightly shook his head, sighing a little. I can’t help but agree with him. Hazelpaw can’t look after herself now. She doesn’t remember anything after what happened at the lake. Does she even recall the hunting skills our mentors taught us, or the battle skills? I doubt it. “What? I can look after myself.”

Ignoring the slight prick of anger in my chest, I gently reminded her, “Hazelpaw, do you remember how to do a forepaw blow? Or how to position yourself into a hunter’s crouch?” Hazelpaw glowered me, grumbling to herself. “Obviously you don’t! How would you be able to take care of yourself without knowing simple survival skills anymore?!”

She stuttered, “I-I’ll think of something! You just think I’m incapable of taking care of myself!” snapped Hazelpaw, an edge to her voice. Since when did I ever think that? If anything, Hazelpaw was the most independent of us before her incident! Now she can’t even hunt or fight! Who knows how long it’ll be until she receives her warrior name now! What if she doesn’t even get her warrior name? It’ll probably be because she “thought of something”. Forcing my neck fur to lay flat, I shook my head.

“You’ll get yourself killed!” I retorted, baring my teeth at her. “Hazelpaw, you don’t remember anything before you got injured! How would you even be able to face a ShadowClan or WindClan warrior?”

Hazelpaw tilted her head. “Uh, what’s a ShadowClan and a WindClan? And tell me what a ThunderClan is while you’re at it.” Mousepaw only shut his eyes, whimpering to himself.

I growled at her, digging my claws into the ground. “See my point? You don’t even remember the Clans; you don’t remember ThunderClan, our home or ShadowClan, the fox-hearts who left me in that fox-trap to almost die! How could you make it without knowing about your kin and your memories together?!” Hazelpaw looked down at her paws, her eyes shut. Oh StarClan. I didn’t mean to hurt her… Taking in a deep breath, I whispered, “I’m sorry, Hazelpaw, I didn’t mean to-”

“Just get out and leave me alone,” she shakily hissed, her eyes still shut. Mousepaw cast me a worried glance, his whiskers twitching. Should we really leave her alone, even after what Leafpool told us? “GET OUT!” With a gentle nudge from Mousepaw, we scampered out of the medicine den, breathing heavily.

Mousepaw leaned into my shoulder, whimpering to himself. “S-She hates us. She won’t ever want to be around us again. And it’s all our fault!” He wailed softly. It is, isn’t it? Except it’s mostly mine. I should’ve held my anger. I shouldn’t have snapped at Hazelpaw. Did I just ruin the chance to get close with Hazelpaw ever again? Most likely. From the corner of my eyes, I saw Leafpool running up to us, her eyes wide. Oh StarClan, tell me she didn’t hear what happened with Hazelpaw and I…

“Thank you both for watching her, I’ve gotten some poppy seeds. Hopefully she’s still asleep-” She began.

“Actually, Leafpool…um…” I interrupted the light brown tabby, looking down at my paws. “Hazelpaw’s…er…not asleep.”

Leafpool’s gaze widened. “She isn’t? Why?”

“She didn’t take the poppy seeds and she and Berrypaw argued about her not being able to take care of herself and then she screamed for us to leave her alone!”

Whipping my head to face Mousepaw, I sighed. He can’t help it. It must’ve shaken him to see us fight like that, whether she remembers us or not. We’ve always been close, even when we fought. His amber eyes were fraught with terror and sick with worry as his white and gray fur bristled wildly. Looking back at Leafpool, I could tell with just a glance that she was visibly upset. We screwed up big-time.

She sighed. “I’ll just have her take some later. It’d be best if you two stay away from her from now. From the sound of that argument, Hazelpaw doesn’t seem to be in the current state of mind to share tongues.” Leafpool brushed past us, her tail tip flicking in what seemed like annoyance. Oh StarClan, how’d we mess up that badly? Mousepaw sat back on his haunches, his eyes shut and tail drooped.

He murmured, “I’m sorry for blurting that out,” Sighing to myself, I rubbed my pelt against his, letting him rest his head on my shoulder. “That was really mouse-brained of me to say, wasn’t it?”

“No it wasn’t. It’s my fault anyways. I’m the one who argued with Hazelpaw and started to mention it to Leafpool. Don’t blame yourself, Mouse,” I whispered into his ear. We often call each other by our prefixes as nicknames. Not many other cats do it, but we do it because of how close we are. Well, most of the time at least. For instance, Mousepaw and Hazelpaw call me Berry. Sometimes we call Hazelpaw Hazel. We rarely do it to Mousepaw since he doesn’t like being called in public, but we usually make sure no one’s listening. He’s just really paranoid, I guess.

Mousepaw nodded. “I guess it’s all of our fault then. But I mean, it’s mainly our fault.”

“I know, I know. But hopefully Hazelpaw will want to see us after cooling down for a bit. I don’t think she hates us,” I reminded him gently. He only sighed and looked up at Highrock. What’s he looking at that’s up there? Glancing up, I saw a flame colored tabby tom padding on it, his green eyes shimmering with pride. Firestar? What’s he doing? Turning my head to face the nursery, I saw Hollykit, Lionkit, and Jaykit tumbling out of the nursery with Squirrelflight trying to keep them in check. Brambleflower smiled at them, purring as he lead them towards the same spot Mousepaw, Hazelpaw, and I stood to become apprentices. Ohhhh, right. Their ceremony.

“All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather under Highrock for a Clan meeting!”

Embere; The Sight
Chapter 5; Hazelpaw’s POV

“Hazelpaw, do you really think you can try walking again?” asked Leafpool, gazing at my shaky legs. It had been a couple of days since waking up, and I was just starting to get the hang of being a cat. For example, the tail helps me balance when walking. The issue with that? I don’t know how to walk properly on all fours yet. Yet. Nodding, I attempted to lift myself up from the ground after another spectacular fall.

I defiantly snorted. “Of course I can!” With a grunt, I padded back and forth from the wall to my nest in a wobbly fashion. Upon reaching my nest, I flopped onto the moss, groaning to myself. “Can we take a break? This is getting boring.”

Leafpool sighed and shook her head. “I guess so, but I would like you to try walking around camp. You haven’t been out of the medicine den yet, and I bet everyone’s dying to see you again,” Seriously? But I don’t even know these cats! I barely know you! “Lionpaw can help you around, okay Hazelpaw?” Rather reluctantly, I gave her a brisk nod as the light brown tabby fetched Lionpaw to come over to her. “Don’t push her too hard; she’s still getting used to walking around.”

The golden tabby tom nodded and gestured for me to follow him out of the medicine den. Fumbling around some more, I managed to make my way towards the exit. Lionpaw held back his laughter, his amber eyes lit up with amusement. Growling, I shot him a annoyed glare that shut him up. Looking around the camp, there were cats coming in and out of the exits, cats laying about in the clearing, and cats eating prey; this place is really lively for a group of wild cats. Just how many are there? A golden brown tabby tom sat beside a calico she-cat, gazing lovingly into each other’s eyes as they shared a squirrel. Are they…ya know, together? If so, then are they mates? I mean, that’s what Leafpool told me when I asked her… From the corner of my eyes I saw a dark brown tabby tom arguing with a cream tabby tom, their fur bristling. Is that…Berrypaw? Pricking my ears forwards, I leaned in closer to hear more.

“Berrypaw, I get that you’re upset over Hazelpaw,” the dark brown tabby growled, trying to keep a hold on his temper. “But you need to focus on your duties to the Clan. ThunderClan needs you to pitch in like every other cat.”

Hurt shone in the cream tom’s eyes. “You wouldn’t understand it at all! Hazelpaw doesn’t even remember anything any more. She doesn’t remember you, me, or even our own mother, Daisy. We used to be close, Brambleflower. We were supposed to become warriors together. And now it’s all gone.” This Hazelpaw was really close to her brothers, wasn’t she? Didn’t Leafpool say something along the lines of them being former loners? Hazelpaw wasn’t even born in ThunderClan. And neither were Berrypaw, Mousepaw, and Daisy. Yet there were warriors in ThunderClan that despised them for it, for something they couldn’t control? They must’ve always stuck together, always by one another’s side…and I took that away from them, one way or another. I ruined a happy family and deprived them of ever feeling normal. Bright Scar, kill me. I’d never want to deprive a family of their happiness. Sometimes that happiness is the only thing keeping them going. And when that light is shattered into a million pieces, it stings.

I’ve always stuck by my brothers side during the tougher times for us. When Silverfire was born, when our mother died, when Stargaze was…hurt by his tutor. I would never want that taken away from me. But then I woke up here and screwed up a peaceful family. And now? They’re possibly fighting with one another, feeling anger or soreness because I entered the picture. My wobbly legs shaked with anger and guilt. Bright Scar, do I hate myself sometimes. Lionpaw’s fur brushed up against mine, his tail rested on my shoulders. Glancing at him, I sighed. He had a good heart, at least.

“Are you okay? Do you want to go back to the medicine den?” he murmured softly. “You seemed really shaken up for a heartbeat there.” Shaking my head, I took another step forwards. I’m not going back in there. Not now.

“Leafpool will just badger me about not taking that walk around camp. Nosy furball,” I grumbled, glancing around camp once more. To my left I saw a thick, bramble bush reinforced with roots. What was that? Does it lead to anywhere, or is it just my imagination? “Hey Lionpaw, what’s that?”

He rolled his eyes, chuckling a bit. “The nursery, how could you not tell? It’s the most reinforced den in the entire camp! Did you want to go in and see the queens?” Wait, if it’s a nursery…then that means kits! Giving him an enthusiastic nod, Lionpaw padded over to the fresh kill pile and picked up a vole, presumably for the queens. I’ve always loved kittens. And kids. Both are so cute and friendly…how could anyone not love them? Well, I- nevermind, I can see otherwise. But still! Lionpaw came back over to me and flicked with his tail tip towards the nursery, the vole dangling from his jaws.

Purring to myself, my thoughts drifted to my children, Blaze and Michael Rowe. Both me and Spiritmask raised them as if they were our own, and they had their, uh…moments, but they were such sweet children. I could remember the day Spiritmask and I found Blaze as if it were yesterday. We’d found her nearby our school – Dragonwood Academy – lost in the forest that resided beside it. She was only four. I repeat, four. She’d grown up with us, and honestly, I’m not surprised she turned out to be a kind and gentle person because of Spiritmask’s influence, most likely. Michael is a different story, however. One of our friends named Frost had given Michael to us after his boyfriend Sam had died to illness and their friend Cindy had fallen ill to the same deadly disease. Frost had told me he was becoming ill as well, and didn’t want Mike to succumb to it either. I’ve always felt bad for them all. None them deserved it.

Following Lionpaw into the nursery, I saw two queens fondly conversing with one another as two kits slept beside one of their nests. The one with the kits was a pale gray she-cat with long fur and darker gray flecks, and had soft fern-green eyes as well as lighter small patches of fur around them. The other queen I recognized almost immediately. It was Daisy, the long furred cream tabby she-cat who was Hazelpaw’s mother. Oh Bright Scar. This can’t be good. The two noticed us, both looking pleased to see us. Especially Daisy, whose eyes shimmered with relief. Lionpaw set the vole down for the both of them.

“This is for you both to share,” he explained himself, pushing the vole towards the two. The both of them smiled gratefully; the gray queen gave him a nod and took a bite out of the vole.

Daisy glanced at me. “Hazelpaw, how are you feeling? Is everything alright?” Despite the prick of annoyance in my chest, I understood her worries completely. Well, almost. Her kit just got attacked by who knows what and doesn’t remember a single thing. I would definitely be worried if that happened to Blaze or Michael.

Stretching my paws, I nodded. “I think so. I’m still getting the hang of walking, but for the most part I think I’m okay.” The gray queen whispered something to Daisy, to which Daisy muttered something back. Was it about me? Bright Scar, I swear that was about me. Otherwise they wouldn’t be so secretive about it.

“That’s great, Hazelpaw. I’m not surprised that you pushed through. After all, you were always very determined,” Daisy meowed, purring softly. “How’s your…memory?” She asked, completely unsure on how to word it, from what it looked like.

I stared at my paws. “I-I…don’t know.” I mumbled, for once not knowing how to answer. How was I going to explain myself? Oh, I’m a human in a cat’s body so that should explain why I don’t know who you and everyone else are. Yeah, that great explanation that totally won’t get me confined to the medicine den for two weeks! Daisy shifted back, disappointment flashing through her face.

She sighed. “Oh. That’s alright, Hazelpaw. Just take your time, and I’m sure it’ll come back to you.” Nodding, I turned around and padded out of the nursery with Lionpaw on my tail. He glanced at me, and sighed as we trudged our way back from the nursery. Just who was this Hazelpaw? And how will I be able to blend in with the crowd without making a scene?