Warrior Cat Clans 2 (WCC2 aka Classic) is a roleplay site inspired by the Warrior series by Erin Hunter. Whether you are a fan of the books or new to the Warrior cats world, WCC2 offers a diverse environment with over a decade’s worth of lore for you - and your characters - to explore. Join us today and become a part of our ongoing story!
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11.06.2022 The site has been transformed into an archive. Thank you for all the memories here!
Here on Classic we understand that sometimes life can get difficult and we struggle. We may need to receive advice, vent, know that we are not alone in our difficult times, or even just have someone listen to what's going on in our lives. In light of these times, we have created the support threads below that are open to all of our members at any time.
Cinderflower sat in silence for a moment, feeling the wind on her pelt. The words dragged up the hurt she'd felt that day, but she found it had dulled somewhat in the interim. "It's okay," she whispered, her voice sincere. "I guess I did spring it on you, didn't I?"
After a light laugh and a pause, she cleared her throat, her own amber gaze focused on Silverpelt above them. "Even if nothing ever happens between us like that, I'll always be your friend, you know. And we both know where we stand, so we don't have to talk about it. All's forgiven."
With their friendship restored, it seemed like all was going well for Cinderflower again- until Nightclan steamrolled her clan, banned her father, and kept her and her pregnant mother imprisoned. It was really Not Good, and the first day after her mother fell into an uneasy sleep, she crept to the corner of their holding den and melted into a pile of silent tears, trying not to bother any of Ratstar's family with her weeping.
The events of the first night left Sunpetal dulled, a vessel through which she could only nod or mutter something unintelligible. Very few cats knew exactly what had transpired in Vulturemalice's den whilst the rest of their clan was subdued by force right outside, but the image of her father's throat spewing his precious life blood was now branded on her memory. She'd been physically sick from it, though the vomiting had subsided to vague nausea in the back of her throat.
She was attempting to finally sleep- it'd been almost a whole sun cycle since she last slept- when muffled sobs roused her. She blinked through the haze, registering the source of it. "Cinderflower?" Glancing over at her father, ensuring he was still safe and sound asleep, she stood up and crept across the den to settle down beside the anguished Garden Keeper.
"S- hic- sorry," Cinderflower whispered, wiping away her tears with a quick motion. She didn't want to be weak. She wanted to be strong, like everyone else seemed to be. No one else was weeping in the corner like she was, and it made her faintly embarrassed. "I didn't mean to wake you up. Go back to sleep. Starclan- hic- knows we'll all need it."
"StarClan knows I won't be able to sleep," Sunpetal said with a forced laugh. It was hard to come by for everyone and she'd already had to coax her mother and baby siblings to take some poppy seeds in order to do so; Weevilspike and Rateye snored soundly beside each other, the easiest sleepers among the royal lineage.
She leaned over to smooth down the ruffled gray fur around Cinderflower's neck, the only thing she could think to do. She could feel the other begin to relax under the smooth, rasping strokes and felt her own tensions melt away for a moment too, the repetitive motion entrancing her. "Birdie said you did great with Orchiddrop's kitting. Maybe SummerClan will consider having den-mothers to assist him in kittings," she considered thoughtfully. As she finished her task, she leaned away again and blinked a blue stare through the gloom. "Are you okay?"
Cinderflower leaned into the touch gratefully, though it only made her feel weaker. "Thank you," she said with a weak smile. "My new siblings are super cute." She glanced over at their small, sleeping forms. Four perfect, tiny bundles of fur.
"But no, I'm not okay," Cinderflower whispered in response to the last question. "I'm scared, Sunpetal. All the time. And I feel puny for feeling scared, because everyone else is so brave. But I'm not a fighter, and I don't know what to do... I want everything to go back to how it was. I want to know that my dad is safe." Her lip puckered on the last word, eyes welling with more tears. "I don't want to live like this."
Lightning pierced the sky and illuminated the wretched pain on Cinderflower's expression for several seconds, a grimace touching Sunpetal’s as darkness engulfed them again. She knew she wasn't responsible for anything that had transpired, least of all Devotedcrow's banishment, so why did she feel so guilty for being so relieved her own father was safe, within arm's reach, here?
"He's safe. He's in SwiftClan, remember?" She assured her, even though the waver in her voice betrayed her. She was doing her best to fall into the role of supportive friend, but even simple troubles were beyond the scope of what she knew how to navigate. She'd never felt so helpless before, like everyone she cared for was on one side of a cavernous ravine and and was staring across from the other side, an onlooker to their suffering.
Sunpetal rested her head heavily atop her front feet, releasing a deep breath that carried the weight of everything she'd been holding in. She felt her soul lighten considerably, but a moment later reality settled back in and curled into a solid stone. Attempting to guide the conversation to something brighter, she asked, "Have you met any of them? Your dad's family in SwiftClan?"
Cinderflower sniffled, shaking her head as she inched closer to Sunpetal. "No, not that I remember. I've heard about them, though- I've met grandma Igziq and aunt Raystrike, but none of my Swiftclan relatives." True to her nature, Cinderflower was easily distracted from the worst of her pain, thinking instead of her extended family. Sunpetal was probably right, though. Her father was safe- for now. It didn't mean she didn't miss him though.
"Do you have any family besides your parents and your siblings?" The garden keeper asked, realizing once more that she didn't know much about Sunpetal past her personality and her present self.
"Is your father close to them? Do you think you'll visit?" Sunpetal could tell by the lessening of her sniffles that Cinderflower was easing away from her turmoil, so she persisted along that kind of questioning. At the question about her own family, she snorted a little and the smallest smile whispered along her lips. "Don't tell anyone but yeah, I have some half-siblings somewhere out there. They were born before my momma and Papi got together, but you never know with her."
Cinderflower had perked up considerably since the banishment of Nightclan. Her father had not yet returned, and her younger sister was still sick, but there were many good things happening, comparatively. Mostly, she was teeming with pride for her beloved Sunpetal, now Sunstar, and her repromoted aunt Rosethorn.
"Hey, Sunpetal!" The garden keeper greeted brightly, dropping a bundle of flowers at her friend's feet. "I gathered these for you today- for when you get your lives. I figured you could put them into a flower crown for the occasion- hey, why the long face? What's on your mind?"
(if there's continuity issues w timeline stuff just ignore them thx)
Sunpetal was distancing herself from everyone. Her childhood dreams had come to fruition at last, but the circumstances of it weren't ideal, her body and mind still on the brink of exhaustion but she never felt she could rest. She dreamt of terrible things now, of crimson seas and endless death, and when she wasn't asleep, she wasn't able to shut off her brain for a moment of relief.
When Cinderflower approached her, depositing the flowers at her feet, she was in the midst of drifting off, despite the cold evening sunshine slanting into her eyes. She awoke with a start and took a moment to gather her bearings, offering a small smile of gratitude. "Oh, nothing, I'm just tired a lot these days. Running a clan isn't all I cracked it up to be," she laughed hoarsely. There were a million other things contributing to the discord- her father still looped in and out of consciousness, her heart constricted every time she recalled that last encounter with Doefreckle, and there was that agreement she'd made with another clan- but she didn't voice them.
"Oh, did I wake you?" Cinderflower asked quickly, her voice filling with regret. "I'm sorry. I bet you're really busy these days." Lightly, the plump garden keeper pressed into Sunpetal's side, letting their warmth be shared in an effort to comfort her friend. "I'm sure it's hard, but I don't know anyone better suited for it than you, Sun. You've always been a natural leader. It's one of the things I admired about you growing up."
In the soft moment after her words, Cinder flushed a bit, before continuing. "It's definitely just the nerves of starting out! Everyone here believes in you, including me, and I know you'll be the best leader! Maybe one day even better than your dad. I saw him an hour or two ago, and he seemed pretty alert for a few minutes."
