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residents-of-the-darkforest · 11 months

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The Most Important Meeting of Literally Ever (short story)

Gorseheart struggled not to shift from one paw to another, feeling entirely out of place next to the Starclan cats seated with him, not to mention judged.

Firejay and Mallowstar had stayed for what Gorseheart guessed was a day, sleeping over before going back to Starclan to discuss how their going to the Dark Forest went.

Now, cats gathered in a meadow in the Dark Forest right next to the border. There was what Gorseheart estimated to be fifteen Starclan cats, which included Mallowstar, Firejay, and Blightstar–who had nodded awkwardly at Gorseheart, but hadn’t said anything directly to him, fifteen Dark Forest residences, and eleven Dark Kits.

“It’s not a good idea,” one of the Starclan cats spoke up. Her fur was white and glossy. “Starclan and the Dark Forest are two different territories for a reason.”

“We may be separate, but we are connected,” another pointed out. “Or have you forgotten what we learned back when Ashfur took over the Clans?”

“He didn’t take over the Clans,” Bristleblaze commented.

“That part doesn’t matter,” the cat went on, “we exist in a balance.”

“Exactly,” a third–Jumptail?-- added. “If we merge our two afterlives together, that balance may shatter. Then where will that leave us?”

“I don’t want to merge with no Starclan cat,” Cloudfreckle spat.

“Oh, because we want to mingle with you mud-pelts?” Jumptail hissed.

“We’re not here to fight,” Firejay spoke above them. “We are not merging together, either. Those who have killed or committed one crime or another will remain on this side. Those who have not will still be welcomed into the Stars. But what of those who fit neither option?” She gestured with her tail to Proteafang, sitting at Gorseheart’s opposite side. “We know that, unfortunately, Dark Kits cannot enter Starclan for their own health, but does that mean we should abandon them? Can we not do something as simple as passing on our food, herbs, and moss, of which we are forever overfilled with?”

“Or are they to be punished for a crime their parents committed?” Gorseheart added. By the glance Firejay and Mallowstar casted him, he guessed they took note of the anger he had directed toward himself.

“I’m sure we can all agree how unfair a Dark Kit’s life can be,” Ivypool–that was her name, wasn’t it?--put in. “But we start with passing on our herbs and supplies. What happens then? Kits and apprentices are brought over to grow. Then cats cross the border to visit their friends and family. Where do we cross the line before we can no longer see it?”

“You sound as if those things would be bad,” Blightstar grumbled. “Young cats being given the chance to grow into healthy young warriors would be a grand thing for all of us. And what of cats visiting criminals close to them? Speak for yourself all you wish, but I would rather walk around in this muddy, bleak forest for a moon than spend years asking myself where it all went wrong.”

Gorseheart’s heart twisted around in his chest until it split, bleeding down his legs and causing them to tremble. Noticing, Proteafang lay her tail across his paws.

“Some of us know more about what the Dark Forest is like than others,” Ivypool snapped.

“Yeah,” Bristleblaze sneered, “like the Dark Forest cats.”

“You could be lying,” someone else joined in.

“Why would they lie, Breezepelt?”

“To get our stuff, obviously,” Breezepelt replied. “They tell us it’s not all bad here, they just need our moss, and food, and herbs, and oh maybe some water too, please?”

“Poor little Breezy, want to keep all the widdle wader to worself? Afraid the big bad cats gonna steal it?” Jackdawfoot chuckled. Ferndoe pressed against him, shaking her head.

Breezepelt jumped to his paws, slid his claws out, and hissed.

“Fighting will add nothing to the discussion,” Firejay reminded them through teeth grinding in frustration. “Breezepelt, there is no point to be concerned about supplies that will be needed. We have more than enough to go around for as long as Starclan and the Dark Forest exists.” She paused to take a breath, waiting for some of the smaller arguments to die down before going on. “If we have a chance to improve the lives of cats who have done nothing to earn the punishments of those who came before them, how could we refuse? We will work with Dark Forest cats who wish to work with us, and together–in our own territories, we will find out everything we can about anything that there is to learn. Starclan cats who wish to stay here, such as Mallowstar and myself, will report back twice a moon. Too, we will keep an eye on all kits or apprentices that cross the border so that they may grow up, and ensure that they are protected. With that, I would like to propose that such kits would be allowed re-entry into Starclan. It is not a crime to search for the life taken from you so early. Does everyone agree?”

“Agree.” Gorseheart was relieved to hear most of the cats seated respond. Others murmured it, and others still remained silent, but no one outright disagreed or started any more arguments.

“It may not be like this for the rest of time,” Mallowstar informed everyone. “But we will test out how this new system works for seven moons. Any lingering grievances can be discussed when we meet again then.

The entire time the meeting was held, Gorseheart felt extremely uncomfortable. Though he was far from the only Dark Forest cat there, he could feel every pair of eyes burning through his skin and setting his fur on fire. He knew he deserved it–there was nothing he shouldn’t be judged for, but right from the beginning, he wished he hadn’t agreed to come, and had just stayed holed up in his tunnels. Then again, he knew this was an important meeting–the most important of all, and he would have kicked himself if he didn’t attend it. He should feel lucky, really.

But then the group began to disperse, Starclan cats returning to the border, while some Dark Forest cats either left or remained to stick their tongues out at them. Some remained, only for a little bit, and Gorseheart realized–trying hard not to look–that Blightstar was still here, and that he was staring directly at Gorseheart.

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--Canon cats present because it only makes sense.

--Bristle belongs to @ambitiousauthor

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