Secrets

[{Snarky}]

Sparklepaw padded over to her mentor while she was cleaning her fur. Sparklepaw shifted from paw to paw, nervous but knowing she had to do this. "Rosethorn..." she began.

[Pale*]

Rosethorn turned around, startled. "Yes, Sparklepaw?" she asked. Her kits ran around her wildly as she watched them during the day. She was trying hard to be a good mother and a good mentor for Sparklepaw. She was having a hard time, but knew that her heart would be torn in many ways over the next moons. Rosethorn knew that Sparklepaw knew that Frozencreek wasn't her kits' father, but hadn't said anything. Perhaps she would now?

[{Snarky}]

Sparklepaw began hesitantly. "I was doing a favor for Palestar last moon, and...I heard you and Longclaw talking by the border," she revealed quietly. "I'm so sorry, Rosethorn. I didn't want to eavesdrop...but...I'm so sorry." She hung her head, her ears flat and her tail down. "I know you didn't want me to find out."

[Pale*]

Rosethorn's face dropped. She was not suprised by the confrontation by Sparklepaw. "It was meant to be known. Yes, I... I love Longclaw..." she stammered. She was having a hard time saying what she was trying to say to her apprentice. She wasn't upset, but was rather relived. Someone knew her secret, the secret that she loathed and loved. Sparklepaw wasn't just Rosethorn's apprentice, for she trusted her with much more. Perhaps she could be called a friend, but she was now too young to trouble with all of her issues.

[{Snarky}]

"My mommy mated with a cat from another clan. Thats why we were banned. She told me all these things...and she made me promise to take her secrets to my grave." Sparklepaw's face fell. "But I guess she took them to hers instead. A cat from Shadowclan killed her and my two brothers. I was only 3 moons old. I'm so glad Riverclan took me in...but most of the cats here think that I won't be loyal to Riverclan when a fight comes along."

[Pale*]

Rosethorn was full of sympathy and understanding. "That... that is why I can't tell my kits that Longclaw is their father. We made a promise to never tell them until they became warriors. Then, we have hoped, they would be able to handle the mere thought of being half clan warriors..." she explained. "I'm sorry that your mother died, but I can only promise you that RiverClan will never abandon you. I would give my life to make sure that you would live, and I can not express what you telling me means to me," she told.

[winterleaf]

The long-furred gray cat padded along the Sun Stream, until the feline reached the large spam of water. Winterleaf sat at the edge of the water, her tail-tip dipping into the liquid. Though Winterleaf usually disliked the water that ruled the majority of RiverClan territory, she had to admit watching the peaceful lake was just... beautiful, peaceful. The she-cat sighed, exhaling so that the fur that fringed her beautiful face ruffled from the breeze. Her dark, brown gaze wandered over the lake, and she realized with a slight longing why her Clan was named RiverClan. The liquid that lay so peacefully before her sparkled with a gem-like glimmer. It's sapphirean glint nearly blinded Winterleaf, and she ducked her head, sheilding her eyes from the watery-blaze. Another sigh escaped her maw, and she smiled in sorrowfully. The world - her life - was so ironic. She shook her head, her ears flattened, at the thought. The mottled she-cat suddenly spotted two cats nearby and recognized them as Sparklepaw and Rosethorn. Carefully, the young deputy approached towards them with an unconfident grim. "Morning" she mumbled.

[{Snarky}]

Sparklepaw smiled at the cat before she realized she wasn't getting one in return. "Is something wrong?" She asked softly, letting the tip of her tail rest on Rosethorn so she knew she wasn't forgotten.

[Pale*]

Rosethorn nodded. "My kits will never know the truth. Frozencreek has agreed to help me and keep my secret safe. When they're warriors perhaps, but until then I will have to watch them fight Longclaw and I will have to do the same. It will break his heart," she sighed. Her love for Longclaw may be stronger than her loyalty to her Clan. She knew that she would never love another, but would have so many difficulties to face...

[{Snarky}]

"Riverclan won't leave you, Rosethorn. You know that." Sparklepaw smiled at her mentor.

[winterleaf]

Winterleaf shrugged nonchalantly. "Riverclan is with you, but you can't hide the truth from your kits forever. They'll someday have to know about their real father and if you don't tell them, they'll figure it out by theirselves. When that happens, how will you explain it to them?" the mottled she-cat pointed out, surprised by how harsh and cold her timid and bashful voice was sounding. She cleared her throat and stared at Rosethorn with benevolence while she bowed at her and Sparklepaw.

[Pale*]

Rosethorn couldn't express her gratitude to her friends. "Together, Longclaw and I will explain. If needed, I will get Palestar and Frozencreek. They, I hope, will understand why we did so. But, no one must know other that us and those I've already told. My kits are too young to understand now..." she sighed. Her paws and head felt as though they weighed twice as much as usual. She was full of mixed emotions and unsure of what to do with herself.

[{Snarky}]

Sparklepaw gave Rosethorn a quick lick on her cheek. "You'll do the right thing. I know you will." She rose to her paws and stretched, working out some of the kinks. "When do you think we'll be able to start training again? I mean not to rush you of course but..." She tilted her head with a shy smile. "Sorry."

[Pale*]

Rosethorn's whisker's twitched with amusement "Soon. I'll get one of the other queens to take care of my kits, and then I'm all yours. Soon, you'll become a warrior too. O, I wonder what your warrior name will be?" Rosethorn asked. Her apprentice would be a fine warrior in time, and a good, close friend for a long time to come.

[{Snarky}]

Sparklepaw's face lit up in excitement. "I don't know, but I sure can't wait. I hope I'm a good warrior..." she meowed excitedly. She shook her fur free of leaves and dirt and let out a happy purr.