- Sep 25, 2022
- 78
- 24
- 8
It doesn't feel real to him.
He's not dead. Rabbitnose can't be dead. There's no way. He refuses to accept the reality he has been told, the reality that rests before him in the form of a fresh grave. No, he refuses to accept that he has lost another parent. The rain has stopped, leaving everything wet and humid. They are blessed with sunshine parting through the clouds to mark the beginning of a new era. Sparkwing knows Flamewhisker will be a good leader. He's proud of her, happy that she won the battle and took back their home.... But the crushing sorrow and grief overshadows it.
Sparkwing had gone out into the forest earlier before coming to this grave. He found the biggest mushroom he could find- a safe one of course- and brought it home with tears in his eyes. Setting it on the freshly made grave, he figured... He should say something. The words are hard to find when he refuses to accept reality. It's as if he's being choked. Saying something would acknowledge that Rabbitnose is buried here. He doesnt want to.
Beside him, Badgerstrike sits like a stone statue. A big, messy, bloody stone statue. She glances at Sparkwing and understands his pain. She'll start, she supposes.
"Rabbitnose, you were always a delight to be around. You had the most energy out of our litter. You were kind. Sweet. Silly." She began. "Sometimes incredibly stupid, but you were stupid with a smile which made me want to strangle you less." She continued with a weak smile. "But no matter what kind of trouble you got yourself, and us into, you always tried to stay on the bright side. Your enthusiasm for simple things was contagious. Only you could make watching a worm writhe on the ground interesting. When that dog separated us, I was afraid you were dead..... Imagine my surprise to find you here, with a mate and kits."
"You were the best, dad-" Sparkwing blurted while Badgerstrike paused. "We...W-we are so lucky to have you as our dad. You were fun, brave and kind... You loved us so much.... I.... I'll miss hunting for mushrooms with you. And flipping rocks over, and watching beetles run around. I hope... I hope you get to do that in Starclan still... And I hope you get to meet... E-everyone else too. I....We loved you so much. No matter how you might have felt about yourself, even when you became depressed after... S-sunfreckle...."
Badgerstrike watched as Sparkwing broke into quiet tears, unable to continue. So... She decided to help him.
"Even when you were full of grief, unable to smile anymore... We still loved you. You didn't let anyone down, Rabbitnose. You were a loyal Thunderclanner." She said. "I hope you can find peace again amongst the stars...."
She had been trying not to cry, yet she feels a tear roll down her cheek. She didn't want to cry in front of everyone, but there's no stopping now. She bows her head, her thoughts taking over.
I'm sorry. I couldnt protect you or your family. I wanted to give you space, let you live your life without being overbearing.... I understand now how that was a mistake. I should have been the obnoxious sister and aunt I wanted to be. You have wonderful children, Rabbit. Even the ones that went missing, they were all wonderful spots of sunshine on this clan, just like you.
He's not dead. Rabbitnose can't be dead. There's no way. He refuses to accept the reality he has been told, the reality that rests before him in the form of a fresh grave. No, he refuses to accept that he has lost another parent. The rain has stopped, leaving everything wet and humid. They are blessed with sunshine parting through the clouds to mark the beginning of a new era. Sparkwing knows Flamewhisker will be a good leader. He's proud of her, happy that she won the battle and took back their home.... But the crushing sorrow and grief overshadows it.
Sparkwing had gone out into the forest earlier before coming to this grave. He found the biggest mushroom he could find- a safe one of course- and brought it home with tears in his eyes. Setting it on the freshly made grave, he figured... He should say something. The words are hard to find when he refuses to accept reality. It's as if he's being choked. Saying something would acknowledge that Rabbitnose is buried here. He doesnt want to.
Beside him, Badgerstrike sits like a stone statue. A big, messy, bloody stone statue. She glances at Sparkwing and understands his pain. She'll start, she supposes.
"Rabbitnose, you were always a delight to be around. You had the most energy out of our litter. You were kind. Sweet. Silly." She began. "Sometimes incredibly stupid, but you were stupid with a smile which made me want to strangle you less." She continued with a weak smile. "But no matter what kind of trouble you got yourself, and us into, you always tried to stay on the bright side. Your enthusiasm for simple things was contagious. Only you could make watching a worm writhe on the ground interesting. When that dog separated us, I was afraid you were dead..... Imagine my surprise to find you here, with a mate and kits."
"You were the best, dad-" Sparkwing blurted while Badgerstrike paused. "We...W-we are so lucky to have you as our dad. You were fun, brave and kind... You loved us so much.... I.... I'll miss hunting for mushrooms with you. And flipping rocks over, and watching beetles run around. I hope... I hope you get to do that in Starclan still... And I hope you get to meet... E-everyone else too. I....We loved you so much. No matter how you might have felt about yourself, even when you became depressed after... S-sunfreckle...."
Badgerstrike watched as Sparkwing broke into quiet tears, unable to continue. So... She decided to help him.
"Even when you were full of grief, unable to smile anymore... We still loved you. You didn't let anyone down, Rabbitnose. You were a loyal Thunderclanner." She said. "I hope you can find peace again amongst the stars...."
She had been trying not to cry, yet she feels a tear roll down her cheek. She didn't want to cry in front of everyone, but there's no stopping now. She bows her head, her thoughts taking over.
I'm sorry. I couldnt protect you or your family. I wanted to give you space, let you live your life without being overbearing.... I understand now how that was a mistake. I should have been the obnoxious sister and aunt I wanted to be. You have wonderful children, Rabbit. Even the ones that went missing, they were all wonderful spots of sunshine on this clan, just like you.
