Chapter 23 - Goodbyes
Silentstar jumped up onto the Hightree, a slightly worried look on her face.
“Let all cats old enough to catch prey gather beneath the Hightree for a clan meeting!” She declared, just like normal.
Yet Fallenwings knew this wasn’t going to be normal, just as Mintleaf knew. She sat next to him, staring up at Silentstar like this clan meeting wouldn't change their lives. He could only guess her thoughts and doubts about the coming trip, but he supposed they were like his. Scared for whatever was coming next. Besides, she had just learned about her long lost sister the night before. Fallenwings couldn’t imagine the shock.
“Mintleaf and Fallenwings have had a dream from StarClan.” Silentstar announced, her serious meow reminding Fallenwings to stay focused. “It seems that the dream states… Other clans are out there. We will fall if we don’t find them. Mintleaf and Fallenwings will journey to find these other cats. They leave… today.”
The clan whispered at Silentstar’s slightly melancholy words.
“That can’t be true! They could be lying!” Archtail yowled.
“Other clans cant have been out there this whole time!” Redbranch agreed.
The rest of the clan, meanwhile, had erupted into commotion and conversations.
“Mintleaf… Don’t leave me…” Waspflight padded over to Mintleaf, hurt in his eyes.
Mintleaf simply meowed, “I must.” She turned her head away, sadly and stared at Fallenwings.
Meanwhile, Echonight had come over to Fallenwings, Blossomflame and Honeysong at her side. Willowmoon and Darkvalley came soon after.
“We know you have to go.” Echonight murmured, sadly.
Fallenwings simply nodded.
“Father, mother, sisters? Before you leave, Fallenwings… I want to tell you all something.” Blossomflame meowed, sounding slightly nervous.
She glanced at Honeysong. “Me and Honeysong… are mates!”
Fallenwings gasped at the same time as Mintleaf and Echonight.
“We are so proud!” Fallenwings exclaimed, momentarily forgetting the whole journey and having to leave his family.
Echonight beamed, purring, her tail snaking around Blossomflame and Honeysong. “I hope you two have a happy life together.” Echonight smiled harder.
“I’m so happy for you!” Mintleaf pressed her face against Blossomflames.
“Congratulations!” Darkvalley simply said.
“I remember when Gingerstorm asked me to be his mate. I was so happy.” Willowmoon murmured happily.
“Thank you.” Honeysong dipped her head to the family. “I am telling my family soon.”
After a moment of silence in the conversation, (not in the clan), Fallenwings decided to say something.
“Well,” he shifted, feeling slightly awkward. “We need to go…”
“Yes. StarClan sadly implied we had to leave as soon as possible.” Mintleaf added gently.
His family nodded around him, melancholy hints in their gazes. Fallenwings looked around at them, drinking in their fur colors, eye colors, everything. He knew he might not see them soon, or ever.
“Goodbye, for now.” Fallenwings murmured quietly
“I'll see you soon.” Mintleaf looked around like Fallenwings just had, at her adopted family.
And with that, they got traveling herbs and walked out of camp and into the unknown.