[ti]Private[/ti]An Unexpected Greeting

[silverfang218]

Clearstream didn’t immediately rush to greet his half sister. While he had always had respect for the snowy she-cat, and he of course had that family love for her, he had always been extremely tight with Swiftcloud whose relationship with Frostheart had always been… rough would be an understatement. That left him unsure of their relationship.

He let her come to grips with her death a little bit, and greet her mother and their father… and probably Asklark too, her former apprentice. He is sure that went well; the big tom has to stifle a small laugh at that thought. He waited until he felt satisfied that she won’t be lost in a big crowd of StarClan cats wanting to say hi, before he went looking.

He quickly runs across his half sister, the stars adorning her looking right at home in her snowy pelt. “Hello Frostheart.” He rumbles, his voice usually so cold yet he manages to put a bit of warmth in it for her. It’s the first time anyone who he considered family has died since he's been up here, so he’s not quite sure how to greet her. “It feels like it’s been a long time. Do you remember me?” He lets out a purr; he would certainly hope his sisters haven’t forgotten about him. Surely he was enough of a pain in her rear at times that Frostheart remembered. He gives her a sly smile, one that he usually reserves for letting Swiftcloud know that he’s all in with whatever mischief she was planning, to let her know that the last part was a joke.

“What do you think so far, of our little world up here? It’s quite nice once you get used to everything, but it’s also quite boring. Except for Ashlark’s antics. She makes sure everyone stays lively.” His sly smile becomes a bit softer, as do his eyes, as he waits for her reaction.

[Meow]

Frostheart hadn't known what to make of her new condition. One moment, she'd been in the elders' den, Sootpaw at her side. The next, she'd found herself standing in the shining forest of StarClan, the cats she'd lost throughout her life surrounding her as they greeted her enthusiastically. All but her mother had held great smiles on their faces- her father, Wolfclaw, had tackled her with the force of one thousand cats, covering her face in loving licks, while her mentor, Bluefeather, simply stood back, purring at the warm reunion. Lakeshine had been the last to truly greet Frostheart, even though she had been the one to lead her to StarClan. Her mother nearly broke down in front of their family, voicing her tearful apology for the weak body she'd given Frostheart.

Frostheart gave a quiet sigh as she padded along a quiet forest path, so different from the rocky terrain her pawpads had grown used to in the old MistClan territory. As if she could ever be angry with her mother for something she couldn't control. Frostheart had learned to live with it, and had even managed to become MistClan's leader for a short while. Truly, she couldn't have asked for more... though, a stronger body would have been nice. If she'd only had the strength in life that she currently possessed in death, maybe she wouldn't have had to leave Silverfang and Sootpaw alone. Perhaps the sickness wouldn't have ruined her body to such a terrible extent.

But there was no sense in thinking about that now- she was dead. What, was she going to spend an eternity feeling sorry for herself, wondering what could have been if she'd been able to live for just a while longer? Of course not! Silverfang would be fine. Sootpaw would take care of her, and he would become a great, strong warrior, and she would simply watch-

Frostheart nearly jumped out of her now-starry fur as Clearstream's familiar voice sounded from behind her. She quickly turned around to take in the appearance of her half-brother, the warmth in his voice and in his expression seeming out of place for the cold tom she remembered. "Oh- hey, Clearstream," Frostheart greeted after a moment, trying to mask her surprise. She'd never been able to tell if Clearstream disliked her in the way that Swiftcloud always had- he'd certainly caused enough trouble for her to make it seem that way. "Of course I remember you- I don't think I could forget the face of the second-biggest troublemaker in MistClan," Frostheart mewed, sending him a small smile of her own. Frostheart would certainly miss having a heartbeat, but, if there was anything that she was grateful to death for, it was the return of her memories.

As Clearstream began questioning her about her experiences in StarClan, Frostheart slowly sat down, her fluffy tail coming to rest on her paws. "I'm not sure what to think, if I'm being honest. It's... very peaceful," Frostheart answered thoughtfully. "There are no dangers, no foxes or badgers to worry about, no hunger, no sadness. It's like I was taken from a world with too much going on, too much to do, and dropped in one where nothing happens. There was always something to do when I was alive and healthy to keep my mind busy." Frostheart had always thought that StarClan would be a more eventful place, but it seemed like most cats just slept all day or hunted endlessly, as if they had a reason to hunt at all. "I wonder if I can be satisfied just existing like this."

[silverfang218]

Clearstream had not meant to startle the smaller she-cat, but her nearly jumping out of her starlit fur brought a hearty laugh from the tom. “And I thought I’d be sharing the top spot with our wayward sister. Not sure if it’s a good thing or not I’ve been bumped down a level.” He had, of course, never shared the fact that he could actually have these things called emotions in life to anyone but the almighty Swift herself, but Ashlark’s mischief and constant pestering has brought a few more expressions and tones to the tom’s face for the viewing pleasure of the general public. “Speaking of Swift, you were right. Being a kittypet suits her.” He mews simply, a bit of gratitude in his voice as he says that. Even when he couldn’t be there for Swift, Frostheart shoved their family’s troublemaker onto the right path.

As Frostheart plopped down, Clearstream turns so that he ends up sitting beside her. His tail sweeps around to cover his front paws as he looks down at the she-cat. He can’t say that he has terribly many regrets, but the main regret he has is a pretty big one. He wishes he would have reached out more, created more relationships. Not necessarily with his clanmates, but with his family. He loved his mother, even though he was far from close to her. He never was with their father much nor did he spend any time with his older sister. Perhaps he can rectify that last one just a little bit right now.

He nods as she expresses that there isn’t much to do up here, that it might be hard to adjust from ‘living’ to ‘existing’. “For some cats, this place is paradise. For the rest of us, it is unending boredom.” He drawls in his monotone voice. “I like a little nap every now and again, but I’d have to nap for moons at a time to not get bored.” He gives Frostheart a sideways glance, “Though I know of some younger cats that know how to have fun.” He gives her that sly smile again after a moment, before nudging her with his nose and bounding to his paws like a big, fluffy kit.

“Do you remember that little chase game we all used to play sometimes? Me, Swift, Pebblekit, and I’m pretty sure we convinced you to play a couple times at least.” He is of course referring to a little game of tag, yet he cannot remember the name of it. Who even needs names. Even so, he takes a step towards her, nudging her with his nose once again; you are the chaser now, Frostheart. It’s your move.

He takes a quick hop away to see if she remembers or if she looks like she’s confused out of her mind. If she looks like she’s going to chase him, he’ll grin like a big fluffy kit and bound away.

[Meow]

Frostheart blinked a bit at Clearstream's mention of Swift's life as a kittypet, something she hadn't thought about in moons. Her half-sister had seemed so fit for that life that Frostheart hadn't even doubted for a moment that she'd eventually found twolegs to live with, and that she now spent her days well-fed and spoiled. Swift had taken her words as an insult at first, but her half-sister always eventually saw reason- Frostheart would never dissuade someone from following the path that suited them best. Though, even if she'd already known what had become of her sister, the pale warrior couldn't help the small smile that appeared on her lips- she'd always hoped that Swift would find a place where she truly belonged.

Frostheart had to tilt her head to look up at Clearstream as he sat down next to her, listening to his nonchalant explanation that most cats were incredibly bored in StarClan. She wasn't sure she felt reassured by that, and the sly smile he sent her almost unnerved her further. What sort of place was this that cats never had to do any work, and her once emotionless brother had a sense of humor? Perhaps the boredom of StarClan had, in fact, gotten to Clearstream. Her guess was proven correct when he suddenly nudged her, bouncing away from her with the energy of a playful, bright-eyed kit. Who... who was this tom, and what had he done with Clearstream?

But Frostheart felt a quiet purr rise in her throat at the sight of the giant kit, carefree in the way that only a StarClan warrior could be. "I do remember- I used to watch the three of you play from the nursery," Frostheart recalled, briefly picturing the view of the rowdy kits chasing each other in the center of camp, their happy squeals still ringing loud in her memories. She had joined them once- Lakeshine had been particularly tired that day, and she hadn't been awake to stop Frostheart from playing with Silverstone's kits.

After a moment, the she-cat narrowed her eyes at the tom, an unusually playful spark behind them as she seemed to realize what his ridiculous hopping was about. "What, are you challenging me to a kit game?" Frostheart let out a quiet snort, though she was already pushing herself to her paws, her tail twitching with mischievous energy. "Well... I guess you better start running, then." The she-cat's smile widened into a ridiculous grin, and she shot forward with an energy she hadn't expressed in years, intent on catching Clearstream the way she had on that one special day when they were kits.

[silverfang218]

Clearstream had in fact reverted back to the state of a kit during his stay in StarClan, or at least his playfulness would suggest so. I blame Ashlark. Ashlark and Whitecliff. Don’t judge the big kit.

As Frostheart pulls herself to her paws and warns Clear to start running, that mischievous energy making her tail twitch and bringing a ridiculous grin to his half sister’s face- no, his sister’s face- washes away the concern he had that she would ask him to stop, that she would refuse to have some fun now that she was up here, or worse yet, that she would turn away and leave. Any doubt Clearstream had about their ability to put any hard feelings they had in life behind them melts away as Frostheart sprang at him. He grins too, a grin he likely hasn’t shown since they were kits, as he turns and flees from the smaller she-cat. It may be boring up here sometimes, but if you can find someone to have some fun with, it can be a paradise.

Of course, he likely doesn’t get far before Frostheart catches him. Clearstream is built for strength and stamina, but not necessarily for speed; Frostheart has always been much quicker. As she catches him, the fluffy tom lets himself flop over onto his side, but he’s careful not to land on Frostheart if she springs at him. He lets out a laugh and, while his voice is much deeper now, it’s filled with all the joyfulness he had as a kit. During his life, he had always shouldered Swiftcloud’s burdens, been her source of strength, all while feeling unattached from his clan and clanmates. That had started to change during the fire, when he had felt the need to help as many clanmates as possible. It had turned him around almost entirely after Swift came to him with her plans for her rebellion, resulting in him angrily standing up for his leader and his clan. Now up here, with no problems or burdens to shoulder, it seems like he has slowly learned how to be expressive again.

“It’s good to see you again, Frostheart.” He purrs, meaning not only is he thrilled to see her face to face, but he’s glad they can look at each other without Swift coloring their judgement of each other.

[Meow]

Frostheart let out a joyful laugh of her own as she bounded after Clearstream, the tom's happy energy fueling her own. Frostheart had always kept her distance from her half-siblings- after Pebblekit's disappearance, Swiftcloud hadn't known how to process her grief. She'd decided that Frostheart had probably lead Pebblekit to his demise, probably into the den of a hungry fox, even if Frostheart had only been a few weeks old herself. No matter what Frostheart had said to Swiftcloud, she refused to believe Frostheart, and Swiftcloud quickly set to turning Clearstream against her. She could still remember the many days she spent in the nursery, longingly watching her siblings from afar as they played together. Frostheart had learned to ignore them by the time she became an apprentice, though her desire to be accepted by her siblings had never truly faded.

And, now, here they were, playing like a pair of kits. It was like a dream.

It didn't take long for Frostheart to catch up to Clearstream. She might not have been very strong, but her speed had always been unmatched in battle. The she-cat was quick to end the chase as she tackled her brother, giggling as he let himself be knocked down. How long had it been since she'd allowed herself to have fun? It seemed like she'd never truly been happy when she was alive, like she'd never allowed herself to feel anything but miserable. Frostheart had always been so focused on being strong, on proving herself to her clan mates, that she wondered if anyone in MistClan actually knew her... not the stoic Frostheart they saw during gatherings or ceremonies, but the one who laughed and played like a kit when she was happy, and the one who cried when things got too hard for her. Even Silverfang had only caught a few glimpses of Frostheart's emotional side.

There wasn't a reason to hold back anymore. All of those expectations that had been holding her back had died with her.

The she-cat continued to laugh as she slowly pushed herself up into a sitting position, reemerging from the sea of fur that was Clearstream. The tom's words, however, caused the she-cat to pause in her laughter, though the grin refused to fall from her face. "Yeah- it's good to see you too, Clearstream," Frostheart mewed, a purr rumbling deep in her chest. "I really missed you... both of you. I'd always hoped I'd be able to talk to you for real one day." Frostheart then let out another chuckle, though this one was a bit less lively. "...if only we didn't have to die for that to happen."

[silverfang218]

Clearstream continues to lay on his back, his legs up in the air with the tip of his tail flicking back and forth; she can stay hidden in his fluff if she wants. He’s still a bit surprised that she turned into a kit as easily as he did; while she wasn’t nearly as cold as Clear himself had been, she never seemed the one to laugh and play. Guess they were both holding back bottled up emotions.

He purrs as she returns his sentiment, though as she adds that she wishes they didn’t have to die in order to be themselves around each other, Clearstream nods with a bit of sadness in his eyes. “That’s the one thing I always regretted, the fact that I never tried to have a better relationship with you. Though, better late than never. Besides, I don’t know about you, but if I’d of lived, I would have had to interact with Swiftcloud’s kits. They are cute little things, but I highly doubt any kit would take to me.” He chuckles softly, making it a joke at his own expense…. As if he isn’t just a big fluffy kit himself.

That’s when he remembers Rainfur and his son Pebblekit- Pebblepaw now. He’s not sure if Frostheart will find the irony as funny as he does, but he might as well share the news about their brother being alive and well. “This might be a little random, but I just remembered something you might be interested in. Do you remember Pebblekit?” He waits for her answer for just a moment before grinning widely. He thinks that Rainfur having a son named Pebble is just the best thing okay, don’t judge him. “He’s alive and well in IvyClan. He has a family and everything; one of his kits is named Pebblekit. Though I suppose Pebblekit is an apprentice now.”

And then he becomes a little kit again… he gently boops Frostheart on the nose with his big fluffy paw. He did that with Swiftcloud occasionally, usually to both get on her nerves and cheer her up at the same time.

[Meow]

Frostheart purred warmly at Clearstream’s comment that he wouldn’t have gotten along with Swift’s kits. That was something she’d often wondered about; Swiftcloud hadn’t ever said anything about her own pregnancy, but Frostheart could remember the bulge of the she-cat’s stomach when Frostheart banished her from MistClan. She’d worried that her half-sister wouldn’t find a suitable place to raise her kits in time, especially with her own stubbornness likely leading her to try to live on her own for a while. Frostheart was glad to hear that her kits had survived, and that they were likely doing well. “If the kits met you as you are right now, I’m sure they’d love you,” the she-cat hummed, settling down next to Clearstream as they calmed down in order to continue their chat.

When Clearstream questioned her about Pebblekit, Frostheart blinked at him, wondering what he might have to say about their long-lost brother. They’d all been very young when Pebblekit was taken from them, never to be seen again. He’d been… incredibly spunky- possibly the happiest and friendliest kit she’d ever met. Unfortunately, everything else about him was a blur. The only thing she could remember about him was his blue-gray pelt, which had mirrored Silverstone’s. “Of course- he was our brother. The one who disappeared,” Frostheart answered. Not that she could forget that, anyway, with Swiftcloud constantly trying to blame her for Pebblekit’s disappearance.

Then, Clearstream explained that Pebblekit was still alive… in IvyClan. With a family… and a Pebblekit of his own. Frostheart’s eyes widened at the revelation, almost not sure if she should believe Clearstream. The wide grin on his face, however, told her that he wasn’t joking about the whereabouts of the kit they’d lost all those moons ago. “He’s… alive? With a mate and kits?” The she-cat’s voice was filled with disbelief, though the brightening of her expression showed her joy at the news. “And another Pebblekit! I… I would have never guessed. I thought I kept smelling him on the journey to the new territories!” Frostheart’s heart leapt at the thought that she’d been so close to the brother she thought she’d lost. She could remember constantly catching whiffs of Silverstone on the journey, but… earthier, as if she’d spent a lot of time in the forest, and diluted with the scent of IvyClan. Frostheart had wondered if she’d been going crazy.

The she-cat seemed to break out of her surprised daze when Clearstream booped her on the nose, and she recoiled a bit at the sensation, though she wasn’t actually bothered by it. “I… I need to see him,” Frostheart mewed, her eyes still glittering at the thought of Pebblekit being alive. “I want to see who he grew up to be… who’s his mate? What’s he like?” Frostheart’s tail was almost wagging with excitement. She was sure she’d be proud of her half-brother! “And his kits? Are they cute? And Swift’s kits, too!"

[silverfang218]

Clearstream gives a huff as she says that kits would love him. He’s not quite so sure about that but he’s not going to argue. After all, his sisters always know best.

He mostly lets Frostheart take in the news of their long lost brother, aside from the boop, listening to her soaking in the information with his wide grin covering his face. As she snaps out of it and wants to see their brother and his family- and Swift’s family- Clearstream rolls onto his side and climbs to his paws with a lazy stretch.

“Let’s go see them then, shall we? I wouldn’t get so excited about seeing Pebblekit in grown up form. He’s a bit like Swiftcloud was, only happier, dumber, lazier, and somehow flirtier. His name is Rainfur; I think he’s trying to be better though. As for the mate he ended up with…. You also remember Owlstar, right?” He chuckles as he briefly pondered how Owlstar hasn’t killed their derpy brother yet. Clearstream gestures with his head for Frost to follow him as he starts to walk, taking his time as he catches his big sis up to speed on their siblings’ shenanigans. “Don’t judge Rainfur too harshly though. Do you remember when your Sootpaw went missing when he was a kit during the earthquake? It was an IvyClan apprentice, an apprentice who’d had his naming ceremony just a day or two before, who leapt into the river to save him. Sootpaw may have told you about him, his name is Shadowgaze now. As far as I can tell, Shadowgaze was orphaned in the fire and after he returned to IvyClan with Sootpaw, Rainfur and Owlstar adopted Shadowgaze. They love him like he’s their own; that makes up for a lot of Rainfur’s stupidity, at least in my mind.”

“And Swift… Swift got herself a good mate this time. And if he’s got my approval, then you know it means something. Her kits are Daystream’s, but she met this kittypet tom when she finally decided to give in and head towards the town. He took her in, got his twolegs to take her in two, then adopted all of her kits as his own. She eventually confessed everything to him, why she left the clan, what happened to me, everything, yet he just pulled her closer. Told her he loved her anyways. As long as she don’t run him off with that temper of hers, she should have it made… until she finds out what her little one Storm is doing behind her back.” He laughs; he’s been watching his various family members almost constantly, and he just couldn’t hardly wait to gush about them to someone who might care. Frostheart asked for it.

“Swift’s kits are almost big enough to be warriors, if they were clan cats, while Rainfur’s just became apprentices. Most of his take after their mother but one of their kits, Scorchpaw, seems to have Rainfur’s brains. Or lack thereof.” Clearstream leads Frostheart to a small lake. He hops up on a warm stone sitting beside the lake before looking down through the clear, water. He gestures with his tail for Frostheart to come look into the water; it was always the clearest place to look down into the world of the living. He’d spent a long time here; most of his afterlife has taken place right here, on this very stone. Not that he’ll admit that to anyone… but most cats who knew him at all could probably make the guess.

[Meow]

Frostheart quickly pushed herself up onto her paws as Clearstream stood up, her tail continuing to slowly wag at the thought of seeing how everyone was doing. She hadn’t looked in on the living yet- she’d only been here for a few days, and she knew she’d lose herself to sorrow if she allowed herself to watch Silverfang and Sootpaw. They’d no doubt still be mourning her death, and, if she were to catch either one of them in a moment of sadness… she wasn’t sure she could handle it right now. Frostheart would rather wait until both she and everyone else had come to terms with her death before looking in on MistClan. Her siblings, though? They were definitely fair game. From the sounds of it, watching them could do nothing but bring a smile to her face.

The she-cat listened almost impatiently as he began to warn her not to be too excited… and rightfully so, for, as soon as he said the name, Frostheart’s tail stopped wagging. Her brother was Rainfur- the idiot who had chased around all of her female warriors endlessly until Frostheart had stepped in to tell him off, which had only earned an irritated apology from the blue-gray warrior. Of… course. Rain… fur. He… did look just like Pebblekit, didn’t he? Perhaps Frostheart should have lead a more honest and sin-free life- perhaps, then, StarClan wouldn’t have chosen to torture her so. Was it that time when she had a brief romance with the IvyClan tom Blackwing? Or was it the time when she’d considered running away with that beautiful loner who held her attention when she was an apprentice? Or was it the love she’d so proudly declared for the MistClan medicine cat? Could she… be the reason why her siblings were lead astray? Oh, how blind she’d been to think that StarClan would forgive her sins simply because she was young and naive!

Frostheart’s face became totally blank as Clearstream then informed her that Rainfur’s mate was Owlstar… the leader of IvyClan. The most sensible cat Frostheart had ever met was mated to Rainfur, the most outrageous tom she’d ever met. She was silent as she padded alongside Clearstream, wondering what had been going on while she was in the elder’s den. Clearstream apparently knew what his sister would think of this news, because he started doing his best to defend Rainfur. Frostheart gave a quiet sigh as he did so, before her smile returned, listening to how Rainfur adopted Shadowgaze, Sootpaw’s savior. Pebblekit wasn’t who she’d expected him to be, but it’s not like she thought her sibling would grow up to be perfect. Maybe there was something in him that Frostheart hadn’t seen in their brief interactions.

Then, Clearstream moved on to talk about Swift’s new life and the tom who had taken her in. Frostheart was happy to hear that she’d seen reason and accepted the help of her new mate. Swift could be a difficult cat to love- her fiery personality and sharp tongue meant that a cat had to have a heart of steel to be with her all the time, as she often said things she didn’t mean. Her stubbornness could also turn a simple argument into an all-out war when she refused to accept that she was wrong. To hear that he’d accepted her, even with all of her faults and her past mistakes, was a big relief to Frostheart. She couldn’t be happy in MistClan, but it sounded like the kittypet life would suit her just fine. “Very few cats ever find someone like that- someone who’ll accept all their faults. I hope he continues to help lead her down the right path,” she murmured, feeling a sudden burst of pride for her sister, who had found a respectable life for herself. Frostheart glanced at Clearstream as he mentioned “Storm” doing something behind Swift’s back, furrowing her kittybrows in slight confusion, though she didn’t comment on that as they approached the lake.

“It sounds like you’ve been watching over them a lot. I’m sure they’d feel lucky to know they have such a good guardian angel,” Frostheart purred, jumping up to join him on the warm stones. The water below was clear and still, almost like a sheet of ice as she gazed down into it. “So, this is how you look down on the living? I was always curious about how StarClan watched over us…” Frostheart’s voice trailed off as she watched her transparent reflection fade, before an image appeared before her- a group of apprentices, all bearing black smoky fur. Some were slightly lighter than others, while one seemed to have strange white splotches scattered throughout their pelt… and one… “Dear StarClan, how can he breathe,” Frostheart gasped, looking down on one who sported the most magnificent mane she’d ever seen on a cat. They all seemed to be speaking among themselves and sharing prey, all five of them. They were clearly Owlstar’s kits- anyone would be able to see that if they’d ever even glanced towards the IvyClan leader. They were Rainfur’s kits. They… looked so strong. Frostheart couldn’t help the happy sigh that fell from her lips. Rainfur might be ridiculous, but he’d clearly done well for himself. He’d come to IvyClan as a stranger, a lone kit with no family, and had created a life for himself.

Just then, as if sensing her desire to see her brother, the image of Rainfur’s kits turned to one of Rainfur, his eyes wide and attentive as he slowly padded through what appeared to be IvyClan’s forest. It looked like he was probably searching for prey, though she couldn’t see if there was a patrol with him. Looking at him now, she wondered how she hadn’t even considered that he might’ve at least been related to Silverstone in some way- he looked just like her. His lanky frame, his blue-gray fur, his large green eyes… he was clearly her son. Frostheart lowered her ears a bit as Rainfur dropped into the hunter’s crouch, looking so at home in the forest. Maybe… it wasn’t such a bad thing that they’d lost Pebblekit. “IvyClan isn’t his birth clan, but you’d never know that by looking at him,” Frostheart commented, her expression soft. “I’m sad we never got to know him, but… I think he’s right where he belongs.”

Frostheart then watched as the waters began to show her an image of Swift as she slept, almost lost in a pile of her many warrior-sized children. They were all lost in their dreams, content snores sounding from several open mouths. They appeared to be sleeping in a twoleg nest, with a soft, furry-looking floor and oddly colored walls. Strange, colorful objects littered the ground, and, in the distance, she could see a small, spotted male moving said objects into a pile in the corner of the room. His fur was golden, and he seemed quite handsome. “Is that her mate?” Frostheart gestured to the tom in the background, briefly lifting her gaze to look at Clearstream. “What’s he doing with those… colorful things?”