aka why lichen and bramble's parents are gone
this is also probably really cliche lmao

- × ☆ × -

wind rushed through the treetops of thunderclan's forest, leaving a trail of flying leaves and leaning branches wherever it went. the barely-there moon sent thin, twisting slants of light to the world, turning into twitching pale shapes on the forest floor as trees obscured it.

in the camp, all was quiet aside from the whoosh of wind and soft chirping of crickets - a typical leaffall night. what was unusual, though, were the two lithe shapes sliding from the nursery and warriors' den, meeting in the middle of their wide camp.

"branchfern?" one of them, a ginger tom, murmured while his fur puffed up against the cold. his voice was almost silent.

"applefire, my love," branchfern, a brown tabby, sighed as she nuzzled her mate, "i must go. we discussed this - you've seen how the clan looks at me."

applefire pulled away, hurt clear in his eyes, examining the long scar that ran from branchfern's forehead, through her left eye then down onto her chest. it was a gnarly reminder of her reckless youth. "dear, you'll always be beautiful to me. and you cannot go, our kits need you!"

branchfern ducked her head to stare at their paws, then glanced back at the nursery, "they're nearly two moons and already weaned," a smile crossed briefly her face for a moment as she turned back to applefire, "they'll be raised well here, mother or no mother."

with that, she turned, moving silently to the entrance of camp. she paused when she was just a step from leaving, tilting her head to the side to gaze lovingly at her home.

was she really ready to leave all this? the security of living in a clan, the memories of growing up among the stone walls, the countless tales she had from her life.

but the things she'd miss the most were her lovely mate, applefire, and their two perfect little kits - lichenkit and bramblekit.

her heart ached when she thought of them. she imagined their big eyes staring up at her, running around her legs, so intent on becoming a strong warrior like her someday. they hardly even noticed her scar.

she almost considered turning back, returning to her safe, mossy nest in the nursery, curling up next to her kits and keeping them warm at her belly. oh, how devastated they would be to wake up without their mother at their side...

but then she remembered how the other cats looked at her.

everyone but her family would stare at her, whisper among themselves, duck away when she walked up to them... everyone was terrified of her because of her scar.

the gentle brush of fur against her side shook her from her thoughts, and she looked to see applefire pressed up against her, drinking in her sweet scent, a mix of honeydew and kitten milk that hadn't yet dried up.

"im going with you."

branchfern gasped softly, stepping away from her mate and staring at him. "what? no, applefire, you must stay! lichenkit and bramblekit need a parent, and if it cant be me, it has to be you."

applefire stared back at her with love and hurt mixing in his eyes, his head low, "branchfern, i need you in my life. i've never loved anyone as much as i love you."

various emotions swirled in branchfern's body, swelling in her heart and then being covered by icy sadness, then rage, then love again. she could hardly keep her voice down when she replied.

"applefire, i love you too..." she glanced at the nursery, then to camp entrance, "i suppose you can leave with me."

her mate nodded silently.

both cats walked side-by-side, moving out of camp. the bushes hardly rustled as they went by.

the runaway lovers padded on at a slow pace, watching the twisting moonlight, listening to the roaring wind.

when they reached the end of thunderclan's territory, where the scent marks faded away into unknown woodland, they both cast long looks at their home. they'd never see it again.

fallen, blood-colored oak leaves swirled around them, seeming to drag them toward the strange land beyond thunderclan. applefire and branchfern then broke into a run, disappearing into the shadows, never to be seen again by the eyes of the clans.