the raven

~~~

THAT WAS AN ODD QUESTION. So odd that Violetpaw had to repeat it in her mind then study Brightpaw's face to see if she was being serious. When the white she-cat determined it was indeed a genuine question, she burst into laughter.

Well, she would if that question were posed to her two moons ago. But now, she didn't find the question very funny. In fact, it felt like she was forcing her whiskers to twitch in amusement.

"Do I like Ravenpaw?" Violetpaw scoffed. "Great StarClan, I've never heard that one before."

A look of relief faded into Brightpaw's expression. "So I take it you don't?"

"Take it," the white she-cat replied, flicking her tail easily. 

Brightpaw nodded. "Sorry for even asking. I was just wondering because, well, ever since he came back from SkyClan, he's been acting... weird."

"Couldn't it just be from the experience?"

"Maybe," the calico mewed, twitching her pelt, "but it's not really like that. He's always open to talking about SkyClan, but as soon as your name is mentioned, he shuts down."

Violetpaw's face furrows into a frown without her consent, and she twitches her pelt a little indignantly. "Why?"

Brightpaw shrugged. "I don't know, but he never used to be like that, so I was wondering if maybe something happened while you guys were in SkyClan's camp."

Violetpaw thought about it. What, talking about who they like? Bonding? Taking the first step to becoming friends? All that caused Ravenpaw to hate her so much that he pulls away when her name comes up?

A scowl pulled onto Violetpaw's expression at the very thought. "No. Nothing happened."

Brightpaw nodded again, slowly. "Well, did... Well did he maybe mention me at all?"

"Mention you?"

"You know, while you guys were talking, did the subject ever come up?"

Violetpaw knew exactly what Brightpaw was asking about, and what the calico she-cat wanted to know. She blew out a breath and faced forwards, thinking back to that night. Ravenpaw had refused to tell her who he liked, but he did concede that he was padding after someone. If not Brightpaw, then who?

Finally, she spoke, quietly, "I think he likes you."

Instantly, Brightpaw's face lit up. "Oh, really?"

"Yeah," Violetpaw mewed, shifting on her paws. She tried to make her voice as lighthearted as possible, but for some strange reason, there was a lump in her throat. "I really don't understand why you like him though."

The calico only grinned at her, giving her ear a light flick. "There's just something about him. He acts all tough and cold, but really, he's very sweet. And he's hardworking and funny and..."

Yeah, I know, Violetpaw wanted to say as Brightpaw droned on and on, remembering how surprisingly kind and uplifting Ravenpaw had been during their time in SkyClan's camp. She caught herself, though, and instead smiled.

"Okay. I'm glad for you."

Brightpaw beamed at her, giving her a teasing nudge. "And hey, it's not like I'm the only one. You and Eaglefrost, huh?"

Violetpaw recoiled a little, flushing. "Oh, well, I don't know."

"Well I do!" Brightpaw declared cheerfully. "You two are so cute together."

Right. She liked Eaglefrost, not Ravenpaw. So why did Violetpaw suddenly wish that she could switch places with Brightpaw?

~~~

RAVENPAW BECOMES RAVENDUST in the next few weeks. The weather has finally tipped into newleaf, birds were chirping in the air, and worries of SkyClan were slowly fading away. Well, that's not exactly accurate. Border patrols were always careful to watch for an impending attack, but none came. SkyClan had stopped attending Gatherings, but other than that, it was as though everything had returned to normal.

In fact, the only troubled one was Violetpaw. She couldn't stop thinking about the Ghost Assassin. She wasn't sure how to catch him. Maybe she could ask her parents? They were apprentices at the same time as Ashbird. Maybe they knew which ThunderClan tom was taken with her.

But right now, she took a deep breath, zoning back into the Warrior Ceremony.

"Ravendust! Ravendust!" the Clan was yowling.

Quickly, Violetpaw raised her head to call his name as well. It felt weird on her tongue. They weren't kits anymore, squabbling with each other over anything and everything. He was a warrior now, and soon, she would be too.

Cats flooded up to congratulate Ravendust as soon as the ceremony was over, and Violetpaw let Sweetpaw drag her over as well. Brightpaw was already there, staring up at the black tom with admiring eyes.

"Ravendust!" Sweetpaw mewed chirpily. "Wow, it's crazy that you're a warrior now. Are you excited?"

Violetpaw hadn't spoken to Ravendust in many weeks now, and so it felt weird hearing his voice up close when he spoke. "Somewhat. I'm not that excited for the vigil tonight."

At this, the white she-cat's ears twitched indignantly, almost on instinct. 

Of course, Ravendust caught this. "Problem?"

And of course, who was Violetpaw to keep quiet? "Yes. A vigil is a proud thing. To be able to hold it means that you've accomplished the great task of becoming a warrior."

Ravendust raised an eyebrow. "I didn't say I'm not proud. I'm simply not looking forward to sitting still all night." When the white she-cat opened her jaws to retort, he added, "And hey, you should really watch your mouth, Violetpaw. I'm a warrior now. I can order you to fetch prey for me anytime I like."

Violetpaw glared at him. Great. So he hasn't matured at all. "Ravendust-"

He tipped his head, his yellow eyes blinking at her expectantly. Suddenly, Violetpaw felt her harsh words faltering in her throat.

"Congratulations," she ended up mewing instead.

The black tom's face furrowed in shock. "Have you hit your head somewhere?"

Violetpaw ignored him, shifting a little on her paws, embarrassed. "I need to go for a walk now. Goodbye." 

Promptly, she turned sharply and sped out of ThunderClan's camp as fast as her paws would carry her. Great StarClan, what had taken over her? Ravendust was never going to let her live this one down.

And now, instead of taking the nap she'd planned to take after the ceremony, she was going to have to go on a walk. Great.

She puffed out a breath. She'll just do a quick loop around the territory and go back. Maybe she'll still have time for a nap before the sunset patrol-

"The Ghost Assassin dwells in ThunderClan."

Violetpaw's head snapped up in shock. Those words floated towards her, sing-song, in a she-cat's voice. It didn't sound unfamiliar, but she couldn't place her paws on who it belonged to.

Where was it coming from?

"If you want to avenge your daughter, you need to attack ThunderClan."

This time, the noise seemed to originate clearly from the beach. Violetpaw didn't waste another second, instantly sprinting over towards the water. As she burst out of the trees, however, she found that the beach was deserted. There was no cat there but her.

"I'm doing this for us, Violetdust, don't you understand?"

Violetpaw whipped around wildly. What was going on? How was she hearing this? 

"Who are you?" she yowled into the air.

"Don't you agree that life can be so... unfair?"

Violetpaw unsheathed her claws, lashing her tail as she looked back and forth crazily, slowly backing into the water. "Show yourself!"

Was this all just in her head?

"You're dead, I'm dead, and it's all StarClan's fault."

And that was the last thing Violetpaw remembered before everything went black.