Darkstar and Goldenstar's past, Part 10

Darkshade jumped at her sister's presence, Lightwave bolted off, "Darkshade... w-what-" Goldenshade began, then Darkshade cut her off, "NOTHING- N-NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!" Darkshade hissed, then stomped back to camp. Goldenshade followed her but said nothing, Darkshade stopped and glared at her sister, "Well?" Darkshade hissed lowly, her tail lashing,

"...I won't tell Larkstar or Tidewhisper... but at least tell me what's happening...-" Goldenshade said, then Darkshade tackled the golden queen,

"You don't need to know ANYTHING! OKAY?!"

Darkshade hissed at her sister, Goldenshade became wide-eyed, Darkshade placed a claw on her sister's throat, "Stop pretending like you care! I know that you don't... you'll betray me one day..." Darkshade hissed lowly in Goldenshade's ear. Goldenshade started to gag as Darkshade's claw started to put pressure on her throat, Darkshade was smiling through it, then she let go of Goldenshade's throat. Goldenshade gasped, finally receiving air and started to then shake, Darkshade disappeared into the bushes, leaving Goldenshade with an eternity of guilt.

Goldenshade was breathing heavily, Goldenshade couldn't believe that her own sister almost suffocated her,

'...M-maybe I...d-deserve it...'

Goldenshade quietly thought for a moment, convincing herself that Darkshade was just not in a very great mood or... something was bothering her... Goldenshade scrambled to her paws and went back to camp. Darkshade was sitting at the entrance, Goldenshade nervously waved her paw in front of her sister's face, as if trying to get her attention.

Darkshade turned to look at Goldenshade, her gaze seemed empty. Goldenshade giggled nervously, "Stop." Darkshade mumbled, deadpan. Goldenshade blinked, "...I didn't even do anything-"

"That's right... I have to do everything myself." Darkshade hissed lowly, Goldenshade was shocked. Darkshade got up and walked away. Goldenshade stood there, questioning every memory she had had with her sister, then a flashback came to her.

...5 moons ago...

Darkpaw was near TideClan hunting grounds, trying to catch a vole. Then Goldenpaw rammed into her, knocking Darkpaw over, "HEY!" Darkpaw hissed, trying to battle Goldenpaw off of herself. Goldenpaw giggled with joy, "The apprentices and I wanted you to play with us!" Goldenpaw chirped, Darkpaw blinked, then her face lit up like Christmas morning,

"REALLY?! I-I mean, really?!" Darkpaw asked, trying to hide her excitement, Goldenpaw nodded, then grabbed Darkpaw and rushed to an old oak tree where all of the apprentices from each clan, TideClan, SnowClan, and SunClan were waiting. Though, no one knew that the apprentices were doing this. Goldenpaw chirped, "GUYS! DARKPAW SAID YES!" She squealed. The apprentices looked at Darkpaw, Poppypaw, an apprentice from SunClan said, "We're gonna play as the three clans, I'm gonna be Poppystar," Poppypaw declared, leaping onto one of the oak tree's large roots, "Leader of SunClan!" Poppypaw finished her sentence.

The rest of the apprentices took their names, as soon as it was Darkpaw's turn, Poppypaw cut in,

"Actually, you're name's gonna be Darkshadow, and you're gonna be the villain! Any objections?"

The apprentices all agreed, the words and chattering of Darkpaw being the villain cut deep into her heart, but ignored it... she always does.

Darkpaw knew why they picked her as the villain...

FOR HER APPEARANCE...

Darkpaw stood still as the other apprentices got ready to roleplay. The roleplay then started, what the apprentices didn't know was... Darkpaw knew how to be a villain...

Darkpaw targeted Goldenpaw as she was to be the supposed 'Hero.'

Darkpaw started to battle her sister violently, the apprentices started screaming at what was happening in front of them.

Poppypaw ran, Darkpaw's blood red eyes locked onto her, then the dark she-cat started to chase Poppypaw. The other apprentices gathered around Goldenpaw, an apprentice ran to get help.

Ashflower and Tidepaw came running back with the apprentice, they were shocked to see that Goldenpaw was literally TORN APART (just kidding... but it was serious).

Ashflower saw Darkpaw return, when Darkpaw saw the spark of disappointment in the siamese she-cat's eyes, Darkpaw retreated back to the forest. Goldenpaw looked up weakly to see her sister retreat...

Goldenshade ran after her sister, "Shade!" She called, Darkshade stopped walking and looked behind her, but it was too late...

Goldenshade crashed into her older sister, which sent Darkshade skidding across the ground. Goldenshade flopped on top of her older sister and giggled, "GOLD, WHAT THE HECK?!" Darkshade rasped, Goldenshade pouted,

"You didn't say bye..." Goldenshade mewed. Darkshade blinked, "Okay fine..." Darkshade grumbled, then pushed her little sister off of herself.

Tidewhisper walked up to his mate then rested his tail on Goldenshade's shoulder. Goldenshade sighed, "I think my sister hates me..." Goldenshade said sadly.

Meanwhile, Darkshade was getting dragged into the medicine den by their medicine cat, Heatherbloom, "Why are you like this?" Heatherbloom asked.

Darkshade broke down, "I DON'T KNOOOOWW!" Darkshade sobbed, "Well I guess you need swimming lessons if you ever flood camp with tears." Heatherbloom replied sarcastically, rolling her eyes.

Darkshade looked at her, completely stunned, "What did you say?" She asked. "I said you need swimming lessons." Heatherbloom said sweetly, Darkshade got up and stormed out.

Tidewhisper saw Darkshade storm out of camp, "Dar-" he started, then got cut off by a sharp hiss,

"WHAT DO YOU WANT?!"

Tidewhisper was surprised with Darkshade's tone, "Are you okay?" He asked, Darkshade smiled sweetly, "Oh, I'm fine- DO I LOOK FINE?!" She hissed, then stormed off at the same time Larkstar went on a walk.

...A while later...

Hawkpaw, an apprentice, ran up to Tidewhisper, "Tidewhisper...." he panted, then collapsed, crying and shaking with fear, "I saw Larkstar..."

"d-dead..."

The words shot Tidewhisper like a bullet, "What do you me-" he began, getting cut off at the sight of Larkstar's limp body being dragged back by Ashflower and...

Darkshade...

Darkshade's usually sharp mask cracked with a spark of guilt in her crimson eyes. Goldenshade noticed almost immediately, "Darkshade..." she began, "What did you—" Goldenshade stammered, then Darkshade cut her off, "I SAW HIM LIKE THIS!" Darkshade answered almost immediately, too quickly.

The black she-cat's crimson gaze darted away from her sister's and her brother-in-law's eyes. Darkshade's voice cracked as she tried to deny everything. Fear, suspicion, and concern crashed into Goldenshade like a tidal wave, 'My sister is hiding something...' she thought, "Dark—"

"I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING, OKAY?!" Darkshade hissed, she sounded furious but... also desperate as if she was really hiding something. Before Goldenshade could reply, Darkshade spun towards the camp entrance and stormed off before she could be interrogated further by her sister or Tidewhisper. Guilt crashed into Darkshade like a wave,

'I probably shouldn't have lashed out like that...'

A little while later, Darkshade returned to camp, immediately met by her sister. "I have a question," Goldenshade began, "...why did you immediately leave after you brought Larkstar back here...? Also, you missed the vigil..." Goldenshade reminded her. Darkshade's eyes widened, then narrowed as she glared at her sister, "Why do you want to know?" she hissed lowly, "You've been acting suspicious... almost like you've been hiding things..." her sister answered. There was a pause, then Darkshade snapped back, "Well it's none of your business, okay?!" she snapped, then brushed past her sister.

The golden she-cat blinked, her ears flattened in worry, and something almost like concern, "...I just want to know what's happening with you..." Goldenshade said quietly to herself. Goldenshade then sought Tidewhisper for comfort, hoping he would reassure her everything was fine, like he always did.

Goldenshade dragged her paws, tail flicking nervously as she slipped into the leader's den. Tidewhisper glanced at his mate, his blue and green eyes hollow for moments that felt like moons, his gaze then snapped back to his signature fake warmth, "Hello, Goldenshade." He purred, but it sounded forced, "...Did you find out what has been going on with your sister, Darkshade?"

"No..." Goldenshade answered. There was silence, then Tideshisper snapped back to his normal tone, "Well, we'll set off for the moonstone tomorrow." He gushed, then went to ignoring Goldenshade. The golden she-cat was confused, "Wait, you were confused a- aren't you even worried, confused, or gri-" she began, then Tidewhisper cut her off sharply, tail lashing,

"He's gone, okay? There was nothing we could do."

The she-cat blinked, her ears flattened against her crown, "Tidey..... why are you so.... harsh...?" Goldenshade mewed in sorrow. Her mate glared at her, his entire expression blank, Goldenshade received the message, then padded away, her tail dragging.

Goldenshade went to the only cat who she thought would help her. Heatherbloom. Goldenshade's paws dragged, ears pinned back, her eyes full of hope. But oh no, Heatherbloom, the only therapist in TideClan, was NOT in the mood for anyone's "nonsense." Heatherbloom was pawing at her herbs roughly, her gaze alone said she was done with this entire world... and it wasn't even sunhigh yet.

'M-maybe she'll listen or help me with my problems..." Goldenshade thought, seeing Heatherbloom's rough body language with her rough pawing and glare, but was still hopeful.

Heatherbloom swatted a bundle so hard it scattered across the ground, Heatherbloom huffed, irritated, then begrudgingly started to gather the scattered herbs. Goldenshade flinched, her ears fell back, "Oh no, I am going to get roasted by my only hope..." she thought.

Goldenshade hesitated, then padded closer to the frustrated medicine cat, then poked her to get her attention. Heatherbloom's head whipped around so fast Goldenshade thought that Heatherbloom was going to break her neck.

"Hello, Goldenshade," Heatherbloom muttered, "What do you need?" she asked. "I need therapy..." the golden she-cat replied. "And I need a nap, guess we're both upset." Heatherbloom replied sharply, her tail lashing, her ear flicking with irritation. Goldenshade blinked, "But my stability is... not well..." she told Heatherbloom, who was scowling at her.

Heatherbloom groaned so loudly that birds in the nearby trees scattered, "Fine! Hurry up and tell me what you need before I die from boredom and rage at this whole clan of idiots." Heatherbloom grumbled, lowering herself onto her haunches aggressively.

Goldenshade flinched at Heatherbloom's tone, but then told her everything, "Heather... my sister is probably a murderer, my husband is super toxic to me now, and my kits MIGHT be in da—"

"YOU'RE EXPECTING KITS?!"

Goldenshade blinked rapidly at Heatherbloom's outburst, "Um... yes?" Goldenshade replied, still stunned. Heatherbloom now looked like a furry sarcastic porcupine, "WHY DID YOU NOT TELL ME?! Also," Heatherbloom's fur flattened slightly, "Who is your mate again?"

Goldenshade blinked, her ear flicked, her tail drooped like a limp serpent, "Tidewhisper is my mate and the father of my kits." She answered. Heatherbloom froze like a statue, "Um... he's cheating on you," she rubbed the back of her neck, "W-with Quietsong... he blackmailed me so I would stay silent to protect his pride..." she muttered.

The confession tore through Goldenshade's heart like a bullet. The silence was uncomfortable, then Heatherbloom shoved poppy seeds down Goldenshade's throat, Goldenshade started to choke, gasping for air as Heatherbloom shoved more down her throat, "Alright, bedtime now. Goodnight!" Heatherbloom said in a mock sweet tone.

The poppy seeds' side-effects took over Goldenshade, the cat swaying before collapsing into the moss, passed out. Heatherbloom stared at Goldenshade's limp form on the moss, the golden cat's chest rose and fell, Heatherbloom went back to sorting her herbs, "There, now I won't have to deal with couple drama." She muttered. Her pink eyes were red since she was up last night for reasons we cannot name.

Heatherbloom's gaze flicked back to Goldenshade, who was passed out on the moss, "I guess I might keep her in my den for a while," Heatherbloom muttered, then she glared up through the ceiling, "DON'T JUDGE ME, STARCLAN! I'M NOT THAT CRUEL!" Heatherbloom hissed.

A few hours later, Goldenshade's eyes blinked as she woke, and the first thing she saw? Her sassy, sarcastic, and probably murderous sister, Darkshade... she was so close that her nose was practically brushing her little sister's whiskers.... and probably breathing the same air as her. Goldenshade screamed so loud that probably the birds in the nearby trees scattered again because StarClan forbid they have peace, "STARCLAN, TAKE ME BACK TO SLEEP!" Goldenshade screamed, Heatherbloom swatted Darkshade away with her paw like she was a misbehaving kit,

"Darkshade, give her space or she's gonna develop claustrophobia." Heatherbloom hissed, rolling her eyes. Darkshade stepped away a tail-length from her sister as they locked eyes, an uncomfortable silence filled the den before the black she-cat spoke, "I did not expect StarClan to punish me with making my life harder by my younger sister having kits..." Darkshade scowled, her tail flicking.

Heatherbloom choked on a random mouse she kept in her den... though no one knew where it came from. Was it from StarClan? Was it from her hoarding half the fresh-kill pile? No one knows, "WHAT DO YOU MEAN?! YOU SHOULD BE HAPPY!" Heatherbloom hissed. Darkshade's eyes glinted like rubies as her gaze flicked toward Heatherbloom, "Heatherbloom, am I obligated to be happy about nieces or nephews I certainly did not ask StarClan for?" she scoffed.

Goldenshade turned her head slowly to her sister with the force of a thousand suns, "HOW DARE YOU OFFEND MY UNBORN CHILDREN?!" she hissed, Darkshade blew her fluffy bangs out of her face, rolling her eyes, "At least I'm not the idiot who fell in love with a tom who is like five-hundred moons older than me.." she huffed.

Goldenshade became furious at both Darkshade and Heatherbloom, "DARKSHADE, SHUT UP AND STOP TRY- nevermind... AND YOU," Goldenshade's golden eyes locked with Heatherbloom's pink eyes, "WHY DID YOU TELL MY SISTER?!" she hissed. Heatherbloom shrugged, "Why shouldn't have I told her?"

Darkshade smirked, "Thank you, Heather." She said. Heatherbloom deadpanned, "Alright, you both can argue all you want now, just don't touch my herbs or mess up my herb storage." Heatherbloom answered, then went back to sorting herbs. Darkshade sat down beside her sister.

Right as she was about to say something, Tidewhisper trotted in, his gaze seemed hard when he looked at Heatherbloom, but softened into fake warmth when his blue and green gaze landed on his mate, "Hello Goldenshade." He said. Goldenshade looked at him, trying to mask her betrayal, ".....Hello..." she said, then Darkshade looked at her sister like, 'Why are you cold to your one true love now?'

Tidewhisper looked Goldenshade up and down, then left the medicine den, "Likely gonna go meet up with Quietsong," Heatherbloom said, deadpan, "He's been doing that for about 3 weeks now."

Darkshade glared at Heatherbloom, "What do you mean by that— Was that mouse-brain cheating on my sister?" She hissed, "Took ya long enough to notice, Darkshade. If you hadn't been focusing on whining about your life without doing anything, ya might've had the chance to rip him to shreds. Now he's gonna be—" Heatherbloom began.

"Don't say that please..." Darkshade cut her off, looking away, her red eyes darkened a little. "Why?" Heatherbloom deadpanned, "....Irisflower and Larkstar..." Darkshade said, then got up and trotted out. Heatherbloom stared after her, "HEY, YOU DON'T GET TO TRAUMA DUMP ON US AND WALK AWAY!" Heatherbloom hissed, getting up and going after her.

...6 days later, after Tidewhisper's journey to the moonstone...

The proud grey tom, Tidewhisper, who had now become Tidestar, leapt upon the highrock, "Every cat that is old enough to swim in TideClan's waters and catch their own fish, gather under the great rock!" he yowled, cats started to arrive at the ceremony, curious, excited, and proud. Tidestar's tail flicked, "I have received my nine lives from StarClan, and I am now TideClan's new leader!" he declared, the cats cheered and started to chant his name.

Just then, Darkshade and Goldenshade arrived at the ceremony, Darkshade sat down, she pawed nervously at the ground, hoping she would be the new deputy. "The new deputy shall be my mentor, Ashflower!" Tidestar declared, Darkshade's heart sank as her claws dug into the dirt, ears flattening against her fluffy crown, "I hope that StarClan approves my choice of a deputy." Tidestar said, the clan started to chant Ashflower's name,

"ASHFLOWER! ASHFLOWER! ASHFLOWER!"

Ashflower smiled, Darkshade shot her a look of pure hatred, "This meeting is dismissed." Tidestar meowed, leaping off of the high rock.

Darkshade's eyes were wide with disbelief, she worked so hard just to be deputy one day... now it fell apart right before her eyes. Goldenshade saw her sister's expression, "...Shade... are you okay?" she asked softly, Darkshade didn't even answer, she just stormed off, furious and probably plotting revenge while Heatherbloom yelled about her needing therapy across camp.