[FIN] Just One More Night (Streamheart & Tigersun)

[NatiStorm]

Streamheart held her head proudly as she returned to camp with a tiny withered chipmunk in her maw. She placed it on the fresh kill pile just in time for Tigersun to call the clan together to eat for the night. It wasn't much, but it was her first catch in days and she was proud to place it before her clan.

It was hard, so incredibly hard, to look at her mother, her friends, her clanmates, and tell them the lie tonight after holding the chipmunk in her mouth for so long. "It's okay, I ate recently." Well, it wasn't really a lie, just a slight stretch of the truth. Streamheart had been saying it so long now, it almost didn't feel like a lie. Almost. The gnawing in her stomach wouldn't let her forget just how much she was stretching that truth.

In in past few days, Streamheart had really begun to feel just how exhausted she was. Her movements were slower, it was hard to focus on anything for long, and her hunts had become less and less successful. Still, she was determined not to eat. Knowing she didn't have the strength to reassure Pigeonflight several times tonight, Streamheart gave her line and quickly excused herself.

The plan was to quickly make her way to her nest and fall into a fitful sleep so she could return to the hunt early tomorrow morning. Instead, she turned around and nearly ran right into Tigersun!

"Oh, sorry, excuse me, Tigersun. Didn't see you there." She said through her exhausted surprise.

@Nym

 

[Nym]

He had been heading back to count the prey left behind for that night's dinner when he bumped into Streamheart, his chest heaving a startled sigh when the much smaller cat almost crashed into him. Ah, Streamheart -- he had been meaning to speak to her. The leader eyed her thinning frame with a clear frown, a paw stepping forward to cut off any attempt to scoot past.​

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"Wait," he rumbled down to her, his voice soft despite the depth. "I needed to speak to you, Streamheart. Do you have a moment?" ​

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Had she really thought he hadn't noticed? He couldn't criticize too harshly, except he could. He had also begun doing the same lie, despite Fawndance trying to keep on his toes. He had eaten considerably less, hoping to spread the prey to those who didn't have a life to spare. Streamheart, however, had only the one life, and Tigersun was not a dumb cat. ​

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@NatiStorm ​

 

[NatiStorm]

Streamheart felt her heart drop as Tigersun blocked her escape path with a paw. Normally, the grey stripped she-cat would love to be acknowledged by her recently appointed leader but the look on his face said this wouldn't be a pleasant conversation. Gathering up all of her strength, Streamheart sat straight and tall before the bright pelted tom.

"Of course, Tigersun. I'm ready to listen." She said as she sat, forcing herself to focus on her leader. Was he unhappy with her hunting style? Her patrols? Sure, she had been staying out later and leaving earlier than the probably should but how else was she going to find the elusive prey? He wasn't going to keep her from hunting was he?

Whatever it was, she was about to find out.
@Nym

 

[Nym]

She settled into a neat and presumably respectful position (although he didn't mind how she faced him, honestly) and he followed suit. ​

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"I've noticed you haven't been eating with the rest." Tigersun was a blunt and straight-to-the-point cat, evident as he eyed her sides with a pointed look. "The warrior code clearly states we eat together, and your refusal to follow it shows, Streamheart." ​

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His tone had hardened into a concerned and low tone, ebbing almost into frustration. No, he wasn't mad at her -- he already could assume why she wasn't taking her portion during meals, and he himself was guilty of the same. It wasn't anger he felt, it was a deep and consuming worry.​

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"I need- we need you to eat." His eyes softened despite the harshness of his tone. "We need every capable warrior at full strength if we're going to make it through this, and regardless, MountainClan cats do not leave our own to starve. I will be sitting with you for the next few meals, to ensure you are eating adequately." ​

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@NatiStorm ​

 

[NatiStorm]

Oh, it was going to be one of those talks; the kind that was less of a talk and more of a scolding. As her leader pointed out her refusal to eat was breaking the code she lived by, Streamheart flinched back almost as if he’d tried to strike at her. Her ears dropped and her posture crumbled as she sadly hung her head. It was rare to see the grey she-cat look so unsure of herself and while she sat trying to make herself as small as possible, the resemblance to her mother Pigeonflight was striking.

Didn’t he understand? If she ate with everyone else every night then there wouldn’t been enough food. There wasn't a single day that she didn't spend all of her energy out in the forest or down at the riverbed looking for prey that wasn't there. Didn’t he know that?

Of course he does. He probably knows better than anyone…

She wanted to cry, yell, argue with Tigersun that what she was doing was right, that this was the only way everyone would be okay... but what would that accomplish? Nothing. It would only make her look like a kit instead of a warrior. Of course she didn’t want to suffer anymore, she wanted to eat with everyone, oh how she wanted to eat, but she knew she was strong enough to handle this burden.

Looking back at her leader, her resolve wavered, then crumbled. His words echoed the truth she’d been ignoring in her heart. She needed to eat so that she could be at her best to serve the clan. Nearly all of the warriors and elders were trying to carry that burden and shield the rest of the clan from the endless hunger. Tigersun had been doing a great job getting everyone to eat at least a tiny bit each night, well, everyone except for her. Streamheart had been so stubborn about not eating for so long that her leader was now forced to supervise her.

Again she wanted to argue and beg Tigersun not to worry about her and to focus elsewhere but she couldn’t find any solid argument. Instead, Streamheart simply nodded at the tabby tom, her expression one of utter defeat. She was a member of the clan after all and she couldn't help them anymore if she starved herself.

“I...I understand.” She mewed, dropping her gaze once more. “I’m sorry I have caused you this trouble.” It would be embarrassing and her friends might tease her a bit, but Streamheart would put up no reistance and eat her next few meals in the company of her leader. Standing to leave, she flicked her eyes up to Tigersun. “I guess I’ll see you next meal then.”

Hopefully, he wouldn’t stop her from leaving this time and give her this one last night of not eating.

@Nym

 

[Nym]

The guilt he felt as she wilted into a smaller version of herself was immense and heavy, burdening his already worn heart and leaving a sour taste in his mouth. He had been prepared to lecture and correct as needed, but these were different times. What she had done was noble and would be honored by StarClan when her time came, but that time would not be now if he had his way.​

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"Streamheart," he called as she turned, taking another step. "You are not a trouble, far from it. You have fought valiantly for this clan, I wish to honor that." ​

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He hated the defeat in her face -- hated how he knew he was crushing a small part of her under his goodwill. That was the price of leadership, it would seem, and Tigersun was almost glad he hadn't been close to any of the cats prior. If they ended up hating him for his strictness then it wouldn't be as much of a loss, would it? If it got everyone out on the other side alive then...​

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He'd let her leave for the night, remembering Damsonflower's earlier caution. Breaking someone's will was as damaging as starvation in these times, and Streamheart clearly needed the space. He lingered where they had sat, his heart hammering a heavy and erratic rhythm as the frustrations pooled into the depths of his stomach. ​

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If you worked harder she would feel safer eating.​

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If the prey pile was larger than it wouldn't be up for discussion if they had enough food. Streamheart wouldn't play the same lying game he was, and she wouldn't have deflated like a scolded kitten under his gaze. He had to do better for her. For her, the clan, Sunseer -- everyone. There was no time for rest, no matter how his paws ached or his stomach clawed furiously. ​

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Get moving.​

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He'd set out for a nightly hunt shortly after Streamheart had vanished into the distance, widdling away at the hours of the night in search of unfortunate and sleeping prey. If he could just grow the pile a little more then maybe, hopefully, the fears on Streamheart's face wouldn't resurface in the morning as they sat together. It'd be worth the lack of sleep and food if it meant she could cherish her one single life just a little longer.​

 

[NatiStorm]

Streamheart made it all the way back to the warriors den before she realized that after that conversation, there was no way she could sleep. With a sigh, she turned around and headed out of camp. Going out to hunt was the only way she knew how to deal with her frustrations or anything anymore really. She didn't really expect to find any prey but maybe if she caught something big, it would make her feel less like a burden when she was forced to eat under her leaders watchful gaze.

Just as the thought crossed her mind, Streamheart spotted the bright tabby heading out as well. For some reason she found herself feeling guilty for making her new leader worry about her. "Tigersun!" Her mew was quiet but enough to get his attention. Padding up to him, she dipped her head respectfully. "Let me go with you, please. Two pairs of eyes will be better at night."

She waited for Tigersun's reply before falling in line close behind him. Hunting in teams had proven to be rather successful for Streamheart lately so surely if she tagged along with Tigersun they would be able to catch something, right? As they stalked away from camp, Streamheart kept her scenes on as high alert as she could manage in her exhausted state.
@Nym

 

[Nym]

"Tigersun!" ​

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He had been looming over an empty mole hole when he heard the call and jolted with a gasp. What in the wo- Streamheart? He immediately rounded, mouth opening to begin lecturing her for being out and not resting, and then it shut with a click and a groan. He couldn't feasibly turn her back. She had caught him in the act and clearly had come to do the same, and having two of them would make for better results, which could lead to her feeling safer in the morning. It was a win-win, even if she was now also refusing sleep. ​

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"Alright," he relented with a sigh, welcoming her to his side with a nod. He, naturally, took lead, noting the exhaustion on her face. They'd wander in silence for some time, a gift he was grateful for. Tigersun didn't mind the chatter of his clan but he certainly wasn't good or experienced with it, especially when he was so worn. He would rather focus on the job at hand, truthfully. ​

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Rustle, rustle​

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Tigersun came to an abrupt halt, head snapping towards the brushes to their right. Something was there, wriggling within the undergrowth only a few pawsteps away. His eyes lingered on Streamheart and he nodded softly. He'd follow her lead this time and deliver the finishing blow, if she let him.​

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@NatiStorm ​

 

[NatiStorm]

Maybe it was because she had company, maybe it was because she wanted to make a good impression on her leader, but whatever the reason, Streamheart felt more alert than she had in days. In truth, she was a bit concerned with how she would preform at first. Now as she stalked through the moonlight, she felt confident and hopeful.

Coming to a sudden stop a second after Tigersun, she looked to her leader and gave a blink in response. Working as a team to ambush a prey had taken her some time to adapt to but Streamheart eventually got the hang of it. Now the grey she-cat took a few careful pawsteps to the side and dove into the brush from a sideways angle, cutting of the prey's chance of retreat. Startled by her sudden appearance the squirrel had only one place to go; Tigersun's waiting claws.
@Nym

 

[Nym]

He hadn't hunted with Streamheart before. He had mostly been on his own prior to his promotion and now he had to learn another life, but it wasn't bad. In fact, as the squirrel ran toward him with a shrill shriek, he immediately realized that hunting with Streamheart was absolutely far easier than on his own by far. Something as quick and light on their feet as a squirrel was hard to fell on your own once they realized you were there, but as a team...​

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Well, it was fair to say it didn't stand a chance.​

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He gripped the squirrel with long claws and a ferocious snarl, tearing its throat out with little mercy. A pleased rumble left the tiger-striped cat as his eyes reflected moonlight back towards his hunting partner. Good. He was glad he had let her join.​

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"Excellent work, Streamheart," he praised her with a proud glint in his eyes and scooped the squirrel into his maw with a nod. ​

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They had more hunting to do.​

@NatiStorm ​