"Acornshell?"

Hearing the soft mew of her name being called by the den entrance, Acornshell looked up from her work where she had been treating Sandtail for a wrenched claw. As soon as she glimpsed the flecked blue-gray pelt, Acornshell instantly knew who it was.

"Rainblossom!"

The queen slipped inside the den hesitantly, looking skittish to be there in the first place. "Are you busy? I can come back later if you want."

Acornshell hastily shook her head. "It's not trouble at all." She turned toward her apprentice. "Gingerpelt, do you mind taking over for me here while I have a look at Rainblossom?"

The ginger tom dipped his head. "Sure!"

As he took her spot beside Sandtail, Acornshell escorted Rainblossom to a nest further away and out of earshot. "Anyways, how may I help you?"

Rainblossom ducked her head as she lay down on the moss bedding. "It's the pain…" She trailed off quietly. "I think it's getting worse. I can barely keep up with the patrols without being in constant pain."

Acornshell's gaze darkened with worry. Rainblossom had been visiting the medicine den more and more frequently, complaining about an agonizing pain along her belly. Acornshell had given her juniper berries, mallow leaves, parsley – just about everything so far, but the pain still persists.

"I will see what I can do." Acornshell meowed.

She leaned into Rainblossom's nest, and ran her paws over the queen's stomach. Acornshell has her suspicions, but she needs to be sure. She started pawing and massaging Rainblossom's belly, searching for the cause behind the queen's distress.

"Ow!" Rainblossom stiffened in alarm.

"Forgive me." Acornshell stopped her ministrations. "I need to make sure there isn't swelling, but I won't damage you." She reassured. "Just relax."

She continued massaging along the queen's belly. Hope sparked in Acornshell's chest after a few heartbeats of repeating the motion and finding nothing. However as her paws pressed against something that felt undeniably like a hard lump, and Rainblossom jerked in pain, Acornshell knew her suspicions had been confirmed.

"I'm afraid there isn't much that I can do here." Acornshell murmured numbly, her green eyes dismayed. "No herbs that I know of can cure a pain like that away. I can give you poppy seeds to help you soothe it, but it will never go away." She pressed her paws gently against the queen's flank. "I'm sorry."

Rainblossom gasped. "You mean… I can't carry on with my warrior duties?"

Acornshell's tail stroked her back comfortingly. "You have served your Clan honourably for many moons – no cat can ask any more of you than that." She told her. "It's not up to me to decide what you want to do next, but you would be more than welcome to join the elders, Rainblossom."

The blue-gray she-cat remained motionless for several heartbeats, contemplating her situation carefully. There are so many young cats in the Clan now; surely if she were to retire now it wouldn't make a difference? As much as Rainblossom wished she could still run and hunt and fight with the same energy she once had, the pain in her belly was far too strong for her to ignore just so she could be a warrior for a little longer.

"Yes, perhaps it would be best if I retire." Rainblossom conceded tiredly. She struggled to her paws. "I will have a word with Oakstar about moving to the elders' den later." Then she fixed her blue eyes on the medicine cat. "Promise me, you won't tell anyone about this before the announcement?"

Acornshell bowed her head. "Of course." She bent forward to rest her muzzle against the queen's forehead. "May StarClan grant you peaceful rest for seasons to come."

"Thank you, my dear friend." Rainblossom stepped back, her blue eyes troubled. "Before I discuss this matter with Oakstar, there's one cat that needs to know first."

Heart heavy as stone, Rainblossom left the den. She scanned the busy camp clearing, watching as Stonewing organized the patrols and cats came and went through the gorse tunnel. She skirted the edge of the clearing and headed to the Warrior's den and peered inside.

Her gaze softened and her heart melted to see Holloweyes curled up in his new nest, resting contently among his Clanmates. Rainblossom greatly appreciated the generous offer Redthorn had made to her kit when he left ThunderClan four sunrises ago. Now Holloweyes doesn't have to sleep out in the cold by his lonesome.

Slipping inside quietly, Rainblossom moved swiftly toward the blue-tabby and shook him with one paw gently. "Holloweyes." She murmured softly, but the warrior would not respond aside from a mere quick flick of his ears.

Upon closer inspection, Rainblossom took note of his dishevelled pelt and decided to step in. No kit of hers would be allowed to look like some mangy rogue while living in a Clan!

Curling up beside the sleeping warrior, Rainblossom immediately set to work and started lapping at her son's unkempt fur.

Holloweyes grumbled in his sleep, trying to hide the deep purr rising in his throat. "Mom, please… not now." He tucked his face under his paws. "I was on night patrol yesterday, I'm tired, and my pelt is fine."

"You think having burrs and twigs on your pelt is fine?" Rainblossom scolded, but her voice was gentle and her eyes were glowing with amusement. She flicked her son's nose with the tip of her tail, and with a loud defeated sigh Holloweyes blearily lifted his head to meet her gaze. "Come walk with me." Rainblossom suggested. "It's been so long since we've spent any time together."

Holloweyes tipped his head to one side. His mother was definitely acting strange. He yawned, showing a mouthful of spiky teeth and his tail fluffed up. "A walk, huh?" He glanced outside and sighed. "Fine. It's not like I'll be able to get much sleep here anyway."

Together, mother and son slipped out of the warriors' den and padded across camp toward the gorse tunnel. The entire time, Rainblossom couldn't keep her eyes off of Holloweyes. It seemed like it was only yesterday she kitted him. He had been so small and cute with his kitten fur all fluffed up, she could never smooth it down for long however much she groomed him. Now her kit is a warrior – strong and sleek, with muscles rippling along his pelt with every movement. No matter what her Clanmates say, Rainblossom is proud to have kitted a cat like Holloweyes.

They climbed the slope outside. Rainblossom winced at the effort straining her body as she reached the top, but did not let it show on her face whenever Holloweyes glanced back at her from up ahead. Reaching the forest, Holloweyes feel in beside his mother and they strolled side by side as they made their way toward the river. He knew how much she favoured the open skies there, and watch the water flow by.

"So…" He began, glancing at her sideways expectantly. "Is there something you want to tell me?"

Rainblossom blinked in surprise.

"It's not often we get to hang out together unless it is for a very good cause." Holloweyes pointed out kindly.

The old queen purred. "There is a good cause - I miss spending time with my only son. Is that so wrong?"

Holloweyes wasn't so convinced, though he chuckled along anyway. He looked into her eyes and saw how much his mother had aged in the last few seasons. Smokecloud's death no doubt put some strain into her age as well. He winced at the memory.

"Do you ever regret having kits?" He blurted out suddenly.

Rainblossom paused, huge eyed. Then her gaze softened. "You mean, if I regretted having you? Of course not! No mother regrets having their kits, no matter how hard-headed and troublemaking they are."

"Yeah but… I'm not just some stubborn kit who doesn't follow the rules. I'm the StarClan reject." Holloweyes argued, his tail lashing behind him. "I know you get a bad reputation for having mothered me; the Clan's bad omen. You could have had other kits – better kits if you really wanted to."

"Whatever for? I already have the best kit I could've ever asked for, and I wouldn't want another one – no matter what any other cat says about either of us." Rainblossom reassured, pressing her pelt against her son's to lend her warmth.

They arrived at the river, farther up Sunningrocks and closer to Tallpines. Here, a large willow tree rooted the edge of the riverbed and the foliage stood so tall it loomed over both ThunderClan and RiverClan territory. Various white flowers bloomed along the stretches of branches.

Rainblossom stiffly padded over to a stone at the base of the willow's roots and sat down to rest, curling her tail over paws as she looked out into the river. Holloweyes followed, settling himself beside her and tucking in his paws.

"Holloweyes…" Rainblossom whispered. "I'll be retiring to the elder's den soon."

The eyeless warrior perked up in shock. "What? When?"

"Today, if possible."

"I don't understand." Holloweyes shook his head, confused. "Are you feeling alright? I mean, I know there are a lot of young warriors now to compete with in patrols, but you're not that old. Is there something wrong?" He nosed her fur, as if he were looking for whatever it is troubling her and help get rid of it.

Purring, Rainblossom gently swept him aside with her tail. Then she paused, her eyes darkening. "I'm afraid I haven't been feeling very well as of late."

"So? Go to Acornshell or Gingerpelt! They will help you, I'm sure of it."

"I'm afraid this isn't something that can be cured so easily." Rainblossom fixed her blue glistening gaze on her only kit. "I'm sorry I'm only telling you this now. I didn't think it was much cause for alarm, but now that I know the severity of my condition I wanted to tell you my decision before I speak with Oakstar about it."

Holloweyes didn't know how to react. His mother is leaving the Warriors' den to live with the elders? So soon after he's been made a warrior? Things won't be the same without her around.

As if she were reading his mind, Rainblossom head butted his chin affectionately and purred. "Don't worry. We'll see plenty of each other around camp now that I won't have to go on patrols anymore. You'll visit me, won't you?"

"Of course!" As if she even needed to ask him!

"And please try to take better care of yourself." Rainblossom advised, eyeing his long fur with an analytical gaze. "If I see your pelt in that same sorry dishevelled state I found earlier, I will return to my warrior duties to pester until you learn to groom yourself!"

He broke off with a rumbling purr. "Just you wait; when you move away I'll keep your bedding always clean, and only give you the best pick of the fresh-kill pile."

"I'll be the most pampered elder in all of the Clans!"

"You bet!"

They burst into laughter together. Though they were enjoying each other's company, and the soft fresh breeze flowing in the air around them, there was a sense of impending loss that hang thick over them like a storm cloud – looming threateningly over the horizon.

Rainblossom broke off with a faint wince of pain as she felt a jolt spreading through her belly. Holloweyes glanced at her worriedly.

"You okay?" He laid his tail on her shoulder.

"Yes." She breathed, staggering to her paws. "We should be heading back to camp now. I need to talk to Oakstar as soon as possible."

Holloweyes nodded. Letting her lean on him, he lead the way back to camp. The walk through the forest was long and silent, the only sound around them being the birds chattering high above the trees. Sunlight dappled the grassy forest floor.

When they made it back to camp, Holloweyes settled down by the medicine cat den as Rainblossom brushed past him, touching his flank with the tip of her tail as she did so, and padded away toward Oakstar's den. Holloweyes watched her walk away, a deep seated sadness expanding in his heart.

"Rainblossom told you, didn't she?"

Holloweyes glanced up in surprise, meeting Acornshell's sympathetic pale green gaze. He nodded numbly in response.

"Is there anything I can do for you?" The medicine cat asked, resting a paw on his side.

Holloweyes broke the silence, unable to bear it. "Are there any other herbs that might help Rainblossom?" It was a dumb question. He knew she'd tried everything already.

"I'm going to start giving her more poppy seeds." Acornshell meowed. "She's in more pain than she'll admit to."

"How long before she starts feeling better?"

She didn't answer.

Holloweyes felt a small hard lump gather in his belly, as if he'd swallowed a stone. "She's not going to get better, is she?"

"No." Acornshell's mew was as soft as the breeze. "I've seen lumps like this before. The cat never survives. A lump like this brings pain and sickness that withers a warrior like frost withers a flower."

His heart froze painfully in his chest, and Holloweyes found himself curling up into a tight ball. His claws gripped the soil. First Smokecloud and now Rainblossom. It seems StarClan won't be satisfied until they've taken everyone he holds dear away from him.

He felt Acornshell's pelt brush his. "I'm sorry you have to go through this." She murmured. "This could have happened to anyone. Don't think this is StarClan's doing-"

Holloweyes opened his mouth to give out an angry retort when Oakstar's voice summoning the Clan beat him to it.

"Let all those cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the Highboulder for a Clan meeting."

Acornshell flicked her tail, heading toward Oakstar. Holloweyes padded numbly after her, his throat suddenly dry. The medicine cat glanced back at him. "StarClan is watching over you, Holloweyes." She told him quietly, as if this was some kind of secret no one else must hear. "The unfairness and cruelty you're going through right now is part of a destiny only they understand, but you must believe that they are guiding all of us the same way, and that they care about you just as much as any cat in the Clans. Keep holding on."

Holloweyes blinked as the medicine cat trotted away from him. He wanted to believe her, he really did, but why would StarClan let something so unfair happen to him if that were the case? It's been proven time and time again the starry ancestors want nothing to do with him, aside from maybe his demise, and are constantly punishing his very existence by taking his loved ones away.

His faith in StarClan is gone, and no amount of comforting is going to change his mind.

Raggedwind, Larkfeather, and Beantail padded toward the centre as Doespring herded Blazekit and Bristlekit from the nursery. Fawnspots and Cricketpelt stayed behind, watching the meeting from the comfort of their nests. Fawnspots had recently delivered a new litter of kits, which are too young to join in, and Cricketpelt was still grieving over the loss of her mate to gather with the others.

"Are we going to become apprentices?" Blazekit asked, his pelt fluffing with excitement.

"Is this our apprentice ceremony?" Bristlekit squeaked.

"Shhh!" Doespring hurried them on with a nudge of her muzzle.

Oakstar waited with Rainblossom beside him while the Clan gathered around the Highboulder.

"What's going on?" Breezeshine whispered.

Mistfang shrugged. "No idea. It's too soon for any of the kits to have their apprentice names yet."

"What's Rainblossom doing with Oakstar up there anyway?" Lavenderstripe prompted.

"Do you think they're finally going to kick out the StarClan reject?" Leopardswipe suggested quietly, but not too quiet that Holloweyes couldn't hear from where he was sitting. "I mean, maybe Rainblossom got to her senses and doesn't want him anymore?"

"Oh StarClan, please let this be it!"

Fernpaw lifted her chin, tail held high. "Maybe we're going to get our warrior names!" She hissed to Honeypaw in excitement.

Honeypaw glanced questioningly at her mentor, but Alderclaw was whispering something to Hollystorm, his eyes dark.

Holloweyes' heart quickened. He tried to catch Rainblossom's eye but she stared straight ahead. Oakstar ordered the crowd for silence with a flick of his tail.

"Rainblossom and I have been talking together, and she has come to a decision." Oakstar announced, and he stared down at the queen beside him. "Rainblossom, are you still sure that this is what you want?"

The old queen dipped her head in assent as she stepped forward.

"Rainblossom." Oakstar continued. "Is it your wish to give up the name of warrior and go to join the elders?"

Shocked whispers rippled through the crowd at the leader's announcement.

Palefur darted forward. "What in the name of StarClan is going on? Is every warrior deserting us?"

"First Harefur dies, then Redthorn leaves, now Rainblossom is retiring? This has to be a bad omen!" Dawnflower hissed.

"And we all know who is behind that!" Mudfang remarked, shooting Holloweyes a nasty glare.

But the eyeless warrior didn't pay the rumours circling the crowd any mind, and he was hardly aware of the presence of other cats around him. His focus remained solely on the ceremony. Holloweyes thought he heard a tremor in his mother's voice as she mewed: "It is." Her condition had proved that she was not as strong as she used to be. Sadness chilled his fur as he remembered her courage, fighting skills, and the warmth she provided him.

Oakstar sat down, suddenly looking old. "Rainblossom, I respect your decision. You have spent many seasons faithfully serving your Clan. Of course you may join the elders. Your Clan honours you and all the service you have given us." Oakstar went on. "I call upon StarClan to give you many seasons of rest."

Rainblossom dipped her head. "Thank you, Oakstar." She mewed formally.

"Your mother has to do what she thinks is right."

Holloweyes looked up numbly, surprised to see the ThunderClan deputy standing next to him. He hasn't forgotten the kindness his former mentor showed him when he was apprentice. Holloweyes came to learn that Stonewing had offered to mentor him when all other warriors refused, and he was there for him when Smokecloud died. Excluding his friends and family, Stonewing was one of the few cats who looked beyond his strange appearance, and gave him a chance.

"She's been looking thin and tired for a while." Stonewing went on.

Has she?

"I thought you'd noticed." The ThunderClan deputy touched his flank with the tip of his tail, offering comfort. "You can visit her whenever you want. She'll be delighted if you do."

Larkfeather padded forward and nudged Rainblossom. "There's plenty of room in the den." She croaked.

Raggedwind beckoned the old queen with his tail. "Come and see." He guided her to the opening beneath the fallen log next to the nursery. "You're going to have to get used to Beantail's snoring, mind you."

"I think I can cope with that." Rainblossom purred as she followed her new denmates.

The meeting adjourned and the Clan began splitting up to their own ways. Only Holloweyes remained where he was, still as a stone, watching Rainblossom converse and disappear into the sheltered gap of the elders' den.

He stayed that way until the moon was rising and stars were beginning to prick the sky. The camp suddenly felt small and stuffy. Holloweyes headed out through the gorse tunnel and followed the trail toward the river. The sky was as dark as moleskin as he wove between the slender trunks of pine trees. Wildflowers scented the air. His paws were wet from the dewy grass.

If you're going to take her from me, StarClan, please don't make her suffer just to get back at me.

(Time skip)

A full moon glowed in the sky. Holloweyes' form silhouetted against the night sky as he peered down from the top of ravine which led to the camp. He was panting and his paws were slippery with dew. Around him, his Clanmates streamed past on their way back from the gathering; everyone eager to share the news with the cats who had been left behind. Rainblossom hadn't come, either. She was confined to the elders' den, sick with a swelling in her belly. Silently, he jumped down the rocky slope and slipped through the gorse. His presence went unnoticed among the commotion amidst the rest of the Clan sharing news.

He hurried across the clearing and ducked his head into the elders' den. He peered through the shafts of moonlight streaming through the woven roof. "Rainblossom?" he whispered.

"StarClan reject!" Beantail heaved herself to her paws, her fur bristling with unbridled fury as she glared at him. "Don't you dare set a paw in here! You're not welcomed in this den!"

"Let him through." Raggedwind intervened, looking up sleepily from his nest. "Perhaps she'll stop talking and go to sleep now she's seen him." The old tom muttered.

Two blue eyes opened and glinted in the moonlight. Rainblossom lifted her head. "Holloweyes?" She looked so small in her moonlit nest, her fur flat, and her ribs showing though her pelt. "You came! Come lie next to me." she croaked. "It's so cold."

Can't she feel the warm Greenleaf breeze?

Wearily, Holloweyes picked his way through the other elders, who hissed and tried to take a swipe at him as he passed, and climbed into his mother's nest and curled up beside her. It's been two moons since she retired, and Holloweyes always tried to keep her informed of Clan happenings even when her condition deteriorated.

"How was the gathering?" Meowed Rainblossom quietly. She sounded calm and tired. "What happened tonight?"

"Four kits have gone missing in WindClan, and they accused ShadowClan of stealing them. ShadowClan tried to shift the blame on us."

"How dare they?" Rainblossom rasped, her tail lashing weakly behind her.

"But the WindClan deputy, Birchface, seems pretty convinced the missing kits were taken by the two defected warriors. Remember, a couple moons ago a few warriors of theirs went missing?" Holloweyes went on. "RiverClan was making passive-aggressive comments about taking Sunningrocks from us, and they've been having trouble with Twolegs as of late. ShadowClan are just a grumpy heaping load of fox-dung as usual."

Rainblossom broke into a rattling purr and leaned close to him. "I'm so proud of you. Smokecloud would have been proud, too."

Would he? Holloweyes found himself doubting.

He felt his mother's breath on his cheek. "I'm sorry the Clans judge you so harshly, Holloweyes. You don't deserve this cold life."

I didn't even do anything. Bitterness rose in his throat.

"They are wrong." Rainblossom's mew was soft. "Ever since I've kitted you, I knew you were special; even before you revealed your eyes." She paused, as though remembering the past. "The Clans will come to see that, too. You will do something great no other cat could've, and they will see they were wrong about you. I bet Smokecloud is watching you right now from StarClan, just cheering you on."

He pressed his muzzle against Rainblossom's cheek. It felt warm. "It doesn't matter what the Clans think about me. I'll stay loyal for as long as I live, no matter what anyone says about me. They will just have to get over it."

"You're such a great warrior." A purr rumbled in her throat, making her cough. She struggled to get her breath back. "Oh, my precious one. Be brave for me, please." Rainblossom brushed her muzzle along his eyes.

Numbness crept beneath Holloweyes' pelt, deadening his heart, slowing his thoughts. "Can I stay the night with you?" He whispered, feeling as if he were an apprentice again – forced to sleep out in the open and seeking his mother's warmth and comfort.

Rainblossom relaxed against him, her cheek resting on his. "That'll be nice." Her breathing eased. Curling herself around her son, she rested her nose on her paws and closed her eyes.

Holloweyes buried his nose in her pelt as if he were a kit in the nursery again, and drifted off to sleep.

(Time skip)

The willows flailed their branches helplessly while the wind stripped their leaves. Reeds rattled and swayed as the river raged past, skidding up the banks and snatching pebbles from the shore. Holloweyes watched the water race past his paws. Behind him, the wind moaned through the cracks and hollows of the trees. Ducking back against the cliff, out of the rain, he shivered and pulled his tail tighter around him. He spotted a head bobbing toward him through the undergrowth.

Cloverheart.

He hauled himself out of the bushes and shook out his pelt. "There you are." He touched his muzzle to his. "I was worried about you."

"I'm okay." Holloweyes blinked numbly. "She liked to sit here and watch the river, you know."

"Rainblossom?"

He nodded, fresh grief piercing his heart. It'd been one moon since he'd lain beside his mother in the elders' den. Half-moon since she'd died.

Cloverheart settled beside him and leaned into him. "I'm sure she's always watching from StarClan." He flicked the tip of his tail. "She'll want to see what her son is up to."

A weak purr rumbled in Holloweyes' throat.

"Come back to camp with me." Cloverheart pleaded, his green eyes round with concern. "You've been out here by yourself for days."

"Someone has to keep watching the RiverClan border anyways." He tried to joke, but it was too weak even for him. Holloweyes shook his head. "I'll stay here a bit more. I promise I'll come back later."

Cloverheart hesitated, his green eyes seared with worry for him. A heartbeat later he complied and bounded away through the undergrowth, shooting him one last concerned glance as he left.

Holloweyes was aware of the river sliding past and the birds chattering in the trees behind him. A kingfisher was sitting in the branch of an overhanging willow, studying the water for the tiniest flicker of a fish tail. He took a deep breath. "Goodbye, mom."

Before he turned away, he caught a glimpse of his reflection in the water. His fur was matted and sticking out unevenly in several places, looking as if he just gotten out of a scuffle with a fox. Holloweyes frowned at himself. Sitting down, he bent his head back and started lapping at his pelt to groom himself.

His mother raised no rogue, after all.

Hey guys, this is Flower1815 here bringing you a new chapter of Eddswarriors. I know this was more of a slice of life rather than plot driven, if there is any correlating all the stories, but the next one-shot will be more adventure driven. I'm still accepting ship requests and prompts, and MLTS is progressing great so far but I'm going to upload chapter 16 only in august, and the rest will come later.

Hope you guys enjoyed it, and I'll see yah all later! ;)