Cherryblossom

Cherryblossom is a spotted, cinnamon-tabby tortoiseshell she-cat with long fur and large, white patches and cinnamon-brown eyes.

Born a kittypet, Cherryle was a soft she-cat both inside and out. Plump as can be, she was no floating cloud. Despite her clumsiness with unskilled paws, she attracted the attention of a warrior of the clans. No one would have expected the battle-hardened tom and the humble she-cat to get along, let alone become mates. On the contrary, Cherryle cannot remember anything more thrilling than meeting her new love beyond the fence. Perhaps she was naive, but she fell hard. Hard enough to carry his kits and leave her twoleg. Excited over the prospect of adventure, she set out with her mate to chase after his promises. HollowClan was the toughest band of rogues and loners around. Her and their kits would be completely safe there, he vowed.

When trouble crossed their path in the form of three rogues, he didn't hesitate to protect his growing family. Unfortunately, even a warrior of the infamous clan like him could not win a 1v3 battle. Cherryle never thought he would be sending her on without him. Still, she had to leave him or his distraction to save her would be in vain. It is a moment that has guilted her for moons.

The trip was too long and too late. Cherryle couldn't make it all the way to HollowClan before she had to give birth. All alone, it had been the most terrifying night of her life. Until she caught the wisp of her mate's scent on the breeze and felt a comforting brush of fur. Looking around, she realized no one was there. Yet, she did not feel all alone anymore.

Hunting to provide for her and her kits proved a challenge. Usually, her mate did all the hunting. Now it fell upon her shoulders. Trying her best to remember what he taught her, she struggled to make her first catch. The desperation to feed her kits kept her trying again and again. They got by until the kits were large enough to travel.

During heavy rains, a shallow stream became a roaring current. The stones were slippery and Cherryle nearly lost her footing while carrying her eldest kit. Her other kits were not so lucky. She made it across in time to set one kit down and see the other two fall into the foam. Panicking, she raced along the bank searching for their little faces. When a muzzle broke the surface, she pounced on it. In the end, her efforts only saved one. While she was able to fish both tiny bodies out of the stream, Turtle would not draw breath. Cherryle tried to push the water from their lungs with her paw and while one gasped, the other one refused to stir. Hot tears washed away with the rain as she carried her limp kit. She refused to leave her in the mud. No, she would bury her somewhere proper.

That's when she saw it: the cherry tree.

Pink petals plastering the earth all around it, it provided shelter from the torrents soaking her fur. Cherryle decided there was no safer spot to lay her little she-kit to rest...

In the days that followed, Moss grew lethargic. It wasn't long before he was too weak to walk on his own and Cherryle has to carry him most of the way. His cough kept her up at night and she barely slept. The crackling in his chest frightened her. Although, not as much as the silence. As the stars twinkled overhead, he took a shuttering breath.

By dawn, he was gone.

Two kits buried beneath the cherry blossom tree. How beautiful it was in full bloom as if to mock Cherryle's tragedies. First, her mate and now two of her kits. Had she made a mistake? Doubts plagued her until Hawk asked her what was wrong. Remembering she still has one more kit, she regained her resolve to continue. It's too late to turn back now.

The night smiled upon them as they crossed the border onto HollowClan's territory. All it took was mentioning her mate's name and they accepted her. It was a harsh learning curve as they did little to help her. Providing prey for her and her kit was the extent of their kindness. At least now, she could watch Hawk grow up. Experiencing a new shade of pride, she watched Hawkpaw become apprenticed. Alongside him, she trained. While his mentor taught him to hunt, she practiced. Practiced until she could earn her own warrior name: Cherryblossom. She insisted on the name herself to remind her distant future of the past she buried beneath the pink blossoms.

Hawkpaw was fueled by the thrill of his first battle. He faced opponents much larger than him with the courage of a lion. Cherryblossom chooses to believe that. Never again does she want to remember her kit being dragged from the fight, his fur matted with blood. Never again will she mourn the loss of his future. No, she wants to remember the past she shared with them, the memories they made. However brief, she will cherish the moments they gave her. Where once grief shackled her, she finds strength inside herself. It took many moons to realize her kits are always with her. Be it in StarClan or behind the moon, she doesn't care. All she needs is to believe in their love. Cause a mother never forgets...

...three petals beneath the cherry blossom tree.