r u n n i n g.up.that.h i l l

[`s қ y . x x]

This was a thread that myself and another roleplayer, Becky were writing in on another site and really, it was just a really sweet thing that I thought I may as well as post here.

A general history of Autumnsong and Hushstorm:
Autumn and Hush first met n the WindClan medicine cat's den after Hushkit had just gone and chased down a fox and got a cut in his tail,Autumnpaw was sitting in the medicine cat'sden, offering a hand to Ashfall while Birchpaw was off gathering herbs. Hushpaw and Autumnpaw were best friends thoughtout Hushpaw's apprenticeship and really,were mate by the end of it and just after their warrior ceremony, the two became mates. They had a litter of kits just before Hushstorm became windclan deputy and in the huge battle between all six clans, Autumnsong vanished after giving birth to another litter of kits. This is when she came back.

The sun crept slowly down towards the horizon, covering the grassy plains in a storm of deep golds and oranges, the sky swirled with a rainbow of colours and starting to shine with the first stars of the fresh evening. There was, for once, not a whisper of wind, the grass still and a peaceful silence drifting over the territory. Barely a russtle signalled that there was someone amoung the grasses, a single white form, long creamy fur pricked up at odd angles but still well groomed and glinting in the narrow light. Tan ears flattened against the she-cat's head, her tan-coloured tail lashing from side to side as she headed back towards WindClan camp.

She hadn't ment to leave the clan, her family and beloved mate and more than anything there were times where she missed him so much that it hurt to take another step away from WindClan, but Autumnsong had needed to see what lay beyond the lake, beyond the plains which she had grown up for. Of course, it had ment that she'd needed to leave her new-born kits behind, but if she had left it she wouln't have been able to leave. Of course she knew that the cat that looked the exact same as her had been the one to die and been taken back to camp, and she knew that they all probably thought her as dead, but now, she needed them, needed to see and hear Hushstorm again as being homesick wasn't that fun.

Of course she had seen what she'd wanted to, seen beyond where she had ran off to as an apprentice with Hushstorm and now, was ready to calm down. Being a mother had sucked, it ruined her sense of adventure and the five moon trap had been all she had needed to feel whole again. But she worried that, even though she would try to explain to Hushstorm, that he might not see it the same way as what she did and that, he might not forgive her for leaving them. It wasn't like she hadn't missed them. Padding silently to the top of the nearest hill, she sat down, her bright blue gaze looking down across the endless plains.

Sleek, tabby-striped fur ruffled fiercely in the wind as swift paws continued to beat softly against the earth, never once ceasing. Adrenaline pumped through the veins of a WindClan warrior, whose sharp emerald eyes glinted luminously in the evening light that surrounded him. This was his favorite time of day, where he could just run and let the wind carry him for miles and miles. After a long day of caring for his clan and his two wonderful kits, Timekit and Baykit, it was a great remedy in which he could relax his muscles, and his soul. However it was the emotional part of him that was making him weary, and as cold as stone.

Ever since the day Autumnsong had left WindClan, an inevitable hole had begun to grow inside Hushstorm's heart. He just couldn't understand why she had left. How could she have left their kits when they had needed their mother the most? How could she have left him? It had torn him up inside to the point where he had thought he would never be the same again. He missed his mate desperately, and more than anything he wanted to press his maw against hers, and breathe in her precious scent...oh how his heart ached for her touch.

A deep grunt escaped the WindClan deputy's maw as he forced himself to, once more, forget about her. If he didn't stop thinking about her soon, he was going to be a huge mess. That wasn't good for the well being of the Clan. They didn't deserve that, nor did his kits deserve to know that he was unhappy. He had to be strong, at least for his clan, if not for his kits. Lifting his head, Hushstorm scented the air and the moment he did so, he froze. No, it couldn't be...his heart skipped a beat. "Autumnsong." Hushstorm breathed, and began running full speed towards her scent, his heart racing a mile a minute.

A soft breeze begun to stir within the depths of the territory, the white she-cat closed her eyes for a moment, letting the familar wind whisp through her long coat as she wrapped her tail lightly around her paws, letting out a faint sigh. She knew that she needed to figure out what she was going to say to Hushstorm when she saw him, even what she was going to say to Timekit and Baykit, who grew up without their proper mother. Yet it was soemthing that couldn't be helped. Opening her eyes, she gazed up to where more stars were showing up through the mist of navy and purple as the sun continued downward towards the edge of existance, taking the gold and replacing it with an even deeper orange.

It was then when a soft scent, a familar scent washed through her parted jaws, crossing her scent glands. Autumnsong blinked, shaking her head as he jaws snapped shut. She was imagining things, she missed Hushstorm so much that now she was thinking that she was scenting him. Looking up to the stars once again, she remembered that this was the time that they used to go running, when the stars were just coming out. Opening her jaws again, she drunk in the scents around her until, she once again, picked up the strong scent of the clan's deputy. Feeling her heart skip and beat, the tan and white she-cat lept to her paws, craning her neck to look across the plains until she picked out the familar gray tabby pelt of Hushstorm, moving powerfully through the grass.

She didn't know what she was doing but before her miond could catch up with her paws, she was racing down the hill, almost tripping on the small pebbles and roots that often littered the ground in this part, which she was now unfamilar with. With her bright blue eyes gleaming softly, she weaved her way through the grass as she made her way towards the tom. But on realising she was on a dead straight course in colliding with his, a small smirk appeared across her face as she weaved to the side and lept around so she could follow his scent from behind. Only just spotting his the tip of his tabby tail, she gave a small giggle and pelting forward, turning to the side till she was running next to him. 'I see your tracking skills haven't inproved at all!' she meowed brightly, flashing the deputy a glance before springing to the side, directing at his shoulder.

Could it be? Could it really be her? His love, his mate Autumnsong? With each hope, each pounding beat of his heart, he ran faster, his paws whipping like a blur through the wind churned grasses. He opened his maw once more to breathe in her scent, hoping that he was getting closer and closer to seeing her beautiful face once more. Oh how he had yearned for her for moons, and now, now she was here, and his heart was beating proudly once again. It was Autumnsong that made him stronger, and it was Autumnsong that made his heart swell with love and happiness. How could he ever want to forget her? She was his everything. His past, his present, and his future. Without Autumnsong, he was never fully himself. How could he be, when she owned almost every part of him?

As her scent faded from his nostrils, Hushstorm began to panic. No! he thought frantically, glancing everywhere in a hope to catch sight of her pure white fur, tan tail, shimmering blue eyes...anything. And then, out of no where, she was racing beside him, her laughing blue eyes gazing straight into his. 'I see your tracking skills haven't improved at all!' A loud, happy mrrow of laughter escaped his maw and as she leaped towards him, he let himself fall, their bodies colliding as one onto the grassy hillside. They rolled and rolled, until finally they halted beside a dead tree stump. Breathless, Hushstorm began licking her maw furiously, his body literally vibrating with joy. "Autumnsong! You came back!" He mewed happily, barely believing it, but at the same time feeling excited enough that he could burst.

Snorting with laughed as the two of them rolled into the grass, all she could do was remember to breath until they came to a stop, the large gray tabby like always pinning her to the ground beside an old log. It was times like this when she forgot everything she knew, and forgot to breath as like always, her heart pounded against her chest. Purring deeply as Hushstorm begun to lick her maw, all she did was continue to purr, parting her jaws to drink in the tom's familar scent, the scent she had loved all her life since first coming in contact with the amazing tom in the medicine cat's den. Moving her head slightly, she rubbed her head lightly against his chest, closing her bright blue gaze so as she could just listen to his frantic heartbeat, trying to calm her own breathing down.

"Autumnsong! You came back!" Autumnsong game a small snort, poking her nose lightly against his chest before nuzzling her head back under his chin. "As if I could leave you for good," she mewed teasingly, her tan tail flicking lightly from side to side as she watched him. "I really missed you, but, after the battle...I just had to..." she broke off and burried her head further into the tom's chest. It was all she could do, she couldn't move, couldn't think of anything else, only trying to explain why she'd needed to go after Baykit and Timekit had been born. Of course, this was a hard task in itself.

Hushstorm stopped licking her for a heartbeat to stare into that cool, refreshing gaze...her eyes had always reminded him of green-leaf. Every time he looked into them, he could feel the touch of a breeze against his pelt, and the rays of the sun brush against his fur. When she had gone, he had forgotten what that had felt like. And now that she was here again, it warmed his heart to feel that wonderful sensation that he had missed so much when gazing into those soft pools of blue. A wave of tranquility washed over him, calming his senses. Now, for the first time in moons, he was happy. And he was ready to spread the news to the world. New energy and strength surged through his body, and his bright emerald eyes danced with life. Never in all his life did he ever remember feeling this happy. He felt like a kit again, and even more so, like the time when he had first seen Autumnsong, so beautiful, strolling towards him to the medicine cat's den...he had been just a kit then, but even so, he had loved her with all of his heart. He hadn't known then, but now, laying with her in the sunlit grass, he loved her more than he had ever loved her before.

'As if I could leave you for good,' Hushstorm snorted. "You could've told me that when you left." he mewed dryly, flicking the tip of his tail affectionately against the side of her head. And then suddenly, he got serious. His expression changed almost completely, going from playful to hurt and heart-felt in nearly a second. The words that she said next made his heart ache. 'I really missed you, but, after the battle...I just had to...' His eyes flashed with a fierce, undeniable emotion, one that struck him right to the core. "Autumnsong, I understand why you left, but what I don't understand is why you left not only me, but our newborn kits! They needed you, and our kits didn't deserve to grow up without a mother to love." his eyes softened, and he sighed. "They're turning apprentice's soon, Baykit and Timekit. They're wonderful. I wish you would've been there to have watched them grow.." He pushed his maw against hers, licked her ear, then got up. "But it's not too late. It's never to late. I'm sure they'll love to see you." His eyes lit up happily. He couldn't wait for his kits to see their mother. He had described her to them so many times before, but at least now they'll get to see the full picture.

"Autumnsong, I understand why you left, but what I don't understand is why you left not only me, but our newborn kits! They needed you, and our kits didn't deserve to grow up without a mother to love. They're turning apprentice's soon, Baykit and Timekit. They're wonderful. I wish you would've been there to have watched them grow.." She knew that he was going to say something like this and the reason why she wasn't even sure anymore. Closing her eyes she nodded, guilt ripping at her inside. "I know, I know, yet I can't explain why..." she murmered softly, givinghis nose an affectionate lick before opening her eyes once again to look at him softly. "But it's not too late. It's never to late. I'm sure they'll love to see you." Autumnsong just gave a small snort before rolling onto her belly and getting gently to her paws, shaking her now dusty white pelt.

Just looking at Hushstorm really put things in perspective, how much or how little had changed while she'd been gone. Looking down as her paws, she flicked her tail slightly. "There wasn't much else I could do really, after the badger attacked me on the edge of the territory. Really I wasn't meaning to leave, just take another route back to camp, but you know me I'm easily distracted," she mewed softly, making sure that she avoided the deputy's gaze. There was no way that she could begin to explain the reasons, the thoughts that were swimming around her head, every sugestion to why she had needed to get away, but she was going to give a good d**n try. Not just for the sake of getting rid of the guilt she had for leaving, but also to try and make it up to Hushstorm, he deserved to know.

Hushstorm gazed at her softly, not yet quite beliving that she was there, fully in his presense. He had been without for what it felt like so long and now that she was here again, it felt like a dream. A sweet, wonderful dream. But would she stay? He hated the fact that he could doubt her words, misread the truth in her eyes...but if she had done it before, could she not be able to do it again? But maybe...a seed of hope grew in Hushstorm's heart as he thought about their kits. Maybe once she saw the faces of their kits, she would love them to the extent where she wouldn't want to leave. And then there was him. Now that she realized just how much he was miserable without her, she'll be destined to stay. And another thought; once he became leader, he would need Autumnsong more than ever to stand by his side, and continue to make him strong. Without her there to back him up, he wouldn't know what to do. Her support and love meant everything to him. He wasn't certain he'd be able to survive without it, once he stepped up as WindClan's leader.

'There wasn't much else I could do really, after the badger attacked me on the edge of the territory. Really I wasn't meaning to leave, just take another route back to camp, but you know me I'm easily distracted,' At these words, Hushstorm's ears pricked. All of a sudden, he knew the reason why she had strayed. It seemed all so simple now, so easy to comprehend. Why hadn't he thought of it before? Feeling like something had been torn from inside his heart, Hushstorm dipped his head and murmured, "Oh, Autumnsong...why didn't you just tell me that you were unhappy? I would have given anything...it was because of the kits, wasn't it? Sapphirepaw and Maplepaw...and then Smokerunner..you weren't ready to become a mother, were you? Was that why? We should've waited.." Hushstorm growled softly in frustration. They had been pretty young when Autumnsong had birthed their first kits, but maybe they could have waited....had a chance to live the life of a warrior first, before the responsibilities of a family settled in. Hushstorm gazed thoughtfully at Autumnsong, hoping to find the right answers there, to find out what he had done wrong to make her run away in the first place..

"Oh, Autumnsong...why didn't you just tell me that you were unhappy? I would have given anything...it was because of the kits, wasn't it? Sapphirepaw and Maplepaw...and then Smokerunner..you weren't ready to become a mother, were you? Was that why? We should've waited.." Autumnsong let out a small sigh before stepping towards him, pressing her maw affectionatly against his, just breathing his his familar scent before nuzzling her nose against his cheek, stepping forward so she was next to him. "I wasn't unhappy, just confused. When Sapphirepaw and Maplepaw died, I...I guess it was then I realised that I wasn't ready...And..I don't know...it was just the chance, a chance to escape the walls of clan life, to connect with that adventurous side that we used to have as apprentices," she meowed softly, lifting her head so she was gazing into Hushstorm's emerald eyes.

"Remember when we used to wander off as apprentices and go meet with Old Fisher in the barn? I guess it was just his stories, the sense to find out what was out there that got to me, I needed to see something new, regain some of that old adventure, the thrills thqat we used to chase!" Autumnsong smiled softly, touching her nose lightly to the deputy's. "I would have taken you with me, if anything I missed you more than the stars and the moon. But you are the deputy remember, unless you've got yourself demoted," she mewed, smirking as she battered his head lightly, a cheeky smirk on her face, blue eyes dancing with the same light that she had held as an aprpentice, and lost as a warrior. "...But that means you had responcibilties, clan comes first remember, that's the only reason I went alone."

A deep, rumbling purr vibrated through Hushstorm's body as Autumnsong pressed her maw against his. Closing his eyes, he breathed in her delicate, lustrous scent and a soft sigh escaped his trembling maw. His love for her seemed to grow increasingly by the second. He loved her so much that his heart ached. Was that any possible? As she sat down next to him, he turned his head, continuing to breathe in her precious scent. She had been away from him too long for him to lose it so soon. Wrapping his long tabby-striped tail around her tan one, he kept close to her, afraid that if he took just one step away, he'd lose his beloved mate forever. He wouldn't chance that. Not now, not ever. Not after what he'd been through.

'I wasn't unhappy, just confused. When Sapphirepaw and Maplepaw died, I...I guess it was then I realised that I wasn't ready...And..I don't know...it was just the chance, a chance to escape the walls of clan life, to connect with that adventurous side that we used to have as apprentices,'

Hushstorm sighed. "But you could have told me. I could have helped. I would have done anything to pull you through it...I was as heart-broken as you were when are kits died. It was the worst experience I've ever had...but as the deputy, I had to be strong. When you left...it just made the situation worse. Without you, I was miserable. But with you, I could have handled things so much better." He trailed off and gazed at his mate softly, not wanting her to regret anything but hoping that she'd understand what he was saying.

'Remember when we used to wander off as apprentices and go meet with Old Fisher in the barn? I guess it was just his stories, the sense to find out what was out there that got to me, I needed to see something new, regain some of that old adventure, the thrills that we used to chase!' More than anything, Hushstorm understood that. He, too, had that same sense of adventure when he had been a warrior. But that sense disappeared the moment Sparrow made him deputy. Occasionally, he often wondered what it was like out there, to wander vast moorlands, and see countless of things, but what he imagined more now was preparing to become WindClan's next leader, and serving his clan to the best of his abilities. Never will he be that mischevious, trouble-making kit again. Not when he had a destiny to ophold. StarClan counted on him, and so did his clan. He couldn't just leave all that behind, no matter how much his heart ached for Autumnsong and her love she had for him.

'I would have taken you with me, if anything I missed you more than the stars and the moon. But you are the deputy remember, unless you've got yourself demoted,' Hushstorm snorted softly and then grinned as she batted him on the ear with her paw. "Hey, watch it." he mewed playfully, quite tempted to pin her once more against the ground. But that temptation vanished the moment she began to speak again. '...But that means you had responcibilties, clan comes first remember, that's the only reason I went alone.' Hushstorm's green gaze softened, and he licked her lovingly on the nose. "I'm glad you understand. But promise me this Autumnsong. Promise me that you won't leave me...and our kits...again. I couldn't bare it. You mean so much to me. Losing you is like losing my heart. I can't survive without it, and I can't survive without you."

"But you could have told me. I could have helped. I would have done anything to pull you through it...I was as heart-broken as you were when are kits died. It was the worst experience I've ever had...but as the deputy, I had to be strong. When you left...it just made the situation worse. Without you, I was miserable. But with you, I could have handled things so much better."
Autumnsong pulled her gave down to her paws, tail flicking slowly from side to side as she waited for him to continue, trying to hide the guilt that was slowly creeping through her head, her claws digging into the soil.
"I'm glad you understand. But promise me this Autumnsong. Promise me that you won't leave me...and our kits...again. I couldn't bare it. You mean so much to me. Losing you is like losing my heart. I can't survive without it, and I can't survive without you." The white she-cat gave a weak smile, nodding slowly as she pressed her side against Hushstorm's.

"I..I promise, and plus," she mewed before taking a step away, her light blue eyes glowing brightly with the sort of energy a kit has. "I doubt I could leave you again." Giving her tail a hard flick against the side of his headf, she let out a loud mrrow of laughter, taking a few bounds forward. "Talking about being apprentices again, I bet after moons of being a grumpy old deputy you won't be able to keep up with me!" Turning suddenly, Autumnsong bounded off into the grass, making sure she make enough noice so that not even Hushstorm could loose her in the grass.

'I..I promise, and plus...I doubt I could leave you again.' Hushstorm's eyes lit up happily. "Good." he mewed, brushing his tail affectionately against her flank. "Because I don't think I could stand losing you again." No, he was certain he wouldn't be able to handle losing her again. Taking in a deep breath, he closed his eyes and erased that horrible thought. No, this time, Autumnsong was here to stay. He just couldn't wait to show her their kits that...weren't quite kits anymore. They'll be so pleased to see their mother! Hushstorm's heart literally sped up at that thought. He hoped desperately that it would be a joyous reunion, instead of an awkward one. His kits didn't know their mother very well, but that wouldn't cause them to be hesitant towards her, would it? She was their mother after all...but still. Hushstorm tried not to think about it. Right now, all he wanted to think about was Autumnsong. She was all that he wanted to be on his mind at the moment

'Talking about being apprentices again, I bet after moons of being a grumpy old deputy you won't be able to keep up with me!' Hushstorm blinked, slightly befuddled by the instant attack on his head as Autumnsong whacked him and then dissappeared quickly from his presence, bounding through the grass. Growling dangerously, the WindClan deputy smirked smugly and pelted after his mate, loving the feel of the wind blowing through his handsome, tabby-striped fur. He narrowed his eyes and soon spotted her just ahead of him, thrashing through the tall wind swept moorland that surrounded them. Grinning like a fool, Hushstorm increased his pace and was soon right behind her. "Tresspasser!" Hushstorm yowled, springing into the air and landing right in front of her. "Think you can escape from me, Hushstorm, the WindClan Deputy!" he scoffed teasingly. "Now you must pay the consequences!" And with that, he swiped at her ear and then laughed. "Come on, let's go back to camp. Baykit and Timekit are probably wondering where I am."

"Tresspasser!" Autumnsong smirked, easily weaving to the side, lowering herself closer to the ground as she spotted him moving behind her. But suddenly he was infront and she had to skid to a haul to avoid running straight into him. "Think you can escape from me, Hushstorm, the WindClan Deputy!" The white she-cat let out a mock snarl, her bright blue eyes glowing with mischeif as her tan tail lashing from side to side, almost teasingly. "Now you must pay the consequences!" And suddenly he had lept up, ready to whack her ear but six moons of travelling had increased both her fighting and hunting skills and she skillfully dodged the attack and swerved to the side, leaping at him from the left and leaping into the air so she'd land on his shoulders, pinning the deputy. "You call that 'a consequence'?" She hissed playfully in his ear. "Come on, let's go back to camp. Baykit and Timekit are probably wondering where I am."

Autumnsong pulled a face, poking her tongue out between her teeth. "Aww," she whined playfully, her tan ears pricked up showing that she was actually keen to see her sons, but it was just that look, tongue poked out and ears pricked up as well as annoyed tone of voice that matched Timekit's usual act, only showing how alike the two were. Slowly she lept off Hushstorm back, leaping infront of him and turning around in small circles for a few oments before turning to face him, a soft smile across her face. "Well then Fox Hunter, planning on coming? Or have you forgotten the path back to camp?" she purred teasingly, blue gaze flashing slightly as she lept once again towards him, touching her nose lightly against his with a small giggle. "By the way," she mewed thoughtfully, ears pricking up slightly as she brushed her maw against Hushstorm. "I still love you more than anything."

Hushstorm's eyes widened slightly in surprise when she maneuvered quickly to the side, causing him to grasp only air with his claws. As she leapt into the air, Hushstorm chuckled and waited for her to pin him. When she did, he licked her nose lovingly. "You're quite a catch." he mewed, his bright emerald eyes glowing profusely with admiration. He trailed his tail along the side of her body and smirked smugly. "But just to let you know, I saw that coming." A deputy never revealed his weaknesses! Even if that weakness was something as simple as failing to attack his mate's ear. Now that was something this proud deputy would never admit. Great StarClan, how did she ever get to be so quick? He blinked at her affectionately and then got up, brushing off the grass that had begun to clung to his pelt with a small, rough shake.

The moment Autumnsong stuck her tongue out of her maw, pricked her ears, and flashed him that slightly annoyed look, Hushstorm immediately thought of Timekit and how he did just that as well, in similarity to his mother. Hushstorm couldn't help but grin at this totally recognizable, comical expression. 'Well then Fox Hunter, planning on coming? Or have you forgotten the path back to camp.' Hushstorm snorted. "If I did, I'd be one poor excuse for a deputy!" he mewed jokingly, blinking in half-surprise, half pleasure as she leapt once more towards him and touched her nose with his, giggling. His heart began to pound deep within his chest. 'By the way, I still love you more than anything' A purr, well more like a roar, rumbled inside his throat and he flashed her a charming, lop-sided grin. "Thanks for the reminder." Nuzzling her cheek affectionately, Hushstorm then turned around and began padding back towards camp.