The Road UNKNOWN

[x-Ginger-x]

[[Reserved for Ripple and Raven]]

A sleek body seemed to stretch high above when Raven climbed out of her and Ripple's den. She stretched and peeked over the edge at their sleeping guests. They seemed so peaceful, contrary to last night. She yawned and leaped down, fetching a vole and sparrow.

When she jumped back up into the loft, she dropped the sparrow and vole. Outside, she could hear the wind howling, and snow hitting the sides of the barn. Raven was grateful that the barn was protected on all four sides, and the roof, so they were warm. She padded back into their den and nudged Ripple. "Come on, big boy. Time to get up!" She nudged him again, before turning around and leaving the den.

She sat outside of the den, in front of the prey, waiting for Ripple. She didn't like eating alone when he was there, because she loved to spend time with him. Raven instead began to clean herself. As she did, she thought of the great move. She remembered how calm Ripple had been, and how helpful all the loners were. She remembered when Ridge came and threatened her, and Ripple warned him off. Her heart warmed at the memory, because at that moment, she knew that Ripple had forgiven her, and that he loved her again.

Ever since that day, Raven had dedicated herself to Ripple forever. She knew that he would protect her if she were in trouble, and knew that he would always have her back. And vice versa. There weren't many cats Raven would die for, but Ripple, she would in a heartbeat.

As she washed, her mind wavered to the time when she had left Ripple to find a new path. During that path, she had run into Ridge, and began to follow him. She thought what he did was brave, and rational. He had her brainwashed that killing clan cats were for their own good. Less clan cats meant more prey for rogues and loners. Raven had agreed with that logic. But it wasn't until one day, when she had thought about Ripple, for a split second, that she had woken up and realized the life she was living in. It was, for lack of a better word, hell. She loved clan cats, and couldn't believe what she was doing. She ran away from him, and found Ripple again, during a storm. He had been very angry with her, and rightfully so, but in time, he had forgiven her.

And now they were happy. These memories were nothing but horror stories, soon to be faded into a foggy white mist that only held broken bits. Raven was okay with that. She wanted to forget her past, and just remember that she was lucky to wake up every morning next to the cat she loved.

With those warm thoughts in her head, she finished washing and turned her head towards the den again. "Come on, you hedgehog!! I'm going to starve to death if you don't wake up!" She teased, before settling down in the hay to wait.


ooc;; Whoo hoo!! 532 words!! I think that's the most I've ever written. c:

[[Ridge] of [Sapphire] light]

[We were both young when I first saw you]

Ripple's body moved slightly without his prodding and he wondered for a moment where he was. he flicked his ears and looked around catching the scent of his mate exiting their den. Ahh that was it, his den, in the barn...the newer barn. It was just beginning to smell like home, and not some clannie's hang out. He sighed and lifted his head as the scent of fresh kill entered his nose. She was so good to him. He lifted his long legged body from the nest and stretched his shoulders then his hips and back before repeating on each leg in turn. He shook his body and then sat down to groom his fur, he wouldn't leave the den looking as if he had just slept, he had to look respectable, always clean, trim, proper, and pristine. He sighed and reminisced about his past.



He though of his family, how he was the only survivor left, and how he wanted to carry on his family name. He looked around the den and then out the entrance to the beautifu shecat he called his mate, and imagined her plump with their kits. His heart skipped a beat and he knew what he wanted to talk with her about this day. he had been thinking about it for moons, and had just been waiting for the right time. He finished grooming his tail and chest and was soon finished and looking sleek and handsome. He slipped down the tunnel and into the light of the morning. He leaped silently up onto the hay bale above and waited calmly. He knew her routine well. She turned and looked inside once more but only slightly and called to him again.

[and the flashback starts]

As she lay her black body down on the hay and let out a sigh he leaped silently yet again off the bale just above her and landed over her his legs straddling her, which, since his legs were so long still allowed her, almost, to stand up under him. He flicked his ears and looked down at her. "I'm up you old fuzzball, and you will never starve to death as long as I have legs to walk on." He said his deep voice calm and resounding. "Now let's eat shall we?" He stepped over her and grabbed the swallow and mouse. He returned to her side and lay the mouse in front of her. He lay beside her his pelt brushing hers, her hairs touching his side and driving him mad. he ate in silence, only taking in her presence, just being with ehr was enough.

[I'm standing there]

He licked his lips when he was finished and stood. He smiled down at his mate and flicked his ears. "Come let us go somewhere and talk about life, and future." He said and flicked her side with his tail. he moved like a shadow toward the window, and felt a cold blast of air through it as he did and he looked out of the glass, and saw the snowflakes falling on his home. He shook his head, "No we will stay here." He said and with that, he leaped to the upper loft, where no one but he and raven went. mostly because no one else new it existed. He lay down and let his paws and head hang over the edge and he watched the barn begin to wake. He saw cats come in and out of dens, catch mice, eat, talk, share tongues, he felt like the leader of a clan looking down from the high rock. The thought made him smile and he waited for Raven to find him.

[On a balcony in summer air]

(c) Music by Taylor Swift, Love Story

[x-Ginger-x]

Raven saw Ripple leap down from the hay bale and land over her. "Hey!" She shoved him with her hind legs teasingly, before grinning. "Thanks for the mouse." She meowed, and tucked in. Once she finished her mouse, she heard him say they could talk about life and future. I should tell him now. I hope he's excited! She thought, before following him up to the upper loft. She lay like him, and flicked a piece of hay to the ground, just to watch it fall. "Hey Ripple?" She began. "I'm not sure how to tell you this... But.." She stopped. Would he want to know? What if he didn't? Would he be mad? All these questions flashed through her mind. But she had to tell him. He'd notice anyway. "I'm pregnant." She muttered lamely, looking at him, hoping for a happy reaction.

[[Ridge] of [Sapphire] light]

[There's nothing you can do that can't be done.]

His eyes were bright with anticipation as she landed beside him and her scent wafted over him. He flicked his tail over her shoulders and drew her closer to him as he looked out over his domain. He smiled ruefully and turned to her as his mind began to wander about what he wanted to ask her. He wanted kits. He had always wanted kits. He had wanted kits for as long as he could remember and he took a deep breath ready to explain his deepest desire to the one he loved. His eyes sparkled at the thought of their kits, silver, and black running around this barn, being taught and loved by him and raven. He smiled at the memories flooding to him from his past, from his own kithood, in a barn much like this one but in a much different time and place.

[Nothing you can sing that can't be sung.]

Her words shocked him back to reality and his heart beat quickened as the first part of her sentence escaped her lips and a noticeable pause hung in the air like the stink of crowfood on the winds of chance. He flicked his tail and his mind raced. Is she hurt? Did I do something? Is she going to leave me again? Did Ridge find her? Did he hurt her? Has he been here? Has he been anywhere near her? He took an instinctive whiff of the air and finding no danger looked at her willing her to go on but fearing her next words. He was terrified that he wasn't going to be able to stop her from leaving him again, and he knew that would kill him. He flicked his ears forward as the next seconds edged by like a snail. He flicked them again worry showing on his face. He tried to push it down but no she held him there her eyes staring into his.

[Nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game]

"I'm pregnent" The words came flooding from her mouth into his ears like a rushing wind. His eyes flickering between hers trying to get his baring. he felt like he was falling over an edge, and she was watching. He felt devestated but then the words sunk in and a joy so pure and beautiful erupted in his soul. He leaped to his feet his eyes shinning and punced on top of her rolling her on her side and laying his ear agains her stomach. He didn't care what he looked like, he was unashamed. "Oh Raven," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. He didn't know how to tell her how he felt but he knew he had to try. He lay his head against her chest and a purr so deep and hearty erupted from his body. "I have wanted this for so long. Our family...not those we take in but OURS. Our flesh and blood." He licked her chest and smiled brightly a tear rolling down his face. "I love you more than all the paw prints made by all the cats, prey and twolegs alike, in all the forests, of all the world." His eyes danced with love and understanding and he wanted nothing more now then to wait on her paw and whisker. "Do you need anything? water, food, clean hay, name it and it's yours."
[It's easy.]

((He is so freaking adorable...i love him))

[x-Ginger-x]

ooc;; He is. He's awesome. Ripple's downright my favourite loner ever. c:

bic;;


Raven heard his response, and let out a quiet sigh of relief. When he pushed her over, she laughed. "Hey, buddy!! Spaz down!!" She reached over and licked his ears, purring too.

How foolish she had been to leave him. She realized that now. She loved Ripple, and knew she had always been wrong for leaving him. "I love you even more." She smiled and continued purring. "I wonder how many kits we'll have. Will they be like you, all bossy-like, or like me, all un-bossy-like?" She grinned at him and swatted at his ears playfully. "No, I don't need anything right now, but thank you." She grinned at him, still purring. Life was good right now. Nothing could ruin it.

[[Ridge] of [Sapphire] light]

Ripple lifted his head and looked at her his eyes dancing and he flicked his long tail and lay down beside his mate. He breathed in deeply taking in her scent and smiled at her. Her words surrounded her and he lifted his eyebrows. "You think I'm bossy?" He asked incredulously. He shook his head and laughed heartily. His eyes danced with excitement and enthusiasm. Then a thought entered his head, and he couldn't shake it. Couldn't get it away from him. What are we going to name them? What if they hate me? what if I'm as horrible a father as Dusk was for me? He flicked his ears and then looked at Raven, his eyes showing shock and overpowering worry. He flicked his tail and turned to her his eyes flickering. "What if I'm like Dusk?" he voiced his words of worry, for he knew she was the only one with whom he could share his deepest worries and fears.

[x-Ginger-x]

Raven laughed with Ripple and poked him. "Yeah you're bossy. But that's okay." She flicked his ear with her tail. Growing more serious at his next question, she shook her head. "You'll never be like Dusk. I promise. You are the kindest, most giving cat I've ever known. You are the opposite of Dusk." She smiled reassuringly. As if reading his mind, she continued, "And the kits will never hate you, because I know you. You'll make sure that they have the kithood you never got to have. And I'll do the same. And if you ever do get short with them, or get mad, I'll let you know. But I know that'll never happen. Your heart's too big." She leaned over and licked his ear. "You know you can always talk to me about this," She finished.

[[Ridge] of [Sapphire] light]

His ears pricked at her statement and his heart lifted slightly. He knew she was right, and her confidence in him made his whole world feel like it was right again. "...the kithood you never got to have..." these words struck him the deepest and he leaned into her his eyes glazing with love for her. He smirked and turned to look out over their domain. "Yeah but that's only because I have you to talk sense into me. Dusk wasn't crazy until Lynxpounce passed away." He said his eyes falling and his voice growing soft. He didn't talk about his mother much for he missed her dearly. she had been his world, his role model, after his father of course. But when Lynx had died, Dusk had lost his mind with grief, and took it out on his family. He flicked his tial as if brushing the memory away and he looked at Raven a look of shock on his face. "I am NOT bossy!" He said and smirked at her before leping at her and pinning her playfully to the ground.

[x-Ginger-x]

Raven butted him in the side with her head. "I know. But you know that you will always want what's best for our kits. I promise you, that when I'm not around anymore, I will haunt you to keep you in line." She grinned at him and head-butted him again. "Bossy bossy bossy!!!" She stuck her tongue out at him before kicking him off and getting up. She shook her fur and stuck her tongue out again, before butting him again, and taking off out of their area, meowing, "Bossy bossy bossy bossy!" She raced outside and marvelled.

It was so white. The sky was now blue, but the ground was so white, she had to squint to look at it. She leaped in and had to tip her head back to not to be covered in snow. "Wow! It's so deep!" She commented loudly, before kicing her way to stand on the fragile top, and smiled down at Ripple. I'm the queen of the castle, and you're the dirty rascal!" She stuck her tongue out again and laughed.

[[Ridge] of [Sapphire] light]

His eyes danced and a playful light entered them as he felt her roll him off of her. He slid to the side her words ringing in his ears. "Bossy, bossy, bossy!" He smirked and that playful glint lit up his face. He moved like lightning his long legs giving him an advantage over his mate. He caught up to her quickly, his long legs giving him another advantage over her in the deep snow. "Perhaps that matters to you love, but these long legs don't make the snow any deeper to me!" He said and leaped skyward over her his legs stretched out like a banner over his mate. he landed elegantly on the other side of her and spun, an old fighting move he had learned a s a kit, and leapt at her tackling her into the snow. "Now what are you going to do babe?" He asked licking her cheek.

His cold grey eyes watched from the tree branch above the home of the couple. Hate burned in his soul. She had left him, no one left him...he left others and broke their hearts. No one hurt him. His eyes narrowed as the couple frolicked in the snow. His ears flicked forward and ridge felt his heart harden for what may be the last time. He growled softly and dug his claws into the bark of the branch beneath him. He felt the cold hard wood, and it almost cu into his pads. he clenched his teeth and began the slow climb down the tree. He could take their happiness no more. He would kill her, no better, he would kill her mate. for if he ripped her heart out like she had done to him, if he could torture and kill her mate in front of her...that would be enough...then he would be released from this prison in which Carner held him. He came to the base of the tree and began stalking his ex's mate. He watched the to leap over Raven, his long legs giving him the advantage in the deep snow. Good get cocky... he thought.

[x-Ginger-x]

Raven, unknownst to the anger, grinned and yelped as she hit the cold snow. "Hey! Get off me, you lump!" She laughed, before shoving him off. "At least I can hide in the snow. Watch." She flattened her ears, and was hidden completely beneath the snow. She jumped up and stood carefully on the icy top, and grinned at Ripple. "Haha. At least I can hide." She stuck her tongue out again.

Raven turned to leap at Ripple, when she froze. A scent had wafted over her scent glands. So familiar. She flicked her tail to alert Ripple, and to tell him to stay quiet. She shook her head, and opened her jaws to draw in the scent. Yes. It was there. And it was coming from behind Ripple! She let out a growl, quietly, and stalked around him, keeping her footing light, on the snow. She reached the scent she caught and pounced. She pinned it down with one paw and killed it. Lifting her head, she looked at Ripple and bounded back over, dropping the vole in front of him. "Thought we'd like some prey." She grinned, before leaning down and taking a bite. "Have some." She pushed it toward him.

[[Ridge] of [Sapphire] light]

Ripple

you mourn the death

His blue gaze rested on his mate and then she was gone. He was pushed off her and he rolled through the snow his legs sticking up in every direction. He stood and shook the snow from his short thick fur. He sighed and flicked his ears before standing. "at least i can hide in the snow, watch!" he scanned the ground around him the clearing about their home. Searching for her. But she was no where to be found. He felt his heartbeat quicken and took a deep breath to calm himself. She stood up and his eyes fell on her. He smiled but then he watched her body go rigid.

of your bloody valentine

His heart rate quickened again and he watched as she flicked her tail. Silent and still he remained. He licked his lips and watched her elegant body sail past him. As she hit the ground he spun on his heel and flicked his tail. he smiled as she lay the vole before him, it's blood turning the snow around it pink. He smiled slightly but then a pain erupted in his side as something ripped into it and he was forced to the side far from his mate. His body hit the ground and he looked around finding a small grey tom tearing into his side. A yowl erupted from his jaws as his blood spilled onto the snow turning it a bright shade of pink and melting it with it's heat. His side ached where he had hit a branch laying on the ground and he felt broken ribs beneath the surface.

one last time

RIDGE

singing, oh, my love
His anger was more than he could take. As raven flew past her mate he moved in. She lay the vole down and his chance came. Both were unprotected and unprepared. He moved in silently and as the tom lowered his head to take a bit of the meal before him Ridge shoved all of his momentum into his paws and raced down the hill and leaped at the side exposed to him. His claws ripped into Ripples side, he felt the blood pour over his paws and the tang entered his mouth as he lowered his head to bite at the toms throat. He missed and caught the shoulder instead. The yowl erupted in his ear and he felt the bone break beneath his paws and he smirked.

please don't cry

Try to keep her from me now... He thought his eyes turning to raven. He looked at her once before going back to attacking her mate who was in shock. He couldn't move without pain and so he was a sitting duck. Ridge lifted his body and slammed his whole weight down on the painfully already broken ribs pressing the broken edge through the skin. Another yowl filled his ears and his heart pumped adrenaline through his body. His back feet found the toms hip and he began to tear at it until his claws scraped bone. He growled and let his teeth sink in again this time finding their mark on the toms neck.

i'll wash my bloody hands

But there was nothing he could do. He was trapped under the weight of the small tom. But his heart wasn't gone. He felt the teeth in his neck and anger and rage filled his body. He lifted himself fighting through the pain and threw himself on top of the other tom. the loss of air was more than ridge could handle. He released the taller leaner tom and rolled away. They came back to their feet opposite each other on either side of Raven. Ripple could focus no more. The loos of blood was to much but he threw Raven a look and yowled to her. "Run!" And with that he launched himself over his mate and into the fight with her ex again. His heart was pumping hard pushing all of his blood from his body, but he would not give up. He would let her live. Their kits would live on. The collision of the toms was cosmic, claws and teeth flying fur and tails lashing. Then Ripple was on the ground collapsed under the loss of blood and the strength of the other. Ridge's cold gray eyes turned to Raven and he smiled evily, his teeth red with the blood of her lover. "YOU will be mine forever." he said.

And we'll start a new life

[x-Ginger-x]

Raven leaned forward to lick Ripple's ear, before he went flying past her. She could only watch in horror as she saw him hit the ground. She heard the sickening crunch that was his ribs breaking. Her heart began to race. Ridge was at it again, ruining her life. It seemed like this time he would.

She was frozen in a state of terror, until one word woke her like her head breaking through water. Ripple had told her to run. Then her eyes found Ridge's and she heard his voice. It sent rage running through her limbs. She was the cat who had fallen in love with Ridge, the evil one she had forced down. It had come back, but for all the right reasons.

Raven summoned all her strength, and her will to protect Ripple and her kits, and threw herself toward Ridge. She seemed to cover ground on winged paws, and flew into Ridge's side. She slammed him off of Ripple and pinned him down, digging her claws into his shoulders. She leaned down and whispered into his ear. "I will never be yours, scum." She raised a paw and slapped him across the head with all the strength she could muster, then leaped off and ran to Ripple. "Ripple! I'll get you somewhere safe. I'll never leave you again. I promise. But I've got to do this. For me." She locked eyes with him, and took a deep breath. She stood up and faced Ridge. "That all you got, freak?" She challenged him with a malice lacing through her tone. This was what she had been waiting for, for a long time.

[[Ridge] of [Sapphire] light]

((This is gonna be pretty short))

Ripple's eyes beheld his mate for a moment, his green eyes dancing with pain and love for her. He knew she would fight to the death for him, and knew that he had fought to the death many times for her. He had just been unprepared this time. He closed his eyes and let his body drift away into the dream world of Starclan. He opened his eyes and looked out over a small gathering of cats. He turned to see his father staring at him, with his mother beside him. "Dusk," he said with slight admiration and respect in his voice. though ht had disliked a lot of his father's behavior, he did remember before Lynx had died. Before his father had lost his mind. He flicked his tail but Dusk stood and shook his head. Ripple went to move forward toward his mother but Dusk again cut him off and shook his head. "Your time has not yet come... you have kits that need you Ripple...carry on our name int the new world." And with these words from his late mother spoken, the dream began to fade and he was surrounded by blackness and pain.

Ridge's head spun with the strike of his former slave. She had grown strong in her time away from him. He flicked hsi tail, and rolled himself to his paws as she raced back toward her beloved mate. He sneered and took off after her. She spoke to him and as the final words were out of her mouth he crashed into her his claws flying in every direction connecting at shoulder hip and stomach. not deep but painful he was sure. They were a tangle of fur, blood, and yowls. He growled in her ear as the rolled around on the ground. "You will be mine for as long as I hold the fear of your heart." He said and with a final blow struck her stomach with a mighty kick. He knew he was no match for her. But he thought he saw the male stop breathing and a satisfied smirk crossed his face as he raced into the woods, with scratches and bleeding from many parts of his body.

[x-Ginger-x]

Raven hissed as she was thrown from Ripple, into the snow. She felt his claws pierce her skin, and she held back a gasp of pain. When she heard his words in her ear, they gave her new strength. "Then I guess I'm not yours anymore." She snarled back, before digging her claws into his sides and shoving him off her. She wasn't just protecting Ripple, she was protecting her unborn children, and the cats who came to the barn. Now, she knew what loyalty was.

She watched the tom bound away, not defeated, but choosing to leave, as if this was all a game. She shook her head and turned around, expecting Ripple to be getting up, and shaking his head. She bounded over to him, love shining in her eyes. It turned to horror as she realized he wasn't breathing. "Ripple?" She mewed quietly. Nudging him, she cried, "Ripple!" She poked him with her nose, and heard nothing. She crouched down beside him and pressed her nose into his side, willing him to breathe.

What felt like seasons, or only heartbeats, she heard a gasp, and her head flew up. "Ripple!" His eyes weren't open, but she knew he was breathing. But he still needed her help. She grasped him in her jaws and dragged him carefully across the snow. When they reached the barn, she placed him in a nest of moss and hay. "Don't worry, I've got you." She told him, before rushing away to the stash of herbs they had. She pulled out the marigold, cobwebs, and tansy. The tansy was for shock, in case he woke up in shock. She treated his wounds, then began lapping his pelt, to rid of all the blood. "Please wake, my beloved." She whispered. "Your kits need you. I need you."