.::A New Friendship::.

[*{S}unny*]

Littleberry sighed, his brown eyes sympathetic, slightly exasperated, amused, and stern all at the same time. Owlstar had a lot of pressure on him and he was easily angered, that's why he had sympathy for the young she-cat. But then his usual outbursts were getting a little out of paw, soon there would be no more warriors to do the regular duties. Then of course he was exasperated with Icesky. For such a quiet and shy cat, she had her temper and justice. But he smiled to himself, also happened to be getting in trouble a lot.

"Now Icesky," Littleberry meowed in a stern voice, but he didn't quite succeed. There was a amused glint in his eyes. "Owlstar has a lot of pressure on him, with low food and herbs. He's just acting under the pressure," he defended his leader. "The sooner you shut your mouth and just do what he says, the better. Then you can't get in trouble and Sleetshadow can get out of his punishment sooner."

[.::~:Cedar:~::.]

Icesky gave a big sigh as she sat down. "But its hard, Littleberry!" she meowed, impatient. "I try and I know the prey is low and the herb supply is low also, but its life. These tings happen to the Clans! He doesnt need to take it out on us warriors! It will bring us down emotionally and cause worry if he doesnt beleive in us," she added, her bright blues usually serious as she stared at the medicine cat with an intense glare.

[*{S}unny*]

Littleberry closed his eyes, as if exasperated. But inside he was far from exasperated. Inside he agreed with Icesky most sincerely. But his kind nature kept him from siding with the warrior and not his leader. His loyalty was to Owlstar and he would not take sides. He needed to keep the peace between the warriors and his leader.

The medicine cat opened his eyes again. His light brown eyes were full of understanding and sympathy for the she-cat. "I know," he meowed gently. "I know. But we mustn't give up hope. Starclan will deliver us from with hard time. They always have and always will. It has always been hard on the clans in Leaf-Bare. This one might seem a little tougher, but we'll pull through. Riverclan always has." He walked to the troubled warrior and laid his tail on her shoulder. "Don't worry, Icesky. I will talk to Owlstar and maybe Starclan will help us if we ask." Littleberry blinked gently and sat down, wrapping his tail around his paws.

[.::~:Cedar:~::.]

Icesky rolled her eyes, shrugging the medicine cat tail of her shoulder. "If StarClan is powerful then why dont they do something about it?" she demanded, her voice bitter and hard. "Maybe they left us? We dont know if they did or not!" Icesky yowled, her voice rose in rage.

[*{S}unny*]

Littleberry looked at Icesky, his eyes slightly clouded. "I do not have all the answers to our problems and sufferings. I do not know why Starclan choose to be silent or what they have in store for us," he meowed, his eyes suddenly very intense. "But for now all we can do is keep our faith. For without faith and hope, what are we?" He felt the question hang in the air, not expecting any answer. He let the silence stretch for more then a few minutes. But after awhile, he got slowly to his paws. "Excuse me but i must retrieve that bile for you." He silently dipped his head and padded soundlessly out of the den.

The medicine cat trudged across the snow covered camp and on to his den. He slipped inside the den and disappeared. The reeds shivered where he had disappeared and a slight breeze swept across the camp.

[.::~:Cedar:~::.]

Icesky bowed her head, alittle ashamed of speaking so freely. She sighed, her heart torn in what she wanted to believe and something of a story her mother told her. As she waited for the medicine cat something acured to her. Her eyes widened but she told herself not to get excited.

[*{S}unny*]

Littleberry picked up a little stick and dropped it half way onto a leaf soaked in mouse bile. He tenderly picked up the clean side of the stick in his teeth. His nose wrinkled in disgust as the smell of the bile washed over him. Holding his breath, he headed back out of the den, already wishing to set the stinky thing down and gulp down fresh air. He walked to the elders' den at a fast pace, his eyes watering.

The medicine cat quickly set down the bile covered stick in front of Icesky and Sleetshadow, relief evident on his face. He quickly took several deep breaths and took a couple steps back. "I'll never get used to that reeking smell," he commented in disgust. "Make sure you wash your paws real good afterwards in a stream."

[.::~:Cedar:~::.]

Icesky jumped at the medicine cats voice.She flicked her tail to the deputy to take the bile to the elders. "I will meet you there," she meowed. When he was gone, she meowed hestitantly, "Did... I dont know how to say this but... did my mother tell you who my father was?" Icesky searched Littleberrys eyes in hope that he did know.

OOC: Icesky is trying to remember her father but she doesnt remember who he is. She wants to know who he is and stuff.

[*{S}unny*]

OOC: Well i hope i can play along well...

This caught Littleberry way off guard and he stumbled with his words. "Well-I-I mean...He-" He stuttered to a stop trying to look for a way out. Icesky's mother would have gladly told Icesky who her father was but he had forbidden it. Because the truth was that he was her father. It had been so long ago when his sister had died and was in need of desperate comfort. Icesky's mother gladly jumped to his aid as a good friend. She cared and comforted him and led him out of those dark times. And then it was so easy to fall in love with her.

Soon they were both caught up in a forbidden romance. So 'madly' in love, they cared for nothing else. But then reality set in and everything was crushed. When the first 'stage' of their mateship passed (the romance) they soon realized how very different cats they were. While Littleberry was quiet, shy, and independent; Froststream was loud, liked to socialize, and took a risk at life. They were completely different and conflicts arose rapidly like the sun rising. It was mayhem between them and it seemed all they did was fought. He was a medicine cat. She was a warrior. So finally, fed up with everything they broke it off. But that didn't stop him from still loving her. He loved her like nothing else but they still went their separate ways. It was like he lost his sister all over again but ten times worse.

Then Froststream was pregnant. With his kit. Tension between rose to a breaking point. It eventually exploded one day and she forbid him to take any part in the kit's life. And if he so much as touched them, she would kill him. That time was very depressing for Littleberry. Then she had the kits or just one kit. The kit was healthy but Froststream wasn't. She eventually died and he came to know later that her death was his punishment from Starclan. But before her death they finally amended. She begged him to care for the kit and give her all her love. And that she was sorry for all the pain she had caused him. And he apologized too and they both realized how much they loved each other. and so the love story came to a happy but sad end.

So Littleberry did raise Icesky as best he could, being a medicine cat. And he had concocted a story to tell Icesky whenever she asked him about her father. It was and still is a deep wound for him. He longs to tell her that he is her father but keeps it hidden, afraid of her reaction.

The medicine cat swallowed hard. He had the story ready. He had concocted it just in case when a time like this came. "His name was Fierceheart," Littleberry began slowly. "And his name really suited him. He was as fierce as a lion but as gentle as your mother." His eyes clouded at the memories of her mother. "I didn't know him well but what i did know of him, i was proud. He died a most honorable death, Icesky. You would have been proud." He bowed his head as if in grief. But inside, his heart hurt most considerably. "But that is all i can tell you for now. I have much work to be done and I'm getting behind. I'm sorry." He nodded his head to the she-cat and hurried from the den before she could reply.

[.::~:Cedar:~::.]

Icesky searched his gaze as he told her. Something in his eyes told her that it wasnt what he wanted to say. But as he turned away, she sat down again slowly, deep in thought her mind whirling in questions. Why did her mother keep it a secret ? why did Littleberry keep it a secret?" she shook her head.