Denial [Closed]

Silverstar stared blankly at the wall of his den. He licked at his paw as his mind fell empty. He felt isolated from the thoughts and feelings that usually buzzed around in his head. Which, he thought would feel refreshing or cleansing. But it only felt empty, like his soul was in a lake of muddy water. He closed his eyes as he let that emptiness take his mind over, going into a half-asleep sort of state.

Suddenly, a jolt of hunger struck his chest and travelled down into his guts. His eyes flickered open as his stomach started to snarl in its cage. He sighed as he stood up, aiming his heavy head towards his den's exit. He padded outside, eyes straining a bit as the sunlight seemed harsh. He didn't look at any of the cats going about their daily lives, he just found the fresh kill pile and padded over towards it, not really caring what he'd take out of it.

SwiftBranch was sitting next to the prey pile as she noticed silverstar walk towards her. She noticed he was acting different so when he reached the prey she went up to him. “Are you okay?” She asked not really knowing what was going on with him.

Silverstar grabbed a dove from the pile before his ear swivelled at the sound of someone's voice. It was one of the warriors, Swiftbranch. He heard what she said, but didn't reply. He just turned around and walked back towards his den.

Lilypaw saw Silverstar. He had seemed, well, off for the last few moons. She approached him and her sister slowly. She watched as he just ignored Swiftbranch. Furrowing her brow, she walked up to him. ”Silverstar, is everything ok?” she looked him in the eyes. Her voice was kind and anything but rude. She just wanted to help him.

Swiftbranch was used to being ignored but not by the leader. He understood her almost as much as her family and always stopped to talk. She knew something was going on but now she knew it for certain.

Silverstar's pace slowed for a second as he heard Lilypaw speak up as well. He took a quick breathe at the slight annoyance, before replying with a curt "I'm fine." Before Swiftbranch or Lilypaw could say anything else, he continued walking and went back to his den.

Breezebranch looked up curiously as she heard three voices she knew well; Silverstar, Lilypaw, and Swiftbranch. Brow furrowing, she got up and walked towards Silverstar, flicking her ears to acknowledge her kits lovingly. "Silverstar, I'm coming in." She announced, holding her tail stiff back as if to tell her kits to stay.

She'd known Silverstar back when he was still Silverfrost. They'd trained as apprentices together alongside Spottedoak, Softbreeze, Honeytooth, Hawkflight, and Sorrelwing. She'd trust him with her life. "Silverstar, is everything alright? No- that's a dumb question, of course not. What's wrong?" Is it Skystar and Ravenheart? she wanted to ask, but the memory of the patrol was still in her head, of how he'd practically shut down on her. She understood that. Grief was a terrible thing.

Silverstar sat down in his nest. His lips curled back a bit as Breezebranch entered his den, pressing him about if he's okay. "Okay, Breezebranch, you may enter..." he quietly spoke in a sarcastic tone. He then lightly shook his head, forcing his expression to relax, "Nevermind that... I told your kits already, I'm fine. Nothing's wrong."

He turned his head slightly to stare at Breezebranch through the corner of his gaze. "Was that the only reason you came here?" he asked blankly.