the ways of the water lilies

7/30/2019 The Ways Of The Water Lilies

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The ways of the waterlilies

Inspired by the Warriors series! Erin Hunter isan amazing author. Be sure to read Survivors,

Warriors, or Seekers.


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No copyright intended, for entertainment

purposes only!! (For both the picture and the

story)

OneYellow-jacket paced back and forth. Thats

impossible..! Yellow-jacket murmured to

himself. Calm down, Yellow-jacket. Its ok.

Youll see her in her dreams. A small female

cat reassured him. But Mooney, she was mylife! The small, pale gray cat, Mooney,

winced. Secretly, Mooney had loved Yellow-

jacket. But, Yellow-jacket was dedicated to his

girl-cat, a bright cat named Lady Cricket.

Mooney sighed. Yellow-jacket was her best

friend, and her love, but he only saw her as afriend, sadly. Lady Cricket died only the night

before, because of poison. Its not your fault.

Its the humans! Lately, more and more


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waste has been dumped into their gigantic

pond. Since the Water Lilies used that pond as

their main food source, more cats have been

poisoned. Maybe youll stop grieving once

you know I love you, Moony muttered

disdainfully. It was a blessing and a curse that

Yellow-jacket heard. He slowly sat down in

front of Mooney. He twisted his neck so he

could face Mooney. You could have told me,he whispered, lifting her head up. How? she

sniffed angrily. Just say it. Its easy. I love

you. The words rang through Mooneys ears.

She blinked back her sadness. But you dont

mean it. You probably hate me now. Yellow-

jacket sighed. Youre right. I dont mean it.Im sure of it. He nuzzled Mooney. Mooney

purred softly, and they both fell asleep, their

fur pressed together under the drooping

willow.

Two


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You love cat! Mooneys friend, Strawberry,

taunted her. Mooneys fur prickled with

embarrassment and anger. I am not. Yellow-

jacket and I are just friends. Strawberry

rolled her eyes, her deep red fur glinting in

the sunlight. Rumors spread fast, Mooney.

They say some cats found Yellow-jacket and

you under that willow. Mooney bit back the

urge to tear Strawberrys ears off. We arentlove cats. Mooney muttered. Yes, right

Strawberry said, gently prodding Mooney with

her paw. Its ok Mooney. I understand how

you feel, you know. I love Spider-web. She

led Mooney towards the willow where she and

Yellow-jacket were found. Mooney gave in.Alright. Yellow-jacket and I are mates.

Mooney spilled the whole entire story, to how

Lady Cricket died from poison, to how Yellow-

jacket overheard her mutter. Strawberry

listened intently. Its ok. Your secret is safe

with me. Mooney sighed. Thank you so

much, Strawberry. Mooney nuzzled her

friend in thanks. If only the other cats would

be this accepting, Mooney thought wistfully.


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TwoYellow-jacket, wait up! Mooney dashed to

his side, looking up at him warmly. What are

you doing? Yellow-jacket looked down and

purred. Apple set out a fish hunt. Im

participating in it. Why dont you ask Apple

herself if you can join? Itll be nice to have you

around. Beaming, Mooney ran off to the head

of the group of cats, where Apple was

marching to the pond. May I join the group? I

dont mind fishing for a bit. I just have to

stretch out these creaking bones! Apple, who

didnt have a mate and was a teaser of a cat,

smirked. Sure! Why dont you join Mint-leafs

group? They set out that way. Mint-leaf was

looking for some cats to join her group.

Mooney bit back a reply. Ok. She huffed

finally. I am not going to let Apple get in myway. Shes just jealous because she doesnt

have a mate! Mooney sighed. But they dont

even know for sure if Yellow-jacket and I are


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actually mates, dont they? They just tease us

since were together all the time. The only

actual cat who knows the truth is Strawberry!

ThreeYou made friends with those mangy

things!? Yellow-jacket spat indignantly. Applepaced back and forth angrily. We expect

better from you! You know you cant possibly

make friends with that that that fish-

brained kitten! Mooney, who was listening

intently to the scuffle, winced. Much to her

displeasure, Yellow-jacket and Apple werefuming. Cloud-eyes, a bloomer, had made

friends with a Lightning Bolt bloomer. Cloud-

eyes were one of Mooneys favorite bloomers,

and one of her best friends. Cloud-eyes had

met a beautiful female bloomer from

Lightning Bolt place, and fell head over paws,the poor thing. Now Cloud-eyes heart was

torn into two. May, Cloud-eyes love, was a

small, mangy thing, though her fur was the


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color of the shining sun: a deep, passionate

orange-yellow. Cloud-eyes, who was a large,

handsome cat with fur peach color with dark

gold-orange stripes. His eyes, however, were

a wispy white, the same color of a fat, lazy

cloud that drifted over the sun at high noon.

Cloud and sun, Mooney thought wistfully.

They belong together! Like cloud and sun!

Marching over to Apple and Yellow-jacket, shestood defensively in front of Cloud-eyes. Its

not his fault. When a cat falls in love, they

dont want to be separated! They go to

desperate measures, Yellow-jacket. They

obviously feel the world for each other, and

with the Star Gazers as my witness, I demandyou let the poor bloomer go! You have no

business whatsoever to be digging through

his case. Mooney was eyeing Yellow-jacket

the whole entire time, and all of them were

speechless. M Mooneys right, Yellow-

jacket choked. When a cat falls in love, they

do go to desperate measures. But Cloud-eyes,

May shes a Lightning Bolt bloomer, for Star

Gazers sake! Are you sure shes your true


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love? None of the female bloomers in the

group impress you? Not even a tiny bit?

Yellow-jacket said desperately, eyeing a

cluster of bloomers by the pond. Well

maybe. Cloud-eyes gaze was settled on the

lone cat on the hill, under the willow where

Yellow-jacket and Mooney had slept only a

few nights before. You mean Lone Flower?

Cloud-eyes nodded feebly. Ive never talkedto her, but I always try to catch her eye

whenever she passes by. Lone Flower got

her name for a reason. She was a beautiful

cat, but none of the girl bloomers spent time

with her. She was solid peace and beauty; a

perfect Water Lily. Her fur seemed changeback and forth in sunlight and water. Her fur

was pure snow-white, but if she leaned close

enough to the water her fur seemed to glow

with the power and beauty of a rainbow.

When sunlight hit her fur, it reflected to her

eyes, only making them shine like the moon,

the sun and the stars together. Most female

bloomers seemed jealous of her, and all the

male bloomers drooled over her, just too shy


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to admit it, and ignored her for risk of

embarrassment. Beautiful as she was, she

always seemed serious and a bit gloomy. But

everyone agreed that if her voice was a color,

it would be a beautiful golden honey. Her

voice was as light as a baby bird. Yellow-

jacket grinned. Doesnt everyone? I nudged

Cloud-eyes with my head. Go on, Mooney

urged. Shes alone. Youll do great! Cloud-eyes took a deep breath. Ok. Thanks for

standing up for me, Mooney. He gave her a

quick lick on her ear, and bounced over to

Lone Flower. Mooneys eyes shone in

amusement and she leaned on Yellow-jackets

side. True love. I hope all turns out well.Yellow-jacket licked Mooneys ears. His mood

was light, but his expression suddenly

darkened. But what about his so-called

May?

Four


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Spring was ebbing away, and the heat was

rising. Yellow-jacket and Mooneys bond was

growing stronger than ever. Surprisingly,

Apple had fallen in love with Black-whiskers, a

handsome, serious, strict black hunter. They

were a perfect match, but their love almost

never showed, except that they joined fishing

groups together. Although Apple did love him;

you could see it whenever he was around, hereyes would brighten and her attitude would

tiltslightly. True, a lot of the female hunters

swooned whenever they saw Black-whiskers,

except when Apple was around; the she-

hunters could always detect the white, raging

fire in her eyes. So they backed off. Soon,when they entered the next fall, Apple had a

litter of buds. A girl and two boys; they were

beautiful children, and the girl, however, was

something else; they had no idea how they

generated her. While the boys were the

spitting image of their mother, the girl was a

sleek white with black splotches, and her eyes

were a strange, hot, burning red. Curious

eyes, was what Apple said, for she had loved


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all her children equally. The girl was a bit

fluffy, and whenever she touched sunlight her

eyes glowed. Apple said that she was a

beautiful creature and should be even more

beautiful when she grew into a hunter. Apple

and Black-whiskers decided to name her

Scarlet-eyes. The boys, with normal black

eyes and toned, red fur, were named Crimson

and Fire-fur. Black-whiskers treasured all ofhis children equally, just as Apple, but he was

drawn to Scarlet-eyes, because she was the

only one who actually showed resemblance to

him. Scarlet-eyes seemed very dedicated to

her brothers, and all the other buds drooled

over them. All the girls either liked Crimson orFire-fur, and all the boys turned red when

they saw Scarlet-eyes. But, since Scarlet-eyes

loved her name, literally, she complimented

the boys when they turned scarlet, crimson,

or fire-hydrant red. Red seemed to be Scarlet-

eyes, Crimson, and Fire-furs favorite color.

Soon, Apple was ready to leave the budding.

Apple, come here! Black-whiskers whizzed

past, so he obviously didnt say it. She looked


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around. Her buds were playing with each

other, so they couldnt have said it. The hiss

rang out in the open air again, yet Apple was

the only cat in the clearing. Apple do you

remember me you swore Apple Apple

whipped around, and let out a choked cry of

horror. She couldnt have been more

surprised if it was the devil himself, or if it was

a Lightning Bolt cat, leaping on her, claws andfangs. Standing before her, face to face, was

her dead sister, Lady Cricket.

FiveLLady Cricket? Apple choked. Yes, it is

me, sister. You said you wouldnt forget me

but you seem to have your mind busy. Lady

Crickets voice was wispy and light, but in a

threatening way. Black-whiskers come!!

Apple screeched, but Lady Cricket stoppedher. You will be taking my place, seeing how

it feels to be dead. I will take your place, and

then you will feel all the pain and loneliness I


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have been feeling for all those seasons. My

own sister. Well, let me tell you, sister, Ive

been watching how you continue your life like

nothing happened. To have your life ripped

away from your paw-tips. And to sit there,

watching your own kin, enjoying life. You

dont know how that feels. But soon you will.

And youll experience it first-hand. And in the

blink of an eye, Lady Cricket, in Apples body,was gone.

Six

Black-whiskers, where are you? Black-whiskers head popped out from behind a

berry bush. Im having a minnow with Mint-

leaf. Lady Cricket bounded over with a small

catfish. I caught a catfish, but I was a bit

lonely and I hoped I could join you. Black-

whiskers, who knew Apple inside and out, wassurprised by her change of attitude. After all,

Black-whiskers was Apples matebut Lady

Cricket has entered Apples body without any


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cat knowing. Black-whiskers, who loved Apple,

allowed her to join. Mint-leaf had finished her

share of the minnow and left with a flick of

her tail. Lady Cricket nudged the catfish near

Black-whiskers. Hey, Black-whiskers said

through a mouthful of catfish. I heard a

screech a bit earlier today. Do you know who

screamed? I was worried for you. Lady

Cricket swallowed a mouthful of catfish. Shenarrowed her eyes, and they gleamed with

hatred and amusement. No idea.

SevenA couple days passed. Everybody noticed the

change in Apples behavior, but assumed it

was nothing. Let the poor cat be happy, was

what Black-whiskers said, gazing fondly at

Lady Cricket. True love. Cant ever change

it. Mooney sighed. Yellow-jacket looked atApple. He didnt hear the screech, but Apple

was starting to remind him of Lady Cricket. If

only he knew what happen, Applethe real


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Applethought. She gazed sadly over her

friends. She was nothing more than a thought

and thin air. But Apple snapped. She just

snapped. Im not taking this anymore! Ive

been gone for five days already. My sister has

no right to hold me hostage in this terrible air

trap. Then Apple paused. This is what she felt

like? Is this how she felt, watching me, day by

day until she snapped? And Ive only beenhere five days. Shes been like this for years!

Apple sighed. My poor little sister. My poor,

poor sister. But shes obviously not going to

prance over here and offer my body back. I

have to tell someone. Apple stepped out of

the shade of the willow. Then she stopped.She walked back into the shade. And then she

walked out again. Apple felt if she could

scream. My fur! If I step into the sunlight, my

fur still shines! Maybe since Im still living. My

spirit is the color of my fur. But then Apple

thought. Its only the faintest tint of red! I

obviously could detect it because Im near it.

Its on me. No cat could possibly detect it that

far away. But Im still glowing I could go


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closer. Maybe theyll notice the tint of red and

save me. Apple streaked across the clearing

and desperately paced back and forth in front

of Black-whiskers. But he wasnt paying

attention; he was nuzzling Lady Cricket. Apple

felt her heart shatter. But she didnt give up. I

am a Water Lily. I am peace. I am beauty.

Water lilies are compassionate and forgiving. I

will forgive my sister someday. But this has tobe turned around now. Apple felt her heart

being glued back together. Mended in perfect

harmony. She felt her eyes burning the white,

hot fire that she always used to scare the she-

hunters away. But she was using it for good

this time. She closed her eyes. She felt herheart shaking, pounding, and hammering

against her chest. I couldnt give up. Not now.

Her heart felt like it would burst. Her fur

glowed. She opened her eyes. And sure

enough, she glowed like fire.

Eight


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She was surrounded by flames, but it didnt

hurt. It only strengthened her. She shined

bright. Her figure was outlined by flames and

crackling sparkles. Her heart glowed brighter,

and the fire shot up in the air. She heard

every cat gasp. She was seen! Lady Crickets

jaw dropped. So did everyone elses. Apple?

Black-whiskers whispered in awe. Yes?

Everyone gasped again when she spoke. Hervoice sounded light, but in it contained the

whole power and fury of the flames around

her. She spoke with wisdom. Lady Cricket.

Yellow-jacket gasped. Everyone spun towards

Lady Cricket in Apples body. Lady..! Yellow-

jacket murmured. Yes, Yellow-jacket. It isme. Yellow-jacket left Mooneys side, and she

didnt stop him. But how? Why? Yellow-

jacket was a tide of emotions. He wanted to

ask a million questions but he was speechless

to the scene before him. I loved you, but did

anyone care when I died? Nobody gave a

single thought, not even Apple, my own sister.

But she is no longer my sister. I switched

places against her will. She has no idea how I


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felt. I was angry. But Yellow-jacket you

seemed to move on so quickly She

murmured. I have never forgotten you. I

grieve for you every day and night, my dear.

But its time to move on. Lady Cricket

seemed to get a flicker of sense in her. But

she snarled. Ill never forgive anyone of you!

My friends, ha! You mangy fur balls were

nothing to me. Dead, as I am. Yellow-jacketseyes were glazed with pain. Please dont say

that. I loved you. But it was Apples turn to

step in. Enough! Apple snapped. Her gaze

rested on Lady Cricket. I am your older

sister. We have always been sisters. I love

you, and I always will. But what you havedone to me is unacceptable. You cannot

blame your group mates for your death, Lady

Cricket. We all have different ways of

grieving, and we all treasured you, I can

promise you that. But Yellow-jacket is right,

Lady Cricket. It is time to move on. Lady

Cricket was silent. Time seemed to stop. Lady

Cricket sighed. Youre right. Ive spent too

much time being stuck on the past. She


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gingerly stepped out of Apples body, and it

dropped to the floor as of it was nothing but

an item of clothing. Lady Cricket stood beside

Apple. Her eyes were glowing and her ivory

fur shone, just like Apple. Apple gave her

sister a nuzzle. Lady Cricket touched noses for

the final time. I wont forget you, Apple. I

wont forget any of the Water Lilies. Apple

buried her head in her sisters fluffy fur. Illnever forget you either, Lady Cricket. Lady

Cricket shone brighter than Apple. Its time.

No! Apple cried. Trust me. Lady Cricket

licked Apples ear. Thank you so much. Lady

Cricket started to fade. But she said one last

thing. This is for the best. Ill join Mother andFather. Well watch over you and guide you, I

promise. We are sisters. I love you. Lady

Cricket could barely make out the last three

words before she disappeared. But Apple was

quick enough. I love you, too. And Apple

swore that she saw Lady Cricket smile, and

she saw her mother and her father, standing,

waiting for her sister. The portal allowed her

to look just one more heartbeat before it


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closed. And Apple knew that her sister hadnt

lied; they would always be watching her.

Loving her.

the ways of the water lilies

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