






zephyrine wrote:"Hey Breezeclaw!" Heatherpond called, trotting toward her friend, who was grooming herself in a corner of the camp. "I asked Ashenclaw if we and our siblings could go out hunting, and he said we could! I just feel like we're all still divided or something, and it's bothering me. A Clan is supposed to be a group of close, tight-knit cats, after all!" Breezeclaw could only stare at her for a moment before shaking her head miserably. "Heather, really?" she grumbled. "It's not that important." "Yes, it is!" The silver tabby sighed, "No, really." She hated the idea of going on any sort of patrol with Pinedust. He kept asking her if she was alright even after she already told him she was fine. But you look so upset. What's the probem? he would go on. You, she wanted to say, but she held her tongue. Why in StarClan's name couldn't he just leave her alone? "Oh, come on, Breezeclaw," Heatherpond mewed, interrupting her thoughts. "It won't be as bad as you think it will. Just one hunting patrol. I'll go find my brothers, can you get yours?" She was answered with a barely audible grumble, "Fine." While Heatherpond bounced off to search for her brothers, Breezeclaw slunk toward the warriors' den. What would her mother say about this? "Cinderdawn, wake up," she meowed flatly and prodded him in the ribs. "Ow! Breezeclaw!" the darker tabby yelped, jumping to his paws and shaking his fur out. "What do you want?" "We've been assigned to the dawn hunting patrol." "With who?" Breezeclaw's ears swiveled back and nearly flattened against her skull. That was the very question she was hoping he wouldn't ask, seeing as her mother was now awake as well and listening. She paused before mumbling, "Heatherpond, Falconchaser, and Pinedust." Frigidrose hurried to her paws and padded quickly over to her kits, a disgusted expression plastered onto her face. "What?" she nearly hissed. "What was that?" Breezeclaw repeated herself, and Frigidrose scowled. "Now why would Ashenclaw assign just the lot of you to a hunting patrol, hm?" "Heatherpond asked him if -" She was interrupted by a hiss from her mother, "Oh, of course she did, the mouse-brained fool. Well. Something bad is certainly bound to happen. It would be best if I accompanied you." With a flick of her tail, Frigidrose trotted out of the den. Cinderdawn sighed and mewed quietly, "Oh well.... Let's hope for the best." He began to pad toward the den's exit, and Breezeclaw followed. With Frigidrose on the patrol now, she wouldn't even feel comfortable talking to Heatherpond. The potential fun - if there was any to begin with - was being mercilessly drained out of this patrol. When the siblings reached the camp entrance where the rest of the patrol had gathered, the confusion and disappointment of Frigidrose joining was clear on Heatherpond's face. Noticing Breezeclaw approaching, she gave a weak smile to her friend and then the rest of the patrol. "Okay, I guess we'll head out now." The group was silent as they stepped out of the camp. The quiet was almost painful, and when Heatherpond tried to start up a small, awkward conversation, it was even more so. A few monster-lengths away from the camp, they began to split up to search for prey. Frigidrose and Cinderdawn were the first to stray from the group, teaming up to catch a bird, and shortly Heatherpond and Falconchaser followed suit, stalking a plump mouse, leaving Breezeclaw and Pinedust standing there awkwardly, avoiding each other's gazes. Of course, just had to be him, the silver she-cat thought grumpily. Thanks, Heatherpond, for leaving me alone with your creepy brother. Real friendship at work there. "Do you smell that?" Pinedust mewed quietly. "Probably just some prey, mouse-brain," Breezeclaw muttered, not bothering to give the air a good sniff to identify whatever it was and instead padding off to hunt on her own. "No, it's... different. I don't know what..." A piercing yowl interrupted him, "Badger! Get back to camp! Now!!" Breezeclaw felt an icy chill slither down her spine at Cinderdawn's words. She felt like she couldn't move. Where was her brother? Was the badger after him? While Falconchaser and Heatherpond did as Cinderdawn had said and fled toward the camp to gather a larger patrol that could take on the badger and drive it out of the territory, Breezeclaw ran in the direction the yowl had sounded and was followed by Pinedust. "Cinderdawn!" she cried as she tore her way through the undergrowth, low branches smacking her face. She ignored the stinging and continued her dash. "Breezeclaw, get to camp!" Cinderdawn howled. "I'm not leaving without you!" A low growling soon caught her attention and she darted in that direction, quickly coming to a small clearing where a large badger had her brother cornered. His gaze flitted around, searching for a way to escape, and suddenly he leapt backwards and clung to the side of a tree. He was about to scramble up, but his claws had dug into the bark so deep that he was having trouble retracting them. Breezeclaw charged forward as the badger moved to strike at him, but she wasn't fast enough. The creature tore Cinderdawn from the tree, yanking a couple of his claws out and sending him flying for a second before hitting the ground with a thud and skidding a fox-length. Breezeclaw stared at her brother, praying to StarClan that he would get to his paws. When he didn't move, she ran toward him and crouched at his side. His eyes were barely open, he was trying to get up but was struggling greatly. Pinedust and Frigidrose were fending off the badger which gave Breezeclaw the time to nudge her brother to his paws and get him walking, though with a great amount of support from her. "Let's go!" she called back to the others. "You get him back to camp," Pinedust hollered. "We'll wait for Falcon and Heather to return with reinforcements. You need to go!" Breezeclaw reluctantly followed his orders and tried to urge her brother on. Soon a patrol flew past them with Falconchaser and Heatherpond at the lead, and the group was followed by the two medicine cats, who hurried toward Breezeclaw and Cinderdawn. Appleheart assisted the silver tabby in helping the wounded tom to the medicine den. Cinderdawn collapsed onto a moss bed and Appleheart carefully tended to him. Willowcloud brought Breezeclaw some poppy seeds, but she hardly felt like eating anything. With some urging from the fluffy, gray medicine cat, she eventually swallowed the tiny seeds. She would not stop staring at her injured brother. His breathing seemed to be failing. This can't be happening - i-it just c-cant.... Cinderdawn... please. You can pull through. I know you can.
Prey eaten: x1 hare + x2 squirrel
Patrol: Patchthorn, Frostpath, Stormbreeze, Birchwing, Crowstorm, + Snowstep
Training: Fernpaw
Cinderdawn is killed by a badger
Driving off the badger: Ashenclaw, Webfang, Honeydapple, Cloudtalon, Falconchaser, + Heatherpond
x1 poppy seed has been used
Simonpet wrote:"Now has come the time to name three warriors," announced Honeystar from the Speaker's Tree. "This trio passed the assessments with flying colors, and I'm sure that they will be exemplary warriors. Will Adderpaw, Boulderpaw, and Barleypaw come forward?"
The three apprentices walked to the front of the rather large crowd. Even Grayfur, Fleckstorm, and Snowfoot and her four silent kits were at the edge. Everyone was silent, awaiting to hear what the leader had to say next.
"From the time when they were kits, they have demonstrated their willingness and eagerness to become contributing parts of our clan. Adderpaw and Barleypaw; you have had a remarkable dedication to the art of swimming and fishing. For your hard work and persistence, you will be known as Adderstream and Barleystream from this moment onwards." Honeystar glanced at Boulderpaw. "Now Boulderpaw has always made it clear that she wished to excel in the realms of fighting. While her talents may not appear out of the ordinary, she has taken moons to study and master each of the different skills so necessary in Forestclan territory. For her attention to each skill, she will be named Boulderpelt. May Starclan watch over the three of you."
"Adderstream! Barleystream! Boulderpelt!" cheered the clan. The three warriors puffed out their chests in pride.
Once the cheering had died down, Honeystar spoke again. "You will safeguard the clan's camp tonight by sitting in a vigil from dusk to dawn without speaking. Now go and celebrate."
***
Some time later, the clan settled into its new routine. Another former clan cat had been found, this time Oakheart from Wishclan, who had escaped his territory when it burned down. He had immediately taken to the kits and had asked Honeystar if he could mentor one, although she had laughed and told him to wait until their personalities had been fully developed. He seemed to have taken her decline well, although some were worried that he would be too forceful and abrasive to fully fit into the clan. That day, four cats were sent out to hunt and four on the border patrol. Crowcloud and Dustpaw trained, hoping to develop her skills more fully before she could become a full medicine cat. This still left much of the clan in camp, as many of the warriors remained behind to safeguard the two queens and the kits and in the case of Egretstep and Palefur, avoid getting sick.
"It's been so long," mused Honeystar as she and Birchnose lay in her den. "Twenty moons since Forestclan was founded."
"I remember those early days," sighed Birchnose. "I'm glad that the spirit has continued."
"So do I," replied Honeystar. "But I'm worried."
"About?"
"Oakheart. He seems like a good and kind tom, but something about him..."
"Well, Wishclan territory burned to the ground! Of course he would struggle a bit."
Honeystar shook her head. "Just...be careful."
Outside of Honeystar's den, Ashstripe, Briarwhisker, and Daisywhisker were lying in the chill air while Duckpelt sat at the entrance to the camp. Daisywhisker was fast asleep and Ashstripe looked like he wasn't very far behind. Briarwhisker had her head on her paws but her eyes were open and her ears were high, showing that she was still alert. She stared at the stump that hid Grayfur's den. The four kits were in there, listening to the elder's stories about her life. Meanwhile, Snowfoot and Fleckstorm were both snoozing in the nursery. Briarwhisker smiled. Everyone needed a break sometime. Just then, a yowling from the nursery began and the two toms sprang to their feet.
"It's okay," said Briarwhisker. "It's just Fleckstorm."
"Just Fleckstorm?" called Palefur from inside the warriors' den. "I hope she's alright!"
***
"What was it like when you first became a warrior?" Boulderpelt asked Applenose. While she was slightly disappointed at her name, she was also proud that Honeystar was proud of her accomplishments.
"Exciting," Applenose replied, a little grin on his face as he remembered. "I was really nervous. For example, what if I messed up? But it really doesn't matter too much because it's just more patrols and less training. Right?" he said, looking at Alderclaw.
"Right," the other tom replied with a chuckle. "You two will do just fine. I know you will."
***
"Your kits are adorable," said Oakheart to Dawnstorm.
Dawnstorm purred. "Aren't they just? They'll be talking soon, and I hope that they won't bother Grayfur too much. They love listening to her stories."
"Grayfur survived my kits," said Acornstream with a glance at Adderstream, who snorted with laughter. "She'll survive yours."
Forestclan consumes 5 servings (one squirrel, one hare)
Adderpaw, Barleypaw, Boulderpaw --> Adderstream, Barleystream, Boulderpelt
Alderclaw, Applenose, Barleystream, and Boulderpelt go hunting
Acornstream, Adderstream, Dawnstorm, and Oakheart go on a border patrol
Dustpaw trains
Fleckstorm is kitting
kaden wrote:xxxxxHoneystar arrived from the Moonpool the next morning with a shivering, yet energetic white she-cat at her side, "Well. This is it! Welcome to your new home," The golden she-cat purred, watching as the small kitten sniffed about before looking up at the leader, "Cats live here?! Wow!" The new apprentice gawped, "They do indeed, and there's another cat around your age who I think you'd love to meet," Honeystar smiled. No sooner than she had spoken, a small tabby figure sulked out of the apprentice's den with a frown on her face, "Honeystar, what's all this about? You woke me up with your chattering," Hazelpaw groaned, much to her mentor's amusement. "Come over here, Hazelpaw. There's someone I'd like you to meet," The brown she-cat's eyes lit up as she bounced over to her mentor before noticing the newest addition to the clan. She narrowed her eyes before both she-cats let out a choked gasp. Hazelpaw was frozen to the spot, not even daring to speak, but the silver she-cat let out a squeak, "Daisy? It can't be you," She murmured. "It's me! I'm called Hazelpaw now, but I thought you died after..." The tabby she-cat trailed off at the end and looked up at the other she-cat, racing over and bundling into her, the two of them pulling each other close on the mossy ground, "Oh, Cloud, you have no idea how much I missed you," she sniffled as Honeystar just shuffled her paws awkwardly, "I'm assuming you two know each other already?" "Know each other? We're sisters. I just haven't seen Cloud since she was a kit... It's a long story," Hazelpaw murmured. Honeystar's heart melted. She knew how it felt to be separated from someone you care about and couldn't bare to imagine being torn apart from Sparrowfrost, her only living family member.
xxxxxA gruff noise from behind took the three she-cats' attention and Honeystar turned around to find herself face-to-face with one of her warriors- Bearclaw. "Bearclaw? What are you doing here," As Honeystar turned her attention to Bearclaw, she barely noticed Cloudpaw's look of utter shock and Hazelpaw urgently whispering in her sister's ear. "I thought I heard a disruption out here, wanted to make sure everything was okay," He sniffed before noticing the new apprentice, his face failed to show much emotion, but his eyes gave away his worry, "Who's this?" He asked surprisingly quietly, "This is our newest apprentice, she's Hazelpaw's sister. I think she'd like to be called Cloudpaw, since her old name was Cloud," Honeystar explained, "Oh right. Who's her mentor?" Bearclaw asked, "Aren't you just full of questions today. I was actually thinking of making you her mentor, it might lighten up your mood a bit, having a young one about," She purred playfully, nudging her friend. Cloudpaw's timid voice piped up, "Isn't there any other c-" Bearclaw quickly interrupted though, making sure her quiet voice wasn't heard, "I-um it'd be an honour," He stammered loudly. Honeystar let out a satisfied meow, "Good. I'm glad that's settled. We will go out training now- but do you mind leading a patrol later?" The leader requested. Hazelpaw quickly butted in before Bearclaw could reply,"Are me and Cloudpaw going to train together?" She squeaked. Honeystar laughed, "Of course Hazelpaw, you could maybe teach your sister some of your skills," She winked. Bearclaw then replied, quickly growing impatient, "That's alright I guess, but none of the warriors have returned to camp from last night," Honeystar frowned, but a rustle in the bushes attracted her attention and Sparrowfrost and Owlflame came padding into camp, as loved up as ever. The leader flashed her sister a smile, before sighing and turning to the small group, "I wish Sparrowfrost and Owlflame would hurry up and become mates already, they're so dreamy together," Hazelpaw sighed. Honeystar laughed, "I thought her and Stormrunner had a fling going on, but we'll see what happens. Lets go train now and if we find Stormrunner on the way, you can get him to go on patrol with you, Bearclaw," The cats nodded and Honeystar exited camp with Bearclaw at her side and the two sisters skipped behind, whispering frantically to each other.
[ The clan consumes a pheasant ]
[ Training: Honeystar & Hazelpaw, Bearclaw & Cloudpaw
[ Border patrol: Bearclaw & Stormrunner ]
rose_thorns wrote:i glanced over at the tom beside me. he was a little bit shorter than me, but he made up for it in character. he always had something uplifting to say and was never in a bad mood. quite the optimist. i had found him while on a border patrol, sitting next to a hickory tree. he introduced himself as hickorylight, saying that starclan had sent him to be laurelclan's medicine cat. i was surprised, but starclan works in mysterious ways.
we walked across the moor, soft grass underneath our paws and sunlight warming our pelts. hickorylight and i were traveling to the moonpool. i wanted to ask for a new clan member and apologise for my lack of faith. i believe that starclan was giving me a warning by not granting me a cat the last time i visited the moonpool. and to find a medicine cat for no reason? maybe starclan was saying i needed guidance. i let out a sigh. the responsibility of being a leader was weighing down my shoulders.
"something on your mind?" i looked over at the brown tom, my eyes softening when they met his.
"yes. im just worrying about the clan's faith in starclan and ..."
"are sure it's the clan's faith? or is it yours?" i stopped, taken aback by the question. how did he know? was i that transparent?
"i ... it's mine," i admitted. "im finally feeling the stress of being a leader, i guess." the cat beside me nodded.
"i understand. the leader holds the responsibility of the whole clan. you can come to me whenever you need to, to ask for advice or just for someone to hear you out. as long as you still believe in starclan, they won't betray us. we all slip up sometimes, but we just have to continue to strengthen our faith."
"yeah. thanks, hickorylight," i said, nodding at the medicine cat.
"no problem. it's getting late, we should probably pick up the pace."
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
"all cats of laurelclan old enough to catch their own prey gather around to for a meeting."
i glanced over at my sister before heading over to the laurel bushes where russetstar had called a meeting. i wondered what it was about. maybe to welcome the new medicine cat?
"i am proud to say that starclan had granted us a medicine cat," russetstar said, nodding at the tom that stood in the small crowd. "hickorylight, please step forward. may you trust in starclan and heal our cats. hickorylight, welcome to laurelclan." the brown cat nodded, his amber eyes shining.
"hickorylight! hickorylight!" the clan cheered his name, greeting him. after we quieted down, russetstar continued.
"in addition to welcoming a medicine cat, i also want to welcome a new warrior. rain, please step forward." i looked over at my sister happily, watching as she walked towards the leader.
"do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?"
"i do."
"then by the powers of starclan, i give you your warrior name. rain, from this moment you will be known as rainclaw. starclan honors your courage and cleverness, and we welcome you as a full warrior of laurelclan."
the leader stepped forward, resting his muzzle on the rainclaw's head. in turn, the she-cat licked russetstar's shoulder as the rest of the clan greeted her by her new name. my sister would have to sit vigil tonight, like i had to do when i got my warrior name.
after russetstar dismissed the meeting, the clan decided to share tongues. i went over to rainclaw, congratulating her.
"thanks, littlestep," the silver cat said, pausing. "you ... you know that im really only here for you, right? to make sure you're safe and cared for and happy," i blinked, taking in what my sister told me.
"I knew you wanted to be with me but ... i thought you liked clan life. im the only reason you're here? you ... did you mean it when you said that you would follow the warrior code or were you lying?" before rainclaw could answer, adderflight walked up to us.
"better start your vigil, rainclaw." my sister nodded, saying nothing as she left. my mind was swirling in thoughts as headed to the warrior den. if she was only here for me, she would only look out for me ... if it came down to it, she might hurt a clanmate if it would benefit us. no, that can't happen. she can't do that!
i laid down in my nest and closed my eyes, but sleep wouldn't come. no matter how hard i tried, i couldn't suppress my worries. silverpelt shined brightly up above and i wondered if thay could hear my thoughts. what should i do, starclan? rainclaw can't stay unloyal to laurelclan but the alternative would be her leaving. that would break both of our hearts. ugh, i don't know what to do ...
i decided to get up and walk around a bit. sitting here wasn't helping anything. everyone else was fast asleep. how long had i been up? i shook my head, looking up at starclan, praying for answers that i probably wouldn't get.
"what're you doing up so late?" i turned around, startled by the whisper. i didn't think anyone would be up at this time.
"uh, i couldn't sleep," i said. the cat, which i now know is adderflight, nodded. "why are you up?"
"had to make dirt. sorry that ya can't sleep. something on your mind?"
"... erm," i mumbled, not sure if i should tell the she-cat or not. "im sort of worried about my sister, rainclaw."
"how come?"
"well, she's always hanging around me and i don't know ... what her priorities are," i explained.
"huh," adderflight said, thinking. "you think she considers you more important than the clan?"
"i don't - im not really sure. maybe?" i know she said that she was here for me, but maybe she'll come to realize how much clan life is really worth.
"well, keep an eye on her. i'll give her reminders of the warrior code and being loyal to the clan."
"okay, thanks, adderflight. i appreciate it.
@moonpool; russetstar asks for a cat
@herb search; hickorylight looks for herbs in the moor
@border patrol; russetstar and adderflight look for cats while patrolling the border
@hunting patrol; littlestep, rainclaw, and quickpaw go hunting in the moor
@cats; hickorylight is the new medicine cat and rain is now rainclaw
@clan; a rabbit was consumed
krazykitty00 wrote:XXXXXXXX"Now that that is settled, I should tell you why I've taken you out of camp." She mewed casually, as if she hadn't just announced the death of Jaystar to two minors. Thistlethorn got to her paws, gesturing with her tail for the two to do the same, and continued to walk them through the forest. "Today, as I mentioned, we will preparing the final strike. The badgers." She said. At her words, she could practically feel the confused looks of the apprentices burning into her pelt. With a chuckle, she elaborated, "The badgers are the final tool in the plan, the final strike as I've said. But if they are to be of any use to use-" "We need them angry?" Shiverpaw asked as she caught on. "Precisely~" Thistlethorn purred proudly at her apprentice. "Angry and cat blood-thirsty for revenge. That's where you two come in. You, with my help of course, are going to attack the badgers. We're not aiming to kill my dears, simply enough to leave them battered and angry. Simply taunt them. Claw their nose, bounce on their backs with your claws, bite their legs, whatever you wish to do. Have fun with it. And I'll be there to make sure not a single scratch comes to harm you." She mewed with a relaxed flick of her tail. She knew she was putting the two young ones in danger but she was strong enough to protect them. Not to mention, if they die here, they were too weak for their case anyhow. Take it as a test of sorts.
XXXXThough Shiverpaw looked a little scared, she was determined. If she could do this, she would be a step closer to making her family pay for their doubt in her. And she could prove that Thistlethorn's belief in her was not a mistake. Bouncepaw was happy to do anything for the sisters, her idols. And this was more fun and games to her anyhow. "Ah, I wish Nettlefoot was here." The creamed color apprentice sighed. "Don't worry Bouncepaw, Nettlefoot is currently watching over our little monster, but she sends her regards and her belief in you two." Thistlethorn said over her shoulder. "How will we find the the badgers Thistlethorn?" "The seeker patrols love. They tell me everything about the badgers. And if their information is still accurate to this time, they should be right-" Just as the smell in the air grew into the unmistakable scent of their targets, a large figure of a badger lumbered slowly out of the bushes a ways away from the three. "--there" Thistlethorn ended with a purr as she watched the lazy animal. They were slow, both mentally and physically, which made this much easier. "Alright girls, make merry." She purred Jaystar's signature words darkly, ending on a bone chilling chuckle as her apprentices pounced at the large animal. One. Step. Closer.
[Seeker Patrol: Thistlethorn, Shiverpaw, Bouncepaw -> Anger the badgers]
[Hunting Patrol: Whitenose, Gorsetail, Wrenshine, Leopardpounce, Mistleleaf, Duskpaws]
[Herb Gathering: Hearthflame, Silverpaw]
[Training: Cloudpaw ~ Gorsetail, Tinypaw ~ Sootwhisker]
[Applekit, Beechkit, and Cloverkit have snuck out of camp! Jaystar has sent the clan to find them. Cinderblaze has gone to the Beechclan border to find them. (will be Rp out)]
stranger danger wrote:climbing over rocky hills and damp grass, briarstar heaved her paws over another slope and slid down the other side. it was leaf-fall, and for dawnclan that meant heavy fog and rain. it was humid, making the leader's fur stand on end. in the early morning light, briarstar slipped into moonpool.
inside, she pads slowly up to the pool of water, and settled at the bank. she murmurs a quick prayer and pressed her nose to the waters.
briarstar goes to moonpool to request another cat.
roses - ! wrote:Arrow called the clan back as she saw the hunting patrol filling back into camp.
"Cats of Hyenaclan, I have an announcement." She called, watching as Bone came over straight away and the other two simply trotted over. "I'll be putting out who the mates are today, I believe I've already mentioned the set mates already." She told them, puffing out her chest as if daring one of them to question it.
"Every female who is strong must have a mate, so I'll be taking on Bone while Magick and Crow will be mates." She announced, noting as Bone looked awe-struck. She flicked her tail at the tom, as if to tell him to calm it. "Remember, you are to have no kits until you're twenty moons, I don't need to have any she-cats dying in birth because they were too young." She added, yet already wanted kits of her own. She knew she would have to wait a moon, but she was already eager.
The leader watched as Crow and Magick went on over to talk, supposedly, so she made her way to Bone.
"So, are you happy with being my mate...? The black and white tom questioned, seemingly nervous.
"It's no issue with me, you're strong and smart." Arrow told him. "You'll make good kits."
The words seemed to calm the worried tom. She knew he would have a little too much attachment to the kits that they had, but she herself would as well. However, she shook these thoughts away. Fidgetspice had told her right, attachment meant nothing unless you were strong enough to protect them.
[/list]
[center][ Bone, Crow, and Magick went hunting ]
[ Arrow went on a border patrol ]
[ Hyenaclan ate two servings of squirrel ]
Chamrosh wrote:[center]“I’m sure I’m over-due.” Argusheart complained, at her swelling belly, and at the medicine cat. Harrierpelt gave her a scolding look.
“There’s no set timing for these things. Starclan does what Starclan does, and it’s not our job to question them.”
“I’m just concerned if there’re a lot of them and if they all grow so much, it may be difficult for just myself to support them all- and inevitably it will be just me, with Heronstar having to resume leader duties as soon as she can manage.”
Harrierpelt flicked his tail, dismissive of her attitude. “Much as I would tend to agree, the more fussing you make, the worse that will be for the kits. Let Heronstar and I worry about that; I’m sure between us, and yourself once they’re born, we’ll have a reasonable solution.”
-----
Barn-owl wasn’t too sure of this warrior thing (his father may have been a warrior, but that didn’t mean he was cut out for it), so he was very glad when the cat who introduced himself as Chubtail (strange name) said that, as an elder cat, he would have no obligation to do any duties he didn’t want to.
Chubtail seemed impressed that Barn-owl was looking after himself so well at his age. But fishing didn’t require too much energy. It more needed patience and a dextrous paw, and he had plenty of practice, from living near the lake shore for all of his life.
It was also very calm, sitting on the rocks, staring at the water, at where the night-eyes’ reflections hit the water. Apparently the warriors called them stars. Which was strange, as they bi-named so many things. It gave him a lot of time to think, and to come to what he thought were wise things to have come to.
He’d probably done as much thinking most moons as many cats did in whole seasons.
So he was more than happy for his job in the clan to involve talking about those ideas.
“We don’t actually have any suffixes for fishing.” Chubtail said, as Barn-owl explained how he’d managed so well on his own, as a loner. “Which is rather strange, now I think about it. Fishing is important, and we’ve got enough water resources that it’s about equally useful to hunting. We’ve got two suffixes for hunting, so why don’t we have any for fishing? I’ll ask Heronstar about what it should be but, would you be okay with us calling you by Barn- and whatever suffix Heronstar decides is appropriate for fishing?”
Barn-owl nodded in assent, before going on a long explanation about how much they clearly had left to appreciate about fishing if they didn’t even have a way of recognising skill in it yet. Myrtleclaw and Bugleclaw were quite glad to get back to camp and end that.
-----
Barn-owl trotted up to the door, and took a long and thorough demonstration of the door fin from Bugleclaw and Myrtleclaw before he was sure it was okay to use. He slipped through as a orange-and-white dart, and marvelled at the size of the surroundings he found himself in. It was mostly open, with what looked like square trees holding up some flat cave-roof (or whatever it was).
“So, where would the elder’s den be, then?”
The toms who had found him all blanked, uncertain.
Between them, they spent a while searching for a good den, before they realised that the space just to the right of the main fin didn’t currently have a use. The wood in front had just a large enough gap between it and the white border, that Chubtail could just slip his paw in and hook it open wide enough for them to get through.
They all did.
The space beyond was large and spacious, with large squishy jumping platforms like in the nursery, but smaller than in the warriors’ or leader’s dens. The opposite wall was entirely made of the magic ice, so that there was a large space lined with just tree material where the sun shined. Little vertical containers held brown shredded things, that looked like they used to be plants, a long time ago, except for one on the end that had a small round thing (with spikes that hurt Chubtail’s nose upon investigation) instead.
“This looks like a good elders’ den, although I suppose the sunning spot should be free for everyone to use- but only if they don’t disturb my sleeping for it.”
-----
Bugleclaw came into the nursery to see his mate not much later, upon the cue of Harrierpelt. Heronstar was around to protect her kits, aware that some males could get aggressive to kits under the wrong circumstances, but she’d fallen asleep, curled around Ploverkit.
Argusheart nodded towards the two wakeful kits as Bugleclaw entered, signalling for him to watch as subtly as he could. So he did.
Cicelykit had unseeing eyes pointed roughly towards her sister’s head.
“I’m going to be the best fighter!” Saddlekit cried, tail high in the air. “I’m going to be so good, that Gustclan will be able to defend ourselves from anything!”
Cicelykit tried to look authoritative, but it was pretty clear she hadn’t learned the proper body language for that. “Saddlekit, that’s not how it works. Gustclan wins every fight because we don’t join any fights. Other clans say the best defence is a good offense; we say it’s keeping our whiskers far enough out of everyone else’s business that they’ve no reason to bother us. You’ll mess that up!”
“If we can defeat them, who cares? Wouldn’t it be better for one clan to ultimately be in charge, so that we can unite against really big threats? And why can’t it be us, with us as warriors, and me as the head warrior?”
Cicelykit flicked her tail in irritation. “There’s only a few of us, and some clans are huge, it just wouldn’t work.”
“How do you know that?”
“I heard Heronstar say it.”
Saddlekit got a daring gleam in her eye, after a second of looking slightly despondent. “If they were constantly fighting each other, none of their clans would be very big. If only one clan is around, there’d be peace after that, and if there’d been a whole load of conflict before, they’d surely all appreciate strong leadership.”
Cicelykit hissed quietly. “It’s against the code to kill warriors.”
“No it’s not. The code says ‘an honourable warrior has no need to kill’. It doesn’t say they can’t. It doesn’t even say that killing other warriors is a bad thing. And Gustclan wouldn’t be doing the killing anyway.”
Bugleclaw looked across at Argusheart, checking for confirmation of his actions before he did anything. He took a few steps forward, then mewed quietly for the kits’ attentions. Cicelykit jumped, and shot a concerned look vaguely towards where Saddlekit had been, while Saddlekit looked defiant. Bugleclaw could respect that confidence, even if the context was less desirable.
“I think Cicelykit’s right on something else, Saddlekit. You’re not going to be the best fighter in Gustclan, because that’s already my title.”
“I could be if you taught me.” Bugleclaw wasn’t so sure that was a good move, with how the kit was talking before.
-----
“Petite Sparrow, I want to briefly check your hunting technique is still in good form.” Pearstone said, as Sparrowpaw finished off her food.
“But Pearstone, I shouldn’t leave Nettlepaw alone!”
“Why not?”
“I have a… feeling that she’s in danger. I have to stop it.”
Pearstone tutted. “You’d be much better at protecting her if you are making sure that your training is in good shape normally. Practicing often often makes perfect, non? There is not much you can do, even if you are right (which is unlikely, as such feelings are not based on facts), if you are not keeping your training as good as possible, Petite Sparrow.”
Sparrowpaw reluctantly followed Pearstone out of camp, sure that something bad was going to happen to her sister while she was gone.
[Barnfish joins Gustclan]
[Heronstar goes to the Moonpool to request a cat; warrior/apprentice]
[Harrierpelt and Argusheart stay in camp with the kits; Ploverkit, Cicelykit and Saddlekit]
[Pearstone and Sparrowpaw and Boulderdash and Nettlepaw go training]
[Myrtleclaw, Osierfang and Moraine go on a patrol]
[Droseratail, Shellcoud and Lobeliafur go hunting]
[Chubtail, Bugleclaw and Barnfish stay in camp]
[Gustclan consumes 2 mice and 1 squirrel - 4 portions]
.atticus,, wrote:mothstar moved slyly through the tall grass. he was quick in his step as he made
his way to the moonpool. mothstar's mind racing as he prepared himself to
ask for another cat from starclan, he'd grown lonely and needed a fellow cat to k
eep him company. mothstar knew what his heart wanted, being the soft-hearted
word wordcat he is, but it wasn't the time for him to gain a mate he needed a medicine cat or a deputy. a cat mothstar could r
word wordely on to help protect the clan that lacked its warriors. as the tabby approached the moonpool he sat and l
word wordicked his paws, before he moved onto the stone and looked to the sky hoping that starclan answer his prayers an
d provide a medicine cat for fickleclan.
[ mothstar visits moonpool in search of medicine cat ]
.iris. wrote:Egretpool held a sort of quiet curiosity as she padded into the cave. After shaking the snow from her pelt, she wandered around the edges of the cavern, seeming to examine every minute detail in the age-old stone. "Where'd you find this place?" she started to ask Rimestar before she saw the leader's black-and-white figure slipping from the cave. Mallowpath's eyes were trailing after her. "Where's she off to?" Egretpool asked the deputy. Her words were adorned with traces of a subtle, unidentifiable accent. The tom shook his head briefly as if to clear his thoughts, before quickly mewing, "the moonpool. It's a bit of a hike away, and the journey can be dangerous." Mallowpath's voice trailed off, his eyes straying back to the cave entrance. Egretpool watched him with a curious look and a small, knowing smile. "Right, so, I'll patrol the borders, and you... can hunt. Alright?" he mewed distractedly. "You like her, yes?" she mewed, catching the deputy by surprise. "Excuse me?" he snapped. "I mean... of course I like her. She's the leader, after all." Egretpool grinned. "Not as a leader. You like like her," she insisted. "What are you, a kit? And I never said that." "You didn't have to. It's obvious, the way you look at her," the warrior purred with a light smile. "Who do you think you are, talking to me like that?" Mallowpath growled. The fur along Egretpool's spine bristled defensively. "Great StarClan. I was only asking a question," she mewed. The deputy's eyes fell, though his teeth remained clenched. "Just get hunting," he muttered, sending the warrior off with a flick of his tail. As Mallowpath padded from the shelter of the cave, he wondered to himself if he shouldn't have been as harsh on Egretpool. After all, he couldn't deny that he felt an odd flurry in his heart whenever he saw Rimestar. Perhaps it was the way she carried herself with quiet dignity, or how when she did speak, each word meant something. Or maybe it was the constant fire of determination in her that never seemed to flicker or go out, or the unwavering light in her green eyes. It was probably just admiration, Mallowpath decided quickly. She was a strong leader, and any mouse brain would revere her. But even as he reached this conclusion, his mind kept straying to the black-and-white she-cat. He couldn't help but wonder if she was thinking of him too.
[ rimestar asks starclan for a medicine cat ]
[ mallowpath goes on patrol ]
[ egretpool goes hunting ]
amethyst14 wrote:Bouldershade had chased the badger away before turning to his clan mates and the two new comers "Cloudstar is badly injured. Foxclaw, help me get him back to camp please?" The deputy went to the leader and waited for Foxclaw to lift Cloudstar by the scruff and put the tom on the deputy's shoulder. The group made it back to camp slowly, most of them have been injured.
The group had to wait a while for Archpool to return back to camp. Only Blizzardsong seemed unhappy to see him as he snapped at the tom "What took you so long! You should be in camp all the time." he growled at him.
Archpool kept his cool as he replied "If I did that then I wouldn't have herbs to treat you. And what if your kits got sick during leaf bare. We all know it is around the corner.." he didn't even bother to look at Blizzardsong as he talked. He kept his focus as he examined them and went to get the herbs he needed from his storage.
Bouldershade felt fine anyways and looked at the molly and young tom "Thank you for your help, you say that Starclan has sent you?" He asked as he lead the way out of the den.
"Starclan had sent me a dream saying to come here, but Russetpaw here joined me on my travels. I have been looking after him for about half a moon." Badgerfall frowned, this apprentice has been through so much now, maybe life will become a tad easier now? She couldn't help but wonder.
"Well I am sure we can use the extra paws this leaf-fall, we do have to prepare for leaf-bare. Come on, I will introduce you to every one." Bouldershade meowed as he lead the two around.
[New Mentor Coppereyes takes over Willowpaw's training for Owldust.]
[Apprentice Training Coppereyes, Badgerfall and Bouldershade train Bramblepaw, Willowpaw, Russetpaw and Mudpaw the hunting skill.]
[Hunting Patrol Badgerfall, Coppereyes, Willowpaw and Russetpaw hunt in the meadow.]
[Hunting Patrol Foxclaw, Bouldershade, Mudpaw and Bramblepaw hunt in the forest.]
[Herb Hunting Archpool is looking for herbs near the mountain.]
[Injured Cloudstar has a gash on his chest, Blizzardsong has a severely sprained paw(not broken), Foxclaw has a small cut on his cheek.]
[Prey Eaten 1 Rabbit(2 servings) 2 Mice(2 servings)]









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