[.henloimmabirb.]

Username: .henloimmabirb.
Storage: The Flock
Last Patrol Post: 09/14
Patrol:

It wasn't an easy start for Bullfinch, being out on his own with only a bird for company...he had been born and raised in Bluffclan, they were his entire world, his family...but now? He felt more alone than ever, he felt slight relief at the fact he wasn't entirely alone though. Eura, the bird who had stuck to his side through all this mayhem, still sat perched on his shoulder as the pair walked. Something deep inside him stirred restlessly, this journey ahead of them was sure to be a long one. And wherever it took them, Bullfinch held onto hope that Starclan would aid them when the time came.

As the pair wandered further and further away from the place they once called home, Redtail's mind was a wreck of thoughts...had he done the right thing? By standing up to his own leader...and blatantly disrespecting them in someway, but he was doing this for a greater reason, right? At least that's what he thought Starclan had told him. He let out a low growl of frustration as he stopped the pace to take a moment to look at their surroundings.

To their right loomed a dense woodland, thick and tall trees appeared all the way around it...it looked rather dark inside, the leaves must cover a majority of the sun's light from reaching the ground floor, it would certainly be a cooler place for them both to travel into...but the darkness made him feel wary, he shook off the shiver that snaked down his back and continued to scan their surroundings.

In the other directions there was a valley, full of colorful flowers whose scents drifted uphill and into the path of Bullfinch and Eura. It smelled absolutely wonderful, such a beautiful expanse of land! Plus it was a wide open space, he felt safer going in that direction...he turned his gaze up to his feathered friend.
"How about we head that way," he motioned with a paw towards the valley of flowers. "you could stretch your wings and we can both get some rest, sound good to you?" Bullfinch smiled, the bird turned its gaze to look towards the valley below them, then over towards the dense woodlands.
"Our other option isn't too comfortable looking..." He winced as he noticed the bird look in the woods direction, Eura shook out his feathers and preened them for a split second...then all of a sudden without warning, a sharp chirp and a quick flutter of feathers, Eura took flight down towards the valley!
As the bird quickly flew into the wide sky above them before diving towards the flower-filled valley below, he left a very shocked and stunned Bullfinch at the top of the hill. After snapping himself out of the trance, he shook out his fur and turned to look towards Eura.
"Huh -- H-HEY WAIT UP!!" Bullfinch called out and quickly began to race down the hill after the bird, who chirped happily and flew around the cat in swirls and twirls. He couldn't help but feel an intense happiness within him, this all just felt so right.

He wasn't sure how they would make it through this life, but as long as he had Eura and held onto hope that he did that right thing, Bullfinch felt at peace with his current situation.

Word Count: 555 words :3

[KelpieMomma]

Username: KelpieMomma
Storage: CS
Last Patrol Post: n/a
Patrol:
Deep sleep had been illusive for many, many moons. Jagged couldn't remember exactly when she'd begun struggling to sleep, but she knew it was before she'd even become a full-fledged medicine cat. Back before she knew just how violently deadly her home would become. Back when she still had dreams for the future, of helping her clan and becoming someone her leader could turn to for advice, of becoming a cat her clanmates could rely on and turn to with their illnesses and woes. Even now, after several seasons on her own, she felt her heart aching and longing for the Ever-Pond that had been her connection to the Beyond, her connection to her ancestors. Losing that connection had been like losing her tail, and despite the seasons she still found herself occasionally praying and hoping for an answer.

Lately she was wondering if she was receiving one. Her sleep, tumultuous as ever, had begun taking on new... additions. Vague shapes, voices that didn't speak words, outlines that moved yet she couldn't quite determine what they were supposed to be. Sometimes the shapes looked like cats, sometimes like foxes, other times like hawks or frogs. She would hear howling and hissing, but somehow- the noises didn't alarm her. They didn't send fear through her like they probably should. Instead, she found that the dreams were bringing her a... a sense of comfort, one that she couldn't help but find herself wary of.

The afternoon, warm and muggy, found her waking from another odd, comforting dream. There had been a number of shapes to start with, circling her. She had found herself seated on a mossy stone, watching as the dark shapes merged from a shadow into a light mist, into two shapes. She thought one might be vaguely cat-like, but each time she tried to peer closer, to understand more, the shapes faded and fell, returning to shadow before repeating the cycle. When she had finally found the drive to reach out, she had woken up. Altogether the dream seemed... entirely too intentional, much like many of her dreams had been recently. Yet, allowing herself to believe it was so felt impossible. She wanted to believe she wasn't alone, but what else could she be when her ancestors had destroyed her home and family?

The young she-cat finally stood up and stretched, emerging from her place of shadow. She kept to many 'camps' within the area she'd found, each one decently close to a water source and well hidden. She may no longer be part of a clan, but some urges refused to fade. A sense of confinement and safety, of finding somewhere secure, was one of them. As she began to move, hoping to find something to eat for the day, she already had her next spot in mind. A decently sized cave, one that a small river flowed through. The entrance was fairly hidden by trees and brush, and she'd only found it by following the flow of water.

Jagged paused as she hopped down some rocks, lifting her head. For just a second, she could have sworn someone had whispered her name. When no other words came, she figured it must have been the wind in the trees and continued on her way.

---

Skeeter was having a case of the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. The place he'd stopped to sleep for the night had ended up soaked the next morning, he hadn't seen any hint of food for a couple days leading to his stomach rumbling almost constantly, Slip had somehow accidentally slept too tightly around his paw leaving him with an extra limp, and he had just narrowly escaped a brush with a fox. It must have been young, because he was pretty sure they'd scared each other, but it had almost gotten him by the scruff. He was a little scraped up and missing some fur but there was nothing deep and he'd gotten away otherwise scot-free. Slip kept flicking its tongue out at his little scrape and he felt almost nervous the snake might try to bite him. It never had before, but there was a first time for everything, right?

He was so lost in thought that he didn't notice the ground changing below his feet, grass turning to dirt turning to stone. He yelped as he lost his balance, trying to throw himself backwards away from the open air before him entirely unsuccessfully. He didn't fall too far, thankfully, but with two feet throwing him off balance he landed hard and winded himself. As he wheezed, fighting for his breath to return, Slip uncoiled itself from around his neck. He paid it little attention until the sound of his labored breaths had abated and what remained was a consistent hiss. The young cat opened one eye to peer at the snake, finding Slip coiled and hissing with its tail rattling just slightly.

"What's up with you?" He asked; despite his words, he had already turned to follow where the snake was looking. Skeeter found himself hissing as well in surprise, flinching back.

A bi-colored head with bi-colored eyes was poking out of a bush in front of him. The cat looked mildly alarmed, glancing between him and the snake for a moment before their eyes caught on his clearly twisted paw. As they stared he felt his hackles raising- many cats had seen his paw and pegged him as weak. He might not be as nimble as others, but he still had teeth!

"Who are you?" Skeeter demanded, the cat's eyes finally leaving his paw and his snake and turning to him instead. The cat blinked at him, eyes tightening as they hesitated. They opened their mouth a couple times before sighing.

"Jagged. I'm... a wandering healer. I was in the area and heard your cry and... came to investigate. Are you alright?"

A wandering healer? Skeeter had never heard of such a thing. Plenty of wandering fighters, always wandering fighters. He'd known of cats who ventured from territory to territory, selling their fighting skills in exchange for prey or comfortable bedding. They'd had little to no loyalty, working for whoever offered the most. He'd been lucky enough to train under one, once, before they'd gotten a better offer of work elsewhere and left him behind as easily as his family had. He'd picked up a couple things, at least, but...

"A wandering healer? That makes no sense. Cats pay you to heal?" He spat. Jagged tilted their head.

"The polite thing to do when someone introduces themself is to introduce yourself in return."

Skeeter stared at them in confusion. That...

"Did you hear what I said?"

"Yes. Did you hear what I said?"

"Yeah?"

There was a moment of quiet, the only sound being Slip's continued hissing. Jagged stared at him, unblinking. Their dual-colored eyes made Skeeter feel a little... off-balance. A little uncomfortable.

"I... I'm Skeeter. This is Slip. It's my... my friend." He finally said.

"Nice to meet you... Skeeter." Jagged said the name slowly, like they weren't sure it was right. "As for your question... no. I haven't run into many cats since I left my home, and I wouldn't let them pay me. My skills are to be used and shared for the betterment of others, not hoarded. I was taught better than that."

Once again, the forest between them was quiet.

"Well... wherever you were going, you can keep going. I'm fine." Skeeter finally said. He spoke with a slight halting tone, uncertain of what he was saying and how it might come off. Jagged looked at him a moment longer, as if they were searching for something, when they nodded.

"If you're well, I'll be heading off. I was heading to my camp when I heard you fall."

"I didn't fall! I just- slipped. I landed fine."

His wheezing had obviously insinuated otherwise, but Skeeter met Jagged's gaze determinedly. They looked a little amused but didn't argue.

"Certainly." They replied, the word dripping with barely concealed mirth. "If you ever feel not fine, I venture around these parts frequently. Call for Jagged and I'm sure to find you."

"Yeah, yeah. Sure. Bye." Skeeter watched as Jagged's face pulled away into the shadows. Their dark fur melted quickly into the bush and it seemed between one blink and the next they had vanished. He only relaxed when Slip quit hissing, breathing out a sigh of relief. Jagged hadn't seemed aggressive, not like other cats he'd come across before, but he still didn't trust them. Not even when Slip slithered forward and pushed back a pair of mice from where Jagged had been standing.

-----
-----

It may have been the first time Jagged met Skeeter and Slip, but it was far from the last. Frequently on her trips around the area she would hear or see the flash of white fur, hear the warning hiss of a snake that she felt certain was the little black and red tie he wore. Most of the time she would slip past without them knowing she was near - it was obvious he had never been taught how to conceal his tracks, how to hunt properly - but every now and then they would meet face-to-face. It was always, she had noticed, after a dream where shadows turned to mist. Darkness turning to light. A white shape taking form in her unconscious mind. She'd thought he was just coincidence after their first pawful of meetings, but as they continued she felt more and more certain she was supposed to do something with him. She just didn't know what.

At least while they were together she didn't have to think much on it. Once he warmed up to her Skeeter chattered on as much as any kit or eager apprentice. He had withdrawn and suspicious at first, as she would frankly hope, but after watching her hunt one day - the one time she had failed to notice his presence, she had never been a good warrior but she had never been so bad at paying attention to her surroundings - Skeeter had become near constant, asking questions and asking to learn. She had asked him, once, what exactly he wanted to learn.

"Everything! You disappear into the shadows, you almost always catch what you're hunting, you know what herbs I can and can't eat, and I saw you fight that raccoon a few days ago!" He had replied. Jagged had dropped her head with a groan- another time she'd thought herself alone, another time she'd failed to notice him.

"I'll teach you to hunt." She acquiesced.

One hunting lesson became five, which became a regular thing. Skeeter's presence, and that of his snake, became commonplace. She had been doubtful of his snake's help when hunting at first, but Skeeter had taken offense to her doubts and dragged her to a mouse hole once.

"Watch." He'd said proudly as Slip slid down into the dirt. She had watched, eyebrows high, but they'd climbed even higher when a few moments later a mouse's cry of alarm went up and a couple mice fled the den. She had been too surprised to respond but Skeeter wasn't, killing the mice quickly. After a few moments Slip returned to the surface, notably thicker than before. "See? It's my hunting buddy!"

And then, of course, hunting turned into sparring. Jagged had never been a good fighter, but she'd been able to defend herself. Skeeter had shown up one day with his ear torn, and while she'd helped him with a poultice and some poppy seeds he had told her about the cat that had caught him off guard. If it hadn't been for Slip's defensive bluff and strike, who knew where Skeeter would be? He had been obviously fearful and nervous, and it would have been an absolute shame if Jagged were to do nothing to help him.

"I don't know much," she had warned, "but I can show you a few things. We'll have to change them a bit, because of your paw, but it's better than what you have now."

Skeeter had been offended by that, but when she had effortlessly got him in the dirt in each of his five attempts to catch her off guard, he bowed his head to her guidance.

And for a time, that was it. They would go their separate ways, Jagged would have a dream, they would meet up, she would teach him something new or help him practice, they would eat together, and then they would once again part. Jagged told herself that it was only the same guidance she'd have given to an apprentice, that there was nothing special about Skeeter, that he was just a passing acquaintance that would soon move on. She forcibly ignored how Skeeter now greeted her by pressing their shoulders together- he was just young and craving contact. She paid no mind to how he would always tell her what he had hunted while they'd been separated- he was only looking for praise for a job well done. Didn't they all? And when he mentioned being lonely, well- they were each alone. Of course it would get lonely.

Were it not for one ill-placed fox cub, it may have stayed that way. It had been nearly half a moon since Jagged had last seen Skeeter when she had another dream. This one was so strong, so vivid, it reminded her of her days with her clan. She was standing on a rock ledge, staring down at his white fur. Slip was missing from his neck and he was crouched down, clearly frightened but stuck. She watched as the shadows around them shifted, merging and flowing and separating, until the space before him became a shape she knew well. A fox. Small, but still larger than Skeeter. As she watched she saw Slip try to catch the fox by surprise, striking out from under a bush- a move it had used on her. The fox remained undeterred, instead picking Slip up and throwing it. Skeeter cried out and, in youthful fear, lunged after his friend. And then the fox-

Jagged woke up screaming, getting to her paws before she knew what was happening. She had no conscious idea of where she was going, only that her paws were moving and her heart was beating as fast as it had when their camp had been invaded during the war. She was afraid, terrified, panicking. She needed to make sure Skeeter was okay. She needed to check on him. And somehow, in some way, she knew exactly where to go.

She found herself upon the same ledge she'd been on in her dream, looking down at Skeeter. His small white form - only slightly larger than when they'd first met - was hunched over, fur standing straight on end as he fought to make himself look bigger than he was. She searched desperately for Slip, but the snake was once again missing. It was deja vu. It was giving her vertigo.

The snarl of the fox caught her attention, the way it slowly made its way towards its cornered prey. In her mind's eye Jagged could see what came next, what would happen if she stayed here and did nothing. Slip would strike, the fox would throw it, Skeeter would give chase, and then she would be alone.

All alone.

Again.

Catching sight of Slip's movements, so tiny and minuscule in the dappled shadow of the trees, Jagged acted without thought. She opened her mouth in a fearsome screech and leapt from her perch, claws extended and fangs bared in defense of Skeeter. Of her friend. Of, a part of her mind whispered, her clanmate.

Her attack caught the fox off-guard, her claws finding a home in its flesh. It screamed in pain, whirling and grabbing her by the shoulder before trying to fling her off. She dug in, using her back feet to kick and claw. It yelped, whirling around in circles and flinging itself into trees. Jagged could only take so many blows before her grip loosened and she was thrown from the fox's neck. She landed on the ground, slightly stunned and battered, pushing herself back to her paws as best she could. She faltered, slightly, but hissed at the fox as it stared at her. A second hiss backed hers up- Skeeter, coming to her side, Slip back in place around his neck. Now with two opponents, one nearly the same size as it, instead of one small opponent, the fox hesitation. It barked at them once and Jagged lunged forward, slamming her paws on the ground. The fox was sufficiently cowed- it yelped, turning tail and running.

For a long moment, the only sound between the pair was the sound of their heavy breathing. Then Jagged rolled her eyes down to look at Skeeter. Skeeter, whole and white and unharmed. And it was enough.

"Come on," she said in a voice almost breathless, "I don't think you get to be alone out here any longer. We're sticking together from now on."

Skeeter was looking at her with wide eyes, cautious but hopeful.

"Did the fox rattle your brain loose?" He asked, as insensitive as ever. If she were less... less frightened, less breathless, less shaky, she'd have cuffed him over the ear for it.

"No, but if you keep that up I'll rattle your brain loose." She snapped back. "You almost became fox food, Skeeter, you wanna stick together and stay safe or you wanna become a bigger fox's small meal?"

Skeeter didn't flinch from her words, rolling his eyes instead and scoffing.

"I guess I could do worse than hanging around an old dirt-clod like you." He said; in spite of his words, he was immediately connected to Jagged's side, taking obvious comfort in her presence.

"You say that like you haven't been lurking around all my camps trying to find me." She told him, "Did you think I'd miss your scent everywhere?"

Skeeter huffed, eyes turned away as they started walking. "I don't know what you're talking about." He claimed. Around his neck, Slip rested peacefully, hanging loose and relaxed.

Walking stride by stride back to her closest camp, Jagged felt something in her soul settle. This had been the right choice; the dream had been a warning, one she'd been able to heed. She'd had no contact from the Beyond, not one that she could obviously recognize, but it... it had been similar. It had been something.

"Well," she sighed, "It was about time I asked you to stay, anyway."
Word Count: 3119

[◇ Echo ◇]

Username: ◇ Echo ◇
Storage: Cottonstar's Journey
Last Patrol Post: n/a
Patrol: The beginning of HarpClan was a slow one. The elder clans in the tundras were dying out, and it looked as if clan life would come to an end. But one feline was determined to make that untrue. He wouldn't let it become the truth. This feline was Cottonpaw, a bright spirited apprentice with huge dreams he intended to turn into reality.
The clans are located in a strange, impossible ecosystem of mixed terrains. The mains include an Arctic tundra which slowly grows warmer and moister until it meets, at one end, a small wooded area connecting to small mountains. On the other side of the mountains there's a small town where two-legs reside, a few even in the mountains. Caves are scattered about in the mountain range, some which give a quicker path to the other side. Alternatively, there's a heat ruled desert farther off from the tundra. They all connect in one way or another, and clans have scattered throughout the land. These cats have adapted over the years to withstand far travel, and have found just the right herbs to do so without much loss, if any. They've created sacred traditions encapsulated to certain regions, and generations on generations have passed them down as well as continued the search of knowledge.
Cottonpaw refused to let this end. So the young feline took in as much information as his brain could ponder, and set off after he earned his warrior name, Cottonspeak.
Cottonspeak went on a journey across the territories in search of young cats and strong elders to help him build a new clan - a new foundation. A new start. As he went, the elder clans would die off, leaving him with what they could, but coming to an inevitable end. After awhile, Cotton was on his own. For just a brief moment, his hope started to waver. He wasn't finding anyone, at least no one who could survive the journey. And with all the elder clans gone, he was left with nothing. Not a thing. Until he got The Sign.
One freezing night in the tundra, Cotton was searching for a place to rest. His stomach was empty, but he had no energy to hunt. Not that he could find much out here, anyway. He was ready to surrender to rest, at least for the night. Maybe a few days. Prey was sparse, and therefore so was energy. He found himself a hollow tree to rest in, and right as he was ready to slip into the void of unconsciousness, he heard a noise. It wasn't unusual to hear a noise, with the rustling trees and what remained of bushes. But this one was animal. A squeak, no, more of a squeal. A sound of pain, and fear. Cottonspeak was immediately awake and alert. He stalked out of the tree to find the source, and after some searching, he saw it; a little raccoon kit, stuck in bunches of bramble, scratched up and weak. It was crying out with what energy it had left.
Naturally, a predator's first response would be to take the easy meal. But Cotton was a creature of empathy, and despite his empty stomach, his first thought was to save the frail thing. It became more frightened as he approached, but he came regardless of the defensive screeching and what swiping it could manage. He carefully pulled away the bramble until the small thing was free, then grabbed it like a kit and headed back to the tree. From there, he cleaned the kits wounds and curled around it to provide warmth; while being carried, it had stopped it's fighting, too tired to continue. The two fell asleep nestled comfortably next to each other.
The next morning, Cottonspeak woke up to the creature missing. He hurried out to see what happened, and found it only a small distance away, at a bush full of bright, full berries. Beside it, a beautiful bundle of dwarf fireweed had bloomed. Cotton was speechless. The little critter picked off a plump berry and took it over to him. An offer of thanks. And hopefully, a means of treaty to not be eaten. Cotton was delighted when he managed to comprehend the situation. He took the fireweed and accessorized it behind his ear, then he and the little raccoon, who he later named Dewdrop, sat and munched on berries the rest of the morning. From there, things got better.
Later that evening is when Cottonspeak met his first recruit, later to be mate, Ashenrain (originally Ash), and gained his nine lives. Under a shooting star crossing the aurora borealis, the elder clan leaders visited him in spirit, blessing him, granting him the lives, and wishing him the best on his continued journey to build a new clan.
From there, the newly named Cottonstar, with Ashenrain and Dewdrop by his side, set off to journey the land further and build up what would later be named HarpClan.

Word Count: 829

[Alizba]

Username:Alizba
Storage:TreeRoots Clan
Last Patrol Post:Here
Patrol:
There was a young kit who wondered about the world. One day it went to ask its mother a question.

“Mother? Why do we live in this tree?” The small kit asked. The mother replied “Well young one there was once a cat who left the clan. This cat was known as Bee’Leaf. Bee’Leaf traveled far from their lands and one day stumbled around another cat who went by Line’Tail.” The small kit interrupted “Why do they have silly names?” The mother chuckled, “That I don't know young one.” She then continued on with her story. “The two traveled and they met with another cat. This cat was strange as it had the smell of two legs on them. This cat you know as Snow’Owl.” The mother cat looked off in the distance before looking back at the kit. “Are you sure you want to know this story?” She asked the kid with sadness in her eyes. The now confused kit looked at his mother. “Yes, I do want to know this story?” He asked with hesitance. The mother cat sighs and replies “Okay if you think you can hear this story out then I will continue to tell it.”

The mother cat looked back out at the distance as she contented with her tale. “The three of them became great friends exploring the world together. Till one day Bee’Leaf and Line’Tail wanted to start a clan of their own. Snow’Owl did not know what a clan was and did not like the idea of lots of cats together so they left going back to where they came from. The rumor is that Snow’Owl went back to a two leg barn where their litter mates were but only Snow’Owl knows the truth behind it. So Bee’Leaf and Line’Tail started their own clan in a mangrove forest far from here. At the time the two had let anyone in their clan live in the roots of a tree. Where there were tunnels all around them. One day Snow’Owl had come back but they were different then before there was sadness coming from their eyes. To cheer them up Bee’Leaf and Line’Tail invited them into the clan to show them around. Moons went by and the three friends were happy. Till the rain turned the grass white. A family of foxes had come to the camp and driven the clan out.”

The kit quickly replied in a scared tone. “Mother! What has happened, is everyone alright!?” “If you just keep on listening you will know.” The mother cat replied with. She then continued with her tale. “The clan had ran and ran and the clan cats had lost each other. Snow’Owl had led a small part of the clan to a clearing where there was an old oak tree that laid in the middle. There they had climbed the tree to make it a home of the small amount of cat that were left. The tree aloud for cats to see miles ahead so we know when danger arises. There was a problem though with the new lands. Bee’Leaf and Line’Tail were nowhere to be seen and Snow’Owl still knew nothing much of clan life but they still stayed with us and helped us live in the tree so we can see all that's around us. That is why we are in this tree today, young one.” The mother cat looked down wondering why it had gone quiet and there lay a young kit who must have fallen asleep around the end of the story she also watched as a soaked black and white cat walked back home.

Word Count:606

[lacke]

Username: lacke
Storage: Eclipseclan
Last Patrol Post: 9/18
Patrol:


Serenity and Ivory's connection was one that grew slowly but deeply, rooted in the quiet spaces where words weren't needed. At first, their bond was marked by confusion and distance, as Serenity struggled to communicate with the sharp, solitary Ivory. Yet over time, their connection became something that transcended sound, built on patience, observation, and a trust that hinted at something even deeper between them.

Not long after Serenity first dreamed of founding Eclipseclan, she wandered alone in the forest, determined to bring her vision of balance and unity to life. During one of these early ventures, she encountered Ivory - the very first cat who would come to test her patience and determination. Ivory was a striking sight, her sleek white pelt gleaming under the moonlight. But her eyes were sharp and cold, warning off anyone who dared to approach. When Serenity tried to speak to her, hoping to convince her to join the fledgling clan, Ivory turned her head sharply away, her body tense and unwelcoming.

At first, Serenity thought Ivory was simply rejecting her. But after a few more attempts at conversation, she realized something else was going on. Ivory wasn't ignoring her - she was deaf. The realization changed everything. Rather than relying on words, Serenity began to use body language and gestures. Initially, Ivory watched her with narrowed eyes, suspicious of this stranger's persistence. But Serenity's respectful distance and calm demeanor gradually began to wear down her defenses.

Their encounters were brief at first, often little more than an exchange of glances or a flick of the tail. But Serenity persisted, always offering a gesture of peace - like prey left nearby or a calm presence at a distance. Ivory didn't trust her enough to take the prey right away, but the offerings slowly began to soften her cold exterior. One evening, after several weeks of these cautious meetings, Serenity caught a rabbit and placed it near Ivory's usual resting spot before settling down a few tail-lengths away. To her surprise, Ivory approached, her movements as graceful as ever but less guarded than before. She began to eat. Though no words passed between them, the silence was filled with something new - an unspoken understanding.

From that moment, Serenity sensed that Ivory might be open to more than just chance encounters. Serenity cautiously broached the idea of forming a clan with Ivory, using gestures, drawings in the dirt and eye contact to communicate. Ivory, ever the skeptic, seemed disinterested at first. But the more time they spent together, the more intrigued she became by Serenity's vision of Eclipseclan - a place where the balance of light and dar, strength and vulnerability, was honored.

One night, when a fierce storm battered the forest, Serenity couldn't help but think of Ivory. Worried that the white she-cat might be caught in the downpour, she ventured deep into the forest. She found Ivory huddled beneath a tree, her fur soaked and her eyes dim with exhaustion. Serenity approached cautiously, knowing that pushing too hard might cause Ivory to retreat again.

But this time, Ivory didn't pull away. She watched Serenity's approach with those sharp eyes, and when Serenity sat beside her, their pelts nearly touching, she didn't flinch. Instead, after a long moment, Ivory leaned into her side, sharing her warmth and, more importantly, her trust. It was then that Serenity knew - Ivory was ready. The white she-cat would be the first to join Eclipseclan, not because she needed a clan, but because she had found something in Serenity that was worth following.

From that moment forward, Ivory became a part of Eclipseclan, though her presence was always on the fringes. She was still sharp-tongued and difficult with others, but her attitude softened around Serenity. Together, they established the foundations of the clan, with Ivory by Serenity's side, quietly supporting her vision, even if she didn't fully admit it.

As their bond grew, so did the unspoken connection between them. Serenity found herself thinking of Ivory more and more, not just as her first recruit but as a constant companion. Their silent communication deepened, using gestures and subtle movements to express feelings that went beyond mere friendship. There was warmth in the glances they shared, a closeness that others couldn't understand.

For Ivory, Serenity was more than just a leader - she was the one cat who saw her for who she was, not as a burden or challenge, but as an equal. And for Serenity, Ivory's presence was a constant source of strength, a reminder that even in the quiet, there was power.

Ivory joining Eclipseclan was more than the beginning of a clan. It marked the beginning of something personal between them - a bond that embodied the balance Serenity sought to create. Together they embodied the balance of light and dark, strength and vulnerability, sound and silence. What began as a simple offer of food and warmth had grown into something more complex, more intimate. As Ivory grew closer to Serenity, she also found herself drawn into the life of the clan - not for the other cats, but for Serenity. It wasn't just Eclipseclan she had joined; it was Serenity's world, her vision, and her heart.

Word Count: 863

[Berryy]

nvm, sorry, please ignore ;-;

[dimi.]

Username: dimi.
Storage: Riftclan
Last Patrol Post: Here
Patrol: When Moonstar was born, the winds of change were already swaying violently within the center of Riftclan. The clan was originally riddled with prejudice towards kittypets, the warriors of the clan often intimidating kittypets until they ran from the abandoned building that Riftclan calls home. However, Riftclan was in a time of strife and desperation for warriors, to the point that they had opened their clan doors to all kittypets to join and be trained as warriors. This was the turning point for Riftclan - however, when Moonstar was born, she was the first cat in over 12 moons to be born into the clan.

Immediately, she was the odd one out. She was one of the few without kittypet origins, and when others were reminiscing on those days, she was unable to contribute. Not only that, her birth was also used as an arguing point for cats among the clan to bully the previous kittypets. They were ridiculed, and the leader was repeatedly told, "if our warriors can bore children, why should we accept filth?". As Moonstar grew, this prejudice only became more noticed by her, and it was something that infuriated her. And so, upon the day she became an apprentice, she utilized her apprentice's wish to ask for a collar. Her mentor, confused, abided by the traditions, and gave her the blue collar that rests upon her neck now.


When she returned to her home with a collar, cats immediately talked. At that time, she was Moonpaw, and she would argue with the adults.

"Their background gives you no right to bully them!"

"But they're weak!" They would retort, and with a smirk, Moonpaw would reply;

"If they're weak, your compassion is even weaker."

Such a sassy remark coming from someone so young threw the adults of the clan off guard. It was this interaction that caught the attention of the deputy of the clan. That night, Moonpaw was approached by the deputy, and inquired about her reasoning.

"Why do you defend those from different backgrounds at such a young age?" He inquired.

"I don't think anyone deserves to be treated wrongly because of where they come from. It's not like you choose, right?" Moonpaw replied, visibly shrinking. It was intimidating to be questioned by someone in such a renowned position of power. But she was confident in her resolve. Nothing would convince her that any cat was inferior to another. Everyone had a right to live, and everyone had that same right to join a clan.

"That is noble for a child. Dancing on the line of conflict in defense of cats whom don't know you. I like it." The deputy replied before taking his leave. Moonpaw stood in silence for a moment, glancing around the empty room before sighing. She was assured she had made the right choice in using the collar as a statement piece. She felt united with all fronts of the clan now.

Several moons passed without incident. Moonpaw was the center of several arguments, but beyond that, her training had gone as expected. She excelled in combat and hunting, though was more combative than most would've liked - but it forced those around her to think about what they said or did before acting. And that was exactly what she wanted; up until the day of her warrior ceremony.

"Moondance will be your warrior name. In honor of your agility and adaptiveness to situations, dancing on the line of reason and danger all at the same time. Do you accept this name to be yours?" The leader of the clan would call out. Moondance, with a bow of her head, accepted the name, and soon the crowd would erupt in cheers.

-----

As the moons continued to pass, Moondance showed her prowess on the battle field, and her compassionate nature began to shine. The leader, who had fallen ill, noticed this, and his dying advising was that Moondance was to be the next deputy. She outshined any of the other warriors in the clan despite her youth.

And so, upon the leader's passing, an emergency meeting was called, where Moondance was awarded the title of deputy. Her dedication to equality within the clan and her overall talents in all warrior duties were noted, and even the cats who despised Moondance's behavior most could not deny that her resolve was undeniably one of the strongest present in the clan. And so, just like her warrior ceremony, the cats of the clan would cheer her name.

Just a few days later, Moondance was asked to go on patrol with the fresh leader. She, alongside the medicine cat, was to escort the leader to the Moonpool to receive his 9 lives. He was also wanting an opportunity to speak with Moondance to see what her goals for the clan were.

Moondance expressed her desire to expand the clan as a whole, inviting more kittypets in to foster relationships that would eventually blossom kits. The deputy admired this approach, and added on that relationships could boost the morale of the clan; the two were in agreement.

Then, the medicine cat's nose twitched, her pupils shrinking. "Fox! Get down!" Immediately the patrol dropped to their stomachs, holding their breath. The fox rounded the corner of a tree stump, his orange tail lashing and his long snout twitching. Moondance gazed in horror, glancing over at the leader. He looked at Moondance before his gaze shifted to the medicine cat.

"Get out of here. You aren't fit to fight a fox." He ordered. The medicine cat, without hesitation, took off in the opposite direction, drawing the attention of the fox. Moondance, without hesitation, rose to her paws and lunged at the fox, her paws striking it's flank and knocking it to the ground. She stood protectively between the leader and the fox, baring her teeth. Each time the fox shifted, she shifted with it, making sure the leader was behind her.

"Moondance! We can protect each other, I can fight too." The leader urged, and with a relunctant nod, Moondance stepped to the side. With a sharp breath in, the two cats moved forward. They flowed with each other's movements perfectly - each time the fox batted at one, the one in striking range would duck, and the other would strike, the fox's pelt eventually becoming torn from the various claw marks etched into it's pelt. In a fit of rage, the fox would suddenly lunge forward towards Moondance, it's jaw wide - as though it were unhinged like a snake. In a moment of instinct, the leader put himself between Moondance and the fox, being grasped into the fox's maw by his neck, and thrashed wildly. Moondance helplessly watched as the leader was thrown against a tree. Once he was released, the fox turned back to Moondance, batting at her.

Dazed by her leader's condition, the fox quickly dug into Moondance, a variety of wounds slowly pooling blood onto her gray and white pelt. In one final fit of rage, Moondance swung her paws forward wildly, her claws raking against the fox's eyes. This was enough for the fox to yelp and dart off in the other direction. With the fox gone, Moondance turned to the leader, running to his side urgently. She pressed her paw against the wound on his neck, but felt nothing.

He was gone. Just before he could receive his 9 lives, he was gone.

And with that realization, Moondance immediately passed out from the shock.

She would awake several days later in the medicine den, surrounded by members of her clan worried about her. Her entire body stung as she gazed upwards.

"I failed him." She whispered, not sure who she was talking to.

"You didn't fail anyone. Not even the most skilled cats can survive a fox all the time. You are lucky." The medicine cat chirped in response. "But... you have an undeniably hard responsibility ahead of you now."

This was the day Moondance became leader. And, upon the conclusion of her leader ceremony, she was immediately escorted to the Moonpool and given her nine lives, to ensure the same fate wouldn't fall upon her as it had her predecessor. She was riddled with grief, and once she made sure the clan was ready to assume duties, she spent the next several moons violently training. She pushed her limits, challenged every rogue that came to the borders, and in due time, her strength reached its cap. Once her training was finished, she had become far stronger, and battered by a variety of scars.

This training caused most of the clan to worry, but others appreciated her dedication. They knew she felt guilty, and empathized with her, but also assured her she needed to get on with her duties as a newly found leader. That day, she vowed to never let anyone perish under her watch again, even if it would cost her one of her 9 lives.

To this day, she still hasn't lost a life, though dreads the day she will.
Word Count: 1507

[Bluejoy14]

Username: Bluejoy14
Storage: Storage
Last Patrol Post: Link
Patrol: While exploring and figuring out where to place the herbs she had collected in her new home. She saw Branch swoop down and land beside her holding what appeared to be long dangling leaves. Badger's Feather looked at the leaves carefully unsure if it would snap when picked up. Looking back up she said, "Show me where you found this". Branch just tilted his head a little looking confused. She sighed and pointed at the leaves and then to the sky while staring at him making sure he understood this time. She knew it was going to be a while before he understood her; however, he was smart and understood what she had said. Flying up with the leaves in his beak he leads her out of camp and towards the north by the big hills. Taking her time she followed watching where she stepped so as not to fall into a hole or trip on the roots that sprung out of the ground. Looking up as she has gotten closer to where Branch wanted her to go she noticed a big clearing with a huge willow tree with leaves hanging low to the ground. Looking up to Branch where he was perched on a tree smiled and nodded with a thanks before walking towards and into the leaves in aw. Never had she seen something like this before. Walking through the leaves that moved in a swaying motion around her body giving her a warm sensation. As she was walking back out she noticed one of the leaves branches was on her and thought that it must have gotten caught on her as she walked through the willow tree. Keeping the leaves on her she looked up to Branch and singled to him with a flick of her tail while saying let’s head home. She knew that this was gonna be a good place to come relax in the sun.
Word Count: 321

[dimi.]

Patrol Results: Week of September 19th
To claim this XP, head over to Leveling and fill out the Patrol form! This experience will not be applied until you do so.

$$Space moon$$: 32 xp
Moonblaze-Angel: 62 xp
.henloimmabird.: 55 xp
KelpieMomma: 311 xp
◇ Echo ◇ 83 xp
Alizba: 60 xp
lacke: 86 xp
dimi: 150 xp
Bluejoy14: 32 xp

Posts for the week of September 27th are now open!

[ivyy.]

Username:
Storage: the abandoned order
Last Patrol Post: n/a, first post!
Patrol: -- TW: Slight gore [Blood/blisters] mentioned --

Thunder flashed as the fluffy she-cat hurried home- her kid would be expecting her soon for bed time. Beetle refused to miss bedtime, ever since the family had shown her kindness and adopted her, she vowed to return their kindness for as long as she may live. Her white paws carried her down through the rolling hills, the lights of the city far and yet blinding, she pressed on through the drizzling rain, lightning bouncing off the tall towers that her people called the "downtown". Claws digging into the moist soil, Beetle combed her way through the path of overgrown weeds and dense, sandy soil- the trees offering her a warm, familiar comfort that she was close to her peoples' home. Her home. Their home.

Racing along the path, she followed it's winding route to the towering structure, only the entrance way windows shedding any light on the front door. The mahogany wood looked as sturdy as it was- the house had been made countless moons before this family had even moved in, Beetle assumed. The brick walls coated in thick white paint offered safety from the harsh weather that could be encountered in this side of the world- Beetle had never experienced that though. Even before her family had found her in the shelter, she was born there to a mother who cared for her until she was adopted as well. Warmth was a familiar feeling to her, one she could never live without. Her mother had given her what the child of her new home gives her now- love. Unconditional love.

Lightning sounded through the trees as she broke out of the neighboring forest, it's undergrowth parting to allow her to slink through towards the entrance of the house, her heart thumping happily in her chest as she day-dreamed about the way her and her kid would be tucked in, cozy and cuddled together. The single light from the doorway-window shed light on the welcome mat, calling her into the cozy embrace of the home. Meowing loudly as she had always done, the routine was finally at it's end. Soon she'd be let in and tucked in with Ezran, keeping the young boy safe from all harm his imagination may throw at him- whether it be closet monsters or scary creatures with big teeth and claws, maybe a creature that was even scarier than her.

The door was cracked, a heavy silence washing through the usually busy house. Rain pattered harder against it's dark roof, the light offering no consolation as her mind wandered nervously. Something was different, something was wrong. Pushing the light brown door lightly with her paw, it creaked openly, echoing throughout the house. For a moment, she heard a scrambling upstairs, her tail flicking up happily as she greeted the noise back, a mew escaping her maw. Just then, she felt safe once more, happy to push away the gut feeling that the house was different today. All would be well soon.

Before she could process her surroundings, the entranceway light flickered and fell dark, leaving the house seemingly haunted with shadows. Blinking her slitted eyes through the gloom, ahead, standing at the halfway platform on top of the stairs was Ezran, hunched and... sickly. Flicking her tail, she padded slowly in his direction, noticing his odd stillness and the way his fingers, loosely held at his side, would twitch. Beetle paused and looked to her left, the opening leading to the family room where the talking box lay making it's usually jumbles of words in colors of blue and red, Ezran's father's favorite channel whatever it may be. Except the boy's father wasn't there. The talking box lay sideways on the floor, the carpet a red mess, a heavy stench lingering in the air as she devoured the scene with her curious, and now very concerned, gaze.

Something was definitely wrong, Beetle had to help Ezran find his parents. Their door would never have been left even the slightest bit open, the mother always claimed it was a "danger", a word Beetle had learned in her days of sitting in the shelter. Turning back to the staircase, Beetle released a quiet mew, hoping Ezran would right himself to come and greet her, just as he always did when the mother or father opened the door for her. Instead, he remained still, the only difference being that his twitching fingers had fallen silent. Heartbeat quickening with apprehension, Beetle began to back away, afraid of this sudden change.

Once more, she tried to retrieve his attention, meowing louder than she had earlier. Maybe he just hadn't heard her somehow. An abnormal grunt escaped the young boy's lips as he tottered slowly to the edge of the staircase, stopping when he reached the end of the platform. Before she could approach him a second time, he flew down the stairs with a sudden crash, lying still where he had horrendously tumbled and remained. His dark hair sprawled like a puddle around his head, red blisters covering his arms and legs as he twitched more and more. Frozen in place, Beetle jumped backwards only when he rapidly lifted himself and chased after her.

Horrified at the view of his disfigured self, she darted out the open door, his heavy footsteps rapidly following the black and white she-cat. A moth fluttered by as she dove in the forest's safety of the undergrowth, her heart leaping through her chest. What was wrong with him? Why had he chased her? Memories of the small games of tag reached her as she watched him totter around the front patio, blood dripping from his mouth and cuts all over him. Her vision grew dotted as she noticed a bite mark on his left calf. Something had definitely happened. The channel could just barely be heard from where she crouched in the undergrowth, unsure whether to try and help him find his parents or run off into the woods. How could she leave? Even when her boy seemed sickly?

Beetle's breath came in spastic billows, the rain still pattering in the canopy of trees overhead, Ezran now soaked in both blood and rain water as he seemed to give up his search of the feline, his mechanical movements bringing him back into the sheltered home. He made the most terrifying sounds, billowing with a voice much, much deeper and huskier than he normally had. He needed help, desperately. His disfigured face covered in blisters and bloodied... it was barely recognizable. Without thinking, her paws turned her around and carried her rapidly through the forest, blatantly ignoring the pathway she had always walked to get home. Behind her, it seemed the boy had heard, his footsteps crashing through the forest. Tears welled in the tuxedo she-cat's eyes, pain glittering in her gaze as she ran, weaving under brambles and darting between ferns.

This was no longer her home.

Her heart shattered as she tried to think clearly about what she could do to help him- what she could do to save him. Beetle's paws ached by the time she stopped, her chest heaving with the effort of running from her house and dodging in the undergrowth. She had lost the boy long before. Collapsing with exhaustion, one thought rang clearly through her rain-streaked skull and the quieting patter of the rain echoed beyond her eyes...

"I can't ever return, can I?"


Word Count: [1,240 words]