"They...they didn't kill my sister," Ghostpaw murmured. "They tried their best to help..."
Redclaw's eyes turned glossy with grief as he watched the young tom's life slip away.
"No!" Redclaw yowled. "Not another one! Not now!" He turned his deep blue gaze to Mousefur. "Let's get them back to camp. Now."
Mousefur didn't argue. Together, the two managed to bring their fallen clanmates back to the camp. Placing them softly in the middle of the camp.
An anguished yowl came sounding from the apprentice den as Ashpaw burst out, her fire-like eyes dull as they locked onto the bodies of her siblings. "No!" She yowled as she nosed each of their bodies. The heat was already fading.
"What is with all of this yowling?!" Vanstar demanded as he stepped out of the medicine cat's den. His gaze softened once he saw the scene. "Great, StarClan!" He gasped. He walked over to Redclaw and Mousefur. "Explain."
Redclaw and Mousefur exchanged looks before Mousefur began. "Riverpaw was out on a hunting patrol with Ivyflight and Ghostpaw when they were ambushed by foxes. Riverpaw made it back to gather more warriors, but by the time Greedclaw's patrol reached the clearing it was too late. Ivyflight was dead when we arrived and Ghostpaw died on our way back. There were loners at the scene as well, Greedclaw's patrol is still there."
*~*
"You two," Greedclaw demanded as he looked at the two cats. "Come with me back to StellarClan. I'll have to take you to Vanstar."
The siblings looked at each other and nodded. "We're okay with that."
Greedclaw nodded once before looking at Smokepelt and Hawkeye. "You two check the area for any signs of foxes. If you do find any I want you to report it back to me. Do not go chasing after them yourselves. You have seen what they could do. We would need a whole patrol to chase out these murderers."
"Yes," Hawkeye meowed as she and Smokepelt disappeared into the brush; scenting for any signs of foxes.
The siblings looked at each other and nodded. "We're okay with that."
Greedclaw nodded once before looking at Smokepelt and Hawkeye. "You two check the area for any signs of foxes. If you do find any I want you to report it back to me. Do not go chasing after them yourselves. You have seen what they could do. We would need a whole patrol to chase out these murderers."
"Yes," Hawkeye meowed as she and Smokepelt disappeared into the brush; scenting for any signs of foxes.
"Let's go," Greedclaw meowed to Pebble and Sleet as he headed towards the StellarClan camp.
Once he reached the camp, he was shocked to see the Clan in such chaos. Ashpaw was at her siblings sides with Riverpaw trying to comfort her.
Sleetkit and Soulkit sat at the edge of the clearing, never tearing their gaze from the medicine cat's den and Vanstar was speaking with Redclaw and Mousefur.
"Wait here," Greedclaw ordered the loners as he padded over to his leader.
"Vanstar, those are the two cats that we ran into when we found Ivyflight and Ghostpaw," the jet black tom said.
Vanstar dismissed Redclaw and Mousefur with the flick of his tale before looking at the two strangers. "Very well," he meowed as he walked over.
After speaking with Pebble and Sleet, Vanstar leaped onto the Highstone, his head heavy with grief as he stiffly stood on top of the large stone.
"Vanstar, those are the two cats that we ran into when we found Ivyflight and Ghostpaw," the jet black tom said.
Vanstar dismissed Redclaw and Mousefur with the flick of his tale before looking at the two strangers. "Very well," he meowed as he walked over.
After speaking with Pebble and Sleet, Vanstar leaped onto the Highstone, his head heavy with grief as he stiffly stood on top of the large stone.
"It is with great sadness to have lost Ivyflight and Ghostpaw tonight. We shall sit vigil for them tonight." His gaze swept over his clan and rested on Ashpaw. His heart broke as he looked at the she-cat who had lost her only family.
"With lighter news, we welcome to warriors into StellarClan. Pebble, from now on, you will be known as Pebblesplash. Sleet, from now on, you will be known as Sleetpelt. Welcome to StellarClan."
As he leaped off of the Highstone, his clanmates gave a half-hearted congratulatory cheer for their new clanmates.
"With lighter news, we welcome to warriors into StellarClan. Pebble, from now on, you will be known as Pebblesplash. Sleet, from now on, you will be known as Sleetpelt. Welcome to StellarClan."
As he leaped off of the Highstone, his clanmates gave a half-hearted congratulatory cheer for their new clanmates.
Vanstar was about to congratulate his newest clan members, when a yowl came from the medicine cat's den and Shiningsong raced out.
"Vanstar!" She yelled, her eyes wide with terror. "Wishfeather is dead.
[This post is the saddest post I have ever written, and it has truely broken my heart. -sobs endlessly-
Warriors101 and Echo, I will have Smokepelt (who doesn't know his apprentice is dead, poor tom) and Hawkeye split up, so they can each find your cats.]
Ashpaw was numb. When she heard Vanstar announce that his mate was dead, this just made her start crying again because the kind she-cat reminded her of her now-dead sister, even if she had only spoken to Wishfeather in passing conversation. Ashpaw sank into a crouch, her tail wrapped around herself as if to hold her body together. She refused to believe that her brother and sister, the only family she had left in this world, were dead, instead persuading herself to think that they were only asleep, and that they would wake up and everything would be alright.
ReplyDeleteThough their wounds crushed that thought. She felt limp and spent. She padded up to her family and nestled herself among them, her eyes shut. I wish we'd never have come, she thought, Ivyflight's and Ghostpaw's familiar scents, now marred by blood, fear, and foxes, wafting around her.
~Ashpaw
Sleetpelt shifted around, not really knowing what to do.
~Sleetpelt
Pebblesplash gazed around the camp, getting the measure of her new surroundings.
~Pebblesplash
Mousefur turned and looked at Shiningsong in shock. It seemed Starclan had abandoned them. Death lurked at every corner for them.
ReplyDeleteBlack looked at Silver. "Nice job. Now let's get out of here!" she crouched, prepared to dart into the heavy tree over. "No way. I'm staying. Maybe these cats aren't like rouges." Silver said. Black rolled her eyes. And in supposed to be the sensible one
Sun felt the harsh tang of death wash over his tongue. It must have been those foxes. I wonder if there are any survivors. He felt the cat scent grow stronger, and he emerged into a small clearing, where he spotted two young cats. "Err... Hi." I didn't expect to see cats so soon... But their scent is different. I don't think it belongs to the other one I smelled. "Do you know of the strange cats who live here?" He questioned.
ReplyDeleteMouse kept her tail wraped around sun and lilac as they paded throught some unfamiliar surroundings.Ahead of her,her two older sons Oak and Pine were arguing.Again.She glanced back over her sholder at the quiet tom that made the rear of there little group.He'd joined them,wanting to join the clan known stellarclan just like them.She smiled gently as she spotted Heather making her way to the two arguing toms.
ReplyDeleteOak glared at Pine,he was certain they were going the wrong way."That loner told us to turn right a the stream."he mewed impaitiently.
Pine's tail tip flicked back and forth in irritation."We did turn right!"he exclaimed with exasperation.
"No we turned left!"he insisted.
Heather made her way to her two brothers,and steped imbetween them."Will you two stop,were almost there."she mewed in her soft voice.
Trout fallowed behind the she-cat known as mouse with a frown.He glanced ahead at the bickering toms,and sighed.He couldn't wait to get to the clan,maybe then he wouldn't have to hear them arguing then.He smiled hopefuly.
"Wishfeather!" Steelkit yowled, his voice pained. He watched as Vanstar dragged his mother's body into the clearing, off from Ghostpaw and Ivyflight's body. He didn't want the other cats to get sick.
ReplyDelete"No!" Greedclaw yowled as he pinned the silver tabby with a large paw. "If you go see her you'll end up getting sick as well!"
"We have to see her!" Soulkit whimpered. He was the brother that usually obeyed orders and listened, but not this didn't matter. He hadn't seen his mother in days because of the sickness, and now he wasn't even allowed to sit vigil. The two toms struggled under Greedclaw's strength, but soon all hope was given up once they realized they wouldn't be able to wriggle free.
Hawkeye looked over at her friend. "Smokepelt, let's split up. You heard what Greedclaw said. No fighting. These foxes are deadly, maybe they will head out of our territory."
Smokepelt gave Hawkeye one last nod before he whipped around and followed his trail back to where the attack had took place. His fur stood up as different cat scents entered his scent glands.
Once he placed his mate's body neatly, he flopped down and nestled into her fur, refusing to go anywhere, but her side.
[Aww, I'm torturing Steelkit and Soulkit! Dx And it's kind of sad how Vanstar is completely forgetting about his sons. Anyways, Echo, Hawkeye can find your cats and Dovewing and Warriors 101, Smokepelt can find your cats.]
Silver and Black froze, both for entirely different reasons. Black froze because she didn't want to be seen. Silver froze because she wanted to fight this new cat. Ever so slowly she crept forward, tail twitching.
ReplyDeleteSun snorted, he was at least double the size of the opposing cat. "Oh please. You, fighting me? Do you have bees in your brain?" Before the young cat could spat back an insult, he carried now. "Now I scent two of you here. Where is your friend? Maybe they'll be more sensible."
ReplyDeleteOak glared at Pine from over his sister,and Pine met his glare with one of his own.
ReplyDeleteHeather rolled her eyes but made no move to stop them.Toms are deffinetly mousebrained,she thought.
Mouse looked down at Lilac and Sun,both looked asleep on there paws.She stoped mid-step,causing Trout to bump into her.He cursed and looked at her."What did you stop for?"He asked.
Mouse looked at him."Sun and Lilac need a moment to rest,and this looks like a good spot."she explained and herded her daughters over to there older siblings.
Mouse lay down and watched them fondly as they curled up beside her.Looking up she saw that Oak and Pine had sat down and were arguing about something,and that Heather was sniffing trout's pads.Thought he seemed reculent to let her.Suddenly she pricked her ears,she could smell another cat nearby.She quickly stood up,and stood defencivly over her youngest kits at the sound of approaching footsteps.She could here sun and Lilac trying to get her attention."Hush little ones."She mewed softly,and was relieved to here them quiet down.
Oak and pine stood sholder to sholder beside trout,there pelt bristling.
Hawkeye had seperated from Smokepelt and was no following the scent of the foxes. She stopped abruptly as a new scent came to her. No, not just one scent, but many mingled together. A group of cats. She followed the scent until she came across the cats. She narrowed her eyes accusingly as she looked at the cats, but her gaze softened when it fell upon the tired looking kits.
ReplyDelete"Are you looking for StellarClan?" She asked.
Smokepelt soon spotted Sun and a younger looking she-cat. "You are in StellarClan territory," he stated. He had come just in time to hear Sun calling out to the other she-cat who seemd to be hiding.
Sun turned around to boldly face the other cat. "StellarClan? Oh, so that is what you called yourselves." He mused. I want to tell them that I have a mate with kits on the way, but I don't want to seem vulnerable...
ReplyDeleteSilver had made it to a holly bush in the clearing and had a clear view of the tom's back. He couldn't see her, but was pretty sure the cat he was talking to could see her. Black darted forward and sunk her claws in her sister's hide. Silver let out a yowl and Black drug her back to wheretheyvhad been before. "Don't you go attacking these cats! They might be able to give us a home! Don't you want that more than anything?" She asked her. Silver avoided her sister's eyes, not sure which of the many answers avaliable she should answer with. Black headed towards the holly bush in the clearing and sat down, Silver grudgingly fillowing.
ReplyDeleteMouse watched the strange she-cat cautiously,but seeing that her gaze had softened on Sun and Lilac,she decided that she wasen't a threat and noded."We are.I'm Mouse."she mewed.She glanced at the kits peeking from around her paws,"These are my kits Lilac and Sun."she mews softly,and then gesters to her two sons and oldest daughter,"That's Oak,Pine and Heather.There also my kits."she mews and smiles,as they relaxed and each noded to the she-cat at there name.Mouse turned to introduce Trout when he steped forward.
ReplyDeleteTrout looked at the she-cat,"I'm Trout.How did you know wee were looking for Stellarclan?"he asked curiously.
"Most cats that wander into our territory are usually looking for our Clan," Hawkeye explained. "It's nice to meet you all. If you would like, I can take you back to the camp. Although you should be warned. There is a great sickness going around and I can't promise you won't be effected by it."
ReplyDelete"Yes," Smokepelt meowed. "You should be warned. There are foxes in the area."
[Okay guys, I won't be here from Friday morning - Sunday evening. So, there won't be a new post until then.]
"I thought I smelled foxes... A lot of blood, too." He shook his head. Might as well cut right to the chase... He thought grudgingly. "My mate is expecting kits soon, and we need a place to stay. Will you bring us back to your...Clan?" Sun meowed.
ReplyDeleteMouse nods,"Thank-you for warning us.But we still want to go."she mews,smiling slightly as her eyes shined with worry and determination.
ReplyDeleteHeather steped forward hesitently."Do you have a healer?I know a bit about herbs and i'd love to know more.I could help him or her to,with the sick cats."she mewed softly.
Oak and Pine shared a look of pure surprise.Heather rarly spoke.
Black stood up. "Pardon me." She walked over to where Sun and Smokepelt stood. "My sister and i would also like to come."
ReplyDelete"What?! Leave me out of this!" Silver told her sister, backing away from the clearing.
Hawkeye looked at the young she-cat with relief. "That would be great! There is a sick queen in need of healing. We fear she is going to die, and she's our leader's mate," she meowed. While being out, she hadn't gotten the chance to go back to camp and learn of Ghostpaw and Wishfeather's fate.
ReplyDelete"You are all welcome." Smokepelt turned his gaze to Silver. "Fine, if you don't come you're going to be split with your sister and I'll have to chase you out. You're a loner in StellarClan's territory."
Black dipped her head in gratitude before looking at her sister. Silver bared her teeth in a silent snarl but moved closer to her sister.
ReplyDelete"She'll come." Black told Stonepelt.
Mouse looked at the she-cat sympethicaly."Who's looking after her kits while she's sick?"she asked,nudging her kits to there paws and padding over to her.
ReplyDeleteHeather blinked sadly and noded.Her eyes glowed with a quiet determination,to do her best to help them.
Oak and Pine started bickering again over wether they'd be welcomed or not.
Throut frowned but looked tawards the she-cat."Lead the way.The sooner we get there,the sooner we can be put to good use."he mewed.
Lilac and Sun darted tawards the kind she-cat,"Will there be kits for us to play with?"Sun asked hopefuly.Lilac rolled her eyes and nudged her sister."Mousebrain.Didn't you hear what she said?A queen is sick.Her kits probably won't be in any mood TO play."Lilac mewed and turned to the she-cat, her eyes glowing curiously."Will they?"she asked.
Sun dipped his head. "Thank you. I'll go fetch her." Without waiting for a reply, he whisked around to fetch his mate, appearing a few moments later with a heavily pregnant Queen.
ReplyDelete"Greetings, my name is Willow." The she-cat meowed, her voice quiet and soft, unlike her mates brisk tone.
"No one," Hawkeye meowed. "Wishfeather is the only queen in the camp right now. Her kits are alone right now, their own father won't even speak to them." She looked from the queen to her kits. "They might be, although the oldest isn't very friendly. The younger will be welcoming." She stood a little taller as she turned around and beckoned for them to follow her as she headed towards the camp.
ReplyDelete"Hello," Smokepelt dipped his head respectfully. "We should get you to the camp soon. You must be exhausted."
Mouse frowned sadly."The poor little mites."she whispered to herself,and hearded her kits closer to her as she fallowed Hawkeye.
ReplyDeleteTrout fallowed tawards the back of the group.
Heatherpaw paded after Hawkeye,smiling gently,her eye shining with quiet excitment at the prospect of learning more about herbs.
Oak and Pine continued the friendly arguing all the way back to Sellarclan's camp.