EarthClan returned home triumphant, despite their loss. The real death count of the battle would only be observed once the spirits had left their bodies on earth and not a second before. Marshmumble didn't want to say goodbye to her family, but she knew she would have to do it eventually. She felt . . . confident, somehow, that everything would be okay after she left. Honeyheart would guide the clan morally. Stormstar would find a way to continue, after her absence.

She sighed and sat in the golden light of the sun, taking in its warmth. Honeyheart was nearby, exploring herbs she'd only had few chances to work with in MoonClan. She closed her eyes, feeling a nap, but stopped. She had a few more cats to see.

She looked to Honeyheart and Heatherblossom before walking over the crest of the hill. She had kits to see. (MC camp)

"We aren't apprentices anymore, Nightwhisper, you can't just off and-" She sighed, shaking her head as if to clear it. "No, I'm not going to scold you. I'm not your mother. Let's just get you cleaned up, you look... well, you look bad. Are you sure you aren't hurt?"

He shrugged, scratching some of the dirt and blood caked to his side off. “I’m not really sure. After you died, I kind of just started walking? And I don’t remember much besides falling into a hole, and waking up when Fawndapple found me.”

Silversplash's smile faltered and she stepped back. "I... that isn't a yes, Nightwhisper. What- please don't tell me you've started to run off again? Where have you been, the battle was days ago!"

He smiled. “As long as I am no longer needed, I will stay here.” He looked around, watching all the star-pelted cats come and go. “Well, you all look busy. I could use a washing, and maybe something to eat. Its...been a weird ride. I don’t remember much from the past couple days...or week or so...”

"Are you here to stay?" Silversplash purred, stepping forward to meet him for the nose-touch. The question was little more than a statement, as she saw it, his return was final and complete: how could it be anything else, after what had happened before?

The cat nodded, bowing his head. He looked....messy, tosay the least, and definitely had some scratches on him, but he at least looked safe. And happy.

Nightwhisper’s soft purr rumbled as he pressed into her. “You’re here...you’re actually here...” He looked around for a moment, and then quickl touched noses with her. “I’m so happy to see you.”

Silversplash didn't immediately notice Nightwhisper as the tom walked into the camp, but her mother, Panthergaze, did.

"Sweetie...?" Panthergaze meowed, "It looks like someone is here to see you."

Silversplash looked up and followed her mother's gaze over. Her face broke into a wide smile and she rushed toward him, a loud purr rumbling through her chest, "You've come home!" She exclaimed.

Nightwhisper faltered at the enterance to the camp. He was nervous. But it was time. Time to forgive, forget, move on, and focus on the future. And that all began here. He carefully made his way into the camp, where he found many starry cats working on the camp.

A group of ten starry she-cats had congregated in EarthClan’s camp, cleaning the moon’s debris and doing what they could to repair the neglected dens. Briarthorn oversaw the whole endeavor, directing the others and finding weak spots in their work, happy to give a helping paw where one set proved insufficient. Fawndapple, Briarthorn’s daught, and Spottedshell, Fawndapple’s daughter, worked as a pair in the nursery, clearing out the mud that had accumulated, then starting on fresh mossy nests. They were joined by Rustfeather, who shared their reddish pelts. Panthergaze, Dawnlight, and Bluesage were the largest of the crowd and worked to clear wayward branches from where they’d gotten entangled in the medicine den, as Winterstorm and Silverpool finished arranging nests in the apprentice and warriors’ dens.

Only Silversplash stood apart, drifting from one task to another. She exchanged pleasantries with these cats and while she could not help but see their obvious relation – the curve to their muzzles, their graceful builds and tall ears, the silver of her pelt mirrored as far as eight generations back – she felt detached from them. She’d been told that her roots in the clan went deep, that her many-times-great-grandmother had acted as leader when the founder’s health failed, but seeing them was another thing. These cats were history incarnate, but they all seemed so… she struggled to put her paw on it, whatever it was that made her feel suddenly overcome with shyness.

(Hi Hack! There is currently a battle going on in the EcC-SC border thread, with all of the clans participating. If you'd like to jump in, please post your characters to the Character Updates Page, then you can go ahead and jump into the battle.)

Wind whistled over the abandoned camp.

Milkypaw waited for Flankpatch beside the large tree, the scent of bird overwhelming her.

"We are the search patrol," Milfoilcloud whimpered, staring toward where Sandbreeze had disappeared under the waves. Her eyes were wide and she seemed held in place a long moment, her heart torn, before she pulled herself back to the situation. "No, the kits- let's just get the kits back and wait for the rest of the patrol to return. We can decide what to do then. Blossomstar will know what to do."

Firelight moved to go after Milfoilcloud but Jayflower stepped in front of him. She set down the kits. And shook out her soaking coat before she leaped into the frigid water and swimming toward Milfoilcloud. Jayflower may not have been an experienced swimmer like Firelight but she did have strong legs. Along with Milfoilcloud being in her clan. She needed to protect her clan-mates with her life. Her open wound on her side stung as she swam toward the other she. Once she reached the other cat she got behind her and pushed her further on land. Once the she was safe she joined her on the higher land. "Oh Starclan." She cursed. "Are you alright? We can go back to our clan and get together a big group to help find your sister." he rumbled slightly.

"Help me!" Milifoilcloud shouted up to Jayflower and Firelight, still struggling to catch up to her sister even as the cat was swept further and further away. Milfoilcloud dove under the water, biting back the sense of panic that rose in her as she blindly felt through the water, praying to StarClan that she could find her sister. She coughed and sputtered, water filling her mouth, and it was through luck alone that she happened to be battered to the shore and her claws scraped against the ground. She heaved water out of her lungs, coughing violently as muddy water slipped through her fangs.

Jayflower looked up and Milfoilcloud as she jumped into the water. She stood and walked to the shore. She froze as the she-cat's sister disappeared under the water. She lowered her head and watched Milfoilcloud struggle in the water. She waited for the she to swim back to shore. She returned to attention back to the freezing kits. She lowered her head to the kits, the sadness heavy in her. She lifted one of the kits, twisting her head and laying the kit on her shoulder. She moved to the other and lifted the kit in her mouth. Firelight sat heavily and looked down at the sight of Sandbreeze vanishing. He turned to Jayflower as she picked up the helpless kits. "Do you know your way back?" He mewed over the rain. Jayflower nodded.

Sandbreeze tried, but her exhaustion was inevitable and her paws were churning like blades of grass through thick molasses. She looked upwards at the stars before getting lost in her sister’s eyes, a sorrow mourning tainting the scene with faint nostalgia. Sandbreeze stopped paddling, breathing in to catch the air in her lungs, and then bellowed as the tide swept her out further, “Milfoil, I’m so sorry! I love you!” The water swept her under, out of view, and out of the clans.

Milfoilcloud dove into the water and paddled after her sister with as much strength as she could muster for the unfamiliar task.

"Try and get to the shore!" She sputtered as the filthy liquid filled her mouth and nose, sending her in a fit of coughs as she struggled to reach her sister.

At the sound of voices, Sandbreeze’s head tilted upwards through the slush of exhaustion, and she lifted her voice in a cry of alarm just before the heavy water reduced her to a mass of heaving limbs and frantic breaths as her paws slipped on the mossy stone, plunging her deep into the dark water. She gasped, inhaling the vaguely oily, muddy liquid, and it choked her enough to garble her cries for help. She did, however, see Milfoilcloud’s startled face as she clawed for purchase on the mud-slick logs- she thought it a cruel trick, but would do anything to delve into her sister’s dark fur. “Milly!” she cried out with a beautiful breathful of air, but her swimming skills were lackluster, and she was dragged further and further away, with no hope of rescue.

Jayflower tilted her head at kits. "The rain is really bad and we are here to take you back to your other clan-mates. And I know you guys are cold and scared but I promise I will take care of you. And when we get to safety I will let you play and run around as much as you want. Is that ok?" She laid in the cold water to get closer to the kits eye level. Her eyes soft and her voice calm.

Wonderkit flinched away from the lick. She was too scared and confused to feel safe with anyone but her brother. She blinked and shook, her teeth chattering.

“What h-h-happening?@ She stuttered.

She nodded and turned her head to Firelight. "I could take the kits. They might feel more conformable with a she-cat." She mewed and looked down at the kits. She crouched and licked one of kits. The fear in their eyes hurt her heart. They might not have been part of her clan but they were apart of an allied clan. "Sure. Tell me if you need any help with them." Firelight nudged the kits downs Jayflower.

The two kits looked around with fear in their eyes. They couldn’t understand what was happening around them. The pressed against one another and looked around, the whitmess shiwing in the little kits faces. They shivered as water plastered their pelts to their thin and underfed frames.

Ivywhispter nodded toward Tidebreaker, "Tell Blacknose he has nothing to worry about. We'll be meet you in Moonclan." She turned and followed after Heathpaw.

Tidebreaker lead his little patrol back the way they came, glancing over at Jayflower, "They'll be fine. These guys need to get dry fast."

"Alright. If we're not back by moonhigh, we're in trouble. Send a big patrol to come look for us," Heatherpaw meowed as a parting request to Tidebreaker, Ocelotstride, and Jayflower. He gathered his courage and slipped once more back into the river, this time heading westward toward their SunClan border.

Ocelotstride picked up a small kit gently and and placed it on her back, a sympathetic smile forming onto her wet muzzle. She couldn't imagine anything better when Tidebreaker spoke. "Yes, of course, they'll certainly be a lot warmer," the bengal nodded with a small purr, her tail brushing off a smudge on the kit's forehead. 'And so will we.'

Ivywhisper perked up at the sound of Marshmumble's name falling from Heatherpaw's mouth. "I'll stay and help you look for her. No offense to you Moonclanner's, but we know the territory better." She nodded toward her best friend's son.

Tidebreaker nodded in agreement, glancing sideways at Ocelotstride and Jayflower. "I'll help take the kits back. Ocelotstride and Jayflower, would you like to join me?"

"We shouldn't put the kits in more danger," Heatherpaw decided. "Three of you should go back with them, the rest of us need to keep looking for Marshmumble and her patrol. They were headed to the SunClan border, so it'll be a ways away."

Jayflower glances at Milfoilcloud. Firelight moved the small body closer to him. "I would be fine going back, but don't you guys need help?" He spoke.

Milfoilcloud followed Tidebracker back to Jayflower and the kits.

"How are they holding up?" She asked, her tone colored with worry. "We can send cats back to MoonClan right now, with them."

Tidebreaker waded through the murky water, paws pressing down on soft ground. He scrunched his nose up in distaste, wondering what creatures could be swimming around their feet right now. He glanced up at Ivywhisper, remembering her tortoiseshell pelt from when he was a kitten. Way back, during a time when his mother was alive and took them to visit Blacknose. "Ivywhisper." He smiled, taking one of the kittens from her and letting the small one right on his back.

Jayflower scanned the surroundings for movement. She noticed a two cats perched on a higher plot of land. It was a tom and a she and turned to Heatherpaw. "I see a group of two I'll go get them and tell them we are here to help." She mewed out of the rain and turned and slowly wadded in the water to the cats. When she was closer so noticed there were two kits. Her heart began to fill with anger. How could StarClan let this happen to kits?! The tom noticed her and stood. "I am Jayflower of Moon Clan. I and a group of cats are here to help." She spoke over to the rain. Firelight sighed and looked at the rescue patrol and looked down at the kits. "Thank you," He shook out his coat and looked at Ivywhisper. "What about the kits? I would help find other missing cats but Wonderkit and Briarkit are just kits." Jayflower thought for moment. "We will have to go other it with the other cats." Jayflower spoke over the rain.

Ocelotstride watched the reeds of the camp, all broken and drifting in puddles from the heavy rain that pounded against them. She looked at her muddy legs with disgust, in fact, it seemed as though she were over ankle deep in mud and water. The Bengal leaped onto a mossy log that rested in the water, and although it were slippery, she felt somewhat safer standing upon it.

(Over ten)

Heatherpaw's legs shook underneath him as he realized that they were in the camp, alongside the waterlogged apprentices' den. He picked his way carefully across the ground, his steps still uncertain, to approach the high point of the camp where the leader's den leaned next to a old stump. H e could see someone atop it and called. "Sandbreeze?"

(Hi Meri! EarthClan is currently staying with MoonClan, since their camp flooded. You can repost this in MoonClan's camp and should have more luck getting a response.)

The night darkened as the storm continued to rage on ahead, sporadic bursts of lightning sending roars of sound across the forest and silhouetting the wind-battered trees.

Within the darkness of Earthclan as the sun settled, unsettled, Saffrongaze sat in the clearing of the camp, looking up at the stars. She hoped for answers of some sort.. Others followed in her pawsteps; she glanced around to see cats praying or staring up at the silent stars. She thought the worst; has Starclan given up on them? She certainly hoped not...

Standing on her paws and a quick swish of her tail, she padded to the warriors den in hopes of catching some sleep. It'd been a while since she had a decent sleep. She prayed those dreams wouldn't come back to hunt her... Her whiskers twitched uncomfortably as she laid in her animal pelt nest.

[I usually post longer if I have a roleplay partner so this post is open for roleplay!]

In the darkness of the night and the loneliness of an abandoned EarthClan camp, the only thing to be heard was the song of the river as it overflowed its banks and steadily rose. Hours had passed since its implementing, with only a single warrior left behind; Sandbreeze, the MoonClanner too proud to return to her home in shame. She stood on the highrock, claws extended into the perilously textured stone, as water lapped up to her elbows and threatened to sweep her away. The liquid was dark and murky and scarcely transparent and Sandbreeze fearfully imagined the multitude of terrifying creatures within it, going back to the massive predatory fish she'd been told stories about as a kit, cuddled to the bosom of her mother, with Milfoilcloud and Shellstorm by her side.

She was freezing, the elements lapping at her belly and her heat, taking with it her will to hold on to her anchor. She had persisted for hours, hoping one of the aquatic EarthClanners would come for her- notice she was gone, something. Perhaps no one cares, she thought, an odd karma befitting the situation proportional to her heinous actions. She'd tried to break up couples. Manipulate young toms into providing for her when she was perfectly capable. As much as she hated it, she sobbed- the water was too fast to tread, the high-rock stone too slippery, and her own will too incapable to hold out forever. Her tears filled her with rage at being reduced to such basal emotions, and she looked up at the stars and cried out in protest, angry, but within minutes those shouts turned repentant and sorrowful, until finally they were whimpers of soft regret once more. It was an exhausting cycle. Within it all, Sandbreeze saw movement around her, imagined predators moving in on easy prey as the water still rose. She saw wolves in the floating piles of bog. She saw sharks in the logs and snakes in the vines and all matters and sorts of dead and dying things sweep by. Fraught with exhaustion, Sandbreeze dreamt or saw a squirrel sweep against her chest, its lungs filled with water and its waterlogged tail a mast. She was unable to lift a paw to push it away and was forced to sit with the disgusting thing under her chin until she'd shaken awake at a roar of thunder and found it no longer present.

"Help," a final plea, her seafoam eyes aimed up at the unforgiving and deaf stars.

Wonderkit was about to respond to Fadingpaw when Stormstar cut her off. Her pupils dilated and she screeched. Briarkit jumped up and pressed against her. Wonderkit saw Ivywhisper come toward them and backed away, though soon moved to allow herself to be picked up. Briarkit sat on her back and Wonderkit hung in her mouth. Soon another cat came along and scooped Briarkit up. Wonderkit squealed at the cat but soon stopped as she was possessed by an awful cough.

They were placed on land, trembling horrendously. They gratefully pressed against the cat that helped save them. They mewled helplessly. Worry for Fadingpaw melded with the fear of what these cats would do to them when they found out they were orphans.

Stormstar watched as the majority of the clan fled the camp, satisfied with their progress and teamwork. He plunged into the freezing cold water, paddling across the raging river. At one point, his head fell beneath the surface as he struggled to keep the tiny kit above him. The water soaked the kit and it wailed out for her mother. Stormstar powered through the current and scrabbled onto the opposite bank, dragging his own body up to safety. He looked over his shoulder at what remained of the camp. The walls had been washed away completely. It was gone. StarClan stole their home, for now. He stared down at the kit as his sides heaved to catch his breath. The tiny she-cat gazed up at him for the first time; her eyes now fully opened. Stormstar was taken aback at what he met. Tiny faintly blue eyes that appeared to be made of clouds. They looked eerily similar to the blind cat who introduced him to EarthClan so many moons ago. Blind. She is blind. The tom sighed sadly and groomed the kit to warm her before picking her up and catching up with his clan.

"We head for MoonClan. That is our safest option, and pray to StarClan that Blossomstar proves this alliance is real." Stormstar meowed wearily, taking one last glance at the camp. Suddenly he remembered Marshmumble had been out with her patrol and he made sure to leave scent markers to mark their route.

[MC Camp]

Firelight nodded to the she-cat. He didn't think of himself as a superhero of any sort. He just wanted to help, even if it meant risking his own life. He put everyone else above him. He watched the raising water closely as he spoke. "Wind and I were planning on heading to Moonclan. But now that we have the kits we will have to me more careful. Once we get to the border and find the rest of our clan we can find the mother." He sat and lifted his paw and pulled the kits toward him giving them warmth.

Ivywhisper couldn't see the feline who helped her, but she was grateful nonetheless. She swam after the tom-cat and pulled herself up onto their little safe haven. The she-cat placed the shocked kitten down and gulped in the air greedily before she spoke.

"I'm alright, thank you." Her amber eyes washed over the two cats before her, not recognizing either of them. "Give me a few minutes to catch my breath and then we can go. Moonclan is our best bet, Blacknose and the rest should already be on their way."

"Alright." Wind fell on the ground, still heaving for breath. He glanced, watching Firelight rescue some kits. "Wow, your like a superhero."

Firelight spots an she-cat with kits. He jumped into the water and swam toward his clan-mate taking the kit from her back and leading her to the dry spot. He sets down the kit in his jaws and looks at Ivywhisper. "Are you alright?" He said, making sure the kit was away from the raising water.

Firelight glanced at the other tom smiling, even though this wasn't a smiling moment, but he smiled anyway to try to calm the cat down, then back at the water surface of the water. He knew there may be more cats in need, but he also needed to take care of Wind. He though of the kits and apprentices who would be too weak to fend for themselves. "Don't worry about getting there for now, just catch breath. There may be other cats in need." He spoke calmly.

Wind shook his fur, letting small droplets fly everywhere. He heaved, trying to regain his breath. His body shook with adrenaline and felt his head spin slightly. He listened to his savior's voice, nodding. They couldn't stay here from long. "You'll have to show me the way, I'm still new at this." Since he hailed from the tribes, he didn't know much abut clans yet.

Firelight smiled knowing Wind was OK. "No need to thank me, and for a cat who almost drowned you still have a sense of humor. Looks like your gonna live." Once he got to the nearest dry patch of ground he stopped taking time to rest and to let Wind catch his breath. He looked at raising water and shook out his drenched fur. "We'll have to make our way to the Earth Clan and Moon Clan border. We can rest here for a bit but we should head to the border soon." His eyes searching the water for anyone else who might need help.

Wind coughed, gasping for air, water running down his lips as he breathed in air greedily. His eyes were bloodshot and wide, as he looked at the cat beside him. "Ha, thanks. I'm a good runner, but that doesn't do much in a flood." His voice was hoarse from the water and he was sure the other cat could hear his heart pounding.

The smoky grey she-cat gasped as Brassblaze grabbed her, his teeth suck deep into the nape of her neck. She was grateful for his help, the pain in her ankle helped her to ignore the teeth currently gripping her neck. As soon as they were far enough away from camp, the warrior released her. "Thanks." She frowned. (EaC terr chick?)

----

Thank Starclan Blacknose was an exceptional swimmer. He made his way over to heatherpaw and grabbed the smaller cat. He made sure to stick by her side as they started on their journey to Moonclan.

----

Ivywhisper some how managed to carry the two kittens by herself. One was sat on her back as she swam and the other she held by the scruff of her neck. Some how they made it through.

Firelight was swept up by the strong current, but quickly recovers. His strong legs kick, keeping his head above the water searching the water's surface. Movement draws his attention to one of his clan-mates. He swam toward the struggling cat, shoving his under the other cat's body keeping the cat's head above the water. "Are you alright?" He meowed as he swam toward higher ground. He didn't care who he was helping, for him it didn't matter as long as he was helping.

Wind of Coming Storm ears perked the moment he heard the rushing flood that was going to engulf their camp. He had dealt with similar problems at the tribe and hence they started making camp inside a cave in a mountain, so avalanches wouldn't be a problem. But he wasn't a swimmer, he hadn't been in Earthclan that long and struggled to keep his head above the water.

Smudgedstone tried to look for his brother amongst the chaos of the rushing floods that began to tear the dens away from the place they had called home. It was when he reminded himself that his brother had gone onto a patrol, did he pray that Notchedfin was safe. The bulky, fluffy Himalayan was getting older, however he tried his very best to swim through the waters.

Brassblaze scrambled to his paws as his clanmates hurried out, spotting a small shape by the apprentices den, he quickly took Darkpaw's scruff in his teeth and ran. When he caught up to the others, he let Darkpaw down. "Your sprained ankle, are you okay?"

Heatherpaw's eyes showed white with terror as the roaring rains built into a flash flood that threatened to tear their dens apart. He dashed after his clanmates, desperately searching for his mother in the crowd as chaos overtook the collection of cats. Silversplash kept her head and dove into the medicine den, grabbing as many leaves as she could between her teeth before sliding into the rising waters of the river, her paws beating against it with as much strength as she could muster in an attempt to stay with the others as they began the trek northward.

Fernpaw quickly turned her attention from Sandbreeze and turned to the panic. Her gaze was then immediately stolen by the roaring waters beginning to devour the camp. Without a thought, Fernpaw bolted after her clanmates.

A large black and white warrior was startled from his nap by a panicked yowl, his own heart racing. His golden eyes searched for the scream, a rumbling sound catching his attention. Water soaked his pelt as he scrambled inside the warriors den to wake and help any cats who needed it. "Get out now! The Camp is flooded!" His own yowl was added to the already screaming groups of cats.

Ivywhisper jolted upright as a rush of cold water fell over her. The tortoiseshell she-cat dashed from the den, flicking Blacknose's shoulder on the way out. She searched the camp for any stragglers, she took note of briarkit and wonderkit off by themselves and made a beeline toward them. "let's go little ones, we gotta move now."

Darkpaw, in her attempt to slip out of the apprentice den with the rest of the apprentices, got jostled around and sprained her ankle. She whimpered slightly, and tried her best to walk on her own.

To the northern border of the territory, snow run-off had reached it's peak. The raging waters raced down the river, bursting over the banks and soaking the earth. Stormstar lay in his den anticipating his mate's return with the apprentices. His ears flicked back and forth as a rumbling grew louder in the distance, jumping to his paws and into the camp. His eyes grew wide with horror as he watched the water rush towards the camp, ready to sweep it away in the fast current.

"Everyone, run!" he yowled as loud as possible as he scrambled to the dens to get any cats out. He reached the nursery, peering inside to see if the queen's needed help. "We need to leave, NOW," he ordered, nudging an unfamiliar white she-cat up from her sleep. He grabbed her kit gently and flicked his tail for them to follow. Cottontail raced out of camp with a last glance at Snowkit in the leader's jaws, before frantically searching through the cats for Blacknose's pelt. She had no clue where to go, so she headed north toward the only place she knew: MoonClan.

Stormstar stayed in the camp, waiting for everyone to evacuate before he left when the waters roared against the camp walls, tearing them down. Freezing cold snow melt rose above his paws, soaking his belly as he held his head high with the white kit dangling from his mouth.

"I don't think there are any..." Heatherpaw replied, casting a spare glance toward the elders' den. "Maybe Notchedfin does? He knows a lot of stuff. And he's really old."

"If she was banished from there, they might not let her back in, even if it was just too see a medicine cat. We cant predict what they might do." Gingerfall worried, "Perhaps there is a warrior or elder that may knows about herbs or healing that we could talk to?" She wondered.

Fadingpaw flinched slightly at Wonderkit's innocent, yet painful questions. She didn't want to scare the young kit but...she didn't want Wonderkit to think that twoleg places were safe. If you weren't a kittypet...it was very dangerous to live there.

Street cats weren't usually friendly, the twolegs were less than welcoming and she didn't even want to get started on all of the sickness, food shortages, or any of the predators.

On the other paw, she didn't want to scare Wonderkit.

Fadingpaw sighed.

"A twoleg place is were furless creatures live. They can be nice, but it's best to steer clear of them."

The apprentice flattened her ears a bit. She was little more than a kit when she foolishly left her brothers and yet...she remembered every gruesome detail.

"And yes. They're usually bad places. Mean cats live there and there's not much to eat."

Fadingpaw didn't know how much more to say, but she continued. there was no use in Wonderkit not knowing about something that could be dangerous.

"I saw some really bad things there."

The tabby she cat leaned her head down a bit and spoke in a lower, more serious tone.

"Promise you'll never go to one of those...okay? They aren't safe."

Wonderkit cocked her head sideways. She didn’t understand the look of worry that edged Fadingpaw’s face.

“What’s a ‘twoleg place?’” She looked genuinely confused. She only knew of the word from Briarkit and even then she didn’t know much. Briarkit was once a Kittypet, though that only lasted twenty-four hours before he was discarded. Briarkit now has a deep rooted fear of twolegs. Though, he didn’t much know that yet.

“Is that a bad place? Are you from an evil place?” Wonderkit continued to pry unknowingly.

Fadingpaw glanced at Briarkit as he slumped to the ground, snoring and asleep. The tabby apprentice couldn't help but smile a bit at the cuteness. Before she'd come here, she had never seen alive, healthy, and happy kits. And while Wonderkit and Briarkit weren't exactly healthy, they certainly were alive and...probably happy to be here at least.

Looking away from Briarkit and moving her gaze to Wonderkit, Fadingpaw nodded when the silver and striped kit began talking. She understood the appeal of the vole compared to rotten stuff.

When Wonderkit went back to eating, Fadingpaw was fully prepared to let the subject of food fall, but her ears flattened as she heard Wonderkit's question.

"I...uh..." Quietly, she cleared her throat. "No...I'm not from here."

The tabby paused. Maybe it would be best to sugar coat it...? No. There was no point in half truths.

"I got here just a bit before you did...I came from a twoleg place."

Hopefully, Wonderkit wouldn't take this the wrong way. It wasn't like she used to be a kittypet or anything.

She was a former stray, adopted into a clan for the time being.

"She said that Bloomingstar didn't like how she would speak her mind," Heatherpaw answered with characteristic sweet ignorance. "Do you think we should go get Honeypaw, then?"

"Banished her?" Gingerfall said, surprised. "This is the first i'm hearing of this." she exclaimed. She wasn't one to gossip much, nor was she to listen to any. She shook her head, "I don't really care what happened to her, but it is important that someone takes a look at her paw. You never know what could happen"

"Oh, she said that she was from there," Heatherpaw answered, the fur on the back of his neck rising in surprise as Fernpaw grumbled at him. "That they'd banished her unfairly."

Fernpaw’s whiskers twitched. “I know that!” she grumbled, “I meant why doesn’t she want help from MoonClan?”

"She hurt her paw, somehow," Heatherpaw answered Fernpaw, not in the least bit suspicious over the cat's sudden 'injury.' "And doesn't want us to go all the way to MoonClan to see if Honeypaw can take a look at it for her."

"She hurt her paw, somehow," Heatherpaw answered Fernpaw, not in the least bit suspicious over the cat's sudden 'injury.' "And doesn't want us to go all the way to MoonClan to see if Honeypaw can take a look at it for her."

Briarkit was now asleep, he had rolled onto his side to that his now tiny belly buldged slightly. Small snores came from him as he slept. Wonderkit looked up at Fadingpaw as she spoke to her.

“yeah.” She said softly, “Bether than the berries and black and rotting animals we used to eat.“ she conceded, taking another bite. She chewed a moment before turning back to her. “Are you new here too?” It was an odd question, one not to be expected from such a young kit.

Fadingpaw continued the watch at several cats talked or moved about the camp. She frowned slightly at the overwhelming smell of so many cats in one spot. Sure, the twoleg place smelled horrendous. Sure, there were lots of cats there too. The tabby looked down at Wonderkit and Briarkit. But none of the twoleg place cats smelled so strongly of one thing. One might smell like flowers and food if they lived with the twolegs while another could smell like rats and trash...no offense to those who did of course.

Fadingpaw dismissed her thoughts of smells and smiled at Wonderkit, who had moved closer as she continued to eat the vole. "I guess you like it then?" She said, referring to the fact that the younger she cat was happily eating the strips of meat.

Fadingpaw wasn't sure if it was the hunger, or the fact that vole, was undoubtedly delicious.

Sparkpaw watch as his mother led the patrol out and slipped out of camp to follow behind them.

Wonderkit purred over the delicious vole meat, subconsciously naming this her favorite, when she caught sight of something. She could see Fadingpaw stiffen at Briarkit’s touch and growled to herself. She knew it was too good to be true. This cat didn’t like them, or at least, she didn’t like Briarkit. Wonderkit moves herself against Briarkit so she could get a better look at Fadingpaw. She was nice, Wonderkit knew that, but she was nervous. Perhaps, she had dug herself too deep with the kittens? Or at least, with Briarkit, whom didn’t seem to notice Fadingpaw‘s sudden stiffness and instead, cuddled against her and began to snooze. Wonderkit rolled her eyes lovingly at her brother before consuming more vole.

Fadingpaw glanced at the uneaten remains of the vole and wondered what to do with the meat now. She wasn't feeling very hungry anymore, but maybe some of the other kits would appreciate it.

For a moment longer, the tabby apprentice tried to decide what do do with the food now that Briarkit and Wonderkit appeared to be done with it.

Suddenly, Fadingpaw felt pressure against her fur and quickly, the brown she cat visibly stiffined as she looked down at Briarkit, whom had moved to snuggle closer to her. For an instant, Fadingpaw was mad at herself for so blatantly acted like a mother to these kits. She didn't want to...confuse them.

Hesitantly, she relaxed her tense muscles and drew her fluffy tail over Briarkit.

Though she was no mother, she couldn't just push Briarkit away or get upset. It was her own fault for this and she was going to have to treat this like an adult would. Be calm, be nice, be...compassionate?

Fadingpaw looked to Wonderkit, who had not snuggled up to her, and was instead eating some more of the vole. The tabby smiled to herself at this.

She was somewhat relieved that she wouldn't have to figure out what to do with the leftovers. So, with talking to strangers off her mind, she turned her head to watch as clan life continued...somewhat calmly.

A wave of sympathy washed over her. Fernpaw turned to Gingerfall and in a whisper asked, “What happened with Sandbreeze?”

"Poor cat..." Heatherpaw replied, his own ears drooping as he watched her go. Maybe he'd gotten her all wrong, he reflected, and he'd been mean to feel all flustered and nervous around her-- the weird cold in the pit of his stomach, he told himself, was just some silliness about clans. He'd never met a MoonClanner before, but that was no reason to go feeling as they she'd attack him at any moment.

Gingerfall watched as Sandbreeze limped slowly away, tilting her head to one side in confusion. "I think she is upset" she concluded, turning to Heatherpaw. "But I don't want to go after her, I don't want to upset her more than she already is." she decided, a bit sad.

Sandbreeze felt a small growl rise, feeling Heatherpaw's concern. StarClan, he wasn't as bright as he'd seemed. "No, Heatherpaw, I don't think they would," she said, looking away. Like a scene from an emo music video, Sandbreeze's ears turned back and she limped away, head low and depressed. This emotion was real. She missed Milfoilcloud, but was also filled with spite that her sister hadn't followed her to EarthClan. Shellstorm she could understand, but Millie? Her Millie?

Marshmumble nodded to Notchedfin, Fallenpaw, and Thunderpaw. "We depart now, then," she said, turning and leading the slow-moving patrol towards the camp entrance and then out into the great beyond. (Sc-EaC border)

The white she-cat followed Blacknose to what she found to be the nursery. Cottontail inspected the den and sighed in relief to see that there was only one occupant. She winced at the idea of the tom explaining their situation to the leader. From Gatherings she knew Stormstar was a compassionate leader, but that didn't stop her from wondering how this would affect the alliance. She forced a smile to the strange queen, licked Blacknose's cheek, and picked a nest in the corner gently dropping Snowkit onto the moss as she laid down next to her. The tiny kit disappeared into her mother's fur as she began to nurse quietly. Cottontail looked to Blacknose and nodded. She wanted him to stay with her but knew he had to go inform the leader.

Blacknose pressed himself against Cottontail, making sure she didn't stumble or trip. He was afraid that she might pass out from exhaustion and took extra care in watching her movements. He encouraged the queen to follow him to the nursery where they found Ivywhisper napping. He shook his head at his best friends antics and poked the she-cat awake.

"You lazy bum, get off your tail." He chuckled, watching the tortoiseshell jump to her paws frantically. "Would you mind helping Cottontail get settled in the nursery? I have to talk to Stormstar." He pleaded with his eyes, tilting his head in the way he does when he wants something.

The she-cat narrowed her eyes at Blacknose and then glanced at Cottontail. "I'm sorry you're stuck with this mousebrain." Ivywhisper smiled at the queen and flicked her tail in a come hither motion. Blacknose bumped Ivywhisper's side at her comment.

"Will you be fine without me for a few moments?" He questioned Cottontail.

Cottontail arrived with Blacknose at the edge of camp, her paws sore from walking so far after kitting. The camp smelled just like the tom next to her: earthy and cozy. Her new home. Her heart raced at the thought of all the new faces, and having to explain herself to them. She trembled but quickly regained herself. She had to show strength despite wanting to break down as she thought of her three kits laying there in the hollow, alone. Snowkit squirmed in her mother's grip, reminding her that she had at least one life to watch over. Cottontail pressed herself against the black and white tom as she prepared to enter the strange camp with her fragile daughter.

"Gingerfall, didn't you hear?" Heatherpaw meowed, his ears drooping. "Honeypaw already left for MoonClan, so, well, we don't really have a medicine cat right now. Maybe if it's bad we should go fetch Honeypaw, but... well, Sandbreeze, I don't mean to intrude, but do you think they'd, um, that they'd be okay with treating you? You don't need to explain, of course, that's your business- how you left MoonClan, I mean. It isn't really our business. Not mine, certainly. I'm just an apprentice, after all!"

Gingerfall shook her head and smiled, "Nonsense! I thought we were putting the patrol together to show you around the territory, and we cant do that if you don't come" she explained with a laugh, "we can wait until your paw is feeling better, its no problem at all. Ill help you find the medicine cat as well" she said, already scanning the camp to see if she could spot someone.

Sandbreeze inwardly panicked, smiling sheepishly, "No, you all go right on ahead- I'll stick back here and find the medicine cat when she pops back in. I'm sure its just a sprain- I'm not used to all the pebbles in your camp is all," she backpedaled.

Gingerfall turned to face Sandbreeze, a worried expression plastered on her face, "Are you alright?" she asked noticing that she had injured her paw somehow. "You should visit the medicine cat, to make sure you are alright. We can postpone the patrol until you are feeling better." she offered, completely buying her performance.

Sandbreeze recoiled at the mention of hunting. She was quite lazy, and took a few steps towards following the potential patrol before she sucked in breath through her teeth and drew her forelimb up towards her chest. "Oh, my paw!" she said, her face a patented pout. She examined it, testing it gingerly before sucking in another breath. She'd wanted to be alone with Heatherpaw- not Fernpaw and this other warrior. "Sorry guys, I think I might have to sit this one out for today," she said with a downcast look. All an act.

Marshmumble nodded to Notchedfin, "Indeed, you're just the kind of cat we need for it too," she said, mistaking the cat for an elder with his odd, smushed face. She returned her son's affection absentmindedly, like a reflex, and regarded Fallenpaw with the same warm smile, thrilled to have her children along. She hadn't been dealing with Honeypaw's absence very well, but watching her other five kits grow into warriors brought her immense satisfaction. She did, however, fail to notice Sparkpaw off in the distance.

Gingerfall thought for a moment before responding, "Yea, that sounds like a pretty good plan" she agreed, "who else is coming along?" she asked, wanting to get everything straight before they left.

"Could we head, um, maybe south? I haven't been down that way in a while and we shouldn't have any trouble with SunClanners or EarthClanners way off near the loner borders?" Heatherpaw suggested to Gingerfall.

On the edge of camp, Fallenpaw had been washing himself all morning. The white on his paws and face nearly glowed with his over grooming. Across camp, he spotted his mother and siblings near the Elder's den and padded over to them, yellow eyes shining bright. "I"ll go with you." he offered

“I’m ready whenever you three are.” she said, getting up from her spot outside the apprentice den entrance.

She thought for a moment, "I don't think there there is anything that needs to be done, but we could possibly do some hunting if we find the chance, just because there can never be enough prey" She concluded, "but other than that, there isn't anything I can think of."

"Oh yes please do that would be wonderful!" Heatherpaw meowed all in one exhale, visibly relieved to have a few other cats along with him and Sandbreeze. "Erm, we were thinking of showing Sandbreeze around the territory? Unless there's something else that you know needs to get done?"

Gingerfall was walking to the warrior den when she overheard Fernpaw and Heatherpaw discussing a patrol. She stopped and turned towards them, "You need another warrior?" she asked, "I would be happy to come along if you need one" she offered with a friendly smile.

“I’m not sure where my mentor is,” Fernpaw mewed, following behind Heatherpaw “but it would be a good idea to bring another warrior—one that is familiar with the territory, that is.”

"Um, okay, well, um- I guess we're heading out now? We should get another warrior to go, though, I don't think Fernpaw are, um, old enough? Yeah, that we're old enough to go out alone, and since you don't know the territory... well, um, yeah. Yeah." Heatherpaw awkwardly stumbled his way through, shooting a glance to Fernpaw. "Is your mentor around?"

"What was that about a patrol?" Notchedfin asked Marshmumble. "Are you still gathering cats?"

Fernpaw stretched as she got up from the mossy nest and made her way to the clearing. Once she was outside, the young she-cat licked a paw and swiped it over an ear as she waited to hunt.

Sparkpaw hung out around the outside of the Apprentice den, eyes focused on the interaction between his mother and brother. He was such an anxious and anti-social boy that he barely even spoke to his family members. With a slight frown, he turned away from them to watch the rest of the clearing.

His eyes brightened at the mention of a patrol - he hadn't been on one yet, and nodded enthusiastically. "Yes please! I haven't had the chance to go on one yet, or to really see the territory, I'd love to go! I wouldn't mind listening to some stories either, honestly." He admitted, smiling slightly and chuckling softly as he rubbed against her affectionately.

Marshmumble turned to view Thunderpaw, a purr delighting her broad face. She'd always thought Thunderpaw to be the most handsome of her litter, the unique visage of the white that lined half of his face making his eyes appear strong and protective. She invited him in with a wave of her tail.

"I'm putting together a patrol, and was inviting the elders to come along. Would you like to come along and listen to their stories?" she said, urging him with her eyes to say yes. An elder couldn't resist a malleable mind and a lot of time to talk.

Thunderpaw, having seen his mother walking around camp asking questions, got up and followed her as she padded to the Elder's Den. "Mother, what are you doing?" He paused as she entered the den, not wanting to interrupt, but his ears flicked with curiosity and his head tilted slightly as he waited.

Marshmumble entered the elder's den, having been tasked with collecting members for her easy-going patrol around EarthClan's territory. Stormstar's gaze peaked in her mind and she wondered if he knew what he was asking when he wanted her to patrol. But she didn't mind- an outing was just what she needed, and a pressure on her belly was forming that she wondered meant that her legs were losing muscle.

She was polite as she entered, "Would anybody like to go on a walk around the border? Stormstar would like a patrol, and it's a beautiful day," she said softly to the cats inside.

Sandbreeze regarded Fernpaw with a calculating glance, seemingly deciding which mask to wear, before responding warmly to Heatherpaw.

"I'm from MoonClan- I was kicked out for speaking my mind, so I came here instead. It's much better- you EarthClan cats truly are gorgeous, you know. It's a stereotype I find to be rather true," Sandbreeze purred.

"I'd be glad to accompany you," she added.