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)

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!"

"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?

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.

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.

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.

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."

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."

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!]

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]

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

"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."

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.

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.

"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.

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.

"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.

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.

"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.

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."

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.

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.

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.