Flare did that grin again, the one he could never quite look directly at, directed this time at their descendants, to the 'soft' one, their Desolatestar. "Oh, hush. You liked my softness, plenty. Besides, we all know she gets that from my side of the family." She would have a very long time, albeit an amazing one, meeting the rest of his- no, her family."Endless-star," the sun colored tom spoke, trotting from the plains. His pelt radiated even more, his eyes fierce and glowing, yet soft and molten at the core. Goldenstar wept, colliding with his mate, and rubbing his head against hers. "My love. My star. Starclan, Endless-star, it's really you again."
Apep raced through the tall grass before skidding to a halt. His flanks heaved as he tried to catch his breath. "Daisybell!" He called out for her. He noticed his Egyptain family gathered, and joined them briefly to say hello. But his mind was focused on his lovable mate.
"Well, I've got to keep you on your toes!" Just as she softened him, Flare was no longer as suave, more earnest and sincere. She cast a grin at his family, ones she knew well and others she'd barely known before they had passed into StarClan. When he snapped at Mockingdeath, she chittered in a tittering laugh, and then licked his cheek with a purr. "Easy now, my love. This is it. We're here, again, forever. I won't ever leave you waiting again."
Desolatestar was nose to nose with a slightly larger cat. It was a Male. Gray in color. Had her markings and eyes. "Listen, Cryingwolf. I don't care that you came first. I obviously surpassed you by becoming SunClan's leader." The tan cat scoffed at him as she stuck her nose in the air in a subtle attempt to look taller than him. She was clearly in denial that her ancestor was better. She spotted a black and white cat. "You. Side with me."
"I think my son is a bit more well mannered than you. So I will side with him." Endless-star chuckled lightly. She nuzzled her son's cheek as she rested her tail on Desolatestar. "You did an excellent job leading our Clan. As did all of the leaders. I was so proud of you." She cooed as the rest of their blood kin arrived. Moonchaser tackled Mockingdeath and the two wrestled like kits. They nearly knocked her over. "Mockingdeath! Moonchaser! Please compose yourselves." Endless-star laughed. But she became distracted as Timelessnight appeared and joined her. Where was Goldenstar?
"Sorry, mom." Moonchaser meowed apologeticly as she sat up straight.
"I'm not." Mockingdeath laughed as he swatted Endless-star's ears.
"All of you stop talking." Cryingwolf growled lowly as his eyes swept the area. Where was the flaming parasite that he called his? His ears flicked backwards as a snarl began to form on his maw. His blood boiled. Was she playing tricks on him again. No, he figured out how to detect those long ago.
The moors were a dull sight to one who admired the grand things in life - forests and cities alike. To Epochstar, the rolling hills and swaying seas of grasses, kissed by the gentle embrace of the sunlight above, never lost their charm.
Flanked by generations of ancestors and descendants, Epochstar stood on the ridge at the edge of camp, gazing out into the beautiful moors. It had been too long, far too long - but something told him he needn't worry about the future of what had one been his clan. SunClan would survive, thrive - they always had. From the lifetime he'd spent with the clan, and the many more he'd spent watching over them from above, Epoch had learned many things - but if there was one thing he'd learned above all else, it was that SunClanners were more than just cats bound by allegiance - they were survivors. And no matter how strong the wind, how fierce the flood, how bloody the battle or devastating the war - they always found a way to stand back up again, and continuing putting one paw in front of the other, forging forth in the world and embracing it as it came.
Cranestar lay upon the High Stump, completely exhausted, but he knew that the clan was long from fully repairing what was lost. Even with the Starclanners where they were, the tall tom could only imagine what it would be like when they decided to leave. His pale, green gazed stared blankly ahead, lost in complete thought. The journey of taking care of his clan was long and rough, but he continued to think optimistic.
Horizonsight and Wheatspot groomed eachother, the Starclanners father and son relationship still as strong as any one would be.
She thought about it for a few moments, before politely declining. "I think I would rather stay here, just so I can help in any way that I might be able to, but ill keep that in mind for the future possibly. Its always nice to have a break sometimes" she explained with a smile.
A short laugh escaped her as she thought of all of the past SunClan leaders inside of one camp for the rest of the night. She turned and smiled at her former deputy, "Thank you, I needed that" she said, already thinking about what she would do tomorrow.
"The clan can take care of itself, for tonight. StarClan knows there are enough former leaders about, all eager to feel some old sense of authority returned," She chuckled. "Tomorrow, you can help them rebuild."
Ivysong turned to Scorchedwing, a small smile appearing on her face again at the sight of the former deputy. It felt a little weird to have a dead cat sitting next to her, talking to her, but there is a first time for everything, so she pushed the thought away. "I'm doing alright" she answered, "just... you know, a lot of stuff happened. Its a lot to take in"
"Ivysong?" Scorchedwing approached the deputy, noticing how abruptly the cat seemed to have stopped. The former deputy had a motherly bearing -strict and occasionally demanding, but warm, with clear concern- as she sat down near Ivysong. "How are you holding up...?"
Pretty and Gullypaw rearranged nests in the camp, waiting for the return of their clanmates. While Pretty hated making her family wait to see them, surrounded by so many other happy reunions, she’d been reluctant to return to the battle ground and had been made even more so by Gullypaw’s presence. It seemed unthinkable to allow such a young cat to see her own corpse.
(Welcome to the site, Frosty! SunClan is currently staying with EclipseClan in Raven's Fortress (at the SunClan-EclipseClan Border Thread -- the history page was just updated last night, so if you read the last section of that you'll be brought up to date. No SunClanners are staying in this camp.)
Abandoning the group of cats surrounding Larkfrost, Wolfsnow headed for the fresh kill pile. EclipseClan scent wreathed around it, sending bile up his throat. SunClan shared a joint camp temporarily with the other clan, though each Clan kept their distance from each other. He chose a plump juvenile rabbit from the heap of prey and settled beside a gorse bush, beginning to eat quietly as he watched Dawnshade break off from the cats and hurry to the medicine den. Wolfsnow would have guessed Veinpool had sent her for herbs had she been his apprentice.
Mintpaw peered out into camp for a moment. It was odd adjusting to clan life sometimes. For one, all the cats. But, that was kind of the point wasn't it? She held her head high and walked into camp.
Racconkit mewled in protest, though merely hung limply in her mother's jaws. Though she wondered where she was going, she didn't question it. She closed her eyes and waited to see where she would be taken. She shook as cold spiked all through her bones.
Veinpool glared at Fenstrike as she had asked him "What they can offer isn't what is important at the moment," He told her "All I'm hearing from you right now are the words 'I rather let you and your kits freeze out here in the middle of nowhere without any shelter'," the medicine cat turned his head looking at the queen for a moment before looking back at the warrior his eyes still narrowed at her "If they must really offer something in return for help then the queen can help me with herbs. I already have my paws full as it is so it will be great for me to have a short break every once awhile when working," he told Fenstrike.
"I've been told to see to the camp while they're away-" Fenstrike answered, her eyes narrowing as she regarded the she-cat. "What do you have to bring us? We don't just give out charity to whoever shows up with a handful of whelps."
She startled as Veinpool approached. "They're city cats, Veinpool. What do they have to offer our clan?"
Veinpool shook out his fur out a bit against the cold weather as he gathered the few herbs he had left ready to leave for Raven's Fortress. His eyes shifted over Fenstrike finally noticing the Rouge Queen, and he couldn't help but overhear the conversation as he worked and his blue eyes narrowed slightly at Fenstrike as he did. The medicine cat stood up taking the herbs he had to gather with him as he approached the two of them. Sitting the herbs back down he looked at the warrior "Fenstrike," He said, "Are you turning down a queen and her kits?" His voice was harsh at the warrior as he could see clearly now that the rogue queen was tired and injured.
"We don't have any prey here," Fenstrike stated the obvious- the clan's freshkill pile had been drained away with the outgoing patrol, who didn't have any reason to just let it stay and rot. She didn't feel any particular alliance with this strange loner and with the tone she was taking, Fenstrike was all the more quick to dismiss her as more trouble than she was worth. She wasn't SunClan; she wasn't Fenstrike's problem. "You're on Clan territory, you couldn't've missed our scent markers."
The she-cat felt warmer next to the strong tom and she managed a smile. "Thank you, Burdockbone." she replied formally. It felt like moons since she had been near him, and she enjoyed the tom's scent again. Despite not being well recently, it felt good to get out and get moving again. She pressed her side against his for support even though she knew she didn't need it.
Fenstrike looked up in alarm as an almost skeletal she-cat appeared over the ridge of the camp and cursed herself for not smelling her coming. A thick city-scent hung over her, nearly causing Fenstrike to wrinkle up her nose as she started toward the cat. "Who are you?" She demanded. With the rest of the clan gone to the border, she was alone in the camp, where she'd been waiting for a patrol to return at Cranestrike's order.
Tulipkit let out loud squeals, much like kittens do when they’re first born. She was hungry, and wanted to suckle until her belly was full. Of course she was overcome with fatigue as well, being a drug baby. She didn’t have much in her yet, but would later in life. She would be just fine.
Speckle crested the hill of SunClan's camp slowly, limping with all four legs, and stiffly grumbled at her kittens as they all hung by their scruffs from her jaws. One of them trailed the ground, picking up burrs and thorns in her hindquarters, but Speckle could not be bothered to pick up her neck- her entire torso ached from walking, and her body was covered in the marks and bruises of abuse. She was a stranger to the camp and smelled of the city- and though she knew she was taking a bold risk in coming to SunClan, she hoped few would remember her, and anybody who did would take the safety of her kits over the threat she posed.
But she was in a sorry state- thirst and hunger were making her totter to either side as she waited to be accosted at the top of the hill, and in a dramatic flair, the skeletal gray and tan she-cat dropped her kittens, which tumbled down the hill like brightly colored snowballs.
She quickly followed, rolling right along after them.
Dawnshade had been sick with a cough for nearly half a moon it seemed, but finally she had reached a break in the illness as gained enough energy to get up and stretch her legs. She lay out on a dry patch of earth, grooming her dirty fur in the crisp air of late leaf-bare .She stretched her paws out; her muscles sore from not being used in too long. Once she had finished cleaning herself, she padded up to Burdockbone, happy to see the tom in good health. "What's happening? Have I slept through something?" she wondered with a foggy mind.
Cranestar felt his long legs trudge forward as he reached the camp, he was exhausted and clearly the journey back was rough and a pain in any cat's tail. His pale, green eyes turned to Burdockbone and Veinpool and he greeting them with a nod. "An argument was about happen, however Fencestar fell and had her kits. I believed she lost a life as well, that's exactly when it ended." He meowed in a low voice, his stoic expression remained unchanging. The tall chausie's ears flicked slightly as he spoke. "Burdockbone, do you mind preparing the injured and sick?"
Dottie watched the cats pour into the open camp, their paw steps crunching against the snow. The molly smiled when she saw her tiny daughter run amongst the group. The queen couldn't believe that she'd have another set of paws, it certainly wasn't hard to tell now.
Pippa alongside the group, yawning out of exhaustion. "Gee, I'uh could sleep fo' moons!" She meowed with a small chuckle to whoever was around her.
Ravenblood head out camp along Sunstrike and Pretty ready to catch some prey she might come across out in the territory as she padded along side the other warrior. (SC Territory)
Veinpool watched as a patrol had headed off out of camp before then watching the cats from the gathering came back into camp. He noticed a lot of the cats that had went to the gathering looked exhausted and he wondered what happened there seeing as he wasn't able to join them to Hawk's tree this time.
"Yay!" Pretty meowed and fell in step with the rest of the patrol as they began to head out, falling back to stay next to the other apprentice.
"Have you been out in the territory much?" She asked. [SC Terr]
As the patrol headed out, Fenstrike and the rest of the gathering patrol returned to the camp. No sooner had she entered the clearing than she nearly collapsed into her nest, too exhausted with the long night and trek to Hawk's Tree and back to consider the night's events in any sort of detail.
(I have to apologise for the intro of my new character being this long! Feel free to skim over it or read just the last 2 paragraphs if it is too much. I would also like to say I am looking forward to start my RPing journey with you all. ^_^)
Rumblepaw was lying in a small patch of dried leaves and grass near the edge of camp (it was her own makeshift nest, if you will). The words of the Clan's Leader were still echoing through her head as she attempted to process them. As a kit, she wasn't kept up-to-date on the very important issues and affairs of the Clan. Now that she was an Apprentice, however, she was a large paw-step closer to becoming a noble and wise Warrior, meaning she had much more responsibility today than she'd had only yesterday.
What stood out in her thoughts most while thinking on what Cranestar had said was his mentioning that everyone in the Clan was his family. That made her happy. Family was important to Rumblepaw, and she felt the very same way her Leader did. She didn't have a mother or a father to look up to, but she had others: the strong and honest and kind Warriors of SunClan. She didn't understand everything, but she trusted Cranestar above all else. If he thought another Clan should be accepted into their own, she was fine with it.
Nodding decisively to herself, she stood and shook the grass from her dusty-brown, tabby pelt. SunClan was her home, and it meant more to her than anything to be able to defend and take care of it. So, she could think of no reason not to immediately start learning everything she could about her role and duties. And, just as she began to think of anything to do, she heard Pretty's voice calling out. "...We're gonna go hunting!"
Rumblepaw's ears perked up, and she looked around until she spotted the she-cat talking to two Warriors. All at once the group seemed somewhat intimidating. Even so, she stepped a bit closer to listen in on the conversation, and overheard one of the cats speaking: "All cats should know when they're becoming a Warrior that they should help their fellow Clanmates in any way possible..." A smile crossed her lips and her tail twitched happily. She couldn't agree more with the Warrior's statement.
The rest of the conversation was lost on her as a rush of newfound confidence swept through her and she bounded over to Ravenblood, Sunstripe, and Pretty. Feeling as though she was interrupting, Rumblepaw shifted on her paws and spoke softly, "Could I... come, too?"
"I know you mean any disrespect," Ravenblood told the young she-cat "You were just trying to help out, and that's good. All cats should know when they're becoming a warrior that they should help their fellow clanmates anyway possible and I can tell that your going to become a fine warrior," Ravenblood gave a small smile towards Pretty "So I'll help you now by coming along with you both on the patrol. Three cats are usually enough for patrol so I think our best bet will be hunting at the Abandoned barn since some of the prey will be looking for shelter and warmth," She told the two of them.
Veinpool looked around one final time around camp not paying mind to the cats that greeted him. The old medicine cat sighed sadly in realization at the fact that he had no apprentice anymore or anyone to help him. It seemed that every cat he was to teach had left the clan and he was starting to think that by the time he left for Starclan there be on one to care for Sunclan anymore.
Ravenblood's black fur was fluffed up a bit against the cold with as she heard her name called. The she-cat got off the grass and made her way off to where Pretty and Sunstrike were at "Yeah I'll come along with you two." She told them. Ravenblood looked at Pretty as they were the one gathering the hunting patrol "Aren't you an apprentice?" She asked them.
"No, I just became an apprentice." Pretty answered. She leaned forward, trying to get a better view over the clumps of dormant grass across their territory. "Do you know what they're like?"
Veinpool watched as Cranestar had leaped off the Highstump and lead cats to Hawk's tree. The old medicine cat decided to stay at camp this gathering to take care of the remaining herbs he had so he would be prepared for the journey to Raven's fortress once Sunclan and EclipseClan started moving the sick and injured.
Sunstripe sat in the clearing his paws shifting as he licked his fur, moving into the warriors den to see if anyone was still in there. "Hello?"Anyone in here?" he asked sitting at the entrance and waiting for a reply.
The thin reddish furred she-cat stood, her joints popping in several places as she did so. She'd been agile in her youth, but as she continued to grow old it seemed her body complained about every little thing she did. Eating was a struggle, anything she swallowed just came right back up. It was a curious symptom, but seeing as nothing else really went right with her life she shrugged it off. The smell of rabbit causing her queasiness to increase ten fold. Shaking herself firmly, Robinflame followed after Cranestar.
Cranestar looked over the cats whom surrounded him, his face stern, yet somehow filled with a certain calm warmth. His pale green gaze looked over each and every one of them as he explained to his clanmates what had been happening. "As some of you may have found out, Fencestar had come to us asking for an alliance. I have agreed to this due to the recent actions of both EarthClan and MoonClan. Those clans are strong, but we must not let them pulls us apart. You are all my family and I wouldn't do this if I thought that it wouldn't help us continue to thrive. After the gathering, Eclipseclan and ours will coexist. We will be allowed to travel to their camp as they will to ours, send out larger patrols, and all sick and injured cats will go to Raven's Fortress where herbs and our medicine cats will be." Moving on easily to a different subject, the Chausie didn't let it settle for very long. "It is time that we must travel to the Gathering, those who are well enough for the short journey, follow me, we don't have time to waste." Cranestar dismissed the meeting then leaped off the stump and led the clan to Hawk's Tree. ( To the Gathering Thread)
Pippa wasn't very surprised at the news, however she was excited for her first gathering. With a bright smile, the molly followed Cranestar. (Gathering thread)
Dottie decided that it would be best for her to stay and not travel far. She gave Noah a light lick on his ear, wondering what he'd decide to do.
"Here we go..." Fenstrike muttered under her breath and got up to her paws to join them, Burdockbone taking up a seat beside her and whispering, "Isn't it the full moon...?"
"Oh, yeah it is." Fenstrike blinked. "Do you think we're attending the gathering?"
"I imagine it depends on what Fencestar is doing, all things considered..."
Cranestar dipped his head in agreement with the molly's words, then soon watched her leave. The muscular tom knew that the gathering would come soon as well, so with a leap onto Highstump, he called out to his clan. "Let all cats old enough to run to the hills and back join me for a clan meeting, we've got much to discuss!"
Pippa was just about to answer Thunderpaw when she heard the leader's voice ring out. "Looks like we'll have to stay here for now," she whispered softly.
After Fencestar's confession, her and Cranestar began to converse privately. The words were tense, with Fencestar knowing that the implications of this deal would be felt for moons to come. She also knew that, if Cranestar ordered it, her body would be bashed against the rocks of the river come daybreak. Cranestar was physically much larger than her and in a much better shape to fight in- kits made for a rough battle.
But the speech was made, and the two cats raised their voices in finality, just as the sun began to rise.
"So, it's agreed?" Fencestar spoke, "We'll combine our borders, and merge a camp for the sick and injured at Raven's Fortress, where both of our medicine cats will work towards healing, while warriors from EclipseClan will be welcome to bed here, and warriors from SunClan will be welcome to find warmth in our camp. We will combine our resources to fight the oncoming threats both our clans face- to help us defend against the rogues and MoonClan, and yourself with EarthClan. And we agree to hold this agreement until we both consent to end it?"
She looked towards the chausie who towered over her, knowing it was in his full rights to refuse- but they'd been talking intently for hours. There was nothing left to be said- she hoped.
"Do you know what that's about?" Fenstrike murmured to Eveningbird and Dovewhisper, gathering with a clump of other warriors in the camp. She nodded toward Fencestar and Cranestar, barely recognizing the EclipseClan leader from the one gathering she'd attended as a young apprentice.
Fencestar grew softly envious of the way Cranestar’s warriors surrounded him protectively like a forest of guardians. Had this been a meeting in her own camp, she was certain it would dissolve itself into an encounter of fear on her comrade’s habits of approaching outsiders like a thousand rats, ready to pounce. Hungry ones.
if she had any warriors to spare, that was. EclipseClan was running rather low on members as it stood.
She warmly beamed to Veinpool, missing the warning scold of his words completely amid her own cushioned worldview. She was happy to help.
She lowered her voice now, knowing privacy was fleeting, but did so that only Veinpool and Cranestar would hear. Her voice was velvet-smooth and tinted with dark anger, fitting of Cranestar’s growling outburst.
”Dont trouble yourself with concerns over my tail. MoonClan is the real enemy, and if I may be so bold as to tell you my clan has not been immune to their arrogant attacks. I’ve come alone- I have no warriors to spare. but if I may continue, with this meeting it is my hope that we can come to a conclusion that results in more than herbs being shared between our two clans. I want alliance.” Fencestar bared her cards for the cats to view, Shamelessly and with vulnerability. The only thing protecting her was the fact of her pregnancy coupled with SunClan’s rumored adherance to a code of honor.
Burdockbone dipped his head to his leader and started heading toward the territory, expecting Archpaw to follow. He glanced back at them, curious despite himself over what the conversation could hold, before crossing over the lip of the camp and into the territory. [SC Terr]
Pippa grabbed a young wren then lay beside Thunderpaw, beginning to pluck at the feathers of the bird as they spoke. "Yeah! We should do it again, excep' maybe I'uh will catch somethin' small instead of a cat," the tiny molly giggled, reminding herself that she pounced on the EclipseClanner's tail.
"Take Pretty with you!" Burdockbone called after Silverpaw as she ran off. Pretty's ears pricked forward and she started off after Silverpaw, despite having little idea of what was going on.
"Wait up!" She called as she tore after the other apprentice, catching up as quickly as she could on her stubbier legs.
Burdockbone gave an amused sigh, enjoying Silverpaw's enthusiasm even has he was exasperated by her lack of caution or thought. "Ready to head out?" He asked Archpaw.
Flare did that grin again, the one he could never quite look directly at, directed this time at their descendants, to the 'soft' one, their Desolatestar. "Oh, hush. You liked my softness, plenty. Besides, we all know she gets that from my side of the family." She would have a very long time, albeit an amazing one, meeting the rest of his- no, her family. "Endless-star," the sun colored tom spoke, trotting from the plains. His pelt radiated even more, his eyes fierce and glowing, yet soft and molten at the core. Goldenstar wept, colliding with his mate, and rubbing his head against hers. "My love. My star. Starclan, Endless-star, it's really you again."
Apep raced through the tall grass before skidding to a halt. His flanks heaved as he tried to catch his breath. "Daisybell!" He called out for her. He noticed his Egyptain family gathered, and joined them briefly to say hello. But his mind was focused on his lovable mate.
"Well, I've got to keep you on your toes!" Just as she softened him, Flare was no longer as suave, more earnest and sincere. She cast a grin at his family, ones she knew well and others she'd barely known before they had passed into StarClan. When he snapped at Mockingdeath, she chittered in a tittering laugh, and then licked his cheek with a purr. "Easy now, my love. This is it. We're here, again, forever. I won't ever leave you waiting again."
Desolatestar was nose to nose with a slightly larger cat. It was a Male. Gray in color. Had her markings and eyes. "Listen, Cryingwolf. I don't care that you came first. I obviously surpassed you by becoming SunClan's leader." The tan cat scoffed at him as she stuck her nose in the air in a subtle attempt to look taller than him. She was clearly in denial that her ancestor was better. She spotted a black and white cat. "You. Side with me."
"I think my son is a bit more well mannered than you. So I will side with him." Endless-star chuckled lightly. She nuzzled her son's cheek as she rested her tail on Desolatestar. "You did an excellent job leading our Clan. As did all of the leaders. I was so proud of you." She cooed as the rest of their blood kin arrived. Moonchaser tackled Mockingdeath and the two wrestled like kits. They nearly knocked her over. "Mockingdeath! Moonchaser! Please compose yourselves." Endless-star laughed. But she became distracted as Timelessnight appeared and joined her. Where was Goldenstar?
"Sorry, mom." Moonchaser meowed apologeticly as she sat up straight.
"I'm not." Mockingdeath laughed as he swatted Endless-star's ears.
"All of you stop talking." Cryingwolf growled lowly as his eyes swept the area. Where was the flaming parasite that he called his? His ears flicked backwards as a snarl began to form on his maw. His blood boiled. Was she playing tricks on him again. No, he figured out how to detect those long ago.
The moors were a dull sight to one who admired the grand things in life - forests and cities alike. To Epochstar, the rolling hills and swaying seas of grasses, kissed by the gentle embrace of the sunlight above, never lost their charm.
Flanked by generations of ancestors and descendants, Epochstar stood on the ridge at the edge of camp, gazing out into the beautiful moors. It had been too long, far too long - but something told him he needn't worry about the future of what had one been his clan. SunClan would survive, thrive - they always had. From the lifetime he'd spent with the clan, and the many more he'd spent watching over them from above, Epoch had learned many things - but if there was one thing he'd learned above all else, it was that SunClanners were more than just cats bound by allegiance - they were survivors. And no matter how strong the wind, how fierce the flood, how bloody the battle or devastating the war - they always found a way to stand back up again, and continuing putting one paw in front of the other, forging forth in the world and embracing it as it came.
Cranestar lay upon the High Stump, completely exhausted, but he knew that the clan was long from fully repairing what was lost. Even with the Starclanners where they were, the tall tom could only imagine what it would be like when they decided to leave. His pale, green gazed stared blankly ahead, lost in complete thought. The journey of taking care of his clan was long and rough, but he continued to think optimistic.
Horizonsight and Wheatspot groomed eachother, the Starclanners father and son relationship still as strong as any one would be.
She thought about it for a few moments, before politely declining. "I think I would rather stay here, just so I can help in any way that I might be able to, but ill keep that in mind for the future possibly. Its always nice to have a break sometimes" she explained with a smile.
A short laugh escaped her as she thought of all of the past SunClan leaders inside of one camp for the rest of the night. She turned and smiled at her former deputy, "Thank you, I needed that" she said, already thinking about what she would do tomorrow.
Scorchedwings nodded, understanding.
"The clan can take care of itself, for tonight. StarClan knows there are enough former leaders about, all eager to feel some old sense of authority returned," She chuckled. "Tomorrow, you can help them rebuild."
Ivysong turned to Scorchedwing, a small smile appearing on her face again at the sight of the former deputy. It felt a little weird to have a dead cat sitting next to her, talking to her, but there is a first time for everything, so she pushed the thought away. "I'm doing alright" she answered, "just... you know, a lot of stuff happened. Its a lot to take in"
"Ivysong?" Scorchedwing approached the deputy, noticing how abruptly the cat seemed to have stopped. The former deputy had a motherly bearing -strict and occasionally demanding, but warm, with clear concern- as she sat down near Ivysong. "How are you holding up...?"
Pretty and Gullypaw rearranged nests in the camp, waiting for the return of their clanmates. While Pretty hated making her family wait to see them, surrounded by so many other happy reunions, she’d been reluctant to return to the battle ground and had been made even more so by Gullypaw’s presence. It seemed unthinkable to allow such a young cat to see her own corpse.
(Welcome to the site, Frosty! SunClan is currently staying with EclipseClan in Raven's Fortress (at the SunClan-EclipseClan Border Thread -- the history page was just updated last night, so if you read the last section of that you'll be brought up to date. No SunClanners are staying in this camp.)
Puddles collected in the empty camp.
Abandoning the group of cats surrounding Larkfrost, Wolfsnow headed for the fresh kill pile. EclipseClan scent wreathed around it, sending bile up his throat. SunClan shared a joint camp temporarily with the other clan, though each Clan kept their distance from each other. He chose a plump juvenile rabbit from the heap of prey and settled beside a gorse bush, beginning to eat quietly as he watched Dawnshade break off from the cats and hurry to the medicine den. Wolfsnow would have guessed Veinpool had sent her for herbs had she been his apprentice.
(Hi Cherry! All of SunClan is currently staying in a joint camp with EclipseClan, which you can find on the SunClan-EclipseClan Border Thread)
The humid new-leaf breeze whistled across the camp.
Mintpaw peered out into camp for a moment. It was odd adjusting to clan life sometimes. For one, all the cats. But, that was kind of the point wasn't it? She held her head high and walked into camp.
Racconkit mewled in protest, though merely hung limply in her mother's jaws. Though she wondered where she was going, she didn't question it. She closed her eyes and waited to see where she would be taken. She shook as cold spiked all through her bones.
Fenstrike looked away, pointedly returning to watching over the camp as she'd been instructed. Jeez, they've been out a while. She thought.
Veinpool glared at Fenstrike as she had asked him "What they can offer isn't what is important at the moment," He told her "All I'm hearing from you right now are the words 'I rather let you and your kits freeze out here in the middle of nowhere without any shelter'," the medicine cat turned his head looking at the queen for a moment before looking back at the warrior his eyes still narrowed at her "If they must really offer something in return for help then the queen can help me with herbs. I already have my paws full as it is so it will be great for me to have a short break every once awhile when working," he told Fenstrike.
"I've been told to see to the camp while they're away-" Fenstrike answered, her eyes narrowing as she regarded the she-cat. "What do you have to bring us? We don't just give out charity to whoever shows up with a handful of whelps."
She startled as Veinpool approached. "They're city cats, Veinpool. What do they have to offer our clan?"
Veinpool shook out his fur out a bit against the cold weather as he gathered the few herbs he had left ready to leave for Raven's Fortress. His eyes shifted over Fenstrike finally noticing the Rouge Queen, and he couldn't help but overhear the conversation as he worked and his blue eyes narrowed slightly at Fenstrike as he did. The medicine cat stood up taking the herbs he had to gather with him as he approached the two of them. Sitting the herbs back down he looked at the warrior "Fenstrike," He said, "Are you turning down a queen and her kits?" His voice was harsh at the warrior as he could see clearly now that the rogue queen was tired and injured.
"We don't have any prey here," Fenstrike stated the obvious- the clan's freshkill pile had been drained away with the outgoing patrol, who didn't have any reason to just let it stay and rot. She didn't feel any particular alliance with this strange loner and with the tone she was taking, Fenstrike was all the more quick to dismiss her as more trouble than she was worth. She wasn't SunClan; she wasn't Fenstrike's problem. "You're on Clan territory, you couldn't've missed our scent markers."
The she-cat felt warmer next to the strong tom and she managed a smile. "Thank you, Burdockbone." she replied formally. It felt like moons since she had been near him, and she enjoyed the tom's scent again. Despite not being well recently, it felt good to get out and get moving again. She pressed her side against his for support even though she knew she didn't need it.
Fenstrike looked up in alarm as an almost skeletal she-cat appeared over the ridge of the camp and cursed herself for not smelling her coming. A thick city-scent hung over her, nearly causing Fenstrike to wrinkle up her nose as she started toward the cat. "Who are you?" She demanded. With the rest of the clan gone to the border, she was alone in the camp, where she'd been waiting for a patrol to return at Cranestrike's order.
Tulipkit let out loud squeals, much like kittens do when they’re first born. She was hungry, and wanted to suckle until her belly was full. Of course she was overcome with fatigue as well, being a drug baby. She didn’t have much in her yet, but would later in life. She would be just fine.
Speckle crested the hill of SunClan's camp slowly, limping with all four legs, and stiffly grumbled at her kittens as they all hung by their scruffs from her jaws. One of them trailed the ground, picking up burrs and thorns in her hindquarters, but Speckle could not be bothered to pick up her neck- her entire torso ached from walking, and her body was covered in the marks and bruises of abuse. She was a stranger to the camp and smelled of the city- and though she knew she was taking a bold risk in coming to SunClan, she hoped few would remember her, and anybody who did would take the safety of her kits over the threat she posed.
But she was in a sorry state- thirst and hunger were making her totter to either side as she waited to be accosted at the top of the hill, and in a dramatic flair, the skeletal gray and tan she-cat dropped her kittens, which tumbled down the hill like brightly colored snowballs.
She quickly followed, rolling right along after them.
Dawnshade had been sick with a cough for nearly half a moon it seemed, but finally she had reached a break in the illness as gained enough energy to get up and stretch her legs. She lay out on a dry patch of earth, grooming her dirty fur in the crisp air of late leaf-bare .She stretched her paws out; her muscles sore from not being used in too long. Once she had finished cleaning herself, she padded up to Burdockbone, happy to see the tom in good health. "What's happening? Have I slept through something?" she wondered with a foggy mind.
Cranestar felt his long legs trudge forward as he reached the camp, he was exhausted and clearly the journey back was rough and a pain in any cat's tail. His pale, green eyes turned to Burdockbone and Veinpool and he greeting them with a nod. "An argument was about happen, however Fencestar fell and had her kits. I believed she lost a life as well, that's exactly when it ended." He meowed in a low voice, his stoic expression remained unchanging. The tall chausie's ears flicked slightly as he spoke. "Burdockbone, do you mind preparing the injured and sick?"
Dottie watched the cats pour into the open camp, their paw steps crunching against the snow. The molly smiled when she saw her tiny daughter run amongst the group. The queen couldn't believe that she'd have another set of paws, it certainly wasn't hard to tell now.
Pippa alongside the group, yawning out of exhaustion. "Gee, I'uh could sleep fo' moons!" She meowed with a small chuckle to whoever was around her.
Ravenblood head out camp along Sunstrike and Pretty ready to catch some prey she might come across out in the territory as she padded along side the other warrior. (SC Territory)
Veinpool watched as a patrol had headed off out of camp before then watching the cats from the gathering came back into camp. He noticed a lot of the cats that had went to the gathering looked exhausted and he wondered what happened there seeing as he wasn't able to join them to Hawk's tree this time.
"Yay!" Pretty meowed and fell in step with the rest of the patrol as they began to head out, falling back to stay next to the other apprentice.
"Have you been out in the territory much?" She asked. [SC Terr]
As the patrol headed out, Fenstrike and the rest of the gathering patrol returned to the camp. No sooner had she entered the clearing than she nearly collapsed into her nest, too exhausted with the long night and trek to Hawk's Tree and back to consider the night's events in any sort of detail.
(I have to apologise for the intro of my new character being this long! Feel free to skim over it or read just the last 2 paragraphs if it is too much. I would also like to say I am looking forward to start my RPing journey with you all. ^_^)
Rumblepaw was lying in a small patch of dried leaves and grass near the edge of camp (it was her own makeshift nest, if you will). The words of the Clan's Leader were still echoing through her head as she attempted to process them. As a kit, she wasn't kept up-to-date on the very important issues and affairs of the Clan. Now that she was an Apprentice, however, she was a large paw-step closer to becoming a noble and wise Warrior, meaning she had much more responsibility today than she'd had only yesterday.
What stood out in her thoughts most while thinking on what Cranestar had said was his mentioning that everyone in the Clan was his family. That made her happy. Family was important to Rumblepaw, and she felt the very same way her Leader did. She didn't have a mother or a father to look up to, but she had others: the strong and honest and kind Warriors of SunClan. She didn't understand everything, but she trusted Cranestar above all else. If he thought another Clan should be accepted into their own, she was fine with it.
Nodding decisively to herself, she stood and shook the grass from her dusty-brown, tabby pelt. SunClan was her home, and it meant more to her than anything to be able to defend and take care of it. So, she could think of no reason not to immediately start learning everything she could about her role and duties. And, just as she began to think of anything to do, she heard Pretty's voice calling out. "...We're gonna go hunting!"
Rumblepaw's ears perked up, and she looked around until she spotted the she-cat talking to two Warriors. All at once the group seemed somewhat intimidating. Even so, she stepped a bit closer to listen in on the conversation, and overheard one of the cats speaking: "All cats should know when they're becoming a Warrior that they should help their fellow Clanmates in any way possible..." A smile crossed her lips and her tail twitched happily. She couldn't agree more with the Warrior's statement.
The rest of the conversation was lost on her as a rush of newfound confidence swept through her and she bounded over to Ravenblood, Sunstripe, and Pretty. Feeling as though she was interrupting, Rumblepaw shifted on her paws and spoke softly, "Could I... come, too?"
Pretty gave Ravenblood a polite dip of her head as she was praised, trying not to ruin it further by saying the wrong thing.
"That seems smart, but, uh, where is the Abandoned Barn? I don't think I've been there before," Pretty asked.
"I know you mean any disrespect," Ravenblood told the young she-cat "You were just trying to help out, and that's good. All cats should know when they're becoming a warrior that they should help their fellow clanmates anyway possible and I can tell that your going to become a fine warrior," Ravenblood gave a small smile towards Pretty "So I'll help you now by coming along with you both on the patrol. Three cats are usually enough for patrol so I think our best bet will be hunting at the Abandoned barn since some of the prey will be looking for shelter and warmth," She told the two of them.
Veinpool looked around one final time around camp not paying mind to the cats that greeted him. The old medicine cat sighed sadly in realization at the fact that he had no apprentice anymore or anyone to help him. It seemed that every cat he was to teach had left the clan and he was starting to think that by the time he left for Starclan there be on one to care for Sunclan anymore.
Ravenblood's black fur was fluffed up a bit against the cold with as she heard her name called. The she-cat got off the grass and made her way off to where Pretty and Sunstrike were at "Yeah I'll come along with you two." She told them. Ravenblood looked at Pretty as they were the one gathering the hunting patrol "Aren't you an apprentice?" She asked them.
"Sure, wanna go on a hunt?" Sunstrike asked looking to the she cta.
"No, I just became an apprentice." Pretty answered. She leaned forward, trying to get a better view over the clumps of dormant grass across their territory. "Do you know what they're like?"
"No now that I think of it I don't suppose so." the tom thought for a moment "Have you?"
The tom looked to Pretty as she dipped her head, "No, there isn't a need for that." he sat beside her and watched as the cats left for the gathering.
Veinpool watched as Cranestar had leaped off the Highstump and lead cats to Hawk's tree. The old medicine cat decided to stay at camp this gathering to take care of the remaining herbs he had so he would be prepared for the journey to Raven's fortress once Sunclan and EclipseClan started moving the sick and injured.
Sunstripe sat in the clearing his paws shifting as he licked his fur, moving into the warriors den to see if anyone was still in there. "Hello?"Anyone in here?" he asked sitting at the entrance and waiting for a reply.
The thin reddish furred she-cat stood, her joints popping in several places as she did so. She'd been agile in her youth, but as she continued to grow old it seemed her body complained about every little thing she did. Eating was a struggle, anything she swallowed just came right back up. It was a curious symptom, but seeing as nothing else really went right with her life she shrugged it off. The smell of rabbit causing her queasiness to increase ten fold. Shaking herself firmly, Robinflame followed after Cranestar.
Cranestar looked over the cats whom surrounded him, his face stern, yet somehow filled with a certain calm warmth. His pale green gaze looked over each and every one of them as he explained to his clanmates what had been happening. "As some of you may have found out, Fencestar had come to us asking for an alliance. I have agreed to this due to the recent actions of both EarthClan and MoonClan. Those clans are strong, but we must not let them pulls us apart. You are all my family and I wouldn't do this if I thought that it wouldn't help us continue to thrive. After the gathering, Eclipseclan and ours will coexist. We will be allowed to travel to their camp as they will to ours, send out larger patrols, and all sick and injured cats will go to Raven's Fortress where herbs and our medicine cats will be." Moving on easily to a different subject, the Chausie didn't let it settle for very long. "It is time that we must travel to the Gathering, those who are well enough for the short journey, follow me, we don't have time to waste." Cranestar dismissed the meeting then leaped off the stump and led the clan to Hawk's Tree. ( To the Gathering Thread)
Pippa wasn't very surprised at the news, however she was excited for her first gathering. With a bright smile, the molly followed Cranestar. (Gathering thread)
Dottie decided that it would be best for her to stay and not travel far. She gave Noah a light lick on his ear, wondering what he'd decide to do.
"Here we go..." Fenstrike muttered under her breath and got up to her paws to join them, Burdockbone taking up a seat beside her and whispering, "Isn't it the full moon...?"
"Oh, yeah it is." Fenstrike blinked. "Do you think we're attending the gathering?"
"I imagine it depends on what Fencestar is doing, all things considered..."
Cranestar dipped his head in agreement with the molly's words, then soon watched her leave. The muscular tom knew that the gathering would come soon as well, so with a leap onto Highstump, he called out to his clan. "Let all cats old enough to run to the hills and back join me for a clan meeting, we've got much to discuss!"
Pippa was just about to answer Thunderpaw when she heard the leader's voice ring out. "Looks like we'll have to stay here for now," she whispered softly.
After Fencestar's confession, her and Cranestar began to converse privately. The words were tense, with Fencestar knowing that the implications of this deal would be felt for moons to come. She also knew that, if Cranestar ordered it, her body would be bashed against the rocks of the river come daybreak. Cranestar was physically much larger than her and in a much better shape to fight in- kits made for a rough battle.
But the speech was made, and the two cats raised their voices in finality, just as the sun began to rise.
"So, it's agreed?" Fencestar spoke, "We'll combine our borders, and merge a camp for the sick and injured at Raven's Fortress, where both of our medicine cats will work towards healing, while warriors from EclipseClan will be welcome to bed here, and warriors from SunClan will be welcome to find warmth in our camp. We will combine our resources to fight the oncoming threats both our clans face- to help us defend against the rogues and MoonClan, and yourself with EarthClan. And we agree to hold this agreement until we both consent to end it?"
She looked towards the chausie who towered over her, knowing it was in his full rights to refuse- but they'd been talking intently for hours. There was nothing left to be said- she hoped.
"Do you know what that's about?" Fenstrike murmured to Eveningbird and Dovewhisper, gathering with a clump of other warriors in the camp. She nodded toward Fencestar and Cranestar, barely recognizing the EclipseClan leader from the one gathering she'd attended as a young apprentice.
Fencestar grew softly envious of the way Cranestar’s warriors surrounded him protectively like a forest of guardians. Had this been a meeting in her own camp, she was certain it would dissolve itself into an encounter of fear on her comrade’s habits of approaching outsiders like a thousand rats, ready to pounce. Hungry ones.
if she had any warriors to spare, that was. EclipseClan was running rather low on members as it stood.
She warmly beamed to Veinpool, missing the warning scold of his words completely amid her own cushioned worldview. She was happy to help.
She lowered her voice now, knowing privacy was fleeting, but did so that only Veinpool and Cranestar would hear. Her voice was velvet-smooth and tinted with dark anger, fitting of Cranestar’s growling outburst.
”Dont trouble yourself with concerns over my tail. MoonClan is the real enemy, and if I may be so bold as to tell you my clan has not been immune to their arrogant attacks. I’ve come alone- I have no warriors to spare. but if I may continue, with this meeting it is my hope that we can come to a conclusion that results in more than herbs being shared between our two clans. I want alliance.” Fencestar bared her cards for the cats to view, Shamelessly and with vulnerability. The only thing protecting her was the fact of her pregnancy coupled with SunClan’s rumored adherance to a code of honor.
Burdockbone dipped his head to his leader and started heading toward the territory, expecting Archpaw to follow. He glanced back at them, curious despite himself over what the conversation could hold, before crossing over the lip of the camp and into the territory. [SC Terr]
Pippa grabbed a young wren then lay beside Thunderpaw, beginning to pluck at the feathers of the bird as they spoke. "Yeah! We should do it again, excep' maybe I'uh will catch somethin' small instead of a cat," the tiny molly giggled, reminding herself that she pounced on the EclipseClanner's tail.
"Take Pretty with you!" Burdockbone called after Silverpaw as she ran off. Pretty's ears pricked forward and she started off after Silverpaw, despite having little idea of what was going on.
"Wait up!" She called as she tore after the other apprentice, catching up as quickly as she could on her stubbier legs.
Burdockbone gave an amused sigh, enjoying Silverpaw's enthusiasm even has he was exasperated by her lack of caution or thought. "Ready to head out?" He asked Archpaw.