Ghoststar had waited a few days to make the announcement of what would be done about the travelers, the rouges, and Streampaw. She wanted things to die down and the clan to fall back into normal routine, but with cold weather and lack of prey hanging over the clan there really was no normal.
"How did patrols go?" Ghoststar sprung through the snow over to Darkmoon as she entered camp, shaking off frost. The black she-cat greeted her leader with a respectful nod before speaking.
"No sign of rouges."
"Yet." Ghoststar reminded her. Darkmoon looked at her skeptically but didn't argue. There were cats that didn't trust the traveling tribe cats and didn't believe their ominous warning of rouges coming to destroy the clan. "Im going to have a meeting today about whats the best way to prepare for an attack. Keep everyone in camp." The black Deputy nodded.
"Ill have to go get Spottedpaw and Redclaw, they're out training." Ghoststar gave Darkmoon a flick of her tail and the she-cat ran back out into the cold of the thick forest. Ghoststar didn't like how things looked in leaf bare. The trees were bare and white or dark brown and twisted in tangles of branches. The ground didn't have its usual thick foliage and all the cats of Twilightclan felt hopelessly vulnerable. They had grown used to slinking through thick undergrowth and tangles of trees. It was like a totally different forest in the cold season. And the rouges would choose to attack at this time, of course. She sighed heavily, heading toward Twilight Rock.
Leaping up in one bound, she settled down on the stingingly cold rock. The clan was moving slow as the cold stung bones and joints. Weak sunlight beamed down on everything, offering little warmth or comfort. Ghoststar watched warriors share what little prey there was and Apprentices changing dens beddings to try and keep things dry for the clan. Queens kept their kits inside focusing on fighting off sickness and cold. Dawnflight was close to having her kits. Ghoststar hoped it would happen in new leaf, but life didn't seem to be working in the clans favor these past few moons.
Darkmoon finally got back with the Warrior and Apprentice and Ghoststar wasted no time yowling for a meeting. Cats gathered in front of the rock, pressing close together to stay warm. She was glad her clan seemed close despite the hard times. "Cats of Twilightclan! I know you've all been waiting to hear what the decision is on the news we have been given." She watched as gazes were cats back to the travelers. The two strange cats had been staying with the clan as guests, or more so prisoners, since they'd given the warning. They hadn't tried to escape and had respected the cats assigned to guard them. Ghoststar had spoken to them more than once since their arrival, and they seemed like good cats just as much victims of the rouges as Twilightclan would be without them.
"I do believe Ash and Honey on their warning about the rouges. They've told me about their tribe and the danger of these ruthless cats and we would be fools not to prepare for an attack." Their were grumbles from the cats below. "Even if this attack never comes, at least we were prepared. Id rather be safe than sorry." The clan quieted and waited to hear about the plan.
"I want to strengthen our patrols. There should be one out at every point of the day. We need to keep our scents strong through the snow. I also want training to be amped up as well. That includes warriors. Our fighting needs to be at its best." She felt a knot tightening in her belly. "Streampaw will be put to the task of making the camp more impenetrable. She can have warriors and apprentices help her. Lastly, we need to stalk up on herbs. If anyone sees any plants they might recognize or think are herbs tell Silverpaw or Scorchtooth." The cats in the clearing nodded, looking tense and worried at the prospect of battle. This would be the first time the clan prepared for a big battle. Hopefully it would be their first big victory.
"Ash and Honey will be staying with us until new leaf comes. Its not safe for them to travel in this weather." She heard some hisses of protest but shot the cats fierce glares to silence them. "This will be respected." Ghoststar lashed her tail in warning. Ash and Honey nodded gratefully from the back of the group, yet they pushed close together with worried looks at the rest of the clan.
"Dismissed." Hopefully this will be enough. I can't let our clan be destroyed its first leaf bare. That just can't happen.
Brownfur was unsettled by the decision. The Clan was weakened by the unsuspected harshness of leafbare. She understood how rough battles could alone, but as a group? Hopefully the Clan would be prepared. She rested her tail on Streampaw's shoulder. "I will help you any way I can." She purred as to calm her apprentice.
ReplyDeleteSpade flicked an ear and huffed. The rogue threat amused him a bit. The Clan was in shambles and cats were at unease. Turns out they would need him. He knew how to fight cats with no concept of honor. He stretched his muscles, weak from the lack of use. He would train, in mercy of these poor, inexperienced cats. Maybe if he trained, they wouldn't treat him so coldly.
Darkmoon approached Ghoststar. "Do you want me to send out patrols now, or are you going to organize them?" She was tense; she didn't want to fight, but she had to defend her clan.
ReplyDeleteSpade's ear swiveled when he heard Darkmoon mention the organization of patrols. He padded to the two she-cats and offered, "If we're doing patrols, I will happily volunteer to go on one."
ReplyDeleteDarkmoon nodded at Spade. "You can lead one, if you wish. Go along the border of RoseClan. Make sure we don't have to worry about them invading as well; take Snakefang and Thistlefur with you if they're up to it."
ReplyDeleteStreampaw was glad her mentor was there to lend a helping paw. The gray she-cat didn't waste anytime and got straight to work.
ReplyDeleteRedclaw was concerned about the clan and its condition. in the back of his mind he didn't believe the tribe cats story and thought the rouges might come earlier than they were told they would.
Ghoststar was about to reply when Spade padded up. She flicked an ear, surprised at his enthusiasm to participate. "Thank you, Spade." She couldn't help but purr. Turning back to Darkmoon she mewed, "You're still in charge of assigning patrols. I'll be frequently visiting each training party and patrol group to keep status updates and help out." The white she-cat felt more at ease now that action was being taken and things were getting done.
ReplyDeleteSnakefang was with Featherstorm, not surprisingly. "Are you cold? Hungry?" He asked. worried for his former apprentice. "You don't feel sick do you?" The dark tabby tom had been constantly checking on her since leaf bare started. He couldn't stop thinking about her kitty pet origins and that this was probably her first time living the harsh life outside during snow storms and cold weather. Snakefang hadn't heard his name given to Spade for patrols.
Ash was releaved when cats broke up to start doing their activities. He knew much of the clan was opposed to them staying. "Here that, Honey? We've got a place to stay for awhile." He tried to sound optimistic. True, it was kind of them and yes the winter storms would be rough to travel in. But they were still in hostile territory and even though the cold wouldn't get them, the other cats might.
ReplyDeleteThe ginger she-cat swept a glare his way. "Oh yes this is wonderful news!" She crouched against the cold ground, shivering slightly. "Now, we're stuck here. We were supposed to just get in and out." Her blue eyes were frosty as she watched the clan.
"We wouldn't be any safer out in the woods during leaf bare. And we now have no where to go."
"Anywhere is better than here."
Darkmoon nodded at Ghoststar. "Understood, Ghoststar." She gazed the around the clearing for Snakefang and Thistlefur. She saw Snakefang with Featherstorm and rolled her eyes. The tom had been around his former apprentice ever since she was announced a Warrior. "Snakefang," she called to him, "you're on patrol with Spade." She turned towards Thistlefur, "You too, Thistlefur! Go along to RoseClan border and make sure they aren't a threat at the moment."
ReplyDeleteFeatherstorm rolled her eyes at her former mentor. "I'm fine," she muttered, "just 'cause I come from kittypet roots doesn't mean I can't fend for myself or the clan. Besides, I learned from the best." She flicked her ears towards an annoyed looking Darkmoon. "Besides, you better get going. Darkmoon called you for a patrol."
Spade gave Snakefang a smug look. He knew that the other tom didn't like him much from the start. He padded to Snakefang, "Follow my lead now, Snaptongue. Come along, Thistlefur! We have work to do."
ReplyDeleteBrownfur followed Streampaw, eager to help her apprentice. "Let's go collect brambles to strengthen the walls with. If we can find any... there's a lot of snow to dig through."
Tawnynight was out hunting for whatever was still around. The snow mushed between her paws packing it there and forming ice she constantly had to stop and pull the ice out. The dark brown she-cat looked around for anything to bring back to camp. Tawnynight saw old tracks and scents but nothing new. She shook her head and walked back to camp.
ReplyDeleteSilverpaw was out looking for herbs but only found some buried poppy seeds.
"Okay, maybe is we could find some old thorn bushes maybe we could put those up as well?" She said with a hopeful look wanting to help the clan as much as possible.
ReplyDeleteIf*)
ReplyDeleteGhoststar padded over to Brownfur and Streampaw. "Ill help you out, if you don't mind." She mewed cheerfully. Her clan was coming together to work to defend themselves from a common enemy. Yes, she was still worried about the rouges, but less worried about her family falling apart. They are my family now.
ReplyDeleteSnakefang looked to Darkmoon then back at Featherstorm, flicking his tail tip in annoyance. He didn't like leaving her alone. "Yes, I know I know...I just want to make sure you're okay." He finished speaking to the gray she-cat when Spade came up to him. "Its Snakefang." He snapped, his ears flattening and his shoulder fur bristling as he followed the arrogant tom. "If you expect me to follow you, you've got another thing coming." But the dark tabby tom still obliged to going on patrol.
Brownfur purred, pleased to see Ghoststar was in brighter spirits. Her contemplation about what she would do with Ash and Honey left her a quiet cat the past few days. "Of course. Streampaw and I were going to search for brambles, and possibly thorn bushes, to strengthen the camp walls. You're more than allowed to join us."
ReplyDeleteSpade looked back at Snakefang with a glint in his eye. "I'm terribly sorry, Snakefang." He returned the exaggerated punctuation of the tom's name. "Thistlefur is far a nicer cat than you, you know."
The white she-cat nodded optimistically. "Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. Thank you." She allowed the brown warrior to take the lead into the forest to search. "We can be prepared to have frozen paws when we get back." She joked, knowing they'd have to dig up brambles and thorn bushes. The day at least lacked wind but the ground was still chilly with a layer of snow. Ghoststar enjoyed it though, her pelt blending in well with the pale white of the forest.
ReplyDeleteSnakefang lashed his tail, wishing he'd been given the task of being on a patrol with anyone else. "He's also a better warrior than you. Guess he has something over the both of us." The tabby tom didn't want a fight to break out but at that moment he'd be okay if Spade tried to attack him then. Ill rip you're smug little pelt off.
Thistlefur sighed in annoyance. "You know, you two can fight after we get back," his tailed flicked in annoyance as he headed towards the camp entrance. Of all cats, why'd he get assigned with Spade and Snakefang? All they ever did was bicker.
ReplyDeleteBrownfur agreed with Ghoststar's jest with a purr. "Once we pack in the brambles, we have earned ourselves a rest." She padded into the territory and searched for any signs of dead undergrowth. "To make this easier, let's split up our search. What do you think, Ghoststar?"
ReplyDeleteSpade shrugged a bit. "I'm not a warrior, Snakefang. I'm a rogue. I just live here." He eyed Thistlefur. "Ah, this one's right. Once we're done, we can shred off pelts as much as we like." He lead the expedition through the territory, taking a proud posture and a quick pace. The borders were quiet. The last snowfall weakened the scent line, so Spade went to work with refreshing the borders.
Ghoststar nodded at the suggestion, her nose twitching and her mouth gaped open as she scented the air. "Sounds good to me." She couldn't help but feel a little jumpy in the forest, knowing that any day rouges were going to show up and attempt to shred their pelts. The white she-cat struck off on a trodden path in the snow. She sifted through it with a paw to look for the prick of brambles.
ReplyDeleteSnakefang's amber eyes lit with fury. He decided it best to keep his mouth shut though, Thistlefur was right. The dark tabby tom scented for anything foreign and refreshed the border where it was fading. His paws began to feel frozen and his bones ached from the cold. Ugh, will this leaf bare ever let up? He saw a squirrel shoot out from a snowy burrow and took the opportunity to pounce on it. It was a clumsy kill with his stiff limbs, but the brown creature dangled from his mouth.
Spade eyed Snakefang's kill. At least he was doing something worthwhile. He resumed marking, and tensed once the cold breeze brought a scent to his nose. A fresh scent, of RoseClan. It was a possibility that the wind was carrying the border's scent, but it was too fresh for that.
ReplyDeleteBrownfur padded on her own, snaking between dead trees. She kept calm and silent, as she did before she joined the Clan when she was hunting in the forest. She shuffled her paws to feel for any brambles hiding under the snow. She soon spotted a decaying thorny bush, curling with its dry, brown branches. She took the opportunity and padded toward it. She inspected the situation carefully, she didn't want to end up returning to camp with scratches all over her face. She pawed at it gingerly, scooping up clumps of the dead plant where there weren't thorns.
Streampaw scented the air before she went off to look for the supplies. The gray she-cat smelt the patrol that went out before them and felt at ease. Her green eyed darted around as she looked for anything that could be used. Streampaw didn't see anything out on the barren landscape so thought she might dig. After moments of digging something dug into her paw. Her yowl echoed through the dead trees as she jumped up two feet in the air. Streampaw's fur was fluffed as her ears laid back as she held one paw up.
ReplyDeleteBlackfoot thought it was a little mysterious that the tribe cats cared for anyone else besides themselves, very unlike them. The black tom walked through camp to keep himself warm. He had to do something to keep his blood pumping, so he went to Darkmoon to see what he could go. "Hey Darkmoon is there anything i can do to help out?" his voice serious and tired. He hasn't been sleeping well since leaf-bare.
ReplyDeleteSpottedpaw wasn't as harsh as everyone else was to the tribe cats, and did believe the two were telling the truth. Ever since they have gotten there she as been talking off there ear about all that she has been through and asked what tribe life was like.
Dawnflight has been in pain for the passed few weeks and didn't want to have the kits in leaf-bear. the miserable she-cat will be due soon but fears the worst with the new news about the rouges.
Stormclaw wasn't doing so well health wise. He has unfortunately caught green cough and hasn't been looking so good. For the time being he has been in the medicine cat's den.
Shadowpelt was in the dens trying to dry some of the moss that has gotten wet. "Ugh. This is gonna be so uncomfortable for everyone..."she hissed quietly to herself.
ReplyDeleteWhitewhisper had been hunting with little luck. She came back with a small mouse and a starved bird that didn't make it through the cold days. Her amber eyes looked wandered as she entered the camp. The white she-cat set down her prey and laid down waiting for something interesting to happen.
Brownfur's ears pricked. That was Streampaw's yowl. Paranoia set in. Could rogues have gotten her? Her fear fought back rational thought. She let go of the bush and fled to her apprentice, seeing she had hurt her paw on brambles. There were no rogues. Brownfur was relieved. She padded to the smaller cat and muttered comfort, "It's okay, it's okay. It's just a cut. Do you want to go to Scorchtooth?"
ReplyDeleteStreampaw looked at her mentor and shook her head. Her ears pressed back in embarrassment, "That was really. Really loud...I just didn't expect them that close to the surface..." she said setting down her paw and lifting it to see some blood. The gray she-cat walked back over to the hole she just dug, and began to pull the thorn bushes out. Carefully feeling this time. (hehe like Balto if anyone has ever seen that movie ^~^)
ReplyDelete(Balto is the best!)
ReplyDeleteBrownfur purred in amusement. "Be more careful. Being a warrior, or even a skilled cat, takes caution and thought. You never know what to expect, so you have to prepare for the unexpected." She rasped a lick over the younger cat's tongue. "That advice could save your life one day."
Streampaw chuckled at her mentor's words but did believe what she had to say was true. "has it saved yours?" she said through the dead plant while she slowly picked it up.
ReplyDelete(ikr!!!!)
ReplyDeleteBrownfur sat down. "Yes, once. When I lived on my own, I had a small amount of territory I claimed. When hunting one day, I detected cat scent. It was very stale, like whoever left it hadn't been there in days. I became cautious from then on, sharpening my claws on bark and preparing for the worst. After a few days of waiting, I began to think that the cat wasn't going to show up, but as I doubted, I ran into that cat. I chased him off. If I didn't prepare or even cared, the cat might have killed me and took my territory."
ReplyDeleteStreampaw's eyes widened as she listen. "Wow...that awesome." She said day dreaming about her in that kind of situation.
ReplyDeleteGhoststar had been looking for branches and just found one when Streampaw's wail echoed through the trees. She immediately abandon the bramble she was digging out and ran toward the sound, kicking up snow. "Streampaw are you-" The white she cat stopped as she say the two talking. "Oh good, you're safe..what happened?" Ghoststar's gray eyes searched the cats. Her claws were un sheathed and her fur bristling. She had thought it was rouges.
ReplyDeleteBrownfur kinked her tail and turned to Ghoststar. "Streampaw was startled and taken off guard by brambles hidden under the snow. She's fine now."
ReplyDeleteStream paw set down the branches and with a flat set of ears apologized for startling her leader and mentor. Her eyes soft and almost shameful. She could be quieter next time. The gray she-cat thought quietly.
ReplyDeleteGhoststar let out a sigh of relief. "Oh, okay. I just thought...well never mind." She padded over, shaking out the cold from her fur briskly. "So, you found some brambles huh?" She looked proudly at the young she-cat.
ReplyDelete"yeah." she says with a bright purr but guilt pricked at her paws. "Ghoststar. i am truly sorry for acting how i did." the gray she-cat said looking down pushing snow with her non injured paw.
ReplyDeleteBrownfur sat next to the apprentice. "It is fine, Streampaw. Everyone gets scared once in a while."
ReplyDelete"No not that...the whole thing in camp when I argued with her. I feel horrible and...im sorry."
ReplyDeleteGhoststar's eyes softened at her apology. The white she-cat came close enough to give the young she-cat a lick on the head. "It's fine. What's in the past is in the past, no use in carrying it around on your shoulders." She started tugging out the bramble for the Apprentice, careful not to get pricked. "But, Im glad you learned a lesson from it. It'll make you a better Warrior to realize what you did was wrong. I always like hearing my clan's opinions, but next time lets have that be a little more private."
ReplyDeleteThe ypung cat purred and nodded feelling her pelt warm up. She was glad to have gotten that off her chest.
ReplyDeleteRedclaw walked over to the young apprentice calmly. "Spottedpaw Im sure they would like to stop answering your questions and I would like to go train. Come in let them rest." He purred quietly hoping it would ease Honey's awkwardness.
Scorchtooth scraped his claws against the caverns etched across his den, searching for herbs that have been spared in the cold weather. But as predicted, he was only able to gather a measly pile of dead, withered leaves. Sighing bitterly, he turned to his one patient, Stormclaw. Even from a few fox-lengths away he could tell his breathing was rough and ragged. If I could just find more catmint.. He shoved the herbs back in their respectable nook, and swiftly trotted over to the two tribe cats, waving away the guards. "You might as well make yourself useful, seeing as the only thing you are accomplishing here is diminishing our prey pile. I need a special herb, and you're going to help me find it."
ReplyDeleteOwlflight clawed at the ground in efforts to keep herself warm, but partially because of boredom. Not given a direct order, she scanned the camp for possibilities. Even though it wasn't on the top of her list, she settled with preparing the camp for battle. Slowly making her way over to where the new wall was being constructed, she began to wait patiently for everyone's return.
Silverpaw came back with some poppy seeds. As she entered camp she shook her pretty fur out attempting to warm up. The white she-cat walked over to the medicine cats den and set down the herbs. "These were all I could find..." she said looking at the black tom.
ReplyDeleteHoney and Ash looked at Scorchtooth surprised. The chestnut colored she-cat opened her mouth to protest but Ash responded first. "Of course, we love to help." He mewed, shooting his companion a glare. "What herb do we find?"
ReplyDeleteGhoststar succeeded in pulling out the bramble. "Arlight, this is a good one but keep looking for more." She directed, then headed back to where she had earlier found one and pulled that out too. The white she-cat winced as her nose was sliced by a thorn she hadn't seen. "Fox dung.." Scarlet droplets fell to the snow as she carried the next bramble to the pile they had started.
Streampaw nodded and kept digging but kept high alert for anymore thorns.
ReplyDeleteSpottedpaw didnt want to go but did. "What are we going to train!?" She said walking up to the ginger tom.
ReplyDeleteBrownfur resumed digging for thorns too. She found a cluster of dried brambles and went to work with dragging them out of the ground. She was careful with the job, and managed to rip out the sharp clump. She set it on the makeshift pile and eyed Ghoststar's muzzle. "Are you alright?"
ReplyDeleteRedclaw chuckled and said, "i dont know we will have to wait and see." he held back a smirk and dashed off into the forest. he didnt look to see if his apprentice was following quickly.
ReplyDeletestreampaw found a small amount of brambles and dug them out. she unfortunately got a few scratches but didnt yowl in pain.
Ghoststar licked over her nose, tasting the tang of blood. She grunted in irritation. "Yeah, Im fine. These brambles just keep getting me." She mewed, looking at the pile. It was big enough now. "Nice work, let's take these back to camp. Watch your noses." The white she-cat licked her muzzle again.
ReplyDeletethe gray she-cat nodded picking up what she could and began walking back to camp.
ReplyDeleteBrownfur dipped her head down and grabbed her part of the collection. She dragged the thorns behind her, careful about the sharp prickly bits and her muzzle.
ReplyDeleteSteampaw was forced to walk awkwardly and stumble a little."this just got a whole lot harder..."she mumbled having almost fallen against the brambles
ReplyDeleteGhoststar picked up her bunch, having difficulty walking without stepping on thorns of pushing them against her pelt. "We're almost there!" She mumbled around the brambles. When they reached camp, the white she cat was relieved. "If this is difficult for us just imagine the time the rouges will have getting into camp!"
ReplyDeleteStreampaw set down the pokey brambles and purred at the thought of them being tangled and pricked. "Yea! They wont know what hit em.!"
ReplyDeleteSpottedpaw raced after him. Almost running into Ghoststar in the process. She sprang into the air right as she was about to collide woth the pretty she-cat. "Sorry Ghoststar!" she yelled over her shoulder
ReplyDeleteBrownfur purred at Streampaw's enthusiastic response to the camp's protection. "Good thing you're in charge of protecting us, Streampaw. The job was put in good paws." She was started by Spottedpaw's near collision with Ghoststar. "I wonder why she's in such a hurry..."
ReplyDeleteGhoststar ducked as Streampaw bound by. "Careful!" She called after her. "No idea..Training?" She responded to Brownfur, but continued with the job. "Alright, lets start weaving these into the camp wall. You guys are doing a great job." The white she-cat encouraged.
ReplyDeleteBrownfur purred at the praise. She began the difficult job of weaving the prickly thorns into the camp wall. She beamed on the image of rogue cats throwing themselves into the wall and getting heavily injured by the protection.
ReplyDelete"I don't know what mouse-brained name your tribe calls it, but over here, it's catmint." Scorchtooth ignored the she-cats hesitance to help, he wasn't looking for their approval anyways. "It's the most sweet smelling herb, not hard to miss. Although it's rare, it's needed." He swept his head over his shoulder, trying to catch a glimpse of Stormclaw. "Are you going to move anytime soon? I actually have things to do here, unlike you two doormouses." Without another look, he swiveled around, briskly heading for the camp entrance.
ReplyDeleteAsh tried to remember; its catmint, the most sweet smelling herb. "We will get this for you!" The black spotted tom hurried toward the camp entrance, glad to finally be rid of a gaurd watching them constantly. He was happy to be doing something productive.
ReplyDeleteHoney growled softly to herself. "This is mouse brained. We've already done enough for these ungrateful cats." The small she cat looked around uncomfortably.
"Dont complain." Ash shushed her without much interest, his nose twitching.
Ghoststar weaved in the brambles. With all they collected they'd be able to cover most of camp. She began to feel more and more at ease about the rouges. We'll be ready for them.