The Wrath of Kan (wuuut star trek)

      It was a still cold night, only a day since the death of Dawnflight's death and the birth of her kits. The clan had grieved, cleaning her still pelt and burying her near camp, and since then had again focused on preparing for the rouge attack. The camp walls had been strengthened with thorns and brambles as well as dens. The four kits had been kept warm and cared for by Silverpaw and Scorchtooth constantly. Since there were no other queens in the clan they had been moved to the Medicine Cat Den. Cats spent their time trying to catch enough prey to fill hungry bellies and the rest of their time training and prepping for battle.
     Ghoststar crouched in her den. She had been in there since the death of Dawnflight, only coming out occasionally before disappearing again. Darkmoon had taken control for the most part, though sometimes she would mysteriously disappear off into the tangled forest. Snakefang would keep things in order when the black she-cat was gone. He constantly worried for the clan and felt angry at Ghoststar's behavior. She was the leader of the clan. It was her job to encourage everyone and keep the faith up, and yet all she did was hide in her den. The dark tabby tom often visited her and tried to coax her out, but it was hopeless. Ghoststar was somewhere far and distant in her mind. The stress seemed to much for her.
      "Where's Ghoststar, I need to talk to her about the kits." Scorchtooth shook his pelt out against the cold as he asked Snakefang. The warrior looked towards her den.
      "She won't want to be bothered." He said, his amber eyes dropping.
       Scorchtooth scoffed, his tail lashing once. "Won't want to be bothered, eh!" He stormed through the thin snow to the leader's den. Snakefang would watch him duck through the hanging lichen, hear them argue for a moment, and then watch as he came back out with a scowl on his face. The clan was losing faith and hope. The rouge attack was looming over their head, the death of their only Queen, and the dim future of the weak kits. What are we going to do? 

      Ghoststar layed in her nest, curled into a small ball. Her gray eyes stared ahead and her breath softly moved her white fur. She couldn't hear anything except the deafening silence of her den. How could she let Dawnflight die? The she-cat was so young. She should be here to raise her kits. If Ghoststar had tried harder, if she had been a better hunter and taught others to hunt better she could have given Dawnflight more prey. She could have kept the tabby cat's strength up. Then she would be here. She wouldn't be dead and cold somewhere deep in the ground. It's all my fault. I'm not a good leader. 
      And what of the rouges? They are going to come and just kill more cats. They destroyed a tribe that had been living in that territory for many many moons. Twilightclan had only been living in the dark, tangled woods for a few moons. Most of the cats hardly had any experience with fighting. They would be slaughtered like mice. Ghoststar started to shiver, not because of the cold. It's going to be all my fault. I'm not a good leader. 
     And what of the kits? They had no mother now. They would grow up orphans. Who would give them the love and affection they needed? No other she-cat in the clan was kitting and thus no other cat had milk to feed the young ones. They needed milk to suckle. They needed a mother's warm fur. Scorchtooth had been keeping them comfortable in his den with Silverpaw but they would soon starve. They needed a mother who was milking. Their future was dark and seemed hopeless. And it's all because I wasn't good enough. I'm not a good leader. 
     Snakefang would come in often, trying to get her to go out and talk to her clan. Scorchtooth would do the same, but more viciously with his words. And yet Ghoststar couldn't. She couldn't stand in front of those cats knowing she had failed them. The moment push came to shove she fell. Starclan was wrong to give her nine lives. Wrong to trust her with such a task as taking care of a clan. What good was she? The stress was closing in on her, making her vision blurry. Her ears began to ring. The silence was violent.
   
     "MRROW!" The silence was suddenly broken by a yowl in the clearing. The sound of snapping twigs and shuffling paws filled the air a few seconds before hissing and growling replaced it. Ghoststar was on her paws in a second, all her before thoughts swiped away for the moment as adrenaline pulsed through her. The she-cat bolted out of the den, the moonlight setting her fur in a white blaze. Cats were tumbling around, their eyes wide and teeth bared as claws ripped at fur. Eyes flashed in the moonlight at the camp walls. Ghoststar realized what was going on. The rouges had come. There were many of them, but most couldn't get through the camp walls without getting their pelts torn. Some found holes big enough to fit through and it would be long before they discovered the entrance and stormed in.
     Snakefang sent a rouge running, holding clumps of fur between his claws. The cat escaped through a hole in the wall, and another rouge leaped in to replace him. "Ghoststar!" Her friend bolted to her side. "They're here, we have to have a plan!" His amber eyes were wild and his hackles were raised. Ghoststar's milky gray eyes looked over camp another time. He was right.
     "We have to have cats defend the entrance to try and keep them out; two cats. And two more defend the medicine cat den. The kits are in there. They're our priority." More rouges were finding their way into the camp. Snakefang nodded.
     "Spade!! You and I will guard the entrance!" The dark tabby tom yowled to his former enemy, racing to the thorn barrier and posing himself to fight. Ghoststar looked around for more cats. "Brownfur! Owlflight!!" She brought the two she-cats together. "You need to guard the Medicine Cat den now!" They looked at each other, knowing the kits were in there and bolted to their positions. The rest of the cats would just have to try and fight off any cats from camp. We'll all have to try and stay alive.
      Ghoststar felt her insecurities threatening to consume her again. She squinted her eyes, crouching. The sound of fighting faded from her ears. She felt a cat brush her pelt. It was the Starclan cat that had visited her before, her deep red pelt gleaming in the moonlight. "Foxstar!" She mewed, her eyes widening.
     "Ghoststar, you don't have time for this. You need to pull yourself together. Twilightclan needs you to fight for them. Cats fight as hard as their leader. They need your confidence." Foxstar's eyes were stern. Ghoststar felt ashamed. She was right. "Don't doubt yourself. We chose you because you can handle it. You deserve the nine lives we gave you. Show them that." The cat faded as quickly as she appeared, but Ghoststar could still feel her presence beside her and all the other cats that had given her a life. She would do it. She would fight for her clan bravely, despite her fears. If she was to fail, if they were to die tonight, at least they should go out fighting. With a yowl, she threw herself into the fray.


(So! Here's the battle that we've been building up for! I know there aren't as many rouges really as I implied but that's because we needed more cats to fight. So although we have a set amount of developed characters for the rouges, you can also play just random cats to fight because they have greater numbers let's pretend. haha There's a post on the rouge blog too to sum up whats happening with them, so let the role playing begin!)

I colored this for the scene yo. It looks pretty rad. Not my art work though haha 

A Gain and A Loss

    "I'm going to need you to push."
    "It...hurts..."
     "I know it hurts but this isn't going to go any faster if you don't try!" Scorchtooth's gruff voice could be heard outside the Nursery. Cats sat around anxiously, some pacing in the snow, as they waited for the kitting to be a success. The odds were not looking favorable. The lack of prey the clan had experienced had affected Dawnflight. The white and ginger she-cat wasn't used to such cold weather or so little food. Her ribs were exposed underneath her thinning pelt and she had come out of the Nursery less and less.
     Her body quivered as she attempted to push, her belly not as hard as it should be. Scorchtooth encouraged her with as gentle as his tone could be, rubbing her belly and praying to star clan. With each passing moment the Queen grew more weak and exhausted.
     "Can't...I can't.." Scorchtooth looked at her desperately as she mewed the words. At this point, his focus was on saving the kits. Their mother wasn't going to make it.
     "I want you to bite onto this branch and give the best push you can. Think of the kits. They need you to be strong now." Silverpaw was watching, holding down the stick for her, with wide eyes. The ginger and white she-cat nodded feebly and bit hard onto the branch, her face twisting with pain. The first two kits slipped out. Scorchtooth scooped them up with gentle, quick paws. The black tom passed one to his Apprentice, "Lick it, get it breathing." He licked the other kit vigorously, praying they would be healthy and start mewling out.
     Scorchtooth felt relief rush through him when he heard a loud mewl come from the tiny kit. It was a tom, with dusky brown fur then deeper brown on his tail, paws, ears, and muzzle. "Alright, great. Great! You're doing great Dawnflight, just give us one more good push." He set the kitten by its mother's belly, feeling it as he did so. There were at least two more tiny bodies that needed to be kitted. Dawnflight moaned in pain, too weak to yowl out. Her eyes were unfocused and she lay there nearly limp, breathing hard. Scorchtooth felt a pang in his heart. These kits would live without a mother if they lived at all.
     Silverpaw set down her kit next to the brown one. It was a dark calico she-kit, with mixes of black, ginger, and white in her soft pelt. The two squirmed, nuzzling at each other as they figured out each other's scent. "Come on Dawnflight. I know you're strong." The Medicine cat apprentice crouched close to her and mewed encouragement. The Queen braced herself, biting the stick and giving one last push. The last two kits slipped out, both very still. Scorchtooth felt his heart beat skip.
     "Quick, start licking this one." He passed one kit to Silverpaw and grabbed the smaller one. It was an all ginger tabby she-cat that was smaller than all her siblings. The black tom licked it fiercely, wiling it to suck in its first breath of air. "Don't die on me.." He licked and licked until his tongue seemed raw. It was still and so fragile. Suddenly as Scorchtooth was about to admit defeat it opened its tiny pink mouth and mewled out weakly. It was weak, but it was better than nothing. The medicine cat continued to lick, rubbing it with his paws. He set it down next to Dawnflight when he was sure it was stable.
      "There!" Silverpaw purred as the kit she was licking cried out too. It was a mostly white tom with ginger tabby and black patches. She set the squirming kit next to the other three. Four kits. Four alive kits. Scorchtooth looked at Dawnflight, giving her a lick between the ears. Her sides heaved and she lay there, barely conscious. He felt the pain in his heart again. This wasn't the first time he watched a Queen die giving birth. And he wasn't surprised with the leaf bare conditions. But it still hurt him to lose a patient.
      "You did good." He purred to the drifting she-cat. "What will you name them?" Scorchtooth pulled them close to her muzzle so she could see. Dawnflight opened her eyes, taking in her little kittens. "The brown one...Oakkit." She gave him a weak lick. "The dark calico..Ravenkit." She was going unconscious. Scorchtooth encouraged here.
       "And the last two?"
       "The mostly white tom.. " He was the quietest of all his siblings as they mewled loudly for milk. "Silentkit. And last but not least," She purred weakly as she looked at her smallest ginger tabby kit. "Tinykit." Scorchtooth crinkled his nose. That was a harsh name to have. He didn't have time to question it. The white and ginger she-cat's eyes rolled back and she drifted off. He knew she wouldn't be waking up. He could only make her passing comfortable.
       Silverpaw looked at Dawnflight in shock. "She just passed out! We have to do something! What's wrong with her!" Scorchtooth set a paw on the light she-cat's shoulder.
      "There's nothing we can do. She's too weak. And she has been hurt during the kitting process. Sometimes you have to let patients go." Scorchtooth then really noticed the amount of blood around the nest. "We just need to be thankful the kits made it."
      "No! I won't accept that! They can't not have a mother!" She licked the Queen vigorously. "Wake up, Dawnflight! Come on, you can do it!" Scorchtooth tightened his jaw. What could he do? He didn't argue with her further, just let her panic over the slowly fading Queen. He pushed away the feeling eating at his heart. You can't save everyone. The black tom situated the kits back to their mother's belly for them to feed until she was with Starclan. Scorchtooth padded out of the den, raising his head to look at the crowd of cats awaiting. "Four healthy kits. Oakkit, Ravenkit, Silentkit, and Tinykit."
     The clan cheered, their hearts warm against the cold day and bitterness of a looming rouge attack. Scorchtooth didn't want to break the news to them. He wanted them to be able to be happy and at ease. But it had to be done. He couldn't change the fact that it was Dawnflight's time to join the cats in the stars. "Dawnflight..unfortunately..isn't going to make it. She lost a lot of blood and is very weak. Im sorry." The cheering stopped, the clearing dropping to unbearable silence. "Im so sorry." Scorchtooth dropped his head. Silverpaw's wails were heard inside the Nursery.

(So, JD wolf played Dawnflight and would have played her kits but I found that his account was deleted. Soo! The kits are up for grabs! Im going to play Oakkit and the other four can be played by whoever wants them. First come first serve! sorry that that was a depressing D=)

A Border Meeting

     Back at camp cats bustled as they followed Ghoststar's orders to prepare for the rouge attack. Brambles were being woven into the camp wall and dens strengthened, mentors were out with their Apprentices refreshing and securing their fighting skills, warriors had mock battles with each other, and herbs were sorted and resorted. Ghoststar had spent her day weaving brambles into the dense foliage that made the camp wall. Her white paws stung from being pricked and there was a good scratch across her nose. She now sat in her den taking a break from the cold and physical exertion.
      For the most part she was satisfied with the work that was being done. The camp was looking stronger and more fit for defense, cats were beginning to refresh and solidify their battle moves. Still, Ghoststar couldn't help but worry. The snow had killed most all the herbs in the forest and their stocks were running low. She could only prey they would have enough to heal cats after a deadly battle with rouges. Not only that, but the snow also affected the prey pile. Hunting had been a tough job in the past moon and the cats had only caught enough to keep off the edge of hunger. Will we be strong enough to fight for our lives? "Ghoststar?"
      The white she-cat jumped at the sound of her name. Featherstorm stood there with a mouse between her jaws, ears pricked. She dropped it at her leader's paws and took a paw step back. "I didn't mean to startle you, I just thought you'd be hungry. We had a successful hunt today actually." The silver she-cat purred, giving her cold paws a lick. Ghoststar purred gratefully, taking a bite of the warm creature. It was refreshing to have something warm in her belly.
       "Thank you, Featherstorm. You've turned out to be a very good warrior." She praised, tucking her paws in tighter beneath her. Her thoughts were swamped with images of cats pelts being torn and screeching in the air. The snow drifted by lazily, chilling the air and giving no comfort to the worried cat. Featherstorm puffed up her chest at the compliment, then noticed her leader's anxious behavior.
        "Ghoststar, are you okay?" Her ears swiveled back as she asked, blue eyes filled with concern. Ghoststar was about to answer that she was fine when there was a yowl from the Nursery. The white she-cat was on her paws in a second. The rouges have attacked! They've gone straight for the Nursery! She bolted toward the den, ignoring the numbness of her paws. The buzzing of her nine lives filled her body with energy and she was ready to defend the expecting Dawnflight against any and all rouges that dared show their claws. She felt Featherstorm hard on her paws.
         "Dawnflight are you okay!?" Ghoststar growled as she pushed into the den, her white fur bristling and claws unsheathed. The ginger and white Queen lay on her side, her plump belly tensing then relaxing over and over again. She let out another painful wail. Ghoststar realized what was happening. There was no scent or sign of rouges. Dawnflight was going to have her kits. Now? Of all times? When we're waiting an attack! Ghoststar felt a new rise of anxiety but pushed it away.
        "Featherstorm, fetch Scorchtooth now!" She snapped, beginning to lick the pain stricken Queen on the head. "Shh, its okay. You're going to be fine." Dawnflight's eyes were filled with anguish as she claws the den's bedding and quivered with effort. Scorchtooth hurry! 

***

   Outside of camp Spade, Snakefang, and Thistlefur continued their patrol. Snakefang had been lucky to catch a squirrel and dug in the hard snow to bury it to fetch later. The air was chill and quiet, the only sound was the soft crunching of the cats as they padded on through the trees, shadows being dappled across their pelts as weak sunlight shone through the branches. Spade suddenly stopped when a familiar, yet foreign scent met his nose. Roseclan. It was too strong to just be a old border scent mark. This was fresh. There was a patrol nearby. His green eyes searched the thinner trees across the border, narrowing when he caught sight of calico, black, and ginger fur. 

   Three cats were chatting happily as they remarked the border, kicking up snow as they went along. Snakefang noticed Spade had stopped and padded over to him. "Whats the matter? Snow froze you solid?" His tone was slightly lighter than when they fought in camp. The brown tom flicked his nose ahead to where the Roseclan cats were. Snakefang followed his gesture to see them, and his hackles immediately rose. Thislefur came beside them as his clanmates watched with narrowed eyes. "They better not cross the border." 

     Snakefang recognized Almonddash, their deputy. He was taking his clanmates dangerously close to the thin line of scent that separated the two territories. 

   

    Almonddash lead his patrol at a trot through the snow. They mewed about a good hunt they had yesterday when suddenly he stopped, raising his thickly furred tail. "Wait..." His nose twitched and his eyes began to scan across the border. Fresh Twilightclan scent. The calico tom's heart began to thud as he imagined Darkmoon crouching in the thick brush in Twilightclan territory. 

   Tension crackled in the air. 

The Plan

      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. 

Long Overdue

        Cats were huddled against one another as harsh winds billowed through camp. The air was white with snow and all the formerly thickly leafed trees were now bare, reaching toward the sky like sickly claws. The snow banks were thick, filled with holes and paw prints where young Apprentices and even Warriors had been playing in them when the weather was better. Now, cats dreaded having to leave their dens and brace the snow. The prey pile had been heavily stocked up before the first winter storm, and had brought the clan this far into leaf-bare, but now it was running low and hunting was scarce.
         Ghoststar had been rather enjoying herself at first. Her pure white fur blended perfectly with the glistening scene and she had hunted a good amount of plump weasels and mice just before they went underground to wait out the season. Even she prayed for the frigid weather to lighten up now. Cats came to Scorchtooth constantly, complaining about a cough, stiff limbs, or frozen paws. The sarcastic old tom hadn't lost his swiftness of the tongue despite the dull scene, but it could be seen in his eyes he too was worried. He'd already been unable to save one life.
          Deep in the forest, his grave now covered in at least a tail length of snow, a newly appointed warrior had given his last breath only a few sunrises ago. His thick orange tabby fur had been groomed, the scent of green cough lifted from him, and he had been mourned for. Scorchtooth wasn't too worried any other cat would catch green cough. He figured it was the young tom's distinct flat face that had made him more susceptible to the sickness. Still, the death of Talonpaw gave him reason to keep his catmint carefully stocked at the back of his den and away from frost. The black tom had Silverpaw on over time looking for herbs close to camp, the young apprentice did her best.
           That wasn't the only loss the clan had experienced. Boulderclaw and Snowpaw had mysteriously vanished after the first few snows. Ghoststar had a search party sent out, but their tracks were already covered by the powdery flakes, and no bodies were found. The white she-cat wasn't surprised. She had heard them mumbling to each other often: this clan is weak, I'm starving and they feed the worthless elder and Queen first, its too cold here and we have to sleep on the edge of the dens. She summed it up to the others that they weren't fit for clan life and probably left by choice.
          Ghoststar was concerned she would have more cats abandon Twilightclan as the sweetness of green-leaf faded from their senses, and the hopes of it returning grew more and more dim. Her greatest suspicions were cast toward Silverpaw, Spade, Featherpaw, and Spottedpaw. The three apprentices for the reason that she knew they all had kitty-pet roots and was uncertain they would hold up in the new harsh environment. Spade for the reason that she was still unsure where his loyalties lied. Despite her worries, now other cats had left. And thankfully, no other cats seemed to be ill enough to join Starclan.
         Despite these losses, Twilightclan had gained two members. Shadowpelt and Whitewhisper had been lost in the storm and taken refuge in camp. A half moon later, they decided to become permanent clan cats.
         As the clan's spirit dwindled with the icy breeze, Ghoststar had decided something needed to be done to keep them united. She had made Featherpaw and Owlpaw both new warriors. Featherpaw was now Featherstorm and Owlpaw was now Owlflight. Snakefang had beamed proudly and cheered the loudest at the ceremony. Ghoststar was supremely proud of her Apprentice, Owlflight, as well. That had temporarily brought the clan to a pretense of happiness, but as the cold winds blew this soon faded.
          Ghoststar was in her den, her bushy tail tucked up over her nose as she tried to stay warm. All the patrols had attempted to go out, but the blizzard was too much now. They would have to wait until it quieted down. The white she-cat was surprised when Darkmoon stumbled into the den, almost unrecognizable with her black fur plastered with white snow. "What is it?" Ghoststar was on her paws, her ears pricking. She could tell something wasn't right.
          "Two strange cats are here. They say our clan is going to be slaughtered."




(So that was a lot. I had to sum up what had happened since I haven't been on in forever and I had to refresh somethings. So there you go. Now the plot is moving again and we can all role-play! Yay! You can have your cats do whatever (trying to hunt or patrol, sleeping in their dens, checking out the strange cats and whats going on, ect). Whatever you think will be most entertaining. 3,2,1 go!)

LIfe

     Hey, everyone (or like seven people.) This doesn't relate to Twilightclan or the roleplay in really any way, I just felt like talking. You know those days were you just feel like having closure with someone. Telling them your feelings even though its meaningless to them. Recently, I guess I've felt in a funk. I have no purpose. To do, really anything. I've always been an A student or at least A and B student (predominately A), but of late I have been slacking. I don't do my homework that often anymore and if I do its a half fast (sounds the same as what I wont say if you say it fast) job. I guess I pay attention in class, kind of. For the most part though, academics have taken a secondary position in my life.
      I have instead turned my attention to my social life. My personal interests. I've always been extremely introverted and shy, which made me pretty unpopular and just that weird girl that people didn't understand. Yet, this year, as a Junior, I wanted to change that. I've joined Drama and opened up more and I actually really enjoy it. I have lots of friends now, and I may not be the most popular person, but hey, I have all the people I need: good, down to earth people. I'm even in a relationship, which is totally new to me and I really like the guy. So in that aspect you could say life is good. But, then again I'm reminded of my previous academic determination, and realize I lack it.
      Now, don't get me wrong, I have A's and B's and only one C. But that's the lowest my grades have ever been, and they're dropping. Finals are coming up and I have no idea how I'm going to do because I've just been coasting through. A minimal amount of effort for a minimal, I guess "sufficient" amount of learning and grade level. And don't get me wrong, the people I hang out with are not slackers or bad people, so its not like I'm not doing my school work because of peer pressure. So, even though I think in one aspect of my life I've really grown and developed into a better person, why is it on the other spectrum I'm falling behind?
      I've spoken to other people in my class, 2015, and they all say the same thing.
      "I don't even care anymore."
      "I hardly ever do my homework."
       "I'm just so stressed and feel like, what's the point?"
       These are all good, hardworking students that I've known for years. It seems like an epidemic is spreading through my school: a lack of determination. Maybe a lack of purpose? Is it the age? When people reach that junior, senior kind of thing do they just begin to lose track of what to do or where to go? I can't figure it out. I for one though, feel pretty purposeless. I love life, of course. But academically and for my future, I don't know where to go. I've even been pushing off blogging, which used to be a major factor in my life. For a moment I know what I'm doing (the Air Force, Animation, Musical theater) and then the next day I'm a piping hot mess with no idea what to do with my life. I'm not a bad kid. I have a good family (well, besides the fact we hardly talk and are scattered too far to visit). So why do I suddenly feel like I have no direction?
       Everything has been done and seen. There's nothing new to explore, nothing new to create or capture. There's so many people on this earth: all of us need to find some purpose for our futures. That's a lot of competition if you think about it. So few jobs, new people born everyday. I'm afraid of the future, and I haven't been afraid of that in a long time. Yet, somehow, even with this loss of direction, I'm the happiest I've ever been. Because of the people I've met, and the people I plan to meet. Good, genuine people.
       I lost where I was going with this. And I have no idea what you all (I will not say y'all) are going to think. Or if you will respond at all. I just wanted to say, I guess, that growing up is hard. You realize you do have to think about life and where you want to go. What you want to be. Because I don't want to be just another joe on the street. I want to make a difference. I want to be someone. Life isn't measured by the breathes you take, but by the moments that take you're breath away. (Don't know where this quote comes from, but I'm using it.)
        See, just last weekend I went snowmobiling for the first time. I picked up on it relatively fast and didn't crash, but I found that I really liked going fast. The faster I went, the more I could feel. The more I could hear. The more I could see. I know how adrenaline works, but that's a moment I'm talking about with the breath taking thing. That's the most alive I've felt in awhile. I wasn't getting up, going to school, and going home to do more work. I was living. I was doing something different, on the edge. I'm not an adrenaline junky, though it must sound like it with that paragraph. I just want to feel my heart beat, because it reminds me I'm alive.



        So comment, vent, do whatever. I just needed to get this out and since you guys only know me as Primrose, I knew I wouldn't be judged personally. Thank you for your time =) I wont interrupt any more roleplaying. This isn't going to turn into a weird Dr. Phil or Dr. Oz blog, trust me.

Nine Lives, Use Them Wisely..

      Ghoststar wasn't seeing anything. The air was cool and cold, its chill beginning to sink through her fur. "Where are you?" She muttered, hoping starclan might here. They had spent enough time in Roseclan territory, the smell was making her fur bristle. What if they had gone on forbidden territory for nothing? Suddenly, there was motion that caught Ghoststar's attention. A dark red pelt was manifesting in the corner of her vision. The white she cat dared turn her head: her breath caught in her throat as a she-cat was right beside her, looking at her with faded green eyes. The moment was fast, for the figure turned and briskly headed farther into the woods, its image faltering slightly. "Scorchtooth!!" Ghoststar hissed as quietly as she could, but still loud enough to catch his attention. There was no time to wait for him, she dashed through the trees after the starlit cat.
        Scorchtooth flattened his ears, crouching slightly as her urgent mew caught in the air: the ever so silent air. Of course any cat would have heard that! The black tom looked over to her about to make a sarcastic retort, but the white she-cat's pelt was already flashing through the trees. Scorchtooth thought he saw something in front of her, but he couldn't make it out. With his heart skipping a beat, he dashed after her.
        Where is she leading me? Ghoststar wished she could get close enough to ask, but the Starclan entity kept a good distance between herself and it. The trees flashed by and the scent of Roseclan drifted in the crisp night air. The moon light, still slightly full, was the only reason Ghoststar was able to follow the figure as it glittered and flashed. She could hear Scorchtooth behind her and wondered briefly if he saw the cat too. The trees thinned and the slope increased. The white she-cat felt her heart stop when she lost sight of the cat over the hill. "No!" They weren't going to find where to meet starclan. Not if this cat wouldn't slow down!
         Scorchtooth had caught up to his leader, panting as his yellow eyes stared up the hill. "Quiet! Do you realize how deep we are in Roseclan territory??" He swung his head back to look through the trees. "Why don't you just call to their camp and say 'hey, come and rip our pelts off for trespassing'?" The black tom's pelt was lashing as they ran.
         Ghoststar had become oblivious to the fact of where they were. They reached the top of the hill and as the pale she-cat looked down it she was shocked of what she saw. A gleaming rock stood in a clearing at the base of the hill. The mysterious red cat was gone. The boulder was large and the only thing, beside a thin scattering of ferns, that was in the area. Ghoststar looked at Scorchtooth, her ears pricked.
          "We still don't know if Starclan will share in your dreams here."
          "They will." She replied, sure of it. The black tom scoffed as they headed down the hill. Ghoststar wasn't sure what to do. Scorchtooth instructed her quietly.
           "Just lay down next to the rock and touch your nose to it. If you dream of starclan, great. If not, this little escapade was a complete waste." Ghoststar wasn't encouraged by his tone. She hated feeling like a mouse-brained kit, which always seemed to be his goal. The white she-cat shot him a glare with her gray eyes and lied down. She gently touched her nose to the rock, bracing for cold, but was instead shocked by a warmth. It seemed to radiate from within the great stone and immediately soothed her to sleep.

           ***

           Starlight...grass...cats?  Ghoststar tried to identify the things around her as she woke. Was anything different? Was she dreaming? Scorchtooth was no where to be seen and the huge boulder that had been in front of her before was gone now. She was in an empty field with a heavy scent of cat around her. "Hello?" She called out with a tentativeness. As she spoke figures seemed to take shape around her out of thin air. She hadn't realized they had been standing there the whole time.

           "Greetings, Ghost." A cat stepped out of the group of patterned fur. It was the red cat she had seen all those times. It bothered her slightly they referred to her by her old name. Ghoststar wanted to point out that her name had changed, but suddenly she had lost her voice. "I am Foxstar, former leader of a clan that used to dwell here. Nightclan."

            Ghoststar looked around at the crowd. A clan had lived here before Roseclan? Before Twilightclan? She was amazed.

            "You want your nine lives. You want to be true leader of Twilightclan. We will grant you all that, but you must understand one thing: more lives is different than more power." Foxstar meowed this with an intense warning. Ghoststar gritted her teeth. The white she-cat couldn't understand why she would say that. "You can always put more stones into a lake, but that does not change how the lake holds water."

             Ghoststar was even more confused. Why did Starclan have to speak in such an inauspicious tone? She quickly forgot their words as Foxstar continued on.

             "With this life, I give you humility. Never overestimate yourself: remember all cats have the same ability and possibilities." The russet red she-cat leaned forward, causing Ghoststar to have an immediate instinct to pull away but her body seemed frozen in the cold, still air. As soon as their noses touched, Ghoststar was filled with a feeling of insignificance. The world suddenly seemed so big. There were huge, thick oaks that seemed to touch the sky. Mountains that rose up out of the land defiantly against all gravity. Animals that were huge and powerful even as cubs, pups, and calves. She closed her eyes tightly, wishing away the images. Foxstar stepped away, but the feeling lingered.

            Other cats stepped forward, some young, some battle scared. She received her eight other lives with similar over powering feelings.

             The life of courage: there was first an overwhelming fear, but then a burst of bravery that dwarfed the freight.

              The life of empathy: Ghoststar was in a glen full of tender, beautiful daisy's. She had to take great care to walk amongst them, not wanting to crush any.

             The life of pride: Ghoststar looked at Twilightclan and admired the group they had become. She would never doubt them.

             The life of unity: cats were being swept by a current and the only way to get out was to create a chain and cling to one another.

              The life of vitality: Ghoststar felt a surge of electric energy course through her. Her whole body twitched against the force holding her still.

              The life of wisdom: Ghoststar felt enlightened as she looked back at her life and understood things she hadn't before. She felt more ready for decisions to come.

              The life of patience: Ghoststar felt at peace with all the things around her.

              The life of ingenuity: the world all seemed more beautiful in itself. The colors, the sounds; she wouldn't look at any situation the same.

              By the end of all her lives, Ghoststar felt exhausted and yet invigorated. She could finally move and speak. "Thank you! Starclan..I'm so glad I get to be honored by you." She purred loudly the cats around her. They nodded simultaneously. Foxstar stepped back out forward.
              "With the power of Starclan you will be known as Ghoststar. Lead your clan to the best of your ability and up hold the warrior code." Ghoststar cocked her head at the last part.

              "Warrior code?"

               "Scorchtooth will teach you. We will send him a sign." Ghoststar didn't have a moment to inquire anything else. She was jolted awake suddenly with a feeling she was falling, and the scene faded. The white she-cat raised her head to see the glowing boulder and the quiet clearing.

               "Scorchtooth?" She called softly, wondering if he was still there. 

         

A Coming Storm, Teaser



    "Haven't I told you before, Ash-"
    "Yes...It was just my opinion that-"
    "No one asked for your opinion!" The yowl echoed through the boulders. Cats were still as they watched the fiery amber tom loom over Ash. Of course it was he who would challenge the leader; Ash always did.
     Ash of Vivid Blaze was a charcoal gray cat with darker black, faded spots and stripes. He had bright yellow eyes that sometimes reflected amber. He was of mid age, but of an old religion. A place in his tribe that no longer existed was were he lived. Ash had the kind of personality that wouldnt stand down, wouldn't be silenced. He had his beliefs and would hold dear to them, for that was all he had now.
     The Tribe of Starlit Boulders was a peace giving, spiritual tribe before Kan came. They knew how to fight, only to defend their young from praying foxes and badgers, and worse, Sharpclaws. They knew how to hunt to feed each other and the weaker members. But more than those two skills they were thought the power of peace and insight was most important. Their ancestors guided their path and each cat would devote their time to doing what's right by them, helping others. A band of rouges had taken over since then, lead by Kan, and now things were entirely different.
     Fighting was everything. To conquer was strength. Cats muttered that Kan had gone crazed with power, but none would defy him. The Tribe was quickly replaced mostly by rouges and those of the old members that survived adapted to the knew ways in fear of Kan's wrath. All except Ash.

      "I did not know I need be asked what I thought." Ash flashed back at Kan, his yellow eyes staring steadily at the dictator. He flexed his claws, knowing his kin were watching him in fear: fear for his life. He had to be the example, if no others would. It was the ancestors way.
       Kan laughed heartily, his mood often changing in a heart beat. "Alright, Ash of blah blah whatever. You can tell me what we should do. And you can tell me what you think of me, but that's all you can do. Words." He took a paw step closer, his stinking breath swirling around Ash's muzzle. "Get in my way with actions ever again, and I'll squash you like a bug. You're ways are dead. So are your ancestors. I rule things here now." From here, Ash could clearly see the scars on the amber tom, all battle wounds that never seemed to stop adding up. With one flick of his tail, the gathered cats broke apart and went back to their duties. Ash let his shoulders slump, sitting down heavily on the boulder. Honey of Sweetest Morning rushed to his side, brushing her muzzle along his shoulder. She was younger than he was by a few moons and much less outspoken.
    "What are you thinking, Ash! Can you not let things go?" Her light blue eyes sparkled with concern. Ash only glanced at her, curling his tail tightly around his big paws. How could he answer that? She had asked so many times and would obviously not understand. She growled slightly in frustration. "Answer me! You are worrying everyone, Ash, you need to let the past stay there. In the past."
       "Do you not get it! He is going to take over another group of cats, just as he did to us! He will destroy their ways...He will kill their kin. These cats are rouges, unlike us!" Ash, in his bout of passion, was on his paws pacing back and forth. Honey had dropped her gaze. She knew he was right but didn't say anything.
        "Its not for us to protect those cats. Not our job to save their kin." She muttered, almost sweetly, trying to calm him down.
         Ash looked at her. She was one of the mothers who had lost their kits. "Who says?" The gray spotted tom leaped down from the boulder, heading down the slope at a rapid pace. Honey looked up suddenly, following him with equal grace.
         "What are you doing? Where are you going, Ash!?" She knew he was one for doing rash things.
         "I am doing what is right. I will save the twilight. I will rise the stars. These rouges will not again take what is not theirs." He would warn them. Those strange cats just over the ridge. Ash was more determined than anything. He didn't try to stop Honey from following him. He knew she would do the right thing too.
    


(You all can continue to comment on the earlier post, this is just a teaser for what is to come mwhahaha)

Ghoststar's Gone?

     What timing!? 
      Darkmoon couldn't help but think. Ghoststar had just left the other evening after the Gathering with Scorchtooth for some journey the white she-cat wouldn't explain. Why did I get stuck being Deputy to such a spontaneous leader! Of course, she was excited to know that she would be left in charge while Ghoststar was gone, she was confident; at first. Now she had begun to think about all that could happen while she was in charge: badgers could attack, foxes could invade, Roseclan could try to steal territory or prey, or a cat could get sick and Silverpaw, only an Apprentice, wouldn't know what to do.
      The one thing Darkmoon hadn't considered was the one thing that happened. Two cats had shown up in the territory. One a strong ginger tom with white markings and the other a smaller gray dappled she-cat. Darkmoon had found them on moon high border patrol. The black she-cat had at first reacted with hostility, then with begrudging politeness when they asked to join. The thing was, Ghoststar wasn't here to give the meeting. Darkmoon paced inside the leaders den, trying to think of a names for the cats. She also had to remember what to say and who to give the foreign she-cat as a mentor. What if I mess up? What if I fail to show I can one day be a good leader?
         Darkmoon stopped. She was over thinking things. Shaking out her glossy black pelt, she let go of her worries and mustered up her courage. I was chosen as Deputy. I'll show them why. The black she-cat slipped out of the den, seeing the clan crowded around the new comers. Cats of varying coats asked where they came from, why they left their old homes, and what they knew about clans. Darkmoon gathered up her hunches and leaped onto Twilight Rock in one bound. She glowed silver in the moon light. "Twilightclan!"
         The cats turned their eyes, gleaming a green hue as the dim light reflected from them, toward their temporary leader. The red tom and dark female crept toward the front of the group. "We are here to welcome our two new members. They have sworn their loyalty to Twilightlcan and I now make them full members." She beckoned with her tail for the ginger tom to come forward first.
          "You will be known as-"
          "Wait!" Darkmoon narrowed her green eyes as he spoke up. The clan was silent. Spade had done the same thing on his first day, wanting to keep his rouge name.
          "I already have a warrior name. Its Redclaw." The tom stated with politeness.
           Darkmoon flicked an ear. "Very well, Redclaw, you are now a member of Twilightclan as a Warrior." She briefly wondered why he left his other clan, but didn't say anything. The young she-cat stepped forward, keeping her head high. "You shall be known as Streampaw, your mentor will be Brownfur." She found the dusky brown she-cat an exceptional fighter and a good hunter too. A good choice. She thought proudly.
            The clan cheered the new cats' names, always excited for new members. Darkmoon noticed she had been getting odd glances from the clan as to why she as the one giving the announcement. She wasn't surprised when a cat called out, "Where's Ghoststar? And Scorchtooth?"
           "Ghoststar and Scorchtooth have gone on a..." She tensed her jaw, wondering how to answer this. She didn't know why they left and knew it would look bad if Twilightclan's leader didn't have a good reason for suddenly disappearing with their Medicine Cat. "journey to scout out new territory. Scorchtooth went with to check out the herbs." She hoped that was a legit enough reply. The cats didn't show it if they questioned her. The black she-cat leaped down from Twilight Rock and, with less formality, called out the night's assignments.
            "Boulderclaw will go hunting with Owlpaw and Redclaw." She mewed. "Brownfur and Thistleclaw you can go training with Streampaw and Snowpaw." The border patrol already done she left everyone else to do as they pleased.


(Sooooo I know I haven't been on in awhile. We all have been kinda slacking but I know school is in and that means academics and after school activities. The rule that you should be popping in at least three times a week still stands, because its a pet peeve of mine to have inactive members. Kelly, I had to change Featherpaw's name to Streampaw because there's already a Featherpaw. Sorry! But I think Streamfeather works just as good as Featherstream, right? If not you can pick something else. Also, Spyre I had to change Spade's pic it wasn't working. If you don't like the one I picked I can change it for you. So everybody lets keep this community together and role play! =D)

Enlightenment Gets Closer

         Ghoststar was flustered when she got back to camp. Cats who had stayed behind from the Gathering looked concerned at their leader's mood. Had something happened? Did a fight break out? The white she-cat had tried to keep her anxieties and excitement hidden but it showed through her gray eyes and in her movements. She knew she had to quiet the clan's concerns about her and what had happened at the Gathering. She leaped up onto Twilight Rock, looking silver in the drifting moon light.
           "Twilightclan, the Gathering went well. Roseclan is doing fine and no fights occurred." She kept to a formal tone, though her tail tip twitched rapidly. "As for my actions at the Gathering...I guess I got a little nervous up in front of all those cats." She lied, hoping it would pass as a good excuse. "Get some rest." She dismissed the cats, leaping down from Twilight Rock with energy in her limbs. Starclan had come to her! They had visited her again in her waking hours. What did it mean though? The red she-cat she had seen once already had appeared in the crowd and then urgently headed back into Roseclan territory. She knew Scorchtooth had told her to watch out for a sign as to where the sacred place to talk to Starclan could be. Was that why the red cat appeared? Was the sacred place somewhere in Roseclan territory?
               Ghoststar's anxieties heightened. How would they get to it then? She couldn't just walk up to Echostar and ask could she? And what if that wasn't even what the sign meant? More confused and nervous than ever, the white she-cat thought she might explode. Who knew being clan leader would be so stressful. Theres so much I don't know..so much I need to know. Maybe talking with Echostar is all I can do? Worried she might make a rash decision, she looked for Scorchtooth to talk to.

The Gathering

    Ghoststar couldn't stop pacing. The day had slid by slowly; the white she-cat had spent it going on any patrol she could. She had to try and distract herself, make the time pass by faster. It was finally night and the moon shone brightly in the star lit sky. Ghoststar couldn't bring herself to look up at the beautiful scenery though. She couldn't stop thinking about what Scorchtooth said. Did she know enough about clan life? Or was he right, that she was inexperienced. I'm worthy of being leader..aren't I?
     She was broke from her thoughts by Darkmoon. The black she-cat came up and asked Ghoststar if they should get going. She seemed eager. So am I. She got the group together and they set out. All the cats muttered excitedly, their mews growing in intensity as they neared the meeting place. Ghoststar was in the lead, but suddenly felt vulnerable. Was it such a good idea going to a gathering the clan wasn't even familiar with? What if this was a trap? We're been practicing our battle skills...we'll be ready. They got to the clearing and Ghoststar stopped everyone with a raised tail. To hide her white pelt she kept low and crouched in the thickest of fern patches.
      "What are we waiting for?" Scorchtooth snapped from beside her. Ghoststar narrowed her eyes, giving him a silencing look that he grumbled about. They were Twilightclan. This was a good time to make first impressions. Twilightclan are like shadows...silent attackers of the night. That's how Ghoststar wanted them to be seen. She peeped through the ferns and saw the small group of cats. Roseclan had only half the cats Twilightclan had brought. They must really want to keep their camp defended. Ghoststar hoped she hadn't made a mistake in taking so many cats. Waving her tail, she had her comrades surround the group silently and stealthily.
        With another silent flick of the tail they raced down the slope. Ghoststar hoped it gave on the effect of stealth and almost a sense of fear. Twilightclan will strike fear into any clan that borders us. Keep them from fighting us. Ghoststar waved her tail in greeting to EchoStar and the cats milled about, able to talk for a bit as they settled.

(Continued in comments)

Roseclan at our borders

       Ghoststar got back to camp with Darkmoon's patrol. Those who stayed behind were eager to know why their leader had rushed out. The white she-cat leaped up onto the Twilight Rock. Dusk was falling, but the half light didn't dim her bright pelt. "Cat's of Twilightclan," Everyone was already gathered. "Darkmoon's patrol found a clan not far past our borders. They call themselves Roseclan."
        The group of cats murmured quietly, excitement and anxiety crackled through them. "There was unclaimed territory between our two borders so both of us were able to expand and claim that evenly. It's just past the river. We will meet there tomorrow night under the full moon for the Gathering." Ghoststar tried to keep a even tone but she couldn't hide her excitement. Cats were glancing at eachother, trying to figure out who Ghoststar would choose to go.
        "I'll have Darkmoon, Scorchtooth, Silverpaw, Brownfur, Thistlefur, Tawnynight, Owlpaw, and Talonpaw to go with me." The cat's chosen shuffled as excitement filled them, all except Scorchtooth. Ghoststar waved her tail for the cats to be dismissed. They broke into excited conversation, chatting in groups.
        Ghoststar jumped down and quietly went into her den. My dreams were right! The thing to find past our borders was another Clan. The white she-cat curled into her nest, wrapping her tail around her tucked paws. The cat's in my dreams know things I don't...The red cat lead me to our Medicine Cat and now they warned me about the other clan. She was burning with curiosity now. She had to know what Starclan is, who it is. She stood adruptly, peeped outside her den and called out to Scorchtooth. She somehow had a feeling he would know.

Exploring the Twilight Realm

     "A patrol past our borders?" Darkmoon seemed skeptical. The black she-cat's amber eyes were curious as Ghoststar paced the leaders den. She stirred up the moss as the white she-cat walked back and forth, her gray blue eyes distant. Darkmoon was worried about her. She hadn't been sleeping and was having strange whimsical things she wanted done.
     "Yes. There's something out there...something..we need to find." Ghoststar finally sat. By the twitch of her white tail Darkmoon could tell she was forcing herself not to move. The black she-cat didn't see any reason why they shouldn't do the patrol and she didn't want to go against Ghoststar despite her curiosity of why the patrol was necessary.
      "Who should I take, Ghoststar?"
      "Cat's of your choice, but make it a medium amount of cats." Darkmoon dipped her head before leaving the den. She came out into the clearing. Thistlefur was showing Owlpaw a few battle moves at the far side of camp. The reddish tabby argued with him about something but Darkmoon couldn't make out their words. Snakefang was coming into camp with Featherpaw at his side. The she-cat's wound had healed, though she still had to be careful, yet she had been especially grouchy lately. Cat's joked she had burrs she slept on in her nest or maybe that Scorchtooth had rubbed off on her while healing her would with Silverpaw.
       She walked up to Snakefang as he and his Apprentice dropped prey on the pile. "You and Featherpaw are going to go on a patrol off the territory with me." She mewed. The dark tabby tom didn't have time to reply. Spade, a new Warrior who refused a proper name, trotted up to them with a coy face.
       "Oo a little Warrior mission?" The brown tabby tom mewed, curling his tail tip. Darkmoon flattened her ears. From the start she hadn't liked the tom. He wasn't trustworthy, she just got that sense about him. And why wouldn't he change his name? He probably doesn't plan on sticking around..just a free ride with warm dens and good food. Still, she didn't want to leave camp without being able to keep an eye on him.
       "Yes and you're going. Let's go." She headed toward the camp entrance with her tail raised and the three other cats behind her. Let's try and find whatever Ghoststar expects us to find...

(continue on roseclan http://echoofroseclan.blogspot.com/)

Medicine Cat and New Apprentice

    Ghoststar's paws couldn't stop running. She could see the cats up ahead, fog clouding over their figures. They were so close, yet so far. Too far to clearly make out, too far to clearly hear. She could pick out bits and pieces. Starclan...Belief...Nine Lives... She didn't understand, couldn't understand. No matter how fast her white paws flew across the soft grass she could never reach them.
     The she-cat jolted awake just as soon as she almost made out the face of one of the mysterious cats. Gray light shafted in through the bracken that had been hung over the entrance of the stone den like a curtain. She stretched, trying to shake the memories of her dream away. "Who is Starclan?" She muttered to herself, half curious about them yet also afraid. Why was she dreaming about them? Ghoststar pushed through the curtain, blinking in the half light. It was a nice night, despite the clouds that drifted eerily across the sky.
      "Ghoststar, I sent out the patrols." Darkmoon padded up to her, the black she-cat's fur glowing a soft silver in the light. Ghoststar nodded to her Deputy, looking out at her clan. It had certainly grown; warriors filled the hallow tree trunk by the entrance and apprentices came in and out of the holly bush next to it. Silver had made herself comfortable in the small clump of boulders at the far side of camp, which was the Medicine Cat den. The only thing missing now was a Medicine Cat. Queens and Elders would come later, with time.
       "We really need a Medicine Cat." Ghoststar thought aloud. Darkmoon had settled down next to her. She looked at her leader with concerned eyes.
       "I know it. Featherpaw is healing though. Silver knows enough to get us along but I'm concerned still. If any worse wounds come along she may not know what to do."
       "We need someone experienced and knowledgeable." Ghoststar still couldn't get any ideas about where they would find a Medicine Cat. Ghoststar flinched as she thought she felt a cat brush up beside her. She looked to find no one there. Her gaze flicked as she saw a russet red tail tip disappear through the camp entrance. Odd...No one in the clan has red fur like that. An intruder? Somehow Ghoststar didn't feel like it was a trespasser.
       "Are you okay?" Darkmoon's amber eyes watched Ghoststar carefully. "You seem jumpy..."
       "Yes, I'm just going to go take a walk." Ghoststar got to her paws and padded out. She continued to see the red tail and followed it. Was she in a dream again; chasing a Starclan cat? She saw the tail in a clump of ferns, tantalizingly close. Ghoststar leaped through the ferns, eager to catch the mysterious cat, but instead ran into a black tom.
        "What do you think you're doing?!" The tom hissed. Ghoststar sat back in surprise. The tom had gray scars etched across his body, but were most prominent on his muzzle. She was embarrassed at first, but reminded herself she was the Leader around here.
        "I should be asking you that. You've trespassed into Twilightclan territory." She arched her back, baring her teeth. The tom did the same to reveal yellow, twisted teeth.
        "Mouse-brain, of course I know where I am! I came here to join. I know you need a Medicine cat." His tone was harsh. Ghoststar dropped her hostile attitude.
        "A Medicine cat!" She tried not to sound to excited but couldn't hold back. "That's exactly what we need. I'll take you back to camp." The tom stopped her, glancing over his shoulder.
        "I think there's a little she-cat following me." Ghoststar looked back, narrowing her eyes. She did catch scent of another cat.
        "You may as well come out." A few heart beats passed before a reddish brown tabby she-cat padded out. She kept her head high and tail up, despite being spotted.
        "And who are you?"
        "Owl. I want to join your clan too! I only followed you because I knew it would be an easy way getting here." The black tom rolled his eyes, ignoring her. Ghoststar raised her tail.
       "Okay I'll take you both back to camp." Ghoststar started walking back. She thought maybe the reddish she-cat was the cat she had been following but she knew the red fur wasn't red enough on her. That must have been a Starclan cat...did they lead me to our Medicine Cat?

Mystery

      Featherpaw peeped open an eye as silver shafts of light entered the Apprentice den. She felt Talonpaw sprawled out beside her and growled softly to herself. Did he always have to take up half the den? It was a small bush already, the ginger tom didn't need to help that. The gray tabby she-cat got up out of the den, stretching out. The moon was full and washed over Featherpaw with a silver glow. She padded out into the woods. Snakefang was busy out with a Warrior training session so she had time to herself.
      The woods were quiet despite the fact that cats stirred within. Everyone had gotten good at moving through the undergrowth, especially Featherpaw. She twisted under ferns and through bracken silently. She was immediately alerted when there was a loud crackling. Featherpaw froze, the fur along her shoulders beginning to bristle. What do I do? Is it a badger? Fox? Rouge? If she was back with her housefolk the gray Apprentice would have retreated to their den and curled up with the female two-leg to be petted, but she was training to be a Warrior now.
       Featherpaw headed toward the noise, using every stealth tactic she had been taught. As she broke through a clump of ferns, she saw it. A peppery white she-cat with faded stripes was struggling to get through the thick undergrowth. A trespasser! Featherpaw unsheathed her claws. She scented the air carefully. No one else was around. This was her opportunity to prove she was just as good as any other cat in Twilightclan. She would show this intruder that she was on the wrong side of the border. Snakefang would be so proud.

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Another White Cat and An Intresting Visitor

    Tawnynight jolted awake, her breath catching in her throat. Her hind paw accidently clawed Thistlefur, tearing out a small clump of the tom's tortoiseshell fur. He hissed in anger, but was too sleepy to fully take any revenge on it. The brown tabby she-cat sighed heavily, finally able to breath. How many times had she had that dream? No, that memory...The ways of her blood thirsty family was still fresh in her mind, no matter how far she tried to bury her past behind her. Tanwynight knew she wouldn't have any luck going back to sleep, so she instead got to her paws and padded around the other Warriors to get outside. Ducking out from under the hallow trunk she winced at the golden sunlight.
      Since joining Twilightclan, she had been completely nocturnal. It felt almost wrong to be out under the scorching sun. Her crème and brown fur longed for the cool of night and the comfort of its cover. "What are you doing up?" She spun around, not hearing Talonpaw approach as he spoke behind her. Was that butterflies she felt in her stomach? No, of course not.
      "I...I just had some bad dreams." She quietly told her Apprentice, sitting again and licking stray clumps of moss and bracken from her fur. Talonpaw had a sympathetic gaze but it quickly changed to humor.
      "I bet you were having nightmares about me, the roughest toughest cat in the whole forest!" He arched his tail over his back, parading around her with a smug look. Tawnynight rolled her blue eyes. Yup, no butterflies there. She pushed by the broad shouldered tom and headed out for the forest. She stopped in her tracks when Ghoststar came through the entrance with a almost as white she-cat clamped in her jaws. The difference between their pelts was a tint of silver to the softer looking cat.
      "Who's that?" Tawnynight bared her teeth, surprised at the protectiveness she felt for her clan. Ghoststar had Snakefang block the entrance.
      "We were having our midday patrol when we spotted this little kitty-pet prancing through our forest." The dark tabby Warrior spat. Featherpaw was next to him, her eyes filling with a bitterness and hurt at the way he said kitty-pet. The silvery she-cat shook out her pelt, which was smudged with dirt after their tussle. She had a few scratches but Ghoststar was unharmed. Tawnynight thought that odd if they had gotten in a fight. Did this cat have no claws? Impossible.
        "I wasn't trespassing, I'm trying to tell you. I want to join!" Despite her bristling fur, the intruder didn't unsheathe any claws. Ghoststar looked her over. She wasn't sure. The she-cat was definitely a kitty-pet with no hunting or fighting expierence, yet she had a bravery about her that Ghoststar found herself respecting.
        "I'll give you a chance to prove yourself."
         Snakefang's amber eyes flared with anger. "What! As if one kitty-pet wasn't bad enough, we might as well go through two-leg place recruiting every soft furred cat there!" Ghoststar shot him a silencing glare. Tawnynight couldn't stop looking at the blood dripping from the new cat's white pelt. It sent chills down her spine and memories flooded in. Without a word, she dashed out of camp. The other's watched her go confused.
         "Weak stomach?"

        In her efforts to escape her past, somehow she instead ran into it. A living, breathing piece of it. "Boulder?!" The light gray tabby tom seemed relieved to find her. Tawnynight backed away from him.
       "Tawny! I found you. We have to go back to Bloodclan."
        "I don't want to..." Boulder's sharp blue eyes flashed.
         "What?" Tawnypelt looked away from him, wishing he hadn't found her. Wishing they hadn't sent anyone to find her.
         "I-I like it here. I found a home, Boulder. One where I don't have to kill without reason. One with a code and a..a family." She knew from his face he didn't understand. How could he? He seemed just fine with the dirty work Bloodclan made him do. Had he ever thought of living a different way? She was shocked when he spoke.
         "Okay."
         "What?"
         "I said okay. You can stay here, with this family of yours." Boulder took a step toward her. "On one condition." Tawnypelt flicked an ear, her expression questioning.
         "I get to stay too."

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A Deputy Rises, New Warrior, and Apprentice

    Talonpaw flinched as he felt hot breath down his back, reaching through even his thick fur to touch the skin. It was the ugliest creature he had ever seen. Black and white, rugged fur coated is body, with two tiny, beady black eyes that held no emotion of a sympathetic creature. The ginger tom could hardly run much longer. Talonpaw left tabby clumps behind as he slashed through the thick undergrowth, trying to flee the rouge badger. "H-Help!"
      Ghoststar didn't know the young cat had stumbled upon the beast while exploring off on his own. He was supposed to be with Snakefang, but the young Apprentice had snuck off once again, disobeying orders. The white she cat was munching on a mouse with Tawnynight, both she-cats not really enjoying the other's company but willing to share a meal anyway. Snakefang tromped through the forest, his claws unsheathed with frustration. "Talonpaw! Talonpaw!"
      

        ***

 

        Dark took a deep breath before she stepped over the well marked border line. This could be a start to her new life. If these cats would accept her. Would they? She hoped so. Would it be like being a rouge? Fighting for your rank and respect each and ever day... The black she-cat shook at the thought, feeling the old battle scars hidden under her fur tingle. Dark padded through the soft undergrowth, enjoying the dusk. It was nice here and quiet...A splitting screech shook the air, sending the black she-cat on her toes with back arched.

        A fluffy ginger tom busted through the undergrowth just ahead of her. The badger following him grew closer to snapping at his wide paws with each second. Climb a tree, you stupid kit! The tabby didn't make a move for any trees. Dark let out a frustrated growl, she had to help him, didn't she? It shocked her to feel a pelt beside hers on either side. "Wha? Who are you!?" She slipped out between the two cats, getting into a battle crouch.

        There was a tortoiseshell tom and a feathery gray tabby she-cat. "I'm Thistle. Don't know who this little kit is she just started following me." He spat a bit at the little she-cat. She pricked her ears hopefully.

        "I'm, um, Feather." She still wasn't used to not using her kitty-pet name. "I thought you were heading for this clan too so I'd tag along." Dark shook her head, not really caring who they were. Her thoughts were focused on the endangered kit.

       "Whoever you are, I need your help." She thought on her paws quickly and told them a plan with direct orders. The two cats seemed willing to listen and each went separate directions like she told them.

       "Over here!" Dark hissed to the ginger tabby tom as he raced past her, his breath catching in his throat as he ran out of energy. With a last ditch attempt, he swerved toward her, brown eyes wild. As the badger followed him in hot pursuit, she was ready. The black she-cat leapt in front of it with a mighty hiss, sending it reeling backward for a moment. It fell right into the paws of Feather and Thistle who gave it a few good blows over the eyes and ears. The creature stood, roaring. It's eyes glared at the cats defiantly for a few heart beats, but that quickly switched to fear and the creature went barreling off into the trees in flee.

       "You...You saved me." Talonpaw panted heavily, not even able to stand after running literally for his life. Dark watched the badger leave, licking her muzzle in satisfaction.

        "It was nothing, kit." Thistle and Feather looked at each other then at Dark.

        "Oh, that was more than nothing." Three figures melted out of the foilage like shadows. Nobody had noticed them there. Ghoststar padded over to Talonpaw, licking him gently as she would a startled kit. Dark suddenly felt trapped, and threatened. The stark white she-cat looked up. "You made a brilliant plan back there."

 

 

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Our First Warrior, A Rough Start

         Ghoststar stretched as the moon light flitted in through her den. She had slept all day and still felt sore and tired. Forest life was different from the two-leg place. You had to build your own shelter and weaving through the thick undergrowth was definitely more difficult. She pushed out of her den, which was a niche in the large boulder at one end of camp. Snakefang, Talonpaw, and her had spent their last few days making dens and setting up borders. Ghoststar shook out her white pelt, grooming out any loose pieces of moss that clung to it. She thought they did quite well. The dens were sturdy now, woven with vines and sticks, and ready for new joiners.
            Seems just as she thought that a yowl echoed through the night air.

 

***

 

     Tawnynight was racing through the forest, her heart pounding. She couldn't believe she'd done something like this! Well she could, kind of. She was away from her family. Away from those blood stained killers. Her paws seemed to fly through the undergrowth easily with the adrenaline pulsing through her. She didn't notice the tangle of vines up ahead. The bracken colored she-cat yowled as she got tangled up in the mesh. She was twisted upside down and her head bumped the ground as her tail fell into her face. "Ugh!"

 

***

 

     "Snakefang! You need to wake up!" Ghoststar shook the dark colored tom. He moaned, rolling onto his other side to avoid the white she-cat. Her claws unsheathed and she slashed his ear, blood welling at the tip as her temper flared. The tom sat bolt upright.

     "Ouch!" Ghoststar flicked an ear, satisfied that he was awake.

     "There's a trespasser. I heard them yowl out in the forest. We have to go!" Snakefang's anger faded from his eyes. The two cats pushed out of the Warriors den, which was a hallow tree trunk, and raced out of camp and into the forest. The cat continued to wail and call for help so it wasn't difficult to find her in the dark night. They came upon the brown she-cat tangled up and hanging upside down in the vine tangles.

      "Just hanging around?" Ghoststar joked.

 

(Continued in the comments) 

The Beginning

     Ghost crouched in the darkness, her breath gently billowing as her blue gray eyes stared ahead unmoving. She hadn't explored this far from two-leg place before. She felt Snake brush up beside her. "What are you waiting for?" He hissed in her ear. She flicked her head, disliking his touch.
      "This is unknown territory! We have to be careful." Ghost edged forward, her white paws glowing in the half light. They had gone out of two-leg place because she was tired of being a rouge. Tired of sneaking around two-leg place, constantly afraid of the up walkers. Tired of eating crow food and being chased by rapid dogs. It was time to claim something. To own something. To not be pushed around.
        "Guys! Wait up..." There was a crackling through the undergrowth as Talon shoved his broad shoulders through the branches. Snake looked back at him, flattening his ears.
         "Would you be quiet! I smell badgers around here..." His voice was fierce as he scolded the young cat. Talon dropped his head, hanging it sadly. Ghost rolled her eyes. Toms... She looked back out at the territory, scenting with her mouth partly gapped open. Mice...Trees...moss...There was a variety of other smells she didn't recognize. Muskier scents. The feel of soft soil beneath her paws and soft leaves pressing around her was comforting. Even here, her white pelt stood out though. She padded on through the thick trees, branches scratching her spine, till the trees suddenly opened up to a clearing. One huge boulder sat at one side, a cluster of boulders at another, some large bushes, a hallow tree trunk, and soft grass covered it all.
        "This is it!" Snake looked at Ghost confused as she called out, bounding up onto the huge boulder proudly.
       "What is what?" Talon asked, his brown eyes bigger than usual as he got excited.
       "This is our camp. From what I've heard about clans, they need one. A camp I mean. And all this stuff can be our dens! Its perfect. This whole territory is perfect. Its ours." It felt good to say that for once. To finally own something and not be afraid of what was in it. Snake and Talon glanced at each other.
        "You sure about this whole clan thing? It sounds a bit far fetched to me...and three cats can't be a clan!" Snake had a skeptical look on his face. Ghost scowled down at him. More doubt. Something she was used to.
        "I want to own territory and lead a group. I'm tired of being lead and pushed around. We're good fighters and hunters! Two-leg place has made a strong..its hard to survive there. We can take those skills and use them for our clan. Teach young Apprentices how to hunt in the night. How to fight off even the strongest of rouges! And there may be three of us now but just you wait! We'll get joiners.."

       Snake still held a doubtful look but Talon was beginning to quiver. "So...You'll have to be Ghoststar! You're our leader now right?"

      Ghost liked the sound of that. Ghoststar. Leader! She puffed out her chest, giving her white hair a quick lick. "Yes. I'm Ghoststar now. And you, you're Snake...Snakefang! And Talon, you have to be Talonpaw. You're not old enough to be a Warrior." Talonpaw looked slightly disappointed but shrugged. Snakefang seemed to like his name, if he liked anything about the situation.
     "And our name? Our clan name?" He spoke with an almost amused tone. Ghoststar looked up at the sky with thought. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw the sky had burst with orange, pink, and frosty white hues. That was all that was light as the sun set. The forest had fallen to pure darkness despite the soft glow of the sunset splashed sky. Ghoststar's gaze was distracted away from the sight as soft glow spots dotted through the woods.
        "What's that?" Snakefang asked, arching his back protectively. Talonpaw trotted up to one glowing light, pouncing on it as it dotted the ground. He jumped back in surprise.
        "Bleck! Its a bug! I squished it..A little glowing bug." Ghoststar looked around, taking in the sight. She purred as she took in the sight, the orange glow washing over her white fur.
         "Twilightclan. We are Twilightclan. We are the night."