The Hardest Thing 2 Accept

Stargaze sat on Overhang Rock, starring down at the Clan she had to lead. She had to accept her close friend and leader was most likely dead. Dead. The word rang in her ears like a bell. She would never see her wise silver eyes spark with happiness as she gazed fondly over the kits in the nursery. The edge in her meow when she scowled her warriors for eating on a patrol. Grief hang in the air. She had to appoint a deputy, for she was now leader. Not deputy. She sighed and looked at the sky and saw that the sun was setting.

I got until moon-high to decide. Maybe StarClan will guide me, she thought as she made her way to her new den that still smelled faintly of Tornadostar. She curled up and fell asleep in a couple of heartbeats.

~♥~

The gray mist! hissed Lightningstar in her ear before she sat bolt upright. Stargaze leaped to her paws. StarClan had made no sense! She growled silently to herself and stalked through the camp, mewing soft, tense greetings. She had to decide who would support her with every hair on her pelt. She gracefully leaped onto Overhang Rock and faced the Clan. Her name seemed obvious since her eyes shone with the stars of their warrior ancestors. The gray mist, came the whisper on the wind. Stargaze forced her bristling fur to relax and opened her jaws to yowl for a Clan meeting. There was no need; all the cats had already gathered, their eyes white. Gray mist hung in the clearing, shrouding the cats in foggy air., moisture dampening their slick pelts.

"I say these words in StarClan's presence. May they hear and approve of my choice of de---" she stopped and gaped at the clearing she couldn't see her Clanmates at all. Except for two. They say next to each other in the middle of the clearing, the fog forming a circle around them. She breathed in sharply. The gray mist! came the silent yowl that only she could her. Graymuzzle and Seamist! She understood.

"And the new deputies of LightningClan will be Graymuzzle and Seamist!" she finished and the fog seemed to melt into the shadowed moonlight along the edges of the clearing, revealing the forms of her Clan-mates once more. Utter surprise appeared on her Clan-mates faces. They seemed to want to ask "Why two deputies?!?", but crickets played an annoying melody as silence gripped the camp.

"Graymuzzle! Seamist!" came the squeak of Rabbitkit and then Wishkit. Stargaze purred in amusement as the Clan over took the squeaky cries. Stargaze raised her tail for silence and the clearing fell quiet after a few heartbeats.

"Tidekit and Shadowkit have reached their sixth moon. Nightstorm can move back to the warriors den. From this moment on, Tidekit and Shadowkit will be known as Tidepaw and Shadowpaw. Shadowpaw's mentor will be Leafcliud. Tidepaw's mentor is Shadowsong. That is all." Stargaze nodded and watched newly named mentor and apprentice touch noses. No matter what happened, Clan life went on.

~♥~

"You're to travel to the Moonstream and Crystal Pool tomorrow at moon-high," reminded Shinestream as Stargaze stretched and curled up. She nodded sleepily and fell asleep as the pretty Bengal medicine cat padded lightly out of the den. Ferns swooshed as she slid through the entrance back into the camp clearing and the moving shadows slowly put Stargaze to sleep. Horrible dreams filled her sleep. Wildpaw, Lilypaw, and Sunpaw---her kits she had abandoned so many moons ago---were at the edge of a cliff, hungry licking flames surrounding them. Only one way out was a tree branch a dark gray matted form blocked. He was looking at a dark ginger she-cat, bright fire in the flicker light of the flames, with a hungry look in his eyes. He gave her one final cold glare and padded into the trees. And her kits scrambled over the tree branch, to safety. She woke up with a start. Something told her she had just experience something from the past, when the Three were still very young. A terrible secret had been revealed and

Desperation

Pudding was curled up around her kits, sleeping. Wildpaw's eye glinted in the moonlight that filtered through the leafless branches of the trees overhead. What am I going to do? she thought. Her place was with LightningClan, not running from a bunch of half-starved crow-food eaters! She couldn't put mother and her kits in danger; it wasn't right. She got up silently and padded softly to the sleeping mounds of soft fur. She put her muzzle to the she-cat's ear.
"May StarClan light your path forever," she murmured softly and disappeared into the lingering shadows.

~♥~

Moonleaf had to find her! She wasn't going to rest until she found her apprentice. She continued deeper into the boggy territory, her paws making sucking sounds each time she lifted one out of the muck. She curled her lips in disgust, flicking the mud of her paw. She continued on, desperation washing over her each time she thought of her apprentice

~♥~

Leopardshadow grieved for the LightningClan leader. What would they do without her? She yawned and stretched, her belly bulging. She knew she was close to kitting. Brambles rustled as Darkshadow pushed himself into the den, a mouse dangling from his jaws.

"Hungry?" he mumbled around the prey. Leopardshadow nodded vigoriously and crouched down beside Darkshadow, inhaling it.

"Fattie," Darkshadow purred, licking his paw and drew it over his ear, looking at his mate from the corner of his eye. Leopardshadow hissed in mock anger and leaped on her mate playfully. They tussled on the nursery floor, scattering moss and bracken all about. Pains spiked in Leopardshadow's belly as she pinned her mate to the ground, sheathed paws placed oin his throat.

"Ow!" she screeched, falling onto the nursery, moaning. Darkshadow flipped over onto his paws and rushed to his mate's side. He knew it was the kits.

"I'll get Shinestream!" he said, haring to the medicine cat den. He skidded to a halt and gave a yowl.

"LEOPARDSHADOW'S KITS ARE COMING!" he yowled and raced back the nursery, where Leopardshadow was panting, contractions shaking her. The smell of herbs pricked his nose, announcing the arrival of Shinestream. She sat by the queen's side, running her tail down her flank.

"It's okay. Just push when I tell you to, okay?" Shinestream told the she-cat. Contractions shook Leopardshadow, her eyes glazed over in pain. As the next contraction took hold, Shinestream placed a paw on her flank.

"Now!" she ordered softly. Leopardshadow yowled as she pushed, a wet bundle slipping into the world. Wavepaw, who was chewing up herbs for the queen after the birth, slide beside her mentor and nipped the sack open and licked the kit's fu the wrong way.

"What's going on?" Wishkit's head popped up over Lightfeather's flank. Lightfeather head rose at the curious kit's question.

"Hush! She's having her kits! Go back to sleep," she chidded her younger sister and curled up around her, looking apologetically at the cats. Darkshadow flicked his tail in acceptance and casting a look at Leapordshadow, slid out of the den. He wanted to give her some privacy. After what seemed like moons, Shinestream slipped out of the shadow of the nursery entrance and looked at him, her eyes sharp with exhaustion.

"Four beautiful kits. Three toms and one daughter," she announced happily, but she said it too highly. She acted too happy. Darkshadow's heart raced as he looked at her and pushed into the nursery. There she was, suckling four kits. She glanced up, her eyes shining.

"What should we name them?" she asked softly, gazing fondly at them. Darkshadow purred as a kit mewled and struggled to get milk.

"What ever you want," he meowed. She looked at him and back at their kits.

"The toms should be Cedarkit, Jaykit, Wolfkit, and Skykit is the our daughter," she decided. Darkshadow purred. "Beautiful names."

"I'm going to et you rest," he told her and curled up im his own nest in the warriors den between Skywing and Seamist. A mysterious whisper filled his dreams. The jay will nest in the cedar, then take to the sky, and perch upon the wolf.

~♥~

I love my new signiture made by Dreamstar! It's perfect! Everyone tell me what you think of it! Thank you so much Dreamstar!!!!

Dawn Patrol:
Seamist
Charredpaw
Swiftwing
Sunfur
Sparkstream
Flashpaw
Changespirit
Sunhigh Patrol:
Stargaze
Woodfur
Cricketchirp
Ratchet
Sun
Violetpaw
Moonhigh Patrol:
Sunpaw
Spottedpaw
Dewflower
Windrunner
Berrysplash
Appledapple
Hunting Patrol:
Abyss
Shootingstream
Oceansplash
Sharpclaw
Nightpaw
Skywing

The Hunted & The Haunted

Wildpaw stalked the mouse and pounced. She killed it with a quick blow with her paw. She trotted over to the roots of the oak she had buried two mice and a squirrel. Prey dangling from her jaws, she padded back through the woods to where Pudding and her kits where laying.

"Here you go," Wildpaw mumbled around the prey and dropped it at her feet. Pudding's eyes widened at the small pile of fresh kill. It must look like a feast to her, thought Wildpaw. She took a one of the three mice for herself and settled down in the shade of a hazel bush. Finishing her morsel in famished gulps, Wildpaw got to her paws and stretched until the leaves on the forest floor brushed her belly fur. Pudding was just swallowing the last of the squirrel, mouse bones scattered around her.

"Thank you so much!" she mewed happily. "You saved my life and my kits lives!" Wildpaw flicked her tail in embarrassment and looked at her paws. She took a deep breath and a dark, shadowy stench hit the roof of her mouth. DarkClan! They had followed her!

"Pudding! Come with me!" she hissed, scanning the undergrowth and scooping up a protesting kit at the same time. Pudding did as she was told, but confusion lit up her face. looking both ways, Wildpaw led the way over a ridge and started racing across the open grass, the kit bouncing against her chest. Pudding dashed after her. Wildpaw skidded to a halt when her back turned cooler, indicating that trees were overhead, blocking out the sky. Pudding set her kit down gently and whipped around to face Wildpaw.

"What is your problem!" she hissed at her. Her eyes darkened as she gathered up her other kit and curled up around them. Wildpaw looked away, not wanting to explain. They were still after her and she could only run.....

~♥~

"We have to figure out what the prophecy means," murmured Tornadostar, her wise silver gaze hardened with determination. Shinestream squinted in the darkness of the cave only they knew about.

"What was it again?" Shinestream wondered. Tornadostar hissed in frustration. She just wanted to leave the cave, because foreboding crashed down on her every time she remembered how invisible eyes had scorched her pelt on the trek here.

"The darkness is coming, to overwhelm the light, but the star shines brighter, but the wind will run and save the wild, berry and hazel will come together, the leaf will compose its own song, and the spotted lily shall see what is to come," Tornadostar repeated for the third time. Shinestream nodded, her gaze starring at nothing in particular as she ran through the prophecy in her head.

"Darkness could be DarkClan. Light is obviously LightningClan. 'but the star shines brighter' makes no sense," mewed Shinestream. "'The wind will run' could mean.........I don't know...." her voice trailed of in confusion. She looked at Tornadostar, and saw understanding flash in her eyes.

"Windrunner!" they gasped at the same time."It makes sense! 'the wind will run to save the wild' must mean Windrunner will save the wild......." rasped Tornadostar. Shinestream nodded in agreement and continued decoding StarClan's mysterious message.

"'The berry and hazel will come together'? What could that mean?" Tornadostar wondered. Shinestream shrugged.

"The leaf will compose it's own song' must mean Leafkit and Songkit! They are about to be apprenticed," Shinestream reminded the jet black she-cat. "And we already know that Spottedpaw and Lilypaw have seen what's to come." Tornadostar nodded blankly and flicked her ears towards the mouth of the cave, the only light source streaming into the cave. Cra-ack! A twig snapped somewhere among the bushes near the cave. The she-cats glanced at each other.

"You stay here. I'm going to go check it out," murmured Tornadostar. The medicine cat opened her jaws to protest, but was silenced by a glare from her leader. She watched, her fur on end, as the jet black cat crept out of the cave, her ears pricked to hear the slightest movement. Leaves rustled ahead and Shinestream crouched lower into the dark shadows. She watched the ferns swallow up a black tail tip as her leader plunged deeper towards the sound of the rustling. Shinestream closed her eyes, praying to her warrior ancestors that Tornadostar was safe. Suddenly, a frightened caterwaul split the air, echoing all around Shinestream as it bounced off the walls. She jumped up and pelted into the undergrowth, the light temporarily blinding her. She crashed blindly towards the sound of Tornadostar's yowl for help. As her muscles began to burn, she skidded to a halt for a heartbeat to listen.

"SHINESTR--" screeched Tornadostar, but her cry was cut off. Fear crashed over the she-cat as she bounded toward the yowl and froze in horror at what she saw.

The leaves scattered on the forest floor were bright red with blood. Tornadostar's blood. Shinestream looked at it in horror and backed away, her pelt fluffed up in pure terror. She whipped around and raced back to camp as fast as an ancient WindClan cat. Invisible eyes watched her retreating form as she headed back to camp to tell the Clan.

~♥~

Stargaze knew her secret would come back to haunt her. She could feel it. It was struggling to be set free and she couldn't do anything about it. With Tornadostar thought to be dead, she was leader, but betraying StarClan made her not fit to be leader. She knew her decision would haunt her as her secret would until it was set free. She leaped onto Overhang Rock, the sun reflecting dully of her unkept pelt from grief and hopelessness. Charred, the dusty brown she-cat, sat next to Leopardshadow and Darkshadow, his mate's belly bulging with his kits.The last border patrol had found her almost starved to death. Now she was healthy, her fur well kept and sleek.

"All cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath Overhang Rock for a Clan meeting!" she yowled at the top of her lungs. Cats began streaming out, wondering what it was this time.

"Naming new apprentices proves we will remain strong." she began, gazing down at LightningClan. "Today, from this moment on Charred will be known as Charredpaw until she has recieved her warrior name. Swiftwing will be her mentor." Stargaze dipped her head, guilt crashing over her as she thought about the kits she had abandoned.

"I will find you, Wildpaw...." her voice trailed off. She couldn't leave her kit to die.

To Be Continued

Hunting Patrol

Comment here when you're assigned to a hunting patrol! Hunting patrols will be announced at the end of each post, so keep a look out for your name!

Border Patrol

The LightningClan border! Come here when your assigned to a border patrol! It's marked by a gorge. The only way to cross the gorge is a Smoothskin Bridge that leads across.

Fresh~Kill Pile

This is the fresh-kill pile! Stock it up when its low!

Mice~5

Squirrels~3

Shrews~1

Voles~None

Rabbits~None

Sparrows~1

Magpies~None

Other~4

-------------------

Total~14 pieces of prey

Questions & Comments

If you have any questions, please commet below and I'll answer as soon as I can! Thank you!


~Stargaze

Temporary

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath Overhang Rock for a Clan meeting!" caterwauled the black she-cat. The sun beat down on the ground weakly, for leaf-fall had it's grip on the forest. Cats streamed out of the den, high pitched squeals of excitement drifted from the nursery as Nightstorm, Lightfeather, and Silverstorm led the kits to the outer edge of the clearing. They tumbled about, pawing up dust that hung lazily in the air.
"Stop!" hissed one of the queens as quietly as possible, but every cat's gaze was starring at them. Another yowl from Tornadostar brought the attention back to her.
"As you all know," she began solemnly, "Wildpaw is missing and Moonleaf seems to have gone after her. Their whereabouts are unknown, but I plan to keep that temporary. We will find them, I promise." Cats exchanged doubtful glances at one another, not knowing if their leader really thought the apprentice and mentor would be found.
"What else do you have to tell us? We know you didn't just call a meeting to tell us what we already know!" Swiftwing stepped forward, challenging her leader with a hard stare. Tornadostar dipped her head in acknowledgement.
"Yes, you are right, Swiftwing, but next time let me finish," she replied calmly, a veiled warning was laced in with her words. Swiftwing hissed and sat down, meowing something into her brother's ear. Tornadostar raised her tail for her Clan's attention once more and opened her jaws to continue.
"I have good news, also," she meowed, a hint more warmth in her gaze as she spoke. "Leopardshadow has just told me she is expecting Darkshadow's kits and I am to appoint a temporary head warrior. The temporary head warrior is Graymuzzle!" The she-cat nodded at the tom and disappeared into her den, Stargaze on her tail to discuss something unknown.

~♥~

The she-cat advanced, claws extended. Her lips were pulled back in a snarl and her eyes gleamed dangerously. Wildpaw backed up, stumbling over a tendril of brambles.

"Ouch!" she mewed as she stumbled backward and landed in a heap of fur. The sandy colored she-cat hissed as Wildpaw scrambled to her paws, trying to desperately untangle herself from the thorns.

"Look, I mean no harm! I'm not a threat!" Wildpaw told her as she freed her self from the thorn imprisonment. The two kits mewed pitifully and struggled to find their mother. The she-cat's eyes softened as she looked over her shoulder at the mewling kits, her gaze hardening as it locked on Wildpaw again. Wildpaw's neck fur started to bristle and she instinctively slid out her claws. Uh-oh! Wrong move! she thought as the vicious she-cat hissed in rage and flattened her ears.

"I'll leave you alone! Just let me go!" Wildpaw begged. She watched the she-cat sigh and sheathe her claws.

"I'm sorry," the she-cat meowed quietly. "My mate left when I had my kits and we're starving."

Sympathy welled up in Wildpaw.

"I can catch you something!" she offered excitingly as her belly rumbled. The she-cat curled up around her kits and looked at her astonished.

"Yes, please!" she exclaimed. "I'm Pudding and this is Brownie and Milky!" She pointed to her kits, one dark brown and one light cream like Pudding was. Wildpaw nodded and went to hunt.

Lost~Part 2

Leopardshadow couldn't escape her dreams of the empty camp ever since Wildpaw, Sunpaw, and Lilypaw. The same emtpy camp, the ancient voice warning something was coming. It haunted her dreams every night. She woke up yowling every night in the nursery, disturbing the other queens. Everytime Darkshadow came pelting through the entrance and curled around her, murmuring it was safe. The lolling of him grooming her pelt and his body warmth ususually put her to sleep. Tonight, the dream was................different. Somehow........realer. She couldn't explain it without sounding crazy. She had to tell someone. Stress wasn't good for the kits and Shinestream kept saying that as well.

The camp was deserted and stank of crowfood, a new detail Leopardshadow noticed. The same cat padded into the clearing, knobbly limbs cracking as he padded over to her with difficulty.

"It is coming!" he would whisper, then she'd wake up yowling, but tonight he left her with a different warning.

"I was wrong. They are coming! They!!! The jay will nest n the cedar, then fly to the sky and perch upon the wolf," he rasped with difficulty. Then her amber eyes snapped open, a wite ring around them, they were so big.

"Darkshadow!" she caterwauled, hurtling out of the nursery straight towards her mate. Tabby heads poked up around the den and hissed in cpmplaint, curling back up into their warn bed. Darkshadow pushed against her, murmuring words of comfort.

"What was the dream about this time?" he inquired, looking at her with a quizzically tipped head. Her blood boiled as she managed to choke ou the answer.

"I think he told me the kits future," she spluttered, then collasped in shock.

~♥~

They couldn't know what she had done! They couldn't! Stargaze knew she would have to reveal it at one point; all secrets came back to haunt you, no matter who or where you are, they always came back. She wasn't going to let this secret out. It was hers. She'd take a few cats on patrol*, she decided desperately.

~♥~

Wildpaw woke up with mud plastered to her sides, her tortoiseshell fur sticky and gooey.

"Eww!" she spat, immeadiately starting to groom the gunk out of her fur. When she was done, her mouth tasting od dry soil and spoiled mouse, she padded through the muck. A shrill wail split the air as she continued, belly fur high, in watery mud. She pricekd her ears as the wind carried a second wail away, but she pin pointed it. She trudged through the gunk as fast as she could and rounded a thorn bush, almost colliding with a sandy-colored she-cat crouched menacingly over two mewling kits. She hissed and advanced on the small tortoisehell apprentice.

PLEASE READ THIS!!!

Since I've been posting so many awards, this post was missed. Please read it, especially Changespirit.

Awards & Then New Posts


Thank you!

♥ Starry

Awards And Then New Posts!!!

I'm giving awards to all my friends! I still have Leopardshadow/Leapy, Delaney/Gmo XD, Warriors101, Changepaw, and a few others!!! I'll be done in a day or two, but now it is time for a special time after I say "PINEAPPLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"



PINEAPPLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



"Let all cats old enough tho catch thier own prey Gather beneath Overhang Rock for a Clan meeting!" yowled Tornadostar. Cats began streaming out of the dens, and planting themselves in front of their jet-black leader.

"Today two apprentices are to be made into warriors. Changgepaw and Skypaw," Tornadostar beckoned them with her tail, their mouthsgaping open as they stumbled to the base of Overhang Rock. Tornadostar turned to the mentors.

"Are they ready to become warriors?" she mewed. They both nodded solemnly and the black she-cat continued after a nod of approval.

"I, Tornadostar, leader of LightningClan call upon our warrior ancestors. They have worked hard to understand the ways of your noble code and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn."

"Changepaw, Skypaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend LightningClan, even at the cost of your life?" Tornadostar starred gravely at the two apprentices as they rose to their paws.

"I do," they chorused. Tornadostar nodded and continued. "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names." The LightningClan leader stepped to the edge of Overhang Rock and mewed the last few words that would make the two eager apprentices into young warriors.

"Skypaw from this moment on you shall be none as Skywing. StarClan honors your faith and courage." Tornadostar nodded as the she-cat padded up and licked her shoulder respectfully. The leader rested her muzzle on Skywing's shoulder, then stepped back. She turned her gaze to Changepaw.

"Changepaw from this moment on you shall be known as Changespirit. StarClan honors your beauty and determination. We welcome you as full warriors of LightningClan!" Tornadostar yowled the last few words, a firey force behind it that promised LightningClan was and always would be.

"Skywing! Changespirit! Skywing! Changespirit!" cheered the Clan. The two newly named warriors padded happilyto their friends and began to brag about their new names.

♥

Starry

(Please take notice of Changespirit's virtues!!!)

Lost

"Where am I?" Moonleaf wondered aloud. Wet, damp goo oozed between her paws, making them feel icky. The moisture stuck to her pelt, making damp. Little light peeked through the bare branches of the leafless trees. She had to find Wildpaw, even if it meant entering unknown territory. She pushed on, weaving around the few clumps of scrawny bushes that grew in the marshy area. She was going to find Wildpaw. She had promised StarClan and LightningClan to keep her safe.

~♥~

"Who's seen Moonleaf?" Stargaze ased her Clanmates in turn. They all just shrugged and went back to sharing tongues or eating. Stargaze wanted to shred all their earrs. She's your CLanmate! You should care! she thought harshly. She signed, knowing she had to find Moonleaf. She had to find Wildpaw. But how could she explain to them why she had done what she did? All those moons ago.........

She shook her head to clear it. This isn't a time to think about choices you wish you hadn't made! she scolded herself. She went over to her friend Leopardshadow, ready to ask if she had seen Moonleaf.

~♥~

"Where is she?" demanded Tornadostar, starring at the two apprentices. Spottedpaw and Lilypaw stood before her, saying they had both had the same dream. And the spotted lily will see what is to come.....the words hit Tornadostar like a badger's claws. A loud mew jolted her back to her den and the situation she had to deal with.

"Huh?" she blurted out. The apprentices rolled their eyes at each other and explained what they had seen again. Tornadostar felt a icy chill creep into her fur along the spine, the fur rising.

"And you only saw Wildpaw running? Through the woods?" she demanded. The apprentices nodded vigorously. Tornadostar sighed. WHy her that had to take the burden into her paws?

"I don't know what we can do..." she mewed to the apprentices. Pure disbelief shattered both their green gazes.

"What!?" Spottedpaw choked out, her shoulder fur bristling. "YOU NOT GOING TO HELP HERE? SHE AN APPRENTICE!" The tortoiseshell she-cat glared at her leader for a heartbeat longer before spinning around and stalking off angrily. Lilypaw glanced uncertainly after her friend and at her leader, then with an apologetic glance, she followed Spottedpaw. Tornadostar didn't know what else to do about Wildpaw. Everyone felt so far away, even her deputy and Leopardshadow. What's happening to me? Am i doubting the warrior code? she thought suddenly, horror creeping down her spine.

~♥~

"I know who's kits they are," Berrysplash. "Their Tux's, that black and white loner." HAzelcloud and the young she-cat were in the forest, talking alone. Hazelcloud didn't know what else to do.

"Yes, they are and you are not the only one to know!" she hissed defiantly. Berrysplash's eyes widen.

"Who else would?" she spat, pacing forward until she was nose to nose with teh creamy white she-cat. Fear shadowed the blue pools of melted sapphires and Berrysplash couldn't help feeling sorry of her.

"Put yourself in my paws," pleaded Hazelcloud. "Just for a minute! And figure out what it feels like to be a mother!" Berrysplash found herself nodding in agreement with Hazelcloud.

"Okay, I will," she mewed, nodding sharply, and almost running into Sunfur.

Surprise!

Why? Why couldn't it of been me? Sun thought sadly as she starred at Ratchet and Abyss grooming one another. She had loved him ever since he had helped her and Abyss through Smoothskinplace. She still longed for him in ways she never thought she could.
"Hey! You wanna go hunting?" a voice made her jump out of her fur. She turned around and saw Shadowsong looking at her shyly.
"Um....er..sure!" she stammered, her pelt growing hot. She trotted beside the handsome black tom and entered the forest, feeling something she didn't think she'd feel for the rest of her life. She cast a longing look at Ratchet and Abyss, who was happily announcing something to Ratchet, her face alight with happiness. Sun pricked her ears before her and Shadowsong got out of hearing length.
"..................expecting kits....." Abyss's voice floated over the barrier of thorns.

~♥~

She had to find him! She had to! She felt his yellow gaze follow her in her dreams, his scent when on patrol, his pelt brushing against hers.

"Tux!" she wailed. Rustle above told her a squirrel was scrambling on the branches of a willow tree.

"Yes?" spoke a deep meow. She faltered and turned around, her paws prickling with forboding. There he was, the sun shining on his black and white fur. Her blue eyes got big.

"You're here!" she breathed and lauched herself at him in a loving pounce. He purred and tussled with her on her on the forest floor. Hazelcloud had to spit out what her big news was.

"Tux! I'm expecting kits!"

~♥~

Leopardshadow and Darkshadow were sharing tongues when sumthing wiggled inside of her. She had to say it.

"DArkshadow...." her voice trailed off, wondering if she should say it or not.

"Yes, love?" he murmured around her fur. She tensed and gathered up the courage. She felt her heart plummet with forbodding. What if he says no? she wondered.

"I'm expecting kits," she whispered.

~♥~

Paws pounded behind her as she scrambled over a fallen log. She had to escape! Wildpaw launched herself up a slender, sturdy oak, clawing with frantic claws. She wedged into a hollow hole that stank of owl pellets just as the DarkClan cats skidded to a halt beneath the tree.

"Where is she?" came a blood chilling hiss from teh blood-red-eyed deputy. The other cats shrugged and they all disappeared in the direction of their dark territory.

~♥~

Moonleaf had to find her apprentice if it was last thing she did. She was a warrior and she was responsible for her apprentice. I'm going to find her! She promised StarClan and continued deeper into the territory of DArkClan, her apprentice's fear scent mingled with a foul cat stench.

Recovery

Heat pulsed from Leopardshadow at an alarming rate. The mottled head warrior was muttering in her sleep and Darkshadow was on his paws in an instant. His eyes widened as the she-cat started shaking violently, her eyes snapping open. Foam bubbled from her mouth as she continue to shake. Darkshadow's paws seemed frozen in place as he yowled for the LightningClan medicine cat. The spotted she-cat was there ion a single heartbeat, Wavepaw right behind her.
"What's wrong?" waile Darkshadow, his heart being pierced by an icy claw. The she-cats ignored him and held her down.
"Go get some soaked moss!" barked Shinestream, glaring at him. He nodded abruptedly and pelted to Clearwater Spring. Clawing some moss of a tree trunk, he dunked it, and pelted back as fast as possible. Skidding into the den, he saw Leopardshadow wasn't shaking, but heat still vibrated off of her in waves. He threw the moss on the ground and launched himself on the ground beside the cat he thought was as beautiful as the sun itself and the stars that were their warrior ancestors.
"Don't leave me!" he begged, watching her closely. A tail rested on his shoulder and a soft voice spoke.
"She's okay. She vomited up a bad mouse. She's fine," soothed Shinestream, looking at him. She glanced at Wavepaw and pointed at him with her tail.
"Thyme," she ordered her apprentice, who disappeared for a heartbeat and came back with a sweet, tangy smelling herb. It soothed his stiffened muscles and he sank to the floor, curling up next to Leopardshadow. Her breathing was even and her fever was gone, for no heat pulsed from her sleeping mound of tabby fur. He wanted to tell her how he felt, but not until she recovered.

~♥~

"GET UP, YOU MOUSEBRAIN!" screeched a female voice. Darkshadow sprang to his paws, his fur bristling and saw Leopardshadow eyes sparkling teasingly.

"Let's hunt!" she exclaimed and bounded out of camp, flicking her tail. He had no idea how she was so hyper, but he raced into the forest after her, wanting to only hunt with her forever and no other cat.

♥♥♥

The Shadow

"Here's your mouse," spat the tom Wildpaw had learned was Slashclaw. He tossed a scrawny mouse at her paws and stalked away, muscles rippling powerfully. She gulped it down in quick, famished gulps. She had to escape! She glanced around her small sheltered hollow, a tail-length thick of sharp thorns. She glanced at the entrace and saw the tom with blood red eyes guarding it. She shivered; she hadn't known it was possible to have red eyes until she had met the DarkClan deputy, Bloodpool. She crept behind him , praying that what she was about to do was with the protection of StarClan.
"I have to make dirt," she mewed, her pelt hot with shame. Bloodpool grunted and ignored her statement. Fury grew in Wildpaw as the heartbeats stretched on and he ignored her.
"Did you hear me, you piece of crow-food!!! I need to make dirt!"she hissed, regretting it instantly. The tom looked sharply over his shoulder, his eyes narrowed dangerously. He turned towards her and advanced slowly, his tail flicking to and fro. Wildpaw edged back , a lump forming in her throat.
"I just have to use the dirtplace! Honestly," she growled, feeling braver as she spoke. The tom hissed again, his Clan mates filing in behind him. Wildpaw pushed herself into the thorns, her pelt being pierced like a hunted mouse's last moments at a cats hungry claws. Bloodpool was two tail-lengths away, coming closer ever heartbeat. Wildpaw had to do it.
"MRROWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!" she yowled as she plunged through the thorns, embedded in her skin. She ripped through tendril after tendril, astonishing mews behind her. Her paws were pierced with thorns, embedded deep in her pad. She wrenched through the last few thorns and pelted into the dakr territory, the dark-hearted warriors after her.

~♥~

"Lilypaw......Lilypaw!" Spottedpaw poked the tabby she-cat with her paw. The apprentice sat bolt upright, her amber eyes wide.

"The night is going to swallow the wild!" gasped Lilypaw. An icy chill ran down Spottedpaw's spine. She had heard that in her dream, which is why she had been waking up her friend, Lilypaw.

"She's all alone......" Lilypaw trailed off, looking at her with fear in her eyes. Spottedpaw decided right then they were going to Tornadostar right THEN.

"Come on! We have to see Tornadostar!" she hissed, tugging the relunctant apprentice with her.

~♥~

Moonleaf laid in the mossy nest, her eyes fixed on her paws. She just starred blankly as if they were horrid snakes. Horror shadowed her blue gaze and no one could comfort her. NO ONE!

Wildpaw was my responsibility! I should of went with her! wailed MOonleaf. It was all her fault and no cat could help the apprentice because her mentor had let her go hunting by herself.

She recalled her Clanmates empty words, but they plastered a fake hopeful look on their faces. She wished she could rake their ears off! COULDN'T THEY SEE WILDPAW MIGHT BE DEAD? Didn't they realize that the worse may still come?

"We will find her," Tornadostar had said. Moonleaf could see she hadn't meant it but had just nodded in agreement to shut her leader up. She gritted her teeth. She was going to find Wildpaw.

~♥~

"Ooof!" came the forced breath out of Hazelcloud's mouth as she ran head-on into Berrysplash.

"I-I-I'm-m s-s-s-soo sorry-ry," she stammered, looking at the winded tortoiseshell warrior. Berrysplash heaved herself to her paws and looked at Hazelcloud closely.

"You didn't mean to," she started, peering at Hazelcloud again. Fear pricked her paws. "But you weren't thinking about the Clan. You were thinking about Tux." Hazelcloud's mouth dropped open as the she-cat boldy accused her of thinking of him.

"No, I WASN'T! I don't even know a cat by the name of Tux," she hissed, and stuck her nose in the air and sniffed. She stalked away, her tail high. She heard Berrysplash call her name.

"What?" snarled Hazelcloud. Berrysplash looked at her challengly.

"I know you met him at the half-moon. I saw you," she mewed, a knowing glint in her eye.

Regret

The entire Clan had been a deep cloud of worry since their head warrior had almost drowned and was still suffering from a raging fever. The nights were getting colder as leaf-fall began to grip the forest. Leopardshadow was slowly recovering, but heat still pulsed from her pelt from the raging fever, as the Clan was told by Shinestream. Sun had began sneezing and coughing, Shadowsong always by her side when she staggered while hacking wretchedly. A black and white tom, Darkshadow, was always bringing prey and soaked moss for the ill head warrior, always curled up beside her in case something changed about her status. Tornadostar looked moons older, worrying about her head warrior. Her fur was ragged and ungroomed, her eyes always seeming as if she was starring at something her warriors couldn't see. Not even Lightningbolt could comfort his mate, as far as Windrunner could see.
He'd kept his eye on Hazelcloud, making sure she didn't slip away; she'd been acting strange, her blue eyes always looking sorta moony. He saw movement at the front of the camp, and rustling as the some cats padding in, carrying mouth-watering fresh-kill. Berrysplash stood at the front her fur gleaming from a thorough wash she had given herself at sunhigh, and held her tail high in pride of her squirrel. Windrunner's heart seem to skip a beat as he starred, jaws hanging open at her captivating spell. She met his gaze flirtatiously and flicked her tail in acknowledgement. He looked away, his mouth suddenly, looking at the other cats padding behind the young tortoiseshell warrior.
Ravenfeather padded to the pile, distributing a mouse and two voles. Spottedpaw and Dewflower strode in behind the black she-cat. He could see from the barely visible anger in her eyes that Dewflower had seen him starring at Berrysplash. Dewflower's apprentice, Spottedpaw, dropped a shrew, a mouse, and 2 wood pigeons to the pile. Windrunner had to admit her apprentice was doing excellent. He even saw Stargaze, the Clan deputy, nod in notice of the young spotted apprentice's successful hunting. He glanced back around for Berrysplash and saw a tail tip disappear into the warriors den. A touch to his shoulder made him leap a tail-length in the air. He turned around and saw Cricketchirp behind him, looking at him expectantly.
"Jumpy, are we?" she murmured, twitching her whiskers at him. Windrunner flattened his ears in embarrassment.
"No, you just surprised me! That's all!" he protested, purring at the she-cat. Even though the black and gray warrior was shy and quiet, she was really nice.
"I was wondering if you've seen Wildpaw? Moonleaf has been looking for her everywhere and we can't find her," she explained, causing Windrunner to have to strain his ears towards her, her mew was so quiet. Windrunner saw the pretty gray she-cat was going from warrior to warrior, mewing anxiously to each one. They all shook their head and every time another cat being questioned by Moonleaf shook their head, her clear blue gaze became even more distraught. He bid farewell to Cricketchirp, who looked taken aback by his sudden intensified meow. They needed apprentices!!! He was about to go and talk to Moonleaf when she appeared in front of him, causing him to leap into the air, startled.
"I didn't know cats could fly," purred Seamist, trotting with her friend, Lightfeather, with Wishkit stumbling behind. Windrunner shot her a playful glare and she returned it for a heartbeat, then went back to chattering. He turned to Moonleaf and she was starring at him desperately.
"Please tell me you have seen Wildpaw! She's missing and her nest is cold and the other apprentices haven't seen her since this morning when she asked Stargaze if she could go out hunting by herself! She said she'd be back by sunhigh, but it's well past sunhigh and, oh, I'm a terrible mentor.." the she-cat sank to her paws, horror and desperation reflecting in her blue eyes. He looked at her then whisked off to Tornadostar's den.

~♥~

"Lemme goooo!" yowled Wildpaw, thrashing about. A long-haired white tom with cold blue eyes glared at her.

"Stop moving or we will kill you!" he hissed menacingly. His icy blue eyes showed he meant what he said, flexing his long curved claws. Fear clawed at Wildpaw's pelt like a badger's blunt claws ripping at her tortoiseshell fur. Another cat, a she-cat from the smell of it was guarding a small hole in a thick patch--no wall--of thorns with a sneer on her face, her eyes slitted into a challenge. Wildpaw clamped her muzzl shut hard because she just wanted to scream. I only went hunting!!! Why is this happening to me??? she thought desperately as she obeyed the fierce white tom's demanding bark to squeeze through the narrow hole. She left long tufts of her thick fur behind on the tendrils as she glanced to see the white tom slip through the entrance with ease, none of his snowy fur caught on the claw-sharp thorns. She gulped when he glared at her and snarled, nodding his head sharply behind her.

She jumped around and saw a pure black tom with yellow eyes, his muscles rippling and looking as hard as rock underneath his pelt. She gulped as he opened his mouth to speak.

~♥~

"Wildpaw is missing!" yowled Tornadostar from Overhang Rock, peering down at her Clan. "She disappeared while hunting this morning and hasn't been seen since then. ***I want a patrol to follow her sent as far as they can, then report back to me what you found and how far the scent led.*** Also, tomorrow's dawn patrol is going to be put out also by Stargaze." The leader leaped off and went to her den, Moonleaf following behind her. Woodfur, Shortpaw, Lilypaw, and Sunpaw all looked horrified that their littermate had disappeared. Lilypaw and Sunpaw were hollow-eyed, their tails drooped and dragging in the dust limply. Woodfur and Shortpaw crouched sadly, their gazes fixed on their paws. Woodfur and Shortpaw had nursed the three newly named apprentices when they had been found abandoned in a fox den near Moss Rock. Stargaze leaped on to a tree stump so she was above the other cats and started naming patrols.

Dawn Patrol:

Berrysplash*

Sunpaw

Spottedpaw

Cloudpool

Ratchet

Abyss

Dewflower

Dazzleshine

Razorclaw

Tracking Patrol:

Stargaze*

Moonleaf

Lilypaw

Falconstrike

Winterpaw

Nightpaw

*=Tracking Leader

*=Dawn Patrol Leader

***=Comment on the Outside of Camp and then the leader of the patrol comment in the Leader's Den*** (That goes for the Dawn Patrol, too!)

Also: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!!!! Follow this blog!!! Thank you!!!

Loosing In More Than Just 1 Day

Rays of sunshine filtered through thorn guarded entrance as Sun blinked sleep from her eyes. Sharp scents filled her nostrils as she breathed in and stumbled to her paws. She couldn't remember what had happened.......

"The patrol brought you back after they hauled you and Leopardshadow out of the river," a soft meow sounded behind her. She jumped and spun around to see the LightningClan leader. "You and her were both unconcious. Your actions were brave and LightningClan thanks you." The black she-cat dipped her head and padded out of the medicine den. A low moan sounded from Sun and she saw the mottled head warrior sprawled out in a mossy nest. Shinestream and Wavepaw hurried in with dripping wet moss and set it beside Leopardshadow.

"Is she okay?" Sun asked intently, hoping her rescue hadn't been for nothing. The spotted medicine cat turned a amber gaze on her, shadowed with worry.

"I don'y know.....she has a fever and feverfew didn't work," she mewed softly and turned her attention back to the moaning she-cat.

Sadness crashed over Sun in a hard wave as she padded out of the den when Wavepaw gave her the "okay" nod. She saw Ravenfeather sharing tongues with the deputy, Stargaze, and Streamlight and Starleaf sharing a mouse. Dazzleshine and Razorclaw were whispering excitingly to each other about something. As her gaze continued around the clearing, a thorn pierced her heart. Ratchet and Abyss were sunning themselves on a warm rock that was baking in the heat. She sighed sadly and padded to the warriors den to go to sleep, because she couldn't think of what else she could do.

~♥~

"How did you fail my orders?" spat the black tom, his yellow eyes smoldering yellow fire. The patrol stood before him, wounded and tired, reporting to their leader. Bloodpool dug his claws into the soft, slimy earth as his leader's gaze rested on him.

"What happened?!?" Shadowstar hissed in fury, his claws scoring deep scars in the earth. Bloodpool looked at him steadily, blood seeping from his wounds.

"We told you! A tortoiseshell she-cat, kind of small, saw us. She was alone, but ran back. They must of been on patrol and they were coming to check it out when we came. Then a black-and-white tom attacked us! Then we got into a fight! And they outnumbered us!" Bloodpool explained, lying about being outnumbered. The DarkClan control had had one more cat then the LightningClan patrol. He knew Shadowstar would only be more angry with his warriors.

"Okay, fine! We shall attack them, but first we must scout out their territory. Ghostcloud will lead the patrol and Slashclaw, Poisonfang, and Brokensoul will go," decided Shadowstar and disappeared into his den.

Better Days

"Ratchet!" wailed Sun after the retreating handsome tom. Her amber snapped open looking into the yellow eyes of the only cat she thought she would ever love. They blinked slowly as Sun scrambled to her paws.


"What do you want?" she mewed wretchedly. Ratchet heaved a sigh and padded over to Sun.


"Look.......Sun......I knew you loved me---" started Ratchet, but Sun hissed, flattened her ears, and raced out of the den. Ratchet started after her, then shaking his head, turned and padded over to Abyss, who was eating a mouse that was half eaten. Sun took one look at them and dashed out of the gorse tunnel. She had been in love with the him ever since he had saved her and Abyss from Smoothskinplace. She had thought he had too but now........life seemed pointless. She hadn't noticed where her paws were taking her until she noticed her paws had taken her to he Tree Bridge.

She stepped onto the Tree Bridge, looking at the rapids below, white foam splaying and bubbling on the surface. She edged closer to the edge wondering if she should jump when her paws slipped on the smooth slick bark. Her jaws parted in a silent yowl as she plunged into the fatal river below. She felt the icy water nip as her tail plunged in first, but sharp teeth met in her scruff. Her unknown savior pulled her to the safety of the trees and flopped down, breathing heavily.

"Think you got nine lives do you?" he mewed gruffly. She glanced up and her pelt turned hot. It was Shadowsong!!! Why him? She opened her mouth to protest, but a mrrow of laughter came out instead. Shadowsong looked at her, bewildered, then started mrrowing with laughter himself. Birds chirped above when suddenly a gurgled yowl split the air. Shadowsong and Sun exchanged a look full of equal terror and raced down the bank.
They almost ran into Graymuzzle, Swiftwing, and Violetpaw.
"We were hunting and she chased after a mouse!" wailed Violetpaw. Shadowsong fixed a hard blue stare on her.
"Who's she?" he hissed desperately. Violetpaw opened her mouth, but Shadowsong's sister, Swiftwing, beat her to it.
"Leopardshadow! Come on! We can still save her!" she yowled and dashed down the river bank, pebbles crunching under their paws. They tried to keep Leopardshadow,s yowling retreating form, but the current was too fast. Sun raced after the patrol, her fur brushing Shadowsong's. The mottled head of the head warrior was pushed underwater as a wave slapped her muzzle. Sun couldn't take it.
"Nooooooooooo!"she yowled and launched herself into the river. Yowls followed her decision, but no cat deserved to die. Sun paddled against the powerful current, waves slapping her stinging muzzle, one after another. She let the current bring her to the unconcious she-cat and grabbed her scruff in her teeth. The patrol was still bounding along the rocks on the opposite bank. She held her drenched head up as best as she could as she was swung against a rock that stuck above the raging surface of the river. She spotted a fallen tree ahead, blinking river water from her eyes. A wave went over and pushed them underwater.
Sun pushed with her paws in slow motion it seemed, gasping for air as her head broke the surface. She gulped in air as she looked desperatly for the cat she had risked her life to save and spotted the patrol at the fallen tree pulling out a limp sodden feline. Another wave engulfed her underwater, slamming her against a rock. The world seem to slow down as Sun drifted into unconciousness, a blanket of darkness overcoming the she-cat.............

A Post Is Worth A 1000 Words

First post not related to the storyline. Yup I know! But I want Everyone to look on the right above the chat-box and look at the banner I made. Inspired by the common saying "A pic is worth a 1000 words" and the banners on G&L that flash............I decided to try it. Everyone plz tell me what you think and yes I know its kinda black and white but I like it and I hope you all do to and it inspires you to get more into the Clan! Because you're stay on this blog should be an adventure and I hope it is! Thank you and plz comment and tell me what you think of the banner!!! New post tomorrow kuz ppl r guna pester me I'm sure. *cough*Dewflower*cough* lol jk Dewflower :) The post isn't just for you. Okay, plz dont forget to comment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!