WillowClan/17

*You abandoned your clan in a time of need.* Quillstar swallowed his bitter rage towards Crowpaw and straightened himself to appear unnerved by her accusations. "TundraClan stole them." The leader said flatly with a twitch of his tail. "Mind you, we've had a sudden death in our clan...ironically, right after you appeared in our territory. I'm going to ask you to leave now...or else- be chasd out." The salt-and-peppered leader's tone was cold before he pushed his way past the traitor to glance over the body of the queen and her kitten. "Fangflame," Quillstar called to his deputy softly before motioning to the bodies. "Send out a hefty patrol to check the borders and search for a sign of the murderer." His gaze then drifted over to a small pawful of his warriors. "Stonetooth and Stormsong- you two are coming with me. We're going to pay ThornClan a visit to discuss the disappearace of these kits." He doubted that Redstar had anything to do with it, but it was best to tackle the problem at its source: Loststar had come from ThornClan, after all. It was best to ask them. **-- Quillstar**

From the nursery entrance, the long-legged Pinekit watched his father with an expression that screamed absolute awe. *One day, I want to be a responsible clan leader, just like dad!* He thought to himself with an enthusiastic wiggle of his body. Of course, he didn't voice this opinion to his sister, Bearkit- she'd just stuff her paws in his face and inform him that his dreams were overrated and "way too stereotypical"...whatever that meant. He thought Bearkit to be very smart, but he didn't tell her that, either...mom Danita told him to not feed Bearkit's ego. Pinekit didn't know what that was, either. He just knew that he loved his family, even if Bearkit was a bit...crazy sometimes. -- Pinekit

Fangflame nodded. “Yes, Quillstar.” She said, looking at Dewshine and Tidekit’s body, mournfully. “Blizzardwing, Flameheart, Rushleap, you all come with me.” - Fangflame

Flameheart's head was spinning but she followed her deputy.

Swallowpaw felt a degree of satisfaction as Stonetooth, meeting no resistance to his attack, simply ran into the undergrowth behind him. Pivoting once more, the nible silver tabby leaped onto his mentor's back, planning to try at an almost badger-defense tactic. -- Flameheart & Swallowpaw

Stormsong nodded and stepped up toward Quillstar, flicking her ears at the mention of Stonetooth. - Stormsong

Blizzardwing padded behind Fangflame, his claws itching for a fight. He hoped to find the murderer and show them not to mess with any cat of WillowClan... - Blizzardwing

Fadepaw bounced behind Blizzardwing. "Can I come too? Pleeease? It'll be my first battle!" --Fadepaw

Snakestrike, who had apparently just returned from hunting, paced up and down in camp, his expression gruff and stoic. He blamed himself for not investigating the sound that he had heard while hunting. --Snakestrike

Blizzardwing glanced down at Fadepaw. *The sooner I train my apprentice in battle the better...but it's Quillstar's decision.* "You'll have to ask Quillstar to come," he growled. - Blizzardwing

The tall leader twitched his ear in the direction of the pale senior warrior and his apprentice. "Fadepaw can go with you- just make sure she stays safe." He responded quickly before nodding to Stormsong. "Let's go find Stonetooth- ThornClan's familiar with him, so I'm sure they'll feel more comfortable upon seeing him." -- Quillstar

Pinekit watched his father leave with a small frown, stretching his neck to ensure that he could watch his father's head fade behind the undergrowth. *I hope I can be that brave some day.* The tom thought to himself before he rose to his paws and shook the dust from his pelt, only to find himself being tackled to the ground by his sister again. -- Pinekit

Crowpaw bit back a snarl as she then dashed out of the camp and started for home. Well. She felt rage fill her, was this how WillowClan was now? Good ridance they weren't weak anymore.-Crowpaw

Ripplepool bit his lip as he further observed Dewshine and what was left of Tidekit. "They don't scent of anything new, and these scratches look like those of a cat." He murmured. fear tinged at the tips of his fur. Was the killer one of WillowClan? It would make sense as WillowClan HAS had a history of heroes and traitors. They're mixed. He mumbled. "Then who was it?"- Ripple

Lilycreek laughed. "Alright, off me, you." She batted him away. She then heard terrified yowls coming from the clearing, so she raced out and inhlaed the unmistakable rotting stench of blood and death, a bit before she saw Tidekit and Dewshine, ripped to pieces. "Oh....... Oh my goodness.." She was trembling so hard, she expected to fall over any second. "F...Fo-Fox...? Come l-look..." --Lilycreek

Ripplepool dashed after Quillstar. "Quillstar, we should't send more patrols! Or we'd risk another death, i looked over-" He sighed. "I looked over Dewshine and Tidekit's wounds, and they had to have been from a cat! and they didn't scent of any other clan or animal." He frowned to himself. "It had to have been a cat inside the clan! You knoiw WillowClan has had some... traitors, heroes, sectrets..." He paused. "I'm going to the Moon Willow tonight." he finished. - Ripple

"And any cat is capable of hiding their scent, be it from WillowClan or beyond our borders." Quillstar finished firmly with a twitch of his ear. "We're securing the border. I'm not having my clan cower in camp so that they can die of starvation- nor am I going to wait on retrieving our missing kits any longer." With that, the leader motioned to Stormsong and vanished from camp to locate Stonetooth. -- Quillstar

Fox ran his tail down Lilycreek's back. "Don't worry. I'll fend off any cats that try to hurt you." - - Fox

Ripplepool narrowed his eyes. why wasn't he listening? he then turned and dashed back to his den, pacing with annoyance. did he need the moon anyway? He then decided he'd go. He then decided to go to the Moon Willow early. as he then raced out of camp and through the forest. praying to not be attacked. - Ripple

Lilycreek looked into his deep, strikingly beautiful eyes and pressed herself into his fur, breathing in his scent as it wreathed around her. But still... the sight of Tidekit's shattered body.. Who.. would do that to a-a kit! And Dewshine.. Lilycreek almost puked. She needed to get out of camp. "Can.. can we leave camp for... a bit..?" The moon shone down on her, almost moon-high. --Lilycreek

Pebblekit was still shocked by the sudden deaths, but was determined to find answers. Walking over to Ripplepool, he asked, "W-What happened? Who could do this?" Pebblekit

Stormsong hurried after her leader, leaves crunching beneath her paws. - Stormsong

Blizzardwing nodded at Fadepaw and padded up to Fangflame and the patrol. - Blizzardwing

Fox nodded. "Let's go." He padded out to the forest, still feeling uneasy. -- Fox

Lilycreek closed her eyes tightly when they got close to the bodies. "StarClan, how could you let this happen..? That little kit.. he had so much to live for..." She rushed past them, almost stumbling more than once, before they got out of the camp. Fox and Lilycreek padded through the forest through the forest, side by side. It felt.. right. Out here, she could almost forget the heart-breaking images of the bodies. But still... they haunted her. --Lilycreek

Quillstar strided across the territory until he happened upon Stonetooth, who had rolled over to knock his own apprentice off of his back. "Stonetooth," the leader called to him patiently with a small wave of his grizzled tail. "Stormsong and I are heading to ThornClan to discuss the missing kits. I'd like you to tag along, considering that you have someewhat of a good relationship with them." -- Quillstar & Stonetooth

Swallowpaw jumped away just in time but looked up, hearing Quillstar's voice. *Quillstar! Clan* leader*!* -- Swallowpaw (WC)

The charcoal warrior wasn't particularly eager to return to ThornClan, ever since he washed upon their shores half-dead after Wolfshade's assassination attempt on the former deputy. Stonetooth shifted uncomfortably, but reminded himself that his clan needed him, and so he had to answer that call. "Head back to camp and have your dinner, Swallowpaw. You earned it." He turned back to Quillstar and Stormsong before offering a small nod. "Alright...let's go." -- Stonetooth

Pinekit squealed underneath Bearkit, scrambling underneath his sister as she attempted to wrestle with him. "Stop, Bearkit! You caught me in the middle of a daydream!" He protested before finally removing his littermate from his back. The she-kit sat up abruptly with a small huff, shaking dust and debris from her coal-black coat. "You really can be a bore, Pinekit. Why don't you just *play* for once?" -- Bearkit & Pinekit

"Okay," Swallowpaw said, making an effort to stay calmer. He sensed his mentor's uncomfortable air. -- Swallowpaw (WC)

Irispaw padded into the clearing and saw other cats gathered around something. It wasn't hard to find out, however; the smell told her everything. "Jeez, that's brutal." Was all she said wen she saw the bodies. She rolled her eyes and padded off the corner. It was just death, it happened to everyone. --Irispaw

Lilacwhisper watched her father and his apprentice with narrowed eyes. She brushed her thoughts away and tried to focus on the present. - Lilacwhisper

Fangflame lead the patrol along the border. “Okay look for any signs of what could have happened.” - Fangflame

Smokestorm rested in the shade of camp with his tabby tail neatly wrapped around his paws. The tom's blind blue eyes drifted across the camp, as if he was actually attempting to seek something out. In truth, Smokestorm was deep in thought. He knew that life by himself was no longer safe, even if the blind feline had learned the layout of the clans like the back of his own paw. ScarClan would be out to get him- *kill* him, even. *But is WillowClan right for me? Compared to the traveling lifestyle I once lived? Do I really feel as though I can just...settle in one place?* -- Smokestorm

Brookpaw saw Bearkit playing in with Pinekit and decided to go talk to her. "Hey..! I'm B-Brookpaw! You must be P-pinekit and Bearkit?" --Brookpaw

Spiderfang sniffed the air for a whiff of prey. The scent of mouse drifted closer. The tabby tom dropped into a hunting crouch and crept forward, until he leaped, slamming his claws down on the rodent. After, he buried the mouse under some leaves so he could go back and get it later. - Spiderfang

"That's the name- don't wear it out." Bearkit announced proudly as she puffed out her chest, proceeding to squash her brother's head into the earth meanwhile. -- Bearkit

"I don't know." Ripplepool mumbled, and flicked his tail to dismiss the kit. "I need answers, you need toi stay here." - Ripple

Brookpaw giggled. "What are doing?' She asked, looking at Pinekit's face being buried. "Heh. You sure are lively, aren't you!" --Brookpaw

"What does it look like I'm doing? I'm winning!" Bearkit responded flatly as she proceeded to flatten her littermate against the earth, who grunted pitifully in response. "...I don't think this is much of a fair fight." Pinekit wheezed. -- Bearkit & Pinekit

Disappointed with Ripplepool's answer, Pebblekit walked away and mumbled under his breath, "Sheesh. You're not the only one who wants answers." Then he stopped. He *must* have a father, too! All cats had a father and a mother, right? "Hey, Beark-" he stopped when he saw Pinekit half-buried in the ground. "Are you ok down there?"-Pebble

Brookpaw laughed. "Alright, Bearkit, off your brother." She gentely picked her up by the scruff and helped up Pinekit. "How about, instead of fighting each other, I can teach you some actual fighting moves!" - Brookpaw

Giving in to the excitement of any kit, Pebblekit said, "Wait for me! I want to learn fighting moves too!" -Pebble

"Okay! C'mon, guys! And you too, Pebblekit. Let's start with a basic defensive move; Back kick - Explosive surprise move to catch your enemy from behind. Be sure to carefully judge your opponent's distance from you, then lash out with your back legs, claws sheathed or unsheathed, your choice, taking all weight on your front paws. Like this!" Brookpaw demonstrated, kicking a fern. "Alright, now you try!" - Brookpaw

Trying his best to mimic Brookpaw, Pebblekit awkwardly tried to copy her, but nearly fell over. Giggling, he exclaimed, "This is fun!" -Pebble

Brookpaw laughed. "Here, like this." She used her tail to help maneuver his figure into the right postion. Then she got into the position herself to demonstrate again. "Now you try, again." - Brookpaw

"I'm already a pretty competent warrior." Bearkit declared with a passive shrug of her lean shoulders, seemingly forgetting that she was only one moon old. Per Danita, the hybrid kit had plenty of...*chutzpah* behind her for being only a moon old. The queen was regretting Bearkit's apprentice-moons already. Pinekit, after squeezing his way out from underneath his bold sister, studied Brookpaw's demonstration keenly. He seemed less interested in using the move itself, so much as *improving* it into something more- building on the knowledge if you will. However, while her brother was lost in thought, Bearkit surprise donkey-kicked her brother in the side. He groaned in agony, partially because he was caught off-guard. "Think less and act more, Pine-buddy." His sister snickered. -- Bearkit & Pinekit

Brookpaw gasped when she heard Pinekit groan. "Bearkit, really? Stop attacking your brother. It's uncalled for. But, "Brookpaw giggled." It was pretty funny. And you're not a warrior yet. You're barely up to my leg! Let's see if you can knock me over, Bearkit. If you can, I'll teach you any move you wanna know. Sound good?" - Brookpaw

Bearkit squinted in Brookpaw's direction when the apprentice had the audacity to scold her. "As Pinekit's sister, it is my *duty* to be a thorn in his side. And mind you." The hybrid kitten raised her chin. "...I'll tower over you by the time I'm an apprentice- mom said we have big wild cat in our blood." -- Bearkit

Brookpaw tilted her head. "We *all* have the DNA of our ancestors. And- mind you, by the time your an apprentice, I'll be a warrior." *If the murderer doesn't kill me first...* Brookpaw thought uneasily, looking behind every few minutes. - Brookpaw

"...Like, *big* cats." Bearkit twitched her whiskers. Maybe she hadn't exactly explained it well, but it was a glory she was proud to relish in, even if her clanmates didn't quite understand her family's link to jungle cats. She stretched out her legs, as if set on showing off how "muscular" and "strong" she was, in addition to the length of her long limbs. "Yeah, but you're going to stop growing eventually. We're already big for kits." The salt-and-peppered kitten gloated before realizing that Pinekit had run off to avoid any more unnecessary physical pain. -- Bearkit

Darkpaw frowned and ducked back into the warrior's den. - Darkpaw

Brookpaw sighed. "Yeah, well, just 'cause you have special lineage, doesn't mean you're better then the rest of us. But it is funny to see you attack Pinekit. And," Brookpaw stretched out her legs to show that, "I'm still bigger then you." She teased gently. - Brookpaw

The air was warm in the warrior's den, and Darkpaw sat down in his nest to wash. He thought about Ambereye and Stormsong, and his kits. - Darkpaw

Fangflame pricked her ears. And unfamiliar scent was in the air. That’s when she caught sight of Lightningstrike’s patrol. “SeaClan!” She hissed. “What are you doing here?” Lightningstrike flicked an ear. “We’re here to speak with Quillstar about stolen kits.” He said. “We have a feeling SeaClan aren’t the only ones who’s kits were stolen.” Fangflame blinked. She hadn’t been expecting this. “Alright.” She said. “I’ll take you to camp where you can wait until Quillstar gets back. I have a feeling he’ll want to here this.” - **Fangflame and Lightningstrike**

Pebblekit sneaked away, once again distracted by his thoughts. Suddenly, he turned back and asked Brookpaw, "Um, do you know who my father is? I need to speak to him."-Pebble

"Uhm... I.. I don't know who your dad is. *- Brookpaw​*

*Does this mean I have* no *father?* Pebblekit thought. *No.* "Ok. Well, thanks anyway." He put on a fake smile and began to wander, head down in thought. When he looked up, he had no idea where he was, all he saw was trees. *Where am I?! I gotta get back to WillowClan camp,* he thought. Heading forward, he went through an endless maze of trees and bushes.

*Later...*

​Pebblekit felt alone and scared, but smelled something new. Heading forward, he continued, only to find a massive river. (Okay now this goes to main roleplay)

Swallowpaw padded into camp. -- Swallowpaw (WC)

Bearkit sat down to groom the dust from her fur, only to send the SeaClan cats the stank eye when Fangflame lead them into camp. More cats, there to see her father? *Since when did my father become the chat of all the clans?* She thought bitterly, despite being unaware that it was Quillstar who found the cure several moons back. -- Bearkit

Salmontooth followed Fangflame to WillowClan's camp, his hackles raised despite his efforts to flatten them. Every bit and piece of Willowclan drove him into a fury: the way the ground was slightly moist, the way the trees were laid out- everything reminded him of his brother, Quillstar. But when the leader's half-brother entered camp, things escalated. There was Danita, his former mate, with a kit by her side: a tomkit, a mini replia of *Quillstar*. Furious to have his spoiled half-brother win again, he couldn't resist exploding. "You had kits with my *half-brother*? Did our relationship mean *nothing* to you?!" Salmontooth spat from across camp, his glare and hatred directed towards Danita. **-- Salmontooth**

Darkpaw perked his ears at a hiss. He peered out of the warrior's den to see a black-and-white SeaClan tom snarling at Danita. - Darkpaw

Pinekit cast his mother an awkward side-glance when the stranger started spitting some sour comments in her direction. "Whose this crazy guy?" The grizzled kitten whispered under his breath, although his fur bristled nervously. Danita swallowed and pulled her son closer out of a protective urge. "Salmontooth...I...it just didn't work out. We broke our relationship off in even terms. I know you have some bad blood towards your half-brother, but he's really a good cat. It's just fate that I fell for him, coincidence that he's your...brother." -- Danita

Lightningstrike gave Salmontooth a warning glare. - Lightningstrike

Mothfeather woke from an earlier np and yowled, "Wrenkit and Pebblekit are gone!!!" She looked through every nest, fear tinged her fur. - Moth

Flower breeze returned from her long walk and looked for Wolf, "How are you today, despite the crazy things, i guess it's pretty common to experience death in this clan, huh?" she purred, though something made her fur prick, like a scene... but what? - Flower

Ripplepool returned to camp and the smell of fish, "Ew! I smell fish..?" he winced before looking to the SeaClan cats, "Is saltycurrent with you?" - Ripple

Wolfrunner looked at Flowerbreeze and nodded. “I’m good so far.” He said. But that was a lie. A bit of his anger was relieved but now he had an even bigger burden to carry. - Wolfrunner

Flowerbreeze sighed. "Wanna take a hunt? I think the clan will need it..." She meowed, "That might destract us." - Flower

Wolfrunner smiled. “Sure.” He said. “I think that would be nice.” - Wolfrunner

Flowerbreeze smiled as she then padded alongside him out of camp. "So." She started. "You know those dreams i was having... about, you know.. drowning in the river? I don't think it was me! and it didn't look like the river! This has to be a warning right?" She asked quickly, "It's been worrying me that my life would be gone before it began...." She admitted with a sigh. - Flower

Darkpaw watched Danita and Salmontooth. - Darkpaw

Scorchclaw bristled. - Scorchclaw

Salmontooth brushed off the warning of his deputy, typical of the sour-tempered warrior. "He selfishly took *everything* from me. And then, you go as far to give him *yourself* like I meant nothing to you in our relationship. You knew how much it'd hurt me." The bicolored warrior snarled under his breath, limbs trembling in anger. "Our father preferred him. Who got to honor our father? Quillstar did- he became deputy and then leader, I didn't. I've lived in his shadow for my entire life." The SeaClanner sunk his claws into the earth out of rage, trying to resist the urge to find and tear into Quillstar. -- Salmontooth

Irispaw saw the drama going down with the fish-eaters and Quillstar and Danita. She snickered and rolled her eyes. Emotions could be so entertaining. Especially when they were depressing or furious. She saw the SeaClan warrior yelling; she thought his name was, like, Fishtooth, or something. - Irispaw

Swallowpaw walked to the fresh-kill pile, grabbing a piece of prey. However, he paused at the sound of conflict. *Huh?* "What's going on?" He asked the nearest cat, which happened to be Scorchclaw. -- Swallowpaw (WC)

Irispaw could see the drama dying down, and she got bored. She decided to call to the seething warrior. "Hey Fishtooth! What's happening?" - Irispaw

Ivytail smiled to herself. The murmur of cats outside were lulling her to sleep... Suddenly there was pain, jolting through her system. "I think the kits are coming!" She cried. -- Ivytail

"That business is my own." Salmontooth hissed at Irispaw before refocusing his attention on Danita, who seemed to be distracted by Ivytail's cries. Eventually, Danita drew in a deep breath. "It's over, Salmontooth, and it's just something you'll have to deal with. You hurt me- but I dealed with it, didn't I? I moved on, and now, you need to do so as well." -- Salmontooth & Danita

Cherrykit awkwardly shuffled away from the sudden explosive bickering. She eyed the camp's exit. *I'm just about six moons old...I can go out on my own, surely.* The petal-patterned calico thought to herself with a small smile. Maybe if she found some pretty flowers and gave them to Ripplepool, he'd be so impressed that he'd *have* to make her a medicine cat! -- Cherrykit

Emberflame irratatedly shot at Salmontooth, "Could you stop stirring needless arguments? A cat is kitting right now, and yet you just want to cause trouble. He ran out of the camp, grabbed a stick, and gave it to Ivytail. "Here, you'll need this. Hopefully Ripplepool gets here soon." -Emberflame

Ivytail winced, and accepted the stick. Although muffled, she continued crying out in pain. -- Ivytail

Iripsaw called out again. "Hey, Fishtooth, get off our territory! She's not your girl anymore, get over. Or, don't. Watching you explode is fairly entertaining." - Irispaw

Streamecho watched the drama from the entrance of the warrior's den, her bright blue eyes narrowed as she surveyed Salmontooth and Danita. - Streamecho

Lightningstrike glared at Salmontooth. “ENOUGH!” He roared. “Salmontooth, you better quit whining about how Danita broke up with you and GET OVER IT! We are not here to listen to your bickering! If you keep this up, Foxstar will surely hear about it, and he will not be happy. We are here to talk with Quillstar about Clan problems, not your personal problems!” - Lightningstrike

Scorchclaw responded to Swallowpaw. “SeaClan," he hissed. - Scorchclaw

Salmontooth glared over his shoulder at his clan deputy, the fur on his black tail spiked. "Am I *not* talking about Quillstar like planned?" The warrior responded in a sarcastic tone. "You were the one who just so happened to bring me along, knowing that my *half-brother* is leader. Sure seemed like a fantastic idea, didn't?" Salmontooth drowned out the bitter comments of the WillowClan warriors, narrowing his eyes into a pair of slits as they settled on Danita's delicate shoulders. "You know nothing of hurt. Some day...I hope you will." -- Salmontooth

Mudkit felt anger fill him, this stupid intruder knows nothing of true loyalty. “Stupid fish-breath!” He snarled to the large tom, he wasn’t afraid of Salmontooth, though understood the tom, he felt alone, he knew what it was like, he felt anger and just bad.” He ruffled his fur as Mothfeather drew him and Dandelionkit closer to her. - Mudkit

Ripplepool narrowed his eyes, “Lightningstrike, Quillstar left for the ThornClna border, you and the SeaClanners will need to wait til he returns, maybe wait outside of camp?” Salmontooth was mad enough to drive the camp crazy, he decided it was better for the SeaClan cats to keep their distance for now until Quillstar had returned, as he was of a higher role as well. He then looked to Danita, “Feeling okay lately?” He asked. - Ripplepool

Blossomkit stared as Dawnrise and her father had whispered to each other, looking worriedly at her. She felt sad, they’d been planning behind the clan’s back to take the kits back, first Shadowhollow would go and take some as Dawnrise took the others, but fear prickled at her fur as she watched, what if one of them died? How could she pull herself to say anything? - Blossomkit

Cherrykit entertained herself out of camp after she managed to slip out of sight. She was eager to become an apprentice, but every molecule in her body was concerned. Ripplepool hadn't mentioned anything about getting a sign from StarClan. The kit didn't want to take lives, as warriors did- she wanted to save them. *They have to make me a medicine cat apprentice...* -- Cherrykit

Bearkit looked unnerved after Salmontooth's explosion, but Pinekit seemed rather...inspired? Rumor had it that the other kits thought him weird, so it'd come as no surprise. *My grandpa was a SeaClan deputy? I want to do great like dad and grandpa...some day. I'll find a way to go down in history!* -- Pinekit

"...I'm fine," Danita mewed in response to Ripplepool, albeit uncertain of how to respond after Salmontooth's little hissy fit. -- Danita

Foxstar was the one who asked me to send you!” He spat. “And we’re here to talk *to* Quillstar! Not *about* him! And quit causing trouble, that’s all you do!” - Lightningstrike

Ripplepool sighed. “Alright.” He meowed. Then padding towards his den he stopped. He felt his breath intensify as he had a vision, a shadow, all cats under a Willow as the shadow dashed around and around devouring the cats, he shivered as he blinked. Of course, a vision. “Once Quillstar comes back I’ll need to speak to him in private after you do.” He meowed. “Or if you seaclanners wanna talk to me for Quillstar if your patients...” he looked to Salmontooth. “Has been a little testy.” He finished. - Ripplepool

Ivytail crunched harder on the stick. "It hurts! Make it stop!" She cried, although it was muffled. -- Ivytail

Brackenstep entered the camp, and heard Ivytail's cries almost immediately. "Ivytail! Is she alright?!" He rushed to the nursery. -- Brackenstep

Brookpaw heard Ivytail's yowls, and decidd to try and help. "What's happening? Can I help?" she asked. - Brookpaw

Ripplepool gasped as he heard the yowls. “Move back!” He yowled, a little bit of fear gripped him. The first time he delivered kits, Slatepuddle died, but that’s when Wolfshade was born... he shook his head and returned to the nursery with Borage, nettles, honey, some juniper and marigold, some cobwebs, and of course he needed an assistant. “Brookpaw, I need you for a sec if you’d like to help, I need you to chew the Marigold, Juniper, nettles and some honey. Get some Borage in there.” He meowed. Then as he dashed to Ivytial’s side he whispered to her ear. “I’m here, just hold on!” He then pushed to her rear, “Brookpaw! Hurry with the poultice!” - Ripplepool

Ivytail winced, and squeezed her eyes shut. She bit down, *hard*on the stick, and for a moment, she thought it would break. But it didn't, and Ivytail loosened her bite a bit, forgetting the pain for a second. -- Ivytail

Brackenstep watched, unable to move, as Ripplepool pushed through the crowd to the nursery. "Please let Ivytail be okay..." He murmured. -- Brackenstep

Ripplepool took in a breath. “This might hurt.” He murmured as he pushed onto her belly, feeling the three bundles, he pushed one near her rear and as the Golden tom came under a hurry he pushed the kit to Brackenstep. “Lick quick or he’ll die!” He demanded, as he carried on with the next kit, the tortoiseshell tabby she-kit, she was smaller than these others. He then pushed the she-kit to Brookpaw. “Lick!” He spat, then with the final kit, the black and white she-kit, he andd up licking this one himself. “A tom and two she-kits.” He reported. - Ripplepool

Quillstar returned to camp after Stonetooth and Stormsong agreed to stay in ThornClan in order to both assist the clan and attend the kit search-party. He was shocked to find his mate distressed, and then to also see his...rage-fiilled half-brother. It wasn't a joyful surprise. Deciding to awkwardly avoid the situation all together, he hesitantly turned to Lightningstrike. "So...wh-what can I do for you?" -- Quillstar

Brookpaw gasped, and started chewing up the herbs, and making the poultice. She mixed the hrbs together and gave it Ripplepool. "H-here!" She bent down and started licking the kit, until she started breathing. - Brookpaw

Lightningstrike looked over at Quillstar. “Foxstar sent me to talk to you about some stolen kits . . . now we don’t think it was WillowClan. We believe TundraClan stole some of our kits, and we also think that SeaClan weren’t the only ones.” - Lightningstrike

Flowerbreeze let herself lean onto Wolfrunner. “My dreams are disturbing me.” She started. A little embarrassment flooded her. - Flower

Cherrykit cautiously carried on her way outside of camp in search of pretty flowers and potential herbs to show off her "medicine cat" skills in hopes that she'd be made Ripplepool's apprentice, rather than a warrior apprentice. Her blue eyes gleamed with satisfaction when she happed across a healthy supplies of cobwebs. -- Cherrykit

Wolfrunner felt the heat rush to his face before saying, “Don't worry I’ll make sure you’ll be okay.” - Wolfrunner

Flowerbreeze felt butterflies. “Erm,” she leaned back to herself. “But those paws weren’t mine, it felt like a memory.” She frowned. “And, there was another cat I saved.” She frowned. “What if that’s how I go again? Well, what’ll happen to me when I.... you know...” she finished a little fear made her fur fringe. “And, I can’t go, I need to stay here.” She meowed. “With you, and the clan, I need to find the murderer and stop the, before more cats go, even I I’m killed.” She staggered. - Flower

Wolfrunner cocked his head. “*Again?*” - Wolfrunner

Flowerbreeze nodded. “I keep having the dream, every night. I usual go out and clear my head early...” she frowned. Sighing. - Flower

“No, when you said ‘that’s how I go again’?” He asked. - Wolfrunner

Flowerbreeze paused. “Oh...” she narrowed her eyes lost in thought. “I dunno.” She meowed honestly. “ I don’t even remember dying...” she then felt a shiver down her spine. “There has to be something wrong with me...” she frowned. Looking into a pool of water. - Flower

pigeon sat in the shade of a maple tree, his head leaned against tiger. tiger smiled, looking at the forest, then to pigeon. pigeon was stressed but tried to hide it- he was have more nightmares- and they were getting worse- but he didnt want to worry his only friend-. "hey pigeon, are you ok?" tiger asked softly, curling his tail around pidgeon. "uhm- yeah fine- just fine tiger" pidgeon said quietly with a reasuring smile.--pidgeonpelt & tigerbounce

Salmontooth made his way past the deputy and Quillstar with his eyes narrowed into a pair of slits, a dark plan forming in the back of his mind. He would exact his revenge. -- Salmontooth

Quillstar nodded slowly. "Yes, we had several kittens stolen as well- my condolences to your own losses. However, Stonetooth and Stormsong are currently working with ThornClan on sending out a search party." -- Quillstar

tiger got up, and said softly, "let's get back to camp". pigeon nodded and followed him back to camp, dropping a bird he had caught into the fresh-kill pile --pigeonpelt & tigerbounce

Wolfrunner flinched. “Dying?! But you’re very much alive!” He said. *And I’ll make sure it stays that way.* - Wolfrunner

Jaystripe glanced at Birchpaw and Cedarpaw. “Those rogues.” He grumbled. “Don’t even know where they come from.” At least when he had joined, everyone knew who his family was. - Jaystripe

Lightningstrike nodded, and shoved Salmontooth back, irritably. “You will have SeaClan’s help in searching for the lost kits.” - Lightningstrike

Quillstar nodded while sending his half-brother an uncertain glance. "If Foxstar wishes to contribute any warriors to the search, have them head over to ThornClan." -- Quillstar

tiger lied down, pigeon leaning against him and slowly falling asleep, comforted by his 'friend'. tiger curled his tail around him, smiling. --tigerbounce & pigeonpelt

Lightningstrike nodded. “I will send word to Foxstar, and we will get back to you. It was nice talking to you, and we’ll be on our way.” As he began to head out, he added, “And forgive Salmontooth. I know he has some . . . complicated relationships with WillowClan, but I didn’t expect him to act out like this.” - Lightningstrike

pigeon whimpered, burying his face into tigers fur. tiger nuzzled his head, gently whispering "I'm right here, its ok, your gonna be ok" -- tigerbounce & pigeonpelt

Ivytail almost collapsed in exhaustion and excitement. "Thank you," she murmured. "They're beautiful," -- Ivytail

Brackenstep frowned, as Ivytail's cries stopped. "Let me in!" He commanded. -- Brackenstep

Ripplepool nodded as he padded to Brackenstep’s side. “She’s alright, you may see your kits now.” He purred as he headed back towards his den. He remembered when Juniperberry presented his kits, Baykit.... he missed his daughter. Was she okay? Was she dead? The thought shook him. - Ripplepool

Flowerbreeze shook her head. “I don’t know.... I feel weird sometimes. Like I have memories of some other cat, and why I was born i don’t even remember most of it.” She frowned. “I’m just a little scared if those aren’t just memories....” she let out a sigh and shook her head. “How are you lately? I know Dewshine was probably important to you. She was Rainsplash's daughter anyway...” - Flowerbreeze

Lilycreek was simply eating a sparrow when the SeaClan cats walked in, but she didn't want to get involved, so she decided to ignore them. She saw Rushleap talking with some others cats, and she knew he was talking about her. She had grown used to it over the years, but it still bothered her slightly. She had seen Fox go off hunting just before the SeaClan cats had barged into the camp, and she wondered where he had gone. - Lilycreek

Salmontooth growled under his breath as Lightningstrike had the audacity to "speak" and "apologize" for him, as if he was some helpless kit. *I'll show them...* He thought to himself bitterly as he glared at the camp's exit. -- Salmontooth

Ashbreeze eagerly trotted over to her former mentor, greeting Quillstar with warm eyes. She was overjoyed to have him mentor her own daughter. "Hey- let's go hunting, for old time's sake!" -- Ashbreeze & Quillstar

Wolfrunner’s heart skipped a beat. That had slipped his mind. Oh Rainsplash. . . . *Dewshine was causing me trouble. She deserved what she got. She had it coming.* He thought, trying to convince himself he did the right thing. “I’m- I’m okay.” He assured her. - Wolfrunner

Flowerbreeze lay her head rest under Wolfrunner’s chin. “I’m sorry about Crowpaw. It wasn’t fair for her to leave.” She started. “Have you had any dreams? About anything? I just feel like the only one you know? Like everything is counting on me.” She frowned. - Flower

Wolfrunner shrugged. “Not really.” He murmured, looking away. - Wolfrunner

As the SeaClan cats left camp, Quillstar agreed to take Ashbreeze out for a hunting trip. She walked with pep in her step, practically trotting alongside the tom she considered an older brother. "I noticed that Cinderpaw and Pinekit get along well. That's nice." The rosetted warrior commented with a small smile. "I just hope that Leopardpaw will be ok...he worries me. I never thought I'd be a mother- I hope I'm a good one, but...I feel horrible. I feel like I can't help him." She finally admitted as her smile disappeared into a frown. Quillstar gave his former apprentice a light shove with his shoulder. "You're a wonderful parent, Ashbreeze. I can see how much they love you." Her leader offered a reassuring smile before he nodded at a squirrel. "Now let's get this furball." -- Quillstar & Ashbreeze

Flowerbreeze looked up to him. “What? What’s wrong?” She frowned. “You can talk to me.” She meowed. Though she didn’t finish what she started. I love you. - Flower

Wolfrunner shook his head. “I- well- it’s. . . . Complicated. It’s just that, I’ve been thinking about the Clan lately. Just with Crowpaw and Dewshine, and everything.” He said. - Wolfrunner

Quillstar and Ashbreeze did their best to work together to chase down the squirrel, but it slipped out of Ashbreeze's paws before she could deliver the killing blow. She hared after it in the direction of SeaClan's border, where Salmontooth lied in wait. "Ashbreeze, stop!" Quillstar called after her, recalling the landslide that had taken his life not much earlier. "The ground's unstable!" He chased after his companion to get her to stop, only to find himself ambushed by none other than Salmontooth. -- Quillstar & Salmontooth

Flowerbreeze nuzzled him. “The best we can do is move forward, right? They’re with StarClan, we can see them again.” She murmured. - Flower

Brackenstep let out a small sigh of relief as he padded into the nursery to Ivytail's nest. "Wow. They're beautiful... Have you got names?" Ivytail shook her head. "I think I want this one," she nosed the black she-kit, who squirmed a bit, "to be Shadekit. She seems like a shade to me," Brackenstep examined the black and white she-kit. "I think she looks more of a holly to me. Hollykit, perhaps?" Ivytail nodded. The first kit was named. -- Brackenstep and Ivytail

The orange tom-kit squirmed, blindly crawling for Ivytail's milk-scent. He mewled, then settled down and began to suckle. (Awww too cute!) -Raykit

Wolfrunner nodded. “True.” He said. Even though he never wanted to see his backstabbing sister again. - Wolfrunner

Quillstar struggled with Salmontooth after his half-brother took him by surprise, doing his best to force the aggressive bicolor cat away. "Stop- Ashbreeze is going to get hurt, I have to make her come back!" Quillstar hissed, only to watch in terror as Ashbreeze pelted towards SeaClan, only for the ground to rumble once more. "No!" -- Quillstar, Ashbreeze, Salmontooth

After the SeaClan patrol left, Darkpaw decided to take a walk outside. - Darkpaw

"...SeaClan..." Swallowpaw cocked his head, his attention drawn to the SeaClan cats. *They really swim...and fish...I hope we can be friends!* -- Swallowpaw (WC)

Flameheart put her plumy, ruddy ticked. tail on Scorchclaw's shoulder and whispered, "they're really getting at it, aren't they?" She pricked her ears and turned her sage-green gaze back to the arguing SeaClan felines. "What even happeed with Salmontooth and Danita? And Quillstar and the others?" She glanced at Swallowpaw, the new young silvery-smoke tom. "Hey." -- Flameheart

Scorchclaw nodded in response to Flameheart. - Scorchclaw

"Ashbreeze!" Quillstar cried out to his former apprentice once more, eyes round with terror as he watched the mud and rubble fall onto the pale she-cat before she could escape. For so many moons, she had been his everything: his best friend, his apprentice...his baby sister. When he watched in horror, Salmontooth took Quillstar's distraction to his advantage and went for the leader's throat. -- Quillstar & Salmontooth

Ivytail purred. "I think that this little spot on our daughter - see? " she pointed to a spot on the little she-kit, "I think it looks like a mint leaf. Maybe Mintkit?" Brackenstep nodded. "Perhaps Raykit for the tom? He looks like a burning ray of the sun." Ivytail looked at her son and nodded. So it was- the three kits. Hollykit, Mintkit, and Raykit. -- Ivytail & Brackenstep

Quillstar's world went black, the last thing he could see was the faintest glimpse of Ashbreeze's fur beneath the rubble. Salmontooth left the territory, while the WillowClan she-cat wheezed weakly beneath the dirt and rocks. She could feel her life slipping away, but her ears strained at a call. A voice. It was...familiar. "...Ashbreeze? Ashbreeze!" The call carried in on the wind, but more heart-breaking was later the call of her kits. "Momma, no!" -- Ashbreeze, Cinderpaw, Leopardpaw & ?????

Flowerbreeze pricked her ears at yowls in the distance, “did you hear that!?” She asked, alerted by he fear scents from a distance. “Is it that murderer!? We have to look!” She shivered. - Flower

((**Private))** Leopardpaw and Cinderpaw tried to dig their mother out, but they weren't able to make much progress. It was then that a shadow fell over the duo of Elite-blooded apprentices, and Ashbreeze weakly shrank back. "Step aside." The tom rumbled with a skittish red-furred she-cat by his side. The mocha-colored tom leaned forward and pulled Ashbreeze from the rubble, although the damage had already been done. "I...I know I can never apologize for my actions," the tom tried to begin, but Ashbreeze quickly cut him off. "It's ok...you can still change. And I know she'll help you...Muddyfang. Kits...this is your father." Leopardpaw, however, suddenly fled from an overwhelming amount of emotions. **-- Muddyfang, Ashbreeze & Kits**

Tiger and Pigeon padded through the forest, their tails wrapped around each other as they talked.--Pigeonpelt & Tigerbounce

Rivergaze crouched in a nearby bush, a wild grin through widened slits filled the shadows, she caught Wolfrunner off-guard and focused on Flowerbreeze, she leaped out of the bushes and threw Flowerbreeze against a tree as she’d ripped at her throat and threw her by the neck, ending in Flowerbreeze frozen in the floor. “Hello again, my handsome Nephew. I see you’ve found a girl? Loving again so soon? Tsk tsk.” She laughed through pure darkness. - Rivergaze

Wolfrunner glared at her, baring his teeth. “You’re crazy!” He spat, ignoring the fact that he’d actually killed Dewshine and Tidekit. Rivergaze had tried to murder her own sister! His mother, Stormsong. But when he thought about Crowpaw . . . NO! He was nothing like Rivergaze! - Wolfrunner

Rivergaze laughed cruelty through a wide aqua gaze. “Poor Wolfrunner, trying to hide from your demons, I know you’re being troubled, you just need to let your anger consume you, kill her, get at your clan, be respected by your ambition.” She encouraged, the paced around him. - River

Muddyfang pinned his ears. "...I ruined him. I didn't step in, I didn't act like a father." The former ScarClan leader scowled under his breath, while Cinderpaw glanced up at her sire anxiously, before glancing back towards her dying mother. "You can be a father again." Ashbreeze reassured him quietly. "This is your new chance. I know how much you love Morningglade...I know what we had was fake. But it was ok...I got two lovely kits out of it." Ashbreeze then turned to her daughter. "Make sure that Leopardpaw knows how much I love him." **-- Ashbreeze, Cinderpaw, Muddyfang**

Rivergaze lay a claw on Wolfrunner’s ear. “It’s your destiny to follow the dark Wolfrunner, you know it’s going to take over you and kill her it’s self if you don’t already,” She meowed. “You can kill Crowpaw as much as you hate her, and Stonetooth, and all of them.” She meowed. “They look down on you. Think you reek of distrust.” - River

Wolfrunner shook his head, yet he remembered when he had let his anger consume him, and he had killed Dewshine. So satisfying. He had felt so powerful. When he wasn’t angry he was usually just miserable. The anger was his escape. - Wolfrunner

Rivergaze felt her eyes glow. “Remember something might you have?” She meowed. Flicking her tail as she stood between him and Flowerbreeze. “Don’t you remember how you hated Stonetooth? I‘m sure you’re mother loves him more than her kits with the tom she never loved, Nightfire, she must’ve sought him to be weak to move on so quickly.” She sighed. - Rivergaze

"M-Mom..." Cinderpaw didn't know what else to say as she quivered from grief, scooting closer so that she could press herself against her mother's mud-covered pelt. Ashbreeze nuzzled her daughter in silence before glancing up at Muddyfang once more. "Muddyfang..." She began after having to take in a deep breath, "...do you promise to love and cherish Morningglade, just as much as I have loved and cherished me kits?" The rosetted she-cat asked him softly as her gaze began to glaze over. Muddyfang swallowed and nodded slowly. "...I will love Morningglade until the end of time, and beyond. I'm sorry for all the harm I have caused you, Ashbreeze. I truly am. Words cannot communicate how horrible I feel for what I've done." **-- Muddyfang & Ashbreeze**

Wolfrunner lunged at Rivergaze. “My father is not weak! Stonetooth . . . he- he’s a good cat!” But he couldn’t shake the feeling Stormsong was trying to replace Nightfire. - Wolfrunner

Rivergaze kicked a Wolfrunner off, though didn’t attack. “Really? Then why would Stormsong find a newer crush so quickly? Got no taste for heartbreakers?” She meowed, “Stonetooth had been hunted, he’s a target and will get your mother killed. He’s aligned with ThornClan, betrayal is in his blood, and now he’s dragged Stormsong into it.” She meowed. Flicking her tail. - Rivergaze

Wolfrunner lashed his tail, angrily. “I- I don’t know.” He said, looking at his paws. - Wolfrunner

Rivergaze let her tail under Wolfrunner’s chin. “Make your enemies suffer, let your anger open you to light! Shadow runs in a path where you let them win. Seeking revenge on all of your enemies and ticks in your fur.” She meowed. this she-cat will hold you back.” She meowed. - River

Wolfrunner stood up straight. “I will *never* stop fighting!” He spat. “Now leave!” He roared. “I won’t stop fighting until I die!” -Wolfrunner

Rivergaze barked. “The only way you’ll ever be happy is to listen to your instincts and take what is yours! You’re weak! Wearing then your mother! Weaker than Swiftshadow! Weaker than Nightfire!” She raised a paw. “I should’ve killed her the moment Crowpaw took my side!” Though she felt her self pushed to the ground and claws racing on her spine, fangs gripped her neck and ripped flesh from inside, she looked to where Wolfrunner was standing before realizing who attacked Her. Flowerbreeze. - Rivergaze

Leopardpaw felt as if he couldn't breathe as he staggered through WillowClan territory, shouldering his way through crunchy undergrowth and tripping over roots. *He's back...and my...my mom...* He had no-one know, not another soul outside of his sister. The rosetted tom continued to gasp for air as panic and loneliness settled into the pit of his chest. -- Leopardpaw

Pigeonpelt saw leopard, his face becoming concerned, not sure if he should approach him or not. --pigeonpelt

Sprucefall lazily sat in the sun outside the elder's den and tried to relax. - Sprucefall

Wolfrunner stood, stunned. - Wolfrunner

Flowerbreeze dripped Rivergaze’s body. She looked up at wolf, eyes watering. “She was gonna kill you.” She meowed, looking away, ashamed she’d just killed a cat. She sat there. Blood on her paws and her lips dripping in saps of blood. - Flowerbreeze

Ripplepool sighed after the SeaClan patrol left he decided to tidy his den up a bit, cobwebs on the roof of the den, putting the flowers and their petals to one side of the den and the green sticky herbs to the other, leaves in organized holes in the ground he’d dug himself, and some traveling herb wraps on a small ledge. He then scented the air. Oh no. He dashed to grab catmint and some honey with feverfew and ran to the nursery. “Dawnrise.” He meowed as he saw the she-cat with Shadowhollow. “Come into my den...” he meowed. - Ripplepool

Shadowhollow had nodded his mate away as he then turned, “Daddy?” Blossomkit cried, he turned to his kit, “when will you be back?” She meowed, a little frightened. He honestly didn’t know, “in a few moons.” He lied. He was gonna save his sons, even if it was the last thing he’d do. - Shadowhollow

Dandelionkit hissed as Mudkit pounced on her. “Hah! You’re too slow! Eve I’d make a better warrior than you!” He teased the pretty latched she-kit. “What! No fair!” She huffed as she scented something. “Honey?!” She then looked to where Ripplepool was talking to Dawnrise, her gaze flickered to Blossomkit and she padded over to her friend. “Hey, I’m sure she’ll be fine.” She meowed. Trying to cheer her friend up as Blossomkit got up and leaped before Mudpaw could even touch her as he pounced. “Whoa! You’d make a much better warrior than Dandelionkit too!” He barked as Blossomkit laughed nervously. - Blossomkit, Dandelionkit, & Mudkit

Mothfeather watched the kits. Her belly ached and she looked out of the nursery for Jaystripe. She wanted to be with him before their real blood related kits were born, before his real kits were born. She just hoped..... Would ScarClan be looking for her? Would Talon come after her for running from her destiny? Sycamore was gonna kill her, what else would she have done, just because..... Sandpelt was a great mentor. She shook her head, ScarClan has surely forgotten about her, it’s been moons since she left but whenever she saw Smokestorm her belly lurched. - Moth

Frozenpaw looked around, he was bored, and that Troutpaw guy was weird, should he tell Fangflame? Surely she’d be a little angry he went off without her? Nah, he’d rather save his energy, he dropped the honeycomb he found to the kits and padded into his nest, looking around.... Where was Cinderpaw? His previous paranoia returned and he felt worried, was she okay? She seemed happy now that Leopardpaw was back. Maybe I should talk to her later to catch up. He murmured in his head. He wondered if Leopardpaw would let him, after all, that tom had no liking of him being near his sister. - Frozenpaw

Wolfrunner looked at the body. “You did everyone a favor.” He said. - Wolfrunner

Flowerbreeze sighed. “I’ve never killed anyone before.” She meowed, “I don’t feel good.” She admitted. Though she also felt a little satisfied Rivergaze was dead, she’d been a thorn in Wolfrunner’s side, at least thats what she thought. - Flower

Tiger nuzzled pigeon, twining his tail with his. Pigeon smiled slightly as tiger rested his head on his shoulder--tigerbounce and pigeonpelt

Cinderpaw sat with Muddyfang, Morningglade, and Ashbreeze until the pale warrior's life finally faded from her body. Mournful, the apprentice kept her nose pressed against her mother's fur. Quillstar seemed to still be struggling to recover from the life that Salmontooth had taken.  Muddyfang said his goodbyes to his daughter before he and his new mate helped move Quillstar away from the mudslide area so that he could properly recover. -- Cinderpaw & Muddyfang

Irispaw saw the SeaClan cats come and go, and she was kinda disappointed that she couldn't get a real reaction out of that Fishtooth guy. She rolled her eyes and walked out of camp, walking past the graves of Dew-something and her daughter. Or.. was the kit a boy? She didn't know, and she didn't care. She didn't get why people got so emotional over others. Everyone and everything was replaceable. Emotions were such a fragile thing. And, easy to manipulate. *Too* easy. And very fun. She snickered to herself.- Irispaw

Cherrykit returned to camp with the bundle of cobwebs and a bit of catmint, something she could recognize by its tasty smell. She glanced around for Ripplepool, hoping to gain his approval. She wanted to be a medicine cat more than anything else. -- Cherrykit

Leopardpaw struggled along as he gasped for air. Never before had he felt so panicked, fearful that he'd wind up back in ScarClan's clutches. *No...no, I won't become the monster they want me to be. I won't go back- I can't go back!!* -- Leopardpaw

Birchpaw and Cedarpaw had heard the murmurs of rumors around; some of the Clan seemed to think they were rogues, rather than dedicated apprentices. The latter seemed especially bothered by this; she'd heard it distinctively from Jaystripe. "You d-don't th-think he's trying to - to get us exiled, d-do you?" she murmured to her brother, and he shook his head, not sure how to answer.

"If you ask me, there's clearly *something* going on with him. He doesn't seem to like us very much." The brown-gray apprentice narrowed his eyes in the warrior's direction. "It's pretty annoying to have someone spreading false rumors though." --Birchpaw & Cedarpaw

“Dawnrise, I think you have A cough.” He began, Dawnrise hissed. “Okay, and?” Making Ripplepool narrow his eyes. “You have to stay in my den to reduce the spread-!” Dawnrise had already turned and stormed off into the nursery. He sighed. These former DarkMasters.....

Dawnrise raced to the nursery where Shadowhollow was about to leave. “Shadowhollow. I’m coming with you” she meowed. Looking to Blossomkit. “Be good, we’ll return with your brothers and we can get back to normal.” She promised. Then sneaking out of camp with Shadowhollow.

Blossomkit stared after her parents, she felt lonelier than ever. But she waited and decided it was time to show herself. Sneaking out of the nursery she stumbled upon Irispaw and shrieked, “eep!” She then raced into the nursery. She couldn’t do this! She needed Dawnrise to help her! She then quickly followed her parents to where they said her brothers were. - Ripple, Dawn, & Blossom

Flameheart stared, remembering with a sinking feeling her own victims, not too many moons ago. *No...no! That's over, and I'm loyal to my Clan.*

Swallowpaw backed up, right into Scorchclaw behind him. "W-wha- is Rivergaze...dead...?" -- Flameheart & Swallowpaw

Muddyfang and Morningglade moved Quillstar so that he could awake in a safe location, rather than near the unstable earth. Muddyfang said his final goodbyes to his daughter before looking onto his next adventure with his new mate. Where they'd go, he didn't know. But that was what made it interesting, right? -- Muddyfang & Morningglade

In order to distract herself from thinking about potential thoughts about exile, Cedarpaw began to glance around for her mentor, eventually freezing up in anxiety as she didn't spot her anywhere. "Birchpaw... have you seen Stormsong recently?"

"I haven't... where do you think she -" His chocolate sister was now frozen in fear, swallowing anxiously. "Oh. You don't think she's here. You think she's... gone?" She nodded quickly, then pressed her head into his shoulder.

"What if she left because of me?" --Birchpaw & Cedarpaw

Scorchclaw snarled, remembering Rivergaze. - Scorchclaw

Ripplepool flattened his ears after Mothfeather’s complaint, “so Dawnrise, Shadowhollow, and Blossomkit are gone? Along with Wrenkit and Pebblekit?” Fear stabbed him, they wouldn’t have tried to go alone? Fools would do such a thing! Mothfeather nodded. “And... I think the kits are coming early, I can feel them moving and it hurts to move.” She sighed before lurching forwards. Ripplepool dashed to his den and gathered the correct herbs. “Jaystripe!” He called before vanishing into the den, “Dandelionkit, stay back for a second, maybe go out and play with Mudkit-!” And so he started to deliver these kits. - Ripple + Moth

After being pushed out of the nursery Dandelionkit sighed. “What now?” To Mudkit. “Why don’t we try and meet all the warriors! So when I become leader I know EVERY single one!” Mudkit suggested. Dandelionkit fluffed up. “Okay!” And they looked around. Warriors.... Warriors.... “Why not Scorchclaw? He looks really cool with his scar tattoos! In which they then raced to the tom’s paws. “Hi!” They mewed. - Dandelion + Mud

Cinderpaw buried Ashbreeze and said her solemn goodbyes to her dearly beloved mother before she set out to find her brother. She feared for him- she knew that he was terrified of their father, of what had happened to him in ScarClan. She missed her big protector. However, try as she must, she could not find him. *He probably doesn't want to be found...maybe it's best to let Leopardpaw work it out himself.* Cinderpaw told herself, despite every molecule in her body wanting to cuddle into her brother and tell him that it would be alright. Drawing in a deep breath, the rosetted apprentice made her way back to camp. -- Cinderpaw

Pinekit was sitting out of the nursery, watching Bearkit thoughtfully as she tried to show off her sick skills to a small group of cats. He then glanced towards his mother, noticing that Danita looked down and out of it. *What that Salmontooth cat said wasn't very nice.* The tomkit thought to himself with a deep frown. The black grizzled hybrid rose to his long legs, deciding that he wanted to make things right. *I'll go cheer her up!!* -- Pinekit

Frozenpaw spotted Cinderpaw. “Cinderpaw!” He called. though noticing her long face.... “are you okay, where were you, what happened? Where’s Quillstar?” He asked, padding up to her. Then adding quietly. “Do you wanna... talk about it?” He suggested. - Frozen

Foxdung!! She forgot to check on Quillstar! "No, I'm fine, I-I'll be right back." She felt like a horrible apprentice, forgetting to make sure that her mentor had recovered from the loss of her life. Turning on her heels, she darted back out of camp, only to practically run face-first into the massive leader. He blinked down at her calmly. "Cinderpaw....I'm so sorry." -- Cinderpaw & Quillstar

Frozenpaw dashed after her, only to pause to see Quillstar. “w-what happened?” He asked, why did Quillstar look so... tired? and Cinderpaw looked... he then gasped. “Where’s Ashbreeze?” He asked with worry. - Frozenpaw

Jaystripe rushed over to the nursery. - Jaystripe

Wolfrunner looked back at Flowerbreeze. “Well, it’s part of CLan life.” - Wolfrunner

Flowerbreeze looked away from Wolfrunner. “I’m gonna go back to camp...” she murmured. Then turning and padding back to camp, only to stop near the entrance to pad up to Quillstar and Cinderpaw. “Cinderpaw, have you seen Leopardpaw?” She asked. - Flower

Ripplepool pushed the she-kit to Jaystripe, “lick her!” He ordered as he lapped the tom wile Mothfeather had calmed. - Ripple

snail padded through the forest-unsure of where he was, only sure she wasnt in tundra clan anymore -snailkit

"Now, now, Cedarpaw..." Birchpaw worked to quiet his sister down, sighing. "It's most likely just a temporary thing... last I heard, she was just on a long patrol to ThornClan." The chocolate apprentice sighed and nodded, shifting slightly. "We're gonna be fine. We're not gonna get exiled. Just relax, Cedarpaw... do you want to head out maybe? Go get some air?" She nodded, and the two apprentices glanced over at the commotion before standing to exit. (@wolfy, if you'd like to do it soon) --Birchpaw & Cedarpaw

Fox padded through the forest. A crinkling of leaves caught his attent. He turned to see a small mouse. He stalked it, careful not to make noise. Suddenly, he stepped on a twig. The mouse, startlee, took off into the forest. He raced after it. He leaped through the air. Suddenly, his body stopped. He cried out and realized he was stuck under a free root. "Lilycreek? I'm uh, stuck." He said. -- Fox

"...My mom's dead." Cinderpaw looked to her paws. "Quillstar tried to stop her, but Salmontooth ambushed him and took one of his lives. I-I can't find Leopardpaw." The rosetted she-cat didn't mention the appearance of her long-lost father. It wasn't their business, they didn't need to know about him. He...didn't seem as bad as they had made him out to be. Muddyfang seemed like he was capable of being a good cat. -- Cinderpaw

Darkpaw padded through the forest. It seemed as if it had been a long time since he had been out and about. - Darkpaw

Lilycreek was going hunting with Fox, when she heard him say he was stuck. She padded through the bushes to see him sandwiched between to branched on the ground. He looked so silly, she couldn't help but burst out laughing. "D-Do you need help?" She commented sarcastically, laughing edging her voice. - Lilycreek

"What do you think?" Fox said playfully. He tried to pull himself out , but only succeeded in painfully dragging his belly across the ground.  -- Fox

She chuckled again, and sniffed around until she found some dock leaves, which she rubbed all over Fox's belly and back. "Alright, now try." - Lilycreek

Bearkit brutally tore into a small mouse, eating it the poor critter as if she were killing it for the first time. It was clear that the hybrid she-kit was irritated since that SeaClan tom came into camp and made a huge scene. *When I'm an apprentice, I'll find that Salmonface guy and make him*eat*those words!* The kit tore into her mouse some more with a brutal shake of the corpse. -- Bearkit

Fox pulled again, this time coming free. "What would I do without you ?" He meowed. - - Fox

"Probably get stuck in trees all the time, furball." She mewed jokingly, hitting his shoulder with her paw lightly. "C'mon, let's go see if your yowling didn't scare all the prey in the forest away." She bounded away, almost running straight into an injured chaffinch. The poor thing had its wing stuck under some rocks. She knew she should've killed it right then and there, but instead she pawed the rocks away and let the bird fly off. She smiled slightly, but at the same time wishing she were the bird, able to soar above the tree-tops, free to travel anywhere. - Lilycreek

Frozenpaw shifted his shoulders. “I-I’m sorry Cinderpaw....” was all he could make out, trying to think of what to say before she tried to avoid him. “Maybe Leopardpaw will show up when he’s ready, he wouldn’t leave you alone again.” He meowed promisingly. He looked to Flowerbreeze before to Quillstars. “Do you need Ripplepool?” He asked the tall tom, a little nervousness trailed in his voice, he was really talking to the clan leader. - Frozenpaw

"I know he'll show up when he's ready," Cinderpaw agreed in a quiet murmur, glancing up at Quillstar who rolled his shoulders. "No, I'm fine." The leader reassured the young tom before nodding to his apprentice. "Let's get back to camp. I'll send out a patrol to make sure Leopardpaw is ok- I need to make Cherrykit into an apprentice." -- Quillstar

Ripplepool left the new members of the clan with their parents as he spotted Quillstar. “Quillstar! What happened to you, don’t tell me I should’ve been there if....” he looked to Cinderpaw and Quillstar. “Oh.” He looked to his paws. Ashbreeze wasn’t with them. - Ripple

the tall tundraclan kit padded into the camp- her eyes wide. --snail

Mudkit barked. “Look! A new scratching post!” As he then dashed up to Snailkit and batted at her ears. “Hah! Look!” He turned to where Dandelionkit shoved him away. “What’s your name?” She asked. - Mud + Dandelion

"uhmmmmm, snail-" she looked at them in suprise. --snail

Jaystripe nodded and licked. (@stork. Once Ripple shoos him out or something he’ll head out of camp and then Wolfrunner will kill him) - Jaystripe]

Mothfeather felt empty. She felt....... odd. “Jaystripe, I don’t feel good.” She meowed. She felt heavy and downtrotted. “I don’t feel happy.” She sighed. “Maybe we should talk together like we used to, I don’t like it in the nursery, I’ve been her most of my warrior hood and I just wanna hunt with you like we did before, remember when we first met? You decided to sneak out of camp with me? I miss that.” Mothfeather blurted with a sigh. - Moth

(neat, cool with me! birch and cedar are already out - whenever you're ready!) The pair of brown apprentices exited out into the territory, Birchpaw quickly taking the lead over Cedarpaw. "Do you want to just explore for a while, until we're ready to go home?" he called, and she nodded slowly. "Cool. C'mon then, Flameheart showed me a really cool spot where the medicine cats go!" He quickly broke into a dash, and his sister followed behind him, crashing into him as he stopped suddenly. "Ow." --Birchpaw & Cedarpaw

Jaystripe nodded. “That would be fun.” He said. - Jaystripe

Mothfeather sighed. “I don’t know how much of this i can take Jaystripe. Being a mother is fun in all, but I miss being a warrior, I’m not even a mother’s age for StarClan’s sake! I just dunno.....” she looked to him, plead in her eyes. - Moth

Hollykit shifted in the nest, meowing quietly. A big shape, and two small ones, were taking up the nest... She meowed again, louder this time, snuggled closer to the large shape, and began to suckle on her mother's belly. -- Hollykit

"Look, Cedarpaw!" Birchpaw's tail flicked at the field of goldenrod flowers. "Flameheart said this was the only place in the territory where goldenrod grows." Cedarpaw chuckled beside him, then murmured, "With your knowledge, you could probably pass up as a medicine cat apprentice." He shook his head, and she smirked. "You know it's true." --Birchpaw & Cedarpaw,

Spiderfang trotted through the undergrowth, sniffing for a scent of more prey, when he happened to run into Darkpaw. "Hey, what are you doing out here?" Spiderfang asked curiously. "I decided I'd take a walk," Darkpaw responded. - Darkpaw & Spiderfang

Mothfeather purred as she sought out the kits. “Congratulations Ivytail.” She meowed to the nuzzling Queen. She wondered if she’d be good friends with Ivytail, they seemed to have some things in common, though.... Mothfeather was from ScarClan, how could she ever feel okay? Maybe...... no, her place was here. Though a question still lingered in her head. Was she meant to be back there? Had anything changed? What about her sister? The thoughts were shook as she turned her attention to her new kits. Everyone had been gone lately, the nursery felt like it’s lost it’s..... warmth.... she shook her head. “Names? Geez I always find these the hardest.” She joked to her mate. He seemed..... less talkative. - Moth

Dandelionkit batted Mudkit away. “Stop it!” She hissed. Looking back to the kit. “I’m Dandelionkit, this is my brother Mudkit, where did you come from and why?” She asked gently to Snailkit. - Dandelion

"im from tundra clan- i come because lost star is EEeEvil." --snailkit

Dandelionkit scent a look to Mudkit. “She’s from TundraClan.” She meowed. “Maybe we should get Quillstar, no one would sent a kit to WillowClan without reason.” She mewed. Looking back to Snailkit. “Loststar? Was he the leader who took over that clan?” She then sent Mudkit off with a flick of her tail. - Dandelion

Mudkit then padded around camp, looking for the large *majestic* Quillstar. He wrinkled his nose. One day he’d lead WillowClan, he’d be majestic too. And then he’d act like a real leader! Marking borders, making big decisions! It would be great! And, he’d make sure WillowClan was treated with the utmost respect, since they’ve helped every clan annoyingly. He suddenly spotted the noticeable tom and padded in front of Quillstar’s path. “Quillstar! There’s a kit from TundraClan! He came here because he wanted Help for his clan!” - Mud

"Are you going to be heading back to camp soon? I am," Spiderfang asked. Darkpaw nodded. Spiderfang hurried back to the place where he'd buried his mouse, and they both returned to camp. Spiderfang set his mouse on the fresh-kill pile, while Darkpaw selected a plump thrush to eat. - Spiderfang & Darkpaw

Quillstar didn't understand how a kitten could survive a trek from TundraClan all the way to Willowclan all by its lonesome, particularly considering the freezing conditions of the high-altitude clan. "We're...already aware of the issues surrounding TundraClan." Quillstar didn't understand what they exactly wanted either, so he left it at that. He didn't want to be responsible for taking TundraClan kits, frankly. That wasn't how war was resolved. He nudged Cinderpaw off towards the fresh kill pile to encourage his apprentice to have a meal and chill out, while he approached the Meeting Mound. "May all cats old enough to catch their own prey join me beneath the mound for a clan meeting." -- Quillstar

Jaystripe looked at the tom-kit. “What about Vinekit for him?” - Jaystripe

"I'm a girl thank you very much- and my name's snail- my uncle sent me cause he didn't want lost to make me and my brother hurt each other- I dunno where he is but I hope he's ok" snail purred, sitting down. --snailkit

Darkpaw and Spiderfang settled down to listen to Quillstar. - Darkpaw & Spiderfang

Ivytail smiled. She nodded absent-mindedly, then said, "Thanks." The queen looked at her three kits. She purred, remembering a friend just like them... -- Ivytail

snail shifted her paws anxiously, looking at quillstar. --snailkit

Spurcefall shifted outside of the elder's den, perking her old ears. - Sprucefall

Rosekit padded up silently behind Cherrykit. "Wanna play?" -- Rosekit

Mothfeather chuckled. “Vinekit? That’s an.... unusual name.” She purred. “But sure.” She added quickly. Looking to the next kit. Mothfeather wanted to think of flowers but her sister clouded her head. “Um... Thriftkit?” She blurted out of thought. - Moth

Mudkit fluffed his fur out. Quillstar actually listened! He felt too happy to notice Dandelionkit rolling her eyes and returning to Mothfeather. “Whoa.” She sniffed the kits. “Who are they?” She asked. - Dandelion

Birchpaw smiled at his sister and nodded, murmuring, "That might be true, but that doesn't mean I want to be a medicine cat apprentice. I like being a warrior too much!" She chuckled and quickly tackled him, and the twin apprentices rolled into a thornbush. "Ow!" --Birchpaw & Cedarpaw

Jaystripe looked at Dandelionkit. “They’re your new brother and sister.” - Jaystripe

Fox watched Lilycreek free the bird, a look of admiration on his fac e."I don't think most cats would have the heart to do that." He ran his tail down her back . "That's why I love you." He murmured . -- Fox

Lilycreek went rigid, blushing intensely. "Y-You.. l-love me?" She stammered, her knees turning to jelly. "Uhm.... W-we sh-should.. keep hunting!" She was glad for the distraction, but inwardly, she was screaming with joy. *Fox loves me!* - Lilycreek

Quillstar began the meeting with tragic news. "I-It is with a heavy heart that we confirm the deaths of Dewshine and a couple of her kittens, a scene we are still investigating...wh-what more, Ashbreeze is dead. I was ambushed by Salmontooth outside of camp before I could tell her to stop. A mudslide took her life." The tall tom drew in a deep breath, trying to keep it together. He had loved the she-cat like a sister. "...I would like to reaffirm that hunting near the SeaClan border should be avoided. With the heavy rains, the ground is very unstable." Now, to more optimistic matters.

"Cherrykit and Dandelionkit, please step forward." Quillstar looked down to see the cherry-petal calico with neat fur. So much happiness for a kit who'd gone through so much. "Cherrykit and Dandelionkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Cherrypaw and Dandelionpaw. Your mentors will be Wolfrunner and Emberflame, respectively. I hope they will teach you well." **-- Quillstar**

"What's wrong?? Cedarpaw?!" Birchpaw's frantic call got her attention as he caught sight of her wincing. "Your paw... oh, you've got a few thorns in it." She was already shivering, clearly in pain. "You poor thing. Are you hurting anywhere else?" She shook her head, then lifted her paw for him to look at it. "A good opportunity for us to get some goldenrod. This will probably hurt a little." She nodded, and he began to pull the thorns out. --Birchpaw & Cedarpaw

Darkpaw smiled. New apprentices were a good sign. - Darkpaw

Reedtail sighed sadly. *Another death, so soon......* --Reedtail

snail lowered her head for the dead cats- she didn't know them, but everyone seemed so sad- --snailkit

Emberflame? Dandelionpaw shrank back as she really.... had no idea who that was? Not to be rude- as the the tom had appeared she guessed he’d been the tom. She purred as they touched noses then she looked to where Cherrypaw was. “Isn’t this great! We get to be warriors together!” She meowed happily. Though she didn’t ignore the furious glares from Mudkit. Mothfeather mustve been happy? Right? Well it wasn’t like she could come out of the nursery anymore until Thriftkit and Vinekit are older. that would be MOOONS away! So she then turned as dashed to the nursery to her parents. “Momma! Dad! Look! I’m an apprentice now! And Emberflame’s my mentor!” She was so excited she didn’t notice her dancing paws. Mothfeather leaned forwards lap at her daughter’s head. “Well done, once these two and Mudkit are apprentices, I’ll be hunting by your side.” She promised. Dandelionkit looked longingly to Jaystripe for some approval. - Dandelionpaw

Fox stood up, and pounced on a mouse. It wiggled a bit, but he finished it off with a swipe to the neck, and picked it up. "Ready  to go back?" he asked through a mouthful of fur. -- Fox

Lilycreek dug up the vole and baby sparrow she had caught earlier and mewed, "Yep!" - Lilycreek

Fox trotted back in the direction of camp, pausing multiple times to smell flowers, look at bugs, and even scratch his back on a tree. -- Fox

Lilycreek was getting kinda fed up with all of Fox's distractions, so she offered to take the lead, and prettty soon, they were back in camp. They went to go diposit their prey on the pile, and Lilycreek grabbed the vole and a chaffinch to share with Fox. - Lilycreek

In between bites of the finch, Fox spoke up. "So when does the Greeting happen?" - - Fox

Lilycreek was confused for a second, then realized he probably meant the Gathering. "You mean the Gathering?" she asked. - Lilycreek

"Oh!" Fox blushed. "Yeah, I must have remembered wrong. -- Fox

Lilycreek chuckled. "It's fine. You're still pretty new to this whole "being a warrior" thing.But if you ask me, I'm glad you joined." She went to say something else, when something hard hit her in the head. She looked down and saw.. a rock? Who would throw a rock at her? She traced it back to none other then Rushleap. She groaned, but another rock hit her in the head. - Lilycreek

Cinderpaw departed from the clan in silence, aiming to find her brother outside of camp. She wasn't certain as to where he'd decide to roam, but she hoped that she could find him as soon as possible. The rosetted cat walked in silence with her head bowed. *I really do feel empty and lonely now.* It wasn't the same without her mother by her side every step of the way. Ashbreeze had always been supportive. -- Cinderpaw

Slowly plucking the thorns out, Birchpaw smiled as he pulled the last one out. "There you go... do you need some goldenrod?" She hadn't stopped shaking, but nodded slowly. "Alright... you wait here." He left to get some of the flowers, taking a bit in his mouth and beginning to chew it. He spat it out on Cedarpaw's raised paw, and she winced as he dabbed it in. "It hurts." --Birchpaw & Cedarpaw

Fox stole up and hissed at Rushleap. "Leave her alone!" He snarled, swatting at Rushleap's side. -- Fox

Lilycreek saw Fox get up and snarl something at Rushleap. She hurried over and mewed "Stop! It's.. It's not worth it." She knew Rushleap hated her, but he was still her brother, so she was gonna protect him, no matter how hard he made it. She stood defensively in front of Rushleap, but the tom just batted her paws out from under her, making her fall on her face. - Lilycreek

"Leopardpaw?" Cinderpaw gently called out for her brother as she walked along WillowClan's forest, wincing as a drop of rain fell onto her nose. She raised her head to squint up at the sky, noting that it looked particularly dark over SeaClan's territory. *Must be getting a storm.* -- Cinderpaw

Frozenpaw had padded after Cinderpaw, he didn’t know what to say, though he knew she needed comforting from her real friends, so he turned and started to pad back to camp, though scalding himself. No, you’ve followed her this far. He hissed. Then sighing and padding after her, he quietly spoke. “Cinderpaw?” though as he met her eyes he quickly meowed. “I-I thought you might need help finding him.” He Flicked his gaze to his paws And back after shifting. - Frozenpaw

Cinderpaw glanced back over to the tom. She wanted to be polite, she appreciated the help and didn't want to hurt his feelings, but...Frozenpaw knew just as well as she did that Leopardpaw didn't like the tom. Matter of fact, he didn't like it when *anyone* was around her. "Thank you for the help, but..." The elite-blooded apprentice curled her tail. "...I think you and I both know that Leopardpaw will only be more upset if you're with me. I think this is a solo mission." -- Cinderpaw

Frozenpaw understood, as yes Leopardpaw never liked him around his sister. “Alright, but be careful, I’ll be at camp if you’d need any help.” He meowed. Looked to the clouds. He felt his belly churn with embarrassment as he then turned to get back to camp. - Frozen

Cinderpaw watched the young tom leave before she plodded onwards. She perked her ears out of excitement when she heard the crackle of dried leaves up ahead. "Leopardpaw?" She called out hopefully before stepping through the undergrowth, only to be shocked at the sight of none other than *Pinekit*. What was he doing out of camp, and since when did he like flowers? "Pinekit?" Cinderpaw asked, puzzled. "What're you doing out of camp, and why do you have flowers?" The rosetted she-cat studied the tall tom through a pair of narrowed lenses, only to watch him shuffle his paws. "Well...my mom's been sad after that SeaClan guy made a big scene, so I wanted to get her flowers to cheer her up." Pinekit shrugged before glancing over at the she-cat with an awkward impression. "Well, you're a...she-cat...are these pretty? Do you think my momma will like them?" -- Cinderpaw & Pinekit

Cherrypaw nervously shifted from paw to paw. Deep down, she felt horribly upset, *crushed*, even. She had wanted nothing more in life than to be a medicine cat, to care for cats and prevent their deaths, not bring death about as a warrior. It was the opposite of what she desired! War was what made her lose her parents. Anxiously, the petal-patterned calico glanced over at her new mentor, Wolfrunner. *He's kinda intimidating.* -- Cherrypaw

Ripplepool watched from the medicine cats den. He’d always been thinking of another apprentice. But how could I pull myself to have another life in my paws? Anything could happen.... he looked away, blinking back the pain of his past. If Dustypaw were here.... she shook his head turning back to the medicine cats den. This place was a bit...... empty, he decided it was time to clean up and decorate the den. Though with the rain.... he then gasped. The half moon meeting! It was only supposed to be... sunhigh? That’s night right.... dusk? Moonrise? What time of day was it! He then quickly scrambled out of his den and pelted out of camp to only pause as he saw peeks of sunlight beaming onto his fur from gals in the clouds. Sighing with relief his pelt was wet for nothing. He sighed with annoyance and decided it was time to set out and decorate the den since he’d been out of camp anyway. - Ripple

Cinderpaw twitched her whiskers in amusement and released a small purr. She liked Pinekit- perhaps the others considered him weird with how thoughtful he was, but she thought of him as kind and intelligent. He seemed like he could turn out to be a good leader, some day. "Yes, they're lovely. But you need to go back to camp now, you know that kits can't be out of camp...even if you're the size of an apprentice." Cinderpaw watched as Pinekit went on his way before she continued her search for her brother. However, she didn't have to walk much farther. -- Cinderpaw

Ivytail was too distracted by her kits to trace Mothfeather's words. Mintkit mewed happily, and Ivytail looked closely at the little she-kit. She seemed to be batting Raykit with her tail... Ivytail smiled, and pulled her kits closer to her belly. -- Ivytail

Raykit relaxed after his sister stopped bugging him. Soothed by his mother, he fell asleep. -Raykit

Dandelionpaw flinched as she passed Frozenpaw. He seemed, low.... she felt it was her duty to make all her clanmates feel at home, and okay. So she had backed up and pushed bast him to stop his path. “Frozenpaw? Are you okay?” She meowed optimistically. The tom snapped from his thoughts and instantly dropped after bristling. “I’m fine.” He meowed. Pushing past Dandelionpaw once more, but she came again and again, stoping him. fuming he took several breaths. He could see what she was doing, she was trying to make him okay. Guilt pricked him. Was this what he was like? He just paused. “I’m just tired.” He meowed. Though droplets of dew lined his fur as he sighed and padded to his nest. - Frozenpaw + Dandelionpaw

Ripplepool finally returned to his den. He’d gathered some ivy vines, some holly berries, some other berries to color the place, and some nest-making items. He lay the berries neatly together and started to squish them, if he was gonna decorate, he would obviously need some help. So he lay out the pastes apart from each other and looked at the steep rocky walls of the place, it seemed empty and lonely, so he took down the brambles at the entrance of the place to let in the dusky light, he laced the Ivy over so it could grow into the den, lacing the jolly on the ivy thorns, he felt a little proud as he then moved his supplies to a covered shelf so the painters wouldn’t touch them, he weaves vines and some fur and feathers, of course moss, and finished some of the nests. Now it was the part he was unsure of, he looked around for the nursery and peeked inside. “Excuse me, would anyone like their kits to help me decorate the medicine cats den? Really just getting berry juice everywhere to add color if that’s okay.” He meowed to the queens. - Ripplepool

Leopardpaw eyed Pinekit with a parrow of narrowed seafoam pools before he returned his focus to his littermate. "He's odd company to keep." The sable rosetted apprentice mumbled, but it didn't appear to bother Quillstar's son much. It wasn't the first time that he was called weird. Cinderpaw took a step in front of the kitten and shooed him off with a flick of her tail. "Don't be so rude, Leopardpaw. He's just a kit." There was a temporary moment of sharpness in Cinderpaw's eyes before they immediately softened. "I was worried about you, brother." -- Cinderpaw & Leopardpaw

Ivytail looked up at Ripplepool and smiled. If her kits were older, she would let them help out... She started licking Mintkit and Hollykit, taking turns by licking one then the other, and soon the sisters were asleep. Ivytail sighed, licked each of her kits' heads, and settled down for a well-deserved rest. Her tail flicked around her kits and over her nose. She fell asleep soon after. -- Ivytail

Ripplepool felt a purr rumbled in his throat. He was about to think of if he ever had kits and stinging memories had stabbed him hard. His face turned to a frown. He wondered if Baykit was okay, was she being good? Would he ever be a good father? Why not ask Glacierpaw tonight? He wondered if she hated him for being a medicine cat.... what if she wasn’t who she thought he was? All the questions.... he turned to look for Quillstar, finding the leader outside his den, he padded to him. “Q-Quillstar? What’s it like to be a father?” He meowed. - Ripple

Brookpaw got up nervously, and padded over to the nursery, wondering what Ivytail's kits looked like. She ducked under the covering to walk into the dimly lit den, smelling of milk. She looked around and saw the kits fast asleep, as well as their mother. She turned to leave; she would say hi another time. - Brookpaw

"I know it hurts, but it's gonna be okay..." The brown-gray apprentice pressed the poultice into his sister's paw. "Good Cedarpaw... good. You're gonna be fine!" She blinked and sighed, then relaxed as the pain eased. "Are you feeling better now?" She nodded. "Great. Let's keep moving." --Birchpaw & Cedarpaw

Quillstar laughed nervously when his medicine cat asked about parenthood. "It's...rewarding..." He decided before glancing towards Bearkit, who was mercilessly tearing up nests in the nursery before Danita shooed her back outside. "...But also exhausting." -- Quillstar

Ripplepool sighed. “Hmmm.” He meowed. “Do you think they get easier? I know a lot happens to younger cats that can scar them.” He meowed. Looking down. “I hope Baykit’s okay...” - Ripple

Jaystripe nodded at Mothfeather, before padding out of camp. Wolfrunner, how was still shocked and angry, caught sight of the young cat. He remembered killing Dewshine. Unsheathing his claws, he lunged and Jaystripe didn’t even have time to draw a breath, before his throat was slit, and he was dead. Wolfrunner left the body, bitterly. - Wolfrunner

With Cedarpaw feeling better, she began to chase Birchpaw through the territory, eventually crashing into a large bush of berries. "You have berry juice all over you!" she chuckled, catching the now-stained spots on his coat. "You idiot," she joked, and he smirked before pouncing and sending her into more of them. "Now you got them all over me!" --Birchpaw & Cedarpaw

Flowerbreeze paced outside of camp. “okay Flowerbreeze, focus, your apprentice is missing, you abandoned Wolfrunner after killing someone, the clan is being picked off one by one by some cat, and now? You’re pacing like a weirdo.” She hissed and jumped as she heard a distant shriek. running to the scene she looked to the black and white dappled tom with widened eyes. “J-Jaystripe!?” - Flower

Birchpaw studied the stains on him and his sister's fur, then murmured quietly, "...do you think anyone would think we did something? I mean, it *is* berry juice." She shrugged, then he flicked his tail, shaking his thoughts away. "Nahhh, we'll be fine!! Heheh... we're just two apprentices, how much harm could we do??" --Birch & Cedar

"I'm fine," Leopardpaw spoke quickly, shooting his sister another small glance before returning his vision to his paws. "Let's just get back to camp." He seemed distant, emotionless, as if he was empty on the inside. But how could he not feel that way, when his only hope and comfort (outside of his sister) had died right before his own eyes? In silence, the pair of littermates made their way back to camp. -- Cinderpaw & Leopardpaw

Frozenpaw watched Pinekit enter camp and later on Leopardpaw and Cinderpaw. Relief flooded through him. But he didn’t go to greet them as long as Leopardpaw was there. He sighed as he watched them in silence. - Frozen

"I sure hope it gets easier." Quillstar paused when he noticed his son marching into camp, and immediately the tom darted over to Pinekit. "Pinekit! Where did you go? How...did you even get out of camp?" The leader checked his kit over to ensure that he was okay. "I got flowers for mom, to cheer her up!" -- Quillstar & Pinekit

Cinderpaw glanced over to her littermate as they walked side-by-side into camp. "Maybe you should take a nap if you're not hungry." The thoughtful rosetted she-cat when she noticed Leopardpaw's stupor. -- Cinderpaw

Spiderfang was pleased to see that his Clanmates were safe. - Spiderfang

As Birchpaw and Cedarpaw continued chasing each other, the two were slowly heading back towards camp. Little did they know that their berry juice was drying on their fur, and that it slowly looked like blood... --Birchpaw & Cedarpaw

Flowerbreeze dragged the body back to camp, fear stung her more than thorns and claws, she never thought.... well, perhaps she’d be next to be put out of her misery. Not like she felt good about herself. Once she entered camp she dropped the body. All eyes were sent to the she-cat as she stay silent, crouched over him. Surely Fangflame wouldn’t be pushed by her brother’s death, she’d never cared mush. But Mothfeather...... “JAYSTRIPE!” Mothfeather had raced out of the nursery, she nudged him, pushed him, pleaded StarClan never to take him! “Please! No!” She cried, burying her face into his fur. “Y-you promised we’d hunt together as warriors...” she sobbed, “like we did as apprentices, a-and raise Dandelionkit... and...” Flowerbreeze took a guilty step back from the murmurinh sobs. She wanted to give Mothfeather the biggest flower ever, anything that would cheer her up like she used to be. But she knew nothing would hide the scars she revealed from now there was no way for her to see her mate again. - Flowerbreeze & Mothfetaher

Dandelionpaw poked her head out of the nursery, horror struck, she padded shakily next to Mothfeather, “m-mom, is dad, okay?” Maybe he just needed some snuggles, those would make him happy.... or- or maybe he needed to be out training with her! Or..... she felt her eyes water with disbelief. W-wh-who... was he? Her belly turned, she didn’t know what to do, everything felt..... she felt her breathing intensify. She knew he wasn't her father. He was more. She took a step back as her mother turned her head to her daughter. Dandelionpaw felt everything freeze. And with it all? Knowing Jaystripe was dead, she’d never be able to have a father..... with one grasp for air she pelted away from camp. - Dandelionpaw

Mudkit was in the middle of helping the medicine cat decorate as Mothdeather’s yowl rang in his ears, the kitten stopped as Ripplepool dashed out of his den. He wanted to rip the cat who killed Jaystripe to shreds, he wanted to *kill* that cat, he wanted to *save* his clan. Hate quickly mixed with his ambitions as he padded to Mothfeather’s side, only to look and see Dandelionpaw pelting out of camp, leaving a trail of teardrops behind her. This wasn’t right, Mudkit knew that. But as a warrior you can’t be disturbed by death, even if it’s someone you love, they’re gone now, your only hope was to move on. But why did Mudkit feel something stir in him making him wanna cry too? - Mudkit

Thriftkit had felt a little shook when Mothfetaher had dashed off quick as a squirrel, barely walking and can’t open her eyes. She just pushed herself like a slug to huddle with Vinekit to keep warmth in the humid air and cold floors, as a kit, she didn’t know what was happening, though little did she know this would change her. - Thriftkit

Not long after Flowerbreeze had brought Jaystripe's body in, the twin apprentices entered camp, still giggling as they skidded to a halt, only to immediately freeze as they spotted the group of cats around the warrior's body. Cedarpaw immediately began panting; she was struggling to breathe amid her pounding heart, which raced with her anxiety as to what could make her shiver more. Birchpaw, meanwhile, saw this and attempted to calm her down, then felt a cold stab of guilt and fear in his throat. *We're still covered in berry juice... and it looks like...* He quickly glanced down at his paws, then felt the frozen thought slip in. *Blood.* --Birchpaw & Cedarpaw

Mudkit flicked his gaze and staggered back. “You two! You must be the ones who killed my father! I aw to shred both of you! *Murderers!”* He hissed, bristling, making the queen look up droopily, though she didn’t care, she just curled up with Jaystripe as he watched her from StarClan. - Mud + Moth

Brookpaw's head was swirling. She was frightened. Who is doing this?! She couldn't bare to look at Jaystripe's cold lifeless body, but the stench filled her nose. She gagged, overwhelmed. - Brookpaw

The tomkit's outburst didn't help Cedarpaw, who was shivering violently, and she flattened her ears in anxiety. "Cedarpaw... Cedarpaw, shh, shh, shh, breathe..." Birchpaw shushed her as she turned to press her head into his shoulder. "Shh... they'll believe us, there's no way we -"

"You're *wrong,* Birchpaw." She managed to get the words out between her panting breaths. "They're not going to believe us. Nobody will believe us. We fit all the qualities of brutal murderers, except... we've never killed anyone." The last statement was said very quietly, barely under her breath, and her brother sighed, nodded, and continued trying to calm her down. --Birchpaw & Cedarpaw

Brookpaw's tear-filled eyes flitted over to Birchpaw and Cedarpaw, who were standing together, whispering. Mudkit was yelling at them for soemthing, but she didn't listen. She was trying to make out what was on their pelts. It looked.. like... blood. - Brookpaw

“bloody murderers!” Mudkit padded before them though eyes full of hate. “you never deserved to be in a clan!” He hissed. looking to where Mothfeather was sobbing with Jaystripe, sadness pierced him. “Claw marks...” Ripplepool had said. “But.... the claws are larger.” he muttered. Mudkit hissed. “There’s CLEARLY blood on their paws! Why isn’t anyone listening!” Though Ripplepool ignored the arrogance in the tomkits voice. Something was wrong. This must've been the same cat who killed Dewshine. Though a peek of moonlight touched his nose and sent panic through him, the same vision, clear as day, the shadow who left cats dead. He ended up looking to Quillstar. “The Half Moon meeting is tonight and we shall let StarClan decide!” He yowled. Though he’d half expected everyone to doubt him and blame harmless apprentices. - Ripple

"Silence!" Quillstar barked, particularly in the direction of the unruly kit. The leader looked to the pair of  the apprentices. He had no interest in accusing untrained adolescents of murder, but they did seem to have blood on their paws...quite literally. "Was anyone with Birchpaw and Cedarpaw that can offer them an alibi?" The dark-furred tom asked, glancing around at his clanmates to offer the pair of littermates a fair trial. -- Quillstar

"I saw them leave camp." Leopardpaw said simply with a small twitch of his tail. "They weren't with a warrior or anything- not sure *why* they were out of camp." The tom was evidently in a brooding mood, considering that he had just witnessed the death of his mother. Better yet, he came face-to-face with the father that had ordered him to be tortured, in essence. "I've overheard that they had some beef with Jaystripe." -- Leopardpaw

Spiderfang's eyes slid over to Cedarpaw and Birchpaw. Could they *really* have been the murderers? - Spiderfang

Ripplepool didn’t turn from his path, he needed to speak with StarClan ASAP. He just trekked on, Only to wonder if this was wrong. - Ripple
Flowerbreeze looked to her apprentice. At least he was back, but she could see how he would’ve been thinking. “We should just watch them.” She meowed. “If they did kill Jaystripe they surely would’ve covered it up instead of keeping the blood on their claws.” She meowed. - Flower

Irispaw padded back into camp, seeing *another* dead body. She rolled her eyes and called out, "He's dead already! Stop making such a big deal, guys." - Irispaw

Spiderfang perked his ears at Irispaw's words. "Don't say that!" he growled. "A brave warrior has died, and we need to respect that." - Spiderfang

Irispaw scoffed. "Jeez, everyone here is a mouse-heart. Cats die. Get over it!" - Irispaw

Spiderfang felt the fur on his shoulders start to bristle, but he tried to stay calm. "Irispaw," he growled. "Your Clanmate has died, and now you're mocking it. That's disrespectful." - Spiderfang

(fyi everyone, birch and cedar *are* going to be exiled, regardless of how other cats feel. whiskers and i both agree that there should be more cats against them, so please nudge your cats in that direction, thanks!) The two apprentices were silent, only to break it for a moment as Cedarpaw's shivering caused the poultice in her paw to burn. She winced and murmured a pained statement, just as Birchpaw shushed her. "Shh! The more we speak, the more suspicious we look!" She gave him a glare, clearly frustrated, and he stared down at his paws, his eyes sunken with an empty sense of fear and guilt. --Birchpaw & Cedarpaw

“it’s not like *YOU* of all cats would care, you’ve never *cared* about *anyone* in your *unbearable* life.” Mudkit sneered. “Maybe it was **Irispaw**, she’d *LOVE* to have some *large Fox-like cat* come after her and *rip her throat out*.” Mudkit hissed. - Mud

Irispaw looked Spiderfang in the eyes. "He's dead. It's not like he cares. And all of you are *weak*. If this is how you are when someone dies, you aren't gonna make it very far, now are you?" She looked to Mudkit. "Well, if you think I did it, prove it. I have no blood on me, no evidence of me covering up a scent" - Irispaw

“well you have evidence you don’t care for your clanmates. So you’re disloyal. Even calling us weak? You’re weak if we’re weak you no good rotting heart. And if you haven’t noticed, WillowClan is the biggest clan, you haven’t seen us in battle *rogue*.” He spat. - Mud

Spiderfang glared at Irispaw before turning his attention to Cedarpaw and Birchpaw. He didn't want any cat exiled, but...that was blood on their paws. - Spiderfang

"They're inexperienced killers," Leopardpaw responded to his mentor flatly. "They wouldn't *know* any better than to clean themselves up. If they had beef with Jaystripe, it's likely that they attacked him out of rage and didn't think much of it. Now, they're in shock of their actions. They ran from the scene because they're terrified of what they've done- *murder*." -- Leopardpaw

Irispaw chuckled slightly. "First off, I was born here, so I'm Clanborn, not a rouge. Also, if your the hope for the future of the Clan? I feel like we aren't gonna make it much longer. And disloyal? Just because you don't like what I said, doesn't make it not true. Everyone you love will die and leave you all alone. And what will you do? Cry? That's rich." - Irispaw

Flowerbreeze just stared, motionless, she let another cat die. “Rage is no reason to kill a cat.” She glared to the two apprentices. “And now you have nothing to say?” She looked narrowedly to Birchpaw and Cedarpaw. “We let you in with open arms.” She whispered. She should’ve... fear struck through her like a Lightningbolt. Where was Wolfrunner? Was he- she decided to exit camp and look for the tom, clearly he’d be sure to care for himself if a murderer came after him? She padded to the scene of Rivergaze and scented around, “Wolfrunner?!” She called. “StarClan don’t let him die.” She pleaded. - Flowerbreeze

Mudkit just stared at Irispaw. His belly churned, he ached to be with Mothfeather. Would she die? He wouldn’t let her die.... r-right? *They wouldn’t leave me.* He tried to conclude. His head tilted down in thought. - Mudkit

Irispaw smiled slightly at Mudkit. "See? Now you know.." - Irispaw

Mudkit narrowed his eyes. “I won’t cry.” He muttered. “I’ll make them proud.” He added. Though he looked around camp, oh right... Dandelionpaw ran off. At least they’ve found the murderers. But he could feel emptiness creep to him, when would Mothfeather go? Did Irispaw mean her words? Of course not, she wouldn’t have, couldn’t have, she was just trying to be mean. He gave her a glare, his flipped belly made him uncertain as he looked back to his paws, drooping. - Mudtuft

Irispaw turned to Cedarpaw and Birchpaw. "Well, well. Seems you were a bit sloppy with cleaning up the crime scene. Next time, actually wash the blood off." - Irispaw

Mothfetaher has groomed the blood from Jaystripe fur as it crusted. His fur was still stained, but she wished he’d stayed, what was her life now? raising kits as a helpless queen? She wanted to be a warrior, she wanted to have someone that understood her, perhaps Talon? How could she pull herself to see ScarClan again? After everything, Oaksky, Jaystripe, Aspensoul? She understood it was too much for Dandelionpaw. But Irispaw was right about one thing, Jaystripe was dead, there was no way to get him back, no matter how hurt she felt, she took a deep breath and avoided gazes with the murderer apprentices. Staring at Jaystripes gazing eyes. “You didn’t deserve this.” She muttered. “I know you’re watching me and don’t want me to grieve. But I will.” She promised. She looked to Mudkit and beckoned in with her tail. Then padding into the nursery and bringing her newborns out, “h-here, it’s your father.” She plowed as she lay them next to him. “He’s gonna Nate great car of you, he’ll watch you from the stars, he’ll protect you.” She meowed, Mudkit leaned on her as Thriftkit and Vinekit fell asleep next to Jaystripe. She wrapped her tail around Mudkit. “It’s gonna be okay.” She meowed. **- Mothfeather, Mudkit, Thriftkit**

With the other cats assuming the dried juice on their paws was blood, the twin apprentices huddled together, too full of nerves to try to argue back. Birchpaw couldn't suppress his fear any longer, and instead was now shivering next to his sister. He cast a nervous side-eye to her, then furrowed a brow in frustration. *I'll survive with you, Cedarpaw!* --Birchpaw & Cedarpaw

Cherrypaw felt as if she had a lump in her throat as she stared at Jaystripe's corpse in horror. She angled her mottled ears backwards out of discomfort, shfiting about the scene before deciding to step away. It was too overwhelming for the gentle-natured apprentice. She didn't know who or what to believe, but...seeing Cedarpaw and Birchpaw with blood on their paws, and knowing that they had outsider heritage? It was scary, very frightening. -- Cherrypaw

Dandelionpaw stopped near a fallen tree, sitting on it, she let herself free, she let herself cry, she let herself feel fear. At least Mothfeather wasn’t hurt... if she lost her mother she’d be devastated. Though she was the oldest now, she knew Jaystripe more and seeing her father, her real father, Aspensoul was dead as she was born... she closed her eyes. “Okay Dandelionpaw, you need to take care of her, you need to take care of everyone to help Mothfeather. She shook herself. She wondered how hunting on patrol would Be, maybe Cherrypaw could teach her something? - Dandelion

Mosspaw stared in horror, his tail tucked between his legs. “Who could be awful enough to do something like this?” He whispered to himself, before shooting a glace at Birchpaw and Cedarpaw. - Mosspaw

Cinderpaw bit her lip as her brother went on accusing the two astranged apprentices of being murderers. What had ScarClan done to her brother? She wanted to protest against his claims, to correct his sudden darkening in attitude, but the apprentice couldn't find her words. Who was she to say that her brother was wrong, when he had tangled with death in the depths of ScarClan's camp? He would know about murder better than anyone else. -- Cinderpaw

“Wolfrunner where are you.” Flowerbreeze muttered as she padded around the forest. “Please don’t be dead.” She prayed. - Flower

Dandelionpaw closed her eyes. Those apprentices killed Jaystripe, why? Leopardpaw said out of anger, but what was there to be angry about? Well, TundraClan, maybe it was rogue nature to be so mean, maybe... she was lost in thought as she padded back into camp, looking away from the body and looked to Cherrypaw. “Cherrypaw, do you think they’d really kill him out of rage?” She asked in a low tone. - Dandelion

Wolfrunner looked around and spotted Flowerbreeze. He had just washed all the blood and scent off of him. “Flowerbreeze!” He called out. - Wolfrunner

Flowerbreeze dashed up to him. “You’re okay! Jaystripe was murdered!” She cried, pelting into him. “Birchpaw and Cedarpaw did it, I can’t believe it... Wolf, I thought they got you.” She meowed.- Flower

Cherrypaw fumbled around with her paws in the earth. "...I wouldn't know," she admitted in a low, uncertain voice. "...I've never really been angry. I don't know what rage is capable of driving a cat to do." -- Cherrypaw

Dandelionoaw flicked her gaze in agreement. She never been mad, she was never mad at the apprentices for murder, why would she? It was too bad to be true. - Dandelion

Wolfrunner frowned. Birchpaw and Cedarpaw? They thought those two lumps of fur did it? Well he wasn’t going to argue. “I’m fine.” He said. - Wolfrunner

Spiderfang couldn't help but wonder. *Did Cedarpaw and Birchpaw kill Jaystripe?* - Spiderfang

Flowerbreeze spuddered. “I’m sorry I ran off back with Rivergaze, I’ve never killed any cat before, just wounded. Does it make you feel bad to kill someone?” She frowned. - Flower

Cinderpaw observed her brother as he rested his case, concern lit in her eyes. *What happened to him back in ScarClan?* Her gaze trailed after the tom as he vanished into the apprentice's den. She was curious of his poor time spent with their father, but she knew that those questions she had would never quite receive real answers. He wasn't the type to go spilling the beans on a sore past. -- Cinderpaw & Leopardpaw

Brackenstep took a deep breath and walked into the warriors den. It was different becoming a father than he had expected. Oh well. He circled into his nest, and took a nap. -- Brackenstep

Neither of the twin apprentices could answer the questions thrown at them; responding incorrectly would get them exiled, but lying... *there are no positive outcomes to this situation. Shoot.* Birchpaw's furrowed brow caused him to shake his head, then he groaned subtly. *I'm so scared, and now we've got to... no. Our life isn't ending and we'll be okay.* --Birchpaw & Cedarpaw

Leopardpaw settled into his nest in the apprentice's den with a bitter huff before he squeezed his pale eyes shut. It all felt like a bad dream, some horrible nightmare- the whole day did. Not only did he watch his mother die, but he had to come face-to-face with the tom who permitted his torture, his *own father*. Then, the guy tries to act like he can be forgiven for his actions? The nerve...Leopardpaw couldn't resist sinking his claws into the moss. -- Leopardpaw

Petalheart stared at Birchpaw and Cedarpaw. They seemed so innocent... *But they killed Jaystripe,* her mind insisted. - Petalheart

Wolfrunner shook his head. “Not necessarily.” He said. “Well not if they deserve it.” - Wolfrunner

IIrispaw looked at the squirming apprentices and she immediately started searching for clues. They didn't smell of blood, but she didn't care. She longed to see others suffer. She called up to Quillstar. "Hey Quillstar! Look at them squirming! They're nervous, and they have blood on them. We should... *She paused to fake a shaky breath to really sell it and continued. "We should definetely consider a death penalty, or exile at the least." - Irispaw​*

Scorchclaw thought of Flameheart. *What does she think about Jaystripe's murder?* - Scorchclaw

Flowerbreeze looked to her paws. “I guess.” She meowed. though she looked him in the eyes, smiling. A little nervously. “So, do you wanna...” she took a few thoughts and as her belly twisted came an awkward silence, until the she-cat blurted it out. “Do you wanna go climb the Skytree or something? Or or, maybe go hunt together? Imeannotifyoudontwanttobutmaybeiwasjustthinking-!” She glanced down embarrassed. - Flower

Dandelionpaw glanced to the apprentices with sour pools of horror and fear . “Y-you killed my father. W-why?” She spuddered. - Dandelion

"Down with the filthy outsiders!" Of course, Bearkit didn't hesitate to jump in and add her own sharp comment or five. However, it seemed as though she had completely forgotten that her own mother, Danita, had come from outside of WillowClan. "WillowClan ain't for the spineless, back-stabbing type! Look at 'em- without a scratch! Proves that they attacked Jaystripe from behind like mousehearts." -- Bearkit

Quillstar shot his daughter a disapproving glance. "Bearkit!" He snapped in the direction of the long-legged kitten. "Where did you get such a mouth from? Go back into the nursery!" -- Quillstar

Mothfeather frowned. WillowClan wasn’t the place for any cat. She thought. All they have are traitors, heroes, and so many cats that are everything but loyal. The cold thought hit her. Perhaps since ScarClan had gotten better.... she immediately looked to her kittens. “Okay kits. When you’re older, you’ll understand.” She frowned. - Moth

Cinderpaw glanced anxiously towards the apprentice's den, since Leopardpaw had vanished into it to take a nap and hopefully blow off some steam. Her heart begged her to rush inside and comfort her littermate, but she reminded herself that he had since...changed. Obviously, that possessive edge had remained, but he still seemed so *different*. *Camp's stressful feeling.* The rosetted apprentice decided, before brightening up when she recalled that her best friend had been made into an apprentice. "Hey, Cherrypaw!" Cinderpaw quickly trotted over to her, speaking in a low tone. "Wanna go hunting?" She knew that the warriors wouldn't want her out of camp by herself, let alone Quillstar, but...the murderers had been found, right? She didn't *feel* like Cedarpaw and Birchpaw were murderers, but...what did she know? -- Cinderpaw & Cherrypaw

Dandelionpaw flicked her ears. “Could I come?” She meowed nervously to Cinderpaw. “I-I need to clear my head...” she shifted her shoulders. “If that’s okay, if you’d like me to.” She added. The aftershock of the murder had her pinned like talons of a hawk. - Dandelionpaw

Brookpaw was frightened and confused. There are dead bodies... and evryone is talking about exiling Birchpaw and Cedarpaw! She knew in her heart that they didn't do it, and she had maybe developed small feelings for the anxiety-riddled Cedarpaw, although she was too embarrassed to admit it to anyone. She wanted to speak up for them, but she was terrified of what they would do to her if she did. What if they thought she did it and exiled *her*. She shrank into the shadows, wanting to be silent, in the hopes they would temporarily forget she ever exsisted. She looked around for her mentor, Forestfire, but she was no where to be found. Irispaw was throwing accusations, and something about a death penalty! She gulped hard. Quillstar would be reasonable.. right? - Brookpaw

Frozenpaw narrowed his eyes to the commotion. He padded out from his nest, around Leopardpaw, and between the clan and the murderers. “Silence!” He hissed. Narrowed eyes were sent to the clan. “Keep fussing? That won’t do anything, we have to wait and see if Ripplepool gets a sign! Like he mentioned!” He yowled to the clan. he hoped they’d listen and be silent about this, all it’s doing is giving everyone discomfort in the time of grieving for the lost. Though he wondered why the apprentices would kill Dewshine, or shred an innocent kit. - Frozen

((Leopardpaw is sleeping)) Cinderpaw nodded. "Yeah, you can tag along. Cherrypaw hasn't learned to hunt yet, either." -- Cinderpaw

Dandelionpaw felt a flush of embarrassment flood her, “right!” She looked around. “Maybe you could try and teach us the basics?” She asked Cinderpaw. - Dandelion

"Quillstar said I was as good as a hunter as my mother." Cinderpaw spoke excitedly, but the glow quickly faded from her eyes when she was once more reminded that her mother was gone. With her shoulders relaxing as the glum mood set it, she began to leave camp. "... Let's go..." -- Cinderpaw

With the constant calls about their loyalty (and the presumed blood on their paws), Cedarpaw whispered to her brother, "S-s-s-so, what do - do we do now? B-B-Birchpaw??" He shook his head, then pressed into her side. "B-B-Birchpaw?! C-c'mon, Birch -"

"Shhh. It's scary. It's really scary, isn't it? That we're going to potentially lose our lives here, if they force us into doing that death penalty thing that's being rumored? But Cedarpaw... we are *sticking together.* He smiled back at her guiltily, then sighed. "We'll survive. I can't tell you how scared I am of everything... but whatever happens, we're here. Together." The twin apprentices nodded, then fell silent again, awaiting their fate. --Birchpaw & Cedarpaw

Lilycreek was horrified by the dead body. Who would kill Jaystripe? It couldn't have ben the apprentices. *Everyone must be so scared...* She looked around, when she saw a scared apprentice crouching in the shadows. She padded over carefully, as not to scare her, ad reconginzed Brookpaw. "Poor baby, you must be frightened! Are you alright?" She murmurder soothingly. - Lilycreek + Brookpaw

Fox padded over to Lilycreek and Brookpaw. He brushed Brookpaw's back with his tail, trying to soothe her. -- Fox

Brookpaw gasped at the cats coming up around her. She whimpered pathetically. "A-Are.. you g-g-gonna kill m-me..?" Lilycreek shook her head slightly. She saw Brookpaw's eyes drifting over to Jaystripe's body, so she gently manuevered her head back towards her. "Don't look over there. There's nothing to see." Brookpaw sighed and rested her head in Lilycreek lap, falling alseep soon after. Lilycreek got up, and picked the grieving child up to bring over to the apprentices den. After she laid Brookpaw down in her nest, she looked at Fox. "I can't belive this.. Who would do such a thing? What if you're next? Or Rushleap? Or Brookpaw? I couldn't live with myself if one of you died.." - Lilycreek

"Nothing's going happen to any of us." Fox reassured her. "I won't let any more cats get hurt." - -Fox

Dandelionpaw felt a pang of sympathy for Cinderpaw. “I’m sorry Cinderpaw.” She meowed in more of a whisper as the three exited camp. She forgot how many lives were lost today. Ashbreeze, Jaystripe, who else? *C’mon Dandelionpaw! You’re supposed to be positive!* She cursed to herself. - Dandelion

Cherrypaw was always a happy cat, and she'd make darn sure that such a morose attitude wouldn't stick around. The dappled tortoiseshell walked along with the duo of she-cats before her ears perked at the sight of poppy flowers, bright red and in full bloom. "Look, poppies! The seeds have medicinal purposes, I know, but the flowers are always so pretty around this time. Shame they're always forgotten, an the seeds become the center of attention." -- Cherrypaw

Lilycreek smiled slightly, and even though she felt a bit better, she was scared for her Clanmates. She hoped Fox would be okay, and Brookpaw. The young cat seemed to be taking the deaths in an unpleseant way. She decided to not think about it too much and laid her head on Fox"s shoulder. - Lilycreek

Fangflame dug her claws into the ground at the sight of her little brother’s dead body. Grief fled through her. *It should have been me.* - Fangflame

Dandelionpaw paused. “Wow, how'd you know that?” She asked in amazement. Well, Cherrypaw did wanna be a medicine cat, right? Maybe she trained herself? Or it came to her? She looked to the pretty red flowers. - Dandelionpaw (Flower asked wolf out lol)

Fadingfrost stepped up to stand beside Fangflame. The she-cat had clearly lost someone close to her, a sensation he didn't quite understand. He had not known his birth family, only his adopted: Seastar and Fogshine. "...I'm sorry for your loss." -- Fadingfrost

"I used to play with flowers a lot as a kitten." Cherrypaw admitted before glancing down to her paws. "...And I want to be a medicine cat, but Ripplepool was never given a sign..." She raised her head with a determined glow in her cerulean eyes. "But that doesn't mean I still can't try." -- Cherrypaw

Fangflame shook herself. “It’s- It’s okay.” She said. “It wasn’t your fault.” - Fangflame

Dandelionpaw smiled. “A sign? Why would he need a sign? You have skill.” She meowed. She liked this bubbly attitude Cherrypaw always had. “Maybe just ask him?” She suggested. - Dandelion

snail sighed as she rapped her tail around herself, closing her eyes. --snailkit

"It wouldn't be fair- medicine cats are chosen from StarClan. And, well...StarClan just didn't choose me." It hurt to admit it, but there was no arguing against it: StarClan didn't think she was fit to be a medicine cat. Cinderpaw glanced over at Cherrypaw. It was her turn for cheering-up. "Well, let's pick the poppies, anyways! They'll look nice lined along our nests." -- Cherrypaw & Cinderpaw

"Well, no, it wasn't." Fadingfrost flicked his tail in agreement. "But I'm sorry, no less. Nobody likes losing family." -- Fadingfrost

Dandelionpaw nodded, looking for pretty colors. “Do you know rare ones? I wanna give some to my mom... you know....” She looked to her paws sad pools of amber staring at the ground. “I need to take care of them.” She muttered. - Dandelion

tiger looked at snail, nudging his mate slightly. "so, you know that tundraclan kit?" he looked down at Pigeon -who was laying down- with a smile. "yeah, why?" pigeon sat up, curling his tail around tiger. "what if we take her in?". Pigeon looked surprised "what!? that's a lot of responsibility, and what if she doesn't want parents!?". "well, she older than nursing, and hey, it will only be a bit till quillstar kicks her out- or she becomes an apprentice-" tiger reasoned. "no, we are not fit for it, she deserves a loving mom and a strong dad, we are neither, you are not the 'caring type' and I'm not strong". "hey hey hey- 1st, who said I would be the caring one!? 2nd you are the strongest cat I know, mentally." --tigerbounce and pigeonpelt

Mothfeather pricked her ears to Tigerbounce’s comment with Pigeonpelt. She’d adopted kits before. If Swirlkit is still alive. A part of her wanted the kit to come home with Snailkit, but she knew deep down, the kit was too young when she was taken. If Mothfeather adopted ANOTHER kit she knew she’d claw herself to death, she has enough kits, not to be bad to the kit, but perhaps She could help the two. Sadness dropped from her eyes when she let go of Jaystripe’s fur and padded over to them. “Y-you said something about adopting kits?” She asked. - Moth

(let's push birch and cedar's exile along please!) --Stork