ThunderClan Territory

[lone]

Originally Posted by RedHead

A scent reached Crescentmoon, and her ears instantly flicked up. She sat up and instinctively curled her tail around her kits, not bothering as her son let out an indignant, "Hey watch it! That was my-" His voice was muffled as she placed the tip of her tail over his mouth, listening, her ears swiveling every which way. Her two kits seemed to sense her discomfort, and South got in front of Starry, pressing her against their mother's fur. "It's okay Starry, momma's got this." He whispered to her. Starry gave him a look, flicking him with her one silver paw. "Yeah duh..."
"Shush the both of you." Crescentmoon meowed sternly. And that let her kits know that she was worried about something. Because she never shushed them unless they were in trouble.
As the scent came closer, the queen felt as if she recognized it. But she had been gone too long to put an exact tab on who this cat was. Definitely male though. And Crescentmoon was now always pretty nervous around males ever since that one had tried to kill her kits.
As a cat stepped out of the undergrowth, Crescentmoon's eyes widened. Ottertail? Recognition seemed to cloud his gaze, but he looked unsure. She watched as he took a look at her kits, whom were peeking their heads out from behind her tail.
As he said her name, Crescentmoon nodded, giving him a smile. "It is me Ottertail." Then she stood, walking over to him. "Wow, you've grown so much since I last saw you!" So many questions were bubbling in her mind, and she wanted to ask them all. But she knew that first, she needed to get her kits somewhere warm and safe. So that was the first imposing question.
"Who are you? You smell funny!" The queen looked down to see South Winds now right beside her, sticking his tongue out in a disgusted way. "He smells a little like mommy... Wait is this dad?!" Starry was also now next to Crescentmoon, inspecting Ottertail as well, but her silver eyes were turned up towards Crescentmoon, wide with wonder. Letting out a laugh, the queen shook her head. "No Starry, this is Ottertail, my old friend from Thunderclan. You remember those stories I told you, right?"
"Woah, so you're a warrior?!?" South now looked up at Ottertail with admiration shining in his leafy orbs, his maw holding a smile.
Looking back up at Ottertail, Crescentmoon laughed. "Sorry about my kits, they are both very... curious." South stuck his tongue out at her, and she curled her tail over his head, rolling her blue eyes. "But, I've come back to Thunderclan, hoping to rejoin. I wanted to raise my kits here, where they will be safe. And I bet you are wanting an explanation, so I can explain a few things before we get going. Just tell me what you want to know."

"How - where - kits?" For one reason or another, the Maine Coon's voice didn't seem to want to work at the moment. It was like there was something stuck in his throat, and he couldn't seem to dislodge it. His eyes glanced up and down the silver female, and he smiled at her words. "Big and strong, right?" The brown tom purred in a half-flirtatious, half-teasing tone as he flicked her lightly. But he figured he better not talk too much like that in front of her kits - no doubt they had a father somewhere, who was most likely going to meet the blue-eyed beauty later. He wanted to ask so much... like he had started to ask earlier, how had she gotten here, where had she gone, and when had she had kits?! It was surprising, he never would have thought about it before.

If anything he would have thought they'd be Northpath's, with - well - how much time the two of them spent together and all. The two kits were now examining him, and Ottertail felt a flush of embarassment as the she-kit asked if he was their father. Don't they know who their Dad is? He thought. If someone had just left Crescentmoon, he wouldn't be happy about that at all. It wasn't right - there was a sense of honor that he thought every tom should have when their love had kits. The honorable thing to do was to stick by them and support them, no matter who she might be. The tom laughed and his green eyes sparkled with laughter as he watched the younger cat. "That's right, I'm a warrior."

You'd better be glad I'm a nice one, too... oh Crescentmoon, what were you thinking bringing these kits here? What if someone who didn't remember you had seen you? This could have gone... badly. Ottertail thought. He was thanking StarClan that he was the one who had found the she cat, not some other cat. A sigh of relief left the tom as he gave his friend a smile. "Of course. I was just... you know, you disappeared without an explanation. What happened there? And, now you're back - I mean, how'd you get back? And where's your kits' father, and who is he, and - Crescentmoon, kits? How? When?" He realized that all the questions coming from his maw must be pretty overwhelming for the silver tabby. He also could accept the fact that she might not want to talk about their father in front of them.

He had no idea what these kits' names even were, and he felt a little bad for not asking about that, but there were more pressing matters for him at the moment. You can tell me on the way, if you'd like? Ottertail offered after a moment, glancing over the two small cats. They should get to ThunderClan first, perhaps, then questions later. Or as he had just offered - she could tell him on the way.

[Fab4evagirl]

Originally Posted by Chameleon

Pinkpaw nodded,” Alright. I’ve just heard they are fast.”

"Seeing how you ran the other day, I'm pretty sure you're faster," Daisywind joked. "Now follow its trail."

[Mango]

Originally Posted by Rainbowmist

"Seeing how you ran the other day, I'm pretty sure you're faster," Daisywind joked. "Now follow its trail."

Pinkpaw obeyed sniffing the ground then paused, as she was downwind from the rabbit, she pointed her tail at it silently.

[wickedvirtues]

Originally Posted by The Little Robin

The older warrior was silent for a moment, his tail twitching beside him as he thought about something, but he shooed the thought away and looked down at the youth. “Being a warrior takes a lot of strength, Ebonypaw - both emotional and physical.” Flintheart mentioned, “There will be times when you work hard to get what you want, but then someone else will get the prize, whether that be a cat that you love or even a noble spot as a high rank of the clan someday. I’ve learned this from my own personal experience and I want you to know, someday, if you ever feel like nobody likes you or like you cannot make anyone proud or meet their requirements - remember that your mentor is proud of you and always will be.” The grey-furred Burmilla had never had anyone tell him that he was doing a good job or that he was worth it. He did not want Ebonypaw to turn out like him when he would be his age, so Flintheart was giving the apprentice one of the many things that he did not have growing up - full support and encouragement. In a sense, the male saw the dark-furred tom as his own son, but when he would dwell on that, he shook the thought away. He always felt weird thinking like that about his own apprentice, even though some mentors and apprentices had that kind of connection. His relationship with Ebonypaw was interesting and even though they did not get along at first, times had changed and Flintheart wished to make him into a warrior that he wanted to be. It was too late for him now, the warrior knew that all too well, no cat in Thunderclan would want to be with him, whether that was a mate or even a friend. He was just too old and stubborn for others to make an attempt. However, he had Ebonypaw and to be completely honest, he was the only cat that he knew personally, if you could call it that, in all of Thunderclan. “When the day comes where you stand in front of the whole clan as Snowstar gives you your warrior name, I will be the first cat to chant your name and be there to see my student become something great.” He said, his tone low, slightly hoping that the younger male did not care enough to pay attention to such. “Moving on from that though, let us continue with our lesson - are you familiar with the first code of the warrior?”

Ebonypaw swallowed, waiting for his mentor to reply. His heart pounded, and he swallowed his nerves. With a flick of his tail, he sat, his haunches raised, and sat tall. Though he was much shorter than his mentor. "I..I know." He mewed back, shuffling his paws slightly with a tiny nod of agreement. Ebonypaw was determined to prove himself. "I can handle it. I'll just work harder every time." He promised to both of them, hoping he didn't exhaust himself. He promised he wouldn't do that, to himself, and maybe Flintheart if he could tell. The Angora flicked his tail, his eyes burned with determination and his chest-fur was fluffed. His gaze confidently met his mentors, and his ears were held high. Confidence swelled within him, and he flexed his claws slightly. He let a tiny smile form on his face. The black-furred apprentice took a deep breath and encouraged himself to not back down. If he did, what kind of warrior would be grow to be? He smiled and gave his mentor a little purr, then felt embarrassed by his softness. He blinked, unsure if that was what he should've replied with, but unwilling to take it back awkwardly and do something else. In some sort of way, Ebonypaw felt connected to Flintheart. He didn't know why, but they were so similar, and he didn't hate the tom like most others. Sure, some mentors and apprentices were best friends or father-kit like, but he just..admired Flintheart. And maybe a bit more of the friend thing. Maybe. Slowly, he had become more friendly with his mentor, making fun of other cats, hunting, or fighting, or just talking. These little interactions fueled their "friendship" bond, and made them grow closer. They weren't as close as some other cats, but they weren't as distant as when he first started apprenticehood. Ebonypaw and Flintheart were alike. Stubborn, rude, sarcastic..the whole package of grumpy. And he liked that about his mentor. He wasn't too peppy, or sweet, or soft. He was Ebonypaw's favorite type of cat. Ebonypaw smiled. "And, y'know, in the low chance I become a leader, you'd be my choice for deputy...don't tell Ivory I said this, but she'd be way too cheery to handle battles." He mewed, hoping he wouldn't need to avoid her revenge-tactics. Ebonypaw gave him a sincere look. His mentor was a good deputy choice, and he was willing to make him his deputy if he ever became leader. If. "Hm..I think so." He mewed in reply, giving it a bit of thought. It'd been a bit since he'd heard it, surprisingly.

[RedHead]

Originally Posted by Lonestar23

"How - where - kits?" For one reason or another, the Maine Coon's voice didn't seem to want to work at the moment. It was like there was something stuck in his throat, and he couldn't seem to dislodge it. His eyes glanced up and down the silver female, and he smiled at her words. "Big and strong, right?" The brown tom purred in a half-flirtatious, half-teasing tone as he flicked her lightly. But he figured he better not talk too much like that in front of her kits - no doubt they had a father somewhere, who was most likely going to meet the blue-eyed beauty later. He wanted to ask so much... like he had started to ask earlier, how had she gotten here, where had she gone, and when had she had kits?! It was surprising, he never would have thought about it before.

If anything he would have thought they'd be Northpath's, with - well - how much time the two of them spent together and all. The two kits were now examining him, and Ottertail felt a flush of embarassment as the she-kit asked if he was their father. Don't they know who their Dad is? He thought. If someone had just left Crescentmoon, he wouldn't be happy about that at all. It wasn't right - there was a sense of honor that he thought every tom should have when their love had kits. The honorable thing to do was to stick by them and support them, no matter who she might be. The tom laughed and his green eyes sparkled with laughter as he watched the younger cat. "That's right, I'm a warrior."

You'd better be glad I'm a nice one, too... oh Crescentmoon, what were you thinking bringing these kits here? What if someone who didn't remember you had seen you? This could have gone... badly. Ottertail thought. He was thanking StarClan that he was the one who had found the she cat, not some other cat. A sigh of relief left the tom as he gave his friend a smile. "Of course. I was just... you know, you disappeared without an explanation. What happened there? And, now you're back - I mean, how'd you get back? And where's your kits' father, and who is he, and - Crescentmoon, kits? How? When?" He realized that all the questions coming from his maw must be pretty overwhelming for the silver tabby. He also could accept the fact that she might not want to talk about their father in front of them.

He had no idea what these kits' names even were, and he felt a little bad for not asking about that, but there were more pressing matters for him at the moment. You can tell me on the way, if you'd like? Ottertail offered after a moment, glancing over the two small cats. They should get to ThunderClan first, perhaps, then questions later. Or as he had just offered - she could tell him on the way.

She had expected this reaction. Why wouldn't she? A feline, especially like her, disappearing for a long time then returning with kits was a big surprise to any cat, whether they personally knew her or not. And so that's why she was acting so calm and soothing. Crescentmoon usually was calm and soothing, but over her time as a loner she had become a bit more ready to fight when she could, but her mother had told her that that happened to every new mother.
"Yes, let's get going, I'll explain as much as I can." Crescentmoon wanted to help Ottertail understand, she hated leaving her friends in the dark. And that was why she had returned. Another reason was because she was longing to see Northpath. Sure, he was a medicine cat, but Crescentmoon still loved him with all of her heart. Her kits had been born with a tom whom had healed her broken heart for a time, but he never made her feel the way North had made her feel. Th two had parted on mutual terms, though he hadn't known that Crescentmoon was carrying his kits. And there they were now, tussling with one another in the grass, a living reminder of a loss, a gain, and hurt all in one package. But they had brought her so much joy and happiness as well, and she didn't think that she would trade them for anything.
Even Northpath.
Now, the feline was expecting things to be different when she got home. She knew her family wouldn't there to welcome her. She had seen them all die. First Acornpaw, from greencough, then Daintypaw not too long after due to a badger fight. Then her mother, oh her sweet wonderful mother, had died overworking herself in trying to care for everybody else during leaf-bare. No one had noticed that the older ginger she-cat had been starving herself, and still working herself three times as much as any other cat during those cold, desolate seasons. And lastly, Crescentmoon remembered the death of her brave father and sister, Butterflywing. They had died defending their clan, like the brave warriors they always were. And I remember having doubts about Butterflywing's loyalty to her clan... Her calico sister had truly proven herself in that moment, saving Crescentmoon's life. Now, Crescentmoon had never seen her brother die, but she wasn't sure if he survived or not. She only hoped he did, and was somewhere, living the life he deserved.
Getting to her paws, Crescentmoon turned to her kits. "Guys, come on, we've got to keep going." Two pairs of eyes, one silver, one green, shot up, before some more tussling and then a few yowls were heard as the two kits tried to get in front of one another. Crescentmoon started walking, looking over to Ottertail, but keeping one blue eye on her kits at the same time.
"So, to explain my disappearance..." She wasn't looking forward to reminiscing the old times, but she knew that it would be best if she told someone about it. So they knew the truth.
"Not sure if you saw, but my sister and my father were killed during the middle of the end of the second Evil Era, due to them refusing to join the evil side. My brother Appledash and I were also with them. One of the cats tried to kill me, as I seemed to be the "weakest" out of all of them. But, my dear sister Butterflywing jumped in front of me, taking the blow for herself. After that was chaos. My father told Appledash and I to get out of there, right before he was killed. I escaped, and I think Appledash did too, but that I am not for sure of." Crescentmoon shivered a little, thinking back to one of the most horrible times in her life. "So then, pretty much, I went into hiding, wanting to return, but not knowing if it was safe enough. I had no family to protect me,
and one of the only cats, besides you that is, that I thought could protect me was Northpath. But he was a medicine cat, and I knew he had more important duties than looking after me." Crescentmoon had always regretted that part about falling in love with him. Was that he was supposed to put the clan first, even before her. But then again, she didn't even know if he had loved her back.
"And the kits? Well..." Crescentmoon watched to two, a light silver pelt against a dark black one, so different, yet they came from the same mother. Letting out a sigh, Crescentmoon made sure the kits were far enough ahead before she started to speak once more. "You see, I was heartbroken, and.... yearning, for love or affection after living and hiding on my own for so long. I bumped into this travelling loner by the name of Romeo. He was such a good lover, and he knew exactly what to say to make me feel better. Him and I became mates for a little, before we both realized out hearts both lied elsewhere. Mine, in Thunderclan, and his... Well his with a cat he hadn't met yet." Crescentmoon flicked her ears uncomfortably. She didn't really like talking about her time with Romeo, especially to one of her closer, male friends. She felt as if it made her sound weak and needy and... like a flirt in a way.
"I left him before he would be able to tell that I was expecting his kits, because I didn't want to make him feel obligated to care for them. And I wanted to raise them where I grew up. So, I travelled back here for the past 3 moons, and here I am now, having come across you." She smiled at her friend, glad that it had been him and not a different, hostile cat or enemy. But, it would've been pretty great if it had been Northpath too. But she knew that when she did see him, she couldn't express her extreme happiness to see him to it's full extent. She knew her kits would need a stable father figure, one who was allowed to have kits. And that had led Crescentmoon to think that... Maybe... She would have to take on a warrior mate. For her kit's sake. And that hurt more than she ever thought it would. She had always imagined having ktis with Northpath, and raising them to be the best warriors they could be. But... situations change, life changes, and you have to make adjustments.
Pointing her ears towards her kits, Crescentmoon decided it was time to introduce them. "Sorry about not having done this earlier, but... The silver tom-cat is South Winds, otherwise known as South. He, as you can see, inherited my light pelt, but... Has his fathers green eyes." It felt kind of weird saying "his father" as South didn't even know who his father was. And she had promised her kits that they would meet their father soon. She just hadn't planned that far ahead... But she also didn't want to lie to her kits. But she was running out of options. "And the she-kit is Starry Night, don't know where her silver eyes came from, but her black pelt is all her dad's."

[Empress Of Evil]

Originally Posted by Nighty

Barkskip was completely unprepared for this. He hadn't readied himself for battle, hadn't talked himself through it. His way of processing the fight only helped him when he did it right and was mentally prepared for it. This time he was not, and he couldn't focus, not with the paw thrust against his throat. Blackness swarmed his vision, and he choked on his breath, trying for another and uncertain it would come. A ringing was heard in his ears, something he was sure was coming from a lack of blood supply. He just needed to protect Storkflight. That had always been his goal. "Leave...my family.....alone." he growled through his heavy pants and gasps. He would protect his adoptive mother who had so kindly taken him in as a kit. He would protect the adoptive brother he had help train when his true mentor neglected him. He would protect his family, and die for them. They weren't connected by blood lines, but that didn't matter. His family had loved him at his darkest, taken him in when no one else would and cared for him and loved him above all else. That was something Barkskip was happy to die for.
His family meant the world to him.

"Hmm, perhaps. But I must admit, the sound of murdering your family as well does sound quite appealing," Hades said thoughtfully. He dared to raise a paw up to his chin and he lightly tapped a claw against it in a thoughtful manner. He was mostly wasting time, showing his victim that he was defenceless and weak compared to him. Although, he was also considering the idea. Killing his family surely wouldn't be too hard. After all, this tom was going to be an easy kill, he could already tell that, and blood ran through the family, so his family wouldn't be too hard to kill. He didn't know that the tom was adopted though. The only problem would be trying to find his family. Perhaps after a few days prowling around in this territory, he would be able to find his family, but that was quite a dangerous thing to do. He didn't doubt that the clan of which the tom belonged to was large in numbers, and although he could easily kill a warrior, he would definitely struggle to kill a warrior if he was surrounded.
"So, is there nothing else you'd like to say? No begging? No pleas of mercy?" Hades remarked, placing his paw back down on the tom's throat, claws pressing against it. He didn't wait for a response from the warrior before he continued speaking. "What a shame. I really like it when my victims beg me to stop. It makes me feel so powerful," The Egyptian Mau said. Honestly, he didn't really care if his victims didn't beg. Begging was just a bonus for him. The satisfaction of killing his victim was what made him feel most powerful.
Whatever response that the tom might've given the fighter was silent to his ears. "Time to end this," He hissed, given the tom a wide grin. With a deep chuckle, he sunk his claws into the tom's throat. He felt the blood warm on his paws as he removed his claws, tearing up the tom's throat in the process. "Wonderful," He said, lifting his paw and examining his crimson stained claws.

Originally Posted by Nettleclaw

Echospeck pads nervously as he lets Silvercloud mostly lead the way. anytime she turned to see him, he'd fix his posture and point out the way to go. I've wanted this moment for so long, no half doing things. He psyches himself up and points out one of his stops. "That dead tree there is where I usually start and return with freshkill." Though his aim is to impress her, he can't seem to get his light, nervous voice to cooperate.

The white tabby she-cat led the tom through the forest for most of their walk. Her ears were pricked attentively and her eyes were watchful as she searched for any signs that prey was nearby. She turned to face the tom as he suddenly spoke. "Let's go there then," Silvercloud said, making sure that her voice sounded as confident as it possibly could. Just like the tom, she wanted to make a good impression. She wanted to show him that she knew exactly what she was doing. If she wanted him to like her, then impressing him was probably the best way to go about it.

[Momotaro]

Originally Posted by The Eye Of The Storm

{nah, night was supposed to mention me in the nursery, you were supposed to mention me}

Wheatfur padded through the territory, drinking in the deep forest scents, he grabbed a large amount of cobwebs in passing, but then something caught his attention. The dark tang of blood, but it wasn't animal blood, the scent was too smothering.... It was cat blood. Wheatfur turned towards the trail, his eyes narrowed, and set of in a sprint. Rushing towards the young warrior. With out saying a word, the tom started pressing cobwebs on the wounds, focusing on saving the molly's life.

Bump, @Chameleon

[Mango]

Originally Posted by The Eye Of The Storm

Bump, @Chameleon

Chameleonvine gave a cough of blood. She gave a soft quiet weeze,"Help please. If I die and I learn of someone nearby. You and your family will die." She coughed up more blood.

[Momotaro]

Originally Posted by Chameleon

Chameleonvine gave a cough of blood. She gave a soft quiet weeze,"Help please. If I die and I learn of someone nearby. You and your family will die." She coughed up more blood.

{If they are coughing up blood, they will die. That means internal bleeding, and only surgeries can help with that. Fact check, or let your cat die.}

Wheatfur scrambled about, ripping of herb's and plants to help with the dire injuries. The tom did not get the ramblings of the young cat, but shushed ChameleonVIne, ''Save your strength. It would be quite annoying for you if you died from you talking, not the wounds.'' He mewed, trying to add a bit of humor.

[FancyFlamingo23]

Originally Posted by Aquarius

"I-I don't know," admitted Wisteriapaw, her light tabby fur bristling, betraying her fear. Unknowing of what was prowling them, she suddenly saw a flash of russet fur through the bushes. Her indigo eyes flashed with terror as a creature she had only heard of in stories lurked beyond the bush, it's black beady eyes fixed on the apprentice. It's fur was like flame and it's eyes like stone, looking like a cat but with longer limbs and muzzle. Wisteriapaw jumped in front of Halfkit despite her terror, but that only seemed to catch the attention of the fox. It opened it's jaws, towering over the two cats and snarling. Wisteriapaw visibly shook in her pelt, her claws digging into the ground.

Halfkit squeaked, too scared to let out a real scream. He tried to steady himself, but he was too scared. Was that a fox? He thought he had heard of these things, but he couldn't think straight, he didn't know what he was meant to do. W-what do I do? I can't run, so what do I do?! What do WE do?!