ThunderClan: Life Before 2020's Fire

[dino.]

@xoyami @Starstruck @RedHead

No. Buckbranch snapped his head around to look at Sunsnow. He could read the expression on the other tom's face as clearly as he could see the glares staring back at him. Sunsnow thought he was unfit to be deputy, unfit to lead, and he wanted to follow Mountaingrowl out. Sunsnow was his friend, or at least Buckbranch had thought so. He lowered his head; suddenly the dirt around his paws seemed incredibly interesting.

There was a flicker of moment in the corner of his vision, forcing him to look up. A kit, looking to be six moons old, standing outside the nursery and staring at the camp entrance. It's not possible, but... it's not IMPOSSIBLE. Surely this tiny scrap of fur wasn't Mountaingrowl's kid! Buckbranch had never taken the giant tom for a cat to be interested in finding a mate. But the longer he stared, the more he came to realize how close the warrior and this kit resembled each other. He stood and, ignoring the stares of ThunderClan, approached the tiny tom. "Excuse me," he murmured as he grew close. "Pardon my asking, but... does Mountaingrowl happen to be your father?"

[xoyami]

Sagekit flinches lightly, eyes widening at the sight of the much larger tom approaching him. He opens his jaw, and a tiny squeak comes out. Swallowing, the kit shakily replies. "Y-Yes.. He is.." Tiny form quaking, he presses himself to the ground, uncertain whether or not to run back to the nursery.

[dino.]

@xoyami

Swallowing, Buckbranch tossed another glance toward the camp entrance. Mountaingrowl had left this tiny kit here, seemingly without a care in the world. What had the giant tom been thinking? He returned his attention to the kit, and crouched down so he could look the tiny tom in the eyes. Oh, the guilt that threatened to sink him into the ground. If he hadn't had that outburst, perhaps Mountaingrowl would still be here to care for this kit. He closed his eyes for just a moment, to think about what to do. How woud Flintstar handle this? He exhaled through his nose and opened his eyes again. "What's your name?" His voice was soft and gentle, but rasping and slightly choked, betraying the despair working in his stomach.

[xoyami]

He meets his gaze with Buckbranch's before lowering his eyes to the ground. "...My name is Sagekit." The comforting sound of Buckbranch's voice seemed to soothe the young kit, and his posture relaxes a bit. Lifting himself from his previous crouch, the petite creature sits, pulling his tail tightly around his paws.

[dino.]

@xoyami

"Sagekit." He whispered the name. "Sagekit, I am so... I'm so sorry. This is my fault." Great StarClan, it was, wasn't it? Me and my big mouth. He needed to learn when to speak and when to keep his muzzle shut. Then maybe, just maybe, there wouldn't be situations like these. A sudden thought struck him. How many other kits had Mountaingrowl left behind? "Do you have any siblings?" he questioned. Part of him hoped the answer was yes, so that Sagekit wouldn't be alone, but the rest of him desperately wished Sagekit would reply negatively. Buckbranch didn't want any other kits left without a father. That was his job as deputy - to take care of the Clan? - but that didn't mean he wanted to take care of a bunch of fatherless kittens. But Sagekit... the tiny scrap seemed so disheartened. Buckbranch couldn't just leave him. He flicked his tail, trying to soften his expression as he waited for the kit's response.

[Starfall]

Originally Posted by Starstruck

@Slushie @BILL. @Starfall

The conversation between Buttercup and ´Pushy´ had gone too fast for Sunsnow to but in- all he was able to contribute were a few ´but-´s and ´yeah-´s. It was quite frustrating, but then Flintstar spoke and he had an apprentice. An apprentice! The tom´s eyes were bright and happy as he sidled his way over to Mosspaw and touched noses with the younger cat. ¨Hi! I´m your mentor, Sunsnow. Nice to meet you.¨

~

Sunsnow was utterly confused. Buckbrach? Deputy? B-but... WHAT? How? He turned to glare at Buttercup, his gaze icy. He´s a traitor! A traitor that I WAS WATCHING! Why would Flintstar choose him? He´s not to be trusted! Besides, hadn´t I just proven my loyalty to Flitstar by keeping Buckbrach from getting away? Shouldn´t I have been made deputy? It´s not fair! Suddenly, Mountaingrowl interrupted his thoughts before he could voice them. Of course, Sunsnow completely agreed with Pushy. Mountaingrowl was right! The clan was now in danger because of Flintstar´s foolishness!

Then Pushy left, and Sunsnow wasn´t so sure what he should do.

Should I go, too?

Maybe he´s right.

I should go

But the more he thought about it, the more he knew that Pushy was wrong. ´Pushy´ should have stayed with the clan and protected it from Buttercup instead of running away.

Well, I won´t do that.

I will continue watching Buckbranch,

and I will not let him destroy my clan.

Originally Posted by Venus

@Starfall

Honeybrume purred in delight. My first apprentice! She quickly stood and padded over to Geckopaw, trying not to seem too excited. "Hey there, I'm Honeybrume." She dipped her head in greeting and touched noses with her new apprentice. "I'm looking forward to training with you! I'm sure we'll learn a whole lot together." Her green eyes glittered down at Geckopaw, smiling.

GECKOPAW
--------------------

The apprentice felt a shiver rattle up his spine as his name was called, and as he was introduced to his mentor. When he swiveled his head to see who it was, he ended up looking more so up, than forwards. She was practically 2x his height. (In his eyes) However it didn't scare the curly furred tom one bit. He bounced towards the molly and gave her his brightest smile, "Hiya! I'm Geckopaw, but I'm sure you already know that! And I can't wait to actually get out of the camp!" he purred.

MOSSPAW
-----------------
The tuxedo wrapped his tail around his back legs, attempting to shrink into himself as much as he could as he, his brother, and a few other apprentices named were called into the spotlight. As his name was called, and as a warriors name was called afterwards, he turned to see who would be walking towards him. Slightly overstimulated from all the cheering and yelling, he felt flushed and dizzy. He practically stumbled into his mentor, "ah! Sorry! um...I'm Mosspaw, pleasure to meet you."

All the anger and annoyance coming from his clanmates flew over his head as he pressed himself into his mentor. Not because he was scared or confused, no, he was trying to calm himself down. His heart was beating, he felt like he was on fire. Too much was happening at once and he didn't know how to handle it all. At first they were all happy and cheering, the next they were yelling and angry.

[touka]

@DeadlyWolfDen
she smiled *you go, but don`t eat it because i have a surprize for you, i will show you when we get back* she said then continued to walk out camp now with maplebriar

[xoyami]

Sagekit shuffles his paws a bit. "...Yes, I do have littermates, but..." He lifts his muzzle, light amber eyes sparkling with confusion. "But... what do you mean it's your fault Mountaingrowl left? I thought he left because he doesn't like me.." He drops his head again, tiny shoulders drooping. "He doesn't like anyone weak, like me..."

[RedHead]

Just, stay strong. You are the leader. Your word is law. Flintstar was proud of Buckbranch for standing up for himself, even in the face of Mountaingrowl’s accusations. What he hadn’t been expected was for the large time to completely abandon the camp. The clan. He knew Mountaingrowl to be a.... difficult sort, but he’d never doubted the tomcat’s loyalty. And here... one thing he disagrees with and he was out. But maybe this really is a stupid decision. No. HE wouldn’t let himself think like that. As the commotion was happening in the clearing, Flintstar called out, planning to say one more thing. “I understand how hard this might be for some of you to take. But it is my decision, and unless Buckbranch does something terribly wrong again, this will remain my decision. And he’s isn’t deputy, so you will be following his orders. Or you will have me to answer to. This meeting is dismissed. Go to your dens, all of you. Minktail has her vigil tonight.” With a stern look across his clan, though he gave a soft, encouraging one to Minktail, Flintstar leaped down from the highpeak, and made his way into his den, mumbling to himself and shaking his head. He was known for stupid decisions. Maybe this was just another one that’s was far more noticeable.

————

Foxbound has watched Mountaingrowl leave, but she would never abandon her clan like that. Thunderclan was her home, even if it was currently under the lead of two insane tomcats. Orange eyes narrowing, she marched over to Buckbranch, giving the small kit, Sagekit, a kind look before she stuck her muzzle in the tomcat’s face, growling. She’d placed herself so the kit couldn’t see her, and kept her voice low. “I don’t know what happened or how you came to be deputy, but my trust in both of you is nonexistent right now.” She shifted slightly, eyes narrowing further. “Thunderclan is my clan, and i am fully loyal to it. So believe me when I say, you put one paw wrong, and you. Will. Be. Sorry. I’ll make sure of that.” She ended with a hiss, before pulling back and looking down at Sagekit, giving the young kit a smile. “If this tomcat here does anything wrong, you come and tell me, okay?” She purées, her voice dripping with sweetness. She then cast Buckbranch a final glare before marching away, ginger tail lashing.

@Slushie @xoyami

[xoyami]

The tabby kit watches Foxbound leave, small head tipping a bit to the left in confusion. He found himself drawn to the older cat's kind words, but was uncertain whether or not to fully believe her. Sagekit unknowingly draws himself closer to Buckbranch, petite frame pressing against Buck's forelegs.