ThunderClan: Life Before 2020's Fire

[dino.]

[ @RedHead ]
Startled, Buckbranch could only stare for a moment at his leader. Then he, too, broke into a smile, one that was grateful as well as relieved. "I won't let you down, or any of our Clanmates for that matter," he promised. "And... I'm sorry. I shouldn't have argued with you like that. You were only doing what you thought was best, and I can't blame you. I certainly can't push my views onto you like that. So... I really am sorry." He'd wanted to wait until Flintstar came to apologize to him. But their fall out had been eating away at him ever since it had happened, and he didn't want some barrier lodged between them for the rest of their lives. Buckbranch had failed at being deputy, but that didn't mean he couldn't start being a supportive warrior.

[Ever]

Cedarstream came bounding into the clearing, she had heard commotion while out for a quick hunt and heard others signung up for something. She hadn't caught what exactly had happened but she wasn't about to miss out on a chance to help her clan. The brown tabby trotted over to the gathering group.

"I'll come!" She declared, looking firmly up to Flintstar. She glanced around after, seeing who else was here and trying to peice together what was happening at the same time.

@RedHead

[Ever]

The long furred molly watched as Flindtar brushed by, half a smile on her maw. She rolled those green eyes of hers at Toudbounce's words, tail tip flicking with annoyance. She sighed as she followed after the leader.

"How courteous. " Cedar called of a tabby striped shoulder, tone challenging. This would be a fun hunt after all. A entertaining break to her rather solitary hunting style lately.

@RedHead @hxneysuckle

[Kitty Mama]

Mintfrost trudged into camp on heavy paws and lightheadedness from everything spiraling out of control so quickly compared to the rest of the patrol. He could hear muted pieces of the camp conversation, something about organizing a retaliation, and he was surprised by the interest it garnered. The Thunderclan that had been unwilling to take territory was gone in the blink of an eye and replaced by recklessness brought on by seeing their clan-mates in this state. Or Flintstar's influence, but he didn't have the energy to tell him to stop and think about this. Instant retaliation invited a war of numbers. He shouldered away from the medicine cats as he trekked further into the camp and kept his head low, gaze pointed at his destination. The warriors den was calling.

[Sneakyfox55]

@RedHead

Ferretwatcher gathered with the other volunteers, ears twitching.

[Starfall]

Originally Posted by hxneysuckle

Toadbounce had emerged from the warrior's den as he heard Flintstar calling out, his lips twitching into a smirk. The expansions had led to an ambush? Aw, the pretty little Duskfeather had made a mistake. Though, he held a faint hope that Flintstar's pretty face wasn't ruined too much in any fighting. Would he go along? No, of course not! His fur was far too pretty to be clawed by any rogues.
As he approached the crowd, the warrior caught sight of an unfamiliar face. His brow arched, intrigue glinting in his sunshine eyes. Toadbounce slid up to the newcomer, a purr in his throat. "Hey there, darling," he greeted, "What's this here? Wishing to join the Clan? I'd be glad to have such a pretty kitty as my Clanmate." He snickered. However, he saw Duskfeather turning around to give him a look, pouting as he stepped away from the rogue.

Duskfeather spun around, hearing a foreign voice. Had one of the rogues followed them? How could that be? Were they going to ambush the camp? No, they wouldn't be able to. She didn't scent any other rogues than this one so far. So, with a flick of her tail, Duskfeather approached the tom and gave him a cautious look. "Who are you? What reason do you have to speak with our... Captain?" she questioned, narrowing her eyes.

@RedHead
The Rouge grimmaced as a Clan cat came strutting towards him, he was kind of expecting a slash or a fight to break out. One where he'd barely escape with his life. He was thrown back when the tom began to flirt. The Torties fur fluffed up and he turned, facing the Warrior, and snarled. "This, pretty kitty is about to scratch you a new face if you don't back off." he snapped, unsheathing his claws to prove his point. 'Are all clan cats like this?' he asked himself as he let out a sigh.

As the Idiot Clan cat scuttled away, he lifted his head and saw the molly that his brother was fighting with...or, raised a paw at? There wasn't really a fight there. He shifted his weight from one paw to another as she inched closer, ears swiveling forwards. "Phoenix. And I figure I'd have to speak to whoever they are to join. Right? Unless I can just waltz in and call myself a Sava- Clan cat." he coughed as he attempted to correct himself. "Or is there a council I have to go to?" Phoenix asked in all seriousness, tipping his head to the side.

As more and more cats began to pool in he felt his heartbeat quicken. Mass execution? But after he looked around, he noticed they were all circling around one particular feline. He heard many different voices call out 'Flintstar,' and pool around this Black Tortoiseshell. 'Is that the one who calls the shots?'

[RedHead]

This fight was right. Thunderclan needed to show strength and dominance. They were not to be compared with a weakling clan like Windclan. And Flintstar was grateful for the warriors that volunteered, truly trusting he could lead them to victory. And he would, he knew he would.
“Thank you Duskfeather, I’ll be back soon.” The leader then lifted his head to cast a suspicious glare at the outsider, he wasn’t sure what to think right now. A rogue in camp so soon after a Thunderclan patrol was attacked by rogues? That was not a good sign at all.
Hearing Buckbranch’s voice, Flintstar glanced towards the tortoiseshell tom. His ears twitched as he listened to the former deputy, closing his green eyes with a sigh. “I appreciate your apology Buckbranch. But let’s discuss this more later, there are more pressing matters at hand right now.” He flicked his tail and opened his eyes again. “And just so you know, a single apology isn’t going to help you much. I want to see your actions towards helping me and the clan more that’s your words.”
The leader then turned his head, straightening up to his full height. “Alright, Morningsun! Ferretwatcher! Owlwatcher! Buckbranch! Jaggedhawk! Flamepelt! Cedarstream! Let’s head out!” He announced, flicking his tail towards the camp exit. ”I would like everyone else to remain in camp until we return!” Flintstar have a quick worried glance at the injured cats, hoping that they didn’t come back like that. Hopefully this patrol’s size could scare of the mangy, unorganized rogues. The tom spotted Mintfrost at the edge of the clearing as he was heading out, and made a mental note to follow up with the tom later. For now, the Thunderclan leader plunged into the forest, heading straight for the outskirts.

@hxneysuckle @Starfall
@Solstice_X @Sneakyfox55 @Shimm @Slushie @FlameSta @Ever

[Sweetie]

Owlwatcher nodded at his apprentice, wishing him goodbye and that he would be back soon. The Maine coon padded with the group, ready to protect his clan. Giving a few heartbeats the brown-hued warrior caught up and walked along with the leader. "So, what's the plan?" Owlwatcher wanted to know what was going to go down. It was better for him, better to plan, to prepare.

@RedHead

[Terrestrial]

@RedHead
Flamepelt charged through the forest following Flintstar and the others as her paws crunched leaves and sticks she thought to herself it's been awhile since my last battle.. I hope I can do this. panic swelled in her chest like a forest fire. But no matter what she would fight for her clan even if it meant her life. The flame colored she-cat matched her pace with Flintstar's and cleared her throat " Flintstar I swear by StarClan I will do my best.. but I havent battled for a few moons. " she mewed not knowing what to say.

[lio]

[ @Starfall @/everyone in camp! ]

She narrowed her eyes in distrust. "Flintstar is leaving now, so you will remain with me until then. Then he will decide if you are to join," the deputy stated, "Until then, you will remain by my side at all times. I don't want you out of my sight. You will be answering a few questions for me, and you will be answering them truthfully. Understood?" Duskfeather flicked her tail before looking after Flintstar, watching him disappear through the entrance.
Buckbranch had apologized rather quickly, though she did not complain. She didn't enjoy such a childish argument over a silly topic, and she was glad he had apologized. Even if it wasn't completely accepted by Flintstar- though she understood why, it was out of place and quite sudden- it was a step forward. Grudges couldn't be held forever! Though, she hoped Buckbranch didn't think that a simple apology would return him to the deputy position.
With a shake of her head, Duskfeather bounded toward the center of the camp, looking around at all the cats gathered. She sat down, glancing toward Phoenix before raising her voice and speaking. "We must protect the camp while Flintstar is away. With this example," she pointed to the rogue with her tail, "it is now known that they can, and will follow us back. This puts the camp at a risk." Duskfeather paused for a few heartbeats, then continued. "I want one warrior stationed at the nursery. Two warriors will be put on guard outside of the entrance. The rest of you, prepare for any possible attacks. We don't know what those rogues could do. We will remain on guard only until the patrol returns, does everyone understand?" Duskfeather gave a nod to the crowd, flicking her tail to dismiss them. "Now go!"
She stood and looked toward Phoenix. "Come with me," the she-cat ordered, walking to an unoccupied corner of the clearing and sitting down. Before she allowed this rogue to speak with Flintstar, she had quite a few questions to ask him...