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Post by Snowstar on Mar 31, 2007 19:21:30 GMT -5
A dark blur moved down the mountainside, making her way through the maze with lean ease, her excess skin and fur apparent after a recent birth. Of course, she hadn't left the den unattended without leaving another she-cat to look after them.
She needed water. She was tired, but she kept to her den like a dutiful mother as she was. It was only that it was unbearable in the moist and humid den, especially after such a feat as kits!
She hadn't had time to look for her mate, and the father of her kits, but instead rushed out. As soon as she reached a certain point in the maze, she leapt up on the rock just above and made her way up a narrow trail just wide enough for a cat to fit through into a small opening in the side of the mountain, into a small cavern. It was known only by Stoneclan cats for it's cool shade (and especially needed in hot summers) and clean, clear waters. (She elected not to have a run-in with the last effort of water she had, where she'd almost lost her life.)
Gratefully, she sank into a cool puddle, lapping up the clear pool until her tongue brushed the bottom of the small basin. Her thirst quenched, she set her four paws into it and sank to her haunches, enjoying the privacy of the cavern and it's cool waters to blow off some heat from the spring air.
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Post by Shadow Spirit on Mar 31, 2007 20:23:58 GMT -5
The multi-colored tom stepped gingerly through the maze of jagged rocks that made up the entrance to his Clan's camp. He was unusually thankful for his lack of a long tail, since his short bobble would have no risk of getting caught on a particularly sharp rock. Once he was clear of the treacherous maze, he leapt up to get a better view of his surroundings. It was no coincidence that he spotted his mate, he had followed her scent all the way out here.
Smiling to himself, he jumped lightly down to land on the opposite side of the ledge. Walking as silently as if he was stalking prey, he crept up to stand just behind her.
"Needed a moment to yourself?" he spoke up. |
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Post by Snowstar on Mar 31, 2007 20:32:16 GMT -5
Her contentment had brought her senses to center on herself. Having been such a private place, she hadn't heard her mate step lightly and lithely to her side. It's no surprise that she had shot a good tail length or so into the air, and land with quick dexterity and all alert facial expressions to wheel around to her mate, heart racing as fast as a rabbit.
"My dear, it's quite stuffy in the den by myself," She sniffed cooly, and continued. "Plus i'm quite thirsty," She added brightly, and smiled in spite of her alert eyes and ears. She sat down once more, watching him, and for her own sake, the entrance.
"I need excersize as well, to lose this," She added on a more level tone, heart slowing down, and prodding the loose fur that clung to her normally lithe and sharp frame. The only downfall to her wonderful new family.
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Post by Shadow Spirit on Mar 31, 2007 20:56:56 GMT -5
Dragonpelt chuckled when his mate became noticably frightened, but then tried to recover as if nothing happened. That was so like her, trying to act cool in the face of anything. He smiled and sat down in front of her, twitching his tiny tail.
"Even if you became the size of a badger, I would still love you more than life itself," he told her, warmth glowing in his emerald green eyes. "You chose to love me, when I was an unimportant newbee...and you gave me children...how could I ask for anything more?" He rubbed his muzzle against hers, nuzzling the one he would give anything for. |
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Post by Featherstar on Mar 31, 2007 21:00:49 GMT -5
Good warriors...
A sad form moved slowly into the cavern. The she-cat was completely disgusted with herself. She'd practically abandoned her Clan for no real reason at all. She'd told none of her plans for her little hiatus, she had merely left. And she hadn't done anything while she was gone. She'd just needed to leave. Now that she was back, she wasn't sure if her Clan would accept her. What Clan, after all, would want their leader to just leave them periodically? So to test what the Clan's possible reaction would be, Featherstar had followed the scent of two or her most trusted warriors, Snowstripe, her deputy, and Dragonpelt, Snowstripe's mate. Then the StoneClan leader spoke, her head still low,
I'm sorry to interrupt. Actually, I’m just sorry. For everything.
...they're almost as hard to find as good leaders.
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Post by Snowstar on Mar 31, 2007 23:23:25 GMT -5
Snowstripe gave a long, melodic laugh. She was regaining her posture with leaps and bounds, and her old attitude at the world was returning to her heart and soul. With every laugh, every smile. She nuzzled her mate solemnly.
"Ah, but my dear, you saved my life. Kits and undying love are the least that I could ever give you," She said fondly, rubbing her forehead under his chin in a seductive sort of way.
But a voice.. One she hadn't heard in many moons.. Rang to her ears, and she slowly turned around to face the feather-stepped leader she'd come to love and respect as much as herself.
"Featherstar.." She breathed slowly, watching her with interest. She didn't appear hurt or sick, and in fact probably a little bit healthier than when she'd seen her before her kitting. News had of course reached the nursing den that she had left, but Snowstripe was not able to confirm this until now.
"Featherstar, there is nothing to be sorry for.." She said softly, stepping apart from her mate and taking a step toward the pretty leader, bowing her head gracefully.
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Post by Shadow Spirit on Mar 31, 2007 23:51:00 GMT -5
Dragonpelt's ears pricked at the sound of the familiar voice. He was reluctant to draw away from his mate, but he realized that this intrusion was important. He turned to face Featherstar and watched her carefully, noting his mate's reserved tone. She was certainly entitled to some form of etiquette, being the deputy and all, but Dragonpelt was feeling a little uneasy. What on earth could have compelled their leader to take off for such a spell without giving any kind of notice?
He couldn't really bring himself to be angry at Featherstar, but his tone gave away his uncertainty. "Nice to see you again..." he said, not unkindly, but without his usual warmth. |
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Post by Featherstar on Apr 2, 2007 21:54:07 GMT -5
Thank you Snowstripe... the brown she-cat rubbed her head against her deputy's in gratitude. But then Dragonpelt's voice was heard and that brought Featherstar back to reality, the reality that she'd abandoned her clan. But you're wrong. I do have something to be sorry for. she now addressed both of her warriors with her head up, I left my Clan in a time of need, when war is rising and there are cats wanting to take over our land. I left you to fend for yourselves without so much as telling anyone. I left like a coward. Once again, that pretty little head lowered in disappointment and disgust at herself. Finally, the StoneClan leader raised her voice again, and stated with the confidence of the leader she was,
But I promise that that's over now. I will be the leader I was appointed to be, the leader StarClan has called me to be. That is, if you, my Clan, my warriors, will have me. By the end of her little speech, Featherstar had quieted again. She hoped her Clan would accept her again but she had no clue if they would. For now, she could only wait, the hope merely in her emerald eyes.
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Post by Snowstar on Apr 3, 2007 18:17:27 GMT -5
Snowstripe turned to her mates voice, frowning slightly. He said what she had felt, but she'd never admit it to Featherstar. One thing was for sure, she'd forgive her anyways. Dragonpelt was a fine short-term deputy, and she was hopefully soon to finish her time in the den by the time of the war.
"Featherstar.." She spoke softly again, eyes softening. "You speak as if Stoneclan cannot hold it's own without it's leader. You have trained us hard enough to learn to survive independently. And if any cat in the clan has anything to say about it, i'll be there to say something right back.
... Every cat makes mistakes, and one cat should not suffer harder than another because she holds a higher rank than another. She is as much as a cat as I am, or even a dependent kit who relies on others to live until adulthood.
If you choose to leave because another cat believes you should no longer hold your leadership position, then I refuse to take the leadership position," She said. It was never meant as undutiful to her clan, and lack of responsibilty to her own. It was meant to convince Featherstar that she was in charge, and not to put herself down and out for what one unfaithful clan member would ever say to her leader.
"No cat will say something of your leave in negativity towards your lack of leadership," She said more softly. "For I shall be there."
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Post by Shadow Spirit on Apr 3, 2007 20:48:35 GMT -5
Dragonpelt watched his mate as she spoke to their leader. She made her point very clear and while he would never denounce their leader, he was still dissapointed with her latest behavior.
"So what are we to do now?" he asked Featherstar. "Preparations must be made before the war...and you must lead them..." |
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Post by Featherstar on Apr 5, 2007 21:15:46 GMT -5
A warm smile crossed over Featherstar's maw as her deputy continued to speak encouragingly about her leader even after what she'd done. And this restored Featherstar's confidence 10-fold. Thank you my friend. I will remember you words. The brown she-cat was indeed grateful for Snowstripe and her friendship. Then her ears once again heard Dragonpelt's sensible voice, the one that told of the war that was still coming, the war the StoneClan leader had promised to fight in along Kestrel and her RisingClan's side.
You're right Dragonpelt, I'll have to get on that immediately. I will probably start a meeting back at the camp telling of what will be done if and when Kestrel sends us a messenger summoning us to battle. But I feel you should know first. It was only right that the deputy should know of war plans as soon as possible and since her mate just happened to be there, he'd get to hear Featherstar's plan early as well.
In the event of battle, I will most likely take all of our best warriors, the ones in their prime. I will leave the very youngest, those who've just been appointed, and the very oldest, those almost ready to join the elders in the camp. They will be the main wall of defense should any enemies move into the camp. I will, of course, leave the kits and their mothers in the camp with the warriors who stay. I will take around half of the apprentices to battle, most likely the older ones. Do you think that will be enough? Even though she was confident in her skills as leader once more, Featherstar still wanted, and needed, her deputy's, and Dragonpelt's in this case, opinion.
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Post by Amberstar on Apr 11, 2007 22:36:45 GMT -5
Snowstripe smiled proudly at the leader. That's the one she had come to know when she came to Stoneclan, the one that had supported her as a deputy even through her pregnancy. She rose to her height and bowed her head finally, lowering her tail, but looked her straight in the eye as she spoke softly and firmly.
"I will accompany you into battle, no matter what the cost for that is.
... Even my life..
My kits will be old enough to leave the den soon, and should be weaned within time. They will be able to be cared for by other queens during my absense." She was serious. She would never leave her leader in a time of battle, even if it meant leaving her kits to do so.
She turned to look at her mate, eyes burning with passion and love for him, but with the flame of the intent of battle.
"I can take an apprentice or two to train for the coming battle, if that is what you wish, Featherstar..."
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