A few days after the fox encounter, Dappledstar had been giving out orders often, and kept the patrols high just in case the fox decided to come back. The pretty calico felt confident that she knew what she was doing, and had a little more understanding, but much was still be learned.
Leafbreeze woke up to the sound of a morning dove quietly making its announcement of dawn. As she stepped out of her den dew fell from the sage giving of a soft sweet smell; joy filled her belly as she couldn't smell the sickness that once lingered in the camp. Mist swirled around the camp as dawn broke, the pretty black and white she-cat trotted over to her leader's den. "Dappledstar.." only her head popped in to see Dappledstar slowly blinking her amber eyes. The calico cat stretched her sore body out as she slowly began to wake up. Dappledstar shook out her pelt and sat up, "Come in...", she said through a yawn. Leafbreeze came in and sat down. "when do you plan on leaving?' she said quietly. "Today. I want to get this out of the way, so we can go today. Just let everyone wake up so i can give orders." the smaller cat nodded and stepped out. "maybe now things will make sense. A better understanding.." the young leader said to herself.
Dreamer's Cave
The Dreamer's cave is where Jayclan goes to speak with Starclan. The entrance is only big enough for a cat or smaller, but as you step in there is a big open area with a small stream that pools up, farther in the cave it goes where no one dares. the floor is covered with dry soft moss; the water every night is a clear blue. the cave is just South of Jayclan camp.
Leafbreeze ducked out of the warm den and into the cool morning. She decided to eat before they left, trotting to the prey pile and scooping out a mouse. The black and white she cat found since she got here that she much more enjoyed the soft brown creatures than she did kitty pet food.
ReplyDeleteNightmask woke with a stretch in her den, tasting the morning air on her tongue. She hadnt seen any fox since the patrol was attacked but Dappledstar had been extra careful, and that along with the fact the scent trail just ended made the warrior nervous. Nightmask pushed her way out of the warriors den and sat grooming her thick, long pelt.
Aspenwind slept in, curled in an awkard ball as he tried to be comfortable. His shoulder throbbed and hurt all night, making it impossible to sleep.
dappledstar walked out to the clearing and stretched even more her limps quivered as she hit that sweet spot. she licked her chest and paws before she walked over to Nightmask. "Nightmask you can lead the patrols today.." she said casually. her amber eyes scanned the creme colored cat for an answer.
ReplyDeleteBrackenfur was dreaming of chasing a rabbit and moved quickly. his moving irritated everyone.
Fireflower hissed as she was awoken by the dark brown tom,"stop moving!" her voice whinny and tired.
Mistypaw was sound asleep.
Roseleaf was nervous that Roseleaf was leaving her alone. what if's..ran through her mind. what if something happened and i couldn't find the right herb. what if i give the wrong herb and make it worse...what if.. The calico she-cat was scaring herself, her fur bristled with nervousness.
ReplyDeleteSpiderbite was awake but wasn't coming out side of the den.
Aspenwind was awoken by the noise and kicking. He protested only by a quiet sigh and grunt, getting up and limping out of the den. He tested his hurt leg outside, putting weight on it and stretching it out. Leafbreeze had shown him some excersises to do to keep it from getting stiff.
ReplyDeleteNightmask nodded, her ears pricked. "Will do." She gave her pelt a shake before heading into the warriors den to grab cats for a patrol.
Leafbreeze saw Roseleaf looking panicked. She quickly finished her mouse before heading over to her Apprentice. "Hey, its gonna be fine." she soothed, her clear green eyes kind. "You're a talented Medicine cat. Dont let the fact that you're still an apprentice make you feel like you arent good enough."
Dappledstar walked off to the fresh kill pile and got a small grouse and settled down to fill her aching belly.
ReplyDeleteBrackenfur stopped kicking and the den was quiet and still like before.
Nightmask gave Brakenfur a shove. "Get up. You're going on patrol with me." She also shoved Smokepelt. "You too."
ReplyDeleteRoseleaf looked down then nodded. "how long do you plan on beeing gone?" Her voice high.
ReplyDeleteBrackenfur grunted then got up. "Who put you in charge?" he said still sleepy eyed.
ReplyDeleteDappledstar licked her lips when finished with her grouse and walked over to Leafbreeze and Roseleaf. "Two to three days tops."sge said answering the calico she-cats question.
Smokepelt was awake abd without question jumped up and began walking out of the den to stretch.
ReplyDeleteAnd
ReplyDeleteNightmask flattened her ears at Brackenfur's question. "Dappledstar herself, so hop to it." She padded out of then den, giving her fur a few more licks as she waited for the two toms.
ReplyDeleteLeafbreeze nodded, touching a paw to Roseleaf's forearm. "It'll be okay. You'll do fine." She purred reassuringly, though she was nervous about the trip.
Roseleaf nodded and slowly started to calm down.
ReplyDeleteDappledstar was becoming a little impatient, "we shoulder get going..."
ReplyDeleteBrackenfur cocked his head unable to believe Nightmask but didnt argue, for once the big she-cat didnt use as much sarcasm.
Leafbreeze nodded slowly, seeming to be pulled out of her thoughts. Her green eyes flashed with worry as she looked down. "Right, yeah. I've got the traveling herbs here." The black and white she-cat lapped up a mouthful of leaves then pushed Dappledstar's herbs toward her.
ReplyDeleteNightmask got up and stretched her long body when Smokepelt and Brackenfur were both ready to go. "Alright, soft hearts, keep up." The cream and brown she cat bound toward the camp entrance and into the forest. She walked with silent, quick paw steps, her head high as she scented the air and remarked the border.
Dappledstar wasnt happy at the sight of the bitter tasting herbs but wanted to leave so licked up the carefully prepped greens and nodded. Her light anber eeyes reassuring her travel mate
ReplyDeleteBrackenfur trotted after her. "So Dappledstar herself huh? Wow thats pretty big for a rough n tough cat like yourself." His voice almost sarcastic, as his eyes scanned the area.
Leafbreeze got to her paws when the calico she cat was done eating the herbs. "Alright. We better get a move on." She nuzzled Roseleaf softly against the shoulder. "You'll be fine. I'll be back before you know it." The black and white she cat took a step back and nodded to Dappledstar.
ReplyDeleteNightmask snorted at his comment. "Don't be so surprised." She spat, her tail raised. "I'm the most experienced warrior, and we don't have a deputy yet. Makes sense she'd leave me in charge." She looked back at him, her blue eyes narrowing as she looked him up and down. "There's really no other option, clearly."
Smokepelt nodded at Nightmask's remark. "Yeah. But not always is the biggest the best." He said marking things.
ReplyDeleteDappledstar began to walk out of camp. Her paws felt like jello she wasnt ready to be a leader yet. She was a young one at that. Was she ready? Only time will tell..
ReplyDelete"and there goes the conversation. If you want to be picked as deputy you have to be nice to everyone. This is a clan. We are here for one another. Not just ourselves." His tone turned serious whichbwas almost rare. "Try it sometime others might like you a little more. Besides Raggedfur.."
Leafbreeze padded beside her. "Its nice weather for traveling." She purred, trying to sound optimistic.
ReplyDeleteNightmask whipped around, her ears flat. "Listen here, mouse brain. There is nothing I wouldnt give up for this clan. I dont need everyone to like me. I only need their respect, and I am a fine warrior and deserve it." She spat, her teeth flashing. She wanted to claw his arrogant muzzle, but turned back around and continued on the trail. Dappledstar knows my worth. She'll pick me for Deputy and these cats will see how wrong they are. And what did he mean about Raggedfur? The cream and brown she cat pushed the thought aside.
Brackenfur grunted as she made it sound like she was the oldest in the clan."oh so you're older than everyone now we should put you in the elders den with Spiderbite."he hissed at the she-cat.
ReplyDeleteDappledstar chuckled,"yea haha so havevyou spoken with Starclan lately?" She asked hiding the small that lingered from the fox attack.
ReplyDeleteNightmask didn't turn around, "I'd be happy to go in the elders den, so long as you go where you belong too: the nursery." She retorted, stopping abruptly. The scent of fox met her nose. "Fox. Its stale but we should check the area still and warn the clan."
ReplyDeleteLeafbreeze looked down, her ears flat. "Um...no, no I don't think so." She faked a happy glance.
Smokepelt's fur bristled at the smell and nodded. He began to mark the area quietly. He wanted to say they both belong in the nursery but knew they wouldnt listen.
ReplyDeleteRaggedfur back in camp began to wake up and realized Nightmask, Smokepelt, and Brackenfur were gone. The lean tom slowly stumbled out of the den. His fur was a mess every morning because he tosses uncomfortably at night, but after a few good licks his hair is sleek and back to normal.
Brackenfur didnt listen to her rhe fox had been there for a couple of days so it had to be gone. Right? The dark furred tom kept walking.
ReplyDeleteDappledstar nodded, and added "okay just checking. I hope contacting Starclan will bring peace to the clan. And let others know that you and I were right." She said looked to her friend then to thr trail.
Nightmask checked the area carefully for any sign of fox. She still had an eerie feeling from before, when the trail just seemed to disappear. Did the fox have underground tunnels it was hiding in that she didn't notice? The cream and brown she-cat was determined to make sure her clan was safe. When there was no sign of it she padded on, remarking the border. Her fur pricked uncomfortably. Something wasn't right.
ReplyDeleteLeafbreeze nodded, her tail tip twitching as they padded along. "I'm sure it will. Who are you thinking for Deputy?" She mewed, hoping to change the subject.
"Not too sure yet..I have three I may want, or have a chance. Smokepelt, Nightmask, or Thornstrike..but im still deciding."
ReplyDeleteBrackenfur lifted his nose to the air and smelt for what she might be smelling but only smelt a stale fox scent that disappeared every now and then.
Smokepelt walked to Nightmask, "what should we do? That fox could be anywhere?"his voice soft and low.
ReplyDeleteLeafbreeze nodded. "All good choices. Maybe Starclan will help in the final decision." She mewed.
ReplyDeleteNightmask sighed, her tail tip twitching. "The scent doesn't definitely lead anywhere. We'll just leave it I guess, but be cautious." The she cat padded on.