Changes [open]

[Fernear!]

The wind pushed against the silver spotted pelt of Swallowleaf. Her wide strides spanned across the Leaf-fall moors. The hills were still glistening with the morning's round of dew and mist, the sky was just fading into a grey tapestry littered with clouds large and small. As New-leaf turned to Leaf-fall the world around the she-cat was becoming quieter and more ominous. The nightmares she had been running from had found her and stole her previous life. The only cat she had spoken to in the last moon was Targetdove, and even the tabby she-cat was nowhere to be seen. As she neared the stream separating ThunderClan territory from WindClan's the wind picked up. Oaks painted with gorgeous oranges and tinged with yellow leaves created a dream its own. The trees towered over what little shrubs and heather dotted her Clan's land. There grand branches spanned farther than the heather can grow, it seemed. The kit-heart of Swallowleaf always fell for their earthly presence. Though this fact never chipped from the stone of truth, the she-cat had a greater love for the stars and open land.

After her long lope Swallowleaf could be witnessed watching the stream's journey in complete bliss. Her petite paws were tucked under her chest, trying to find what little heat her pelt could grasp on this windy dawn. Below the depths of this blithe stream swam little fish, their silver scales complimented the grey palette of the she-cat's and the waves on the lake. Their move had started far beyond any cat could imagine, but will end in the depths of the lake they Clans knew so well. The fish had said their fair wells to the lake earlier on in the last New-leaf and had been welcomed by a quick finish on this cloudy dawn. She wouldn't dare dip her paws in the water, for fear of the grand shiver down her spine and the never ending cold that would take residence in her lithe little body. She just watched with extreme fascination and happiness. If she were alone, this would be how to survive it. Without her den mates, clan mates or any clan cats, she would turn to her natural home.

Many moments passes and still the silvery she-cat was found by the stream. Her calm aura had soon left her in the depths of an early-day slumber. Of course, she had just woken up after a long rest so this nap would result in extreme bursts of energy. Swallowleaf's murky grey-blue eyes opened to a still gloomy Leaf-fall day. She let a large yawn out, letting her sharp fangs catch what light was shining down on the Clans. She pulled herself up and stretched, her fore-paws slid out in front of her and her rump stood high in the air. Her paws tingled as her blood raced through her veins after the chilly rest. She shook herself and moved on. Another moon had gone by and no gathering was held. Where was Rainstar? Fernstar? Oakstar? Did ShadowClan even have a leader? These questions buzzed in her drowsy mind keeping her energy low and her mind full of depression and worry. The heather curled around small boulders while the wind weaved about their limbs. Their purple flowers had faded and shriveled in the cool temperatures adding their detail to the dull painting. The she-cat was heading home, home to the seemingly empty WindClan camp.

[/blockquote]

[streampaw]

<sub>ooc;; OMG! I've been gone tooooooooo long! Fixed! ^.^'

The gentle whisper of the wind. That was the only thing that sounded as the young leader walked away from the camp. She heaved a sigh and allowed her dainty head to fall. Her steps ceased and her golden eyes closed. What had become of the clan? It had been moons, so many moons, since she had even seen a WindClan cat. New-leaf was past. Leaf-fall was here, signalling that Leaf-bare would be coming next. She shuddered at the thought. Little prey would be about and the clan, already weakened, would grow weaker. She winced, suddenly realizing that most of her clan was gone. She hadn't seen the medicine cat in many moons.

A chilling wind brushed past the she-cat, causing her to forget the past troubles. Rainstar lifted her head numbly and opened her eyes and turned them to the sky. Gray. The only thing that could be expected this early in Leaf-fall. Clouds littered the gray morning sky, giving it a depressing feel. Heaving another sigh, the manx lifted a numb paw and took a single step. She looked around, noticing the fiery trees that were scattered about the territory. Something about them and the dull morn didn't mix. The lack of light dulled their fiery colors, giving them an odd dull mixture of red and browns.

The young cat focused on all that surrounded her, noticing that it all seemed quite gray and dull, as if it was dead. She felt like she was looking through a screen, a haze. It began to feel like she wasn't there. Like she was just watching. But another chilling wind pushed past the she-cat, and with it, a break in the dull cloud cover. A ray of light shone down onto the young cat. Rainstar's head shot up, her golden honey eyes catching the light. She squinted and turned towards the stream. Her eyes grew wide as she saw a she-cat. One that she remembered. Her friend.

Swallowleaf. Rainstar took a hesitant step forward. Then another. Another. Soon she was trotting forward at an awkward gait. She tried to call out, but her voice felt weak. Her gait lengthened. Soon she was loping towards her friend, though she still seemed hesitant. Almost as if she forgot how to walk. As if she had forgotten everything. Soon, she stumbled to a stop. Swallowleaf was only a few foxlengths away now. "Swallowleaf....?" she asked, her voiced rough and dry as if she hadn't talked in ages. The stream glittered a gray-blue as she looked at the silver she-cat that lay before her.</sub>[/sub]

[c e d a r *]

The rosetted body of the tom weaved with precise caution along the bank of the stream that ran along the territory. He loved the feeling of the wind on his pelt, the quietness of the stream, the water flowing heavily, the dew slipping from the grass as the sun rose, almost sleepily. Duskfeather sat down, curling his tail along his oval-shaped paws, just watching the sun rise, the mist seeming to disappear as the sun rose slowly, from the valleys far off. The trees were at their peak, the beauty of the fiery colors gently swaying in the breeze. The tom got up, the sun now seeming to rise through the sky at a quick pace. As the green leaves turned their colors, he realized that the clans had to become prepared for the frigid wrath of leaf-bare. The thought alone, made his spine quiver. He brought himself by the bank of the stream again, laying down, tucking his paws underneath his soft chest. He closed his eyes, letting the sounds of the world around him, sink into his mind. His breathing pace soon became a slow, gentle rise and fall, that of a sleeping cat.

The tom raced through the territory, no thought of where he was running to, the world opened up before him, in a way he had never thought to be true. Trees, as far as the eyes could see, were seeming to change color right before his amber eyes. The green gave way to stunning golds, reds, and purples. He looked around. Nothing but moorland, trees, and the stream, and it was completely familiar, and yet, so unfamiliar. He looked around wildly, letting out a quiet call, but, the trees surrounding him, blocked his voice, He called out louder, when he heard a quiet voice enter his mind, carried by the wind. 'Swallowleaf?' the voice questioned.

Duskfeather snapped his eyes open. He looked around, getting up, dew glistening on his sun warmed pelt. Sure enough, the tom scented the air, and could faintly scent Swallowleaf, the she-cat he had not seen in moons, and Rainstar. He wondered if they had seen each other yet. Duskfeather picked up his paws, with great caution, and began to pad toward the scents of the two Windclan cats. "Swa-Swallowleaf?" the tom questioned, expecting to hear no answer, his voice just a quiet murmur in the wind. "Rainstar?" the tom asked, once again, his voice carried away, soft in the wind. Cautiously, step by step, the tom advanced toward the two cats scents, searching around everything in his vision.

[Fernear!]

Swallowleaf was no longer drowsy, Rainstar was here! As was Duskfeather! Though she didn't know Duskfeather very well, it was a comfort to know there were at least three cats in her clan. The slender silver body stood up and moved rapidly towards Rainstar, she was so happy her joy could not be contained; she could hardly keep herself from jumping around the two! The grey sky no longer felt depressing, though it looked very much so. Rainstar didn't look too different, but of course, the moons keep changing and every cat changes. She still had the official aura, and yet she also had a young joyous aura to balance it. She was glad Rainstar was her leader, if she had been stuck with a leader with such bloodlust she would be on the brim of breaking the barrier between Warrior life and the life of a loner.

A purr rumbled in Swallowleaf's chest, she couldn't muster the words to speak. What if she said the wrong thing? Oh she couldn't, these cats were her friends, she could say many things for the better. "Rainstar, Duskfeather!" Her voice was a gay as her thoughts were. That was one thing about Swallowleaf; she can always portray her thoughts as she spoke. Her eyes lit up as the cats drew closer, Rainstar then Duskfeather. She had so much to ask them, but where to start?

"Where have you been? I've missed both of you so much! I thought it was the Great Disappearance all over again, how horrid that would be! What do you think of this Leaf-fall? The trees have once again claimed their natural beauty, what do you think I'd look like if I were a tree? Would my leaves bear my silver pelt? Anyway, my paws are dreadfully chilly, can we walk? Maybe we could be the dawn patrol; WindClan hasn't had one for many moons."

The she-cat could have rambled on about her wonders, but if she were to the day would pass and the stars would shine. Even then she would inquire about life and all it can offer. But back to the present conversation, Swallowleaf could feel strain between the three felines. Even she felt that ting of worry that something was different or may go wrong, like the first time you meet a cat. She took a step closer to each cat, and was now in the middle of the two. Another powerful gust of wind blew through the three cats; it was uncommonly cold for Leaf-fall, or what Swallowleaf remembered of Leaf-fall. She squinted as the wind ceased with one final cold front. The wind stopped for some time after that. The she-cat looked at Duskfeather then at Rainstar; she was waiting to hear what one would say after her flood of questions.

In front of her orange-grey paws a vibrant red oak leaf fell. Its edges were tinged yellow and its stem was a crispy brown. It shivered in the cool air and was soon taken away by another gust of wind. Her eyes followed the leaf as it danced in the wind up until it dropped onto the serene lake. Just another sign that time never stopped, who knows what could happen.

[/blockquote]

[Heathclaw]

(Hope no one minds if I join in?)

Rustlepelt prowled across the moorland, his paws burning with irritation and his mind seething with troubled thoughts. Why had Dawnthorn been chosen as deputy? What did that non-clanborn cat have that he lacked? Was he, Rustlepelt, somehow deficient?

I've always followed the Warrior Code. I've served my clan to my utmost. I've mentored some of the best warriors in the clan. What was it that I did wrong? Mouse dung!

Rustlepelt's claws sank into the soft ground in frustration as he thought the words he dared not say aloud, fearful that any cat should catch wind of his ambitions. There was nothing malicious about his intent, of course, but ambitious cats were often misunderstood by their clans, and Rustlepelt didn't need any of that.

A gust of wind blew across the open hills, sending ripples through Rustlepelt's long orange fur. Maybe it's because I don't look like a proper Windclan cat. Maybe that's why they picked that short-furred loony furball, Rustlepelt thought, but then immediately banished the thought. He was being stupid; of course that wasn't the reason. His fur prickled in embarassment when he realized he was actually whining!

Stop mewling like a helpless kit. You've got time. You will be deputy, eventually. Just wait for your chance. At that moment, a rabbit scent blew in on the wind, and Rustlepelt spotted the prey crouched in the bracken. "You're mine!" Rustlepelt snarled, breaking into a rapid dash after the rabbit, his body a moving blur. He closed with his prey after several seconds, biting harder than he needed to to kill it.

Sloppy technique. Rustlepelt thought even as he thanked Starclan for his catch. I should have caught it so much quicker. He looked up and saw the border river in front of him, slightly surprised. Had he actually gone that far for a rabbit? You nearly crossed the border! Get your act together, mousebrain!

He turned around, and suddenly noticed three other cats further along the riverbank, by the lakeside. Duskfeather, Swallowleaf, and... Rainstar! He quickly loped over, the rabbit in his jaws. A conversation with some of his clanmates might take his mind off things. "Good morning," said Rustlepelt, dropping the rabbit and dipping his head to Rainstar as he approached the group, his voice calm and even. "It's nice to see I'm not the only cat up and about so early!"

[streampaw]

<sub>They were all talking. She was so improtant to these few cats. To her clan. She nodded quickly to Duskfeather, turning her attention to Swallowleaf once more. She laughed at her words.

"Where have you been? I've missed both of you so much! I thought it was the Great Disappearance all over again, how horrid that would be! What do you think of this Leaf-fall? The trees have once again claimed their natural beauty, what do you think I'd look like if I were a tree? Would my leaves bear my silver pelt? Anyway, my paws are dreadfully chilly, can we walk? Maybe we could be the dawn patrol; WindClan hasn't had one for many moons."

Supressing her light-hearted chuckles, she looked at her dear friend. "Swallowleaf, you are quite the talker. Very happy, like always, my friend. Always wondering the oddest of things. I'd probably be a dull, dead looking tree with this gray pelt, no?" she mewed innocently. It wasn't long before someone else showed up, though. A new scent drifted to her on the Leaf-Bare breeze. Windclan cat. And fresh-kill? Rainstar turned her golden eyes in the direction of the wind, seeing a large orange furball not to far away.

"Rustlepelt!" she called out. The long-haired tom carried a fresh rabbit in his jaws, and Rainstar smiled. Maybe Leaf-Bare wouldn't be so bad. So, Rustlepelt, How have you been? How have you all been? She watched Rustlepelt drop the rabbit and speak. His voice was always one of her favorites.

"Good morning. It's nice to see I'm not the only cat up and about so early!"

She laughed, bending over until her nose was nearly on the ground. Catching herself, she looked at the furball. "Yes. But it is quite cold. It must be nice having that much fur in this weather, right, Rustlepelt?" she inquired innocently.</sub>

[c e d a r *]

Duskfeathers slim body was trembling. He had hardly even noticed the cold until Rainstar had mentioned it. His nose twitched irritably, and he sneezed, chuckling lowly. He smiled widely at Swallowleaf, then heard Rustlepelt. How could he be so calm, when he had just reunited with three of his fellow clan mates!

His rosetted lightly colored paws kneaded the ground he had roamed for many moons before this. His heart was pounding, and each second that passed, the tom began to warm up, inside and out. t felt so wondrous to be with the few cat's he had not seen in what seemed like...seasons! "I'm so glad to have caught you all, aren't we just the luckiest?" the tom asked, his voice shaky, as shaky as his thoughts and his nerves. "It's been...too long," he purred, giving each of the cats a friendly smile.

Duskfeather sighed, becoming silent, admiring the stillness of the leaf-bare morning. The chill was almost driving the tom insane. He looked from tree to tree, the last brave leaves that had managed to stay on, falling off in the frigid winds that blew through the frozen moor.

The grass underfoot was crispy, and felt good on his paws. The tom sneezed again. He wasn't sick, the cold just irritated his senses. "Ugh," the tom groaned to himself, mostly, "the only part I dislike about leaf-bare is the frigidness," he muttered. "It's so beautiful, after the first snow," he meowed, giving himself a shake.

Duskfeather sat down, wrapping his small tail around his large, oval-like paws. It was only in the time of Leaf-bare when he wished he had a long-haired pelt, like some of the ThunderClan and ShadowClan cats' did. He could run fast, and jump high, of course, but, Leaf-bare couldn't come and finally be over with fast enough. He looked to the leader, wondering what in the world they would do. He, surely wasn't the only cat chilled to the bone, was he?

[Fernear!]

Swallowleaf was quite jubilant, she was in turn feeling the same way as Duskfeather was; lucky, and well, happy. To see her friends again warmed her heart, but as moments passed she could feel something was wrong around the lake. The she-cat simply brushed the feeling off and continued to live worry-free.

"It has indeed been far too long." She paused before continuing, "Leaf-bare is quite beautiful.. If only I had a thicker pelt as some cats do, the cold wouldn't keep me from loving it every day."

As the day began to grow old, the sun became clouded over with clouds so solemn that there was no doubt there would be a small amount of snow or rain. As Swallowleaf looked to wards the sky, her prediction became truth; it was snowing. A smile was drawn across her maw as little white flakes dropped onto herself, the cats around her and the ground. The she-cat always timed the beginning of Leaf-bare when either the last leaf falls from the ThunderClan forest or the day of the first snowfall, no matter how short or treacherous it may be.

Rainstar's comment turned the chill of Leaf-bare into a warm New-leaf day, Swallowleaf really did ask about anything it seemed.

"Oh no, Rainstar! You'd be a beautiful aspen with glistening silver leaves, I can see you now! Overhanging the creek, gazing at the sky.. Oh, how wonderful!"

As Swallowleaf spoke about Rainstar she could see that yet another cat joined them; Rustlepelt! She smiled and chimed a sweet greeting back to the tom. She was definitely glad to have gotten outside today. If she hadn't, she may not have seen her clan-mates!

"Perhaps we should hunt, seeing as we will eventually need to eat. Have you seen any of the apprentices? Or any other members of the clan, for that matter? As the Warrior code states, we must feed the kits and elders first. The first Leaf-bare hunt if you may."

Her words spoke her mind, she herself was not too hungry but her mind wanted to lead her through old duties and tasks that she had not performed for moons it seemed. She also saw that Rustlepelt had dropped a rabbit before Rainstar, was he angry, jealous perhaps? Was he feeling these feelings because of Dawnthorn's deputy status and so called ceremony that has been talked about for quite some time? She didn't know, and as her previous feeling of worry, she tossed the thought aside. She didn't want anything to ruin the moment.

ooc;
Posting order:
1) Fernear
2) Streamie
3) Cedar
4) Heath

[/blockquote]

[Heathclaw]

Rustlepelt stayed calm and quiet as each of his clanmates spoke, glancing at each of them with glowing green eyes. He hadn't seen Swallowleaf and Duskfeather for quite some time, but he wasn't the kind of cat that went for foolish shows of enthusiasm. It just wasn't his way.

Rainstar had greeted him first. The pretty young she-cat seemed so innocent and gentle, like the snowflakes that now fell around him, and yet Rustlepelt knew that she was a leader that he could trust with his life. He could feel no animosity towards her for her controversial choice of deputy, Rainstar must of had her reasons. In the same vein, he allowed her comment about his long fur fly over his head; She couldn't be expected to know it was bothering him. "Yes, it certainly helps," Rustlepelt replied. "Sometimes I can barely feel the cold."

He then turned to Duskfeather. Duskfeather was a bit on the skinny side, but he was fleet-footed and nimble, like most WindClan cats. Rustlepelt hadn't remembered his fellow warrior's voice being so shaky. And the tom sneezed, even as he spoke. I hope Duskfeather's not getting sick. Warriors of WindClan need to function at their very best.

He turned to Swallowleaf last, while his paws began kneading the earth, digging out a little hole to store his rabbit in. He remembered that she was quite different from the rest of her clanmates: she often seemed lost in her own little world, occasionally throwing out a few cogent statements. Rustlepelt also remembered that Swallowleaf had a curious knack for sensing the emotions of the cats around her. Perhaps because of this, he buried the rabbit quickly and then padded a little ways away, his tail swishing and his eyes staring into the distance.

"A hunting patrol sounds like a good idea," Rustlepelt mewled, scenting the air. "Now that Leaf-Bare is starting in earnest." His whiskers twitched. "Starclan knows, that Heathkit of mine has such an appetite; he'd probably eat a badger if I let him."

[Fernear!]

Her sage-green eyes lit up with laughter, she could indeed see the little kit munching on a badger limb. The sudden wave of silence that followed Rustlepelt's statement made Swallowleaf curious; what may they be thinking of? She thought in awe. She had always wondered what it would be like to be the leader of a clan. But alas, the somewhat immature she-cat could never see herself in such a position. She was much better at accomplishing duties rather than distributing them.

Swallowleaf rather admired her leader; she was a fair cat with many good qualities and friendships. Her deputy on the other hand, though he had just been appointed a few moons ago, seemed a bit absent. But she knew that a tom like Dawnthorn would pop up in due time. While her thoughts ran loose, her right paw was creating a minute circle in the light snow. It was an unceasing habit she had while deep in thought. As she recovered her consciousness to the reality around her she, once again, felt the silence gnaw at her body. It was inching bit by bit into her mind, urging her to say something to kill it.

"Well! My short pelt keeps in a trifle amount of heat! I'd long to have a pelt as rich in warmth as yours!"

Her tailed flicked happily knowing that she had defeated her foe, but an air of faint hostility hung around the golden tom whenever his unique WindClan pelt was brought up. Quickly trying to cover up her latest comment she muttered a soft apology. An apology so quiet she didn't know if he had even heard it, but nonetheless, it would hopefully be put behind. She hung her head for these few short moments. At times her ongoing gay eagerness brought annoyance, but she couldn't stop herself from being happy at this time for her clan mates were with her!

"Anyways, shall we set off?"

She heaved her body up from a seated position to a standing one. Her tail continued to flick with anticipation, her paws began to itch for a good run; hunting rabbits was one of her favourite pass-times. Her endeavor for tasks for her clan's survival was always number one on her list. Or so they were for now. If Providence led her to have a mate and family, her number one may change. Unfortunately this she-cat continued to live as free willed as a kit with many responsibilities. For a few minutes she looked from cat to cat, waiting for an answer to her preceding question.

[/blockquote]

[c e d a r *]

Duskfeather couldn't help but smile, and let out a purr of pure happiness. The Windclan tom stood up as well, arching his back gracefully, every muscle in his body screaming for him to go out and take a run, feel the softness of a voles pelt through his teeth, just eat, and be happy. Drawing hs paw up t his maw, he licked it once, and drew it over his ear. He was nervous. He didn't remember what it was like hunting as a group. It hadn't happened in such a long time, and it made the tom feel all the more nervous, as the seconds ticked by.

"Should we split up?" Duskfeather asked, his eyes shining.

His oval paws were kneading the ground slowly, claws sheathing and unsheathing, as he imagined a fresh, clean blow at a rabbit. He loved hunting. Looking from Swallowleaf, to Rainstar, and to Rustlepelt, and his longing to just go back to their camp etched ts way into his mind all the more, where they could chat, and relax. But there was much to do.

At the mention of Heathkit, the tom chuckled, as he thought of the kit chewing on the thick bone of a badger. There was work to be done, no matter how much he longed to just go back and spend time with his friends.

[Fernear!]

[ooc: how about we make patrols now.. I'm saying this so we can keep role playing ;)
How do these sound:
Rainstar and Duskfeather
Swallowleaf and Rustlepet

or..?]

[/blockquote]

[c e d a r *]

[Ooc; Sounds good to me]

[Heathclaw]

(I like those matchups. Rustlepelt might prefer it the other way, but he's not going to complain XD.)

The happiness emanating from his clanmates was infectious, and Rustlepelt was finding it hard to maintain his stern demeanor. He couldn't keep his whiskers from twitching in delight at the thrill of starting a new hunt with his clanmates by his side. His blood started pounding faster at the thought of catching another rabbit.

The black thoughts that had clouded his mind with the arrival of Dawnthorn had begun to clear. Dawnthorn didn't even try to act like a clan cat. Odds were that he might just up and leave one day, or otherwise get sent packing by a flurry of claws.

The latter image brought a brief purr to his throat, which Rustlepelt quickly stifled. No need to be too obvious. He focused his attention back towards Swallowleaf and Duskfeather, who both seemed ready and raring to go. Duskfeather asked if they ought to split up, and Rustlepelt spoke without thinking.

"Four cats is a large group for these conditions. The prey could probably see us coming from a mile away. We'd catch more if we split into pairs. Er," he stumbled, suddenly remembering his place as a mere warrior in the presence of his leader, "That's just what I believe, anyway. It's your call, Rainstar," he said, tilting his head in her direction.