Post by deimos on Dec 7, 2021 14:04:38 GMT -8
MOON 050
Written on December 21st, 2017.
Written on December 21st, 2017.
LAVENDERPAW'S POV
The sky was leaden in heavy, bloated clouds; flurries of snowflakes streamed to the ground below, blanketing the earth in a broad expanse of white. Eight young felines struggled to get their foothold in the dense snow, still unused to the sensation of cold paws due to six moons spent in the warmth of their dens in the nursery. Lavenderpaw, in particular, suffered the bite of Leaf-bare more than the rest of her denmates as she trailed behind the rest. She recalled that her mother repeatedly advised her not to take the frigid season lightly, but she supposed she vastly underestimated just precisely how cold it could be.
"Don't worry, Lavenderpaw! The cold never killed anyone!" Her littermate called out from ahead of her. Lavenderpaw merely scoffed, biting back a remark about how Asterpaw was just as cold as everyone else given how she greedily pressed herself against Marigoldpaw's side, and the ginger tom didn't seem to have any issue being so close to her sister either much to Lavenderpaw's chagrin.
"Hypothermia would beg to differ!" Sorrelpaw retorted as she slowed his trot to match Lavenderpaw's speed, he shot the molly a worried glance as he took in the sight of her occasional shivering. "You doing alright? I've never seen you like this."
"I'm fine," Lavenderpaw mewed coldly, catching Sorrelpaw flinch at her response. In any alternative scenario, she would have apologized, but she was getting slightly anxious - just how far was the training hollow now? "Trust me, I'll be alright, but thanks for checking in." She mewed, staring at the ground to let Sorrelpaw know she wasn't in the talking mood. Her ear flicked when she heard him shuffle away, catching Patchpaw murmur a 'good luck next time' towards his brother and managed to look at them just in time to see Sorrelpaw swat his tail across the other tom's ginger-splashed nose.
Mintstar spoke up from the head of the crowd, Rowanpelt at her side. "We're getting close everyone, sorry about the wait; the training hollow always seems farther during Leaf-bare." She mewed. Lavenderpaw's ears perked up in interest, thankful that they were finally getting close to their destination.
It was the russet-furred deputy spoke up next, "We're going to ask everyone here, mentors and apprentices alike, to be careful. With all these rogues afoot, we have to be as safe as we possibly can." Rowanpelt said, a spike of worry shot down Lavenderpaw's neck at the mention of rogues. She remembered what her mother had taught her about them, that they were lawless, selfish cats who often scorned the Clans for their beliefs and held no respect for the warrior code. They sounded dangerous and Lavenderpaw hoped to have nothing to do with them, after all, what kind of cat living without some sort of code was a good one?
"Lavenderpaw? Are you feeling alright?" The smooth meow of Vervaincloud, her mentor, asked. The gray molly blinked owlishly, unaware that she looked as nervous as she felt until now before clearing her throat and staring at her mentor calmly. Lavenderpaw pretended not to notice the way Vervaincloud's body shook from time to time due to the exposure of the cold, it was clear that he was trying to prevent looking disadvantaged due to how thin his coat was compared to everyone else.
"Yes. I'm fine if you are, sir." She replied, narrowing her eyes as Vervaincloud gave her an unconvinced look.
"Very well," He mewed airily. "Let's begin your training."
LARKCLAW'S POV
The large brown tabby's coat was dusted with snowflakes as he sat rigidly outside of PineClan's camp, a contemptuous frown on his maw. Larkclaw didn't want to be on guarding duty, what he wanted was to investigate more about these lurking rogues. He looked around for any other cats who were awake and willing to guard in his stead before noticing Asphodelface lazily chewing a thin bone underneath the Great Oak. Perfect, Larkclaw thought with a sly grin as he mewed loud enough for the seal point to hear him. Asphodelface's ears twitched at the noise, scrambling to his paws as he trotted over to Larkclaw.
"Let me guess, you're bored and want me to cover for you." He mewed sarcastically once he was at Larkclaw's side, rolling his eyes when he saw the tabby's big grin.
"Precisely that, pal," Larkclaw replied, letting out a loud yawn as he heaved himself to his feet, shaking out his coat and chuckling when Asphodelface made a noise of surprise as the snow splashed his own cream-colored fur. "Welp, see ya. If anyone asks just say I'm making dirt or something along the lines." He said nonchalantly as he headed off.
"Don't get killed!"
"No promises!"
Once Asphodelface was out of view his casual grin quickly turned into a serious frown, relying on his nose as he followed the faint scent of rogue that seemed to be creeping closer in PineClan territory by the day. Larkclaw was quite suspicious, he was born a rogue cat, he knew how they operated, and he knew most of them wouldn't be caught dead anywhere near a Clan if they could help it. They were either here because they were desperate or were cocky enough to believe they could give an established group like a Clan a run for it's fresh-kill.
As he headed closer to the border where their scent was strongest, a new and familiar one took its place. Daisystorm? That made no sense, what would she be doing out this early? Larkclaw had seen the patrols go out tonight, he would've spotted the pretty molly's soft ginger fur anywhere. The rogues can wait. Larkclaw thought, heading towards the warrior's scent path instead. It wasn't like he was concerned for Daisystorm's safety or anything, no, the molly had a moon's worth of street smarts on her back and could handle herself almost as well as Larkclaw could.
The thought of catching his Clanmate in some sort of drama was enticing, is all. Nothing more, nothing less. At least that's what Larkclaw told himself. He managed to sight Daisystorm just ahead of him, staying quiet until she caught wind of his presence nearby, which didn't take too long as the molly whirled her head behind her and widened her eyes as she noticed him. "Larkclaw?" She stammered, turning to turn her whole body to face him as he padded closer to her. "The one and only." He replied.
"What're you doing out here? You're supposed to be on guard duty tonight," She spluttered, Larkclaw grew confused when he saw the split second of guilt her eye.
"I'm pretty sure everyone knows I don't follow orders, and besides, I'm curious about what you're doing." grinned Larkclaw in spite of his confusion regarding the molly wandering out so late.
Daisystorm faltered, chuckling nervously at herself before clearing her throat. "It's a nice night for a walk, isn't it?" She gulped, Larkclaw stared agape at the sudden change in subject.
"...Daisystorm, what's going on?" He asked hesitatingly, suspicions being planted in his mind. Was she apart of these rogue cats, simply biding her time and gathering information for them? Or was there something deeper going on with the molly.
Daisystorm sighed in reluctance, casting a shameful glance at the ground. "I've been meeting someone, that's all I'm gonna say." She mewed glumly; Larkclaw surprised to feel envious that he wasn't the one she was sneaking around to meet.
"Oh? For how long?" He asked, not surprised to see Daisystorm grow defensive as her ears flattened ever so slightly.
"None of your business, that's how long!" She barked.
"Fine, fine, don't tell me!" Larkclaw snapped, though he knew Daisystorm didn't mean any harm. "I won't tell Mintstar if that's what you're worried about. I'm no snitch." He mewed, hoping that little reassurance was enough to calm her down.
Daisystorm relaxed slightly before another sigh left her, "Good, good. That makes me feel a little better." she mumbled to herself. "You'll let me go then? I'm already running a little late." She mewed, casting a gaze at the moon high overhead which Larkclaw followed. He was hesitant as there so many questions to ask; who was she meeting? Did Firestream know? Was she happy with them?
"Go ahead." Larkclaw said dismissively, hardly paying attention as Daisystorm chirped a 'thank you!' before she bounded out of sight. He was silent for a moment, the sound of the wind lightly blowing through his coat was the only thing that disrupted the silence. The tom didn't know how to feel, this night certainly took a turn. But he supposed that's what he got when he wished for drama.
Larkclaw shook his head before turning back towards the direction of camp, there was a chance he'd get to look for rogues again the next night anyway. He just wanted to get this night over with.
WEASELSTORM POV
Weaselstorm didn't like leaf-bare for many reasons. He disliked the uncomfortable, wet feeling of snow on his paw pads. Nor how every conceivable herb out there was brown and lifeless until newleaf started up again. Given all the dead herbs they had come across already, he and Shadeleaf counted themselves lucky that they were able to find the ones that they carried home now. The scraggly medicine cat stopped at the sound of Shadeleaf's trill coming from behind him and he turned to face her directly, waiting for her to speak.
"I'm going to see if there's anything else I can find over there," She stated, gesturing to a small cluster of bushes with her tail. Weaselstorm nodded his approval, Shadeleaf thanking him with a smile just before she padded away, }and don't wait up for me! I know how much you hate leaf-bare." she mewed. The brown tom rolled his eyes fondly, turning from the molly and towards the direction of PineClan by himself. He was confident in his apprentice's ability to take care of herself, she would be back safe and sound without a doubt in his mind.
But that still didn't stop his heart from skipping a beat when he heard her shout his name shortly after they split up. Weaselstorm tried to make sure he didn't look so perturbed as he quickly trotted towards her voice. If only to reassure Shadeleaf that she didn't manage to scare him. Placing his herbs on the ground beside him as he caught up, he was now able to speak up. "What's the matter? Did you find anything?" He inquired, a quizzical frown on his maw when she shook her head.
"No, but this something worth more than herbs anyway." She replied. Weaselstorm was about to ask what on earth she meant by that until the sound of an unmistakable kit mew came from the bushes just in front of them.
"Is it safe, lady? Can we come out now?" They mewed impatiently, only needing a hum of approval from Shadeleaf until two young tabby kits pushed their way out of their hiding place. The one that had spoken up wore a sour expression, his companion had seemingly just woken up from a nap if his sleepy face was any clear indicator.
"Who're you supposed to be?" The sleepy one asked meekly towards Weaselstorm, Shadeleaf replying in his place. "That's Weaselstorm, he's a medicine cat along with me." She explained to the pair, the sour-faced kit stared at them for an uncomfortable amount of time before mewing something himself.
"So, are you the medicine cat and he's the apprentice?" He asked, Weaselstorm letting out an indignant hiss at his presumption.
"I'm the medicine cat, you scrap of fur!" He barked, the kitten was unperturbed by his response, but rather confused instead
"You are?! But you're apprenticed-size!" He exclaimed incredulously.
Shadeleaf quickly stepped in before Weaselstorm had a chance to give them a piece of his mind, understanding her mentor's temper was not one to be taken lightly. "Never mind that! Why don't you tell us about how you got here?" She suggested, nearly sighing in relief when the kit agreed. He sat back on his haunches, licking his white forepaw thoughtfully before he introduced himself. "I'm Tigerkit," He mewed, flicking his tail on the other kit's ear who was dozing off despite the brief, fiery moment between his friend and Weaselstorm earlier.
"And that's Moonkit, he's my brother," Tigerkit explained, Weaselstorm and Shadeleaf exchanged a glance upon hearing the other's powerful name. It may not have been the case for other Clans, but in their own, the moon was considered just as sacred as StarClan was.
"Alright, and what Clan did you come from?" Weaselstorm asked; Tigerkit stuck his tongue out at him. A tiny, frustrated growl bubbled in the medicine cat's throat, this kit was more stubborn than Aspenheart had been when he was his age. "...He asked you a question, Tigerkit." Shadeleaf mewed, Tigerkit sighed, giving Weaselstorm the stink-eye before reluctantly answering his question. "We were from IvyClan, and then GorseClan, but they're both gone now."
A tinge of sympathy was felt in Weaselstorm's chest, but he made no comment on it. "Me, Moonkit, my momma Daisy and my sister Taffykit were trying to find another Clan - but a big bad cat took us away when we got here," Tigerkit said, his former stubborn mew breaking into the tiniest of whimpers as he recalled being separated from his family. Shadeleaf wrapped her feathery tail around him, understanding the feeling of losing her family just as well. Weaselstorm on the other paw narrowed his eyes suspiciously, could this have been the work of the rogues that were currently lurking near PineClan's borders? Given how vicious they could be, he wouldn't be surprised.
"He... he also told my momma something strange, right before he took us away." Tigerkit muttered, sniffling sadly and rubbing his paw across his nose. He looked up at Shadeleaf, eyes watering with unshed tears. "He told her he was trying to find 'Auntie's kits', and when momma kept telling him she didn't know what that was, he stole us away!" Tigerkit cried, whatever strong facade he built up now broke away as he sobbed into Shadeleaf's black fur. Shadeleaf rubbed her tail down the crying kit's back, staring at Weaselstorm in confusion over what 'Auntie's kits' could mean.
Auntie's sounded too familiar for Weaselstorm to sweep aside as a rogue's ramblings, and as he racked his mind to try and figure out what where he possibly could've heard it before; a sudden thought made him recognize just why it sounded so familiar:
Auntie's.
Aunties.
Anthiese.
Shadeleaf was quickly able to figure it out for herself too as she stared at Weaselstorm wide-eyed and anxious. It all made sense, how the rogues came shortly after the queen's death and how they chose to target a mother and her kits. He was convinced they managed to figure out the identity behind their Clan's antagonizers. Tigerkit had stopped crying by now, the brown-and-white tabby was now asleep, nestled in the warmth of Shadeleaf's fur.
"We need to talk to Mintstar."