Tawnystar had a mad look in her eye at the first gathering. It's one I remember well. It was, after all, what began the madness that is my life. One decision to keep a clan happy. One hartbeat of mistrust. Sent my life in a different direction. I was sitting next to my older sister, Sunbreeze. The fur on her neck prickled as she looked up to the highbranches for the gathering to start. She looked uneasy. "What's wrong sister?" I asked quietly, voices were dimming down as the ShadowClan leader stepped forward. She shook her head, "Nothing Aslinpaw," I stared at her for a few moments longer, knowing it wasn't nothing. Her eyes scanned mine nervously. With a sigh, she gave in. "Alright, it's just that Tawnystar doesn't look like she's doing too well. I was wondering how many lives she has left." My sister's gaze traveled once more to the highbranches. I followed her and observed Tawnystar's unkempt calico pelt and wild green eyes. She didn't look sick, she looked mad!
My suspicions were confirmed when she spoke. I almost felt sorry for the leader who was declaring a war on ThunderClan. She must not be taking pressure from her clan so well anymore. She had lead a good lifetime with her clan, and she was the oldest leader standing. She'd watched her friends and family die. But that didn't help my nerves. We were going into a battle! My stomach clenched with fear and excitement. My first battle! And with ShadowClan! I dug unsheathed claws into the ground, ready to leap on a cat at that moment. ... I was a little excitable.
Tawnystar finished her little speach about prey stealing. The clearing was errupt in yowls of dedication, rage, and defiance. "I knew something wasn't right." Sunbreeze sighed, looking up at the sky. I studied her suddenly. Her chin was tilted up to the stars, as if searching them for an answer. "What do you mean?"I asked carefully. My mind flickered through recent events, wondering what was on her mind. half-sight's death, the fox getting into medicine supplies, the ShadowClan medicine cat comming to borrow yarrow and poppy seeds.
"When Tallwhisker came to visit, he asked for a word with me. He told me something grave was comming between ShadowClan and ThunderClan, but he wasn't sure what. This must be it! A battle, how could we have prevented this?"She hissed, obviously displeased with herself. The news surprised me. They knew about this ahead of time? "But there was nothing you could have done to stop it! It doesn't sound like Tallwhisker's warning had enough proof to stop anything." Sunbreeze just stared at the stars more. I heard a voice magnified by the clearing and gazed up at the highbranches.
"ThunderClan," Halostar began, her rich voice echoing and silencing all of the chattering clan cats, "Is a strong clan." There were yowls of agreement from my clan as I stared on, pride making me lift my chin. "We hunt for ourselves, and have just enough land to do so." The clan yowled it's dedication once more. "A ThunderClan cat, would never steal prey." She shook her head dismissively, her eyes closed with a grin on her face. "But a ThunderClan cat will fight for his or her land. And that is what we will do if you try fighting us. Expect heavy casualties from a battle that has started on your concious." Halostar turned to her clan, which erupted in an honorable cheer. "ThunderClan has no new news to bring, but we'll take our leave now. I don't feel welcome at the moment." Halostar jumped down, padding through the cluster of ThunderClan cats. We followed her loyally. I'd fight for ThunderClan if it was the last thing I did!
TAG: Aslinpaw WORD COUNT: 654 STATUS: done APPEARANCE: light brown/gold tabby she-cat with blue-green eyes. CREDIT: ISSYY of CAUTION! lyrics by TATU - All about us
-- Edited by Lilyspirit on Wednesday 7th of July 2010 05:43:55 PM
-- Edited by Lilyspirit on Wednesday 7th of July 2010 05:44:42 PM
-- Edited by Lilyspirit on Wednesday 7th of July 2010 05:45:45 PM
-- Edited by Lilyspirit on Wednesday 7th of July 2010 08:14:42 PM
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ThunderClan padded quickly through their territory. The cats were chattering like crazy, some excited for the comming battle, some scared, some curious as to where the scraps of prey came from. I walked alongside Sunbreeze and Halostar. "I just don't get it," Halostar said, sorrow brimming her mew, "Tawnystar and I used to be ssuch great friends as young warriors, how could she just go and accuse us of something I know we didn't do?" Her head hung low and her gaze stayed on the ground underpaw. I felt a pang of pity for my leader and friend. This couldn't be easy for her.
"Tawnystar is under alot of stress. She's lived a wonderful long life, but her end is comming, she must feel the need to give one last victory to her clan before she's gone." Sunbreeze told us thoughtfully. I nodded my head. That's what I had been thinking earlyer. This can't be easy for her. Sure she can talk to cats she knows in StarClan, but not the way a medicine cat can, or someone else in StarClan. No cat wants to die.
"That's enough reason as any," I nodded, turning my attention to Halostar once more. She still didn't look convinced. I sighed. "The best you can do now is comfort your clan and prepare for a battle to go down in history. The outcome of this will be remembered in one way or another, and it's your job to be strong for those cats that don't believe we'll come out the better." I tried to make eye contact with Halostar. We were just outside the camp and had stopped for a second. She lifted her chin and studied me for a few moments. At last, she nodded. Halostar took a deep breath, and like the strong, brave leader she was, lead her clan into the camp.
Cats asked about the gathering immediately. Halostar calmly told them she was going to call a meeting first. Ravenpaw glared at me. He'd never liked me. "What are you doing, still hanging out with the leader and deputy? Can't you hang out with apprentices, or are you too good for us?" He teased. I sighed. He wasn't exactly the most fun cat to talk to.
"No Ravenpaw, I'm not too good for you. It's just that I like spending time with my sister, and my sister has to spend time with our leader. I'm sorry if that upsets you." I lowered my head. He spat at me and turned, retreating to Spottedpaw. She shrugged at me and I nodded back. He wasn't exactly the nicest cat, but him and Spottedpaw were kin.
"Aslinpaw! Come here," Sunbreeze meowed. I went to the meeting. I've been told I give good advice. I'd always thought that was why my sister and Halostar liked having me around. I was able to think with a clear head, weighing all options. I took my seat next to my mentor, Morningsong. She smiled at me, ruffling the fur on my head with a paw.
Sunbreeze explaned the gathering to the senior warriors. Halostar sat just behind my sister, not betraying any of her hurt thoughts. She looked confident and strong. A great reasurring figure. Sunbreeze asked for opinions on actions. Roseheart left the meeting to check her stores. Mudpelt suggested we invade ShadowClan first. I shook my head. "If we invade ShadowClan, it'll put us in the wrong. We know for a fact it was rogues who stole their prey, they've been stealing prey on our side as well. We'll fight better on our own territory as well, ShadowClan land is muddy and slippery. It'll work best to have the trees and undergroath on our side... And I'd like to keep my paws dry if that's okay." A round of subdued laughter shook the group, putting everyone more at ease. Mudpelt tried another idea, insisting me try to train every cat for the battle. Sunbreeze assured him that everyone would get an assessment, and that excercizes to keep battle-ready would be manditory.
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The next few days were harsh. Battle training was intense, every cat working at their weaknesses. We had mock battles and kept well-fed. The queens and elders enforced the camp walls better. There was always something going on in the camp. Always something for the curious kits to get in trouble for. Their energy kept the spirits up though. This was what we were fighting for. These kits that caused trouble that would make honorable warriors, lead the clan, have their own kits. That was what we needed to fight for. They needed to be well off when we left them.
I had most trouble with my size. I was always a little cat. I learned to work that to my advantage, fixing moves to suit me better. I couldn't shove someone off of me with powerful hind legs, but I could kick tendans in legs so that they collapsed. I got the most excited when I was up against my sister. She was used to fighting bigger cats, she had my small size. She went at me, but my paws were faster. I knocked her legs out and flung myself onto her back, jumping high and landing hard on the base of her neck. I flipped her and pinned her under my paws. She stared up at me surprised, catching her breath again. "How in StarClan's name did you learn that?" She coughed. "Morningsong taught it to me. She said it knocks the wind out of a cat, giving you enough time to pin them. I'm glad it worked!"I laughed, hitting the side of her face with a sheathed paw. I moved back to give her room.
Those ShadowClan cats could just wait and see how ready ThunderClan was for them.
TAG: Aslinpaw WORD COUNT: 1001 STATUS: not done. CREDIT: ISSYY of CAUTION! lyrics by TATU - All about us
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