Warrior Cats: The Four Clans

Briarlyric · WindClan Warrior

RE: Separate Ways .:A Warriors RP:. ~Full~

Ebonycloud · WindClan Deputy

Thunderstep listened to the voices coming from Kestreleye and Bearfur. None of their words registered for a moment. He continued to stare at Darkstar when he felt Petaldancer push her nose in to his fur. Almost instantly he was comforted by her presence. the tom stood up straight, though his eyes still misted from the loss of his father. He turned his eyes to his best friend Kestreleye. Thunderstep had taken the tom's presence in the clan for granted for a long time. Thunderstep looked in to his friend's unwavering eyes and he knew what had to be done. Tigerclan was leaderless, Thunderstep was the son of its former leader. Perhaps he really did have a leader's quality about him. He had broken away when no one else did and went to tell Lionclan of their impending doom. Sure Cliffheart had been the leader of their patrol but it took someone willing to lead to break against normal conventions.
The golden brown tabby gave his friend a curt nod, "You're right..." Then he turned his attention back to Bearfur. He claimed to have killed Thunderstep's father, but so did Hornetstar... Then again, Hornetstar had never said that he had killed Darkstar. Thunderstep's brows knitted together. Hornetstar had only let everyone assume that he had done the deed because he stood so close to the body. It was a brave thing for the leader to do but this was Bearfur's actions.
Thunderstep's gaze held evenly with Bearfur's. He hadn't been very close with the large tom, but that didn't mean Bearfur didn't have Thunderstep's respect. With softened gaze he spoke, "Thank you for admitting it Bearfur... Starclan only knows that if you had not killed him and if Hornetstar had not, I would have had to try. If that had happened.... I wouldn't be standing here now. I'd be a shell of my former self." Thunderstep bowed his head slightly, "You have my thanks for ending my father's misery." The Tigerclan cats tossed looks between one another, it seemed like Thunderstep was stepping up in to a leader-like role now. All those warriors felt comforted a bit by the idea that they were not without a leader.
Thunderstep stood up straight again and turned to Hornetstar, "Hornetstar I know that I said that I would be apart of Lionclan... I meant it when I said it, however..." He turned to look at the remaining Tigerclan cats, "They need me. They don't have a leader anymore." He turned back to Hornetstar, "Would you forgive me, and Tigerclan for what happened tonight so long as we go in peace?" None of the Tigerclan cats protested, though some looked a little annoyed at him asking for forgiveness.
Hornetstar held his gaze for a moment, "You would lead them?"
Thunderstep took a moment to reply. Why should he lead Tigerclan? They had done nothing to earn his trust, they had all followed his father. Yet here they were, his clan mates, those he had grown up around. They weren't bad cats, just misguided. Then another thought struck him, what about Petaldancer? She was a Lionclan cat, she belonged here. His heart tore in two as he turned to look at her. His eyes spoke his question before he did. Would she join him, or would his heart remain here with her? Tentatively he asked, "Petaldancer... I know I have no right to ask you this, but would you join me. If I went to lead Tigerclan that is. Would you go there with me and stay?"

Hornetstar let out a small cough to catch Bearfur's attention, "I need to speak with you, Cliffheart and the rest of the patrol. Its about the prophecy that Featherheart claimed she had, about forming all four clans again. I think we need to discuss it together." With that said he fell silent and waited for Bearfur's response, as well as Petaldancer's.

Briarlyric · WindClan Warrior

"Petaldancer... I know I have no right to ask you this.... but would you join me. If I went to lead Tigerclan that is. Would you go there with me and stay?" As much as she yearned to fight back, tell him that it didn't matter where they lived as long as they were together...she could not mask her disapointment for the answer to the problem. No, even with Thunderstep, TigerClan could never be called home...she could bear it, but there was no way she would ever be able to mask her longing for the home she had grown up in. But, Petaldancer had this feeling of almost ease when she was with him and she suddenly realized that she could adjust, right? She had adjusted to TigerClan almost instantly.... maybe she wasn't supposed to be in LionClan. Maybe this.... this lifestyle was ment for her. She didn't need the approval of anyone else to justify her feelings. Junipertail would understand and her friends would have to adjust, like her. StarClan, you know this will work out right? Please, just take care of me. She thought, her eyes gently meeting his. Oh, his eyes always get me. Her mouth twitched into a grin, "I want to be with you everyday, always... So, yes."

Florestadream · RiverClan Warrior

Turning towards Hornetstar with a soft gaze, Bearfur nodded. "Of course, Hornetstar." Turning towards Thunderstep, he smiled softly. "I wish you and Petaldancer the best of luck, Thunderstep. If there is a StarClan, may they guide your path." Glancing towards Kestreleye, he nodded. "And to you as well. You are a loyal friend for not questioning Thunderstep. You have my friendship." Turning towards Nightfang, he gave a soft smile. "C'mon. Let's go speak with Hornetstar." Padding towards his leader, he couldn't help but feel that something big was about to happen. Even bigger than the battle. And a voice in the back of his head cried for Bearfur to run. But he stood resolute beside Nightfang. No. I will stay and be strong for all future generations. That is my job as a LionClan warrior. Looking around at all the cats he had made the tortuous journey with, he felt a wave of nostalgia pass over him at the thought that, yes, they had been through so much and come out so different, but from this, they would remain loyal to one another. And that, in itself, was an accomplishment.

Kestreleye smiled at Petaldancer and Thunderstep. "I will remain with TigerClan if you are leader, Thunderstep." As always, he had remained loyal to his friend; though this time, he spoke up. And he was glad he spoke this time, rather than remaining silent.

Ebonycloud · WindClan Deputy

Thunderstep had held his breath for the long moments it took Petaldancer to decide. He had been so afraid that she would say no, heck, she barely knew him. Not more than a moon ago they had been complete strangers, now she held his heart like no one could. A smile of pure joy spread on his lips and he touched his forehead to her's, "Thank you so much Petaldancer." After a moment he pulled away. He turned to look at Tigerclan and realized that he had not actually asked if they wanted him to be their leader. Sure it sounded nice in theory, but he had no real experience. He would not blame them if they chose someone else.

His voice rose as he addressed those in his clan, "Would any of you join me? Would you still be apart of Tigerclan if I were to lead it?"
A voice he knew all to well arose from the back of the crowd, "I will not follow you." All eyes turned to see a fairly battered up Sharpfang. The tom had been Darkstar's deputy, one of the cats whom had believed in what their leader had been preaching. A few cats in the crowd nodded in agreement, though half of the Tigerclan cats looked away. Thunderstep's stomach tensed now that Tigerclan was split in two on the decision. Sharpfang sent glares around to his clan mates, "Are all of you so weak willed that you will follow a traitor? This would have been a victory for Tigerclan had Thunderstep not intervened. If those Lionclan cats had not joined us we would have won!" A few cats nodded in agreement. Thunderstep bristled at the accusation, but he had to admit that Sharpfang was right. Now if he was morally right was a different story.
Yet despite Sharpfang's question, another voice rose, "Enough is enough!" All eyes turned to Wintersong. The she-cat had believed in what her father had said but now a look of defeat was in her eyes. "My father drove himself to madness with the ideas of war. This has to stop, Tigerclan deserves peace. Haven't enough of us died?" Murmurs grew within the Tigerclan ranks.
Sharpfang would have none of Wintersong's words, "Bah! Tigerclan doesn't need this! We are superior! The way of the code belongs to us!" The cats who agreed with him nodded again, moving closer to their deputy. Yet those who didn't moved toward Thunderstep. "I say that Starclan has still chosen us as the favored clan! You will all see, once we have gained strength again we will finish what we started! All those who believe in what Darkstar stood for follow me. We are the true clan, like Shadowclan of old!" Cats began to cheer on Sharpfang, "We are Shadowclan's decedents! We are Shadowclan!" Sharpfang turned from the crowd and headed for the camp's entrance.

Hornetstar watched the former Tigerclan deputy begin to leave. So this was it, this is what Featherheart had meant. Shadowclan was reformed and reborn by the Tiger. The golden tom turned his attention to Thunderstep. Did this mean that he would return to Riverclan, only to become the new leader of Riverclan itself? Sadness filled Hornetstar's heart at the thought of what he had to do. If Tigerclan must split, so must Lionclan. He turned his golden eyes toward Cliffheart. The young tom had certainly taken care of the patrol, the patrol of cats who no longer fit quite right with Lionclan. How could he tell them that it would be best if they formed a new clan? The cats who had not spied on Tigerclan would most certainly become Thunderclan, it only made sense. Cliffheart and those in his patrol would need to leave and form Windclan, they had had plenty of practice hunting prey on the moors.
With a heavy sigh he turned back to see that the new Shadowclan cat were leaving.
Among those leave were Rumblestripe, Sunheart, Sandtalon, Antnose, Applepelt, Paula, Harry, Tigerpaw, Pinepaw, and Kinkpaw. Each of them left the camp with their shoulder's hunched and their back bristling. Hornetstar's mind filled with pity at their hardened hearts. Yet he had hope for the cats left behind. Those who had gathered around Thunderstep were Wintersong, Owlclaw, Ottertail, Shadestreak, Yelloweye, Iggy, Pepperpaw and Blackpaw. Hornetstar reflected on the thought that Tigerclan had had queens, most likely still in the camp. He figured that they would go with the clan that had their mates, providing their mates were still alive.
Hornetstar noticed that Thunderstep stood up straight and tall, a leader-like regal look in his eyes. For a moment and image of Darkstar passed in front of his eyes, not the Darkstar that had caused so much fear, but the one that had taken leadership of Tigerclan. Back then he had been so full of ideals. Hornetstar remembered meeting him a few times back when all he wanted was that no kit should go without food and that injustice be righted. How easily it had been for Darkstar's ideals and dreams to be twisted and corrupted in to a horrible nightmare. Now here in front of Hornetstar stood Darkstar's son, all of the ideals and passions resounded within the young tom. Yet there was an inherent goodness in Thunderstep's eyes. He would make a good leader for the new Riverclan. Hornetstar turned his eyes to the heavens above, the blood red moon had passed and now all that remained the blazing stars over head and the moon's beautiful white glow. "Starclan guide me tonight," he murmured before he turned to join Bearfur. His heart ached at the news he would have to tell the tom and his mate. He couldn't help the small laugh in the back of his mind at the thought that Bearfur and Nightfang were mates now. He had always known that they were good friends and now that they had matured with their time in Tigerclan, they were more. It had him feel good to see the way they stood by each other, though he had only see a moment of this.
As he approached he murmured softly, "We shalll wait for Cliffheart."

-- Edited by Ebonycloud on Saturday 22nd of October 2011 11:14:12 PM

Ebonycloud · WindClan Deputy

OOC; Alrighty, edited :3

Jaggedpine · ThunderClan Deputy

Cliffheart looked to Hornetstar. "Just one moment please, sir," he said. He hadn't spoken to the leader in a while, and it felt a bit awkward, but he just strode off to Thunderstep. "My friend," he said to the golden tabby. "I applaud and praise you for all you have done and are about to do. Without you, our patrol never would have made it out of there alive. You will always have my favor and friendship." Cliffheart took a moment to swallow hard and take a breath. "This may be the last time I see you as just a friend and not another clan's leader with other responsibilities, so let me say that you will always be welcome in my eyes. You will be missed when you leave." Cliffheart didn't really know what to say next, and this also felt really awkward saying this in front of everyone who hadn't already left, but it had to be said. With a respectful nod, Cliffheart bounded back to Hornetstar. "I understand that this mission isn't completely over yet?" he asked politely.

Ebonycloud · WindClan Deputy

Hornetstar stood beside Bearfur and waited for Cliffheart to join them. He had watched Cliffheart's goodbye to Thunderstep, awkward as it was. He watched the chocolate colored warrior approach until he was within a good distance for them to talk privately. When he had Hornetstar stared, "I know this is going to be a sensitive subject, given what Lionclan owes all of you." He studied Bearfur's face, then Cliffheart's. He saw maturity in them beyond their years. He felt pride in their ability to stick to what they had been taught in Lionclan, yet he felt fear at what they had become after their time in Tigerclan. Their battle prowess was something to be feared, Hornetstar had seen it himself. They were battled hardened and strong, their identities now consisted of who they were as a unit. They would be tighter now then they had ever been in Lionclan, possibly making rifts amongst their clan mates. It weighed heavily on Hornetstar's heart at what he had to say now.
"Cliffheart... Bearfur... I've been thinking about what Featherheart said all that time ago. She said that the four clans needed to be reformed again," Hornetstar said slowly. "I've been thinking about it a lot lately, especially after you all left. Now that Tigerclan has split in two, Shadowclan and presumably Riverclan... I think it might be best for Lionclan to form that last two clans." The leader fell silent for a moment. He took a deep breath before he looked in to Cliffheart's eyes, "I know you all are so young, too young to have been sent on such a mission as this. You all have changed so much, I can see it in your eyes. You've done me proud and you have Lionclan's eternal thanks, but its time for the next part of your journey. I believe it was Starclan's design that you all went to infiltrate Tigerclan. Now that this war is over the four clans need to form once more. Those who were apart of your patrol are close and should never be separated. Cliffheart, I believe it is your destiny to lead them, lead your patrol as a clan." He turned his eyes to Bearfur, "You'll have a new generation of cats in no time at all." He chuckled softly to himself. Lionclan would lose to many cats with this split... Cliffheart, Bearfur, Nightfang, Wolfheart, and Darkwhisker, all of whom he had known since they were kits. "Of course your clan would be to small all by itself as you start out," he mewed, "You may have to recruit a few rogues or loners." Hornetstar looked down, "I figure that this is the best way to do what Starclan has decreed." The leader looked back up at the tom, "You may even want to appoint Bearfur as your deputy." A small laugh escaped his throat. He certainly hoped he was doing the right thing.

Jaggedpine · ThunderClan Deputy

Cliffheart didn't speak for several moments. He just sat there, contemplating wheat Hornetstar was telling them. They were to branch off and form a new clan. He was to lead them. He looked up at Bearfur. If he was to do this, of course he'd appoint the big tom as his deputy without question. But then another thought popped into his head. He had no idea how to lead a clan. It had to be harder than leading a simple patrol. Cliffheart scolded himself silently. That hadn't been just a simple patrol. As he thought more about it, he realized that he and his patrol was almost already a clan of their own. He looked up at Hornetstar. He already thought of the cats in the patrol as his cats. This all just seemed so...right. "If my patrol will join me, I agree with what you say. But if they choose not to, I cannot go. I am nothing without them." It was true. He'd become a cat of many cats, and he couldn't go back to being the lonely adventurer he had been just a few moons ago. He turned to Bearfur, then Nightfang, then the rest of the patrol. No, he wouldn't do anything without them.

Florestadream · RiverClan Warrior

Looking at Hornetstar with a reproachful stare, Bearfur thought carefully about what Hornetstar just said. They had changed - for the better or worse was yet to be seen, though all the same change is change and they had during their journey. And so, he nodded. He decided, if it came to it, he would go. "Of course I will join you, Cliffheart. You have my loyalty." He wasn't sure about this, but, if this was meant to be, then he had no use in arguing with Fate. And, of course, they had all become close to one another during the journey, showing their loyalty to one another by staying with LionClan through and through, no matter the changes they saw in each other and the fear they knew would follow them throughout the rest of their lives. Looking around him, he sighed. Pressing up against for Nightfang, he decided that, as long as she would go, he would. Turning towards Hornetstar, he smiled. "And you, Hornetstar, shall always have my loyalty, no matter what clan I am in." It was a nostalgic feeling, being told that he would have to leave the camp where his first love was buried, and where he found love, lost love, and found it once more. And not only that, but the camp where he was born and raised. Where his parents were buried. And with a smile, he knew it was meant to be. Because, sometimes, you have to let the past be.

-- Edited by Florestapaw on Sunday 23rd of October 2011 08:49:19 PM