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Post by Firebelly on Apr 21, 2020 18:22:03 GMT -5
Frostpetal shook her head. "Me either...it just spread so fast..." She groomed her chest fur to try and soothe out any lingering fear "At least our family is safe" she murmured.
Stormfury shook his head. "I...I tried Sagefoot...I got to her but she and Rainfeather were already surrounded by flames. I tried to get to them....but I couldn't." His gaze turned from Sagefoot to Sandfall and Goldheart "I tried...."
Silverspirit had been helping make sure the herb stores were sorted when she saw Stormfury come in. Pleased to see her brother, she bounded over, not noticing everyone's somber expression.
Fireblaze had padded towards Stormfury as well. She had only been an apprentice when he was banished, and hardly knew her brother. She had almost managed to forget the tom existed at all until he came barging in with half of Shadowclan. She let out a small whimper at his words. He had to be lying.
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Post by Moonblazer on Apr 21, 2020 18:37:23 GMT -5
“No...” Stonepath’s heart fell, his voice deep with pain and loss. Rainfeather was...He swallowed, his head falling as he released a shaking breath. How was he going to tell his younger siblings? He looked up at Stormfury.
“Thank you...for trying, Stormfury...”
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Post by Willow on Apr 21, 2020 19:06:12 GMT -5
Sagefoot let out a small sob, trying not to cry in front of her kits "I'm sorry Stormfury. I'm sorry you found her alone." she mewed quietly
Larkkit pressed against her mother, not really sure what was going on but sensing her mother's sadness.
Sandfall lowered his head, staring at his paws as he processed the news.
Goldfire looked at Fireblaze with alarm. The two were barely warriors and now their mother was gone.
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Post by Willow on Apr 21, 2020 19:07:19 GMT -5
Fallowmeadow raced into the camp, out of breath and covered head to tail in soot.
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Post by Foxstar26 on Apr 21, 2020 19:13:31 GMT -5
Heathersky panted softly, looking at the kits at her belly. “Thank you.” She nodded softly to the medicine cat. She looked at the kits. Oh Beetleclaw are you watching us now?
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Post by Moonblazer on Apr 21, 2020 19:14:03 GMT -5
“Fallowmeadow!” Blacktail saw the she-cat approach, his eyes flashing with concern. Where was Swiftstar? Beyond that, was she alright? The deputy padded to her, asking.
“Fallowmeadow. What happened? What is it looking like back there?”
Stonepath couldn’t bear to see Sagefoot so saddened, opting to push his misery away to press close to her.
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Post by Moonblazer on Apr 21, 2020 19:20:04 GMT -5
The tomkit squeaked out, trying to scrabble close to the warmth of Heathersky’s belly. He gently pushed at his sister, competing for the best spot.
“How lovely.” Mottledsong purred as she saw Heathersky’s kits. She wondered if Heathersky would give them names soon.
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Post by Firebelly on Apr 21, 2020 19:22:31 GMT -5
Stormfury shook his head at his sister. "I'm glad you and your family are safe" he murmured, suddenly finding it hard to keep eye contact.
Fireblaze lashed her tail angrily, refusing to look at her brother. "This is all your fault." She hissed. "You get banished from WindClan for attacking a Clanmate, turn tail and run to ShadowClan, a clan we all know you hate, and now the first time you come back here you're the only one around when Swallowfeather dies? Her death is entirely on you." With that she turned and padded away from her brother, tail lashing.
Silverspirit's eyes widened as she realized what had happened, and she let out a low wail. How could this have happened to their mother?
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Post by Willow on Apr 21, 2020 19:23:34 GMT -5
Eclipsesky nodded to the queen "I'll be back to check on you in a little bit." he mewed before padding back to his store. He glanced over to where he had seen Stormfury come back. He frowned as he saw the family close together. What was happening?
Goldfire raced after his littermate, eyes wide "Fireblaze! Where are you going?"
Sandfall watched their younger siblings go "She doesn't mean it Stormfury..."
Sagefoot shook her head "She doesn't know how much mother meant to you.. you left when they were too young."
Fallowmeadow took a moment to catch her breath before the deputy "Swiftstar went to find the remaining cats..." she mewed, "Cloverleaf was one of them... the fire is awful Blacktail most of the territory is engulfed already."
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Post by Firebelly on Apr 21, 2020 19:31:17 GMT -5
Fireblaze continued stalking away from her siblings, anger and grief coursing through her body. "I don't know. Away from that ShadowClan traitor." she hissed. "You remember how devastated Swallowfeather was when Stormfury was banished? He left, joined ShadowClan, gets to spend the rest of his life with Cloudscar, and now he's come back just in time to take our mother away from us. I'm tired of him tearing our family apart!"
Stormfury shook his head. "I deserve it....after everything I've put all of you through...I'm sorry..." He laid down, his head resting on his paws. He felt numb. Of all the cats in WindClan, his mother had always understood him...or at least she had always tried, and she had always loved him....and now... "I'm just thankful all of you are okay." he murmured."
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Post by Moonblazer on Apr 21, 2020 19:35:08 GMT -5
"Starclan…" Blacktail sighed softly, his eyes closing as he recognized the importance of her words. So long as their clanmates were still out there, he knew that Swiftstar would still be out there as well. He looked at Fallowmeadow and mewed. "Get your burns checked, and take a rest. We'll keep monitoring for any approaching warriors. I have faith in Swiftstar, to come back safely to us." He nodded.
Stonepath's eyes widened at Fireblaze's outburst, looking at Stormfury with a twinge of pity.
Meadowbrook pushed herself out of the tunnel, cursing coldly as she shook soot from her fur. Finding the right tunnel had been risky, but she had managed to come out of it with only a few burns. Her only care was for Brownleaf now, as she staggered her way up towards Highstones. She knew her mate was smart, and would figure out where to go with Alderfur, who she hoped would be alive as well. She could see Blacktail and Fallowmeadow at the mouth of the camp, and she padded firmly towards them.
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Post by Willow on Apr 21, 2020 19:40:53 GMT -5
Fallowmeadow nodded, feeling somewhat numb knowing her mate and daughter were still out in the blaze "Okay, thank you Blacktail." The she-cat padded off towards Eclipsesky to get treated.
Sagefoot turned to look at Stonepath, grief in her eyes as she looked at her mate "Your mother died with mine." she mewed softly "I hope they'll watch over us in starclan."
Sandfall shook his head slowly, "You didn't have much of a choice Stormfury, the clan was against you... You know mother loved you, she wouldn't want you to blame yourself."
Goldheart hissed as Fireblaze spoke of their father's name "Keep your voice down! You don't want the clan to know! And what was Stormfury supposed to do Fireblaze? He found her dead or close to death. Last time I checked Stormfury didn't have Starclan powers! If Stormfury didn't come with the Shadowclan cats a lot more cats than just mother could be gone."
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Post by Moonblazer on Apr 21, 2020 19:51:03 GMT -5
Blacktail nodded to the warrior, sympathy thick in his yellow eyes. His ears flicked quickly as he heard pawsteps approaching the highstones. He exhaled in relief to see another warrior approaching them.
"Meadowbrook, there you are." He looked at the tunneler with relief.
"Blacktail." She rasped, her voice heavy as she reported. "Nettlefrost is dead...Brownleaf and I went to search for her and Alderfur. I found her, but she was already gone...Is Brownleaf here? Is Alderfur?" She asked quickly, looking around.
Blacktail's heart clenched at the news, his eyes closing for a moment before he mewed. "Thank you, for reporting. Alderfur and Brownleaf are not present yet, but I have faith that they will be soon. You look burned, you need to get checked." He ordered. Meadowbrook seemed to not obediently to the deputy, though her eyes trained for a moment on the slouching shape of Stormfury. Grand, just who she wanted to see. She steeled herself, padding into the camp without a second thought.
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Post by Firebelly on Apr 21, 2020 19:55:14 GMT -5
Stormfury nodded. "I'll miss her." he admitted quietly, setting his head back down on his paws. Suddenly he found himself longing for the cool forest floor of ShadowClan, and the security that came with the shadows from the pines....but that was gone too. The fire had taken everything.
Fireblaze whirled on her brother. "And what if he didn't Goldheart? What if he attacked her and Rainheart just like he attacked Meadowbrook? Why would we believe him?
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Post by Moonblazer on Apr 21, 2020 20:01:35 GMT -5
Stonepath lifted his head, seeing Meadowbrook make her way into the camp, her fur littered with scorches and burns. Even so, it was another clanmate that had lived, and Windclan needed that kind of assurance. He did not call out to her though, not sure if she would be comfortable near Stormfury. It seemed she did not take much notice though, moving right to the back of the camp to carefully clean her pelt. Her gaze trained on the entrance, most likely waiting for Brownleaf.
Blacktail nodded his approval as Antpaw, Weaselpaw and Soarpaw seemed to file in, clumps of moss and wind blown gorse gathered in their jaws. He could see Cobblepaw hobbling along behind them, carrying his own delivery of bedding material. The deputy moved to direct the apprentices to place the bedding down in the areas that Rookpaw had cleared meticulously.
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Post by Willow on Apr 21, 2020 20:01:57 GMT -5
Sandfall nudged against his brother, the tom had missed him. "We all will Stormfury. How did Shadowclan fare in the fire. Father is alright? Your mate... Cherryvine? She's alright?" he whispered, turning away from Stonepath.
Goldheart gasped at the thought of Stormfury touching their mother, his fur rising in anger "Fireblaze! He wouldn't! Do you see how upset he is? We may not know him very much, but our mother loved him. She never believed Meadowbrook. Now you're telling me you do?"
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Post by VIXENCLAW on Apr 21, 2020 20:06:22 GMT -5
Brownleaf stumbled towards the high stones as a cough racked his body. His throat felt like it was caked with soot. He looked grimly behind him, making sure Alderfur was keeping up.
Russetpelt lowered her head sadly as she heard that Swallowfeather, her former mentor, had died.
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Post by Moonblazer on Apr 21, 2020 20:13:42 GMT -5
Blacktail turned back towards the entrance of the camp, his eyes flickering with relief once again as he recognized the next approaching warriors.
"Brownleaf! Alderfur! Thank Starclan." He moved to pace down the path, offering his support. "You look exhausted. Come, get inside the camp, we can get you looked at."
"Brownleaf!" Meadowbrook murmured in relief and delight, pulling to her sore paws as she padded quickly towards the highstones camp entrance, ready to see her mate.
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Post by Firebelly on Apr 21, 2020 20:19:21 GMT -5
Stormfury nodded, lifting his head to answer his brother. "Cloudscar and Cherryvine are both alright....she's expecting my kits you know." He said, the trace of a smile on his face. His thoughts drifted to Cloudscar...oh no Cloudscar! He was going to have to tell him about Swallowfeather. He sighed heavily.
Fireblaze scoffed. "And he was pretty upset after he attacked Meadowbrook!" she hissed "Of course Swallowfeather believed him, he's her son! But he. Attacked. A. Clanmate. What would stop him from doing it again?"
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Post by Foxstar26 on Apr 21, 2020 20:23:56 GMT -5
Breezefoot moves through the high stones camp, worry clear on his face. He couldn’t find his mate anywhere. “Has anyone seen Cheetahheart?” He asked, becoming frantic. What if she was still out there!
Heathersky nodded to Mottledsong. She looked at the kits. “Ravenkit.” She looked at the black tom. He reminded her of Beetleclaw. She turned away to look at the shekit.
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Post by Willow on Apr 21, 2020 20:24:30 GMT -5
Sandfall gave his brother a genuine smile "That's great Stormfury. I'm glad you're doing well there. Even if we miss having you here. Silverspirit, Eclipsesky and Swallowfeather took your depature the worst, but I think you already knew that... Silverspirit barely leaves the medicine cat den." he mewed glancing over at their sister.
Goldheart flattened his ears, glaring at his sister "You're saying Stormfury tore our family apart, but you know our family would never be able to be together... CLoudscar will always be in Shadowclan. You're saying Stormfury tore our family apart, but our family has been broken from the beginning." he mewed coldly.
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Post by Foxstar26 on Apr 21, 2020 20:27:12 GMT -5
Alderfur stumbled behind Brownleaf, coughing. He shook his fur, soot falling off. He looked at Brownleaf. “Thank you.” He spoke, the tom probably saving his life.
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Post by VIXENCLAW on Apr 21, 2020 20:29:20 GMT -5
Brownleaf gratefully accepted the help from Blacktail, and leaned against him as he approached the entrance.
“Meadowbrook!” His eyes lit up as he spotted his mate. “You made it! Did you find Nettlefrost?”
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Post by Moonblazer on Apr 21, 2020 20:46:34 GMT -5
"Ravenkit is an adorable name." Mottledsong purred, though her heart reached out for the other queen, who too would have to raise her kits without a father there. Tinyflower and Siltpath were warriors now, but Mottledsong had only survived by Windclan's kindness, accepting her into the clan.
Meadowbrook rushed up to Brownleaf and Alderfur, her breath wheezing a bit as she sighed. "Oh, you both are alive...I'm so glad." Her voice grew solemn then, as her ears fell. "Nettlefrost...she did not make it. I found her body, but...the fire was too close to pull her back or bury her. I...I didn't make it in time." She swallowed, allowing guilt to cloud her eyes. She could hear Breezefoot's desperate cries, and deep down she felt nothing for the tom's plight. Cheetahheart would not be coming back. Starclan themselves could not bring her back, unable to stop a fire, they were too weak to change any fate she chose. She pressed her muzzle to Brownleaf's ear then, looking away from Breezefoot's direction as she nuzzled him.
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Post by Firebelly on Apr 21, 2020 20:47:22 GMT -5
Stormfury gave a surprised look to Silverspirit "Really? You never cared about herbs as long as I've known you." He felt a spike of guilt at Eclipsesky's name. He would have to go seek out his oldest friend sooner rather than later.
Silverspirit glanced down at her paws. "Yeah....well...Eclipsesky gets lonely without you." She said, not looking her brother in the eye "someone has to keep him company."
Fireblaze hissed. "Swallowfeather and our father knew what they were getting into when they decided to break the warrior code. They forced us into a broken family, and Stormfury only made it worse by attacking a clanmate and running away. How can WindClan see any of us as loyal when Stormfury over here gets to just attack whoever he pleases, run away to our father's clan, and be forgiven?"
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Post by Willow on Apr 21, 2020 20:53:17 GMT -5
Sandfall snorted softly "Eclipsesky is attached to your tail Silverspirit. I'd think he was in love with you if he wasn't a medicine cat."
Goldheart looked back at the rest of their siblings, longing to be part of a friendlier conversation, but Fireblaze was his littermate. The tom had always felt sort of closed off from the rest of the family only relying on his sister. "No one has ever questioned our loyalty. Swiftstar would make sure of it." he mewed, trying to relax his fur. "I don't want to fight with you Fireblaze... I can't be part of anymore tears in this family." he pleaded.
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Post by Foxstar26 on Apr 21, 2020 20:59:21 GMT -5
“The she-kit will be Ashenkit.” Heathersky decoded after a few moments, looking at the two kits. How was she going to do this? She never thought herself a mother, always enjoying being a warrior.
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Post by Firebelly on Apr 21, 2020 21:02:45 GMT -5
Stormfury's eyes narrowed at Silverspirit as she refused to make eye contact with her brother. "Is that so?" he asked, his voice deep and rumbling. Perhaps he should talk to Eclipsesky sooner rather than later. Silverspirit finally looked up, realized everyone was looking at her, and gave her chest a few embarassed licks. "Well he is a medicine cat, and he has plenty of things to dorather than just follow me around Sandfall."
Anger still surged under Fireblaze's pelt, but she wiped it from her face for her brother's sake. Goldheart needed her now more than ever. With Swallowfeather gone, she felt like he was the only family she had left. She padded closer to him and leaned against him.
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Post by Willow on Apr 21, 2020 21:08:23 GMT -5
Sandfall narrowed his eyes at his sister before shaking his head, he had worse things to worry about that Silverspirit and Eclipsesky.
Eclipsesky was back at his cave, sorting the herbs that the warriors had set down.
Goldheart let out a breath as Fireblaze settled down beside him. "You can be angry at him all you want. I can't stop you, but you and I... we're separate from them somehow. I know we're younger, but we didn't get to see father as much as they did... and mother raised us more on her own. You're all I got Fireblaze."
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Post by Moonblazer on Apr 21, 2020 21:09:14 GMT -5
“The she-kit will be Ashenkit.” Heathersky decoded after a few moments, looking at the two kits. How was she going to do this? She never thought herself a mother, always enjoying being a warrior. "Ravenkit, and Ashenkit. Those are wonderful names." Mottledsong purred, congratulating the new queen with a wave of her tail. "They'll be cared for well. The other queens are always attentive of new kits, and I'm here as well, always ready to help if you need me. It's what I do best!" The former loner exclaimed, before she nodded. "I'll give you room to rest." |
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