ShardClan ~Wardens of the Forest~

// River with Splashclaw, clearing

River nodded understandingly as he listened to Splashclaw. He'd been frozen with shock once he learned that Aspenheart was killed during the storm. It felt like he'd always taken the tom for granted - even if he wasn't his real father - and now he could never get that time with him back. Aspenheart had been a rolemodel to him, and had felt more like a parent than Ashfire. Ashfire was more like a mentor to River, or at least up until he became a hunter fledgling instead of a defender. Since then their contact has been much less often and more fleeting.

The gray tom butted his head softly to his mother's side. "We'll get through it." He meowed, hoping to comfort her. His blue gaze was averted from hers; he didn't want to show her that he was distressed about the loss. He wanted to be strong for her, she already had enough to deal with. "I'm okay, don't worry about me." He meowed and mustered up a small smile, dimming the traces of sadness in his eyes.

// Snowbloom with Mudfur, clearing

Snowbloom smiled at her mate; he was right. With all the duties of an heir she'd be more in the background. At least she'd still enjoy Mudfur's undivided attention now. "Hmm, not yet. I guess I should see her soon." Her belly had been growing bigger and bigger. She'd been putting off going to Rainstalk, having an expiry date on this amazing expierence would probably dampen her mood. Besides, the act of actually having to give birth was something she had been trying not to think about. The one time she had been around a birthing queen it had been an.. usavory sight.. Not glamourous at all. That didn't fit into her perfect world.

The queen shifted on her paws, her gaze quickly sweeping the clearing before it returned to the tom in front of her. "You wanna come with me? I'll go see her now." Now was as good a time as ever, with lots of cats in the clearing her radiant pregnany glow was bound to catch the eye of her clanmates. She had to enjoy it while it still lasted.

(I’m so sorry guys I have been busy :/ I am hoping to be more active after finals are over, as for now I am going to get a post up ASAP! )

(Hey hey! I have finals this week and next week so you can expect me to still be poofy for a bit. But here I am! )

Marigoldsong with Honeyfeather and Feathertail

Marigoldsong nodded her head in agreement with Honeyfeather, it wouldn’t be much longer until they would be hunting and heading back to the camp. She couldn’t help but feel uneasy outside of camp after the disaster had hit, and with the sights of everything destroyed, it made her stomach turn. Marigoldsong listened as Paleface made orders, and went off on her way to fulfill those orders.

Sparroweye with Fernleaf at elders den

Sparroweye slightly smiled at the toms response and led the way to the elders' den. The damages weren’t as bad as the other dens since it was a den dug out of the ground beneath a stump, but many leaves and twigs had flooded the inside. The she-cat glanced over at Fernleaf, “I will get inside the den and try to push all the stuff out, just help me dig it out,” she mewed before sliding down into the den. Sparroweye began to push the dead leaves and twigs up towards Fernleaf, so the Tom could help dig it out of the den.

Splashclaw with River in camp

Splashclaw leaned down and rubbed her muzzle against Rivers muzzle, “we will be just fine, and I will always worry about you,” she reassured the young tom. Everything has been so devastating for their small family, she just had hopes that they would never face anything like this again. “How about you see if Sparroweye needs any help with the dens,” the she-cat suggested to River.

Mudfur with Snowbloom and Rainstalk in the healers den

Mudfurs face gleamed at Snowblooms suggestion, “of course,” he mewed happily and stood close to the she-cat as she stood on her feet. As they slowly made their way to the healers den many thoughts began to run through the toms mind, he would soon have kits and have many responsibilities. One of the biggest ones would be to protect them and his mate at all costs. Although he fears for not being able to protect them, especially after such a storm, the thought of it happening again lingered in his mind more often than not. Mudfurs mind cleared as they approached the healer's den, “Rainstalk?”

“Come in,” Rainstalk responded. She could easily recognize Mudfurs voice, as well as his and Snowblooms scents filling the den. Rainstalk was pleased to see them, and happy to see how well the queen looked. “Please lay here, how have you been feeling?” Rainstalk mewed and gestured towards the mossy bed she had freshly made that morning. Snowblooms belly was very large, and she was glad that she had stopped by the den.

// Blackbriar with Dapplefur, later Drifstshadow, clearing

Blackbriar couldn't help but smile at the eager young hunter that came up to her. "Thank you, I appreciate that." Even though she was fine with not being the favorite choice, it was still nice to have some support. Especially from the cats that shared the same background as herself. "Alright, I'll have to appoint the rest of the patrols." She pardonned herself from the she-cat, taking a few steps away from her. She didn't want to shout in her clanmate's ear.

The newly appointed heir let out a loud yowl to gain the attention of the cats in the clearing. "Listen up! The other patrols will be sent out now. Mudfur, Driftshadow and I will go out on border patrol towards Bridge Rocks to determine the state of our territory and hopefully catch a sign of life on the Wispclan side." She paused, her amber gaze searching for the cats she just named. Mudfur had just dissappeared into the nursery with his mate but they'd wait for him. She specifically wanted the experienced Sharclan tom to accompany them; whatever they would find - or not find - on their way to the Wispclan border should be handled with experience.

“Now, Morningstream, Appleheart and Cresentfall, you will take the other border patrol. If you spot anything out of the ordinary you will report it to Duskstar or me.

Ashfire and Fernleaf will stay to help rebuilding and guard the camp. Sparroweye, you will oversee the rebuilding of the dens. Dapplefur, Thrushleap, Sootwisker and Splashclaw, you will help with rebuilding camp until Paleface’s patrol returns. Then you can go out on another hunting patrol with the four of you.

Be careful, we don't know what the storm has awakened in the forest."

With that Blackbriar rose to her paws, dismissing the cats around her with a flick of her tail. She made her way over to Driftshadow, greeting him with a respectful nod. "We'll wait for Mudfur to be done at Rainstalk's, then we'll head out."

// River with Splashclaw, later Sparroweye, clearing

River let out a soft purr. He knew that no matter what happened, he'd always have Splashclaw to lean on. And he hoped he could offer her that same comfort. The eager fledgling nodded at his mother's suggestion. "I'll go help them." He gave his mother a last soft but comforting smile and turned around to head for the elder's den. It would be nice to do something to get his head out of the misery. Or at least to be able to shift his focus to something helpful. River dipped his head respectfully when he passed Fernleaf. "Sparroweye, can I help with something?" He called into the den.

// Snowbloom with Mudfur & Rainstalk, healers den

Snowbloom made her way through the clearing, not really caring whether other cats were in her way. She was pregnant so they had to move, obviously. Proudly she walked close to Mudfur's side. When they stood at the entrance of the healer's den the she-cat hesitated to go inside after her mate. A surge of anxiety rushed through her body. She didn't really want to know when or how... but she had to. A soft sigh escaped from her mouth and she pulled herself together again.

Slowly the queen lowered herself onto the nest Rainstalk had gestured to. "I've been great." Snowbloom replied and shot a smile at her mate. No-one would have to know motherhood scared her. She'd be as confident as always.

(The day has finally come and today is the last day of finals for me. Will be more active the next few weeks and will have a reply up late today! )

Nightshade was a sleek black cat with an air of mystery about him. He had a habit of stalking anything that moved, and his latest target was Birdwatcher, a timid white and gray cat who lived nearby.

At night, Nightshade would creep around the forest, his bright reddish eyes darting back and forth as he hunted. He was always searching for Birdwatcher, and when he spotted her, he would silently follow her. As she walked through the shadows, he would slink behind her, his tail twitching as he watched her every move.

Nightshade's stalking of Birdwatcher went on for weeks, until one night something happened that changed everything. As Birdwatcher was walking back to camp, she suddenly heard a loud meow and felt something brush against her legs. When she looked down, she saw Nightshade looking up at her with his intense green eyes. Startled, Birdwatcher didn't know what to do.

She simply fled.

After sitting in the clearing for a while, Marigoldsong approached and dropped her prey at the foot of the tree. She padded off, and Feathertail assumed she was hunting for more. Feathertail looked at Paleface expectantly, then turned to follow Marigoldsong.

CRESCENTFALL

crescentfall | 44 moons | large black-and-white tom with teal eyes.

current location: ShardClan camp, heading out on patrol - tags: Morningstream Dawnmist , Appleheart Jademist

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(I’ll have a reply ready on friday!)

// Appleheart with Morningstream and Cresentfall, heading out

Appleheart popped out of his thoughts at Morningstream's voice. He nodded at the defender, ready to head out and see for himself what the storm had done to ravage their territory. Hopefully it would be a peaceful patrol, he was never really one to look for trouble. Stretching his legs he glanced at his two clanmates. He somewhat expected Cresentfall to take the lead, being the most experienced of the patrol. Though, he didn't mind either way. "We could head towards Serpent's spine and head along the the border towards Dead Drop and Armored Branch from there." The ginger tom suggested.

// River with Sparroweye and Fernleaf, rebuilding camp

River nodded dutifully at Sparroweye and settled himself next to Fernleaf. As Sparroweye started pushing out debris again he dug it away from the den. He wasn't really looking to make conversation with either one of his clanmates, he rather kept to himself. Fernleaf seemed to be quite opiniated on the matter of the new heir though, which somewhat interested the young tom, However, he wasn't one to mingle in clan politics quickly. He would rather listen than engage in a discussion.

// Snowbloom with Mudfur and Rainstalk, healers den

Snowbloom forcefully swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat when Rainstalk mentioned that her kits would arrive within a half moon. A half moon!! That was way too fast. She wasn't done with being pregnant and she wasn't ready to be a mother yet. At Mudfur's purr she reacted with a happy purr of her own, not wanting to show how dissappointed she was at the news. At least her mate seemed to be glad about it. Maybe he did feel the special connection already?

//Marigoldsong on patrol with Feathertail, Paleface, Honeyfeather

Marigoldsong glanced over at Feathertail, “have any luck?” She asked the she-cat, curious if she had done well with her hunting. Marigoldsong herself did exceptionally well, making a few good catches that she had hid under the brush until more orders were made from Paleface.

//Morningstream with Crescentfall and Appleheart

Morningstream cleared her throat before she spoke to the two toms, “let’s head to Serpent's Spine and make our way around the border,” she mewed suggestively and began trotting towards the entrance of the camp. She glanced behind her to make sure Crescentfall and Appleheart were following, once she saw them following she focused on the path ahead of her as she led the way towards Serpent’s Spine.

//Sparroweye in camp with Fernleaf and River

Sparroweye raked up the last bit of debris with her claws and pushed the pile up towards River and Fernleaf, as they dug it out the she-cat tooo one last glance at the den and smiled. “Looks good, now we just need moss for the beds,” Sparroweye mewed before she scrambled to get out of the den. She looked at the pile of debris with a confused expression, “I guess I almost forgot about getting rid of this!” She mewed jokingly before beginning to rake it towards the entrance of camp. There was a pile that the clan had been putting all of the destroyed trees and shrubs as well as debris not too far from the camp.

//Rainstalk in healer den with Snowbloom and Mudfur

Rainstalk smiled at Snowbloom, as she could tell the surprise in the she-cats body language. “You are going to do great, just get some rest,” she mewed in an attempt to comfort the queen.

//Mudfur in healer den with Rainstalk and Snowbloom, then with Blackbrair in camp

Mudfur leaned down and nudged Snowblooms muzzle with his own, “she’s right you know, you will do great,” he mewed softly to the queen. He quickly straightened his back before speaking again, “I believe I heard Blackbrair call me for patrol, I will see you soon.” Mudfur then turned and padded out of the den towards Blackbrair, “ready when you are.”