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Post by Hawkstar on Jul 14, 2010 11:38:24 GMT -5
Hawkstar blinked as he padded slowly through the forested area that surrounded Fourtrees, his tail flicking as he was left with his thought and his thought alone. Around him the trees rustled slightly in the summer breeze, and the early morning’s light was flooding through the canopy above his head. His ice blue gaze flicked left and right as he walked, not out of nervousness, but out of necessity. StarClan had recently chosen to send his new medicine cat, Brittlebreeze, an ominous warning: a threat was looming in tomorrow’s skies, one that threatened all of the Clans, and its source lied within ShadowClan. The Bengal tom forced himself not to grind his fangs at the thought, instead focusing on maintaining a clear mind and an even stronger heart. He would need to remain balanced if he was to get through this, despite the danger that was lying in wait seemingly around every corner.
He knew that if he was not careful, he could easily meet the same fate as his predecessor, Icestar. The silver warrior had been attacked by a band of rogues in the marsh, and despite the several lives she had left, she had perished. Hawkstar blinked away the memory, but it was replaced by a new one--the face of an entirely black cat, his yellow eyes staring out at him from the depths of his conscience. Shriek. The name was a growl inside the ShadowClan leader’s head. The malicious tom had dealt the final blow to his beloved leader, a single, powerful bite to her throat that not even StarClan could mend. Since the attack, Shriek had long since disappeared.
Hawkstar hoped he was dead, rotting somewhere. If not, he’d kill that rat himself.
The ShadowClan leader paused when he crossed the path that WindClan used to get to Fourtrees. Turning down it, Hawkstar followed the well worn trail as if snaked down the hill, zigzagging to avoid rocks and fallen trees. The Bengal warrior needed to find a place in which to think, and the silent, lazily misted forest of Fourtrees seemed like the place to do it. Nightfrost was in charge of the camp while he was away, and she knew where he had gone. All of them needed to be careful, especially after what StarClan had warned them about.
A few more heartbeats passed before Hawkstar was plunged into the hollow, now empty. The lack of felines was unsettling, yet the tom was also grateful for the solitude. He needed a nice spot to sit and ponder, and this was the place to do it.
Hawkstar came to a stop at the center of the hollow, paused for a moment, and then sat. Curling his long tail around his paws, ShadowClan’s leader stared calmly into the mist, barely blinking his blue eyes as he sat like a sentinel among the leaves. Sometimes he thought he glimpsed things in the mist—a face, a location, movement; but most of the time, he saw nothing. Only the void would greet him here, it seemed. Was his Clan’s future, all of the Clans’ futures, so uncertain?
I hope not, Hawkstar thought grimly, continuing to stare into the nothingness that surrounded him. I will not allow it.
[/color][/font]
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Post by C!NDERDUST on Jul 14, 2010 12:00:44 GMT -5
How unpredictable life was. Or maybe it really was predictable, and she was just bad at predicting it. Or maybe it was the other way around. or maybe something completely different. There was almost nothing that she couldn't figure out, and yet he had her stumped. She had always been his best friend, ever since they were littermates, and yet now it was different. He was the Clan leader, she was the medicine cat. Both were unable to confess their feelings for one another, and yet was it not obvious that there was something going on there? Any cat could see that.
The wind pricked her ears and made her green eyes water. Cinderdust felt her paws skimming the dewy grass lightly as she wandered, searching for herbs. That was her excuse. After Caramelpaw had headed back to her usual den, Cinderdust was alone in the cool, shady medicine cat's den, and she didn't really like it. Not that she didn't like being a medicine cat. Just that she was lonely.
Her paws led her to Fourtrees, where the cats would gather and share news every so often. She stared up at the canopy of leaves above, contasting agains the blue sky, so bright and lovely. The trunks of the four monstrous trees formed a square around the large stone in the center of the clearing. Cinderdust's eyes rested on its smooth, worn surface. Soon, Stripestar would be standing there, along with the other leaders. A memory crossed her mind of a tiny, faded orange tom, his spring green eyes teasing her as they played together in the nursery. Now, staring at that stone, that kit seemed a lifetime away. Maybe he was.
Cinderdust wandered down to the clearing, settling down just on the outskirts. There was no conflict here, but meeting an annoyed cat from another Clan would not be good for her. She didn't quite like fighting.
After a few long. still moments, Cinderdust made out a face through the mist, one that she recognized. She couldn't be sure who it was, but she knew that she knew the cat it belonged to. maybe a friend, maybe an enemy. She couldn't tell. Narrowing her emerald gaze, the gray medicine cat waited silently and patiently, simply gazing through the swirling tendrils that surrounded the cat.
Hello.
Tags: Hawk Charrie: Cinderdust Words: four thirty five Other: 4f3568
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Post by Hawkstar on Jul 14, 2010 12:57:09 GMT -5
He hated thinking about battles in prognostication.
He’d rather be thrust into them head on, clawing and biting his enemies in order to protect his Clan, his family… but this? To know that their lives were all in danger and there was little he could do to prevent it? He loathed it. Suddenly lashing his tail, ShadowClan’s leader sank his long claws into the moist soil, imagining it was his enemy’s flesh he was tearing into. “Thistles and thorns!” he suddenly snapped. “Is there nothing I can do to stop this?” His voice was a near silent hiss, odd coming from his large body. He felt strangely childish, lost in the dark with nowhere to run, or even to hide. Part of him hated warnings, there was too much time to brood over what could happen, but he knew that was foolish. He would work with his deputy and his medicine cat to solve the issues that left the prophecy shrouded in mystery, and then focus their attention on the combative aspect of things. He needed to establish priorities. Order. Not only with this threat but within himself.
I can’t get frustrated over this. That’s what they would want...
Letting out a long sigh, Hawkstar took his eyes away from the surrounding mist and peered around him. Though the mist blocked mostly everything, he could still make out the distinctive shape of the GreatRock and the four massive oaks, towering over him like watchful guardians. He blinked as he stared, once again awestruck by their size and what must be their overwhelming age. He wondered when they had been merely seedlings, giving shade to only insects on the forest floor.
When the scent hit his nose, he froze, not moving. It took him a moment, but Hawkstar soon identified it as WindClan, allowing him to relax slightly through the tension that had seized his muscles with the tenacity of fox teeth. He didn’t turn his head, instead tracking the faint sound with his ears as the cat, for it must be a feline, moved in a near silent manner through the mist. Hawkstar knew they had noticed his presence; their stealth and caution told him that much. But who were they? He didn’t know the individual’s scent. Forcing himself to relax, Hawkstar suddenly realized that the shape had stopped. For a moment he didn’t move either, but, sensing the figure watching him, Hawkstar slowly got to his paws and began to blatantly walk toward it.
He was greeted by the steadily elucidating form of a she-cat; her fur was gray as ash and her eyes, green as grass. They reminded him of his daughter’s eyes, Ravenpelt’s. Drawing in a long breath, Hawkstar once again checked that her scent was WindClan. It was. Despite this, he hung back, keeping himself half shrouded in the mist that encased them both.
“Greetings,” he mewed in his deep voice, looking at the newcomer with curious blue eyes. [/color]
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Post by C!NDERDUST on Jul 14, 2010 13:20:44 GMT -5
Her gaze was not suspicious, nor hostile. It was not angry or frightened. It was mere curiosty, plain wonder. She didn't want anything from this cat other than a conversation. Or not. Either way, she was just there in passing. She wasn't trying to start a fight or get into trouble. She wasn't like that.
The cat moved towards her, and Cinderdust's eyes flicked to the cat's face. Golden fur was shrouded in shadow, and icy blue eyes made her heartbeat still. It was Hawkstar, from the wooden forest of ThunderClan. Oak scent hung from his dappled pelt, which Cinderdust could scent despite the mist that still separated them. She had seen him before, at Gatherings, occasionally passing through, and the like. He was a handsome tom, and he had an aura of command. He expected to be obeyed, but not in an arrogant manner. He was just a leader.
He stopped a few tailengths away from her, eyes searching her green ones. They sat there for a moment, simply studying each other. A smile crept onto her face, although she fought it back. His voice was deep, gravelly, as he spoke. "greetings."
Cinderdust blinked in response, the smile breaking and clearing the mist like sunshine. "why so formal? i know who you are." It was not sarcastic, or snippy. She was just asking. Cinderdust wondered if he knew her name, or just her face. Had Brittlebreeze told him about the medicine cat meeting? About the strange, ominious feeling that hung above each medicine cat? Or had he just left her out?
She exhaled, her mind clearing. Why was she worrying? Right now, everything was fine. There were times when she worried about her Clan, and the others, and the cats, and the future, but they were rare in coming, and she was good at handling them. They had just had a wonderful ceremony, and there were plently of new apprentices. Hunting was good, and fights were few. So what was there to worry about?
Plenty.
Tags: Hawk Charrie: Cinderdust Words: four sixteen Other: 4f3568
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Post by Hawkstar on Jul 14, 2010 13:48:21 GMT -5
He felt as if he knew this cat, but no matter how hard he tried, he could not put a name to her face. Had he seen her at Gatherings, her gray pelt weaved in among the rest?
She was clearly from WindClan, her scent told him that, but her identity was as clouded to him as the mist that enveloped them both. Her absolute poise and control despite his unexpected presence calmed him even further than he was, and from the deepest corners of his mind he caught the vague whiff of a feeling that she was a medicine cat. Leaders always knew; a heightened sense of intuition and foresight seemed like it had been bestowed upon him when he received his nine lives at HightStones. As he continued to stare at her curiously, he suddenly remembered. Yes… Brittlebreeze had mentioned something after the meeting... This must be Cinderdust, WindClan’s new medicine cat.
The thought was immediately followed by the image of Windpelt, the medicine cat before Cinderdust. He wondered if she had died, or simply retired. He hoped for the latter. He had yet to meet a medicine cat that he despised. Not that there are many to pick from. Only four presided in the forest, one from each Clan-- Reedmist of ThunderClan, Stormpelt of RiverClan, Cinderdust of WindClan, and Brittlebreeze, his own medicine cat. ShadowClan’s healer and protector through herb and knowledge. The thought of the calico tom, with his sharp blue eyes and gentle ways, was reassuring in times such as this.
He blinked slowly when the she-cat, Cinderdust, suddenly smiled, her face utterly serene and calm. “Why so formal?” she suddenly asked, her voice smooth and feminine. “I know who you are.”
A moment passed before Hawkstar smiled in return. His smiles were never big, only a tiny quirking of the mouth that conveyed volumes of friendliness and compassion. Getting to his paws, the large tom strode towards the she-cat on silent paws, tail raised high with the tip flicking. He blinked at her warmly. “I’m sure you do,” he replied evenly. “But hardly personally. Besides, it’s only the proper way for a leader to greet a medicine cat…” His smile widened ever so slightly. “Cinderdust.” The ShadowClan leader came to a slow stop about two tail lengths away from her before sitting down, once again curling his tail around his large paws. He said nothing after that, instead staring contentedly outwards, back into the swirling mist. It wasn’t everyday that ShadowClan’s leader and WindClan’s medicine cat ran into one another outside of their territories, so he might as well make the most of it.
Besides, their Clans were on good terms, unlike the relationship between ShadowClan and ThunderClan. The thought of the incident at ThunderPath made his blue eyes darken slightly, but he made no indication that his feelings had been jarred. Instead he sat quietly next to Cinderdust, easily half his size, and drank in the sights and sounds of the forest.
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Post by C!NDERDUST on Jul 14, 2010 17:07:18 GMT -5
The bengal tom studied her, and Cinderdust blinked slowly. Oh how familiar he seemed, and yet she had never met him. But she had heard stories of the four leaders of the forest, when she was an eager apprentice. How long ago those times were.
His gaze was curious, a silent question clearly playing in his mind. She answered just as silently, her eyes warm and happy. Windpelt was well. She was healthy and retired now, in the elder's den. Cinderdust routinely visited her, and they spent hours talking to one another. She was one cat that Cinderdust could trust, simply because she knew her so well. And because she had been a medicine cat, too.
Hawkstar's eyes flickered, and a slight smile twitched at the corner of his mouth, not quite succeeding at becoming a full smile. Yet it was a start, and Cinderdust was glad he was happy to see her. He spoke again, sending shivers down her spine with his deep voice.
"i'm sure you do," he meowed, and Cinderdust supressed a remark, a bit surprised by the implication. But he was a leader, to be respected, and he could almost be positive that every cat in the forest knew his name. So she was silent.
"besides, it’s only the proper way for a leader to greet a medicine cat … " Was there a proper way? Was there some code that Cinderdust had yet to learn? And even if she did, would she ever abide by it?
Knowing her, probably not.
Hawkstar moved forward comfortably, and Cinderdust remained silent as he settled himself a nice distance away, wrapping his long tail around his paws and sighing gently. Cinderdust's eyes searched the swirling mist, the gray scenery, before she glanced sideways at him. He was sitting proud and erect, his gaze strong and confident. And yet there was a glimmer of fear, confusion, that lurked there, deep beneath the brave and loyal exterior. He knew something was wrong.
"when i was little, my mother told me that things always have to get worse before they get better." She kept her head forward, not daring herself to look at him. Her claws dug into the ground as she dared herself to say the next few words. "things are going to get worse." Her voice was quiet, a bit shaky, although she knew that she had to tell someone. She hadn't exactly spilled everything to Stripestar yet, but that was alright. This was bigger than each one of the Clans. Everyone would have to come together to fight this threat that was growing, growing, gaining strength. Who knew how far it had already gone?
"but they'll get better," Cinderdust added softly. "they always do." The gray queen turned to look at Hawkstar now, her green eyes glinting in the shadowed sunlight.
they have to.
Tags: Hawk Charrie: Cinderdust Words: five seventy seven Other: 4f3568
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Post by Hawkstar on Jul 14, 2010 17:39:17 GMT -5
Hawkstar could feel the younger cat’s eyes on him even as he was staring away from her, barely blinking as he allowed the mist to not only consume his vision but his thoughts. Meditating in a way, but at the same time keeping a lookout with his ears, flicking about at the top of his skull. The tom always felt a small prickle that raced lightly up and down his spine when he felt that someone was watching him, and he had that now with Cinderdust.
It never made him uncomfortable, he was simply aware. He shifted slightly as he sat, moving his haunches a bit to get more comfortable. He had the vague feeling that he was going to be there at Fourtrees for quite a while, despite the duties that tied him back to ShadowClan camp. He would hunt on the way back, patrol…
He forced that thought out of his head, but did not dismiss it completely. He refused to think of all that now, especially when he was trying to focus on everything around him with an open mind and an equally open heart. Hawkstar nearly sighed again, but held it down. No need to look like an annoyed elder in front of WindClan’s medicine cat.
The prickling along his spine vanished, replaced instead by the sound of Cinderdust’s voice.
“When I was little,” she began thoughtfully, and Hawkstar turned to watch her as she spoke. “My mother told me that things always have to get worse before they get better.” A slight movement by her feet caught his eye, and, averting his gaze downward, Hawkstar watched with concern when her sharp claws sank into the soil; it was a mirror image of what he had done earlier, out of a sense of growing frustration and despair. A small thought flickered like a tiny flame in his head. Does she know…? Her next words, tight with conviction and a bit shaky with anxiety, answered his question.
“Things are going to get worse.”
I know, Hawkstar wanted to say, but instead he held back. He was talking to a cat from another Clan; no matter how comfortable they were, the warrior inside him wanted to know how far WindClan was in with this threat.
“But they’ll get better,” the gray she-cat mewed softly. “They always do.”
Hawkstar remained silent for an entire minute before replying, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Not always,” he ground out tiredly. “But you can always fight for it.” Taking a deep breath, Hawkstar continued, this time turning his gaze to look at the smaller cat at his side.
“How much do you know?”
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Post by C!NDERDUST on Jul 14, 2010 19:04:46 GMT -5
Hawkstar watched her as she spoke, and Cinderdust felt her skin growing hot under her gray pelt. She wasn't usually uncomfortable around other cats, not even those from other Clans, but something was off here. He knew about this threat, about what was going on, and she wondered how much he knew.
"not always," he meowed finally, looking at her. Cinderdust blinked at him, a bit confused. How could he believe that? That there were no happy endings? That things could never get better, that life would never be sunnier? That this would be the end?
"but you can always fight for it." His gaze was weary as he looked at her, and Cinderdust felt momentarily guilty for keeping him there. He probably had a Clan to take care of. Why had she even approached him in the first place?
Wait, he had approached her.
"how much do you know?"
She sighed, her gaze now on her small paws. "i'm not sure," she meowed finally, eyes closing. "i know something's coming, that we all will have to deal with together, but ..." her voice trailed off uncertainly. How much could she tell the ShadowClan leader? She wasn't one to discriminate between the Clans, but something told her that Brittlebreeze had already told Hawkstar enough. After all, he was good at receiving signs from StarClan, despite the fact that he was a new medicine cat.
Cinderdust shifted, unsure if she should excuse herself or if she should stay there with Hawkstar in the clearing. The sun was shining down on her head, making her skin feel hot beneath the fur, and her eyes were still downcast. She was feeling more tense now that they were discussing the prophecy. Sighing inwardly, Cinderdust raised her face to the sky, taking in the summer heat, trying to ignore the thoughts whirling through her mind.
Tags: Hawk Charrie: Cinderdust Words: four ten Other: 4f3568
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Post by stripebird on Jul 15, 2010 8:04:30 GMT -5
It was not knowing that bothered him most. The Medicine cats scent carried him over WindClans border, and he moved through the undergrowth with alert, and a certain swiftness. Where was Cinderdust going? Though it wasn't his place to question her location at all times, he felt the stirrings of concern somewhere shallow in his chest, that made him fear for her, in an event that she could be in serious danger. She was no warrior and Stripestar believed sincerely, like needles in his chest, if she were attacked by a warrior, she would not be able to fight herself to freedom. A slight fog had risen about RiverClans territory, and it made the grass wet with dew, and the sky gray, like a hurricane had just bellowed through. He felt like it was foreshadowing something. What sign was he missing? What secret had he failed to learn of?
Fourtrees lay grouped together still in the distance, it's mass of trees tickling the atmosphere with branches twisted and gnarled like the limbs of witches. Shrouded and masked, the leaves clung madly to the stems in the wood... the gray she-cats smell was stronger here, more recent. Fresh. Stripestar figured based on the evidence that she was in Fourtrees, for whatever reason he could not fathom yet. He pondered for a moment that he should return back to camp, and wait for her arrival before confronting her... but if he didn't catch her in the act or whatever she was doing, she could deny it and there would be no proof of her actions... Then again, this was Cinderdust he was talking about. The WindClan Medicine cat, who had his utmost trust and respect, and love. Yes, love too. What scared him was that he had no idea what to expect.
The WindClan tom stood there in bewilderment for a long time, his faded tabby coat moist now from the air that had embraced him openly as he weaved through it sinuously. There was another scent in the air, but it was unfamiliar to the peak of his own senses, only noticeable on the low end. It did not, however, bypass his suspicions. Was Cinderdust meeting someone here? Was she seeing someone? Without even really knowing, disappointment and hurt gripped his heart with icy talons. He didn't think that were true, or that she would do that. She was loyal to the Clan, and the code. He knew she was, he was sure of it. Hesitantly, he moved forward like a silent stalking shadow, his pawsteps were ghostly as he avoided leaves and twigs on the barren, morning ground. He approached unheard; both eyes narrowed sharply, and his jaw set into a scowl. From his hiding, he could see Cinderdust, surprisingly. He had been right, she had come here last of her traveling, and still, not knowing why, he could only assume it were for some... peaceful, harmless purpose. More darkly, he noted a large Bengal tom just opposite of her.
And he wasn't stupid, that was Hawkstar.
Both cats looked on edge, so it was accurate to finally conclude that this was not a presupposed meeting, but a meeting of fate. Fate had carried both of them here, and now him. Life was full of pleasant surprises. Ears c.ocking forward, he strained to listen to the bits and pieces of the strained conversation exchanging between the two.
How much do you know? The ShadowClan tom asked carefully, I'm not sure, I know something's coming, that we all will have to deal with together, but ... He knew Cinderdust, and he knew her well enough to know that she was playing him. "Yes," A single word uttered first in mock question, "I'm wondering the same thing." His voice was disappointed, for Cinderdust, having not told him sooner what was going on. It was easy to guess that she had been sent a sign from StarClan, but had failed to notify him. As Clan leader, it was fair that he know the truth. That the Clans were in danger, right? He figured as much.
And he bet everyone knew but him.
Ruggedly, much like suave, the tall, lean figure of the WindClan leader glided out from the safe cover, his moonstones glinting with anger. It was an anger that came from his worry, from war. Whatever lie in the distance, he had to know what it was, because it had to be stopped. It must be stopped. If StarClan had sent Cinderdust a dream, it was only their will that the Clans stop this evil before it completely overtook them. He glanced simply at Hawkstar, before to the gray she-cat.
"I'll demand an explanation later... Greetings, Hawkstar." He dipped his head, but it was an equal altercation.
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Post by C!NDERDUST on Jul 15, 2010 9:04:40 GMT -5
The familiar scent behind her made Cinderdust jump. She hadn't expected to be followed. Turning over one shoulder, her green gaze landed on Stripestar's faded pelt, his gaze hard on hers. She looked right back at him, wondering what had happened.
"yes, i was wondering the same thing,"
[/color] he meowed coldly, and Cinderdust was struck with anger. He was disappointed in her, she could tell, but she couldn't quite understand why. Surely StarClan had told him when he recieved his nine lives? It wasn't customary for them to leave something like this out in the open. You were busy! she wanted to cry. You were dealing with the ceremony and your nine lives and being a leader, for StarClan's sake! She hadn't even fully interpreted the dream, and here he was acting like she had purposely kept it from him. It was like she didn't even know this tom. "i'll demand an explanation later,"[/color] Stripestar meowed, looking at Cinderdust for a moment before turning to Hawkstar, as though he hadn't just completely embarrassed Cinderdust in front of another Clan leader. She glared at him, her emerald gaze cutting through the misty shadows. "and i'll think about giving you one," The gray medicine cat was struggling to keep her heart from breaking out of her chest. It was rare that she got angry like this, but when she did, she got really angry. Cinderdust bit her lip, tasting blood, and composed herself. She glanced up at the stars, just starting to twinkle between the trees. Happy now, StarClan?The tabby tom paid no attention to her, choosing instead to speak to Hawkstar. Cinderdust looked at the bengal tom, her eyes apologizing for this, for all of this. "is there a proper way for a medicine cat to excuse herself?" she asked, her voice irritatingly polite. She got to her feet and passed the two toms, ignoring Stripestar and smiling sadly at Hawkstar, tapping him gently on the shoulder with her tail as she moved by, almost as an apology. This wouldn't even have happened if Stripestar hadn't come along. She made her way to the edge of the clearing and disappeared without another word. Only when she was outside the clearing did she allow her heart to break. She felt empty, as though she had failed her Clan. How could she ever look at Stripestar, or Hawkstar, again? Maybe she would just stay outside tonight. There were no cats in her den that needed to be healed at the moment, so it wasn't like she was tied down. She could be - looking for herbs. Whatever. i'm so sorry.Tags: Hawk Charrie: Cinderdust Words: five sixty eight Other: ouch. o.o it's hard to tell him about the prophecy when the medicine cat's haven't even received them yet.. [/center][/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote][/size][/font][/size][/font][/size][/font][/size][/font][/size][/font][/size][/font][/size][/font]
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Post by Hawkstar on Jul 15, 2010 19:01:10 GMT -5
Hawkstar watched, eyes clouding with sympathy, as the small queen beside him emitted a soft sigh. Her sharp green eyes went to her paws when she spoke, reminding the tom of a kit who had been caught trying to sneak out of camp. He knew the look well enough; he’d had it on his own face plenty of times. The memory of his former home, with its peaks and ridges and frigid air, momentarily sent a thrill through his powerful body. For a moment, he felt as if he could leap and touch the sky, run and beat the wind… I need to feel this when the storm hits, he realized with a small blink, the feeling slowly ebbing from his paws like water sinking into loose soil. Giving himself a minute shake, the leader focused on Cinderdust once more.
“I’m not sure,” she said quietly, closing her eyes. The green orbs vanished. “I know something’s coming, that we all will have to deal with it together, but…” She trailed off, and Hawkstar could feel her uncertainty; an echo of his own misgivings. He felt a little suspicious of her words as well, but despite this Hawkstar’s eyes softened at the momentary sight of insecurity; after all, she was new to this. He remembered his first months as a leader: the strange dreams, strong intuitions, odd visions in broad daylight. He flicked his ears, banished the thoughts away. He was straying again.
The ShadowClan leader opened his mouth to speak, but someone beat him to it. Beside him, Cinderdust jumped, turning her head around quickly to stare. She had obviously caught a scent that he had failed to notice.
“Yes…” a voice, smooth as ice and hard as stone, snaked its way out of the surrounding brush. “I was wondering the same thing…” Hawkstar immediately stood, the action one fluid motion, ears pricked, turned. His muscles tensed, fully prepared for a confrontation. He shot a quick look at Cinderdust, but she was only staring hard into the mist.
Stepping forth from the shrouds was a lean, golden tabby with bright green eyes, and he didn’t look pleased. His mouth was set into a hard line, and his optics glittered. Hawkstar’s heart plummeted, knowing what this cat’s presence would mean to Cinderdust. The tom was Stripebird, or Stripestar, now. Hawkstar had seen the seasoned warrior at Gatherings before, but never as a leader. According to Brittlebreeze, Stripestar had become WindClan’s new leader not long before. Immediately, the Bengal tom wondered what had happened to Bluestar.
His mind soon returned to the situation at hand. Cinderdust didn’t tell Stripestar about the prophecy? The warrior opted to keep his surprise to himself. He was not one of their Clan mates; he didn’t know what WindClan was like.
The WindClan leader stalked right up to them, briefly glanced at the large, Bengal tom looming beside his medicine cat, then turned to the gray queen herself. “I’ll demand an explanation later…” he said slowly, staring at Cinderdust with eyes that were as green and intense as her own. Then he turned to the ShadowClan leader. “Greetings, Hawkstar,” he mewed, dipping his head—a greeting from one leader to another. Hawkstar did the same, saying nothing, his eyes never left Cinderdust.
The medicine cat was furious, he could tell. It was coming from her in angry waves, like the tide of a vengeful ocean. She was literally glaring at her Clan leader, and Hawkstar understood why. Stripestar had laid bare an almost personal problem of theirs down at Hawkstar’s paws; and not only was he from a different Clan – ShadowClan – but he was its leader.
Feeling awkward in his own fur, Hawkstar could only watch as Cinderdust spoke, her voice carrying the cutting edge of a knife. “And I’ll think about giving you one,” she said calmly, causing Hawkstar to blink in surprise. Thistles and thorns… he thought. What I’d give to be in my den right now…
Hawkstar continued to do nothing, but breathed deeply when Cinderdust turned to him. Would she lash out at him to try and assert that she had told a rival Clan’s leader absolutely nothing? Which she hadn’t. Instead Cinderdust only looked at him, her emerald eyes apologetic. “Is there a proper way for a medicine cat to excuse herself?” she asked politely, but Hawkstar could still see the fire in her eyes. He dared not look at Stripestar, lest the situation only grow worse.
“Only if she has the will to be formal,” Hawkstar replied, playing off her earlier words when she had lightly chastised him for being “so formal.” He then smiled in his little way again. “But no cat can argue if she decides to leave on a lighter note.” He cast a swift glance at Stripestar before looking at the gray queen again. She was walking towards him now, and when she was close enough for only them to hear he mewed a quiet, “It will pass.” A Clan leader couldn’t be mad at his medicine cat forever. They were a team. The two would come to a settlement when they both understood each other enough to accept the occasional stumble.
The she-cat tapped him lightly on the shoulder as she moved by him, a final, silent farewell, before walking across the clearing and disappearing into the mist, like a wraith into the shadows. Hawkstar watched her go, wondering what more might have been said had Stripestar not shown up. He then turned, looking at the WindClan leader himself.
But Hawkstar decided he’d speak first this time, and he also decided that he would be direct. He couldn’t help but feel a little defensive of Cinderdust. The medicine cat had told him nothing, and surely she had her own reasons for keeping the prophecy from him…?
“StarClan told you nothing at your ceremony?” Hawkstar asked, fixing his ice blue gaze on the other leader. He then sat down, cool as ever. “I gather it wasn’t held too long ago.”
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Post by stripebird on Jul 18, 2010 20:19:38 GMT -5
Stripestar's confrontation had left the gray she-cat perhaps livid with rage; he knew her well enough to know when she felt betrayed, growing up together had taught him that. He understood how she felt more so from first-hand experienced, because he was still standing (though lucratively concealed) with sheer disbelief as to what he overheard. “And I’ll think about giving you one.” She muttered coldly, blocking herself off from him entirely. He could sense the frustration rolling off of her, and he wasn’t ashamed to let his fur prickle uncomfortably. If there was any logical explanation that she could give him, anything she could say in her own defense, he wouldn’t be surprised to say the least... He didn’t doubt her loyalty, and he most certainly didn’t believe that she’d arranged to come here to meet Hawkstar ahead of time, either; it just didn’t make any sense to him what they were talking about, or why she’d come this far from WindClan to begin with. Gathering herbs? But the meadow usually supplied WindClan with everything they needed… and whatever else, was graciously given from other Medicine cats.
He didn't like feeling like the enemy now, but he had to put the Clan into consideration. If Cinderdust had been given a warning, how long did she think WindClan would have before it all ended up in vain? If she couldn't figure it out, what ever made her think that Stripestar's help would hinder the rate of success? He felt mostly hurt because he had the impression she didn't trust him enough. She was so stubborn... He cursed silently to himself. Maybe he should have just kept his nose out of places it didn't belong... Wrencall had always told him not to "snoop behind a thorn bush, you'll get yourself pricked." He supposed now that the saying had been put to good use. His mother had been wise indeed, and he envied her insight. There were times like this that he valued it more than ever, lest she be here still, and not wallowing about in the clouds. Brilliant spring green eyes watched the gray queen slide away, tenderly tapping the Bengals shoulder with the tip of her delicate tail. He'd had enough eavesdropping for the moon and decided to ignore whatever words they exchanged now, it was clear that she was leaving and he didn't wish to upset her further.
But when she did actually leave, her tail the last thing he saw as she leaped into the lush undergrowth and brush surrounding them, he felt her presence and his comfort go with her. The forest was still quiet, still sleeping in a way, and every snapping twig, every crunching leaf made his spine tickle nervously, even though the fog was beginning to clear. His lean form moved fluidly with his pale ginger coat as he shifted to a different position; with veiled eyes he watched Hawkstar intently. The ShadowClan tom sat down, and if he was completely OK with a WindClan leaders presence, just inches away, close enough to attack him without a seconds notice, then he was either very sure of himself, or the tabby didn't pose much of a threat. Stripestar was suspicious of mostly RiverClan cats, but he didn't know Hawkstar personally, and he couldn't say that he felt safe alone with the bengal warrior, especially being so far from WindClan territory, in a place where, if seriously injured, he would lie there until some empty soul wandered by and found him. That terrified him; but he knew himself better than anyone, and there was no way he would be taken down without first giving the enemy a wound to remember just as equally.
"StarClan told you nothing at your ceremony?" Hawkstar asked, seemingly innocent. "I gather it wasn’t held too long ago."
Well... Jade moonstones flickered to the Bengals feet for a moment, contemplating his reply before they returned to match the icy blue once again. There's not much he could say about his Leader ceremony, because it hadn't been comprised of very much... Whatever Cinderdust and him had been talking about, it was something Stripestar had no knowledge of, and it was very important that he get the facts straight. Before, well, it was too late... and all in vain.
"No to the question, and no to the statement," he meowed blankly, blinking. "I understand that I exposed something private to you, and I'll warn you before anything, of all things, I am not war hungry, but if you use this against WindClan in any way, you and your Clan will pay dearly." It was a short but earnest warning, not a threat, but a warning to Hawkstar. He didn't want anymore bloodshed. He'd seen enough of it to darken his dreams and scar his memories forever. After that was said, his ears perked and he gave him a small smile, the corner of his mouth curled upwards for a heartbeat, before his maw dulled once more at his following intonations. "Bluestar didn't leave me with any great words of wisdom, and I feel so misguided... what did you feel when Icestar left you?" The shroud of caution through the minutes ebbed away, only to reveal the virtue that lay within the lithe warriors olive depths.
Though, the best teacher was experience, he was generally curious about what Hawkstar had thought or felt... having no ill intentions, he c.ocked his head sideways ever so slightly.
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Post by Hawkstar on Jul 18, 2010 23:31:54 GMT -5
Hawkstar flicked his ears as he watched the WindClan leader readjust his position, facing towards him now that Cinderdust had chosen to vanish; her grey fur melting into the mist as if it belonged there to begin with. For a quick moment the Bengal tom glanced back to the place where she had disappeared, half expecting her to be spying on them the same way her leader had on them. Odd, he pondered, fur prickling. A Clan’s medicine cat and leader, gone at the same time. Even this thought brought on its own question: Who was WindClan’s new deputy? He pictured some of the older warriors, Cinderwing, Greencloud… but for all of his nine lives he could not think of which one Stripestar would choose to be his successor the day he went to join the ranks of StarClan. WindClan had many worthy warriors, he would admit that any day, but since he was not among them, he could not choose. My heart and mind lie with ShadowClan, truly. The thought both strengthened and contented the Bengal tom.
Turning his head back to face Stripestar, Hawkstar found the WindClan cat staring at his paws. The sight was almost amusing to the ShadowClan leader, reminding him of one of his apprentices staring at the ground while they contemplated a particularly tricky question; that the Bengal warrior was known for. He always enjoyed challenging the young cats of his Clan, forcing them to be the best cats they could be. As Stripestar continued to gaze thoughtfully at the ShadowClan leader’s paws, Hawkstar formulated another question in his mind. Just how old was Stripestar?
Then the ginger tom turned his eyes towards Hawkstar’s; emerald meeting sapphire, in a way. The Bengal tom returned the gaze coolly, waiting with utmost patience until the WindClan leader finally mewed a reply. “No to the question, and no to the statement,” the striped warrior answered, in turn surprising Hawkstar. StarClan had literally told him nothing? His tail twitched. Then again, I would still known nothing if Brittlebreeze hadn’t spoken to me. As for StarClan speaking to him directly, he had heard nothing either. Interesting, he pondered. The leaders are left in the dark, but the medicine cats receive the message. Not that it was very surprising. That was part of a medicine cat’s job after all: interpret signs from StarClan, then convey them to their leader. Thinking of Cinderdust and Stripestar for a moment, Hawkstar wondered again what had happened.
“I understand that I exposed something private to you,” Stripestar suddenly mewed. “And I’ll warn you before anything, of all things, I am not war hungry, but if you use this against WindClan in any way, you and your Clan will pay dearly.” The statement was not exactly a threat, but Hawkstar bristled anyway.
The ShadowClan leader’s reply was clipped and immediate, yet still somehow managed to retain an oddly polite air. “Now, Stripestar, let me warn you before anything, off all things,” Hawkstar said, his voice silk smooth. “You may speak about retaliating against me, but as for my Clan, try to mind your tongue. I do not take threats against them, even mild ones, very lightly.” Then, as if the transaction never took place, Hawkstar continued, his tone much lighter, and even reassuring now. “As for what I have witnessed here, think nothing of it. I find attempting harm against another party through words to be petty and cowardly. Rumors to me, even ones that might ring true, are…childish.” Letting out a small snort, Hawkstar quickly ran a paw over one ear. Not like spreading around poor communication between you and your medicine cat would do you much harm.
“What did I feel when Icestar was killed?” Hawkstar then asked. Murdered right in front of me as I was powerless to help? Then realizing that, after being severely wounded, I had to lead my Clan on my own? He fixed the WindClan leader with a level stare. “I’ll speak to you about that day when I know you better,” he mewed at last.
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Post by stripebird on Jul 19, 2010 17:15:35 GMT -5
Who was to say that he was intimidated in the least? Stripestar, though fresh in his leadership, was not an infantile apprentice shambling about blindly. He was a practiced warrior who had seen many seasons and moons, though… he was not one to goat on about the horrors he’d faced, by the same token. In instances, his mind kept rewinding back to Cinderdust and what had happened; he finally let guild roll in and push away his former fury. His burning irritation had been doused anyway (as he was not a heated soul to begin with), and he was sure that when he returned to camp, if she was there, he would have to apologize regardless of who was right or wrong. He owed her that much, for insolently following her.
That was immature. The ginger tabbies mind commented in response to the gallery of images relapsing about his intellectual space. She still should have told him whatever StarClan had to say to her, or was she willingly leaving him in the dark now? Now, Stripestar, let me warn you before anything, off all things, The Bengal leader started smoothly with a gleam in his crystal gems, You may speak about retaliating against me, but as for my Clan, try to mind your tongue. I do not take threats against them, even mild ones, very lightly.
Then there is an understanding between us. He murmured silently. Hawkstar was protective over ShadowClan, but no matter how recent Stripestar's leadership was, he felt the same way for WindClan. He was not a violent, or cruel cat, in fact, he wanted to find that peace his mother had mentioned. He wanted change to come to the forest, where bloodshed and rivalry were uncommon; because it seemed like lately, the forest was running moist with crimson claws, and it hurt him to think about all those dying or injured, when they never needed to be to begin with. However, death was unavoidable, as everyone dies eventually... the oath to protect and defend ones Clan with their life did not extend to fighting futile wars in exchange for suicide. Even so, if he had to choose between letting his Clan perish or fighting against even the innocent to protect it, there wasn't a doubt in his mind over what he would choose. The Clan meant everything to him. He would give away all nine of his lives, ten times over, if it meant each life in WindClan would be spared.
A smirk crossed his lips, and it could be seen as sardonic, but it was, in fact, cordial; a flicker of light passed through his flecked depths. Pale swift paws rose, stalking patiently around Hawkstars right side, his long tale grazing the bulky Warrior as softly and as quietly as the weakest breeze bellowing its hardest.
"You love your Clan, and judging by your reaction, you would die for it resolutely, and without hesitation. If that is so, then you should know with certainly my own emotions towards the safety of WindClan, as you feel and as I do in turn. An understanding between two leaders, or maybe all four, I would hope," His voice was like honey now, the same tone he used with Caramelpaw countless times before; he let out a chuckle. "But here and now, is only you and me. At fourtrees, and quite by accident... I'm not quick to threaten, and both of us have already made our motives quite clear. I am an honest chap, believe me," he turned, and his tail swept about the ground, sending tiny sprouting vegetation to flip; the dewy droplets splashed about the cool earth. "If you will, and if you won't, I have no complaints. I probably wouldn't know anyway, " His torso twisted as he bend to give his shoulder a swift rasping over with his pink tongue.
As for what I have witnessed here, think nothing of it. I find attempting harm against another party through words to be petty and cowardly. Rumors to me, even ones that might ring true, are…childish. There was hardly a second that passed before Stripestar replied calmly, "Then all is well." It was almost a whisper. What did I feel when Icestar was killed? It was a heartbeat, before Stripestar turned to catch the steely stare that Hawkstar sent his way; icy blue met bright jade. Both were very intense.
Two heartbeats. Ba-thump ba-thump...
I’ll speak to you about that day when I know you better. And it was done. Stripestar had planted a seed of consideration inside of Hawkstar, and he wouldn't press for it to grow. "If that is your will." He dipped his head, another equal altercation. "But what about what's coming? I'd be intrigued to talk about what we'll have to 'face together', as Cinderdust put it. If it's between everyone, I don't see the problem with exchanging some ideas. It'll do either of us little to no harm, though, maybe someone's pride could be wounded, I'm not sure..." There was a playful edge to his voice. His ear flicked, nonetheless.
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Post by Hawkstar on Jul 22, 2010 17:23:50 GMT -5
Hawkstar thingyed an eyebrow when the WindClan leader smirked, then watched him closely as the other tom slipped gracefully to his paws and circled around behind him, touching him ever so slightly with his willowy tail. Feeling momentarily baffled by other the warrior’s behavior, the Bengal tom eyed him questioningly, flicking his ears as if to say, Yes? Fighting the compulsion to get to his own paws, the ShadowClan leader remained where he was, watching Stripestar with gleaming blue eyes and an apprentice-like curiosity. He had never spoken to the warrior before this, and surely the situation was quite a way to make a first impression, especially from one leader to another. I wish I could have spoken with Cinderdust longer, the spotted tom thought to himself. With the prophecy still sitting in his head like stagnant water, he wanted nothing more than to unload it on somebody else, at least a little.
"You love your Clan, Stripestar suddenly mewed from beside him, causing Hawkstar’s tail to flick. “And judging by your reaction, you would die for it resolutely, and without hesitation. If that is so, then you should know with certainly my own emotions towards the safety of WindClan, as you feel and as I do in turn. An understanding between two leaders, or maybe all four, I would hope." Hawkstar said nothing, though eyed the WindClan warrior with a new sort of respect, the kind that transcended the culture and tradition that bound leaders together to begin with. Clearly they had more in common than he had initially thought. The beige tom’s voice was as smooth as his own now, nearly causing the ShadowClan leader to laugh. He felt as if, in an odd way, that they were playing some sort of twisted game. Perhaps I’m being paranoid, the ShadowClan tom thought to himself.
"But here and now, is only you and me,” Stripestar went on. The ShadowClan leader continued to sit calmly, listening with an almost detached air as the WindClan tom kept speaking. “…At Fourtrees, and quite by accident... I'm not quick to threaten, and both of us have already made our motives quite clear. I am an honest chap, believe me…" Hawkstar narrowed his eyes ever so slightly at the other leader, thinking silently to himself, I’ll believe you when I know you, no sooner. Initial distrust was ingrained in his blood; it had kept him alive in snowy altitudes and seedy backstreets, at a time when he needed it most. It won’t make me any new friends, he then added in amusement. But StarCan strike down if it is not effective. By the time the thought was finished, Hawkstar had realized he had missed something Stripestar had said, but opted against a puzzled Huh?
Then Stripestar moved onto the other point of the conversation. Icestar. Immediately, the walls in the ShadowClan leader’s mind went straight up, but he soon relaxed when the WindClan leader spoke once more. "If that is your will," he mewed simply with a considerate dip of his angular head. "But what about what's coming? I'd be intrigued to talk about what we'll have to 'face together', as Cinderdust put it. If it's between everyone, I don't see the problem with exchanging some ideas. It'll do either of us little to no harm, though, maybe someone's pride could be wounded, I'm not sure..." Hawkstar didn’t miss the playful note, and he smiled ever so slightly at the this other tom, a cat he barely knew.
“I may be ShadowClan,” he then rasped out, his voice surprisingly hoarse at first. He blinked, cleared his throat, and then continued. “But I’m not that secretive, Stripestar.” The ShadowClan leader then stood, momentarily stretched to his full height, then relaxed his muscles, unwinding his tense spine and unfurling his tail. He turned to the WindClan warrior, blue eyes hooded. In a snap decision, he decided to warn the other leader, but keep the details for himself. StarClan had given Brittlebreeze the prophecy to him and him alone; he wouldn’t spread around the smaller parts, least of all the warning about a traitor within ShadowClan. That part pained the Bengal tom most.
When I find out who it is, I’ll-
“According to StarClan, a threat is gathering,” Hawkstar mewed flatly, staring at Stripestar with little to no emotion.“It is a danger to all the Clans, and if we are to defeat it, we’ll…have to work together.” For a moment, the idea of fighting beside ThunderClan cats irked him, but he kept his misgivings to himself. “If we try to face it alone, it’ll separate us, and pick us off, one by one.” Hawkstar took one step towards Stripestar then, then movement clearly threatening if the cat on the receiving end was faint of heart. However, he doubted that was the case with the WindClan leader. “Understand now?” he then asked, his eyes calm but his spirit troubled.
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