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 Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 8:05 am
Halcyontail sniffed the air again and shook her head. She couldn't get an exact count, but there was a lot. Maybe enough to outnumber them.
And they smelled well-fed and eager for battle. They definitely have the advantage here. A fight would mean the deaths of all of them.
"I... uh..." She didn't know what to do. Fight? Run? Hope to talk it out? None of those seemed appealing at the moment. She fidgeted a bit and glanced at the Windclan prey they caught. No doubt they look guilty.
"It's not like they'd want to raid our territory with it being so low on prey right now." She said quietly. "I think we should run, hope to run into a patrol on our borders."
Fleetingstar was close enough to see that the invaders barely had any meat on their bones. Were they starving? That wasn't possible with their river!
Regardless of their situation, they were still stealing their food and had to be dealt with.
He sprinted over, letting out a loud cry to attract everyone attention. Seeing that one of the cats, a white and blue she-cat, was trying to get away, he pounced on her tail and held her to the ground.
"You do realize what you all are doing right?" He yowled out. "Don't try and run or the rest of us will chase you down like the rabbits you've been hunting!"
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Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 1:50 pm
Moonshadow's hackles were raised in aggresion towards the intruders. Their fear scent was like a tidal wave, and oly made it harder for her not to dive fangs first onto a cat.
"Waiting doesnt make them stop stealing," She hissed under her breath to Bramblestone. As soon as Fleetingstar leapt, Moonshadow began circling to the other side of the Riverclan warriors, cutting off their escape.
"I'd listen to him if I were you, unless of cousre you'd like to test your luck," She snarleda t the closest RiverClan cats.
Shellpath hissed furiously. It was obvious now that there was a WindClan patrol upon them, and from the scents of stuff, they were bing circled by one or two cats. They would have to hope they could negotiate.
"Yes, Fleetingstar, we do realize what we're doing, even if we regret that it has come to this." Her sightless dark gray eyes stared off across the moors, wondering how long until they were attacked.
Most of the other cats probably felt like running, now they were forced to make a stand.
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Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 2:08 pm
Hawkwing stayed back, watching his clanmates circle the helpless RiverClan warriors. His muscles were tensed, his claws unsheathed, and his teeth bared. He doubted WindClan would need his help against these pitiful bonebags, but he stood ready. RiverClan was about to see what would happen when the code was broken!
Rainsong puffed out her fur and unsheathed her claws, trying to look tough, but she still couldn't hide the fear that crept into her voice.
"What will you do? If you won't let us go, surely you're not planning on killing us?"
She gave a weak hiss, showing that she would fight back if she had to. She had no choice... she had to serve her clan.
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Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 2:24 pm
Rollinggust shrank back a little, but of course not from fear. It was the slight guilt of seeing cats so starved to the point it was pitiful like the Riverclan. How could this happen? But she did not back down, and made herself look as big as possible with her claws unsheathed. Narrowing her eyes she gazed at the red-pawed thieves, biting her lip. For the code. She continued keeping her ground though as she watched, not wishing to circle the already defenseless cats. After all, they only had two options; fight and die or starve and die. Surely Fleetingstar would refuse any means of sharing prey...
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Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 3:30 pm
"I know, but-" Panicfur hissed before she finished, hackles rising as she caught sight of the Riverclan warriors. Her stomach did belly flops and churned. They had been caught, and the fear that washed off of her could be identified. Instincts took her and she ran towards Fleetingstar, hesitating as she bit her took, unable to decide what she should do. The thought of attacking Riverclan was among the last thought, and helping them was slowly beckoning her near them. Yet, as the other Windclan warriors surged toward them, she stood still and looked around with a crazy look in her eye.
She would've moved. She would've ran ahead like the rest. But, her pelt started shaking uncontrollably, and she started breathing hard as she looked frantic at the other cats- the Riverclan warriors, Windclan warriors.
At this point; she was doomed. She couldn't do anything. Panicfur was experiencing a panic attack, and at the wrong time. The best thing to do for one of these, to her, was to stand still or rest, but both were not something she should do. What would everyone think of her?
How would they react?
She closed her eyes and bit her tongue until she drew blood.
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Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 3:55 pm
Bramblestone shrugged at Moonshadow. She was gone before Bramblestone could reply. "Our leader ought to lead us," she muttered under her breath in response. She followed Fleetingstar, her claws out and a snarl growing in her throat when the world seemed to drop below her.
They were starving! This was no vicious patrol of greedy cats, but a starving pack of desperate warriors. How could it have come to this? How could the clan with the most food be reduced to furry skeletons? For once, Bramblestone listened to a warrior from outside her clan. She was surprised at the dignity with which the grey-eyed cat acted. No, she said to herself. She may have dignity, but she is still stealing from us. The young she-cat took a deep breath and steeled her heart. For WindClan and the warrior code. She snarled. "What's wrong with your fish?" she hissed to the nearest RiverClan warrior.
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Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 4:07 pm
((Shellpath is a blind she-cat *cough* xD))
"There is nothing wrong with the fish. Nothing at all. Ever think there are more problems in life then poisoned prey?" Shellpath snapped blindly. She took a deep breath. She needed to choose herds carefully. They had already been found out. Windclan knew they were starving. It wouldnt make a difference anymore if they knew the cause, even if Shellpath resented having to tell them.
"Recently, there has abeen a decline in the amount of fish in the river," She meowed at Bramblestone, a quiet hiss, stilll gazing out across the moor. "There has been twoleg activity by the river this leafbare for unknown reasons. You proof stands before you, bedraggled and malnourished. None of us wanted to do this, but what would you have us do? Let our queens and elders starve? I already know what you'll say. 'You broke the arrior code,a nd now you'll pay.' At least our queens and kits were able to live for a little longer."
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Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 6:05 pm
Elderberry couldn't help but voice a hiss of disapproval at the RiverClan warrior's words. Warriors do not kill, not one another. Their groups were well-matched; even taking the malnourished state of the river cats into account, it would be no slaughter of martyrs.
She stared unblinking at what seemed to be their spokescat, trying to figure out what was strange about her gaze. Hadn't Elderberry heard something about a blind RiverClan cat, seen a glimpse of silver fur and pale eyes at one of the Gatherings? But surely she couldn't be a good enough hunter to be allowed on a venture where secrecy and speed were of the utmost importance - let alone speak with such self-possession for their patrol.
"And you, what would you have us do?" Elderberry finally asked. Her voice was soft, deceptively mild above a firm edge. "You say you are starving, as we all are in this season. But whether you meant it as such or not, hunting on our land is a challenge to WindClan's honor. Will ShadowClan, or ThunderClan, be the next to do so if we let you pass unmolested?"
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Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 7:54 pm
SootSteps lay curled up near the dried cat tails(forget right name for them) that made up the RiverClan's warm warrior den. Despite how she tried to rest her ears were alert for the smallest sounds, her orange eyes opening at the smallest things. It might be the hunting patrol returning with from Wind Clan but it never was. "... they should be back by now." she mewed. Feeling as helpless as a kit on a rock in the midst of a churning river.
No matter how she tried to reassure herself, she was never at ease. Every time a patrol went out she was never certain whether or not they would come back with scared or bloodied pelts. Surely WindClan would find the thieves sooner or later and surely they would not act on it in no kind manner. Would they not do the same?
'I can't just sit here and imagine their pelts being ripped by WindClan claws...' said lifting her empty body to her paws. Doubted she could do much against a WindClan patrol but if didn't come back it would just mean less mouths to feed. Quickly shook sour thought from her head, whatever her fate she couldn't just lay and wait.
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Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 8:45 pm
In the leaders' den, Fernstar lay curled in her nest, her light blue eyes staring emptily at the wall of ferns and fronds opposite her. Her fur sagged on her body in a dull, tangled mess, and her bones shown plainly through it. The second leader of Riverclan hadn't made many trips out of her den since learning of her clan's trips to the moors, and she had eaten hardly a bite for days. The pale, dappled she-cat was locked inside her own mind, worry for her clanmates warring with conscious thought that they were breaking the warrior code she tried to hard to uphold and instill within them.Hawktail had been watching her leader and the small band of warriors that got all pumped up about chasing Riverclan from their territory while aimlessly pawing at a small pebble. She was sure the fish-eaters wouldn't be on their territory if they didn't need the prey, but who was she to say whether it was right or not. Starclan were the ones who comprised their Warrior Code; as far as the young she-cat was concerned, they should be the ones to deal with those who broke it, and since starclan wasn't doing anything, she didn't feel like she should have to either. Yawning widely, the brown tabby stretched languidly before casually making her way towards the camp entrance; perhaps she would do some hunting of her own before Riverclan claimed all the rabbits...
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Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 11:37 pm
((I know she is. But Bramblestone doesn't know she's blind. Sorry about the gender mix-up.))
Bramblestone snorted at Shellpath. "I never said they were poisoned," she snapped. "I just wondered why you had to eat our rabbits instead of your disgusting fish!" The tip of her tail flicked, irritated. Were all RiverClanners so stand-offish? She wrenched herself from this thought to listen to the other warrior. She shoved back a feeling of remorse for her leap into combat. "That's hardly my concern," she replied. "I am a warrior, not a leader. I...I can't make a choice for another Clan." In your paws, I would have done the same. I would have risked the wrath of the leaders of both our clans to feed the elders and my Clan. "As for the pay bit? That's up to Fleetingstar." She nodded approvingly as Elderberry spoke up, ashamed that she could not say the same past her compassion.
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Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 4:10 am
A rabbit, from an earlier hunting patrol, was lifted from the freshkill pile. SootSteps' mouth watered as the scent, yet forin, overwhelmed her so she felt dazed and helpless against it. No scales, no fins yet she longed to dig into and devour the prey in her jaws but this rabbit wasn't for her to eat.
Patted up to FernStar's den and placed the it down near the entrance "FernStar, I've brought prey for you." she called meekly. She knew their leader hadn't been eating... barely saw FernStar walk among her clan now that the famine struck. "The clan needs you now more then ever... need your strength." she mewed quietly. Her orange eyes not daring to look into the den. 'What if all she saw was nothing but the bones that remained of their strong leader?'... it was something she had no desire to look upon.
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Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 8:16 am
"Two-legs by the river?" Fleetingstar echoed Shellpath's words. He watched the Riverclan cats intently, looking for any signs if they were lying. Besides the fact that one of them was blind and wouldn't be able to show anything with her eyes.
He listened as his warriors bickered back and forth, and after a brief pause, he released the cat he had pinned down.
"Even if you're not telling the truth, I don't fight with starving cats." He stated, gazing at everyone. "It'd be a shame if a clan was to die off from the lack of food. Perhaps something can be arranged. Does Mothstar or Fernstar know about this?"
Halcyontail quickly slid away from the Windclan cat, not wanting to get caught a second time. Her cheeks were blushing red from shock and embarrassment. Some warrior she turned out to be.
"I... think... Fernstar is aware." She hated telling him that her leader was included in this. But if there was a chance he would help...
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Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 12:38 pm
Fernstar hardly moved from her spot when she heard pawsteps approach her den. An ear swiveled to listen to the cat as she dropped something outside and spoke to her quietly. The rabbit's scent met her nose and both teased and twisted her stomach. The Riverclan leader was hungry, but wouldn't move for the stolen prey. She couldn't lead by such an example, could she? Surely Starclan expected the leaders to abstain from breaking the warrior code? Flicking her ear in dismay, Fernstar suddenly wished for the powers of a medicine cat so that she could speak with her warrior ancestors.
Although she had left to hunt for her clan, curiosity got the best of Hawktail and she found herself trailing the patrol. On her way, she caught the scent of rabbit and veered from her path to seek it out. With careful, deliberate movements, the she-cat closed in on the small mammal and frowned inwardly; what a scrawny-looking rabbit it was. Even so, it was better to feed the clan with it rather than let it die from starvation and become crow food or something. Quietly, she inched closer to the prey animal, but just as she was about to make her move on it, the wind picked up and alerted it of her presence; crap, she had completely forgotten to make sure she was downwind of it!
Bursting from her cover in a flurry of dead grasses, Hawktail gave chase to the frightened animal. It was slower than usual, thanks to the harsh conditions of leaf bare, but it still out-maneuvered her, zigging and zagging away from her paws just as she closed in. Only by a stroke of luck did she manage to leap in the same direction as the rabbit, and wasted no time in pinning it down and grabbing it by the back of the neck. She pinned her ears to the back of her head and bit down until she heard a satisfying little 'crik' and felt the life drain from the creature below her. Dropping her meager catch, the brown tabby scuffed some dirt and grasses over it and continued towards the patrol. Her little run seemed to have carried her part of the way there, and before long she could see the band of windclan cats confronting the intruders. She padded amongst the windclan patrol quietly and sat down near the back, her ears perked and her green-yellow eyes observing the scrawny Riverclan cats curiously.
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Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 2:49 pm
Inwardly she raged at the arrogance of these moor cats. How dare they accuse RiverClan of lying! Fleetingstar could see for himself that their warriors were starving - no amount of pretending could be as convincing as the proof of the eyes, in bare ribs and ragged pelts.
But Whitewater stayed silent. It sounded like Fleetingstar was about to offer help. A wrong word now could be disasterous, and no pride was worth starving for.
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