xx.Cold Moonlight

[FIREH!!]

<sub>Plod, plod plod.

Onward she walked, hearing steps behind her. The last times she had set foot on these hills was during her desperate race to Shakenleaf. As she stopped, she stood atop the hills. The smooth grass rustled to her, as if whispering, His spirit lives on with you. The silent whisper calmed her.

Plodding behind her distracted her, but when she turned her head, nothing was there. Yet she could still hear it. She realized it was her patrol catching up, and hope flew from her heart like a bird finally free. She raised her eyes to dawn creeping up upon the moon, as if to swallow it whole. She noticed the stars, they were fading into the sunlight. She looked at the way the grass would blow from the morning wind, and she watched still. So many precious moments had passed here, and now it felt impossible to walk down the other side of the hill.

Taking a deep breath, she let out a small sigh. She longed for her fuzzy companion, who never left her side. She had lost her best friend so many moons ago, and now she had lost her other best friend. The only one she knew she could trust with anything. Now she was leader, and she had to trust her clanmates to help her lead out of this dark time for her. Many, many moons ago, her parents had died. She had lost everyone she had grown close to.

She could never love again, or grow close to another cat, like she did with Darkmoon. Shakenleaf, she had fallen in love with, and all cats knew. When he had died, it was as if she had died inside. Oh why couldn't it had been her who the badger attacked! She still had six lives, and he could have lived still. But the badger attacked, and now she was left with nothing. Oh Starclan, what else can you take from me?

She whispered her words to Starclan, hoping they would hear her. There was only one thing they could take from her now: her clan. And if that ever happened, she would never be able to open her eyes again. It had happened once, and she wanted to curl up and die.

Her eyes hardened as she thought of he she-cat that threatened the lives of all the clan cats. She hated to even speak the name of the cat who had terrorized her clan. Chaosfire, She spat silently, as she still stood atop the hill on which Shakenleaf had died. As she thought of the name, a breeze blew by, calling out to her. It spoke of tragedies that still lay ahead, and Firestar stumbled. No more. No more... she pleaded with the voices. They grew silent, and she shook her head. I must speak with Grieverstone when I get back. She promised herself. when she looked behind her, she saw her patrol growing closer. She still stood, and a breeze still blew, but it wasn't whispering anymore. It stayed silent as the morning, and she was relieved.</sub>

[(aurora) of the problematique]

_{Crestedfire plodded through the mud and snow, trudging after Firestar. Fat tears failed to fall from his wide hazel eyes. He ignored the thorny bushes and branches scratching at him. He merely stared ahead at the pawprints and trail Firestar left in her wake. The massive ginger tom finally caught up with the leader and the rest of her patrol. "I'm here," he said blearily, waving his tail weakly. His ears drooped gloomily as he fell alongside Firestar.}

[FIREH!!]

<sub>Heavy plodding announced the arrival of Crestedfire. Lost in her thoughts, his voice startled her. Grass was ripped as she pulled her claws free from the earth. The last time I was here... Shakenleaf died.. She meowed quietly to the massive tom. For once in her life, she felt like a helpless kit, wanting to mewl her grief to the world and everyone inside it. Ears flicked, and claws ripped through grass as she fixed her claws again. They had sunk into the earth once more.

If she ever touches my clan again.. She'll die from my claws... Half thought, half words, spilled from her mouth. She shook her head and meowed, Sorry Crestedfire.. I'm just not myself today.. I haven't been here since.. She broke off, her throat too choked for words. that's when she noticed the glistening eyes of Crestedfire. What happened? she asked, returning to the formidable leader who felt compassion to all cats. Crestedfire, why are you so sad? She asked him, sympathy coarsing through her.</sub>

[(aurora) of the problematique]

_{Crestedfire barely heard her. His world was a myriad of mixed sounds and questions that he only heard parts of. He hunched over, staring at a leaf. "Avenskit is scared of me and Limestone yelled at me because I was trying my best to be nice," he whispered, his voice cracking. He whimpered some, ears bent back and tail whipping left and right. "I was just trying to be his friend." More tears bubbled out of his watery eyes, dropping lazily onto the snow and making imprints there. The large tom looked up at Firestar, timidness and gentleness crushed together. The poor guy was completely heartbroken. It was hard to believe that he was uncontrollable once he had broken into a rage.}

[FIREH!!]

_{The rather sleek she-cat looked like a beetle compared to the massive tom-cat, but she still pressed against him to comfort the huge tom. It's okay. She feels out of place, and that makes her angry. She's from Eclipseclan, so naturally, she would feel like we're hostile. I'm sure if you go talk to her after this patrol, and explain to her what you were doing, she will understand. But if she doesn't, I'll use my leader powers and make her understand. She managed a msile, and brushed her tail across his eyes to wipe away his tears.}

[(aurora) of the problematique]

_{"I-I guess so," Crestedfire stammered, sniffling a bit as Firestar pressed against him. He towered over the she-cat but there was no mistaking that big tomcat for anyone else except for a huggable teddy bear. Laughter tried to peek through when Firestar said she would use her leader powers. The tom's shoulders shook when he chuckled and then nodded as he sniffed and she wiped his tears away. "Firestar?" He looked over at her. "Do you think she'll come back? Is she really dead?" There was no need to name her. They both knew exactly who he was talking about.}

[FIREH!!]

<sub>Firestar smiled at the big tom. She knew he was her clan's sympathy loving teddy bear. She froze when he mentioned the question, and the words dragged out of her, as she thought of each word. I don't know.. She admitted. My biggest fear, is that she'll return, and kill me. I can't lose my clan... Not after everything I've lost.. She whispered, her mind whirling back to her other thoughts.

Darkmoon, Shakenleaf, and all the others. The pain it had taken her to get through it all. The misery, and the tears that ran down her face at night, as she cried herself to sleep.

As she shook her head, her mind came back to the present. She had almost been killed by Chaosfire, if it weren't for Serenityclan. The she-cat looked at the tom and meowed, I'm glad I allowed you into my clan. an unexpected smile found its way onto her face, and she laughed. Then she covered up her laugh by a cough. So... I've seen you around Spectreflame. Seem to be getting chummy, are we? She asked him, laughing.

Her claws shredded the grass as she sat, talking. Never had she done this since Darkmoon. No cat she had met since she could do this with. Then again, she barely talked to her warriors, except for ceremonies and patrols. She's leader, what is she supposed to do?

The wind blew the grass across the hill as she watched, and silently willed it to pick up. She longed to hear the rushing wind through her ears that she had missed for so long. I need to patrol more, she decided, smiling slightly. Then her ear twitched. A cawing caught it, and she turned her head. Did you hear that? She asked. Then she heard it again. Louder this time. She whipped her head around, and saw nothing.

Wind sure did rush by her ear. But it was not the wind. It was the beating of an eagle's wings. She hissed and drew away, leaving the eagle with nothing. As it screamed and tried to fly away, Firestar turned and leaped onto its back. She clawed it and finally brought it down, dead. Though they were hovering a few feet off the ground, she hit the ground pretty hard. But she soon recovered and stood. There. Some big prey for the clan, and one less eagle to deal with. She smiled happily. Then she moved the eagle so it lay wings spread out, and drew out one claw. She flicked its loose feathers around, watching them blow all around her. One landed on Crestedfire's nose. I used to do this all the time, when I was a warrior. She meowed to no one really.

She buried her eagle, with some difficulty, and turned back to Crestedfire. Shall we wait for the rest of the patrol? She asked, flicking the feather off his nose with her tail. she turned her head, desperte to see them, but still saw nothing. The voices that whispered through the grass had stopped a while ago, and she was happy. Now she sat and waited.</sub>

[(aurora) of the problematique]

^{"Sorrowfrost would take the mantle in your place and would continue the fight for you, and you know Spectreflame and Halloweenpaw and Wovenknot and all the other warriors including me will come fight extra hard," Crestedfire said. He blushed when she praised him, even harder when she mentioned Spectreflame. "Oh, it's nothing, we're just friends, like me and Wovenknot or any other warrior." Well...he did like her but that was besides the point. He swallowed a lump in his throat and tried to collect himself. He blinked at the avian screeches, smiling slightly at the large bird Firestar brought down. "Good catch," he said almost inaudible, staring down at his paws. He was quiet for a full minute when she asked another question. "Hmmm? Oh, I suppose so," he nodded.}

[FIREH!!]

_{Firestar shook her head. But Sorrowfrost hasn't been showing her face much. I haven't seen her since... Since Chaosfire. She meowed. I know you would all fight your hardest, but what if it's not enough? She shook her head. Just ignore me, She smiled. 'Just friends', eh? She asked him, flicking him with her tail. She nodded when he commented on her catch and meowed, I'm sure it'll feed a few warriors. Then she looked behind herself, and still saw no patrol.}

[cheshy says grace]

(x)SILENTMOON(x)
Silentmoon padded quietly out of the forest, trotting up next to Firestar. His muscles showed beneath his multi-coloured pelt, his burnt gold eyes flashed dangerously.

"There's something following us," he hissed quietly, ears perked and claws bringing up earth. He held his tail high, his whole system ready to jump on the nearest cat that seemed dangerous.

[/color][/size]


* NAYRU * & { DiN }
"C 'mon, Din!" Nayru whispered viciously and hurriedly. She wanted to check out these cats, and this had been her first time out of the loner's land.

Din muttered something and walked quietly up next to Nayru, peeking through the bracken to get a look at the assembled cats on the hills.[/color][/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[FIREH!!]

<sub>ooc;; Oh Chesh. Didja fall for it? -points at her avvie-

bic;; Firestar nodded to Silentmoon, and bristled at his words. She turned and sniffed. Loner or rogue scent was in the air. Show yourselves! She commanded, drawing herself to her full size.</sub>

[cheshy says grace]

((... maybe... >_>))

Nayru jumped at the call. "Damn," she hissed quietly. She signaled for her brother, "Ugh, come on, Din, before we get into any more trouble." She revealed herself to teh strangers and dipped her head in greeting. "We bring no harm."

Her silver, gray, and black pelt glistened and her glamorous rich sapphire blue eyes gleamed.

Din nodded, his muscles moving beneath his fire-red fur. He moved in front of his sister in a protective motion.

[/color][/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[FIREH!!]

<sub>ooc;; LOL! -hugs chesh- I is so sorry!!!

boc;; Firestar glared at the rogues. What business do you have here? She demanded, her fur bristling. She hissed at them, and bristled to twice her size.</sub>

[[xoxo] shard. :)]

<sup>Though his foster parents would often feel uncomfortable with him leaving camp, he departed anyway. He kept on walking, deeper and deeper into the MoonClan territory, to places he'd not explored for so long. Actually, the last time he was sure he'd been here was his trek to this new home. The apprentice was sure to stay within the boundaries, of courses, as he wandered, daydreaming of maybe becoming a warrior someday. He was beginning to lose hope. He truly trusted his mentor, but she'd not trained him much lately. Was she beginning to give up hope on a helpless blind burden as well?

That's what Shardpaw constantly wondered. Was he just a a burden to his new home? Did they just decide to take him in so he wouldn't die? So he'd have a chance, a chance to live but nothing else? He felt sometimes like he had no meaning of living but to live and then die, and nothing more. Just a puppet, meant to be a decoy, an insurance.

He stumbled upon the scent trail of several of his Clanmates. Lacking interest in anything else, he followed it to discover Firestar, Crestedfire, and Silentmoon. He emitted no sound, not wishing to disturb their conversation. Instead, he kept himself at a distance. He knew what they were talking about, though he had no means to eavesdrop, but he felt like he had some company, even though he wasn't even involved.</sup>

[FIREH!!]

_{Firestar hissed at the rogues, then lifted her head, sniffing the air. The wind was blowing toward her. Shardpaw, come out. She called, an all-knowing grin upon her face. When we get back to camp, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. She whispered into his ear. Then she lifted her head and glared at the rogues.Well? She demanded, her fur bristling.}

[cheshy says grace]

Nayru nodded, "We come from the loner's land, of course you know, but me and my brother," she motioned with her tail towards Din, "Wanted to check out the Clancats. We have no wish of joining nor attacking, we just would like to discover what goes on in the life of warriors." She smiled kindly and introduced herself, "My name is Nayru."

Din stood up straight and said in his deep voice, "And I'm Din."[/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote][/sub]

[FIREH!!]

_{Her fur still bristled and she hissed, Just checking us out? Move along. Get off our territory, or we will show you the same thing we showed Chaosfire, before I killed her. She hissed, baring her teeth. Now get off our land before I send my warriors after you. She flicked her tail at Crestedfire, Silentmoon, and Shardpaw, to tell the loners that she wasn't kidding.}

[cheshy says grace]

Silentmoon stood there, staring at the rogues. He felt they had no intimidation, that the patrol had no need to attack the rogues. He held up his tail, "Wait Firestar, I think they have something to say." His voice came out as the quiet shallow tone he's always had.

Nayru stepped back at the menace. Her ears dropped and her tail dropped, "OK, fine, I'll tell you the truth. Me and my brother have sought refuge for a home. Loners and other rogues attack us. They feel like we don't belong there. Like we're not one of them. We try to fight them off, so we ran away from teh loner territory. W decided we needed a new home. So we came to the clans." Her eyes were close to tears as she had to remember all those terrifying moments, "So, please, we have no whreto go. And if we go back out to the loner's land, they'll murder us for sure..."[/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote][/sub]

[FIREH!!]

_{Firestar shook her head. I have taken in too many. I'm sorry. You need to find another clan. She replied. Find.....Cloudclan. Or Serenityclan. Maybe Brightclan. One of them will let you in, I'm sure. She suggested to them.}

[[xoxo] shard. :)]

<sup>The apprentice padded forward. He'd forgotten that he'd been upwind from the small group. When his leader whispered into his ear, his thoughts were flooded with wonder. A suprise? For him? His petite paws tingled with glee and anticipation; he was simply happy to be noticed.

Before the others knew, Shardpaw scented rogues. He spoke nothing, knowing that they'd find out quickly. They told a fable of wanting to "check out" the Clan. Of course, Firestar questioned them. It was what any noble leader would do, after all. Then the she-cat, the one called Nayru, confessed the truth. He scented the salty tears in her eyes, somewhat sympathetic.</sup>

[cheshy says grace]

Nayru shook her head vigorously, causing tears to fall off her fur. She smiled, thankful for the suggestions, "Thank you, ma'am, thank you very, very much." Nayru truned to go before she realized something, she turned back, scrolling through all the clans before settling on one. SerenityClan. "Do you know where I can find this SerenityClan?" she asked.

Din watched as his sister thanked the older she-cat. He also murmured his thanks, but knew his sister wasn't gonna leave just yet. They needed to know where all the other Clans were.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[FIREH!!]

_{A nod in the direction of the silver rocks showed where the border was. Would you like me to lead you there? Moonclan territory can be awfully tricky. Firestar smiled and nodded at the two loners. I'm really sorry I can't take you in, but I've taken in enough rogues and loners. She smiled regretfully.}

[cheshy says grace]

Nayru smiled and dipped her head. "If you're willing to lead me and my brother to SerenityClan then will be very grateful. It was hard enough to find this pretty place."

Din nodded, then spoke, his voice low and husky, "Yes, very grateful." He didin't talk much, but when he did, his sentences were short.[/color][/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[FIREH!!]

_{Firestar nodded her head. Of course we can. Follow me. She flicked her tail and set off. She padded along, brushing her pelt against the ferns. She loved the feeling of the leaf-bare ferns, even if the leaf-bare ferns, even if it was causing them to have less prey. She didn't realize they had reached the border. She dipped her head and meowed, We're here. Their land is right across this border. Just head straight and you'll find their camp. She smiled and waited for them to cross.}

[cheshy says grace]

Silentmoon followed his leader to the SerenityClan border. He sat down next to a rotting tree and began to groom himself out of pure boredom.

Nayru grinned and whispered to Din, "They're going to take us! Maybe we'll find a home after all!" She bounced after Firestar excitedly.

She looked across the border and dipped her head in great thanks. "Thank you soooo much!" she meowed. "Well, maybe if we get accepted we'll see you in a fight or something one day!" Then she trotted into SerenityClan's territory.

Din nodded and padded behind Firestar solemnly.

He gave a small smile of thanks and followed his sister.[/color][/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[FIREH!!]

<sub>Firestar nodded to the two cats and smiled. She turned away, only to catch a funny scent. Flicking her tail for her warriors to follow silently, she tracked it. But it came to a stop, wreathing around her as the scent was strong and fresh, as if whatever she had scented was right here.

A silver figure stepped from the bushes. Looking for me, Firestar? She flicked her tail for another to follow, and stood face-to-face with the clan leader. You beat me once. You won't do it again. The silver shape leaped into the air, ready to tackle Firestar.</sub>