[flaring] .annoyance.

[[xoxo] shard. :)]

<sup>Pfft, pfft, pfft.

The sounds quietly erupted from irritated pawsteps as they disrupted the humdrum of the camp. Not many cats were out of their dens and those who were resided to milling about or on hunting patrols. Leaf-bare's consequences were beginning to rain upon the Clan, but that was not all that was bringing the leader to such annoyance.

A certain cat still had not appeared, and that certain cat happened to be the deputy of CloudClan. He was dubbed Embertail. Only a few sunrises ago had his ceremony been held, and the flame-colored tom was nowhere to be found. The deputy was still absent and the leader already had a replacement in mind.

He'd waited too long, he'd given all of his past deputies too long of a chance. This was it. He knew of a cat who would surely fulfill her calling. This specific she-cat already knew what her destiny held, but today would be the day when it would be unveiled to all inhabitants of the Clan.

The stormy-gray tom bunched his haunches to land upon the Bird's Wing. He did so quite smoothly, then turned to face the camp's main clearing. He looked down at the felines that were already there, yet not gathered. He cleared his throat before letting his voice ring for all cats to hear.

"May all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the Bird's Wing for a Clan meeting!"</sup>

[FIREH!!]

<sub>Stripedpaw stepped from the Apprentices' Den, and stretched. She yawned, showing her little sharp teeth, and padded over to the Bird's Wing. She sat down and blinked up at the leader.

Midnightsky followed the little apprentice, and took up a spot beside her, purring in welcome.

Icelily's stiff limbs stretched as her pelt soaked up the warmth. She was standing outside the Warriors' Den, and she waited for Skytomb to come out. She hoped Stormstar would remember the ceremony for her and Skytomb today.

Cloakedclaw left the nursery after visiting his mate and their kits. They were growing fast, and he knew they needed to be apprenticed soon. He nodded to his mother as he passed, and sat down on Midnightsky's other side.

Shoalpaw exited the apprentices' den, and sat behind Midnightsky. He hoped Stormstar would give him his warrior name today.

Frostkit leaped from the nursery after her father. Daddy! She squealed, Will you teach me the hunting crouch? She trotted up to him and sat on his paws, looking up at him with bright eyes.</sub>

[Spice..xx]

_{Skyflight walked out of the warriors den, her fluffy blue-grey pelt shining in the sun. She cast her green eyes around camp and saw a few warriors and apprentices already gathered around. She looked up and smiled at Stormstar, a small purr erupting in her throat at the sight of the smoky grey tom that was her mate. She sat down next to Icelily, smiling and dipping her head to the she-cat.
Dewpaw padded dejectedly out of the apperentices den. She hadnt caught sight of her sister in ages so hadnt had the chance to speak to her or make friends again. She was upset by this and looked around for Oleandergaze, he always managed to cheer her up. She blushed slightly as she realised how quickly she had come to like the tom. She sat in a sunny patch by the den and sat down to groom herself until the meeting started or her sister or Oleandergaze showed up.}[/color]

[cheshy says grace]

<sub>Dapplekit bounded after her sister and father. "Oh, yeah! Me too, please?" she begged, making big bambii eyes and a small, sad face.

Ivorypeach strecthed and padded out of the Warrior'd Den. She searched the crowd for Stripedpaw. She grinned as she spotted her apprentice and went to sit down next to her. Ivorypeach rasped her tongue over Stripedpaw's ear in greeting, and turned to look at Midnightsky, "Hello, Midnightsky!"

Blissclaw followed Skyflight out of the den. it had been her first night since she had gotten pregnant with Otterpaw that she slept out of the Nursery. And it had felt good. The she-cat sat down near the outskirts of the surrounding cats'.

Nightfur walked out of the warrior's den slowly, yawning hugely. She stretched, "So tired." The soon-to-be-deputy opened her sleepy eyes, and even though she couldn't see out of her right one, she definitely got a clear shot of Stormstar sitting on top of the Bird's Wing. Her pelt glistened as she moved slickly and gradually near the front of the assembled cats. Nightfur finally settled down in front of Icelily and Skyflight. Today's the day!She thought to herself excitedly.

Barleypaw trotted out of the Apprentice's Den after Shoalpaw. "Hey, Shoalpaw," she meowed as she sat down beside teh tomcat and grinned hugely, "I wonder what Stormstar wants."</sub>

[FIREH!!]

<sub>Midnightsky meowed a friendly greeting to Ivorypeach, before turning his eyes back on the leader.

Icelily licked the young queen's ear and meowed, So, are you happy to be a queen? She meowed.

Stripedpaw nudged her mentor. Can we go out after? she asked.

Cloakedclaw laughed. I guess I can. We'll see if Tansykit would like to learn it as well.

Shoalpaw nodded to Barleypaw. so how has Cloudclan been in my absence? He asked, looking at the apprentice. You were just born when I left. He realized.</sub>

[(aurora) of the problematique]

_{Oleandergaze flashed a concerned glance towards Astralhaze's empty bed as he returned from his place on vigil past the warrior's den, taking notice that the femme did not return home from her search of Embertail's disappearance. However, there was the matter of the meeting to attend to. Seeing Dewpaw, the tom's heart lifted and he came to his feet from his sitting position, striding over to her. He purred lightly so as not to alarm her with his massive presence and sat onto his fluffy haunches by her side. "Tawnypaw has been gone awhile and Astralhaze has not yet returned from her search. Do you think they are alright?" the tom questioned.}

[cheshy says grace]

<sub>Ivorypeach nodded, "Sure."

Dapplekit jumped, "yaaaaaay!" she cried with glee.

Barleypaw nodded, "CloudClan's been great!" she answered happily.

((DDx can't post... too... tired xP))</sub>

[Spice..xx]

_{Dewpaw looked up brightly as Oleandergaze approached but her smile dropped as she heard what he had said and her brow settled into a worried frown. "Yes i know. And Deleriumstep hasnt returned either. Maybe we could go out searching for them after the meeting? If they dont turn up during now and then, of course" she said, anxiously kneading her paws on the ground as she looked up at Oleandergaze as she spoke. She was worried about her sister but knew she at least had Deleriumstep with her. Astralhaze was all alone..}[/color]

[(aurora) of the problematique]

_{Oleandergaze nodded. "I'll ask some other warriors to come along, when this meeting is over," the tom said, nodding at Dewpaw's suggestion. The tom turned and fluffed up his fur as he sat by the apprentice's side, resting his head on his paws. His tail waved for a moment and then laid itself to rest, curling over Dewpaw's without a second thought. The massive brown male lifted up his amber eyes to Stormstar, wondering if he was going to stay something about the missing warriors.}

[[xoxo] shard. :)]

<sup>Once many cats were assembled, Stormstar nodded in acceptance. His voice echoed throughout the clearing as he spoke.

"I am again disappointed to have another deputy disappear so suddenly. But I am afraid that our Clan cannot be without a deputy for such a long period of time as it has been. Thus, I say this before StarClan, so that the spirits of our ancestors, to hear and approve my choice. Nightfur will be the new deputy of CloudClan."</sup>[/sup]

[cheshy says grace]

Nightfur stood up as her name was called. She beamed hugely as she was finally approved as deputy. The black she-cat looked up at Stormstar and mouthed, "Thank you."

[/color]

Ivorypeach looked towards the front of the crowd to see her fellow CloudClanner stand up proudly. She smirked to herself and turned to her apprentice, "And I'm sure we both know that she isn't gonna lay off of her duties.[/b]

Blissclaw smiled to herself as her friend stood and beamed happily. The she-cat laid down and looked up at Stormstar, wondering if there was going to be anything else important to announce.

Dapplekit jumped up into the air, "Yay, Nightfur!" she cheered innocently.

Barleypaw nodded in agreement, "Nightfur's gonna make a great deputy, don't you think?"

((Should Nightfur go and stand by Stormstar? If so, just tell me and I'll modify this post. Cuz I'm not really sure.))[/sub][/blockquote]

[SHADE. :D]

Skytomb watched from outside the warriors' den. He sat beside Icelily, his tail resting over her snowy shoulders. He moved his head to watch and listen to Stormstar. As he moved his limbs into a more comfortable position, he gave a sigh. He remembered staring up at Mousestar, and Cagedstar, and Cormorantstar, and many leaders before that. He knew he was getting old; there was no escaping the fact. The tom's still-handsome face broke into a smile as Nightfur was announced as deputy. He lifted his head to chant her name along with the rest of the crowd; Nightfur was a strong, dependable she-cat. No doubt one day she would lead CloudClan with bravery and strength.

Tansykit and Indigopaw sat side-by-side somewhere in the centre of the crowd, near Dapplekit, Stripedpaw and Frostkit. Indigopaw had dragged his young friend into the middle of the crowd. Tansykit stared down at her paws, her green eyes huge but still unseeing. The ginger and white kitten politely uttered Nightfur's name a few times, before falling silent. Indigopaw, on the other hand, stood on tip-paw, straining as high as he could. He puffed out his chest and yowled as loudly as possible. "Nightfur, Nightfur!" The blue-grey tom stared up at the new deputy with admiration in his bright sapphire eyes. He hoped to one day hold that position himself.

[FIREH!!]

<sub>Icelily chanted the new deputy's name, and purred to Skytomb. Do you think he'll make us elders now? She asked in a hushed tone, so no other cat could hear her.

Midnightsky chanted the new deputy's name, and padded to his brother, Indigopaw. He cuffed him in the ear. Let's go train when he's done. He purred.

Shoalpaw, still ragged, sat beside Barleypaw. She will. He agreed. He leaned against his new friend, relaxing despite all the trouble for him.</sub>

[Spice..xx]

_{Skyflight stood and chanted Nightfurs name along with the rest. "Nightfur, Nightfur!" she called, her tail waving in the air as she called. Looking around she saw Oleandergaze and Dewpaw, both looking worried. She trotted over to them and sat down. "Hello Oleandergaze, Dewpaw. Have you two any idea where Deliriumstep and Tawnypaw are? I havnt seen them for a while" she said, slightly worried by her friends dissappearance. She looked towards Dewpaw, knowing she would be just as if not more worried about her sister.
Dewpaw purred quietly as Oleandergaze curled his tail with hers. She rose and chanted Nightfurs name, happy that a capable warrior had become deputy. She raised her tail in greeting as Skyflight approached them and shook her head anxiously. "No, me and Oleandergaze were going to go and look for them after the ceremony. You wouldnt like to join us would you? Is that okay Oleandergaze?" she asked her friend, loking up at the tom.}

[(aurora) of the problematique]

_{Oleandergaze's wise eyes turned to Skyflight and the tom shook his head. "I haven't seen them, but like Dewpaw said, we're going to look for them after Stormstar is finished," he said, nodding at what the apprentice had said. "Yes, that's fine with me. Skyflight, you can come along if you wish." The male smiled gently, the sun seeming to warm the smooth cocoa features of him.}

[[xoxo] shard. :)]

<sup>Stormstar nodded to Nightfur, then continued.

"Now, we have a ceremony that I forgot to carry out before. Icelily, Skytomb, please come forward.

"Icelily and Skytomb, is it your wish to give up the name of warrior and go to join the elders?"</sup>

[KURI. (happy birfday to me :D)]

Barrenpaw's flank heaved as he burst into camp, wondering if Otterpaw had arrived yet. He dropped his catch on the pile and paced back and forth as he looked over what had happened. What had made him act so unlike him? He caught a glipse of Barleypaw, with Shoalpaw resting against her, and made a mental note to tease her about it afterward. Soon his trademark scowl was back on his face as he waited for Otterpaw.

[/color][/blockquote]

[SHADE. :D]

Skytomb smiled as he watched Indigopaw yowled Nightfur's name. The strong tom licked Icelily's cheek. They had been together for so long. They had gone through so much together. The blue-grey warrior blinked up at Stormstar through lightning-yellow eyes. The tom was still fairly young, in Skytomb's eyes. He had been a good leader to CloudClan; modest and true. Skytomb rose to his feet when the time came, ignoring the pain. A new excitement shone in his eyes, and for a moment he looked almost kit-like. Skytomb nudged Icelily, helping the snowy white queen to her paws. Padding slowly to the front of the crowd with his mate at his flank, the blue-grey tom dipped his head. "It is," he mewed, deep voice rumbling through the murmuring of the crowd.

Indigopaw blinked as his mother and father's names were called. "They're not old enough to be elders, are they?" The question wasn't really directed at anybody. The little tom, the spitting image of his father, frowned, his brow wrinkling. In his opinion, elders were nosy, cranky old cats that needed to be cared for and could barely move around themselves. His parents wern't like that, were they? Icelily was still a gentle and kind queen, Skytomb a strong, intelligent warrior. Why were they retiring now? Indigopaw gave a squeak as his older brother cuffed him over the ears. "Shouldn't I be going with Cloakedclaw?" he muttered, voice somewhat sulky. "He's my mentor." In truth, Indigopaw wasn't bothered who trained him. It was just the shock of his mother and father's retirement making him act difficult.

[cheshy says grace]

Otterpaw skidded to a halt as she entered camp. She stuck her tongue out at Barrenpaw, "You beat me!" she whispered as she realized there was a ceremony going on. "Oh! Look! Icelily and Skytomb are finally becoming elders!" she smiled at him, "C' mon, let's go sit." As she walked past him, she let her tail brush against his flank. Otterpaw smiled to herself and found a spot behind Indigopaw and Midnightsky. The apprentice craned her neck to look at Barrenpaw and she motioned with her tail for him to come sit, "Come on!" she mouthed.

Barleypaw watched as her brother entered camp, "You're late!" she hissed quietly, but continued on watching the ceremony. Her gaze eventually wandered over to Indigopaw and set. The new apprentice seemed anxious or something of the sort. She knew that Icelily and Skytomb were his parents, and they were strong warriors, but Barleypaw understood that they were getting too old for this warrior stuff.

Blissclaw sighed as her daughter came into camp after Barrenpaw. She smiled, "Ahh, young love."[/blockquote][/color]

[x.Jolly.x]

Mooncloud stepped around the chanting cats as she made her way to Nightfur's side. The exhausted she-cat panted as she sat down, with the effort of weaving through the cats. 'Hello, I just wanted to say congratulations on becoming deputy.' She mewed after chanting Nightfur's name. She was wondering if Stormstar was going to make her an elder as well. She was 53 moons after all, and not much use after she twisted her paw badly. She looked up Stormstar, and wondered what it would be like sitting up there. It would be frightening to address all these cats. She decided.

[/size]

[FIREH!!]

<sub>Icelily padded with her mate to Stormstar. She looked at Skytomb quickly and meowed strongly, It is. She knew that they had been together for a long time, and that her last litter was the last one. Now she could sit around and watch her children grow.

Midnightsky nodded, He asked me to take you out today. I trained Hailpaw yesterday, and Cloakedclaw is going out on the sunhigh patrol, so he asked me to train you today. He smiled at his little brother. Don't worry, when you go to clean out their bedding, you can talk to them all you want. They won't be cranky. I've fought beside them, they are formidable warriors and great parent. He smiled reassurringly at his brother.</sub>

[cheshy says grace]

Nightfur turned her head to smile at Mooncloud, "Thanks!" Her smile grew wider before she turned her head to look back up at Stormstar.

((no muse DDx))

[/blockquote]

[KURI. (happy birfday to me :D)]

Barrenpaw stuck out his tongue back at her, but was smiling all the while. He didn't move away as her tail touched his fur, and when he sat beside her he felt warm like he never had before. When Barleypaw interrupted him he growled at her - right now he didn't care how late he was; no one wanted him in camp besides Otterpaw anyway. He turned his icy gaze to Stormstar. Why had he been given Haloheart as a mentor? It was driving him mad. Otterpaw's voice rang in his head again. She's a good cat, it said. Wait, what? Was he so... whatever he was over Otterpaw that she had even replaced his nearly non-existent conscience? His uneasy eyes flickered over to Haloheart. I'll give her a chance, he promised silently, looking at the brown she-cat beside him. For you.

[/color][/blockquote]

[SHADE. :D]

Indigopaw frowned, but gave a sharp little nod. The tom turned to look at Tansykit, but the ginger and white kit was staring at her paws. The blue-grey apprentice sighed, and followed suite. Indigopaw suddenly became aware that eyes were on his back. He turned, eyes narrowed, until he recognized Barleypaw. He gave a tiny smile, nodded again to Midnightsky. "Hold on," he murmured. The tom shuffled back to sit beside her. "Hullo," he mewed softly. Indigopaw laid his head miserably on his paws, sighing.

Haloheart blinked her light blue eyes as she stood outside the warriors' den. The light ginger tabby padded towards Midnightsky, her brother, and smiled at him. She winked at Indigopaw, her long, striped tail waving. Haloheart peered around, spotting Barrenpaw. "I wonder if he's softened up at all," she mewed, soft voice low. The she-cat continued to watch her apprentice, her chest tight. She sighed, ears drooping. It did not look as though Barrenpaw would ever like, or accept her.

[cheshy says grace]

Otterpaw looked up at Barrenpaw and grinned. She tried to puff up her chest like him and look high and mighty, but failed miserably. She giggled, "I guess I can't do it like you. I look silly," she sat for second before saying, "Well, I guess I am silly." he turned her gaze to look at Stormstar, but decided nothing very important was going on.

Barleypaw looked down at Indigopaw and smiled, "It's okay, it just means they won't have to do warrior work anymore. Just think of it, they might be able to live longer if they're in the elder's den." She sighed, "I mean, at least you know your parents."[/color][/blockquote]

[SHADE. :D]

After a moment Indigopaw realised he had been insensitive. He had never been much good at talking to those who were not his kin - probably a result of the number of family members that he had. The blue-grey tom raised his shoulders, blinking his dark, deep blue eyes. "Sorry," he mewed awkwardly, looking down. "I never really thought... Well, sorry." Indigopaw shuffled his paws, his tail wandering over the earth in an uncomfortable way. Indigopaw glanced up when he scented Haloheart, a big sister of his, but when he noticed she was not heading for him, his eyes dropped once again.

[x.Jolly.x]

You're welcome! Wow, think of it this way. One day, you might be up there naming elders and choosing a deputy. That wasn't mean't to psych you out. Good luck, Nightfur. mooncloud shuffled her paws as she watched her best friend be made into an elder. It was going to be her time soon. If Stormstar didn't call her up today, she would go talk to him about it later.

[cheshy says grace]

Barleypaw looked down at the younger apprentice with soft eyes, "No, it's okay, I understand."

Nightfur smiled at the senior warrior, "No problem."[/color] The she-cat prodded Mooncloud in the side gently, "By time you became an elder too, aye?"[/color][/sub][/blockquote]

[KURI. (happy birfday to me :D)]

"I don't think you're silly!" Barrenpaw blurted out before he could stop himself. "I mean... I think you're great at... stuff." How lame can I get? he asked himself, frustrated. "I-I'm going to go talk to... Um..." He had to get out of there, out of that strangely warm feeling that was filling his insides, nearly choking him. He knew what it was now, just by looking at Otterpaw's sweet face - but he refused to let himself admit how he felt about her, even in the confides of his own mind. "I'm going to talk to Haloheart!" Oh, smooth. the first name that came to mind happened to be the one cat he despised the most. Growling, he stomped over to his mentor. "Hi." was all he said at first, but he looked back at Otterpaw and added, "I'm sorry about being so ungreatful. You're an..." he paused and searched for the right words. "... Okay mentor."

[/color][/blockquote]

[cheshy says grace]

Otterpaw smiled at Barrenpaw as he blurted out the words. "I don't think you're silly!" Her eyes softened and she purred. "I mean... I think you're great at... stuff." Her smile grew wider and the nuggety spot inside the pit of her stomach finally filled the J-shaped organ inside her. "I'm going to talk to Haloheart!" Otterpaw nodded in acceptance and watched as the tomcat walked over to his mentor.

[/blockquote]