&fear.

[[xoxo] shard. :)]

<sup>A broad form leapt upon the Bird's Wing. After the Gathering's news, Stormstar was uneasy. He didn't know what to believe. True, they'd lost Crystalkit, but all of the Clans had lost a kit. There could be a more logical explanation. Also, Deriliumstep had been killed by a fox. Nothing mysterious there.

"May all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Bird's Wing for a Clan meeting!" Once many had assembled, he continued. "As we learned at the Gathering, a force called the Tribe of Nightmares has been wreaking havoc upon the forest. This may be what happened to Crystalkit, but I am skeptical. All of the Clans have been called to Jay's Hollow in seven sunrises to confront the Tribe. I askyou, my Clanmates, rather than my own judgement. Should we join in?"

As her leader summoned, Midnightlove arrived, Skunkkit quietly trailing her. "Son, you must wait in the nursery," she said in a hushed voice. The kit flattened his ears. "But-" "Go!" The tom trudged back to the nursery with a plan. When many felines arrived he crept into the crowd without notice.</sup>

[FIREH!!]

<sub>Midnightsky padded into camp with his catch in his jaws. He dropped it onto the pile, and padded over. We should fight! He called up to his leader, defiancy roaring like flames in his eyes.

Cloakedclaw padded out of the nursery, his kit, Frostkit, following. I wanna be an apprentice! I'm six moons! Pleaaaaaaaassseeeee? She asked her father sitting down beside him. That's up to Stormstar. He told her. Then he raised his voice and meowed, I'll fight! He heard his sister, Stripedpaw, echo his call as she sat beside Midnightsky.</sub>

[cheshy says grace]

NiGHTFUR

she trotted into camp after stormstar, her black fur glossy and dark blue in the moonlight. and so will I! she called along with cloakedclaw.

the deputy stood bravely. we have to get rid of the tribe somehow!

[/b]

comments;; can you make otterpaw a warrior now? her name would be ottersoul if so, please.

otterpaw trotted up to bird's wing and listened to stormstar. she sat down, where was barrenpaw when she needed him? he helped her make decisions and now she couldn't find him.

barrenpaw? she called, looking around for him. barrenpaw? where are you?

ivorypeach looked at her apprentice and smiled. ya! she called, let's fight back!

dapplekit waddled after her sister. hey! I wanna become an apprentice too! she whined.[/size][/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[all out JINX ♥]

<sub>//hey Shard Blackmagic was killed by a tribe member

//The coal black tom looked up from his grooming, Stormstar was back? He listened to his leader's news about the tribe, how can Crystalkit still be alive? Silentraven looked around, to the deputy, then to Midnightsky, then back to Stormstar. "We should fight... for Starclan!" His ivy green eyes determind and strong, he didn't care if he was old.

Whisperwind sat in the back of everyone, his light green eyes more happier then usual. Ever since he heard his brother had died, Whisperwind felt a weight being lifted off his shoulders. He listened to what Stormstar said "I think we shouldn't fight! Why waste time fighting for other clans? We're just all going to die anyway..." Whisperwind hated the other clans, every strand of fur. He would rather die then fight along side them.</sub>

[(aurora) of the problematique]

<sub>Oleandergaze strode out into the warm light of the sun, blinking slowly. The massive tom pricked his ears when he heard Stormstar's call. The male nodded and turned towards him, plodding over to the crowd. "I think we should fight. If not for the other Clans, then at least for CloudClan," the wise tom spoke up. Though young, the warrior was intelligent beyond his years. He sat down, tail curling around his paws. His eyes turned anxiously to the apprentice's den, wondering if Dewpaw would come out. She was to be a warrior soon...and perhaps the mother of his kits someday.

Astralhaze's beautiful form slunk out of warrior's den. The fae who resembled moonlight trotted over to Skyflight, Stormstar's mate. "Your beloved seems anxious," the female said quietly, nudging her friend with a soft mew. "And I don't blame him..." As much as she was concerned about her friend's mate and leader, her mind was equally drawn to her own crush, BrightClan's deputy Lastfalling.</sub>

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

ooc; I think Barrenpaw, Barelypaw, Treepaw, Otterpaw, Dewpaw and Tawnypaw should all be warriors... correct me if I'm wrong.

Barrenpaw took his place beside Otterpaw, watching Stormstar through slitted aquamarine eyes. How stupid was the idea of this 'Tribe'? He didn't believe one bit of it. That stupid kit probably just snuck out of camp and got lost - she didn't have a mother, anyway, as far as he knew. "I'm right here,"

[/b] he replied with a softness he would never dare use with any cat except Otterpaw. Pressing beside her while still staring at Stormstar expectantly, he murmured, "What is it?"[/color] He hated to admit it, but he was happy to have Otterpaw. Barleypaw and Treepaw had been... well, ignoring him. It hurt him, it really did.[/size][/blockquote]

[(aurora) of the problematique]

_{Oblongorcut:// Grasskit and Spottedkit need to become apprentices (just to throw that out).}

[blair]

sometimes i almost am a snowstorm

[/center][/color]

Snowkit watched impatiently at the edge of the nursery, her calico, petite little body just impatiently watching the leader from her position, willing one moon to creep through right now. The little five-moon knew she had only one more moon until she had a mentor-and was Snowpaw, and then she'd be a warrior! Oh the glory...
Her gentle, light amber optics bounced on him, almost in a excited dancing way, though glazed over with fright as he brought up a kit that had gone missing, take by these... as she got, in her mind... these wierdo dead people. She understood StarClan, after some teachings, but the Nightmare Tribe was a bit too far off for her.

{ooc; and Comet'kit' is to be apprenticed to Dragonflydance I assume. Though her real apprenticeship as a medicine cat takes place at the Moonshard with the other medicine cats, I really don't know how you guys do it here xD}

[SHADE. :D]

they taped over you mouth

Like a shadow Tawnypaw slipped from the apprentices' den, her mouth pursed and shut, her tongue still and silent. Her paws made no sound on the soft grass. Her leaf green eyes were no longer dull, but fiery, filled with every imaginable form if anger and defiance. She would not be comforted. No one dared take pity on her. Tawnypaw's eyes slipped sideways to fix on the large grey form of Oleandergaze. They rolled expressively at the sight of him. It was plain to see that her sister had, quite literally, fallen tail over paws in love with the tom. She also knew, deep inside, that her scorn was fueled only by the envy buried within her. Nobody loved her, not in the way that Oleandergaze loved Dewpaw. Tawnypaw tossed her sleek head, deciding she didn't need to be loved, not by some idiotic tom, anyway. Taking her place in the crowd, her face raised boldly, she deflected all attentions coming her way with stubborn silence.

She was closely followed by Indigopaw, whose heavy paws struck the grass with dull thumps. The sturdy blue-grey looked dejected and fearful, his tail dragging in the dust. As he walked, he turned his handsome young face up to face Stormstar, a cat he had once believed could do anything. But the tom could not protect them from the wrath of this Tribe, if it existed. Indigopaw trailed through the crowd until his eyes brushed the pelt of a relative; Cloakedclaw. He sat beside the ginger tabby, saying nothing. After a moment he regretted this decision - Frostkit and Dapplekit where bouncing around their father's paws, squealing shrilly. Indigopaw wanted to cover his ears, block out the noise so he could think, but instead remained hunched over.

Tansykit's posture was withdrawn as she padded silently from the confines of the nursery after her sisters. Her ginger and white fur bristled lightly as her father mentioned apprenticeship. The blind kitten ran her tongue over her lips and swallowed, getting her mouth ready to gush fake congratulations. Tansykit sat dejectedly beside Indigopaw, head hanging. She didn't care what her father said, she knew their kind words were not entirely truthful. There was no way she could train as an apprentice. She needed sight, to hunt and fight. Tansykit bit back tears as she thought of everything she was missing in life. She didn't even know what she looked like, let alone anybody else.

scribbled out the truth with their lies

[cheshy says grace]

otterpaw purred in delight and surprise when he talked. she rubbed her cheek on his shoulder and meowed softly, should we fight? do you think this 'tribe' is real? and if it is, what would happen is we didn't fight back? we could all... die

barleypaw trotted to the gathered cats. she looked around for the familiar blue-gray pelt she spent most of er time with now a days. indigopaw. she spotted him and moved over to him. she licked his ear reassuringly, is something wrong, indigo? she asked timidly.

((all of your kitties are so sad, shadeh, XD))

[&&R.A.V.E.N :3]

Ancientmagic gazed up at his leader, eyes shining brightly. His tail flicked slightly as he listened to first Stormstar, then the cats that spoke up. His tail settled down onto his paws as the older warrior spoke up. "to keep our Clan safe, we should fight. Fight for our Clan and our great StarClan" He called, his deep voice rising over the smaller voices.

Fadedmemory trotted in after Midnightsky, her tail flicking softly as she sat down beside the tom. Cringing slightly, she remembered breifly who a battle between Clans were. How would it be between an unseeable enemy? She shook her head, not speaking, only trying to remeber other things, like fighting techniques.

[kee :]]

"What in StarClan's name is going on here?"

A low bellow arose from the warriors den as a dark scared tomcat appeared from the shadows, taking in the sunlight. His voice was too quiet for many to hear but his eyes were narrowed darkly. From rumors, gossiping, and conversations between warriors, he had discovered what the tribe was. And he also discovered that those were the cats in his dreams before he got to CloudClan. They were horrible horrible... things that were once cats. His clanmates. He shook away the though. Now the only thing in his dreams was Lemonzest, Tawnypaw, Dewpaw, Oleandergaze, and little kittens in a meadow.

Sighing, he limped over to the side of the crowd and sat down next to Tawnypaw. He didn't speak to her. He saw clearly the way she glared at Oleandergaze and it made his eyes lighten a bit. Jealousy? Envy? Was his daughter jealous of Dewpaw and Oleandergaze. Frowning, he looked away and up at Stormstar. That was where he used to stand. This was the Clan he used to lead. Jealousy? Not a chance. Stormstar was a wonderful Leader. Never a better one in all of CloudClan's history.

[all out JINX ♥]

<sub>//Whisperwind could mentor one of the becoming apprentice's... that is if you would want him to... or even Silentraven could mentor one... ;D

//Whisperwind's light green eyes filled with frustration, I refuse to fight with another clan! His stone gray pelt bristled, and his ivory colored teeth tips pocked from under his top lip. "Has every cat in this clan gone mouse-brained! Haven't we fought the clans in the past?! How do we know they won't turn on us?" Whisperwind's voice rose every sentence, he shook his head to calm down. "I just don't think we could trust them enough not to attack us... but that's just my opinion..." His voice was hard but a calm and level volume.

Silentraven shot his ivy green eyes at Whisperwind, he knew it wasn't against Starclan if you voiced opinion. His glance became a glare as he heard Whisperwind voice off the other clans. "That gives you no right to not fight your clan!" Silentraven hissed with a low deep voice, he had been haveing nightmares about his sister and that put him a little bitter from lack of sleep. The coal black tom padded over to Ancientmagic and sat with a grunt beside the tom.

//hey Raven could Silent and Ancient be friends</sub>

[blair]

emotions are such a mess sometimes

[/size][/color]

Snowkit's large, gentle amber pools blinked at the figure of Ribbontail for a moment, before her calico shadow trotted over to Tansykit, a loud-kit-squeal of laughter alerting her presence as she almost bowled into the poor Tansykit, her calico pelt now pressing against her adopted sisters pelt, her own snowy paws twitched with excitement as she looked over to Tansykit, again wondering how old she was, Ribbontail nor her answered last time she asked-mainly because the gathering had started.

"I'm in the nursery for one more moon!" Snowkit mewled, seeming deflated at the fact, oblivious to Tansykit's sadness, and almost to her blindness of the world...

[/color]

{ooc; if Tawnypaw and Whisperedsong of BrightClan met... their jealousy could start a war xD

Also... Poor Tansykit ;D Snowkit can be so ignorant sometimes}

[/size][/right]

[SHADE. :D]

Tawnypaw continued to glare furiously in Oleandergaze's direction, mouth a straight, sullen line. She felt a cat's presence beside her and glanced left. She recognized Cormorantfeather and sprang away from him, lip curling angrily. Tawnypaw stalked to the edge of the clearing and sat alone, beneath a fern. The brown and white she-cat lapped her tongue viciously over her paws, feeling the eyes of the clan on her. Tawnypaw looked up again, her tail lashing. Her green gaze raked over Oleandergaze again, sharp as claws, before coming to rest on Stormstar.

Indigopaw blinked as Barleypaw squeezed in beside him. He shook his head slowly, attempting a small smile. His lips twitched, but nothing more happened. "I'm just scared, that's all," Indigopaw admitted, hanging his head. "I#m pathetic. I don't deserve to be an apprentice." The blue-grey tom turned to look miserably at his friend, large, round eyes glistening. Their sapphire depths were filled with fear of the future. At least he knew one thing; Barleypaw would always be right there beside him. Unless... A sickening thought struck him like a blow to the stomach. What if the Tribe took Barleypaw...?

Tansykit's ears pricked up suddenly as a mad squeal ripped through the air. Before she had had time to react to the thunder of pawsteps near her, something furry collided with her. She gave a great wail of terror, flattening herself uselessly to the grass. The ginger and white kitten then recognized Snowkit's warm, still slightly foreign scent, and felt incredibly foolish. The blind kit felt her cheeks burn and swallowed, straightening up. Ribbontail trotted from the nursery, licking her mate's ear, before sitting behind Frostkit, Dapplekit, Snowkit and Tansykit. She gave Snowkit a nudge. "Be gentle, sweetheart," she murmured, nosing her foster kit.

[(aurora) of the problematique]

<sub>"Herro!" Grasskit's unmistakable speech echoed out from the nursery. He bounded after all of his 'sisters', half-tackling Ribbontail, Snowkit, Dapplekit, Frostkit, and Tansykit. The brown and gray tomkit grinned impishly and licked Ribbontail's mew. "Herro, ritter sister!" The much-younger cat said to her. He turned his dark eyes over to Tansykit and touched noses with her. "How are ya doing, Tansykit?"

ohohcows:// Who is Ribbon's mate? *fails at memory* Cloakedclaw?</sub>

[SHADE. :D]

// Yeah. xDD Tansykit and Grasskit would be so cute together - but I guess it would be weird, seeing as they grew up like brother and sister. *shrug*

[(aurora) of the problematique]

_{Oboeoncandles:// Yeah. Grassy considers her to be his sister. He'd protect her 'til the death}

[falconkit]

<sub>((again, I'm sorry for not posting. No muse at all -.-;;)

A little figure of a she-kit appeared at the entrance of the nursery. The fluffy gray Whisperkit saw her brother skunkkit run off into the crowd. What was he thinking? She slowly padded through the crowd, trying not to step on anyones tail or cause anyone to notice her. Her brother was the only thing she was after really, why should it matter anyways. They were talking about some tribe or something. She shrugged it off, ignoring the talk and following her brother. Finally catching up with him, she stopped. "What are you doing? It is a meeting," she whispered, trying to be as quiet as possible. Getting caught was not something she wanted to do.</sub>

[blair]

Snowkit giggled as Grasskit collided next with the kit group, her calico pelt toppling behind herself, her snowy paws flying into the air, waggling as she smiled up at Ribbontail, her paws tickling the Queen's chest teasingly. Her amber pools danced over to Ribbontail again, as she pulled herself up and situated herself next to Tansykit, pressing her pelt against her foster-sisters, before peering back to her foster-mom. "Sorry" an apologetic, happy mrow came from the average sized kit, as she gently licked Tansykit's ear to make sure she hadn't hurt her "Whoops, Sorry Tansykit" she now murmured, obviously guilty for not thinking in advance.

[/color]

{ooc; Grasskit's so cute :3}

[/size][/right]

[SHADE. :D]

Tansykit felt Snowkit's soft coat brush her's, and judged the distance of their bodies, before lifting a paw shakily. She gave the calico kit a little prod with a slim white forepaw, smiling a little. Tansykit felt ridiculously proud of herself for performing such a simple action without her eyes - an action she was pretty certain other cats did every day, without even thinking. "S'okay," she mewed, waving her patched tail. Ribbontail smiled down at Grasskit. "Hello, big brother," she mewed, giving him a gentle lick between the ears. The slender silver bengal then picked him up by his scruff and sat him between Snowkit and Frostkit.

[cheshy says grace]

barleypaw shook her head vigorously. no you're not! you are one of the most bravest strongest cats I've ever met! you're not pathetic! she told him, her round eyes full of belief and... what was that? love?[/color]

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

Barrenpaw spat mockingly as Otterpaw mentioned the Tribe. "It's not real. Don't believe it, it's probably just a nursery story gone completely out of hand." he rolled his turquoise eyes, then licked Otterpaw's ear affectionately. "But if we do fight them, you know I'll be there." he murmured, claws unsceathing violently at even the thought of any mangy furball laying a claw on Otterpaw.

... his Otterpaw.

[cheshy says grace]

Otterpaw purred and rested her head on Barrenpaw's shoulder. Yeah, probably, she meowed, yawning and closing her eyes.[/color]

[[xoxo] shard. :)]

<sup>ooc:// Yea, I know this is quick, but the Gathering's today. And Otterpaw was made an apprentice with Indigo, Hail, and Striped. She's not reaady yet, but she can still come to the battle.

With a sigh, Stormstar waved his tail for silence. "Despite my wariness, it seems that the majority of the Clan supports taking part in the battle. We will go.

"Before we do so, though, we have some other ceremonies to conduct. Barleypaw, Barrenpaw, Treepaw, Tanwypaw, and Dewpaw, please step forward."

"I call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in their turn. Barleypaw, Treepaw, Barrenpaw, Tawnypaw, and Dewpaw, do you promise to follow the warrior code and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?"</sup>[/color] After each responded, he continued. "Then by the powers of StarClan I give you all your warrior names.

"Barleypaw, from this day forth you will be known as Barleyfeather. We honor your wisdom and loyalty and welcome you as a full warrior of CloudClan.

"Treepaw, from this day forth you will be known as Treebranch. We honor your will and strength and welcome you as a full warrior of CloudClan.

"Barrenpaw, from this day forth you will be known as Barrenclaw. We honor your perserverance and consistency and welcome you as a full warrior of CloudClan.

"Tawnypaw, from this day forth you will be known as Tawnysky. We honor your perserverance and knowledge and welcome you as a full warrior of CloudClan.

"Dewpaw, from this day forth you will be known as Dewstep. We honor your will to do what's right and sensitivity, and welcome you as a full warrior of CloudClan." He watched the Clan chant, hen descended from the Bird's Wing.[/sup]

[SHADE. :D]

The shaded gaze lifted in surprise as her name was called. It was almost like an uttered enchantment that allowed her limbs to move. Tawnypaw got up, her paws brushing the grass, and padded silently to the front of the crowd. She kept her head down, green eyes focused on the ground beneath her paws. The creamy brown and white apprentice looked up only when she stood before Stormstar, and even then her green eyes did not meet his. Tawnypaw swallowed nervously as the question was asked. The question that meant everything. "I-I do," she mewed, her voice shaking like a brittle leaf in the breeze. Her ears pricked at her new name. So she had a new name. Tawnysky. But what difference did it make? She was still the same stubborn, jealous cat, apprentice or warrior.

Indigopaw turned to his best friend, sapphire eyes wide and hopeful. "You really mean it?" he mewed, looking apprehensive. "You're not just saying it to make me feel better?" He wasw a little confused at the look in her eye; he hadn't ever seen it before, except once... He'd once seen his mother look at his father like that. Indigopaw opened his mouth as if to say something, but at that moment Barleypaw's name was called. "Oh, good luck!" he piped after her. Indigopaw found himself grinning broadly as she was given her new name. He rushed over to her, smothering her in licks and nuzzles. "Wow, your a warrior now, Barleyfeather," he mewed brightly. "Hey, you won't boss me around, will you?"

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

Barrenpaw's head was held high as his name was called, and he smiled, an unusual expression for the usually-scowling tomcat. He waited impatiently, digging his claws into the soil below him over and over again until it turned peaty and loose. When is it my turn?! he nearly screamed, slitting his eyes and staring at Stormstar.
Barelyfeather.
Treebranch.
It was his turn.

"I do!" he called, his prine unimaginable. Barrenclaw. He could barely hear the rest of the ceremony; not even Tawneysky and Dewstep's warriorship. Barrenclaw's tail waved in the air like a flag, high in triumph.

[(aurora) of the problematique]

<sub>"Congratulations, Tawnysky and Dewstep," Oleandergaze said, smiling gently. He nuzzled his love and padded over to Tawnysky, waving a broad paw. His eyes were crinkled as he gave his kudos to her, but then his voice nearly faltered as he noticed the hateful glare on the she-cat's face. He stepped back and turned away from her, hastily padding over to Dewstep. He wondered what Tawnysky's problem was.

Astralhaze smiled as she chanted the names of the new warriors. "Good job, Barrenclaw, Barleyfeather, Treebranch, Tawnysky, and Dewstep," she said, her voice gentle as always. The pretty silver spotted she-cat dipped her head to her new denmates. "I hope your warriorhood brings great blessings."

Grasskit grinned impishly as his 'little sister' Ribbontail picked him up and sat him by Snowkit and Frostkit. "Hey! I'm awmost gonna be an apprentice. I'm too big to be carried!" he boasted. "I have to get big and strong if I'm going to protect Dapplekit, Frostkit, Tansykit, Snowkit, and you, Ribbontail!" He smiled cutely.</sub>

[cheshy says grace]

barleypaw nodded, yes, I really mean it. would I lie to you?[/b] she asked, purring and nuzzling him gently.

the she stood and pricked her ears when she heard her name called. I do, she mewed, and again waited.

Barleyfeather.

What a beautiful name! she thought, twirling aroud to face Indigopaw, who covered her in affection. barleyfeather grinned and shook her head. no way! of course I wouldn't boss you around. and anyways, it's any moon now you'll become a warrior, too, she purred.[/color]

otterpaw grinned hugely and licked barrenclaw on his cheek. congrats, barrenclaw! she mewed, nuzzling him. this is the first time I've seen you smile like that in ages! she purred, happy for barrenclaw.

her barrenclaw.[/size]

[Spice..xx]

Skyflights sharp green gaze turned from Stormstar to Astralhaze as she heard her friends voice behind her. "Yes, he does. I am still unsure of what he wants to do, he was quite quiet at the Gathering" the blue-grey femme said softly, looking back to the smoky grey tom that was her mate. She knew he would make the right decision in the end and do what was best for the Clan and she would stand by him, no matter what.

Dewpaw exited the apprentices den swiftly as Stormstar called the meeting and found herself beside Oleandergaze. "Hi" she said gently, standing on tip-paw to touch noses with her muscular mate. She purred as she sat down next to him, twining her tail with his. She still couldn't believe that she had a mate, and that Oleandergaze loved her. He could have had anyone, but he had chosen Dewpaw. As her father entered the clearing Dewpaw took a sharp breath in but didnt move towards him or look at him. She just ignored him, for now. A shiver crept down her spine and she looked around, finally seeing Tawnypaw giving Oleandergaze such a glare that she was surprised her eyes weren't burning a hole right through him. She was about to go over and ask her what was wrong when her name was called. She looked up and gasped as Stormstar asked the question that would lead to her warrior name. She squeaked her reply and then was given her new name. Dewstep. "I'm a warrior!" she squealed to Oleandergaze, headbutting her mate in her excitement. Racing over to her sister, Dewstep tried to act more subdued, as he sisters mood was dampening her spirits. "Congratulations Tawnysky" she said quietly, touching her nose to her sisters.[/color][/blockquote]