&fear.

[blair]

Snowkit mewled in opposition as Grasskit said she needed to be protected, though her calico pelt was still the soft, puffy texture of a young kits she was older than she looked. "I don't need protecting!" she tried to look bravely at the tomkit with her amber pools, though failing much and looking silly - not knowing though, if she saw herself, she'd giggle enough for a whole nursery of kits. "I'm almost an apprentice too!" she pondered over her age now, as she licked a snowy paw somewhat calmly before replying "I'm five moons!"

{ooc; How about I just start Cometpaw as an apprentice already to make everyones lives a little easier :3}

[/right]

[(aurora) of the problematique]

<sub>"You're still a wady!" Grasskit protested, "And wadies need to be protected by their order brothers!" He let out a battle mew and puffed out his wiry chest more. "And I'm here to protect the ladies." Ah, yes, that speech impediment. He was slowly growing out of it but sometimes he still came back.

Oleandergaze blinked at Dewstep. "Was it something I said?" he asked her as he bumped heads with her. The massive tomcat looked slightly sad. "I can go...if you want to talk to her..."</sub>

[kee :]]

Cormorantfeather didn't mind Tawnypaw pulling away from him. He expected her to do so when he came up and probably for the rest of his life, she would hate him. Or hopefully grow to love him after getting over all the trauma. Cormorantfeather knew he wouldn't get over it. But he wouldn't show anyone that. Thats when it hit him, Tawnypaw and Dewpaw, his daughters had just become warriors. A sudden rush of pride ran through him and he began to cheer for the new warriors. But he yelled Tawnysky and Dewstep's names that loudest. When he turned to look at Dewstep, a sad smile crept across his face. Oleandergaze and Dewstep were sitting together, all happy and in love. The thought of Lemonzest hit him hard but he shook it away when Dewstep approached Tawnysky.

"Congratulations, Tawnysky and Dewstep," he meowed and nodded his head to each of them. He would of said that he was proud, but he held back the selfish comment and knew that he shouldn't be. He hadn't been there for the birth, apprentice ceremony or the training. So why should he be proud. Figuring they would probably give him the cold shoulder, he turned to face Oleandergaze. He was just about the size of Comorantfeather, but he was young and had some more muscle to build. He was nice, gentle, caring, and perfect for Dewstep. Cormorantfeather smiled slightly and flicked his tail toward Oleandergaze, before limping over to him. "Oleandergaze, could I speak with you a moment?"

[SHADE. :D]

Tawnysky rolled her leaf green eyes as she spotted Oleandergaze and Dewstep making a public show of their affection. It made her feel sick. It wasn't fair. The she-cat continued to glare at Oleanderfur, even after he congratulated her. The she-cat's insides were a boiling mass of hate, anger and jealousy, and it made her want to scream. Why couldn't she be happy? Everyone else was happy! Oleandergaze was happy, Dewstep was happy, Cormorantfeather was happy, even stupid little blind Tansykit was happy! But not her, no, because she wasn't allowed to be happy! Tawnysky pulled away from her sister as she touched noses with her. "I'm just going to leave you two alone," she hissed, face twisted. "It's obviously what you want. I'm just in the way, as usual." Tawnysky turned tail and stalked from the camp, not caring one inch that it was the middle of a ceremony. She was a warrior this time, and there was no Deliriumstep to stop her doing whatever she pleased.

Indigopaw smiled broadly at Barleyfeather. "I hope so," he mewed, thoughts already darkening again. He might not ever reach warriorhood, not with the looming threat of the battle. The blue-grey couldn't help trembling a little at this thought, though after a moment he steadied himself. The young tom swallowed and straightened up. He was brave, he was brave. Barleyfeather had said so. And he couldn't let her down, because she was his best friend.

// Cue Tawny-Tribe dramaticness. xD *feels evil*

[cheshy says grace]

((lol, cormorantfeather's gonna have the 'talk' with oleandergaze XDD))

Barleyfeather grinned, That's for sure, she mewed and licked Indigopaw's ear. She looked up at Stormstar and sighed. Then she looked at her brothers, Treebranch and Barrenclaw. Her gaze landed on Barrenclaw and she sighed again. She saw Otterpaw with him, she was the one that made him happy. And that's all Barleyfeather wanted for her brother. For him to be happy. Blissful. Joyful.

[Spice..xx]

Dewstep looked up as her father came over and congratulated her and Tawnysky. She summed up all her courage and spoke to him, the tom that she thought she would never be able to share words with. "Thank you" she said quietly, grey eyes watching for her fathers reaction. She jumped in surprise at Tawnyskys hiss and watched her sister leave dumbfounded. The litte she-cat took a step after her sister but then stopped. She didnt care. This was one time to often her sister had snapped at her. If Tawnysky wanted to be a grumpy old badger, then fine. Turning her back on her sisters leaving form she lookeed back to Oleandergaze as Cormorantfeather asked to talk to him. She bit her lip and stared hard at the two toms in front of her, confused. What was all this about?

[/color][/blockquote]

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

ooc; Oooh, Oleadergaze is in trouble... xD

[kee :]]

ooc \\ LOL! yep, thats right. cormie is gonna tell ollie that he needs to leave his daughter alone. XD

[blair]

"Nuhuh!" she puffed out her own snowy chest as Grasskit did, trying to copy what the tom kit, 'older brother' did, as she faced him again, now completely ignoring whatever was being said about some silly tribe cats or something, stuffing the information which she only half got (if that, even) and concentrating on making comebacks to suit Grasskit's, licking her left paw every time she got stumped in thought.
"Well... well... Older brothers don't always need to protect their sisters!" she nodded, her calico head bobbing in spite of the argument happily "I think I can protect myself" she said quieter this time, an amber orb dancing over to Tansykit.

[/color]

[(aurora) of the problematique]

<sub>Oleandergaze blinked as he was addressed and even more so as Tawnysky snarled off at him. He turned to Cormorantfeather and nodded. "I...sure, yes, that is fine," he said quietly. The large male nodded to Dewpaw and turned back towards his father-in-law, padded a ways off so that they could talk in private.

Astralhaze sighed when she saw Tawnysky turn and run away. "Might as well go for a hunt and see if she's okay...," the pretty she-cat said to herself. She meowed at Skyflight. "I'm going to a solo hunt. I'll see you later." She nodded in the direction of Tawnysky so that her best friend could catch her drift.

Grasskit pouted slightly. "Werr...I guess not, but stirr, you could awways come to me if you have something to talk to me about, right?" He grinned expectantly.</sub>

[kee :]]

Pale blue, almost gray eyes followed Tawnysky as she ran out of camp. He sighed, wanting to go after her, but he knew that was a very bad thing to do. Sighing, he smiled slightly at Dewstep as if to comfort her but then followed Oleandergaze to a more private spot. He sat in front of the tan furry tom and looked at the group of cats for a while. He sighed again and turned to look the young tom straight in the eye. "Oleandergaze, I want to thank you. I haven't been a very good father to Dewstep and I just want you to protect her. I don't know how much more time I have left..." His voice trailed off and he looked at the ground in shame. "Just take care of her. I trust you," he murmured solemnly and looked back at the fellow warrior for a response.

[(aurora) of the problematique]

<sub>Molten amber eyes searched Cormorantfeather inquisitively for a moment before Oleandergaze nodded in acceptance of the tom's praise. "You are welcome, Cormorantfeather," he said quietly. "I have asked Dewstep to try to come to trust you but...she values her sister the most. This separation of loves is hard on her." He sighed and stared down at his paws. "I will do my best to protect her, as a mate should." The brown tom lifted his head and nodded, this time more firmly.

"You should come on a hunt with Dewstep and I sometime...just so she can get comfortable with you." He harbored no hard feelings towards the older male, as he did will all others.</sub>

[kee :]]

Nodding, Cormorantfeather began to understand that the more the two younger she-cat fought, the more Dewstep was starting to like him and that made him feel a bit angry. Now he was splitting the sisters up. But the death of Lemonzest and the jealousy of Oleandergaze and Dewstep had to be unbearable for Tawnysky. He couldn't believe he was doing this to his daughters. Maybe it would have been better if the fox killed him right then and there. But Lemonzest said to be patient, so he would be patient. "Thank you very much, Oleandergaze. You're like... the son I never had," he murmured, grinning and then he dipped his head in gratitude. "I would love to go hunting with you. I can feel Dewstep warming up to me more and more every day. I just hope thats a good thing..."

[SHADE. :D]

// Wow, someone understand's Tawny! xD Not that she'd see it that way...

[kee :]]

ooc // cormie's had some experience... XD

[(aurora) of the problematique]

<sub>Her mouth full of her prey, Astralhaze ran in and tossed it onto the pile, making a beeline for the medicine den with a panicked mew. "Dragonflydance! Lastfalling of BrightClan and Tawnysky are hurt. Tawnysky was hurt by the Tribe but Lastfalling saved her, but they both received some blows. Please, please help them," the pretty femme said anxiously, mysterious hazel eyes searching the medicine cat's.

Oleandergaze was about to reply when he saw Astralhaze running into camp. He heard Tawnysky, Lastfalling, and hurt in the same sentence and the tom's hair instantly bristled. A BrightClanner on CloudClan territory? The large tom's eyes fled from gazing at the medicine den, wondering how Cormorantfeather would react if he had heard what Astralhaze had said.</sub>

[kee :]]

Cormorantfeather also noticed the frantic feline named Astralhaze rush quickly into camp and then into the Medicine Cat den. He heard her muffled mews and when he heard the name Tawnysky and hurt in the same sentence, he looked over at Oleandergaze. Hurt? By what? He had heard BrightClan. Was it true? Did a BrightClanner attack her. He began to feel his blood run cold as he thought of her safety but then again... She hated him, it seemed. He sighed. She was his daughter and if she liked it or not, she was going to come with Astralhaze and Dragonflydance. So he just sat and waited anxiously for more news.

[SHADE. :D]

If she had not been faint with pain, Tawnysky would have been overwhelmed by humiliation. The brown and white she-cat staggered into camp, paws tottering in the dust, her eyes down and misty. Her entire coat was streaked with blood, this clotted and dried in places. A vicious wound slashed right into her stomach, and a chunk of flesh had left a gaping hole above one eye. A long, curved cut wound it's way around her neck, seeping blood. One ear was torn at the tip, down to where it joined her head. Even her tail had not escaped unscathed, the tip crushed and bleeding profusely. Tawnysky leant heavily on Lastfalling, drooping as she went, not even noticing her father and Oleandergaze. The warrior had to concentrate on breathing, her chest barely moving. In the sun's bright light she seemed a demon, slashed and bleeding from deep within, smeared with scarlet and dazed by agony.

Dragonflydance appeared from her den, blue eyes wide as she scented overwhelming blood-stench. The snowy white she-cat frowned as she spotted the severely injured Tawnysky, and turned into the gloom of her den. "Cometpaw, we need cobwebs, lots of cobwebs!" she mewed urgently. Dragonflydance hurried over to the injured cat's assuring them forward. "Out of the way, please," she mewed. Dragonflydance pushed gently past Cormorantfeather and Dewstep, eyes narrowed with anxiety.

[Spice..xx]

Dewstep has been sitting quietly as Oleandergaze was away, watching and thinking. An overwhelming scent of blood clouded her senses and she stood, looking towards the camp entrance warily. A blood streaked cat appeared, leaning heavily on who she knew to be BrightClans deputy Lastfalling. But who was this cat? She moved closer and then her eyes locked with the other cats. She knew those green eyes like they were her own. With a scream that ripped through the air she staggered to one side, her head swimming. "Tawnysky..." she whispered, choking as she was sure she was going to throw up. Thoughts whirled round her head as she staggered towards her sister. She was going to be alone.....all alone, no family, except her father and she didnt even know him. "Tawnysky, don't die, please don't die, i'm sorry, i didnt mean to, I...." with this she stopped and threw up everywhere. Looking at the mess she made in shame and disgust her eyes rolled back and she fell to the floor. "I wasnt there for you.....i'm a terrible sister" she whispered agonisingly, putting her head on her paws and crying her eyes out.

[/color][/blockquote]

[kee :]]

Lastfalling trudged through the camp entrance, thankful that the closer they got to camp, the flatter the ground got and the less he tripped over his own feet or Tawnysky. But the end, he had gotten used to the pain in his shoulder and chest but he felt dead on his feet. He walked with his eyes closer most of the time, letting his father's spirit guide him as well as the smell of Astralhaze, which he had fallen in love with. But as they walked into camp, he could smell the faint scents of all different cats. Most he didn't recognize but he knew Astralhaze was here somewhere. When he opened his pained yellow eyes, he could barely see since his face was bloody, mostly Tawnysky's blood. He felt so helpless, so hopeless. If he died in CloudClan camp... War... He couldn't think of how much Hollowstripe, Grainpelt, and Ghostlystar would react... Or Astralhaze... Lastfalling wanted to collapse and die. The stinging pain had come back and slowly and gently, he sat down, trying to get Tawnysky to do the same. She looked so weak and tired at his side.

He raised his head filled head and looked around for Dragonflydance and Astralhaze, meeting eyes with Cormorantfeather, who he had heard rumors about. He was the old leader and had returned... And he was the father of Tawnysky and Dewstep, the gray she-cat at Tawnysky's other side. He couldn't look away from Cormorantfeather's furious gaze. Lastfalling's own eyes were pleading, telling him he had tried his hardest, that he wasn't the cause for this... Well, in his eyes, he could have done much better. He felt so stupid sitting there, but it hurt to stare at the other cats. He just kept his eyes on Cormorantfeather, as he sat at the front of the crowd... The older cat looking at Tawnysky with wide scared eyes but he didn't move... He just sat there and Lastfalling's head finally, fell to the ground and he collapsed with exhaustion.

[(aurora) of the problematique]

<sub>Oleandergaze stepped back, a horrified look on his handsome face. "Tawnysky...," he gasped, the tom's brown eyes widening. Astralhaze's beautiful visage darkened and she whined slightly. "Lastfalling...," she said quietly, hanging her head. "StarClan, no..." Her gentle voice was so low, even an insect would have to strain to hear her.

The silver fae's pained eyes lifted up to the injured ones and she turned to Dragonflydance. "Should someone run to Ghostlystar or Cloudedsky and tell them their deputy is injured?" she asked.</sub>

[SHADE. :D]

Dragonflydance shook her head impatiently at Astralhaze. She did not have time to answer questions at that moment in time - she had two unconscious cats on her paws. The snowy white she-cat dragged both further into her den, scarlet blood splattering her pale pelt in the process. Dragonflydance took out more cobwebsm slathering the majority on Lastfalling now. The she-cat then took out some dock leaves, followed by comfrey. The white medicine cat immediatly set about chewing up the dock leaves. Once they had reached a satisfactory pulp, she smoothed the balm over the two cats' wounds. After this she carefully wrapped the comfrey around the balm-smothered wounds as a poultice. The medicine cat then pulled a couple of thyme leaves from her stock and pushed them between both cats jaws, forcing them to swallow the soothing herbs. Dragonflydance then padded to Dewstep, who seemed distraught. "Please try to calm down," she mewed, voice gentle but strained. "I don't need any more sick cats on my paws." She smiled, though her face was still heavy with worry.

[blair]

Cometpaw jumped forward, her dark colored maw ajar as she at first stared at Dragonflydance blankly, as if she had no clue what the she cat was talking about, before nodding quickly, her amber pools quickly recovering from the mist of confusion they seemed to be in as she stared off at the distance blankly (her attention obviously had wandered during the meeting) "Oh, oh, Yes! Of course!" her voice came, softly at first than gaining confidence quickly 'I'm the medicine cat apprentice!' her pride swelled again as she remembered the glory she received when her position was announced in front of the entire CloudClan, and the young she cat was automatically happy, a smile of fondness pasted onto her muzzle, her coal paws not moving, before the task from her mentor rang in her head again automatically, as if she required herself to do it before moving back into dreamland. "Going!" she hissed lightly, her mood obviously already changed as she rushed herself into the medicine cats den.

'Cobwebs... lots of it... Cobwebs!' mewing rang in her head dimly, though it was shoved to the back and only half heard by the apprentice "What did I--? Oh... COBWEBS!" she hissed more determinedly, her flowing tail curling with determination, showing her light brown feathers that hung from it off, and would most likely be considered vain if she knew what she was doing. Her paws swung frantically gathering some cobwebs and gathering them carefully into her mouth, careful to not break even one, and sprinted toward her mentor.

"Got them!" her muffled mew replied lamely, knowing she should have been helping her earlier.



Snowkit's pools rested on Grasskit, dancing for a moment with a pause of contentment, thoughtfully licking her paw as she tried not to show she was stumped with reply.
"Well, of course I'll come to you if I need to talk to you" she replied teasingly, her small calico tail raising to brush his ear before nodding more thoughtfully, "Of course I'll talk to you when I have a problem, if that's what you meant" she nodded, her head spinning toward Tansykit "you too!"
[/color]

[SHADE. :D]

Dragonflydance nodded gratefully to Cometpaw, her blue eyes showing approval. The snow-coloured medicine cat nodded at Lastfalling. "Put those cobwebs over his chest wounds. They're not as bad as the wounds on his shoulders, but still, they should be bandaged." The slender she-cat padded quickly back to Tawnysky, running her thin forepaws over the injured warrior's body. No bones appeared to be broken. She had lost a lot of blood, and though she had a chance now, Dragonflydance was not entirely sure of the fate the she-cat would be suffering. If she lived, would she be a cripple? The medicine cat took one more thyme leaf from her stock, padding again towards Dewstep. She placed the herb on the ground at the young cat's paws. "Eat," she mewed kindly, eyes soft.

[Spice..xx]

[ooc]Poor Dewstep, rubbered by her own mate

[bic]

Dewstep looked weakly up into Dragonflydances kind, soothing blue eyes. The creamy brown and white she-cat knew she was overreacting, but it just seemed so hard to thyink she may lose one of her family again. She nodded and tried to smile but her mouth didnt even twitch. "Thank you" she croaked, slowly eating the thyme in front of her before shooting Oleandergaze a look of hurt. Why did he just ignore her when he could see she was upset? I mean, i'm glad he's reacted to Tawnysky, it shows at least he is trying to like my sister, but im his mate.. she thought to herself, eyes refilling with tears. Oh, she hated being so enotional all the time! Why couldnt she just get a grip. The grey eyed warrioress laid her head on her paws, staring blankly ahead, her tiny form crouched.

[/color][/blockquote]

[(aurora) of the problematique]

<sub>ooc:// If my mate has been so focused on her sister ever since they were kits, I think I would be in Oleandergaze's boat too...

bic://Oleandergaze stared at his paws, figuring that Dewstep would rather be with her sister than him. He turned his head to Cormorantstar--feather. By StarClan, it was difficult to call someone by a different name when he had known Cormorantfeather as a leader.

The large tom turned away from the other, swivelling his head to Dewstep. Confusing her hurt look further for a gaze of 'I just need some time with my sister', the CloudClanner's beautiful brown orbs darkened slightly and he turned away from his mate. Hurt and sadness criss-crossed his sagely expression. "I am going to my den. See you later, Cormorantfeather. I think I understand the hurt you bear each time you look at them," he said quietly. Oleandergaze's heavy steps seemed to have more weight on them as he walked to the warrior's den.

The massive male made his way to his prim moss-covered bed and sat on it, nestling his face in his fluffy pelt. "I suppose I can see what she meant when it comes to her sister. She does not have time for the toms that try to love them."</sub>

[Spice..xx]

[ooc]Awwwwwww poor Ollie
Dew is so insensitve.....what a total beeatch lol

[bic]

Dewstep could have kicked herself when Oleandergaze walked away. He was trying to understand, trying to be there for her and yet she was pushing him away without even realising it. The creamy brown and white she-cat sniffed hard and stood up. She hated the situation she was in, all the time. her sister controlled her life. Dewsteps head snapped up at what she jusrt thought. Tawnysky really did control her life. She was always so afraid of hurting her sisters feelings, doing something that would upset her that she had forgotten the most important thing. Being herself.

Sad grey eyes looked over at her sister. Dragonflydance needed room now, not a silly hysterical sister getting under her paws. And dewstep had to do something that mattered to her for once. The little she-cat padded as quickly as she could to the warriors den, peeking her inside. "Ole.....Oleandergaze?" she said softly, padding over to the big tom. She looked up int his own sad brown eyes and felt like her heart would break. She had hurt him so much over the last while and he had taken it silently and solemnly. Well, she had to stop it now. "Oleandergaze....I'm so sorry. I've been such an idiot" she said quietly, tears spilling out of her grey eyes. She loved this cat, and she had hurt him. Burying her head into his shoulder she breathed in his comforting, familiar scent. This was the cat she wnated to have a family with.

[kee :]]

Cormorantfeather didn't want to go near either of his daughters since the way they treat him. He wanted to go over there but he knew Dewstep would push him away. He wanted to treat Tawnysky and Dewstep like his daughters and care for them like a father but he couldn't when he was always being pushed away. And now Dewstep desperately wanted Oleandergaze when all she wanted before was Tawnysky. He fought anger that pulsed through his veins for himself and also a bit for Dewstep. But he just watched as Oleandergaze left and knew that he was feeling the same way. That same hurt that Cormorantfeather was feeling was the same as Oleandergaze's feelings and the fight not to go over there, to just leave Dewstep and Tawnysky alone was unbearable. So in all the struggle of feelings, he just sat down and glared at the ground.

[FIREH!!]

_{A silvery tom padded over to the old leader. Comorantfeather, are you okay? Midnightsky asked him. He sat down beside the tom and looked at him with concern in his eyes. Is it your daughters? He asked.}

[(aurora) of the problematique]

_{"It...," Oleandergaze began. "You do not have to worry about it." The large tomcat sighed and unburied his head from his paws, watery eyes facing Dewstep. "You should be with your sister. She is the one you treasure the most." His namesake eyes were desolate, turning slowly to her as his mate nestled herself in his fur. The brown one lifted his brows. "I forgive you. You do not need to beg your apologies from me. I never hold a grudge."}