The Lost Returned

[tehmightywriter]

A gray-brown tom appeared at the edge of the territories, behind him, a she-cat and three apprentice aged cats. All five stared out into the trees, minds flooding with the thoughts of all the smells and sounds. The tom stepped forward, his paws touching, once more, the ground he’d left not so long ago. His eyes sparkled in the dim, half-light of the forest, remembering all that’d been with him here before, but also remembering everything he’d gained while away.
The black she-cat, her front paws and tail dipped in white, followed behind him slower, flicking her tail at the cats behind her, giving them the sign that it was safe to follow. They kept to her sides, looking around with wide, interested eyes. The she-cat didn’t seem to remember much of where she was, and only followed the tom before her because he’d told her to at the beginning of their journey.
The tom continued forward, his paws touching the ground, lightly, as if he were afraid that he’d be torn away from it again. He headed for the strong smell of cats, which grew even stronger the farther he entered the forest. All five cats were close, though the gray-brown cat seemed to be the leader. Quietly, cautiously, he entered through a hole in a bunch of brambles and thorns and bushes, appearing in the well-worn clearing that marked his old him.
“BrightClan!” he yowled as, behind him, the other four entered.
He waited for cats to come to his call, knowing that much had changed. Would they remember him? Probably not. His smell was not what it used to be, a mix of another clan and Two-legs.

[cheshy says grace]

Thunderclaw padded out of the den with Rhapsodytail behind him. His eyes enlarged as he saw the leader that had been taken from the clan by twolegs not long ago. "Thrushstar...?" he whispered.

[fernie. (:]

^{Cloudedsky had been about to go out on a midnight hunt for herbs, but had been stopped in her tracks by a vaguely familiar smell. 'Who goes there?' she asked, in a clear, calm voice. She squinted through the trees but could not make out the figures.}

[cheshy says grace]

"Thrushstar!" he said louder, so the whole clan could hear, "Thrushstar's back!" Thunderclaw stared at him, Who are the four others with him?

Rhapsodytail just stood there in awe. Her jaw dropped in amazement at the leader no cat thought they would ever see again.

[kee]

<sub>Camp seemed to be peaceful that morning. It was the day after the new Deputy had been announced and everything seemed to be in order. Dawn Patrol was still out and apprentices and mentors were training. Wrenstar was satisfied with his choice of Deputy. The shaggy earthen brown colored leader lay outside of his den, sunning himself after hunting earlier that morning on his own little patrol with Hauntingdream. He had become friends with her and she seemed much more cheerful then she was before. The wise leader liked that. He enjoyed changing cats for the better. He really liked the pretty she-cat. Maybe a little more then just friends. But oh well. He had many other things on his mind.

The sun didn't get very far into the clearing because of the thick trees and their branches. The light breeze made the day quite pleasant. Suddenly, the smell of cats flew through his noes. Kittypets and another Clan that he couldn't pick out. He could hear their pounding paws as they burst through camp. Wrenstar narrowed his deep dark blue eyes and stood from his laying position. He bounded over to the cats, his claws sheathed, his teeth bared. He was ready to fight these cats.

Suddenly, one of the cats rang a bell. The leader of the group looked very much like the old leader, Thrushstar. Did he just think he could come back and be Leader? Wrenstar wasn't going to give up his position when he had worked so hard for it. He had made a Deputy and he wasn't going to crush Ghostlywind's powers as Deputy. He narrowed his eyes and flicked his ears back.

"I see you've come back, great Thrushstar," he meowed emotionless. He didn't want the Leader to know that he wasn't happy that he was back. Especially, with cats that Wrenstar didn't trust. "Who are these cats?" he meowed gruffly, looking past the former leader and at the new comers. He wasn't sure what to think. He didn't like this at all. He was glad that his leader was safe but he wasn't glad that he may not be leader anymore. And Ghostlywind would be crushed.</sub>

[tehmightywriter]

The gray-brown tom winced at the sound of the name he'd formerly held. Staring straight at Wrenstar, he puffed up, his tail low to the ground, his eyes half-open. "Insulting that of which was stolen from your clan like you have rights to do so?" he meowed back, his words venomous, his tone sharp. "Why is it that Ghostlywind isn't leader, then? Took it from him, did you?" He didn't give away any emotion; his eyes had taken away all that had been there moments before. Behind him, the cats huddle closer, the younger three protecting the older one. The tom glanced back at them. "They are fine," he answered, stiffly, looking back at Wrenstar with burning eyes. "They crossed the great mountains with me."

[Spice..xx]

Amberpaw stepped out of the medicine cat den at the sound of voices. "Thrushstar? Is it really you? How did you get back here?" the honey coloured apprentice asked. "Good morning Wrenstar" she added, firmly dipping her head to her leader. She looked around for Cloudedsky, knowing that her mentor would be able to keep the peace between old and new leader of BrightClan. She walked slightly towards Wrenstar and then sat down, looking at both cats with a mixture of worry and interest in her eyes. She glanced at the cats and wondered who they were but there was no time for that now. Plus, they didnt look ill so they wouldnt need her.

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[fernie. (:]

^{Cloudedsky gasped when she saw who it was. She also saw the reactions the two cats gave each other. She stepped swiftly between the two and sat down promptly. 'Nice to see you again, Thrush. I take it you aren't using your old name.' She then turned to Wrenstar. 'Good morning Wrenstar.' she said, emphasising the star a little.}

[falconkit]

Swirlpaw was about to go out to hunt again. Not for the clan but for himself. He needed to do somthing other than remove the elders ticks and changing the beding of the leader. Also he needed to be alone.

Then he heard wrenstars mew and heard the name thrushstar. Thrushstar? Is he back! Runing out to where he could see who wrenstar was talking about he Gasped. It was him. He was about to purr of happieness but he stoped himself trying to look strong for his prievious leader.

[Spice..xx]

Amberpaw sighed with relief when Cloudedsky came and then mentally clawed herslef for adding the 'star' to the end of Thrush's name. This would of made her look disrespectful towards Wrenstar so she dipped her head to him again, hoping he understood her silent apology. She crept forwards slightly and sat by Cloudedskys tail so that she was near her mentor.

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[kee]

<sub>Insulting? Wrenstar had never insulted Thrushstar. He had said barely anything to him and the Leader said he was insulting him. The tan leader narrowed his eyes coldly. He hadn't stolen the position from Ghostlywind, either. He had become the Leader and StarClan had said he was Leader. Ghostlywind was Deputy and he knew that StarClan wanted that.

"StarClan granted me leader. They granted Ghostlywind as Deputy. I stole nothing," he spat, glaring at the gray-brown tom with the same burning gaze he held. He didn't trust the other cats, even though the Leader said that they were fine. He gazed back at them and then over at Amberpaw and Cloudedsky, who had greeted him. He smiled softly and nodded his head. "Hello, Amberpaw, Cloudedsky" he murmured but then glanced back at Thrushstar. He was glad that Cloudedsky had made it clear that he was Leader. He didn't know what he would do without his loyal Medicine Cat.

"What are you for, anyway?" he meowed looking back at the cats who had gathered to watch the conversation.</sub>

[tehmightywriter]

"The name 'Thrushstar' hasn't graced my ears in at least a moon," the tom replied, softly, closing his eyes. "After I escaped the Two-legs, who called me 'Quail', I joined a clan on the other side of the mountains called ShoreClan, and they called me 'Quailfeather'." He looked back at the other four with him. "The black she-cat was formerly Morninghawk," he sighed. "However, she was called Onyx, and by ShoreClan, Onyxsky. However, she remembers nothing at this current time... Her memory was lost along the journey..." He looked at Cloudedsky, nodding, now ignoring Wrenstar. He had no time to deal with such rude behavior. The rest of BrightClan was very happy to have him back, forgetting who he was and enjoying his very presense. Wrenstar was only worried for his place in the clan.
"The other three are ShoreClan apprentices that joined me and Onyxsky for the journey. They wish to stay with us as well. The light gray tom is Couragepaw, the white-gray she-cat is Windpaw, and the brown-gray she-cat is Barkpaw. All are siblings, orphaned when their mother disappeared."

[fernie. (:]

^{Cloudedsky nodded at each cat in turn. She herself thought that Quailfeather was being ruder than Wrenstar was, but it was not her place to say anything yet. 'So Quailfeather, what can we do for you?' she asked, her tone polite.}

[tehmightywriter]

"I merely want a place to call home again," Quailfeather remarked, softly, sitting down finally. "I and my friends have been traveling for a long time and we'd hoped that BrightClan would allow us back." He was beginning to sound a little worried, his eyes stuck on Cloudedsky's eyes.

OoC: He thought that Wrenstar saying 'great Thrushstar' was insulting. That's it. Which, I would too if I'd been away, unwillingly taken, and returned to find a cat being so short-tempered with me. *nods*
But that's me. ^^; Meh kitties hold meh temper. xD

[Spice..xx]

Amberpaw looked at 'Quailfeather' and then her gaze jumped to Morninghawk in surprise. "Morninghawk...SerenityClans old medicine cat" she whispered, partly to herself but she knew that Cloudedsky would be able to hear. Amber gaze turned to Wrenstar, wondering if he would allow the cats to remain in BrightClan. And what kind of apprentices where these cats if they would quite happily desert their own Clan? Amberpaw shuffled closer to Cloudedsky. This was all quite serious.

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[trissea]

A silvery she-cat bounded out of the Warrior's den as if chased by a monster, her eyes wide and her heart light. Thrushstar! He was back, and so was Morninghawk! But no. She was just in time to hear the tomcat's last words, and her eyes darkened when she did.

She stepped out, dipped her head to Quailfeather, and turned, glaring, to her 'leader'. "Thrushstar-- or, rather, Quailfeather- is the rightful leader. You were only appointed as a temporary- can't you see that? He's back, and the leader position should be his!" She hissed angrily, feeling her claws itch to unsheath.

Ryekit bounded out of the nursery, even though he knew his mother would be furious. Thrushstar, their old leader, was back! It was as if he were back from the dead! The little tom stopped when he heard Pansyleaf speak, and although he agreed, he shrunk to the ground and wished he had waited for Leopardflight and his siblings.

OOC: This is weird. I just saw the Lion King- this is like the same thing, only Wrenstar's not really evil, and they're not lions... @.O... Oh, and By the way, my charries may think Thruststar's the real leader, but I'm not really taking a side here..

[kee]

_{Wrenstar narrowed his eyes as the tom ignored him. He listened to the story but his mind was wandering with different thoughts. He had reconized the she-cat as well but he didn't know that she was SerenityClan's old Medicine Cat. He didn't like what this cat had become. He was rude and he hoped some of the others noticed. He knew Cloudedsky did. He looked around camp for Hauntingdream and then Ghostlywind. His eyes had lightened slightly but not much. "I will speak with my Deputy before I make any decissions," he meowed stiffly before glancing at Cloudedsky.}

[tehmightywriter]

OoC: Oh my...

[tehmightywriter]

Quailfeather nodded his head, showing a slight bow to the leader. Pansyleaf had unvailed something to him; Wrenstar was a temporary. Well, this was going to be hard... He moved his seat back to sit beside Onyxsky, who looked at him brightly. The three apprentices took up places beside him and her as well. Barkpaw and Windpaw sat beside the she-cat while Couragepaw was beside him. This was where they would wait.

[trissea]

OOC: Whoa. I'm 'unna wait a while, now...O.O

[Spice..xx]

~Mousekit~
Mousekit slunk out of the nursery after her brother. "Ryekit! What are you doing, Mum didnt say we..." she said but stopped short. Thrushstar was standing in the middle of the clearing. "Whats he doing here? Wrenstar is leader now" she whispered, crouching down beside Ryekit. She watched the scene with wide eyes, not daring to move in case she was noticed.
~Amberpaw~
Amberpaw hissed slightly at Pansyleafs outburst. What gives her the right to talk to Wrenstar like that? she thought to herself, frowning. Amberpaw pricked her ears towards Cloudedsky, wondering what her mentor would do. She glanced between Quailfeather and Wrenstar, feeling the tension building with every second.
~Swanflight~
Swanflight bounded into the clearing at the sound of the heated voices. She walked staright over tpo Wrenstar and sat beside her brother. She glared at Pansyleaf. "How dare you speak to him like that! Whar gives you the right to question your leader?!" she spat at the older she-cat, before touching Wrenstars flank gently with her tail to try and comfort her brother. She looked at Quailfeather and the other cats suspiciously before turning her eyes back to Pansyleaf.

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[falconkit]

ooc: my kitty will think Thrush/Quail is leader but I think it is not my buissness....

Swirlpaw watched as Wernstar and Qauilfeather fought. Quilfeather should be leader. He was leader before and was only gone for a moon. his claws unsheathed. "I aggree with Pansyleaf. Quailfeather is the Rightfull leader." He mewed. He never really liked wrenstar. Starting to stomp after Wrenstar and argue he he stoped. This cat is still leader and might punish me for aguing openly with him. sitting down he inspected the new apprentices. Would they join the clan?

[trissea]

Pansyleaf turned slowly toward Swanflight, her eyes glittering, and her claws digging into the ground. "If StarClan sent Thrushstar- I mean, Quailfeather back, then he's meant to be leader, isn't he? I'd rather question him" She hissed, gesturing to Wrenstar with her tail, "than StarClan, wouldn't you?"

[Spice..xx]

Swanflight hissed. "Hypocrite! You are questioning StarClans judgement by them making Wrenstar leader instead of Ghostlywind? Would they not have said for us to wait if they had sent Quailfeather to rejoin us? And they didnt! You should respect your leader, not suddenly turn on him now your precious Quailfeather is back! Very loyal to your Clan and leader arent you Pansyleaf?" she added scathingly tot he end of her argument. She shot Swirlpaw a venomous glare and stood up to face Pansyleaf properly.

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[trissea]

Pansyleaf narrowed her eyes. "What's that supposed to mean?" She hissed. Was Swanflight implying she was in love with Quailfeather? She wanted to flay the other's skin, but she stood her ground.

[kee]

<sub>Wrenstar was thankful for his sister. He was lucky to have a sister who cared about him so much. He had barely taken notice of what Pansyleaf had said at first but when Swanflight had stood up for him, his eyes darkened slightly as he looked Pansyleaf. Suddenly, a roar came from his open maw that was loud, covering the rest of the cats. "STOP!" His roar ended and he glanced at the new comers as well as the former Leader. "Pansyleaf, you have no right to question anyone or anything," he growled. He narrowed his eyes and glanced at everyone. He was trying to hold back anger.

"I would like the following cats to meet me outside my den right now. Ghostlywind, Cloudedsky, Amberpaw, Swanflight, and Hauntingdream!" he yowled so all the Clan could hear him.</sub>

[trissea]

<sub>Pansyleaf flinched and flattened her silver-gray ears against her skull when the tom bellowed his order. It was a moment before it registered that he'd chosen only cats that had supported him, and she wondered what that meant. Was he going to decide what to do with them? She shuddered inwardly. If Quailfeather was going to leave, so was she. He would always be the rightful leader in her eyes, and staying with Wrenstar wouldn't be right. She glanced at Swirlpaw, suddenly concerned.

Ryekit licked his sister's ear. "Let's go back into the Nursery, Mousekit." He said, serious, with big amber eyes. This was no place or time for the kits to be wandering- it was so obvious that it hurt to think about it.</sub>

[(aurora) of the problematique]

<sub>Ghostlywind has not spoken the entire time, his body frozen, his eyes staring straight ahead. He swallowed and looked down, pausing before turning around. "SILENCE, ALL OF YA! LISTEN TO WRENSTAR!" he thundered, turning around with his electric eyes flaring like fire from StarClan. "Cloudedsky, you and I saw the wren perched on th'HighRoot before Wrenstar was chosen. I told all of ya that I would StarClan's decision, not mine." His black hair bristled as the wind howled around him like phantoms.

He turned to the former Thrushstar with a bent head before turning to Wrenstar's den. "Nothin' will be done to them. If he says to me that anythin' has happened while we were in council, those offendin' cats will be exiled...or killed...," The black tom growled his warning and disappeared into Wrenstar's den.</sub>

[tehmightywriter]

OoC: I'm confused.... And wondering what Ghostlywind was talkin' about. Thrushstar and his group or other cats of BrightClan?

[kee]

_{[ ooc; ] This post is finished. Shade, could you please delete this post. We shall pretend that this whole episode ever happened.}