xx shades of a m e t h y s t ]]

[SHADE. :D]

Autumn was thick in the air. Clouds obscured most of the sun's face, so that only a few weak rays split the day. The ground was carpeted with crisp red leaves, fallen from the aspen and rowan trees which crowded into the EclipseClan forest. The camp was alive with activity; warriors trooped in and out, lean-bodied and determined, prey dangling from their mouthes. Patrols returned, coats thick with dust and paws sore from walking. A large hole had been scraped out of the leaf ridden earth beside the kill pile. Many pieces of fresh kill, mice, shrews, voles, squirrels and birds, had been piled in the pit for storing. EclipseClan were ready to shelter in their camp, if they were to be attacked. This was all, of course, under Amethyststar's rule. But no cat knew what was supposed to be stalking them except the she-cat.

Bars of light slid across the gloomy ground of the cave in which Amethyststar was sleeping. The small black she-cat was curled up in a tight ball, chin pressed against her forepaws, tail wrapped around her stomach. She had slept like this since her kithood, pressed up beside Ravenkit, Ebonykit, Harmonykit and Gracekit. The light flexed its luminous fingers, brushing Amethyststar's ebony coloured pelt. It sparkled, as though she had recently groomed it. The two eyes, amber as fire, flickered open. These swivelled slowly from side to side, before blinking swiftly. Amethyststar uncurled her slender body, lightly climbing to her paws. The black she-cat stretched each limb, slowly, deliberately, her lips drawing back in satisfaction as she stretched the cramps from her sleep-weary body.

Amethyststar's mouth opened wide in a yawn. Her teeth, white as snow, flashed like diamonds before disappearing again as the she-cat shut her mouth. Amethyststar padded slowly towards the mouth of the cave, her muscles sliding in and out of place as she walked. The small she-cat sat in the entrance, tail curled around her paws. Her amber eyes flicked from cat to cat as they worked around the camp, tireless and determined. A glimmer of pride lit her eyes; they were so efficient, working to protect the clan from an enemy they did not even know existed. Which Amethyststar wasn't even sure existed. But danger had been thick and clear as fog in the air for moons now, and Amethyststar knew what she had to do. Her mouth twitched as she noticed Corbynpaw trotting into camp, looking rankled. She got to her paws and trotted out of her den, pausing only to crouch before leaping up onto the Shaderock.

She called for her clan, eyes gleaming like flames. She watched her son pad slowly towards the Shaderock and sit as far away as possible. Her eyes were expressionless before she turned away to watch Fernpelt trot into camp after her apprentice. She knew that she had given her deputy a challenge; Corbynpaw was a cold, rebellious young tom. He would've made a good warrior - he was strong, able, very intelligent... Amethyststar shook away these thoughts, before watching the rest of her clan gather below her. She then spoke. "I am going to the Moonshard today," she mewed loudly. No cat should've been too surprised by this, she reflected. It had been in the air for nearly a moon. "I want Razortomb to accompany me, along with Rosemarypaw, Brokenpaw and Corbynpaw." Amethyststar's gaze switched to Fermpelt. "I trust that you will lead the clan wisely until I return." She punctuated these words with a curt nod. She then looked at the cats who would accompany her; her eyes lingered on Corbynpaw for less than a second. "Collect your herbs. We leave at sunhigh."

[fernie. (:]

Fernpelt headed over to Shaderock as she heard Amethyststar calling. She sat and listened, head slightly to one side, and nodded when Amethyststar announced what she was going to do. She was glad the leader was taking Corbynpaw- it would give them a chance to at least get to know each other better. She nodded again when Amethyststar told her she would be in charge.

[lonelylove :D]

A solemn Brokenpaw exited the apprentice den slowly. Auguish clouded his head today, and he limped along slowly. He had a dream last night, about a young queen giving birth to some kits...Brokenpaw watched from the side. When the last kit was born, he nudged the queen encouragingly to start nursing her kits. But she was already dead.
He trudged toward the fresh-kill pile. But there was nothing. He would have to catch his and everyone else's meal, just like he did everyday...
He lifted his head, and inspected the clearing. Where was his mentor? Still sleeping, probably. He wrinkled his nose in disgust. Apprentices are the ones that are supposed to sleep late, not mentors. Anyway, the leader seemed to not want to train lately. She often shooed him away, so she could think. She said to train with the other apprentices and their mentors. Sometimes he did, and sometimes he would skip out on it, and go sit on the border of the territory and look across. It's not like the leader bothered to check, anyway.
He was going to poke his head into the leader's den, when Amethyeststar exited her den and let out a call. He padded forward to hear his leader's words. She said something about going to Moonshard today, and then...she mentioned his name. His heart jumped up in his throat. He, he was going to Moonshard! Despite his gloomy nature, he felt a little better. This meant his training was going to be over soon, probably. And Razortomb was coming, he'd probably talk to the apprentice. On the other hand, Corbynpaw, the dreary one, was coming along, too. As was his own sister. As long as she didn't bother him, he could let that slide.
He nodded his thanks to Amethyeststar, and bounded toward the medicine cat's den to gather his herbs.

[/blockquote][/color]

[[xoxo] shard. :)]

Tortoiseshell fur was ruffled by the autumn breeze. Hazel eyes, dim and dull, flickered across the clearing. "What does she want now?" he mumbled inwardly. Lately Silentpaw had not done much but crack fleas and ticks for the elders, as he'd had nothing else to do. Gillwing rarely took him training. He padded over to the group of cats, settling beside Corbynpaw. Though the apprentice was mean, uncaring, and rebellious, he felt the same way sometimes. He'd not cared about much anymore, especially with nothing to do, and the constant flashbacks of when he killed his family. Every cat said it wasn't it fault, but it was. Silentpaw was sure of it.

[/size][/color]

[FIREH!!]

A young tom bounded from the warriors' den and heard his mother name him to go to Moonshard. He raced over to Brokenpaw. "Excited?" He asked the younger tom. He noticed the anguish in his eyes. "What's wrong little guy?" He asked the apprentice.

Littlefox sat solemnly outside her den, listening to Amethsytstar. She went back into her den and made four bundles of herbs. She placed them nestly outside her den, and waited for the cats to show.

[SHADE. :D]

The black she-cat;s gaze swept the crowd; she noticed Brokenpaw and Silentpaw, and turned her head on one side. "Silentpaw," she mewed. "You can come too." Amethyststar leapt from the Shaderock, amber eyes gleaming. She trotted into the medicine den where she sat to wait for the others. She would not eat anything before sharing tongues with StarClan, as was the law.

Corbynpaw's eyes, cold as ice, slid onto Silentpaw as the mottled tom crouched beside. His whiskers rippled with scorn as she edged away from the other apprentice. Corbynpaw got up, slowly, deliberately and padded to Littlefox's den. The black tom picked up his own herbs without a word to the medicine cat or his mother. He then left the den to eat the herbs. Rosemarypaw burst from the apprentices' den in a flurry of long, dark brown and white fur. The elder apprentice trotted up beside her mentor, Razortomb. Rosemarypaw mewed a greeting to her brother, wondering why he had never really liked her. She always felt hurt and rejected because of this.

[FIREH!!]

Razortomb smiled and meowed a greeting to his apprentice, before grabbing a bundle of herbs for himself. He grabbed one for Rosemarypaw and passed it to her.

Littlefox padded back into her den and made one last packet of herbs for Silentpaw. When she emerged, shoe found most of the cats around. She padded to Amethystar and sat down beside her and wrapped her tail around delicate paws. "Why are you going to the Moonshard? You know we are having threats of rogues. The patrols are reporting rogue scent coming from Moonclan." Littlefox's troubled eyes locked with Amethyststar's.

[lonelylove :D]

Brokenpaw trotted inside the medicine cat den. It smelled richly of wonderful smelling herbs. He inhaled deeply, and a sleepy smile appeared on his face.
He greeted Razortomb with a small hello, when his 'uncle' entered the den. He reached forward and grabbed one of the bundles. These herbs smelled weird. He licked them down reluctantly, and stuck out his tongue. They not only smelled funny, they tasted worse.
He moved to sit beside Razortomb, making sure to sit opposite of where his sister was. He muttered a stiff hello, to her. He wasn't exactly sure why he never really liked Rosemarypaw, or any of his other siblings. He thought it was because she was so opposite of him. Brokenpaw always enjoyed being by himself, while his sister was happy and hyper. That kind of annoyed him. Maybe if she toned it down once in a while...
He addressed Razortomb's question finally. Nothing... But he did want something right then. He wanted a friend. Someone his age that would talk to him. Someone that would understand his attitude, his pain. Someone that he could even tell how excited he was to go to Moonshard. But no one met these requirements. They were all either his siblings, or they didn't like him because he wasn't very nice to them.
His shoulders sagged for a moment. Well, that was a far away dream...

[/blockquote][/color]

[FIREH!!]

Razortomb glanced worriedly at his 'nephew' but shook his head. He knew he'd come around. He padded over to a shadowed cliff where he lay down, waiting.

[SHADE. :D]

Rosemarypaw frowned at Brokenpaw's curt greeting. She accepted the herbs from Razortomb with a muttered thankyou. She could not help eying Brokenpaw mutinously as she chewed the bitter-tasting herbs. Rosemarypaw felt like screaming. Brokenpaw was her brother - the only cat she could talk to about their mother. But he seemed to prefer Razortomb's company to her's. The tabby and white apprentice got to her paws, swallowing the last of the herbs. Rosemarypaw stalked out of the medicine den, flicking her tail in a way which displayed her hurt clearly. The she-cat sat stiffly beside her mentor, green eyes fixed ahead.

[FIREH!!]

Razortomb cleaned his black fur, but stopped abruptly when he noticed his apprentice. "What's wrong, Rosemarypaw?" He asked the apprentice, knowing she was troubled. He eyes her, his gaze full of concern, as he waited for her response.

ooc;; Shadeh! Littlefox is waiting for Amethyststar's response!

[lonelylove :D]

ooc; Pokeh. Actually, there are three more siblings...hmm. I think I'll put them up for adoption, 'cause whoever was given the other kits before didn't remember and RPed them. I should go make a thread.

bic; Brokenpaw noticed Rosemarypaw stalk away from him. He wrinkled his nose, and rolled his eyes. She seemed to want attention, from him. He raised his shoulders, and turned away from her. Well, if she didn't want to talk to him, he wouldn't talk to her either.
Instead, he bounded toward Amethyeststar. He stopped next to her. Amethyestar, he said, bowing his head respectfully, Is it time to go yet?

[/blockquote][/color]

[kee]

_{[[ In Cormy and Lonely's litter? If so, there's only two others. Cloudkit and Stonekit. Sorry to butt in. ]]}

[lonelylove :D]

ooc; yea, I forgot momentarilly. Only two. Still, now only Stonepaw must be adopted. Grr, someone go adopt him!

[/blockquote]

[SHADE. :D]

// I know, Fireh.

Amethyststar turned to face Littlefox as the medicine cat padded softly up to her. The black she-cat's fur bristled as she faced the small ginger cat. Amethyststar's amber eyes flashed as she challenged Littlefox. "Are you questioning my decision?" she snapped. The she-cat looked at her paws for a moment. She seemed to master herself somewhat. "I do not think MoonClan shall be attacking us any time soon," she snorted. "The territory reeks of rogue. And if the rogues do invade us, I am certain that Fernpelt is capable of protecting the clan while I am away." Amethyststar's tone invited no argument. She had to know what this approaching danger was.

Rosemarypaw flicked her tail, drawing her rose pink tongue over the soft, snowy fur on her chest. The apprentice sniffed, then looked up at her mentor. There was anguish in her green eyes. "Brokenpaw," she muttered mutinously. "He's not like Cloudpaw, or Stonepaw. I can't get through to him." The dark tabby she-cat sighed heavily, then added hopelessly; "I think he hates me, but I don't know what I've done."

[FIREH!!]

ooc;; xDDD

bic;; Littlefox jumped a little at her leader's harsh tone. But she dipped her head and meowed, "I know Fernpelt can pull us through." She nodded before continuing, "Amethyststar, I had this dream where these cats were being imprisoned by a dark fog. I think something is taking over Starclan." she gazed deeply into Amethystar's eyes, searching for a response.

Razortomb nudged Rosemarypaw gently with his nose. "Brokenpaw...Is different. I think he suffered the loss of his mother more than the rest of you. You just need to give him time. If you want, I can try to talk to him." He meowed reasurringly.

[SHADE. :D]

Amethyststar lashed her tail as Littlefox spoke. The black she-cat gave a deep sigh, her amber eyes swinging upward to gaze upon the light blue sky. Her gaze swept the innocently drifting clouds, her lips slightly parted. She swallowed, looking down at her paws. Amethyststar turned sharply to stare at her medicine cat as she spoke of her dream. The leader watched Littlefox for a moment, one folded inward. "As did I," she mewed. "The shadows were herding us like sheep... Into a great chasm of despair." Amethyststar shivered. "This is why I must speak with StarClan," she mewed earnestly. "I must know whether our ancestors have been invaded, or have abandoned us. I must do what is best for my clan. EclipseClan."

Rosemarypaw snorted and turned away. The young she-cat ground her teeth, green eyes flashing like fire. Rosemarypaw swung around to face her mentor as he spoke up in defence of her brother. "As if!" she spat, her tail lashing from side to side angrily. "We all miss mother! But we hide it! We don't take it out on everyone and everything that comes into mind or sight!" Rosemarypaw's paws quivered. "Of course I miss mother! I may of not known her very well, but now I'm the only she-cat in a family of toms! It's lonely!" Rosemarypaw turned away, trying not to let despair engulf her. At Razortomb's offer, she made a low noise in her throat. "No," she answered. "If Brokenpaw wants to talk to me, then he can. I've never done anything to him. It's time he stopped acting like a kit and accepted that our mother is dead." The apprentice to her paws, tired of the conversation, and stalked away to sit beside Scrawltale.

[FIREH!!]

Razortomb looked at her, astonished. He couldn't figure out what he had done. "Rosemarypaw!" He called after her, knowing it was no use. He dropped his head onto his paws, wonderng why there was so much drama.

Littlefox dipped her head to Amethyststar. "I understand. It's almost sunhigh. You should leave soon. Do you want me to come?" She asked the leader.

[SHADE. :D]

Amethyststar considered Littlefox's words for a moment. She then shook her head. "No," she mewed, dipping her head in gratitude despite her refusal. "You have no apprentice, and the risk of attack is too great. The clan needs you here." The black she-cat touched the medicine cat's flank with her tail tip. "But thankyou." Amthyststar sighed again, looking once more up at the sky. She blinked and got to her paws. "You speak truly," she murmured. "We will leave now." Amethyststar dipped her head to Littlefox. She strode away from the medicine cat, calling to the apprentices and Razortomb. "Come. We are leaving."

Rosemarypaw got to her paws from where she sat beside Scrawltale. She mewed a soft goodbye to the older warrior, before trotting over to join Amethyststar. She dipped her head in respect to her leader, glad to be going. It was incredibly exciting to be visiting the Moonshard; she just wished that the shadow of Brokenpaw's dislike was not hanging over her like a dark cloud. Corbynpaw padded over to stand a foot or so away from Amethyststar and Rosemarypaw. He did not look at them or speak; his silvery eyes had paled with hatred.

[FIREH!!]

Razortomb stood and padded over to his mother. "Amethyststar, who are you going to take into the Moonshard with you?" He looked up at his mother, former mentor, and leader with amber eyes.

Littlefox dipped her head. "I shall remain here. But if worse comes to worse, I will fight if I need to." She dipped her head again. "Starclan go with you." She watched the patrol leave.

[SHADE. :D]

// Psst, Fireh, it says so in the first post. Razortomb, Corbynpaw, Rosemarypaw, Brokenpaw and Silentpaw. And if Brook is active with Cloudpaw, him too.

[lonelylove :D]

ooc; Pst, Shade, I think Fireh means who's gonna go into the actual cave. -makes odd hand sign randomly-

bic; Brokenpaw leapt up from his postion. Finally! Pausing for a moment to throw his sister a dirty look, he trotted obediently after Amethyeststar. Then, he veered away from her for a moment to join his 'uncle'. Hey Razortomb, have you ever gone inside Moonshard?

[/color][/blockquote]

[FIREH!!]

ooc;; That's what I meant, what Lonely said.

"No, I haven't. " Razortomb replied to his 'nephew'. "It would be neat if Amethyststar would bring you and Rosemarypaw in though," He meowed.

[kee]

<sub>[[ Why wouldn't I be active with Clouders? ^^]]

A slim long white tomcat sat near the edge of the crowd of cats as their Leader made her announcement for all to hear. He had been out on dawn patrol with Panthershealth and he was so tired. But not tired a enough to be completely jealous of his brother and sister, who were both allowed to go to Moonshard and he was not. He sighed, giving the two emotionless stares and made his way glumly over to Littlefox, who still sat at the entrance to her den.

"Why doesn't Amethyststar let me go with my siblings?" he asked staring off at the patrol. He flicked his ears back against his head and looked back at the Medicine Cat. "What makes them so special?" His face fell, thinking of his mother who was up in StarClan. His siblings could possibly see her and he would be back at camp, doing their chores. He frowned, remembering his mother. He missed her. Cloudpaw was the only sibling that didn't hate his father with all his heart. Sure he didn't like him but maybe there was a reason that Cormorantstar could be with his mother. He was sure that the tom never meant to hurt Lonelyheart. From rumors, it seemed like he was a pretty good Leader. But then he ran away shortly after Lonelyheart died.

The white tom sighed, and looked back at Littlefox, his face full of wonder and jealousy.</sub>

[FIREH!!]

Littlefox nodded to Cloudpaw. "I don't know. But I'm sure she will let you come. Go ask her." He gave him a little nudged to Amethyststar. "Don't feel out of pace." She smiled gently at the young tom.

[kee]

<sub>Feeling extremely nervous to approach his Leader, he could only nod to the Medicine Cat and turn away toward the leaving patrol. He wanted to go but more then anything, he didn't want to make a fool of himself trying to ask. With all the courage he had, Cloudpaw made his way over to the Leader, his brisk pace catching up with them in no time. He walked beside her for a very short second before looking up at the Leader, who toward over him.

"C-could I c-come, Amethyststar?" he asked, his voice quivering slightly.</sub>

[FIREH!!]

Littlefox looked on as the apprentice asked the leader, and she willed Amethyststar to say yes. She padded into her den and began making poultices. She could feel a battle in the air, and she did not want to be caught unprepared.

[(aurora) of the problematique]

<sub>Sunheart's ginger pelt bounced in like a batted ball. She plodded next to Petaldance, smiling a bit. The little she-cat turned to look at the camp.

"Oh, the rumors are true," she squeaked, twitching her tail. She wondered if her brother was going as she looked around. Cats were roaming around and EclipseClan scent was heavy. She stayed close to Petaldance like sisters. "Haha, I was right." She saw Corbynpaw glowering predictably.</sub>

[Spice..xx]

_{Petaldance giggled and padded into camp next to Sunheart. She dipped her head to Amethyststar as she walked past her and continued in to the centre of camp. "Anything you would like us to do Fernpelt?" she asked the deputy, signalling to Sunheart with her tail to indicate she meant her too. She blinked at the deptuy with gentle blue eyes, waiting for the she-cats response.}

[FIREH!!]

A gray tom whisked himself out of the den, racing to Sunheart. "Hey," He purred. He nudged her and meowed, "Want to patrol with me?"