BLEEDiNG m a s c a r a x

[SHADE. :D]

Like two amber suns, Amethyststar's eyes opened in the thick gloom of her den. It was time. Through the shadows she could see the pink pastel of the sky. Dawn had risen. It was time. It was time to fight back. They would not lose any more cats. They had to strike out, and sort out this mess. They had to avenge Spectrumflash, Rogueclaw and Dragonswept, the mourned members of the clan who had already fallen prey to the wretched Tribe. Amethyststar rose to her paws, her sturdy frame outlined against the darkness. She shook herself, her ebony coat gleaming slightly, showing every flaw and scar on her body. She felt strangely ancient, an elder replaced in the body of a forty-eight moon old she-cat. Amethyststar slipped from her den, to find some of her den already gathered below the Shaderock. Pantherstealth, Scrawltale, Beacansong, in a row, waiting. The black she-cat mounted the glittering flint alter that was the Shaderock, her paws caressing the well-weathered surface. She called for her clan, and the cats came, swift and silent as shadows, knowing that today would be a day of doom and perhaps, triumph.

Amethyststar's amber gaze scored the crowd, each loved warrior, carefully. She would fight with all the strength in her remaining three lives to protect them. The sleek black she-cat raised her head and spoke. "Today we fight," she mewed, her eyes shutting breifly. "For honour and justice and righteousness. But most of all, for Spectrumflash, Rogueclaw and Dragonswept. We will avenge their deaths will everything within us." Amethyststar's last words became a low-pitched snarl, her face screwed up with the pain of lost friends and relatives. "Before we leave, I have a duty to perform. Crowpaw, Maplepaw, Troutpaw and... And Corbynpaw, will you come here, please?"

She watched the four cats approach, eyes snatching glances constantly at the cold-eyed Corbynpaw. She shivered inwardly. She did not want to give him his warrior name, but if she did not it would see, suspicious. "I, Amethyststar, leader of EclipseClan, call upon my warrior amcestors to look down on these four cats. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn." She paused, eyes sweeping the apprentices, before she continued. "Crowpaw, Maplepaw, Troutpaw, Corbynpaw, do you promise to obey the warrior code and protect and defend this clan, even at the cost of your lives?" After the replies were given, Amethyststar picking up the obvious hatred in her son's muttered mew, she continued. "Crowpaw, from this moment onward you shall be known as Crowtalon. The clan honours your intelligence and your quiet courage and we welcome you as a full warrior of EclipseClan." Amethyststar's amber eyes moved to the next apprentice. "Maplepaw, from this moment onward you shall be known as Maplepool. The clan honours your bravery and your passion and we welcome you as a full warrior of EclipseClan." Her eyes turned to Troutpaw, still strong. "Troutpaw, from this moment onward you shall be known as Troutcatcher. The clan honours your bold attitude and your strength, and we welcome you as a full warrior of EclipseClan." Finally her eyes grazed her son's, the chilled, hate-fueled gaze making her shiver. "C-Corbynpaw, from this moment onward you shall be known as Corbynfeather. The clan... We welcome you as a full warrior."

Amethyststar knew her faltered ceremony for her son would be noticed. She avoided the venomous young tom's eyes, speaking again. "I want half the clan to stay here and guard the camp. Injured warriors, elders, kits and nursing queens will stay here. Very new apprentices with no knowledge of fighting will also remain here." Amethyststar leapt from the Shaderock, unaware that it was the last time she ever would.

"Come."

[(aurora) of the problematique]

<sub>ooc:// Lol, quickest apprenticeship ever. To the Gathering!

bic:// Troutpaw turned to her mentor wistfully, thanking him for his teachings. Her head lifted up to Amethyststar, gentle eyes glimmering in pride as she was made a warrior. She turned to her brother and pressed against him hard, as if they hadn't seen each other in moons. "Congratulations, my dear brother," she whispered quietly, turning away from him to stare up into the sky. Troutcatcher...

"Troutcatcher, Maplepool, Corbynfeather, Crowtalon!" Sunheart chanted, smiling at all the new warriors. The queen turned to Petaldance as Amethyststar called them to war. "Petaldance, I will do your share of fighting. Please...take care of my little Maplekit." The gentle one turned away from her and padded over to Maplekit, grooming him delicately. She nuzzled him and purred. "I'll do my best to come home to you, little one. I do love you..." She nodded to him and turned away to her children. "Come, my darlings. War...is at hand."

Solsticesong's eyes saddened slightly as she came to her paws, touching her nose to Fernpelt. "I want to be the one to see you come home victorious. Beaconsong may be your mate and right hand but I am all that is left," she said sagely, touching her nose to the pretty deputy's ear. The massive fae dipped her head respectively to Fernpelt. "Return with your Clan...or on them."

Grebekit mewed and ran up to Sunheart. "Bye, Auntie Sunheart! Come back soon!" she purred, wagging her little tail. She turned to her father then. "Bye, Daddy..." She pressed her face against his wiry pelt and began to cry. "I don't want you to leave..." Her usually-fiery voice was now muffled.

Maverickpaw was solemn. He trotted up to Petaldance and nodded to her. "I'll return a hero," he promised, his voice already losing its kitten squeak. It was becoming deeper and stronger. The ginger apprentice followed after his mother.</sub>

[kee :]]

[shade do you mind if I ask for my own name? if not, I was hoping to call him crowtalon for the last few moments I roleplay him. XD]

The sun started to push from behind the horizon, making night disappear and daytime day its place but Toweringpaw had been dreading this day. It was the day they would fight and he wasn't ready. He had been training every day with Spicetalon from sunrise to sunset and he was beginning to be able to fight with great strength and was able to knock the wind out of his mentor but he knew he wasn't ready. He was awfully scared. He hadn't slept much. He just listened to the sounds of Limepaw's quiet and calm breathing and Maverickpaw's restless wriggles until finally he got up and padded outside the den. He silently watched Amethyststar as she approached the Shaderock and padded over before she even called the Clan. His nervous gaze never left his face, and even when the new warriors were called, he couldn't muster up the courage to call their names. He just stared at his mother and brother as they left the camp. He followed without another word. Today would be the day that more blood would be shed that he ever knew existed.

Crowpaw padded from the apprentice's den when his name was called and sat himself down in his usual corner more off to the side of the crowd and watched in surprise as he was called up. He murmured I do even though he didn't even know what he was doing. Before he knew it, he had gotten his warrior name and his sister, Troutpaw... No. Troutcatcher was standing beside him, congratulating him and he could help but let out a small smile and he licked her ear. "Congrats, Troutcatcher," he murmured her new name with a slight hint of enthusiasm and then followed Amethyststar out of camp knowing that his death lie ahead and he would be going in with the respect of a warrior and he couldn't help being proud.

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

Prophecypaw smiled as he watched Crowpaw receive his warrior name. The medicine cat apprentice padded through the mass of cats. th scent of war and the spring air had slightly put more balance into the three-leged tom. His pupilless eyes narrowed in upon the newly named warrior. "Crowmist! Congradulations!" He mewed, a smile across his small muzzle as he touched noses with his closest friend. His eyes flicked towards Corbynfeather, Troutcatcher and Maplepool, saying a word of congrats to the others before turning back to Crowmist.

[lonelylove :D]

Brokensoul slunk out of the warriors den, and walked to Troutpaw immediately. His strength seemed to grow mroe and more each day as the meeting at Jay's Hollow approached. Today, finally, it was time. Sears of angry rippled through his whole being as he thought of his paws ripping through black, cat-like shadows. But he also felt a little curious. If he was right about his mother being in the Tribe, would he see her today? What would she look like? Would she recgonize her son, or any of his brothers or sisters for that matter? All of these questions rattled around in his head as his coal-black paws reached forward toward Troutpaw.
As he plopped down beside her, Amethyeststar called out the four apprentices' names. He waited for his friend to recieve her warrior name. He was proud of her as Amethyeststar bestowed the name Troutcatcher to her. Troutcatched! He called out joyfully. A deep, rusty-sounding purr rumbled in her chest.

[/blockquote][/color]

[SHADE. :D]

// Sure Kee. ^^

Pantherstealth trotted to his mate, his expression serious for once, and filled with sadness. He did not want to leave Petaldance and his beloved kits, but he was a strong, able warrior, and needed in the fight. The dappled brown warrior pressed his nose lovingly to Petaldance's for a long moment, her soft touch all he needed. The lithe warrior then drew back and swiped his tongue over the she-cat's ear. "I will return to you, I promise," he whispered, eyes filled with love. Pantherstealth turned to his kits, giving each a lick. Kinkajoukit's sapphire eyes were wide with confusion - in his little childlike mind he was worried his father would never return. "Don't go, Daddy!" he pleaded, ears flat. Pantherstealth gave his son a last glance, before tearing his eyes away from his family and following the others. Kinkajoukit leapt forward, trying to follow his father, tears beading in the corners of his eyes.

Beacansong stepped forward, catching the little tabby kitten with his thin forepaws. He held the shaking tom to his chest for a moment, murmuring comfortingly to him. The warrior then carried Kinkajoukit back to Petaldance. He remained there, though he breifly twined his tail with Fernpelt's. "Be careful," he murmured. He had to remain here, with his mother. Scrawltale stood by his side, their short pelts brushing. The young tom wanted to run after his tortoiseshell mate, but stayed where he was.

Rosemarypool sat outside the medicine den, green eyes swimming with sorrow. She could not attend the battle. Her injuries still racked her with pain at the slightest movement. The dark brown tabby and white tabby she-cat watched Brokensoul congratulate Troutcatcher, before they left camp together. Rosemarypool hung her head. She realised too late that it might be the last time she saw her brother. She should have made it up with him, if he'd have her. Rosemarypool sighed miserably, flinging herself down, head on her paws.

Corbynfeather gave a snort of contempt. He didn't need a warrior name to prove himself. The coal-black tom shook himself, silver eyes gleaming with sinful hatred. The venomous young tom glared after his mother. She really thought he'd fight for her? For EclipseClan? For StarClan? For all those things he hated and despised? Corbynfeather unsheathed his claws, smirking. He looked oddly alien, his lips twisted, fangs showing, pale eyes aglow. Turning, he stalked from the camp, in the opposite direction, bottle-brush tail raised.

[fernie. (:]

Fernpelt chanted the new warriors names along with the rest of her Clan, though adrenaline was coarsing through her body. She nodded solemly to Solsticesong, knowing that this may be the last time she saw the giant femme. 'I will do my best. And if I don't come back alive, look after the Clan well.' she said, her eyes scanning the clearing, taking it all in, before she turned her gaze on her mate. 'I love you.' she said simply, then loped after her leader.

[/size]

[Spice..xx]

Petaldance called the new warrior names, her children sat at her paws. Looking up she saw Sunheart coming towards her. Blinking hard as her eyes swam with tears she leaned forward to touch noses with her friend. "Goodbye Sunheart. Be careful, you guys too" she said, pointing to Maverickpaw and Toweringpaw with her tail. "And i will" she said, looking at Maplekit warmly. As Pantherstealth arrived next to her she couldnt help one small tear falling from her eyes. "Please be careful. I....I love you" she said, her voice catching in her throat. As they left she sniffed hard, thanking Beaconsong for returning Kinkajoukit. She had to be strong for the kits. "Do you want to go outside to play little ones?" she asked them all, though she could see nearly all of them were crying or on the verge. They were mere children, this was all so unfair. Bu Petaldance couldnt let them see her own fear, her own terror. Because what if she never saw her mate, or her best friend, ever again?

Lilakit looked up at her father and her "aunt", her gaze wide and worried. Why did they have to go? Lilac orbs moved to Grebekit and at the sight of her sister crying she promptly burst into tears herself. "Pwease dont go Daddy, or Auntie Sunheart, stay stay stay!" she sobbed, burying her head into her fathers pelt. As he pulled away and left she sat down, still snivelling miserably. After a minmute she perked up a little and paddd outside to be near Petaldance, Scrawltale and Beaconsong. "When will Daddy and the others be back? Will it be nighttime? Cos i wouldnt like to come home in the dark, no no no i would not" she said, looking impishly up at the adult vats surrounding her, round lilac eyes hopeful.[/blockquote]

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

__Maplepool is good for me. <3

Maplepaw stood in mild shock as her name was called, along with Crowpaw and Troutpaw's. In a slight daze, she glanced at Solsticesong before padding up to meet Amethyststar, her paws seeming to not touch the ground. She smiled, an actual smile, not sly or anything, at Crowpaw before he was given his new name: Crowtalon. And Troutpaw, now Troutcatcher. And herself, Maplepool. The warrioress smiled lightly, padding over to Crowtalon and Troutcatcher. "Congradulations," she meowed before nodding and padding away, awaiting the moment they would leave for the Gathering.

[/blockquote]

[cheshy says grace]

moonmist pressed herself next to razortomb and dug her muzzle into his shoulder. be care, dear, don't do naything stupid out there and come back for the kits. they'll need you, she mewed delicately, leaving his shoulder and staring into his eyes.

rainbowkit bounced out of the nursery, buh-bye, pantherstealth and sunheart! see you soon! be careful! she squealed before turning to her own father and pushing her head into his black fur. bye daddy... she mewed and sniffed. she added, don't go, I don't want you to fight the evil cats, she looked up. what if you die?

[blair]

Maplekit's confused, round pools hollowed on to his foster mothers frame with an odd expression filled with something like love, confusion, and terror. As the she cat groomed him he no longer shivered in disgust, but merely sat there blank faced, his wary five moon body still thin and kit-like, his silver pelt now puffing out and making him almost look newborn as he trailed after his foster mother to the nursery edge, and taking a glance at Petaldance and her kits, crying or on the verge to weep, his ears flattened as he leaned against the entrance-way for the nursery, easily not blocking the way from any entrances, but his orbs danced on the warrior-cats leaving all the same.

"Please..." he stopped himself in terror of being silly, having the now crying kits laugh at him, although half of them said the same thing, his dying words still lay on his tongue as his optics remained on his adoptive mother 'come back to me' the thought of losing two mothers lay limply in his head, the pure fear of the fact covering his deep green pools obviously as his paws tensely held to the ground, keeping himself from chasing her and convincing her to never go.

[/color]

[Spice..xx]

Petaldance turned her head anxiously as she heard a terrified little voice behind her. She padded over to the skinny tom, watching him shiver. "Maplekit? Are you okay little one? You can play with the others if you want something to do, or we could go inside if you wanted?" she said, nudging the silver kitten fondly with her muzzle. She hated to see so much fear in such a young cats eyes, he didnt deserve this terror. None of them did. Sighing, she turned to look at her own children, wondering what she would be able to do to help them.

[/color][/blockquote]

[(aurora) of the problematique]

_{Ooc:// It's killing me to murder Sunheart...}

[Spice..xx]

_{[ooc]Its killing YOU.......lol, i <3 Sunheart .}

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

The solemn feel of camp was even affecting Cascadekit, surprisingly enough. The usually-hyper kit was quieter and more timid than usual, peering out from the nursery to watch as Corbynpaw, Maplepaw, Crowpaw and Troutpaw became warriors. At first, she had been completely ignorant about this whole battle. The older cats seemed to be trying to keep the battle a secret from the kits, but it wasn't long until the nursery was full of the news. Cascadekit was filled with energy at the thought of a battle, the thrill of it. She guessed it was very different from fighting with Rainbowkit or Yarrowkit. But, as the warriors and apprentices began to become frightened, it spread to Cascadekit, too. It was only when Rainbowkit ventured out did Casadekit even bother. She was slightly confused, but then again, she always was. And, seeing all the brave, strong warriors going to fight cheered her up a bit. Surely they would win - they were EclipseClan, best Clan of them all!

Trotting out behind Rainbowkit, she went strait to her father. The sadness returned as she remembered that cats died in battle. What if papa died? "Papa, papa!" she cried suddenly, pushing her tiny pink nose and little white face into Razortomb's fur. "I don't wanna- I don't want papa to go! Papa needs to stay here..." tears were now rolling down her face, drenching her muzzle. The little she-kitten sniffed, trying to look like brave, like her dad - but it didn't work well. Not able to reach any other part of his body, she gave Razortomb's paw a quick lick, then scrambled back to the nursery, not wanting to see all her older Clanmates go off to war - and especially not her dad. She sat next to Costanokit, her only friend who wasn't her sibling, and continued to sniffle quietly.

__Thank gosh Razortomb isn't going to die , or Cascadekit could be Grainpelt all over again. Not that I don't love Grainpelt. I just want little Cascadekit to stay bubbly. <3

[FIREH!!]

<sub>ooc;; Aurreh: But she'll join Greyfalcon! xD

Kuri: I couldn't kill off the big fuzzy black lump. xD</sub>

[x.Jolly.x]

<sup>Mahoganypaw chanted along with her clan, then went to leave. She was stopped by Lonepaw. 'You can't come, you are too new an apprentice... I'm sorry...' Mahoganypaw hung her head. She caught up to Sunheart. 'Please come home...' then went to the nursery to try to comfort the kits.

Lonepaw caught up to the rest of the clan and wondered what lay ahead. Could it be the destruction of life as she knew it?</sup>

[FIREH!!]

_{ooc;; Uhhh Jolly? Mahogany can go if she wants. Towering and Maverick are going.}

[(aurora) of the problematique]

<sub>ooc:// Sunheart's litter are about 8-9 moons so yeah, Maho can go with her brothers if she wants.

I think I'm going to have Sunheart have severe wounds but she comes home. She'll be in the medicine den until Maplekit becomes an apprentice. It's tearing me up to leave him without a mother again... ;-;</sub>

[blair]

ooc; Maplekit's going to be like 'No more mommies for me' D= Poor little kit. He thinks he kills all his mothers off xD

He's going to be too afraid to love anyone anymore

[fernie. (:]

Costanokit waved his father off with his tail, his eyes wide and glistening. He looked up as Cascadekit came towards him. 'Hi.' he said meekly. 'I dun' want my daddy to go and fight the baddies. Or Auntie Sunheart.' he said, his normal bubbly self lost in a moment of grief for the cats going to battle the Tribe.

[/size]

[kee :]]

ooc// OMG. Towy can take care of Maplekit! XD

[blair]

ooc; -headdesk- Who's that? XD I feel so slow sometimes.

[Spice..xx]

_{[ooc]Toweringpaw, one of Sunhearts sons ^^.}

[blair]

ooc; Ooh :3 Yesh. That'd probably work xD It's kind of odd, with Maplekit. He practically idolizes Maverickpaw