Endless//Pain

[Spice..xx]

Darkmagic nodded slowly, shuffling closer to Shadowprowler. She leapt to her feet as a foreign scent stung the back of her throat. With a low hiss she trotted swiftly over to Firestar. "Firestar not meaning to be rude and interrupt but a strange cat has just entered our camp" she said, glaring at the cat. Who did he think he was, just swaning in to MoonClan camp like that.

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[(aurora) of the problematique]

_{Saintcalling nodded at Heavysand's remark. "I just need to get out of the Clan for the moment," he muttered, just about to leave when he saw the new cat. The tuxedo tom frowned.}

"Who is that?" Crestedfire asked Saintcalling brightly. Though the tom was very cold-hearted, Saintcalling use spared a thin smile for the massive tom. The black and white male shrugged at the ginger and white, who was curious.

Highfrost sighed heavily at the news of Brokenheart's death. "We seem to be losing our population."[/sub][/color]

[[xoxo] shard. :)]

Frozentstar's sight was beginning to fail temporarily due to his hunger - he'd been distracted from hunting when he'd began to scent cats. "Where is he?" he rasped. "Where's my son? StarClan tells me that he's here."

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[all out JINX ♥]

Mudfurs head shot up to see a strange cat, she growled. Mudfur got up and walked over to Heavysand. "Who do you think it is?" she whispered in his ear.

[SHADE. :D]

Wovenknot, who was curled around Brokenheart's body and sobbing into her fur, looked up at the new cat's voice. Instinctively rising, the grey tabby she-cat drew back her lips, baring her teeth. She didn't want to fight, not now... She just wanted to greive for Brokenheart. But this was an intruder, and she had to follow the warrior code... She let out a violent cough, followed by a quick succesion of sneezes, and knew how they must appear to this cat; weak and underfed.

Spectreflame turned and glared at the new cat, hissing. At his words she knew immediatly who he was talking about. "No, you can't," her mouth was dry. This was Shardpaw's father. He was here to take him away. "No!" The white she-cat ran back towards Shardpaw, blocking him with her muscular body. "Stay away, don't try to take him!" she begged. "It'll break her heart!" And as she spoke of Pearlblade, her mother appeared.

The pale she-cat had just started eating properly, and though old, her face was beginning to regain some of its beauty. The queen caught sight of Brokenheart's body, and then Fallenleaf and Midnightsky. These all did not seem to bother her greatly; there was friendship between CloudClan and MoonClan. But the stranger cat scared her, even more so when she noticed Spectreflame guarding Shardpaw. She noticed the connection; silver fur, handsome face... "No, not my son!" Pearlblade darted over to Shardpaw, catching him in her paws like he was still a tiny kitten. She held him close, eyes wide. She couldn't lose Shardpaw, not so soon after... After Selenekit...

[Spice..xx]

Darkmagic snarled as the cat announced why he was here. "What, you think you can just walk in here and take him back? How did he manage to get here in the first place if you care so much about him? MoonClan is his home" she said, stainding side on and swishing her tail. She was also guarding Shardpaw along with his adopted mother and Spectreflame. She watched the tom with hazel eyes, unblinking, unmoving. "Shardpaw, what do you have to say about this?" she asked the apprentice seeing as nobody else had asked him his opinion.

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[[xoxo] shard. :)]

Shardpaw knew there was an intruder, but why was everyone guarding him? Wait, that smell.... It was his father! "Father?" he mewed. "Is that you?"

Frozenstar looked around wearily. "Shardpaw?" he rasped. He could barely speak, his hunger making him weak. "I don't wish to take him away. I just wan't to see him. I wan't to see him after all these years." His gaze turned to Darkmagic, his voice becoming stronger.

"You think I didn't care he wasn't with me? What happened was that I sent him with his mother and sister away from our forest so they would survive. I told them to find a new home. His mother died on the way, along with his sister afterwards. StarClan told me this.

"I am Frozenstar, the once Leader of IceClan. If this is possible, I wish to join MoonClan, as you call it, so I may see my son. I swear in the name of StarClan and my last life, that I will not betray you in any way, including taking my son away from his new home."

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[Spice..xx]

Darkamgic nodded as she listened. "Pearlblade? Its is up to you if he can speak to Shardpaw, he is your son" she said to the she-cat, still keeping one ear fived on Frozenstar. Darkamgic looked at the little kitten. "Shardpaw would you like to talk to your fater?" she asked the blind apprentice. She turned back to Frozenstar. "As for joining the clan you will need to take that up with Firestar" she said, pointing with her tail to where the leader of MoonClan stood.

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[fernie. (:]

Shadowprowler sat quietly while the cats discussed Shardpaw, and he decided not to get involved. He sat and started to clean himself, until this issue was finished with Firestar and he and Darkmagic could go hunting.

[[xoxo] shard. :)]

Frozenstar dipped his head to Firestar, keeping one paw on the ground, and the other one suspended and curled. "You are Firestar, leader of this Clan?" he mewed, pulling himself out of his foreign gesture. "Please, do consider my request. I will go by my warrior name, Frozenshard."

Shardpaw nodded slightly before turning to Pearlblade. "If it's alright with you, mother?"

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[SHADE. :D]

Spectreflame glared angrily at Frozenstar. "You think you can just walk in here and join our clan?" she mewed angrily, long white fur bristling. "Mother, he could hurt him... I don't know what he's like, but..." Spectreflame turned to Firestar, hoping that the ginger she-cat would inforce some authority now. This strange tom had just walked into their camp, demanded to speak to Shardpaw, before asking to join MoonClan... "If he's a former clan leader he might question your decisions, Firestar," she finished, blue eyes narrowed.

Ravenpaw blinked at Frozenstar. She was still stood beside Shardpaw, long smoky fur brushing his. She knew why her mother was frightened, but this was Shardpaw's decision. "Mother, let him go," she mewed, ice blue eyes wide as she appealed to Pearlblade. "This is his choice. He's not a kit anymore, he can take him of himself. Better than a lot of others, actually." Ravenpaw then drew back again, eyes closing and tail curling around her chest as if to protect herself.

Wovenknot watched the scene with cloudy blue eyes. She felt weak, and as she turned her head to take a better look at Shardpaw's father, she felt as though water was shifting inside her skull. The tabby sat down, head resting on Brokenheart's shoulder. She felt disgusted with herself; she should be able to fight this cat. Her Greencough might've been getting slowly better, but still she was too feeble to fight for herself. Wovenknot sighed, continuing to observe, wondering what Firestar and Pearlblade would do.

Pearlblade's ice blue eyes were fixed on Frozenstar, swimming with fear. Slowly her body uncurled, realeasing Shardpaw. Tears slid down her silky cheeks as she let her foster son free. "Be careful," she mewed softly, ears flat. She watched, repulsed, wanting to snatch Shardpaw back against her chest. Safe and sound. Pearlblade stared at Frozenstar, eyes bulging slightly. Her expression said it all. Hurt him, and I'll kill you. I don't care who you are, or were, you touch my son and you'll wish you'd never set foot on MoonClan territory.

[(aurora) of the problematique]

_{Crestedfire's mighty body dwarfed Pearlblade's as the ginger comb-headed tom smiled at the she-cat. "Don't worry, Miss Pearlblade. I'll protect Shardpaw, and that's a promise!" Though he didn't know this new tom, Pearlblade looked apprehensive and thus, so was Crestedfire. His muscles bristled under silky fur, but he kept his shy composure.}

Saintcalling's eyes narrowed at Frozenstar, silently agreeing with Pearlblade's expression and Spectreflame's comments.

Highfrost looked curiously at the new tom, but made no comment.[/sub]

[[xoxo] shard. :)]

The clearing fell silent. "Thank you." Shardpaw padded over to his father, his pawsteps the only sound in the clearing after the commotion died down. "Father, it's been so long."

"Indeed it has, Shardpaw," Frozenstar agreed.

"Are you the only one left?"

"I believe so, sadly."

"There is nothing left of our camp?"

"Not of ours or GhostClan's or any of them."

"I'd thought not." Shardpaw turned back around, directing his voice now to Spectreflame. "I would not believe my father would question her decisions. He was very flexible as a Leader." He turned to Firestar, his pupilless eyes shining as a plea.

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[cheshy says grace]

Grieverstone padded out of her den, her head hung. She dragged her paws, tears dropped from her eyes as she had realized the clan was falling apart. Her usually happy heart now drowned in sorrow. Grieverstone had lost so many cats these past moons, she was losing her touch. Her tail drooped and so did her whiskers. The once smart, cheerful medicine cat now was sorrowful and droopy. She slumped to the ground and called out, "Why... why must the world be so cruel... Brokenheart, I'm sorry," she sobbed. She wasn't caring about what was happening around here, though she struggled to stand. Grieverstone looked like it was a pain to holkd herself up. She was weighed down by the sorrow on her shoulders, but she knew what she had to do.

Grieverstone padded over to Frozen-whatever. "We welcome you to MoonClan, just as long as you fight to protect this Clan I will accept you. We all love Shardpaw, so please don't get any idea of taking him away," she slumped back down, sobbing some more.

((Sorry guys I haven't been on... been really busy.))

[SHADE. :D]

Spectreflame glared at Greiverstone as she spoke to Frozenstar. The white warrior had never been one to hold her tongue; not even to a medicine cat. "No we don't!" she spat, long fur bristling like static. "We do not accept him! He could be anyone! What are we, a home for all the strays out there?" Spectreflame sat down, still glaring at Frozenstar. She was acting like this partly because of the amount of outsiders how had joined the clan recently, and partly because she cared for Shardpaw.

Pearlblade looked up at Crestedfire unsmilingly, but there was a hint of graitude in her blue eyes. "Thankyou," she murmured. The pale she-cat could not help letting out a little strangled gulping sound as Shardpaw moved closer to Frozenstar. Pearlblade crouched, still apprehensive. Shardpaw was her kit. Frozenstar had left him, he had no right over him. He was her kit. Pearlblade did not want Frozenstar to stau, stay so that Shardpaw was pulled away from her more every day.

[[xoxo] shard. :)]

"I have no reason to take him away. I have no home to take him to."

Shardpaw padded back to Pearlblade. He felt miserable now. He was almost sure the Clan would not take his father in. He sat with his tail wrapped about his paws, hiding his pain. He understood the rest of the Clan's view. Spectreflame was obviously tired of so many loners joining, and Pearlblade's waves of emotions led to her not wanting him to forget about her. He never wanted to forget her, and as he thought about it, he may if his father joined the Clan. Pearlblade was the one who took him in when he was absolutely hopeless. He sighed. It was hard to decide whose side to be on.

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[cheshy says grace]

Grieverstone gathered her strangth to hiss at Spectreflame, "What if Shardpaw was your son and he lived in a different clan?! How would you feel? No longer having a home, wanting to see your son, and wanting to be with him? How would you feel if the other clan wouldn't accept you and you'd never be able to see your son again! How can you be so heartless!?" she yowled, anger boiling, melting the sorrow; Brokenheart, I am doing this for you and all the other cats I have lost, please be safe in StarClan, she prayed.

[FIREH!!]

At the sound of her name, the fire coloured cat stood up. She was beside Spectreflame, and took in the argument without a word. Once no one was speaking, she lifted her head and spoke loud and clearly. "Frozenshard, you say your name is. I am Firestar, leader of Moonclan. How did you know to find us here? Have you been hiding here? As for joining my clan, I need to talk to Pearlblade, Spectreflame, Highfrost, and Crestedfire." She called to her senior warriors and elder. She sat near her den and as they drew nearer, she meowed, "What do you think? Should we let him in?"

[cheshy says grace]

Grieverstone growled, then retreated back to her den, dragging her tail, for she was in a foul mood.

[(aurora) of the problematique]

^{Highfrost bit his lip for a moment, glancing back at Frozenshard/star. "I agree with Spectreflame on that he might question your decisions, Firestar, but if he has been a former leader, there is no doubt that his opinions would be worth looking into," the black and brown tom spoke sagely, dipping his head to both she-cats.}

Crestedfire swallowed nervously and his body curled up instinctively at being asked his opinion. "Um...well...I promised Pearlblade that I would protect...Shardpaw...so...it doesn't matter as...as long as Shardpaw's safe," he stammered.[/sup][/i]

[Spice..xx]

Darkmagic shook her head hopelessly. MoonClan was not the Clan it had been. She turned away with a dismissive flick of her tail and walked over to Shadowprowler. She sat beside him, her pelt gently brushing against his. Silence enveloped her as she sat watching and waiting for the decision to be made.

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[[xoxo] shard. :)]

Frozenstar dipped his head. "I was guided by StarClan. They told me my son was here. They also informed me of his mother's and sister's deaths." As the bright orange she-cat called a small meeting, he dipped his head again. "Thank you."

Shardpaw's ears perked. His father might be joining the Clan after all! He slowly edged away from the group, becoming nervous. He could understand both points of view, but then what Grieverstone said....

[FIREH!!]

"Spectreflame did have a point." Firestar bit her lip. She was about to voice her only concern. "What has happened to us? We are letting all these loners join, and we are no longer the feared clan of the forest, we are a bunch of rogues... I don't know what to do... Shakenleaf..." She added the last part under her breath, thinking of her deceased mate. Oh how she needed him at this point in time. Her clan was falling to pieces and she couldn't do anything about it.

[(aurora) of the problematique]

_{Highfrost swallowed a lump in his throat. "I have heard that BrightClan and SerenityClan have been experienced the same scenario, loners entering their territory," he said quietly. "If we are worried about our Clan dying, then we must rely on converting others to our side. Loyal MoonClanners like Spectreflame, Darkmagic, and others like us and them will keep close watch on them. Although only warriors believe in StarClan, StarClan watches all cats and keeps them safe. If they have the potential to receiving StarClan's knowledge, we would be brigands to deny that of them."}

[SHADE. :D]

Spectreflame glared hotly at Greiverstone, paws twitching as though she wanted nothing more than to pounce on the medicine cat. She opened her mouth to send a fiery retort in Greiverstone's direction, but before she could do so Firestar summoned her. When the snowy warrior glanced back, Greiverstone was retreating into her den. Cursing under her breath, Spectreflame trudged towards Firestar. She stood agitatedly with the three others, claws sheathing and unsheathing. "No!" she burst out, at Firestar's first question. "We should not let him join! He could be lying! He has no right to march into our territory and demand to be part of MoonClan." Spectreflame hesitated for a moment, then added furiously; "He is not MoonClan's leader! He never will be!" Spectreflame looked at her paws, breathing deeply. "Loners have chosen their own solitary existance." She then leant forwards and hissed, for Firestar's ears only; "It would kill her!" By 'her' she meant her mother.

Pearlblade caught Shardpaw in her paws as he padded back to her, and buried her muzzle into his neck. Her eyes glistened with emotion. The elderly queen glanced at Firestar as she called to her, and released Shardpaw. "Look after him," she murmured to the nearest cats, Darkmagic and Shadowprowler. Pearlblade limped across to Firestar; one of her hind paws had been paining her for days. The she-cat stayed silent as the other arguing, trying hard not to scream or cry.

[fernie. (:]

Fallenleaf still sat by Brokenheart's body, tear tracks stained on her cheeks. She looked over at the other cat who seemed as fussed by her friend's death as she was, the one named Wovenknot. She shuffled over to the other elder. 'If you would like me to help move Brokenheart's body, I shall. But if not, I'd rather not be in the midst of this meeting. It is not my Clan to be listening in on.' she said croakily, looking around with big eyes.

[Spice..xx]

Darkmagic dipped head to Pearlblade in a silent response to her request. She kept her hazel eyes firmly fixed on Shardpaw and Frozenshard, although she was pretty sure a loveing father would never hurt his own son. She watched anyway though, she didnt want to upset Pearlblade even more by ignoring her.

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[cheshy says grace]

^{Grieverstone yowled, she wasn't going to take this anymore, she wasn't going to be a log anymore, she was the medicine cat of MoonClan, this clan once was feared by all the prey in the woods, she wasn't going to stand it anymore, she stood firmly on her paws and strutted out of her den, "MoonClan! Look at what has happened to us! What happened to our strength? Our courage? Brokenheart and all the others would be disappointed in us!" she yowled, her eyes flaming and her heart beating a thousand miles per second, "We can't let this happen to us, we must fight against this sorrow that is devouring our minds and souls, we need to stand strong. I may not be high and mighty like Firestar, but I can try to talk some sense in to your brains. Don't you realize that slowly we are turning on each other and one day, we'll kill each other, and then there will be nothing left of MoonClan. The feared name of MoonClan will just fly away like a leaf on the wind, then sink in the great lake of the four clans!" Grieverstone's flanks moved in and out rapidly and her head throbbed with anger. Her heart beat was as fast as a sprinting rabbit.}

[FIREH!!]

Midnightsky pressed against Fallenleaf for comfort. He knew she was agitated and sad, but they needed to leave.

Firestar nodded. " I know. Pearlblade?" She asked the elder.

[[xoxo] shard. :)]

Shardpaw was now becoming anxious. He could feel the hidden strong emotions flooding from his foster mother, Pearlblade. It made him feel scared for her, and his father. He sighed. He was happy to see his father, but would he get to stay, or would he be rejected and left to stay on his own? The suspension was killing the blind apprentice. So much was happening at once- Sorrowfrost had come down with greencough, leading Spectreflame to become his substitute, and now his father had found the Clan.

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