#tempestclan moons

ㅤㅤThe river territories sit in a vast, mountainous region bisected by a central river. The thick forests spanning its entirety are diverse in the trees, foliage, and creatures they support, giving each Clan unique signs of the changing seasons.

ㅤㅤFive Clans occupy the region. EchoClan alone lies on the far side of the river, nearest to where the Moonspring is nestled in the mountains. WickerClan— an exiled offshoot of EchoClan— joined the other Clans across the river, becoming their newest neighbor in the forest lowlands it claimed. CedarClan sits past the Twoleg bridge spanning the river, taking up residence in the swamps the water splits to form. AshClan, though still beside the river, stands as the Clan nearest to the distant thunderpath and small Twolegplace of the region. TempestClan avoids the river altogether, instead secluded in the dry gullies far from everything but the Lion Rock.

ㅤㅤThough Twoleg activity in the daytime is frequent— especially for the likes of CedarClan and AshClan— the clearly defined Twoleg routes which cleave winding paths through the dense growth allows for most cats, in a Clan or otherwise, to evade their attention. But no Clan is a stranger to threats, coming from outside its borders or within— leaving the only presence felt more than the intruding Twolegs, prowling loners, and volatile weather, to be the glimmering scrutiny of StarClan above.

ㅤㅤTempestClan is a small Clan nestled within a rocky embrace of sheer-edged gullies. The collection of flat stone faces, flecked by hardy grass and spindly trees, send the rain down in even cascades onto the lush ground below. Deep recesses in the rock shelter and secure the cats who call this region home, undeterred by the uninformed, outside murmurings of flood or sinking grounds when they know better. TempestClan has always been a Clan of adept climbers, of silent trackers and isolated strategists— nothing can be done to shake their conviction that they know the violent shifts of the landscape best, and all other Clans would be wise to listen when they break from their dreary distance to warn of the rumblings of an incoming storm. 

ㅤㅤAs of late, however, TempestClan's isolation has been brought into question. The plague was swift, and deadly; in a cruel twist of fate, passing through so rapidly as to disappear completely after claiming countless lives. Their last leader had told the Clan to hold fast, to endure the illness. Hunting was still good, the other Clans were staying clear of their borders, and the rain had not changed. There was nothing another Clan, nothing another medicine cat could offer. They would let the illness pass, silently, the Clan carrying on as it had for so many moons prior.

ㅤㅤTempestClan's last leader lost his final life in the plague's parting wave— swearing to the end that the Clan was strongest when it stood alone.

Patrol 1— Practice - Darkpaw, Copperpaw, Finchflame. 3 + 1 = 4. Two cats open up about their pasts to each other. They feel as if they've learned a great deal more about the other, and apply this knowledge as they see fit.

ㅤㅤ"And you really should never take risks with a snake— even if it looks safe, or you think you could outstrike it—" 

ㅤㅤ"Finchflame, I know that." 

ㅤㅤFinchflame stops in his tracks, and turns to look back at the interrupting Copperpaw. Darkpaw is looking up at her, too, his head hanging as low as it always is. The young warrior's voice is tinged with a growl. "Well, that advice is for Darkpaw, then. And I'd rather you not interrupt me while I'm teaching him—" 

ㅤㅤ"Darkpaw knows that too! Even kits know not to chase after snakes in the rocks— and I doubt he'd be foolish enough to try it anyways." She looks to the younger apprentice beside her. "Right, Darkpaw?" 

ㅤㅤDarkpaw lets out a little uncertain grunt, averting his eyes, but offering nothing else. 

ㅤㅤThe brown patches on Finchflame's back ripple like his namesake. "Just because I'm not your mentor doesn't mean you can talk back like that. You're just an apprentice." 

ㅤㅤCopperpaw's ears flatten. "I think I'm entitled to say whatever I like, if you're going to talk down to us like kits. Especially if you're going to get defensive about it..."

ㅤㅤ"Defensive?" He holds back a growl. "As if wanting some respect is such a ridiculous ask! Like it or not, I'm still a warrior, and Darkpaw is still—" 

ㅤㅤ"You know, when I'm a warrior your age, I doubt you'll treat me with a shred of the respect you expect from me now," Copperpaw snaps, stepping forward. "And Darkpaw— nevermind Darkpaw! You're probably going to hold your mentorship over his head forever!"

ㅤㅤ"And you'll both be wise to listen to me then, too! What, do you think you're so smart that you could manage without me?" Tail flicking, Finchflame eyes the rock face beside him, before bounding up it in a single leap. He stares down at the apprentices below. "Fine! Find your own way back to camp, then."

ㅤㅤAs Copperpaw's fur bristles, Finchflame silently disappears over the small ridge, leaving the two alone. Darkpaw's blue eyes are blankly fixed on the sky, before a mewl escapes him. "...Finchflame?" 

ㅤㅤ"Ignore him, he knows perfectly well we know the path." Copperpaw heads a few paces back the way they came, sniffing at the ground. When Darkpaw doesn't move, she gently prompts him to attention.

ㅤㅤHe still looks to the ridge at first, but follows along. 

ㅤㅤAfter a short while of walking in complete silence, Copperpaw decides to slow down, and break it. "You don't have to listen to all that lecturing, Darkpaw. We could always bring this up to Mossystar—"

ㅤㅤ"No..." Darkpaw's attention is fixed on the ground. "No, it's alright. Finchflame... he already goes through a lot. That's what he says, that no one believes in him enough, really, or listens. I think getting scolded by Mossystar would hurt him too much, and I'd... I'd hate for him not to have anything..." His ears twitch. "Or, uh, not to have me as an apprentice, I mean..."

ㅤㅤ"Huh." Copperpaw's head falls slightly. "Well, if you ever want some time away from him, you know you can always tag along on patrols with me, right?"

ㅤㅤDarkpaw lets out another grunt, but quickly finds his words. "Right, right... thank you, Copperpaw..."

Patrol 2— Loner leaves - Eaglerapid, Snailpatch. 1 – 1 = 1. There is a scuffle, and the outsider is killed, only for their patrol/family/clowder/etc. to appear and demand justice. (Note: Eaglerapid will HAVE to take a risk when the next option arises.)

ㅤㅤSnailpatch had scented a fox during patrol.

ㅤㅤHe and Eaglerapid pad along above the path, maneuvering over the stones as they track the scent below. With any luck, they'll soon be turned away from TempestClan and its hunting grounds, letting them know it was only a brief intrusion. The scent is growing stronger, fresher. They move away from the rocky edge.

ㅤㅤ"Eaglerapid," Snailpatch whispers, stopping the tom in front of him. "There's something else, isn't there? Not blood— you must smell the blood— but something..."

ㅤㅤEaglerapid nods, and crouches down, letting his mouth part. "A cat?"

ㅤㅤ"Do you think so?" His ears fall back, and he glances back towards the edge. "That can't be good. But... well, you're deputy, I'll let you decide how to proceed..."

ㅤㅤ"We've got to help if we can," Eaglerapid insists, without the slightest hesitation. "Come on, stay alert, right behind me."

ㅤㅤThey rush over the stones, bounding over a wide gap. The cat scent is overwhelming the fox's, the blood still lingering, constant, in the air. Snailpatch makes a small dash to the edge. "Eaglerapid, I see blood. Fresh specks, I'd wager."

ㅤㅤEaglerapid draws forward, his muscular frame tense as he prepares himself. "Stay up here. I'll track down there."

ㅤㅤHis body snaps forward, and he slides down the rocks, landing squarely on the dirt below. He moves to sniff the blood— fresh, just as Snailpatch suspected. From down here, though, he can see more. He follows each discovery further and further through the ridge.

ㅤㅤThe rocks stay at roughly the same height, but begin to draw nearer, the path growing narrower and narrower until they meet at a dead end. There's heavy breathing just ahead of where Eaglerapid is tracking, and the withdrawn groans of a cat in pain. Knowing Snailpatch will follow, the deputy rushes ahead to meet the quivering mass of striped fur.

ㅤㅤHe comes up within a rat-length of the cat. "Are you alright? Did a fox get you?"

ㅤㅤEyes wild, the shivering cat breaks from their pain to look at him. "Get away from me."

ㅤㅤ"You're in TempestClan territory, and I'm its deputy. I'm here to help—"

ㅤㅤ"I said get away!" The cat lurches back, catching Eaglerapid with a swipe to the chest fur, even as the cat's effort shifts to drag the dead weight of a limp leg below them. "Help! Help!"

ㅤㅤ"Hush, you'll draw that fox right back—!"

ㅤㅤ"HELP!"

ㅤㅤEaglerapid's attention shoots to Snailpatch, who's stuck watching from above. Best he stays there, not panic the cat any more. Again, Eaglerapid steps forward. "If I was going to hurt you I would have already— please, just listen to me."

ㅤㅤThe cat drags on towards the rocks, setting a front paw on the jagged stone. Another frenzied glance shoots Eaglerapid's way.

ㅤㅤ"No, no, you can't— not with your leg, you can't—" He steps forward, paw slipping on the blood-slick pebbles.

ㅤㅤThe cat sets another paw to the stone, and they pull their body up, barely able to catch on a crevice with their working back leg. They're bleeding onto the stones now, red rain-lines streaking down from where they stand.

ㅤㅤ"Please, get down from there, you're going to—!"

ㅤㅤWith a simmering groan and a yowl the cat leaps up to the next piece of jutting stone, but their back leg misses, scrapes aimlessly and furiously against the wall below. Eaglerapid runs just beneath them, the cat now barely out of reach at the end of a steep slope upward. He braces his paws and stands, head bobbing about in desperate search of a solution. "Stop, stop, if you— try to slide down on your good side, you—"

ㅤㅤIn a vain attempt to pull themself up, one of the cat's paws slips back, and they tumble, rolling, head over tail against the harsh stone. Eaglerapid doesn't even have time to react, the cat crashing into him and sending both sprawled across the ground. Grunting, he pulls himself out from beneath them, the world spinning just as he catches Snailpatch sliding down to meet him, the older tom's fur high on end.

ㅤㅤSnailpatch gives Eaglerapid a once-over, steadying him, before he stops, fixated just behind him. Eaglerapid turns, noting a sudden, dull pain in his ribs, to see the cat lying on their side, blood now pooling around them. Their jaw chatters, their eyes spin, and their front legs twitch with an uncanny energy.

ㅤㅤTheir breathing grows shallower, travels from their stomach to concentrate in their chest, their throat, their maw. Their body stills, green eyes losing their rabid shine in a moment, as the last, short breath escapes.

ㅤㅤGone.

ㅤㅤThe two toms stare at the body for a while, too stunned to speak, or to worry about some distant fox. Finally, though, Eaglerapid blinks, and approaches Snailpatch, the deputy's scarred shoulder braced against the older tom’s. "We have to bury them. It's only right."

ㅤㅤSnailpatch stays silent for a moment longer, before nodding along. "Alright." He looks fully to Eaglerapid now. "Once we're back at camp you should get cleaned up and tell Mossystar what happened. I'll... I'll handle the rest."

ㅤㅤEaglerapid returns the nod, only then noticing the blood splattering his fur. No point in licking it off now, though; it's going to be a long, long walk back to camp, and certainly not a clean one.

Patrol 3— Ghost stories - Mossystar, Fringehollow.

ㅤㅤEaglerapid tells Mossystar everything. She says he did the right thing, even if it went poorly. He couldn't have done more, she's certain of it.

ㅤㅤHe tells her not to bother cleaning the blood off— it's not even his, he'll do it himself. She says it's the least she can do, that he shouldn't have to be left to stew in what transpired alone. And so he lets her groom him, the time passing quietly by. For a while after, they're left curled together, warm and secure.

ㅤㅤSleep comes easier than either thought it would.

ㅤㅤWhen Mossystar visits the grave, she's surprised to find Onelarch and Fringehollow there. Onelarch, she might have expected— Fringehollow she can't quite figure out. Regardless, she greets them both, thanks Onelarch for handling the delicate matter.

ㅤㅤ"Shame we didn't even know their name," Onelarch offers. "Though I'm certain StarClan will take them where they're meant to be."

ㅤㅤMossystar nods thoughtfully, unsure what to add.

ㅤㅤHer lowered ears pivot when Fringehollow responds. "If it were me, I'd hope another Clan would do the same. Nevermind that they didn't know me, that I wasn't one of their own. I'd trust StarClan to guide me— but I'd like to think all the cats left down here aren't half bad, either."

ㅤㅤMossystar looks to the patch of bare ground, and sits. "I'm… sorry it had to be this way."

ㅤㅤOnelarch and Fringehollow look to their leader, her piercing yellow eyes clouded by a solemn haze. They join her in sitting.

ㅤㅤHer tail twitches, breath growing shaky. "Not every storm can be endured. But we'll bear all that your storm washes our way, and accept it wholeheartedly— whatever that entails. Good or bad, now or later... I know this must have been for a reason. I'm just sorry that you had to be the one swept away for it." She pauses, and blinks, suddenly catching her increasingly worried tone. "I..." She steadies herself with a sigh. "I wish you well on your journey, brave warrior. Follow the soft rains back home, and... may StarClan light your path."

ㅤㅤOnelarch and Fringehollow mutter in agreement, and stay beside the leader and the grounds for a little while longer.

ㅤㅤMossystar takes power before knowing what it truly means to her.

ㅤㅤShe was freshly deputy, the last one having succumbed in the earliest days of the plague. Mossyheart, then, just past eighty moons, a blue-black tabby with a grisly scar over her back that showed she had little to prove to anyone. But did that make her a leader? She wasn't sure. She'd told Eaglerapid everything— her observations, her hopes, her fears. They were born only a few moons apart, grew up running and climbing over the same stones. Her former apprentice had died within only a few moons of Eaglerapid's first, too.

ㅤㅤIt all felt too quick. Too empty, too uncertain. Mossystar, now, with Eaglerapid as her deputy. She couldn't have chosen anyone else, she doesn't trust anyone like she trusts him. Doesn't love anyone like she loves him. But that's the one thing she hasn't told him yet.

ㅤㅤShe puts on a brave face. Nine lives— that wouldn't have even been enough to save all those good, loyal cats they lost to illness, she can't fathom what good it'll do her. But Eaglerapid is by her side, and the cats who are left seem hopeful. Or maybe they're just putting on brave faces, too.

ㅤㅤMossystar can't dwell on the thoughts for too long. It makes her scar itch.

ㅤㅤKitelotus has no choice but to divulge nothing. Asking never got anyone anywhere, and begging is worse; if a Clan being decimated isn't enough to make a leader listen to their medicine cat, then there can't be much else to hope for.

ㅤㅤShe doesn't want to come to that conclusion, mind. She assures herself that it was just their last leader, that Mossystar could be different. TempestClan cats are meant to watch for patterns, to trust their instincts— their leader should listen to their medicine cat wholeheartedly, by those standards.

ㅤㅤBut she's seen too many cats die, through negligence or stubbornness— watched their numbers dwindle until only the elder Onelarch was left to bury them. That cloud of death, lingering over her head, forever marring her paws. More, she wonders if she could have done more, but reminds herself that the past is over and done with. There's a new leader in place, and Kitelotus is still standing, despite everything.

ㅤㅤShe asks only that StarClan help her do the right thing this time around, even if the others tell her she's wrong.

Patrol 1— Dispute - Copperpaw, Mossystar, Eaglerapid. 4 + 2 = 6. Two cats open up about their pasts to each other. They find themselves losing hours to the conversation, feeling understood as they never have been before. They grow incredibly close, and form a seemingly unbreakable bond. (Become mates, form an alliance, etc.)

ㅤㅤWhen Copperpaw lost a mother, Mossystar lost a sister. Only a moon away from becoming an apprentice at the time, Copperpaw had suddenly been cast into an even more uncertain world, with no one to rely on but herself and her aunt. Which was why she was so surprised when the last leader had assigned Eaglerapid as her mentor— apparently, due in part to a good word from Mossystar at the time.

ㅤㅤBut, with no apprentice busying Mossystar during her training, Copperpaw soon found that she may as well have had two mentors. Her Clanmates hadn't been joking when they called Mossystar and Eaglerapid inseparable, and being in their joint company gives the entire arrangement a familiar warmth that Copperpaw is, though quietly, rather thankful for.

ㅤㅤThe hunt is as simple as every other hunt. Rats and squirrels have never been scarce in the wooded crevices of TempestClan territory, and the Clan's new population has— to put it bluntly— greatly reduced the demand for fresh-kill. Perhaps every cat could feed themselves, at that rate, but Copperpaw's always been instilled with her family's work ethic. There is no bare minimum— her best is the only option.

ㅤㅤResting in the wake of her own successful hunt, Mossystar lays on a rock's edge and watches her niece prowl below. Her tail flicks contently, the sun just beginning to peek through the trees to strike her back. It's warm, serene— an unexpected respite from the events of late, though she's not certain she's ever particularly been one to engage with respite. But, things change. 

ㅤㅤSomething rustles behind her.

ㅤㅤBefore she can react, the scent hits her— and then, her deputy's head does, a gentle bump to her own. "Hmph—" Eaglerapid drops the small squirrel from his maw, and crouches right down alongside her. "—hello. You're tired already?"

ㅤㅤ"No," Mossystar insists, playfully defensive, "My jaws are full, that's all. Because, try as I might, I doubt I could drag the entire forest back to camp..."

ㅤㅤ"Not with that attitude." He tucks his white paws against the white patch on his chest, same as he always does, and gazes out over the clearing below. "Wish the pickings looked half this good when we were training— you'd be lucky to catch a loose feather back then, nevermind all this."

ㅤㅤMossystar snorts in half-agreement, but feels her tail picking up an uncomfortable pace. "Of course it was harder back then, though. All those cats to feed— the kits, the elders..." She shakes her head. "To think, the apprentices now won't have even experienced feeding like that— Onelarch is here, sure, but he's so awfully giving anyway, it's hardly the same."

ㅤㅤ"It won't be like that forever," Eaglerapid offers with a light push against her side. "Maybe Copperpaw and Darkpaw won't experience that, but... there'll be more kits one day, and they'll become more apprentices, and we'll all become the crotchety elders they've got to dote on. What's happening now is just... temporary. It's like they say— every storm will one day pass."

ㅤㅤNo wonder she'd made him deputy. Still, she scoffs out a laugh, hiding the comfort the words bring her. "More kits, who's going to be having kits?"

ㅤㅤ"I don't know." He frees a paw. "I mean, anyone could— I suppose I could guess who, but—"

ㅤㅤ"Who would you guess?"

ㅤㅤ"Who would I guess?"

ㅤㅤShe shuffles closer to him, pushes against him all the same. "Yeah, give me your best guess. Show me how well you know this Clan, deputy."

ㅤㅤEaglerapid's ears perk forward, and he stares at Mossystar, silent for the moment. A purr sticks in his chest, choked down as he speaks again, hushed. "I, uh... don't know if you'd like my answer."

ㅤㅤShe matches his tone, but doesn't stop her own purring. "Yeah?"

ㅤㅤ"Yeah— and it's actually two cats, come to think of it."

ㅤㅤThey both nestle comfortably together, side by side, nearly nose to nose. Mossystar's thought about this, envisioned this too often for it to be mistaken for anything else. But it'd hardly ever felt so perfect. Her tail brushes over his. "It'd have to be two, wouldn't it? Certain cats... they wouldn't fare so well alone."

ㅤㅤEaglerapid's rough voice escapes soft. "You're right. I wouldn't." He licks her nose, and presses his forehead to hers, their purrs in harmonious bliss. "That's why I'm glad I still have you."

Patrol 2— Loner leaves - Darkpaw, Finchflame. 3 + 1 = 4. There is a scuffle, but no one is hurt and the outsider is chased off without incident.

ㅤㅤFinchflame is an old cat in a freshly-turned warrior's body. Maybe it was only the pressure of the time, but he prefers to believe that his merits alone had so rapidly brought him to where he is now. He became a warrior three moons ago, gained an apprentice one moon ago. There'd been murmurs that their old leader shouldn't have been making such decisions in that plague-ridden state, but the issue apparently wasn't pressing enough for Mossystar, even as she rose from deputy to leader, to do anything about it.

ㅤㅤAnd so, Finchflame continues to mentor Darkpaw.

ㅤㅤQuiet Darkpaw, gentle Darkpaw, who had been born in the midst of death and passed from mother, to queen, to queen, to no one. Finchflame, maybe, but a mentor that young wasn't a parent. Not that Darkpaw ever had all that much time to get attached to the idea of having a "parent."

ㅤㅤDarkpaw follows Finchflame with his usual, silent steps, obedient and observing. Finchflame has a boldness to his gait, explaining at every turn how they need to be keeping an eye out for certain herbs and moss, that Kitelotus is insistent that the Clan never encounter a shortage. Darkpaw, with a mouth full of moss, listens along.

ㅤㅤBut Finchflame stops. Body bristling, he growls at Darkpaw to stay back, get ready. For what— that, he doesn't mention, but the apprentice backs down anyway.

ㅤㅤFrom the path ahead, a hiss sounds, and Darkpaw nearly chokes on the moss before spitting it out. Finchflame hisses back, and the feline form comes into view.

ㅤㅤFinchflame hops forward. "This is TempestClan territory—!"

ㅤㅤ"Says who?" The other cat presses on. "A pair of apprentices who don't even know their own rocks— run on back to your camp before I make this ugly."

ㅤㅤAnother growl escapes Finchflame, and he shoots forward, suddenly caught in a spinning flurry of missed claw-swipes and hissing. It must only last moments, but it feels like minutes, feels like it may never end.

ㅤㅤThe scent of blood hits the crouching Darkpaw's nose, and he notices that both have stopped. The stranger huffs. "I said go back. This doesn't have to end like this."

ㅤㅤFinchflame's body heaves with breath, and he's quiet, before his scratched wrist shoots to his tongue, and he turns back. He somehow maintains that same large stride, only fueled purely by irritation now, as he quickly motions and growls for Darkpaw to follow along.

ㅤㅤPicking the moss back up, Darkpaw allows himself one more look at the stranger— over double his size, maybe even double Finchflame's— and follows his mentor back to camp.

Patrol 3— Rogue - Fringehollow, Snailpatch. 5 – 2 = 3. Cat 1 tries to convey strong feelings for Cat 2, but Cat 2 isn’t interested in listening.

ㅤㅤTo say a mindless illness could knowingly "spare" anyone is a strange notion. But it's one which Fringehollow and Snailpatch find themselves held to. Not quite elders, but, standing at either side of one hundred moons, still the two oldest warriors in the Clan aside from Onelarch; having only been passing acquaintances before everything occurred, now fate had forced them together.

ㅤㅤThey aren't unalike, necessarily. Both had lost a Clan leader, and several friends along the way. But, while Fringehollow was left watching with skepticism as her former apprentice, Finchflame, gained an apprentice of his own, Snailpatch was instead left grieving the loss of his mate, who'd been taken during the first few occurences of the illness.

ㅤㅤ"You know, I never thought I'd live to see another leader instated." 

ㅤㅤFringehollow glances at the tom dragging a few paces behind her. "With the way things had been going? You are far more optimistic than I am, then."

ㅤㅤ"Maybe I don't mean it quite like that," Snailpatch breathes out, whiskers twitching. "It's more— the unexpected. Time marching on too quickly for its own good. It makes me worry I'll be left behind..."

ㅤㅤ"Keep walking that slowly, and you just might," she remarks. 

ㅤㅤHe picks up his pace slightly, but not enough to catch up. "Don't tell me you don't fear it too. Today we're alright, but what about tomorrow? What about the next few moons? What's to become of TempestClan, really?" 

ㅤㅤ"TempestClan?" Her lip twitches up in a lopsided snarl. "I thought this was about you."

ㅤㅤ"It is, and it isn't." With a trot forward, he makes his way just before her. "I believe in Mossystar— really, I do. But she's not going to have a Clan to lead for long if we keep carrying on at— well, I suppose at my sort of pace."

ㅤㅤShe stops, for his sake. "You've made it this far, haven't you? I say, let yourself be happy with that." 

ㅤㅤ"But I..." He sputters. "I-I can't be, I... I won't be, I mean. Not when I'm this worried, not when I know I could be doing something."

ㅤㅤ"Then why not go do something?"

ㅤㅤFringehollow stares as Snailpatch grows more fidgety, until his broad face finally sets, determined around his wide, sky-blue eyes. "Because it would take more than me. The Clan... it needs... numbers, generations to look forward to. I'm not going to be an adept warrior for all that much longer..."

ㅤㅤShe may as well be looking at a cat with two heads, given the expression she's offering him.

ㅤㅤHe carries on, regardless. "We're not going to be adept warriors for all that much longer. I think it's... it's at least worth considering, just... f-for the sake of the Clan, and..."

ㅤㅤ"Snailpatch, hush," she insists, nearly scolds. "StarClan above, we aren't that old yet. If a family's what you want, then you've got time to have that. Just..." That snarl returns. "...maybe don't assume that your options begin and end at these stones. I mean, I guess I'm flattered, but... you don't actually feel that way about me, do you?"

ㅤㅤEars flat, he fails to cough free the embarrassment from his throat. "I'm sorry, it was only a fleeting thought. I... should have let it linger for a while longer..."

ㅤㅤ"Alright." With a quick step to the side, Fringehollow passes him and carries on down their patrol path. And, a few moments later, she can hear Snailpatch's padded footsteps, dragging along behind her again.

Patrol 1— Vision - Darkpaw, Copperpaw, Eaglerapid. 1 + 1 = 2. The cat in question (Copperpaw) claims to have received a message from StarClan saying the current leader, deputy, or medicine cat is unworthy; proceed. If the patrol works through the vision, they agree to stage a coup. (Failed, modified.)

ㅤㅤCopperpaw begins coughing. It's softly, at first, of no great concern, but then it doesn't stop.

ㅤㅤEaglerapid cocks his head to the side, looking back at where she's stopped on the path. "Copperpaw? Are you feeling alright?"

ㅤㅤCopperpaw's eyes shoot open wide, shimmering in her name's shade, as she lets out an "I—" and is instantly cut off by a violent gasp for air. The coughing turns into hacking, her chest lurching and heaving with each movement. She tries to steady herself, but all at once her feet fall out from under her. They're kicking, spraying dirt in every direction, her eyes unfocused, that gasping persisting.

ㅤㅤDarkpaw nearly screeches in shock, but draws his panic into a "Copperpaw!" as he rushes beside her.

ㅤㅤEaglerapid reaches her just before the apprentice does, and holds him back with a strong paw. "Careful, careful, we don't want to hurt her."

ㅤㅤDarkpaw whimpers, but abides to the command, watching as Copperpaw's frenzied movement slowly subsides. Her kicks grow weaker, and soon her coughing and dry-heaving dies back down to heavy exhales. Gradually, her eyes return to focus, and her body goes slack— exhausted, breathless, but out of the fit. It's then that Eaglerapid approaches her, and tells Darkpaw to help him get her up and back to camp.

ㅤㅤDarkpaw can't imagine how Eaglerapid stays so level-headed, but knows there's no use dwelling on the thought. They've got to get Copperpaw to Kitelotus.

ㅤㅤThe medicine cat straightens up as soon as she sees the deputy enter her den— doubly so, when she sees Copperpaw's dazed state. She rushes to her herbs. "Go on, lay her down somewhere. Tell me what happened."

ㅤㅤEaglerapid obliges, and begins. "We were on patrol, and Copperpaw suddenly had this coughing fit—"

ㅤㅤ"I was in the water."

ㅤㅤAll eyes turn to Copperpaw, her prolonged silence broken. Darkpaw's claws dig into the ground. "N-no you weren't, we were just in the forest..."

ㅤㅤ"I was, I was—" Copperpaw swallows. "I just felt... terrified, and... I slipped, the rocks..."

ㅤㅤKitelotus preemptively shushes Darkpaw with a paw, and grabs a few relevant herbs, setting them beside Copperpaw. She sits before the apprentice. "From a ledge, you mean?"

ㅤㅤ"No, it was... it was in the water." Her ears flatten. "The river, maybe? But I've... I've never been..."

ㅤㅤ"That's alright. What else?" Kitelotus pushes.

ㅤㅤ"Uh... I don't know... Everything just... it all felt so big. I think I heard someone, before I was here again, but I couldn't tell you who— and my paws, they were..." She looks at her paws, the same gray as always. "This orange, I can't..." She clenches her teeth, before making eye contact with Kitelotus. "It was like a dream. I wasn't... me."

ㅤㅤ"Or like a vision." Kitelotus brushes the herbs aside. "StarClan, speaking to you, through you—"

ㅤㅤEaglerapid steps forward, noting the abandoned herbs. "I don't mean to question, uh, StarClan itself, but— Kitelotus, she fell. She could hardly breathe. What if that happens again when no one's around? Or if she's somewhere dangerous when it occurs— she must still need treatment, at least for that aspect."

ㅤㅤKitelotus prepares to speak again, until Darkpaw mumbles to Copperpaw. "Orange... who's orange? Like Fringehollow?"

ㅤㅤCopperpaw shakes her head. "No, paler than her, and... I must have been a kit, not even an apprentice is that small..."

ㅤㅤ"A kit by a river..." Kitelotus muses, ignoring Eaglerapid. "That couldn't be our territory. It may not have even been our Clan..."

ㅤㅤEaglerapid bristles slightly, but still approaches Copperpaw, letting his apprentice steady herself against him. "Sending our apprentices visions of terrible things in other Clans... that's unusual, isn't it? We're not exactly river cats, are—" He properly addresses Kitelotus. "Are we meant to act on it?"

ㅤㅤ"For TempestClan, no visions are unusual," Kitelotus responds, conviction pushing the remark out ahead of her breath. And, as if surprised by her own haste, she pauses for a moment, tail flicking. "If you don't mind, deputy, I'd rather handle this matter with Mossystar. She's Clan leader, and this is her niece— while I know you're her mentor, I think it'd be wisest to leave this issue to a more select circle."

ㅤㅤThe tom, again, bites his tongue, and folds to the medicine cat. It's not her fault that his own concern doesn't actually make him any more informed. "Very well. I'll take Darkpaw along to bring her here as soon as Copperpaw's ready. And then maybe we'll all hear what Mossystar thinks." He looks down at Copperpaw. "Right?" 

ㅤㅤCopperpaw nods graciously, tired, and Kitelotus begins packing away all but a single thyme-thick cluster of herbs. 

Event 1— Darkpaw has earned his warrior name.

ㅤㅤDarkpaw proves himself quietly— he's alright at hunting, alright at tracking, alright at navigating the stones. He'll be an alright warrior, with all that considered, whether or not Finchflame thinks he's ready.

ㅤㅤ"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Darkpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Darkheart. StarClan honors your loyalty and resilience, and we welcome you as a full warrior of TempestClan." 

ㅤㅤHis vigil passes with nothing extraordinary, nothing strange. He tries to reflect on the world around him— on his place in the Clan, on StarClan, on his future— but turns up little, just churned-up silt beneath his anxious paws. He wonders if he's making someone proud, somewhere, or if he's even proud of himself. At the end of it all, he's just another moon older, a cat with no one left to fall back on. 

ㅤㅤHe recalls names, of those long gone who might be watching down on him now. He can't put faces to their distant warmth.

Patrol 1— Practice - Mossystar, Eaglerapid, Coppershade. 6 - 2 = 4. Two cats open up about their pasts to each other. They feel as if they've learned a great deal more about the other, and apply this knowledge as they see fit.

ㅤㅤEaglerapid sets himself beside Mossystar, where she's overlooking Coppershade's current hunt. He doesn't waste a moment. "Do you think the warning took?"

ㅤㅤIt takes her a moment. "What, at the Gathering?" One ear twitches off to the side. "Is this really the best time to ask?"

ㅤㅤ"I'd rather now than later— I'd hate to lose sleep over it." His tail brushes over hers. "Unless you'd prefer to postpone it..."

ㅤㅤMossystar shakes her head. "It's fine. If you want my immediate answer..." A pause. "I can only hope so. There wasn't a single leader who didn't hear it— whether or not they actually listened isn't something I could tell you."

ㅤㅤ"How about you give me your best guess?"

ㅤㅤ"Hm..." She shifts over, and lays her head atop his shoulders, lowering her voice. "In all honesty? I don't think my voice means much of anything to them. I'm some panicked obsessor about water and weather at the tail-end of Greenleaf, the same as TempestClan's always been. And— even if the omen isn't about anything all that awful, even if it is just poor hunting or a turn in the rain— I'll have no idea if it's been of any use until it's either passed or too late."

ㅤㅤEaglerapid gives her silence for a while, composing his own thoughts. "But you still warned them. It never hurt anyone to be wary of a river, and the rest even we don't know what to make of." He tries to peek back at her. "After all, we've got to keep it in mind too. Just because we're not by the river doesn't mean the warning might not have been for us." 

ㅤㅤ"I can't shake the feeling that it isn't, though. That's hardly even been a question in my mind." She sinks into him more, gives a lick to his fur just below. "Maybe they did listen, though. It could all be in my head, thinking of how I could have made it sound more urgent, or important, or—" A huff escapes her. "—huh. I'm saying all this as if I don't expect you to understand. But you did ask..."

ㅤㅤ"And I'd have accepted nothing less than your genuine thoughts," Eaglerapid responds, a certain decisiveness lightening his tone.

ㅤㅤBefore Mossystar can speak again, Eaglerapid flips beneath her, his back to the ground, his chest to her chin, and wraps his arms around her. She gasps, and briefly writhes in his grasp, until her body settles somewhere more comfortable against his. In the midst of having her cheek relentlessly groomed, she scrunches up her face, tries not to laugh through her very stern whispering. "You— Coppershade is right there—" 

ㅤㅤHe pauses. "Should we move away from the ledge, then...?" 

ㅤㅤHolding back another laugh, she plants her front paws against the ground, lifts herself free from his grasp, and stares down at the tom.  "We should get back to hunting, deputy." 

ㅤㅤShe steps away from him, a single paw still pressed against her fur until she's just out of reach. Lazily, Eaglerapid rolls onto his side with a satisfied flop. 

ㅤㅤ"Besides—" Mossystar looks back.  "—with all that out of the way, it seems to me like we're going to have to find something else to talk about later." 

Patrol 2— Vision - Darkheart, Rubbleswoop. 5 + 0 = 5. The cat in question has actually received a message from StarClan, but doesn’t tell anyone; decide what the prophecy is, and how it might affect the Clan. (Modified.)

ㅤㅤDarkheart is content to patrol alone, most of the time. Maybe Coppershade will invite him along here and there, and he'll gladly go along, but otherwise it's easiest not to bother anyone. Someone might worry, but they don't tell him as much. Good, to think he's not worrying anybody.

ㅤㅤIt's alone that he darts off at the noise of pawsteps, bounding over the wet dirt. He shouldn't be so panicked— TempestClan cats are meant to fare better in the rain, after all. He scales a rock face, claws flexing to combat where the stone has grown slick, and crouches down.

ㅤㅤThere's something— someone— running, shimmering, droplets on white fur. Darkheart feels his face soften, not even realizing he'd looked so stern. Rubbleswoop? But what's she doing out here?

ㅤㅤShe doesn't patrol, necessarily; since sheltering with the Clan, everyone had noticed her tendency to run off on her own, leaving her brother and sister with Snailpatch without so much as a simple thanks. While she doesn't eat their fresh-kill or make use of any of their dens— aside from the few times she'd fallen asleep in the nursery— it was certainly odd behavior for a guest, especially considering that she hadn't revealed any further intentions after staying in TempestClan for nearly a moon.

ㅤㅤDarkheart had even seen her at his warrior ceremony, standing way in the back.

ㅤㅤ"Rubbleswoop?" His voice is hoarse at this volume, unsteady as always.

ㅤㅤYellow eyes turn up to pierce him, wild and shocked. Her jaw twitches in deliberation, but nothing comes out.

ㅤㅤCautiously, he jumps down to her level. "I-I was just out on patrol, I didn't think I'd see anyone... Usually I don't..."

ㅤㅤShe blinks, suddenly focused, as if just returning to where she's standing. "I'm sorry if I distracted you, then."

ㅤㅤ"No, it's alright. It's... a change." He takes a closer look at her pelt— she hardly looks as if she's taken any shelter from the downpour. "I, uh, take it your Clan doesn't mind the rain either..."

ㅤㅤ"What?"

ㅤㅤHe tenses, and gestures at her fur. "You haven't dried off in a while, right? Some cats— that would annoy some cats..."

ㅤㅤRubbleswoop looks down at her chest, and in another moment of sudden lucidity, shakes out her coat to little effect.

ㅤㅤUncertain, Darkheart looks around, almost expecting to see some pursuer. But only the stones surround them, gently dripping. "Well... it's still warm, I think under cover you could... dry off easy..." His paws shift awkwardly in place. "I could help you back to camp. Only i-i-if you want, though..."

ㅤㅤRubbleswoop shakes her head. "No, I'll find my own way back— my own cover, I mean." She starts stomping off down the path; in Darkheart's eyes, entirely aimlessly.

ㅤㅤThere's only so long he can hold back, watching her unsteady steps to StarClan-knows-where. Swallowing his doubt, he tries to think what a better warrior might do— what someone like Coppershade, or like Eaglerapid might do. He rushes her way, his voice nearly cracking. "Please, let me help you find somewhere. I've— I've grown up here, I know where we can find somewhere dry."

ㅤㅤOne paw shivering above the ground, Rubbleswoop takes a good look at the young warrior, and swallows. "...Fine."

ㅤㅤThe rain lets up slightly by the time Darkheart finds a large enough overhang, though he shakily assures Rubbleswoop that it's only a matter of time before it gets worse again.

ㅤㅤ"Greenleaf showers are always the worst, I think— the air being so sticky, it's— it's bad enough, right, but then it breaks, and... I don't know, I don't like it. It's..." He looks at where Rubbleswoop sits, despondent, against the stone. At that point, he sort of wishes that she'd just tell him to shut up or something, save him the trouble of these awful formalities. He sits too, tail tucked around himself. "I don't know. Maybe some cats... maybe they just wouldn't go out at all..."

ㅤㅤHer wet cheek lightly darkens the rock it sits against, her eyes fixed on a small rain-waterfall cascading down from the stones above.

ㅤㅤDarkheart stares there too. "It's a good thing the camp is so secure. You don't have to worry about getting caught out there..." His tail tightens. "It could even be kind of, uh, kind of fun... jumping through the fall... when you're little, I guess..."

ㅤㅤ"Please stop."

ㅤㅤHis jaw snaps tight. Precisely what he asked for, though it stings to actually hear it. But he'd hate to bother her— and, for a while, they both keep quiet. The rain patters against the stones and leaves and grass, with both cats gradually drying.

ㅤㅤ"Is this... normal?"

ㅤㅤHe looks back to her— she's remaining still, but undoubtedly asked something. "Wha—"

ㅤㅤ"The rain, I mean. I... can't remember if it's always like this."

ㅤㅤHe inhales, gently. "I'd say so. Strange would be... falling trees, or too much lightning, or hail..."

ㅤㅤ"I know that'd be strange, but—" Her hackles stand on end. "—does it ever... overflow?"

ㅤㅤ"Overflow? No, no, uh..." His paws are bristling, looking for something to itch. "They say it used to flood, all throughout TempestClan territory, but then one day it stopped. And that's when the Clan moved in properly—"

ㅤㅤShe clenches her eyes shut. "What about the other territories? Like the... uh, the ones by the river, maybe..."

ㅤㅤDarkheart's ears flatten, his voice dropping. "...I'd hope not. That'd— if one of the other Clans' territories flooded, I..." A pause. "....I-I don't know, I'm... I don't think it'd..."

ㅤㅤ"Forget I asked," Rubbleswoop interrupts, falling into a ball, paws tucked tight.

ㅤㅤThe rain keeps falling, unrelenting, rhythmic. Darkheart's mouth parts, the words quietly spilling out. "Why did you want to know?"

ㅤㅤBuried in herself, Rubbleswoop stays silent for a while longer— Darkheart swears she's shivering. "You can't tell anyone about this."

ㅤㅤ"What? Rubbleswoop, I can't—"

ㅤㅤ"I was up by WickerClan territory. Don't ask, I just—" That shivering, again. "—I've never seen water move like that. It was... it was like it wanted to take everything, like... a monster, with some mind of its own..."

ㅤㅤHis face falls. "If— if there was a flood, we... Rubbleswoop, we have to tell Mossystar, or someone, so the Clan can help—"

ㅤㅤ"No!" She stands, body alert and rigid. Her eyes meet Darkheart's again— hers harsh, but pleading. Scared. "No one can know I was there. I can't tell you why, but— you have to trust me. And it'll be safer for everyone to stay here anyways, right? No one has to know, not right now, not from me." She closes the distance between them, staring up at the young tabby's own quiet shock. "Please, Darkheart. You can't tell anyone."

ㅤㅤMouth still agape— the bristling in his paws coursing through his whole body now, twisting his mind every which way— Darkheart is stuck, stunned. There's too many questions, too much he needs to know, but can't bring himself to say, can't force past his tightened throat. He grits his teeth, trying his best to compose himself.

ㅤㅤAnd— deep down, knowing he's far from being the warrior he's meant to be now— Darkheart finally breathes, and promises his silence with a few reckless nods.

Gathering

ㅤㅤUnder the light of the full moon, the Clans gather at the great Lion Rock. No one can ignore the fact that WickerClan's deputy now stands among the leaders. 

ㅤㅤNow its Clan leader, Gannetstar informs the others that a recent storm flooded the river, claiming the lives of a warrior, an apprentice, and Piperstar. It echoes terribly of Coppershade's omen. But with such brief warning— who could have thought that Clan would be stuck with two sudden tragedies, that river claiming all those poor cats?

ㅤㅤMossystar extends an offer of aid to WickerClan, insisting that the natural disasters are nothing any of the Clans are above. CedarClan's leader, Alderstar, joins in the offer and expresses her own sympathies, while EchoClan and AshClan remain silent on the matter— all are acutely aware that EchoClan, especially, holds nothing but spite for the Clan of its defectors.

ㅤㅤHowever, an anguished outburst from an EchoClan cat causes tensions to flare. It spurs Eaglerapid to act, reflecting on how TempestClan was absent in the time of WickerClan and EchoClan's conflict, due to the illness the Clan faced— disaster isn't something anyone chooses, and he insists that the Clans, and EchoClan especially, need to cooperate if they want to avoid more in the future.

ㅤㅤEvery cat present drags the Gathering's tension back to their own territory. No one is quite certain where the Clans stand at the end of it.

Patrol 1— Vision - Darkheart, Finchflame. 4 + 0 = 4. The cat in question leader has actually received a message from StarClan, but no one believes them, because they are not a medicine cat; decide what the prophecy is, and how it might affect the Clan. (Modified.)

ㅤㅤMossystar awakens to the leader's den in a frosty haze. 

ㅤㅤShe's struck instantly with a panic, the thought that something has woken her up, even if she can't place it. Her body shoots upward, one paw reaching beside her for where Eaglerapid sleeps— and meeting nothing but cool stone, an empty space. She tenses, and stands, letting a harsh whisper escape her. "Eaglerapid?" 

ㅤㅤ"He's not here, Mossyheart." 

ㅤㅤHer ears flatten, and she tries to make out the figure of a cat at the den's entrance. The voice is familiar. Her hackles raise as she holds back a growl, gently placing one foot before the other. 

ㅤㅤ"It's just you and me."

ㅤㅤThe cat steps fully into view now, a fluffy white tom, a few moons younger than herself, with patches of orange fur strewn about his pelt like clay stains. "Not that there's any reason to worry. You're not awake, and I'm not alive, so I can't see any way this turns ugly." 

ㅤㅤShe blinks, ears slowly turning forwards. "Flickerspot?" 

ㅤㅤHis hazel eyes squint with a certain smug glimmer. "Who else would it be?" 

ㅤㅤ"Wh—" Mossystar pauses, mind racing. 

ㅤㅤ"Hey, it's alright. I know, StarClan's speaking to you, it's a lot to take in—" 

ㅤㅤ"Why is it you?" 

ㅤㅤFlickerspot's expression dulls. "I'm sorry, were you expecting someone else?" 

ㅤㅤMossystar begins to pace. "Why you? Why not— why not my sister, or—" She stops. "Gah, I hardly even knew you!" 

ㅤㅤHe thrusts his shoulders forwards. "I had to die for you to become deputy in the first place, that's got to be worth something." 

ㅤㅤ"Only because you got sick!" Her face falls, and she turns to the StarClan cat. The cat who was deputy before her, who was meant to be leader. Who should be standing in this den, alive.

ㅤㅤ"Oh— no, no, I'm sorry, I— I didn't mean that. I..." She takes a deep breath. "I just... after she wasn't there to give me a life, and Coppershade was sent that vision— I assumed I'd be seeing her again, maybe. If I were to see anyone..." 

ㅤㅤFlickerspot sits, legs poking out from either side of him, apparently a touch less offended. "Ah, well, I'm sure a lot of other great cats were there to give you your lives." 

ㅤㅤShe stares at the orange patch over his eye. "Flickerspot, you were one of those cats." 

ㅤㅤHis whiskers twitch. "Oh. That's right." He holds his paw to his chin. "I gave you that life for, uh... you know, for..." 

ㅤㅤFloundering for a while, it soon becomes evident that he's trying to get her to finish the thought. 

ㅤㅤRight, that's why she never knew him that well. "I'm not telling you what you gave me a life for." 

ㅤㅤ"Fine, fair enough. Besides, I'm not here to catch up— obviously I know everything that's happened in TempestClan, I can see it up—" He lifts his paw, gesturing to the overhang above. "—up there. This— this is all for you, oh, great leader. "

ㅤㅤMossystar looks ahead, and promptly walks past Flickerspot, finding no scents to follow. 

ㅤㅤ"Are—" He stands up. "Are you looking for other cats right now? I told you, it's just us. This is your vision from StarClan, Mossyheart." 

ㅤㅤ"Mossystar. I'm Clan leader now, remember?" She shakes her head, feeling a mist fly off the top of her fur. "This can't be right. None of this feels right, a vision from StarClan, this..." Her hind legs buckle, defeated, as she forces herself to sit. "...is a vision from StarClan." She looks over to Flickerspot. "Are they all like this? With a conversation?" 

ㅤㅤNow he's starting to sound offended again. "How would I know? I never had one." 

ㅤㅤ"Uh... huh."

He walks up beside her, and she realizes for the first time that he's not all there. His unclear form extends beyond the haze, his body a cloud-like collection of warm, swirling dust. "Think of it this way instead— you get the opportunity to ask a StarClan cat whatever you want." 

ㅤㅤHe's close enough for his whiskers to phase through hers. Her scar feels cold. Asking whatever she wants— she looks to where the haze floats just over the stones. Am I a fit leader?

ㅤㅤWas I meant to warn WickerClan more?

ㅤㅤDoes Kitelotus trust me?

ㅤㅤHer jaw parts. "Why..."

ㅤㅤWhy haven't I had kits?

ㅤㅤShe clenches her eyes shut, pushing away the thoughts. "No, I'm... I'm sorry. All of my questions are selfish ones. I don't know what I'm meant to ask." 

ㅤㅤFlickerspot remains silent for a moment, before tilting his head. "If it helps, I wouldn't have been able to answer any of that." His brow whiskers bounce. "I'm still only one cat, dead or not." 

ㅤㅤShe recoils from him slightly, as if it'll stop him from hearing anything more. A shaky sigh escapes her. "Maybe there's nothing I'm meant to ask, then?" 

ㅤㅤ"I mean, I didn't say there was."

ㅤㅤHer tail flicks, back and forth, the only noise permeating the silence for a while as Flickerspot's attention seems to wane. There is one thing she could ask. "Do you like it, in StarClan? Is it nice?" 

ㅤㅤConfused for a moment, Flickerspot considers it. "I wish I were still in TempestClan, most of the time, but..." Even he can tell she's not asking for his sake. "It is nice. Different, mostly, but nice. The company's great, and the prey's better." He glances at the ground. "Mm. You still miss a few things, though." 

ㅤㅤMossystar nods along, focus broken only when the wind suddenly picks up, sending a chill through her body. Flickerspot's form shimmers as he begins to dissipate, immediately pushing her to stand. "Oh, n-no—" 

ㅤㅤ"It's alright," Flickerspot interrupts. "Seems our time is up for now, but Clans never get much peace and quiet for long, do they?" 

ㅤㅤHer ears flatten, and she watches as Flickerspot slowly walks out into the haze. There's no point in arguing— no point in a goodbye, either. 

ㅤㅤHe turns back, for only a moment. "Oh, and one more thing. Keep an eye on Darkheart for me, won't you?"

ㅤㅤ"D... Darkheart—?" 

ㅤㅤMossystar's eyes shoot open to meet the dawn, with Eaglerapid's warmth immediately evident beside her. Heart pounding, she doesn't lift her head, only taking a few deep breaths to steady herself, the dream still fresh in her mind. 

ㅤㅤSoftly as she can, she buries her face against Eaglerapid's chest, wrapping her tail tighter around his hindquarters as she fixates on his breathing, his scent. A slight, sleepy groan escapes him, but he's still fast asleep; which she's immensely thankful for. He wouldn't force her to explain anything, of course, but for now it's easier like this. She swallows something down. 

ㅤㅤIf only everything could just be easier.

Patrol 2— Ghost stories - Mossystar, Coppershade, Rubbleswoop.

ㅤㅤ"Stupid." 

ㅤㅤ"What? I didn't say I would become deputy. Only that I could see it happening someday."

ㅤㅤ"It's because of how you said it," Rubbleswoop snorts. "As if that wouldn't be a massive responsibility. No different from getting assigned on a patrol..."

ㅤㅤ"You're digging into things too much," Coppershade offers with a shake of her head. "I didn't even say that I wanted it to happen. It just— who else would it be?" 

ㅤㅤ"It's a while off, don't you think? Give your kin a chance...." 

ㅤㅤ"I am!" 

ㅤㅤ"Really?" 

ㅤㅤ"Really." 

ㅤㅤMossystar stands frozen, hidden, her ears set straight ahead. She thought she might find Coppershade here, but she'd expected that her niece would be... alone. 

ㅤㅤShe feels her tail begin to sway uncomfortably, and stops it. So much for asking if Coppershade had any strange dreams lately. It'll have to wait for another time. There'll be other times, this— this isn't meant to involve— 

ㅤㅤThe young warriors break out into stifled laughter. 

ㅤㅤMossystar emerges from the foliage, the two growing silent as they stare towards her. "Coppershade,"  she begins, her breath half-gone, "I... was looking for you." Her eyes dart to the white molly. "Rubbleswoop." 

ㅤㅤRubbleswoop folds her paws, and nods, sounding more sincere than the leader would expect. "...Mossystar."

ㅤㅤCoppershade rises, the fur on her shoulders twitching. "Did... something happen?" 

ㅤㅤ"Nothing that has to be handled immediately." What are you doing? "If you're busy, that is." 

ㅤㅤHer tail still, Coppershade glances down to where Rubbleswoop is lying. "No, it's— it's alright. I can go back to camp." 

ㅤㅤThe thought rattles in her throat, but Mossystar tries to remain resolute. "Good. Thank you." 

ㅤㅤCoppershade nods, and walks ahead to follow her aunt back to camp. Briefly, while Mossystar is turned away, she looks back at Rubbleswoop, tries to mouth an apology. 

ㅤㅤBut Rubbleswoop doesn't return her gaze. 

Patrol 3— Prey - Eaglerapid, Fringehollow. 6 - 1 = 5. Cat 1 has found that another Clan member's kit has taken a bizarre liking to them, following them around and copying their every move... when not being corrected by a caretaker, that is. Cat 1 decides to go to Cat 2 for advice before confronting the situation. Decide how they choose to act, and if this is the start of a lifelong mentorship/grudge, or just a silly memory. (Modified) 

ㅤㅤ"Ah, Eaglerapid! Think you could help me with this?" 

ㅤㅤThe deputy blinks, but quickly composes himself as he faces Fringehollow in the middle of camp, paw resting on a leaf-covered branch. Curiously— but not surprised— he trots forward. "I've got a moment, sure. What's all this for?" 

ㅤㅤ"Don't worry, I only need help dragging it," Fringehollow meows. "Found it fell while I was out hunting, and I thought it looked like great bedding— don't you think? Supposed the whole branch was easier than plucking the leaves off, going back and forth." 

ㅤㅤHe exhales a laugh. "Good call. Where are we bringing it?" 

ㅤㅤ"Nursery." 

ㅤㅤEaglerapid's chest tightens. "Oh." 

ㅤㅤ"We've got three apprentice-aged kits in there, overstaying their welcome... ripping it up to no end." Her ears flick. "Snailpatch can't catch a break." 

ㅤㅤ"It's... not ideal, certainly." He tries to shake off his mind's rolling fog. "But why not make the kits gather up their own bedding, then? This could be better spent—" His tail shoots straight up. "—in the elder's den, at least at first. Onelarch deserves something nice, don't you think?"

ㅤㅤThough Fringehollow genuinely considers the thought, it's clear she isn't fully unaware of his pivoting suggestion. "He should be out gathering herbs at the moment, if I know him. I suppose it'd be a nice surprise— by far a nicer gesture than leaving all this to get torn up by tonight."

ㅤㅤContent with that, they drag the branch to the elder's den, and agree to leave anything left over for the kits to gather themselves. And, despite Fringehollow insisting otherwise, Eaglerapid gladly stays to help strip the branch. 

ㅤㅤ"I do keep telling Snailpatch he doesn't have to be so vigilant. Ivykit's an apprentice next moon, she hardly needs babying. And those two storm-clouds Rubbleswoop brought along never did..."

ㅤㅤ"Mm-hm."

ㅤㅤShe glances up. "And now I'm the one constantly going back and forth to the nursery. Me!" A laugh escapes her. "Don't get me wrong, I like kits, wouldn't mind taking a mate or two down the line, seeing where that got me— but StarClan knows I was never made to be a queen. I always thought sires were the lucky ones, but even Snailpatch proved me wrong there." 

ㅤㅤEaglerapid focuses on his tearing, his scratching. "I'm glad you're helping him out."

ㅤㅤ"I'm sure it'll settle down for him soon enough, let him be a warrior again— well, if he wants that. Not sure how that would work out, though..." She shakes her head. "But nothing's the same, nothing's the same. I couldn't have imagined anyone in that nursery again so... so soon." 

ㅤㅤHe swallows, and can't quite offer another mumble of acknowledgement.

ㅤㅤIt doesn't dissuade Fringehollow, though. "Kind of nice to have the lulls, but only because you know that means something else is coming." She pats her paws on the floor, a thick bedding all set for Onelarch's return. "I almost like the anticipation more. I think that's what always made me love being a mentor." 

ㅤㅤ"The... anticipation..." He snaps his jaw shut, not even realizing he'd repeated it. One set of claws tightens around a clump of leaves, and he blinks, once, twice, too many times. 

ㅤㅤMossystar had said a lot about her dream. Explained it from beginning to end— Flickerspot, the general oddity, her own behavior. What she'd asked the former deputy. Every question she thought to ask. She hadn't dwelled on it at the time, but... why would she? When they'd talked over it before, when they'd asked StarClan before? One moon had become two moons, become three, become four, become five. Five moons wasn't many, though they knew it was really eight moons, knew that for most cats it didn't even take one moon.

ㅤㅤ"Eaglerapid?"

ㅤㅤHis ears perk towards Fringehollow's voice, far softer than her raspy tone usually allows. He can only stare at her. 

ㅤㅤSitting now, her tail is wrapped around her paws, her ears gently back. "Sorry, deputy. I, uh..." Her green eyes trace the floor. "I won't pry, but know I'm sorry if I said something wrong." 

ㅤㅤHe nods, though he quickly forces himself to shake his head instead as he tries to stand up straighter. "No, it's alright. I was... I was only..." 

ㅤㅤ"I said I won't pry, Eaglerapid." She silences him with that. "My main point is that you're a great warrior, and an even better deputy, helping to run a Clan destined for great things. I can't wait to see what becomes of it." Her ears relax as her voice lowers, her snarl just peeking through. "TempestClan's almost as lucky to have you as Mossystar is." 

ㅤㅤEaglerapid finally lets out a steady exhale, and returns the friendly ears. "Thank you, Fringehollow."

ㅤㅤThe two let themselves rest for a while, before bringing what's left on the branch back to the middle of camp for smaller maws to make meandering work of. 

Patrol 1— Vision - Darkpaw, Finchflame, Mossystar. 6 + 1 = 6. The medicine cat has received a message from StarClan, and tells the leader about it. Decide what the prophecy is, and what the leader does in response. (Modified.)

ㅤㅤIt's only a few nights before the moon's Gathering when Kitelotus pulls Mossystar aside. It's strange— nerve-wracking, with how unusual the gesture is for the medicine cat. But Mossystar still agrees to meet her in the solitude of the medicine cat den, and hear her out.

ㅤㅤ"No one's hurt, are they? Or..." A chill courses through the leader's body. "Don't tell me someone's ill."

ㅤㅤ"Trust me, it has nothing to do with that." Kitelotus sits, and waits for Mossystar to— however nervously— do the same. "It's about Coppershade's vision, the message she discerned from it."

ㅤㅤMossystar nods. After some further consideration, she'd convinced her niece to involve Kitelotus with the discovery. She'd also allowed herself to believe that Coppershade's hesitance was a result of the stress she must have been under at the time, and nothing else— certainly not some innate mistrust of Kitelotus. "Alright."

ㅤㅤ"You must be thinking about it too. Did you have any intention of sharing it with the other Clans?"

ㅤㅤ"I did," Mossystar admits, without giving it any thought. "But only because I can't stand it dragging on like this. Having to hold my tongue with this knowledge weighing over me..." Her nose scrunches up. "It's awful. Now that we— she's actually discerned its meaning, I can't see the point in keeping it to ourselves any longer. "

ㅤㅤKitelotus nods, slowly. "I thought as much," she begins, "but I'm worried that going in unrehearsed won't help anyone." 

ㅤㅤ"...Go on." 

ㅤㅤ"Mm, right." Kitelotus stands, and begins pacing the area. "Just because I don't— and you don't— question StarClan's word doesn't mean others wouldn't. Coppershade... she's intelligent, and dedicated, but she's still only a warrior. Her being shown some omen—" She stops. "—you can see why some cats might doubt it."

ㅤㅤMossystar's ears flatten, her voice growing distant. "Not to mention that she's my kin..."

ㅤㅤ"You see where I'm going with this, then."

ㅤㅤ"But you still want to tell the other Clans, don't you?" Mossystar meows, refocusing, and tilting her head. "We can't go in unrehearsed, that's what you said."

ㅤㅤ"Of course. I can't deny StarClan's message." The choppy, unbroken brown of her fur glistens with her movement. "So... I think we've got to tell the Clans the story they want to hear." 

ㅤㅤMossystar stares at her.

ㅤㅤ"We'll tell them I'm the one who had the vision. I collapsed in the den, and Eaglerapid, Coppershade, and Darkpaw found me there. On the night of Coppershade's vigil I finally realized what it all meant, and you and I decided to share it with the others."

ㅤㅤMossystar chews the inside of her cheek, and nods along, before stopping. "But... why not just tell them I had the vision? I know that it's only been a few moons, and TempestClan has never been the most forthcoming, but— surely I must have some credibility?"

ㅤㅤ"We can't risk them thinking you might have a similar fit again. They'd see it as a weakness, even knowing it was a sign. And..." She pauses, and sighs. "I think StarClan chose Coppershade for a reason. I can only wonder, but..." She finishes the thought hastily. "If it's because of her connection to you, then... maybe she's not going to be the only one receiving messages in this Clan." 

ㅤㅤThat's new. Mossystar can feel her scar itch, her head spin. It doesn't mean trust from the medicine cat, necessarily, it's only an observation; but it's still something, something more than all that indifference prior. Even as her fur puffs out, she tries not to reveal her racing mind. "If that's really what you think, then we'll go ahead with your plan."

Patrol 2— Rat - Coppershade, Eaglerapid. 5 + 1 = 6. Recently, Cat 1 seems to be a lot luckier than usual, even if they were pretty lucky before. After one particularly dramatic success, Cat 2 decides that it's time someone showed Cat 1 some recognition. Cat 2 gathers up a small group of cats to help plan out a way to celebrate Cat 1. Decide what the celebration is, and how it impacts Cat 1's standing in the Clan. (Modified.) 

ㅤㅤ"What if it happens again?" 

ㅤㅤEaglerapid stops on the path, and turns to face Coppershade. He's comfortable enough to shrug. "Then you, Mossystar, and Kitelotus will work through the vision again. And I'll be here to help pick you up along the way." 

ㅤㅤ"But... if it happens at the Gathering,  or something. They'd know that we're lying to them, when we're just trying to protect the other Clans…"

ㅤㅤ"If that happens, then that'll be the will of StarClan, too."

ㅤㅤ"But why chance it?" Coppershade walks up to him. "I know Mossystar won't listen to me— she wants to protect me, I know. But I think I should be able to weigh the options for myself. If she thinks that it'd somehow endanger me, then that's a risk I'm willing to take." 

ㅤㅤEaglerapid's voice remains even. "We can't help that the truth could stop the other Clans from listening. The message is still going to get across this way, isn't it?" 

ㅤㅤ"I... guess so." Coppershade paces to the side. "But if they wouldn't be willing to listen then... why assume they'll listen like this? Why even bother, if it takes bending the truth?" 

ㅤㅤHe watches her go, back and forth. "I can't answer that for you, you know. I could probably tell you why Mossystar thinks it's worthwhile, or why I think it's worthwhile, but not why you should."

ㅤㅤCoppershade slows. "And, because I'm not Clan leader, my reasoning wouldn't matter either way. Even though it's the vision I had." She pauses, and finally stops. "So there's really no point arguing it." 

ㅤㅤ"Not unless you want to bring it up to Mossystar," Eaglerapid offers.

ㅤㅤ"Which, again, I doubt would do anything." Her copper eyes flick to his. "Do you actually think this is the best choice? Nevermind what Mossystar thinks, or what Kitelotus thinks. You were my mentor, you... you must see both sides of this." 

ㅤㅤHe considers it for a moment. "I think it is. Whatever moral ground we think we lose by lying... it's outweighed by the help we could give," he insists. "I have no doubt in my mind that you'd be able to handle any repercussions there'd be from sharing the whole truth— but I also know that TempestClan isn't the Clan it used to be. We can't only be cautious for the sake of individuals; we need to be cautious for the sake of the entire Clan."

ㅤㅤSilent for a while, Coppershade drops to a sit. "No wonder you're deputy."

ㅤㅤ"Yeah, well, I generally like to believe it's not for nothing," Eaglerapid adds in a lighter tone, walking over to her. "Either way, what you saw, what you deduced— it's going to help someone. And if anyone tries to say you can't still be involved in the conversation, whether that's Kitelotus or— I mean, even if Mossystar says as much, I'll argue for you. Trust me." 

ㅤㅤShe pauses again, before gently relenting, holding on to the hope that he truly means it. "...thanks."

Patrol 3— Loner - Fringehollow. 5 – 2 = 3. They are an ex mate/lover of a patroller who begrudgingly needs their help. (Modified.)

ㅤㅤThere's white fur caught, fluttering, on the low thorny brambles that sit away from the stones' edges. Fringehollow may be a touch more immediately practical than she is one for speculation, but she couldn't mistake the cat fur for anything else. She follows the path closely, the direction growing more clear as she draws closer.

ㅤㅤShe crouches before the sight. A young cat, walking, frenzied. Two kits are beside her, huddled close, whining and tripping over their own paws as she shushes them, scolding them for the noise.

ㅤㅤFringehollow stands, the cat ahead's ears twisting around towards her. No time to wait. "You're in TempestClan territory, you know."

ㅤㅤThe young cat spins around with raised hackles, jumping in front of the kits. "Wugh— we're just passing through, just about to— to leave—" As the kits turn, letting out a few exclamations of their own, she begins pushing them down the path. "Come on, come on—"

ㅤㅤWith a couple of quick leaps, Fringehollow blocks their way. "I'm not here to chase you off. If—" She can see the three clearly now. The young cat can't be any older than Finchflame, if that. The kits, a couple of moons old. Something tightens in her chest. "—if any of you are injured, or hungry, or need shelter— we can help."

ㅤㅤThe young cat's rapid breathing slows, and she looks down at the two kits staring up at her. She stands taller. "I don't want any trouble."

ㅤㅤ"Neither do I." She walks to their side. "I'm Fringehollow. Our Clan doesn't have any queens, but we do have..." In a better situation, she'd laugh. "...well, we have a 'Snailpatch.' Between him and our medicine cat, I'm sure your kits will be just fine."

ㅤㅤShe straightens the kits out with her paw, ushering them the right way. "They're not mine, they're— these are my siblings." She pauses. "We've... we've been walking for a while."

ㅤㅤ"You don't have to explain anything to me. I just want to see you all safe."

ㅤㅤThe young cat doesn't reveal anything, even as Kitelotus tries to pry so much as a name from her. But the young cat simply refuses treatment, and says she just wants her siblings fed.

ㅤㅤBut as soon as the two are eating in the nursery, the white-bellied kit spills everything— she's Flintkit, that's Shalekit, and their big sister is Rubbleswoop.

ㅤㅤSnailpatch leans in, quiet, careful not to let anyone overhear. "What were you three doing out there?"

ㅤㅤFlintkit talks through a mouth of mushy meat. "Running away."

ㅤㅤ"From where? From what?"

ㅤㅤHer eyes turn up, blankly. Slightly sad. "Rubbleswoop says we're not supposed to say." 

ㅤㅤSnailpatch watches as Shalekit buries himself deeper into the meal, trying to ignore his sister. The tom pushes a little more their way. "Do you... know where your parents are? Your mom, maybe?" 

ㅤㅤFlintkit's ears flatten, and she takes another bite, offering nothing else. 

ㅤㅤRubbleswoop soon rushes back into the nursery, distantly trailed by Kitelotus. She sniffs at her siblings. "Come on, eat up. We're leaving as soon as—" 

ㅤㅤThe kits start whining, a mess of, "I don't want to leave!" and, "My paws hurt!" and, "Pleeeeeeaase Rubbleswoop!" until finally she shushes them again. 

ㅤㅤ"No, no, we can't take up any more of their time. We—"

ㅤㅤ"It's not a problem, really," Snailpatch interrupts. He glances back at where Ivykit sulks beside the wall. "StarClan knows it gets lonely in here, and TempestClan can certainly bear the few extra mouths. At least until the passage back to your Clan is safe, of course."

ㅤㅤRubbleswoop stares at her siblings, eating away, and weakly offers a few resigned nods.

ㅤㅤUntil it's safe.

Gathering

ㅤㅤRegarding Kitelotus' advice, Mossystar shares Coppershade's omen with the other Clan leaders, posing it as a message Kitelotus received. 

ㅤㅤWickerClan's leader, Piperstar, pulls Mossystar aside and reveals that Turtlekit was, as the omen detailed, lost to the fury of the river. There was a dog— she was too close to the edge— she was too small to traverse the Crossing Rocks— it was too late once she was on dry land again.

ㅤㅤMossystar quietly informs Coppershade of the truth before she tells Kitelotus.