"I'm not sure what kind of welcome that is," Spider growled uncomfortably, "but it is a fair deal. I have no idea how I'm supposed to prove myself innocent...only the fact that the she-cat was my kin and so is the kit." He watched the leader pointedly, wondering how she would take this clear statement. The rogue wasn't sure if she had already heard of his relationship with the dead she-cat, but if she hadn't this would probably be shocking. Taking a deep breath to steel his nerves Spider stretched out one hind leg awkwardly, before it fell asleep. "I would like to see....my sister's kit," he meowed slowly, gulping slightly at the last few words. His chest felt tight, almost constricted by some invisible line. Sorrow, he thought, trying to shake the feeling off. But it's something more. I feel...devastated by this. Why'd she die? Only a few moments earlier and I could have saved her.

Growling under his breath, Spider's lip curled slightly to reveal sharp fangs as thoughts of killing the murderer filled his mind. He may not have been sure of the killer, or the motive, but he was as sure as StarClan that whoever had slain his kin in coldblood was going to be killed himself, even if Spider had to hunt him or her to the ends of the forest. 

OoC: You would not mind to draw two of them? That would be amazing! But of course i'd pay you something for your work. I do not color all to well, preferring to create line-art/sketches. I'm working on a sketch of a much earlier scene during the gathering where Cheetahwind first showed up, Silentpaw was standing on Patchpaw's shoulders to get a better look.

BiC: Shadowpaw watched Gingerstorm carefully, analyzing the movements for future use if needed. The apprentice watched as she sailed onto the stick, the move perfectly executed and the landing clean. He blinked in surprise, knowing full well that none of his clan mates could do the jump in that way because of their larger size. "Thats a cool move, fits perfectly in with your clan style." He meowed. "But while you balance and jump, we stalk silently." His body fell into a hunters crouch, muscles instinctively bunched and weight shifting off of his large paws. He took a few silent steps, tail stiff as to not drag the ground. Stand back up, he turned to face Gingerstorm. 

"You know, our style are not as different as I first thought. We rely on silence, needing to get as close to our prey as possible before our kill." He sniffed the air, trying to gain some sort of prey scent. "I was thinking we could perhaps use both of our skills to hunt. I'm not good at hunting in tree's, and your not good at stalking. So I could stalk on the prey then run them to you, where you jump on them and make the kill?" He shrugged nonchalantly, looking into the gloominess of the trees. "It's only a idea."  

ooc; For sure Stray! Just say the ones, and I will be good to do with them. :3

bic;

Rainstar nodded, "I understand," she meowed to him and then turned to Swiftdarkness. I am not a good leader at the moment... I need a chance to prove myself. she declared in her mind. She didn't know why she was like this.. in her mind she was always a good leader. I wish I could just quit somedays... or.. everyday. she regretted agreeing to Eaglestar's choice to making her deputy. Rainstar was a better deputy than leader, which confused her greatly.

"Did I make the right decision?" she asked Swiftdarkness with her whiskers twitching in worry. Their was a pleading worry in her eyes which for the first time declared that she was in fact too inexperienced to be a leader. She wasn't sure if she even wanted to prove Spider guilty or innocent.. She just wanted to get the Clans moving onward, to put less stress on her back.

>> 

Gingerstream looked at Shadowpaw with interest, "I have never seen a cat do that before, I have heard of stalking.. but never seen it excited before." Looking around she knew that a TreeClan hunting style would be more useful in this place, but the IceClan one would work better than the FireClan. Shadowpaw had performed the stalking perfectly, from her idea of what it wasn't suppost to look like. He made it silent, and deadly if there was actual prey there. Shadowpaw's idea was really good for hunting. Gingerstream had never been hunting by teaming up on the prey, she just used the environment around her to enclose the prey. 

"Sure," she replied, "And maybe later, we could show each other how to do the different hunting techniques?" she asked. Not everywhere would be suitable for the FireClan hunting style, so maybe it would be good to learn.

A sent mingled in with her nose as soon as she scented a flicked of movement. Pupils slits, she hissed quietly, "Vole.." I haven't caught a land vole before. she thought then looked at Shadowpaw fro further direction in what they were to do.

OoC: Sorry I haven't been replying. ^.^' I will later today. I just need some time to catch up on the recent posts and get enough energy to type out my reply. I just haven't been in the mood, so I'm looking for some inspiring music. =)

EDIT

OoC: I love this idea of drawing the scenes! Wonderful, Fullmoon. Though, I'm not so sure I could contribute much since my art skills are so-so. Stray, awww, I remember that! Silentpaw and Patchpaw always ended up doing such cute things. In general, all the cats do. ^.^ Any who, I shall be posting now.

"Did I make the right decision?" Rainstar asked in a timid, soft rasp.

Swiftdarkness looked over at his leader. She looked frayed and slightly frightened. Most likely she was overwhelmed by the duties of being a leader. Now that the small group sat outside of the cave he wondered where the question came from. It seemed to be more personal than just asking about Spider. It has to be something more. The group consisted of Rainstar, Swiftdarkness, Spider, Oaktail, Barksap, Blueshadow, Flamepaw, and Maplepaw but Sorrowkit soon joined them with a strange kit dangling from her jaws. He watched with sad blue-gray eyes as the she-kit gently set the other kit down before explaining why she was here. Knowing how delicate Rainstar's emotions were, Swiftdarkness's fist instinct was to protect his leader, even if it was merely getting the kits back to their queen.

Considerate of the present Treeclan and Fireclan warriors, Swiftdarkness meowed in an orderly tone that demanded acceptance yet held patience, "Sorrowkit, I need you to take your friend back to Echovoice. We are having an important discussion."

Feeling the rising tension Oaktail and Barksap excused themselves politely from the rival leader and deputy and all but dragged Maplepaw by his tail with them.

"Rainstar," Swiftdarkness, feeling a smidgen more at ease, began, "I believe you sat vigil all last night. I take full responsibility of Spider since I allowed him into the comforts of the clan. So if you would go rest, I will take these matters off of your paws since they were mine to begin with." Leaving no room for her to refuse, Swiftdarkness stared pointedly at Spider, not acknowledging anything that the tom had spoken, and motioned with a flick of his tail for the ebony tom to follow him.

Once the two ebony toms were a safe distance away, where no cat could overhear them, Swiftdarkness stopped and sat down with a heavy sigh facing Spider. We are so similar, from the beginning of our names to the color of our pelts. "I believe that you are innocent, Spider." A turmoil of emotions boiled inside of Swiftdarkness because he knew he could not prove this to the other cats. It was that feeling again. The same feeling he had gotten when Spider first came to them and Rainstar had denied him entrance to the clan. It was a feeling of trust. That deep inside, Swiftdarkness's instincts sensed the honesty and loyalty that was within Spider. Having always followed his instincts, Swiftdarkness meowed, "I think the brown tom-kit that was with Sorrowkit was your nephew. I understand that you will want to have a relationship with this kit, but understand that the clan is unsteady right now."

Narrowing his eyes, Swiftdarkness mewed, "Spider, you actually seem familiar. Where you ever a clan cat? Or were you born rogue? Nevermind, that is beside the point, I want you to tread carefully. No matter what the other cats say or how they look at you, behave. I will back you since I believe you deserve to be in Iceclan." Or what's left of it, his mind added.

This new place that they were going to was scary. It was so unknown. Swiftdarkness didn't want to express this fear he held because the clan was already holding onto their sanity with their last tooth and claw. But Swiftdarkness knew that by holding in his fear and becoming the peace-maker that Leopardheart would have been was exactly what the clan needed. All of the clans needed this. They needed to be united. By showing confidence in Spider, Swiftdarkness hoped that the rest of the clan wouldn't hold an unnecessary grudge against him. Unless he truly did kill the she-cat, his mind wickedly whispered but he ignored the thought. He couldn't afford to doubt himself like that. His instincts had never lied before, and at this moment they told him that Spider was innocent and this new land would be just what they needed.

OoC: Yup. ^.^ BiC

When Echovoice didn't seem to need any help, Patchpelt dipped her head and padded away. Larkpaw seemed lost in thought, so she left the blind apprentice to think. A flash of black and white next to ginger-red caught her attention. Is that Shadowpaw with Redpaw, together? That can't be right, she thought as her jade green eyes narrowed quizzically. Stalking forward until she was effectively hidden by a clump of bramble ferns Patchpelt spied a better look at the fiery cat. Gingerstream, Patchpelt identified quickly, she was named a few moons ago. Oh, Shadowpaw, I hope you know what you're getting yourself into. From what Patchpelt knew, the Fireclan she-cat had a temper to rival Redpaw. Yet Patchpelt saw no aggression between the two as the conversed and trotted away from the camp together. What in Starclan is going on, she mused and followed behind them discreetly.

As the unlikely pair stopped to talk some more Patchpelt quietly stalked closer in hopes of hearing them, Gingerstream and Shadowpaw both had serious faces as they spoke, so it made Patchpelt all the more curious. Having never been the quietest of her clan Patchpelt wished that she would have called Silentheart over to her so that he could come with. He was an expert at stalking, since he taught her a lot of what he knew about leg positioning and paw pressure. Praying to Starclan that she was silent enough to escape notice, Patchpelt sat tense behind a tree close enough to catch bits of their words.

Shadowpaw's smooth voice meowed, "I'd say the forest would be the best option..."

"...are not catching prey, we have extremely good balance...show you." was all Patchpelt could hear Gingerstream say.

Confused by the little bits that she was gathering, Patchpelt peeked around the tree that she was hiding behind and nearly yowled with she saw Gingerstream sailing through the air like a robin. It was much like the move Rainstar had taught her, Patchpelt noted. Keeping still, the calico she-cat hoped that her white fur camouflaged her orange and black spots as she continued to spy. From what Patchpelt picked out, and after watching, with pride, Shadowpaw's silent stalk, she concluded that the pair was just going to hunt. Feeling a bit hurt, Patchpelt realized how little Shadowpaw really confined in her. She was proud of her first apprentice but she finally saw how little she had actually taught him.

Pressing her nose into the snow as shame washed over her, Patchpelt welcomed the bitter cold numbness that seeped into her from the snow. Her whiskers tingled as feeling began to fade, but it didn't stop the tears. Oh, Eaglestar, I was not ready for an apprentice. I am still so young. What made you think I was good enough? With a grimace that bared her fangs, Patchpelt squeezed her eyes tightly closed against the tears threatened to spill. Patchpelt could do nothing to change the past, so there was no sense crying over it. Taking a shaky breath, Patchpelt opened her emerald eyes and promised softly, "I will be better Shadowpaw. I will become a cat you can rely on." Sniffling with pride and self-disappointment, Patchpelt tucked her tail close and lay down to watch the pair. Patchpelt had followed them this far so she decided to stay, to be sure they were safe enough. I can only pray to Starclan that they don't get too attached to each other since the clans will once again separate once this is all over.

[That fits so well I'm shocked. xD]

Spider nodded in silent understanding, his flint blue eyes holding Swiftdarkness's. "I wasn't born Clan," Spider meowed slowly. "Not that I can remember, at least. But I know of StarClan and hold my faith to them." Swallowing nervously the tom shifted uncomfortably on his paws, knowing his long held secret was out. "My mother never told me of my father, but she was previously a Clan cat. I suppose the life never suited her." Shrugging as calmly as he could the tom settled into the stirring dust, his tail twitching slightly with anticipation.

"I am grateful you believe me," he meowed softly, turning his head away shamefacedly. "Most cats distrust rogues, you know." Snorting with disdain at the simplemindedness of some of the cats he had met, Spider felt a warm glow wash over him at the memory of his nephew. "I hope Rainstar does not judge me guilty," he mewed quietly, his shoulders sagging at the prospect. More prosecution, he thought bitterly. Chased from place to place...why are my kind so hated? He knew that rogues had built a bad reputation for themselves, from the stealing of prey to the constant battles between rogues and lone Clan cats, but it had never occurred to Spider if he was a rogue or loner. I did steal prey, which is one thing. But then again, I've yet to pick a fight that warranted anger or battle.  

ooc; Siri: That sounds fabulous! FireClan wishes to see the picture of epic happiness! 

bic;

"Really?" She meowed, "Thank you so much!" And that was it. The first amount of joy Rainstar had felt science she became leader. Isn't that sad. she thought to herself.  Padding to her den, it was then when she realized that she was that heavily tired and drenched in the demands of each and every Clan mate and leader traveling with her. 

Letting out a sigh, she dropped herself onto the soft gra.ss the Larkspur had gathered for her earlier. Letting her eyes close, she felt the inner warmth of the darkness enclose her into a deep, peaceful sleep.

Rainstar padded through deep meadows, those of which she somehow recognized. She didn't know from where though. Lifting her paw, a sticky black substance would not drip free of her paws. Beginning to struggle in the strange black glue puddle, she looked ahead with her ice blue eyes and found the sky beginning to dissapere.

"No!" she yowled.

The sky seemed to comfort her, keep her sane in the land of black water seeping into her fur, but not letting go.

"Hold onto the Night their will and be no change."  

>>

Nightfall looked around for Starpaw, finally catching his scent in her nose, she padded toward the little apprentice and meowed softly to him, "Starpaw, I am here." Yes, Nightfall was aware at how silently she had appeared, but she could not help but feel sorry for the little apprentice out of her own misery.

"You know, I do not blame you at all for what you did.." she meowed as she laid beside him, staring ahead with her light blue eyes, she continued. "I knew that Poisonheart was going to die yesterday," she meowed dragging up a cruel memory of her sister. "It was my fault for not letting her live, for she would have brought great chaos to the Clan if she did." Lifting her tail off the ground she pushed it across her feet. I know it was my fault now. I understand Poisonheart. Blackfang did send a message to me, I was blind of fear to notice it before you died.. Nightfall knew that she could have saved her, given a little more of wisdom, but she didn't need to be reminded every day of what she could have done. 

I know, but that is okay, for I forgive you. Now, get back to life. Poisonheart snapped in Nightfall's mind.  

Shadowpaw exhaled a breadth he did not realize he'd been holding since he'd asked if she wanted to double team on the hunt. He realized then that he'd been worried she'd look at him if he was stupid or weak for asking a different clan's warrior to hunt with him, or if she'd sneer him down due to his still apprentice name. Gingerstorm is not near as prickly as I once though. Scolding himself, Shadowpaw flicked his ears in the direction she'd pointed out, noting the sudden strong scent of the prey. I should not be thinking such things; she's a Fireclan cat, although kinder then most, and we should be enemies. Then why did he feel no even vague sense of hostility towards the Fireclan she-cat? Shaking his head harshly, as if water droplets as frozen to the delicate membranes, the tom crouched low in the thin snow. 

"I'll sneak up on it as far as I can on it's back side, though I probably can't get close enough to it for a kill shot in this dense setting, and run it this way. I won't be able to run it down either. But your an amazing jumper, so perhaps if you hide behind a bush or up on a lower tree branch I can chase it towards you close enough for you to leap." He stopped and took a breadth, frozen air creating a light fog around his black pelt. "But thats just an idea of course." He quickly added, in case she came up with a better plan of action. 

---

Starpaw was partially coaxed into a slumber by Copperfire's rough voice murmuring things to him, and warm pelt melting the tiny ice particles that had accumulated on his thin pelt. Every now and then a shiver would rack through his frail body, jerking him from the sweetness of sleep. A cold nose prodded his cheek gently, awakening him from the tenth time since he'd awoken from his disturbing dream. Opening his pale blue eyes fear spiked through him as Nightfall approached, trying to crowd himself deeper into the comforts of Copperfire's pelt. The larger tom nudged him forward before standing up, bones cracking and popping from stiffness and under-use. "She means you no harm Starpaw. Just hear her out." Copperfire whispered into his ear, ruffling the fur there. He walked away, into the crowds of cats surrounding them. 

Watching Nightfall wearily, Starpaw settled his aching body back onto the ground, long back legs splayed out awkwardly. Suddenly Nightfall spoke, her voice once more sounding like that of his beloved mentor and not the angry, terrifying one she;d used since Emeraldrain's death. He ached to believe his mentor had returned, the first cat in the clan so see more to him then the rest. The tiny tom listened intently to what she had to say, eyes large. "Then we are both murderers of sorts." He whispered. "Yet we had our reasons that few know of, and that are painful to speak of. It will never get any easier, yet we did what we thought was right." He spoke the last part more to himself, looking at his tiny paws. "Thank you for telling me this Nightfall, and...and I'm glad you are not angry with me. I had no choice," Tears brimmed in his eyes yet again. "because in the end if we had not done what we'd done more cats would have died."

Gingerstream nodded vigorously to Shadowpaw. Despite her lecture Wolfstar had given her the night before about talking to other Clan cats, she knew that they had to get along for the journey, and just the journey or it would be extremely hostile, and they would probably kill each other. "I am fine with the plan." she meowed, still overall keeping her voice tone down so that the vole's sensitive hearing would not detect more than the trees swaying.

Positioning herself among the bushes, she gave Shadowpaw a flick of her ginger ears to alert him that she was ready. The creature was sitting there, eating something.

>>

Nightfall nodded to the tiny apprentice's wise interpretation. "Right you are Starpaw, but as you have said, it won't make life easier." A tiny leaf fluttered to the bottom of her paws, it smelt like it was living, yet with a crisp smell too it. A maple leaf, she guessed. Then the leaf must be red with green parts.

A different mood swam into her mind, and her pupils turned to thin slits as she stared forward into nothing. "Sometimes, the truth is better to the public," she meowed with her paw over the leaf, still looking forward. Unsheathing her white claws, she pressed them into the snow. "Other times, it has no other fate then to be buried." She meowed  quietly and pushed snow over top of the leaf. 

Giving a nod to Starpaw, she smiled, her pale blue eyes with a different light, and her pupils expanded back to the normal size. She lifted her thin ebony body to her feet with more trouble than it should have been. Then  looked back at him, with a light of happiness, and dissapered into the darkness.

oooc; Important info.

Click on Siritachi1's profile please. :/ You will not find this good...