Rain cascaded slowly down through the canopy of pine as the small ThunderClan patrol wove and ducked through the fallow mire that was ShadowClan territory. Hawkstar had lost sight of their guide, but could still distinguish their fresh scent trail among the damp leafbed. All around him was dense, dark woodland. Pine trees with branches that began much further up the tree than an oak or aspen. This created an eerie wall of bare and skinny trunks that overlapped until no light could penetrate the forest floor. Any cat who tried to argue that there was little difference between this and Thunderclan’s land had never trod between these claustrophobic trees. It was a maddening maze, and Hawkstar was elated when they drew near to what had to be the camp. Lined with thorns and bracken, he knew it was a sign of trust to be admitted inside and privy to its location.
Once inside, Hawkstar signaled with his tail for the rest of the patrol to wait while he went in to pay thanks to Waspsight for the extra provisions. The rest of the patrol, in the meantime, was permitted to mingle amicably with ShadowClan in something like a miniature gathering. Ospreyshadow, who had joined them, wasted no time in disappearing inside the ShadowClan nursery of all things. If any cat took notice, they did not stop him.
After a few minutes had passed Hawkstar padded out with a bundle of catmint that he passed to one of the apprentices in their party. Upon Juncostar’s arrival, he opened his mouth to bid farewell, but was intercepted by Ospreyshadow who had materialized at his side soundlessly.
“Juncostar,” Ospreyshadow gave a cursory dip of his head that was more of a jerky nod than an actual bow. “You do not know me, so I’ll make this quick. I would like to express my condolences for Nightsong’s death.”
“We were close, you see. And I believe, no I know- that those kits are mine.” His twin gaze shimmered defiantly. Beside him, Hawkstar’s jaw had fallen open in mute shock.
“I request that you allow me to bring them home and raise them. They are my kits, and they have no mother here.”
Owlkit
Even at their young age Owl could tell there was quite a commotion outside of the safety of their nursery. It was clear to the young molly that she was correct when her sibling, Acornkit, pushed his way out of the nursery to confront the intruder who had intentionally pushed his way into the nursery claiming to be their father. He looked just like she did, but was the proof enough for the kitten to believe him? Thoughts like that were too advanced for Owlkit to ponder on, rather she poked her small head outside of the nursery walls. Her twin colored gaze shining as the one they continuously addressed as Ospreyshadow showed his passion for her littermates. You’re leaving why? To her knowledge he wanted to take them with him so why now were they leaving them behind? The change in direction confused Owlkit more than anything, Was he not even going to say bye to them? Pushing her way through the nursery opening Owlkit forced her way past Juncostar, Acornkit and the rest of Shadowclan who ‘gaurded’ the nursery.
Finding her voice, the small she cats voice roars….well for her size anyways. “Bye Daddy!”
“Shut your muzzle, Amberhawk. I don’t need your help.” Ospreyshadow snapped at his uncle. “You and I both know I won’t see a hair on their heads outside of gatherings if they stay here. And I’m sure ShadowClan will fill their heads with nothing but lovely things about their father, as well.” He threw a scathing look at Mercuryrose. When one of the very kittens of which he spoke peeked out of the nursery, he gazed longingly at the face of one of his sons. Will he know me at all Or will this be the only memory I’ll ever have of him?
Hawkstar’s eyes widened slightly as a ShadowClan apprentice came forward and expressed anxiety about being ‘taken’. Ah yes, this is one of those half-Clan kits as well. Stars, we have a lot of them nowadays don’t we? He filed that realization away for later examination.
“ThunderClan is here to take no cats.” He stated gently, but firmly. He didn’t want to start a panic. “I asked for nothing other than to open discussions about the matter, but if that is how you feel then there is no point in trying to persuade you.” He fixed Juncostar with a cold stare. In his amber eyes, a flame of anger was smothered beneath pain. Once he might have called him brother. But their duties were leading them down different paths now.
“Make no mistake– this matter is not finished. Just having them in your possession does not mean your Clan is where they belong.” He stepped back and cast his gaze over the rest of the patrol that had joined him. They were quite a few in number, though Hawkstar chalked that up to curiosity about how other Clans lived. Anytime there was a mission into neighboring territories he never had any shortage of Warriors clamoring to get a peek at how the other side lived.
“ThunderClan! We are leaving. Peachblossom, of course, you are welcome to linger and share news with Hareflight and Waspsight.” He could never tell her what to do, and wouldn’t dream of it. He also knew that she was unlikely to start anything. And a part of him feared her wrath when they returned, for she had kin in ShadowClan as well.
He made to exit the camp as soon as his companions had fallen in line. He noticed that Ospreyshadow hung near that back, and made a point of stalking back to him and dragging the younger tom up to the front with himself by his bandanna.
The trip home was silent.
When they arrived back in camp and the patrol began dispersing– and immediately gossiping, for there was no lack of juicy news to share, Hawkstar rounded on Ospreyshadow his eyes blazing. He lunged forward and clamped his jaws around the toms ear and pulled, walking him back into the shade of the Leader’s den where they were liable not to be disturbed.
“YOU FOOL OF A TOM. What were you THINKING? Going into their nursery, making demands?! Why ask for my help in this matter if you never intended to let me handle it!” Ospreyshadow was rubbing his injured ear with a paw, looking suitably abashed.
“You’ve gone and ruined ANY chance we had to resolve this with words alone. They will not even speak to me about the matter, which leaves only subterfuge and violence as our options. Do you think I like being forced into those avenues?”
Hawkstar paced about his den, occasionally kicking the moss and feathers of his nest. The scent of his mate stirred, and brought him somewhat back to himself.
“There may still exist a way to get your children without spilling too much blood. I dislike subterfuge, but sometimes it is preferable to open warfare.” His gaze took on a faraway look as he went over plans in his mind. He’d have a word with Briarstep. The soft-spoken tom would surely have some ideas about how to achieve their goals with as little fighting as possible.
“You are confined to camp until further notice. Dismissed.” He sat and awaited the sound of retreating pawsteps as he turned his mind to his now limited options.
Juncostar
shadowclan leader
A scoff escaped Juncostar's lips as Hawkstar apologized for Ospreyshadow. Though he had no direct issue with the ThunderClan leader before this, he was in disbelief that he expected a quick-- debatable-- apology was enough to cover up the extreme disrespect. With Mercuryrose at his side, he surely felt more confident in shooting down the request without a second thought. He opened his mouth to do just that, until Ospreyshadow chose to step directly over his deputy and imply that Juncostar's say was the only one that mattered.
There were very few things that made the tom genuinely angry, but the warrior's dismissal of Mercuryrose caused his fur to bristle. "If you think that Mercuryrose is anything but my equal here, you're wrong," he spat at the young tom, eyes glinting with barely-contained rage. The audacity of this cat! "You're gonna respect her just like you would me, or you can leave now," he huffed, before turning his attention back to Hawkstar. "I don't think there's--"
He was cut short as Aspenpaw appeared at his side, and suddenly the spinning in his head became a heavy downward spiral. Whatever hope there was for a calm resolution was gone now, seeing his poor son's expression. The fear, the sadness, in the little tom's eyes wrenched Juncostar's heart, bringing a deep pain in the center of his chest. His face fell, and he was quick to pull his son close. "N-no," he stuttered, suddenly feeling extremely overwhelmed with the emotion swirling within him. The overstimulation was starting to weigh on him, and Juncostar felt himself grow truly irritable.
"No-cat is taking any-cat," he stated firmly, sending a glare in Ospreyshadow's direction. A small movement at his side distracted him, and his head began spinning once more. Sweeping Acornkit back swiftly, the tom settled himself directly in front of the kit. The tiny tom was just going to get in the way, and he genuinely did not have the energy to fight with a kit right then. "Not now," he pressed quietly, tail lashing.
"Look," he suddenly shouted, head pounding. He was stiff, his shoulders tight and his chest heavy. "These kits are my kin just as much as they are yours, Hawkstar," he explained, breathing tight. "This is their home. You really think I'm gonna just paw them off to you because you ask? 'Didn't even ask nicely! No-cat is taking these kits from their home; they're safe here, and they're loved, and there's no better place for them now than the nursery in the Clan they were born into. If you got such a big issue with your kits bein' in another Clan, stop sharing your nest with cats from other Clans. And that's final." With a final huff, he turned his attention back to his son, beginning to fret over him with a gesture to Mercuryrose to take over so that he could be sure the little one was okay.
mapledawn
shadowclan queen
As her own kits had bustled off to play in a more quiet corner of the nursery, Mapledawn kept her furious gaze on the cats sitting outside. She had shifted to sit just inside, so she could gaze out whilst still being able to protectively whisk the kits into safety once more at any given moment.
Her stumpy tail still lashed furiously despite the comforts of her clanmates, and her glare bore into Ospreyshadow without a hint of subtlety. Somewhat comforted by the fact that her clanmates- as well as Peachblossom, had blocked the nursery entrance to stop other cats from entering.
The queen let her guard down for just long enough to miss a little brown head toddling toward the entrance of the nursery.
--
acornkit
shadowclan kit
Wriggling around in their nest, glad to have his older nestmates out of the way, Acornkit blinked his deep amber eyes, taking in the comfortable darkness of the nursery around him. The sound of voices outside made his ears prick with interest. Sniffing the air, the musty scent of an unfamiliar clan hit his nose, making it wrinkle with disgust.
Pushing his littermates, them becoming his step-stool, the little brown and white tom tottered to his paws. His legs wobbled slightly as he pottered to the entrance of the nursery, poking his head out. Acornkit's brow furrowed with determination as he squeezed through the entrance, and between the crowd of cats sitting just outside. The little tom looked around, suddenly realising just how many cats were in the clearing.
His little tail shot up as he fixed his gaze on the unfamiliar cats, his back arching and letting out a hiss, fur spiking up in every direction. Fear lit in the very pit of his stomach, and he stared with comically large eyes.
"Intruders!" The fiesty little tom squeaked. "Get out! Go away!" He thumped his front paws on the ground, trying to intimidate the Thunderclan cats.
Crashingtide
Warrior of ShadowClan
The blue tomcat was preoccupied with plucking feathers from a bird laying between his paws. He was being careful not to damage them, trying to preserve the maximum amount of softness. They were for Hareflight’s nest, after all, and they needed to be perfect. She’d been fiddling with her bedding a lot lately, and he was happy to provide her with whatever nesting material she requested.
She’d mentioned that a patrol of ThunderClanners was going to show up to discuss herbs today. He didn’t know why a whole patrol had to come for something like that, but hey, it wasn’t any of his business, so his focus remained solely on the task at paw when ThunderClan scent suddenly clouded the air. He didn’t think there was any reason to be on edge for a visit like this but then he heard a clanmate’s mewl of disbelief.
“He went into the nursery!”
Crashingtide snapped to attention. What business did some ThunderClanner have in ShadowClan’s nursery? None as far as he was concerned, especially while his mate was in there. A low growl escaped the large tom as he quickly rose to his paws, but before he could storm across the clearing to drag their rude little ‘guest’ out of the nursery by their tail, the ThunderClanner came out of their own accord, and Hareflight came out a few seconds after. He met her gaze, a snort escaping him as he shook his head in disbelief in response to her unvoiced question. He really couldn’t believe the audacity.
Then ANOTHER ThunderClanner appeared and made a beeline for the nursery! But when the small feline pressed herself up against Hareflight, he recognized her as the calico’s ThunderClan friend, Peachblossom. He’d never met the cream colored she-cat face-to-face, but he’d heard a lot about her from a lot of cats. Not everything was… entirely pleasant, but Hareflight liked her, so he couldn’t imagine she was all that bad. Things were quickly heating up in camp, so Crashingtide decided to forget his featherplucking for the time being and cross the clearing and wordlessly settled down beside his mate, curling his tail protectively around her. He decided not to say anything yet, but he did offer a polite nod of greeting to ThunderClan’s medicine cat before focusing his attention on the action in the center of camp.
Amberhawk Couldn't this have waited until the rain tired? Amberhawk already wasn't fond of the idea of marching a patrol into Shadowclan camp. Surely it doesn't take more than a warrior or two to escort the small healer, hell everyone knew better than to challenge the peachy cream molly. Amberhawk and Ospreyshadow were more than enough, so why did Hawkstar join them? His gaze narrowing on the leader/healer duo who marched slightly too close for his comfort, Hawkstar better hope Chanterellefrost don’t see the two so close, she’d tear him a new one.
This was Amberhawks first time entering Shadowclan's camp, funny enough it wasn’t too different from their own. Yes the materials and placements weren’t the same but they lived their lives so similarly it was ridiculous the clans fought as much as they did. If they weren't all so close minded and egotistical maybe they'd get along better.
It wasn't long before their dark pelted leader and creamy medicine cat were both disappearing to the medicine cat's den, rolling his eyes at the imagine. Im sure she’s capable of gathering the herbs herself stupid fur ball. His lips parted and prepared to offer their leader parting words, his soft greeting overshadowed by Ospreyshadow's sudden declaration of fathership of a Shadowclan mollies kittens.
Amberhawk would have loved to help calm the situation, but before he could get two words in, the Shadowclan deputy sneered her mug into the mix, the words flying off her tongue pelting the warrior even if they weren’t aimed at him. Mutt. She was fierce sure but Juncostar was still their leader, his attention moving off the molly and onto the one whose words mattered more, Juncostar. Gently pushing his way in front of his father and Ospreyshadow, Amberhawks gaze met Juncos momentarily before offering the leader a swift, but respectful, bow. Clearing his throat Amberhawk raised his head finally finding his moment to speak.
“Please forgive my nephew Juncostar, he’s still so young, the cockiness hasn’t had its time to wear off yet.” Casting a stern glance at the young warrior. “I believe what Ospreyshadow is trying to say is: He wasn’t aware of their birth, if he did he would have come to you sooner. He’d love the opportunity to be in their lives as their father….Is that right Ospreyshadow?” Amberhawk learned in his time coming at leaders with fiery tones and demands rarely works; they all see it as a challenge to their authority and never ends well.
“I know we are in no place to ask you to extend your generosity any further but perhaps you’d be so kind to allow Ospreyshadow to greet the children whilst you and Hawkstar discuss things further?”
Peachblossom
A good argument was always Peachblossoms favorite thing to participate in, but this time her attention was needed elsewhere after Waspsight informed the healer of Hareflights retirement. Why the hell did she come talk to me about this first. Her paws were warm as she stomped her way around the bristled pelts of the patrol to the nursery where she learned her flighty friend now resided. Though seeing the mollies ever so slightly swollen paws Peachblossoms gaze softened, it’d looked like she’d been on them for days, maybe it was the right time for Hareflight to retire. Plopping her own rounded body next to the calico she cat, leaning ever so slightly into her friends pelt a soft purr following it. For once Peachblossom bit her tongue with the harsh words being exchanged between the two clans, while it was against the rules for them to stop Peachblossom from entering Shadowclan it wasn't against the rules for them to not allow her to converse with Harelfight, who was no longer a medicine cat. Her friendship meant more than shoving her muzzle into the fray, she wasn't about to risk losing that.
H A R E F L I G H T
Hareflight had known the ThunderClan patrol was coming, she'd spoken to Waspsight about it. She had taken particular note of it because she'd wanted to talk to Hawkstar about going over to see Peachblossom. Having stepped into the life of retirement, Hareflight wasn't officially allowed to go see her anymore, but she missed her friend dearly. It had already been a while since she'd seen her - since she'd been away on her vacation with Crash - and she wanted Peachblossom to be the first to know about- But, well... Hareflight was still tired quite often. In fact, she'd slept right through the entrance of the patrol.
Hareflight had been spending her time since her retirement helping out with the kits in the nursery. It was a fun change for her and it was a serene enough place for the former-medicine cat - Well, it was usually anyways.
As one of the ThunderClan cats rushed in, confronting Mapledawn before Hareflight could so much as blink. Hareflight watched the two of them snap back and forth, knowing full well even if she'd had anything to say she'd never get a word in edgewise. As Ospreyshadow took off back to the clearing, the calico molly raised gently to her paws, glancing back at Mapledawn, standing protectively in front of the nursery's kits. "I-I'm going to see what exactly is happening o-o-out there right now. I'll be right outside, i-i-if he comes back, I'll be- be right by your side, okay?" Hareflight said this with more confidence than she felt, feeling a bit disoriented by the sudden yelling and chaos of the camp. This was partnered with the fact that she sincerely doubted she could do anything herself if Ospreyshadow made any sort of move.
Waddling a bit, Hareflight made her way to the nursery's entrance, ears folding back as she stepped into the clearing, met with the raised voices of multiple other cats. This had certainly escalated quickly. Hareflight didn't say a word, simply settled back on her haunches in front of the nursery's entrance. Having been gone with Crash and recovering from her injury prior to that, Hareflight was a little out of the loop on Clan politics. She had never really been good at that side of things anyhow, but it certainly didn't sit well with her that a ThunderClan warrior had so brazenly forced his way into the ShadowClan nursery. Across the camp, she locked eyes with Crash and raised her eyebrows in a clear motion of, 'Wow, can you believe this?' In the same moment, Hareflight resolved that she wouldn't say anything to get involved, but she would stay settled in front of the nursery's entrance and no one would sway her from that.
Aspenpaw
Shadowclan Apprentice
The dark gray tabby tom was watching the whole interaction between Thunderclan and Shadowclan with narrowed orange eyes, clearly annoyed with the whole interaction. Why was Juncostar paying attention to Hawkstar and Thunderclan when his father should be paying attention to his son instead? Noticing that Mercuryrose was also now focusing on the patrol, his tail had lashed from side to side. Aspenpaw was always the main focus in his loved ones’ lives, but their main concern was for these kits. Now, Aspenpaw didn’t care much for the kits within the nursery.. They were his kin, but they were still mewling and stinky messes. With Bogpaw and Almondpaw, he was able to torerate his cousins from Uncle Mellowfrost because they easily would listen to him.
Watching Hawkstar, his eyes were narrowed. The Thunderclan leader thought it was his right to claim kits whenever he pleased, it was certainly amusing to seeing ever getting worked up over some kits. Aspenpaw would rather have the kits thrown out of Shadowclan, less mouths to feed and worry about. Letting out a small snort, he certainly had enough of the tiny bundles of fur having the spotlight. Rising from his seat, a frown appeared on his face when going towards his father, mentor and the others. Aspenpaw looked in distress, his lower lip was slightly trembling and orange eyes were wide as an owl. Moving towards his father, the tom brushed against the Shadowclan leader and looked at the Thunderclan cats as if he didn’t want to be near them, they were a threat. “Papa?” Aspenpaw questioned, his voice
Was slightly shaky as his ears were pinned to the back of his head.
“They won’t take me too right?” Aspenpaw whispered, a frown appeared on his face. The young tom knew that Thunderclan couldn’t care less about taking him, but everything was about him… So if these kits were going to get attention, so would he. After all, Aspenpaw was a big deal around here within Shadowclan “Papa, I don’t want to go with them.” Aspenpaw said, his tail moving to the back of his legs as he began shaking slightly. Of course his other father, Tigershadow, was from Thunderclan. The other clan could had easily came after Juncostar for rights of Aspenpaw as well, but they didn’t know of Aspenpaw’s birth at the time. While Aspenpaw’s lower lip began trembling a bit, fake tears were forming in his eyes “If they’re taking Nightsong’s kits because she died.. Will they take me too because Dad died?” Aspenpaw whispered, purposely riling up his father’s emotions as well.
“What do you expect of me?” Ospreyshadow replied coldly to the Queen who had confronted him when he’d entered the nursery. “Where was I? In ThunderClan, having no idea that I was becoming a father because Nightsong did not tell me.” He said through gritted teeth. His heart was beating a mile a minute as he returned his gaze to Juncostar.
“I intend no disrespect.” He meowed. “But they are my kits, I’m their father. I didn’t know my father, growing up. I won’t have my kits go through the same.” He remembered only too well the whispers that had haunted his pawsteps from the moment he’d opened his eyes. The open stares from SkyClan Warriors who knew he was one of theirs. And the horrors that had followed and he uncovered the tangled web of his birth. My father tried to kill the mother of his children…I have succeeded where he failed, he thought bitterly.
“OSPREYSHADOW, THAT IS ENOUGH!” Hawkstar bellowed. An eerie silence followed his outburst, and he felt all eyes scorching into his dark pelt. “I permitted you to join us, and you barged into their nursery, and are trying to bargain with their Leader?!” He went on. His fur was fully fluffed up, giving the normally sleek Hawkstar an almost average looking build on par with his more muscular kinsmen.
He heaved a heavy sigh. “I apologize for my grandson, Juncostar. He is foolish. But, perhaps we can work something out. The kits should be with a parent, shouldn’t they?”
The world suddenly felt very heavy, and though Hawkstar was only greeting his fifth winter he felt much older in that moment. My grandson is going to be a father? Why do we always have kits so young? They have their whole lives…
His brow furrowed as the other Clan’s deputy joined them. What was her name? It was something long and unusual, he didn’t normally pay too close attention to details such as the names of other Clan’s ranks.
“Expect what you will.” He growled, hardly in the mood to be harangued by a cat he’d never met. “It’s Juncostar’s voice that matters here.”
Mercuryrose
Shadowclan Deputy
Irritated.. That’s how Mercuryrose had felt during this whole interaction.
Sitting inside of the warriors’ den, at the entrance hiding within the shadows, The Shadowclan Deputy was currently keeping a low profile and observing the interactions. Mercuryrose’s dark green eyes were narrowed, her feathery tail flicking from side to side. The black and rose-gold molly had remained with a calm mindset, as her deputyship had taught her patience. Watching Mapleshade and Juncostar coming to the kits defense’s quickly, the large Maine Coon watched everyone within the clearing and their reactions to such stunning news. A small snort escaped the deputy, Mercuryrose rolling her eyes. Of course, entitlement. Ospreyshadow didn’t know any better, but of course that came with being young. It was almost amusing that the brown Bengal was attempting to take the kits that were born within Shadowclan and bringing them home to Thunderclan, to barge into camp as if he owned the place and start giving demands.
That didn’t sit well with the Deputy.
Watching her son at the clearing, she noticed that Ravenclaw had a look of conflict on his face when looking at the Thunderclan patrol. She wouldn’t involve the black and white tom within clan politics, it wouldn’t be any of his concern. The black and rose-gold molly’s eyes narrowed at Juncostar’s interactions. The deputy and leader were complete opposites of each other, his way of handling things were very different methods compared to her own. Mercuryrose was a soldier, a guard dog. While Juncostar served as the heart of Shadowclan, Waspsight being the soul.. Mercuryrose was more of the protector of Shadowclan, protecting her clan from harm. Rising from her spot on the ground, the large Maine Coon molly had began stepping slowly out of the shadows and had made herself known when all eyes landed on her. While dark green eyes were focused on the Thunderclan patrol, her expression remained unreadable, a dangerous sight indeed.
“I’ve had enough of listening.” The deputy spoke, her eyes narrowed to Hawkstar, clearly not impressed as the leader hadn’t bothered reprimanding his clan mate. Making her way towards the group, she ignored Juncostar’s glance, focusing on Ospreyshadow instead. “I want to be clear with you, Mutt.” Mercuryrose said, her eyes narrowed. Already sensing that the brown Bengal was trouble, she wanted Ospreyshadow out of her camp now. Turning towards Hawkstar, a scowl appeared on her face as she had a disinterest towards the leader “If you allow patrols to march into other camps and demand things, I’m certain that Thunderclan’s future will be grim due to poor leadership skills.” Mercuryrose said, biting the inside of her cheek while glaring at him. She had no respect towards Hawkstar, not after this interaction.
“You do not have a right to barge into the nursery, nor demanding to take kits that were born within their mother’s birth without permission and back to Thunderclan.” Mercuryrose stated, her dark green eyes were glaring daggers into Ospreyshadow. The tom knew nothing about respect, she could easily see that. The large Maine Coon beckoned her head towards the entrance of the camp “You were merely allowed on Shadowclan land for herbs only, we won’t be discussing anything further.. But again, I expected nothing but disrespect from you, Hawkstar.”
Juncostar
shadowclan leader
Juncostar couldn't shake this nagging sense of dread that clawed at his belly upon hearing that a ThunderClan patrol would be coming directly into the ShadowClan camp to collect the herbs to be shared. There really should have been no issue, he knew, considering the terms they were on with the other Clan- and his own personal dealings with Hawkstar- so he fought against that feeling the whole time. Even as he watched the others enter the camp, that coldness in his gut wouldn't subside. They seemed relaxed, but something was wrong.
Picking himself up, the grey tom walked toward Hawkstar with a lazy bob in his step. An easy grin grew on his lips, though his eyes were wary. He opened his mouth to speak, when suddenly another ThunderClan warrior showed up at his side, followed closely by Mapledawn. Juncostar recognized the angry queen immediately, and he didn't quite have time to process that this was likely the cause of the dread he'd been feeling before Ospreyshadow opened way too quickly with a mention of the late Nightsong.
The leader's face fell, his tail-tip flicking in annoyance. He blinked silently as the tom went on about how the kits were his, and that they should go back to ThunderClan with him. At this demand, Juncostar couldn't help the disbelieving laugh that erupted from his lips. It was quite a contrast from Mapledawn's own fiery anger, surely, but the whole thing just seemed laughable.
"So let me get this straight, right," he began, tone condescending. "You come to my camp for a favor, and you expect to demand to take my dead niece's kits with you on your way home. Am I getting this right?"
Turning his attention to Mapledawn for a moment, the tom rested the tip of his tail on her shoulder in an attempt to reassure her, perhaps, or to cool her temper a bit. There was no way he was going to let this happen; he just hoped she'd know that. He knew she loved those kits just as much as he did.
mapledawn
shadowclan queen
The news of visitors spread quickly among the Shadowclan cats, especially since Nightsong's passing had been felt so strongly by them. Some cats were jumpy, as if they could sense in the air that trouble was brewing among the clans, Mapledawn being one of them. Despite the fact her own kits were older, she had eagerly offered to take on the responsibility for the four kits who had been left so suddenly orphaned.
She was in the middle of grooming Lightkit when Thunderclan scent filled her nostrils, and the plump queen swept the kits behind her protectively, hackles rising as she stood to face the intruder face-on. A low, protective growl rumbled in her throat as she narrowed her gaze.
"Where were you when they were born, then?" She snarled, "Why do you only want them when their mother has died? What kind of father does that make you?" The queen's claws dug into the ground, fury bubbling in the very pit of her stomach.
"How dare you come into the place where these kits are safe, and try to take them from their home? They belong with Shadowclan! We are the home they have known, and they will be raised here!" Mapledawn would defend them as strongly as she would defend any kit in the Shadowclan nursery. Her stubby tail lashed with fury, cold gaze staring Ospreyshadow down.