BASILFANG Thunderclan Warrior At first the tall molly was confused when Briarberry told her not to move, but once the familiar scent hit her nostrils, her head spun to face the entrance of camp. Her eyes widened, and every instinct in her body told her to run to Hazelface and throw herself at her mother, wailing that she had missed her more than anything. But she managed to stay put, clearly Briarberry was not about to just welcome their mother back so easily. Standing, she approached shortly behind her sister, the fierce warrior looking far more subdued than usual. It was hard to watch her sister tear into their mother, but she knew that it was what she needed. If she didn't, it would eat her up until it bore a hole through her. But she could understand the anger. They'd been abandoned as newly made apprentices near enough, and now that Figtree had disappeared, Hazelface had decided she wanted her kits back. And yet, she couldn't help but want to forgive her for everything.

LITTLEWOODS Medicine Cat of Windclan The fire had taken its toll on Windclan, the little tom knew. He could heal physical wounds well enough, but there were many mental wounds he could not. It hurt him to think of his clanmates suffering in any capacity, especially when there was little to do. But he understood. Their clanmates had been buried here for generations- those who remained were torn at the concept of leaving their families behind. Of course, they'd be in Starclan, but it was different for a medicine cat. It was a world they saw so regularly that it could be hard for them to understand the thought process of a cat not so tuned in with their ancestors' world. He trusted that Moosepaw would be okay leading the wounded- she'd grown into a fine and intelligent apprentice. He could spare a few moments for Hailgaze, especially considering the forlorn look on his face. Approaching him, he dipped his head slightly. "Airheart is right. Our clanmates who are no longer with us will follow us wherever we may end up. Whilst we may no longer be able to be where they were laid to rest, they will not abandon us." He mewed. "If it would ease your burden, Hailgaze, when us Medicine Cats next share tongues with Starclan, I can seek her out." He stood beside the deputy, resting his tail against his flank. "No cat expects you to be entirely unaffected by this. Whilst they will look to you for guidance, this is as difficult for you as it is for any of us." Looking up at the bigger tom, he smiled gently. "You have your family to support you. You shouldn't shy away from that."

BUNNYSKIP Bunnyskip sighed softly, her tail curling over Pagan's flank as she wrapped herself up in his arms, pressing her nose into the thick fur around his neck as he pressed his face into her fur. Her eyes closed, and she remained silent for a moment, perfectly content for the world to just entirely consist of them and nothing else for those few moments. "I know," She exhaled, "I just hope it doesn't come to battle." She pauses, listening as he continues, finding herself blushing at his words of devotion. She knew he was right, that she couldn't blame her mother and her sister, and yet, it didn't make it any easier to forgive them. "It isn't their fault, I understand... I just wish I had more warning. It would have been easier with time to prepare." Her gaze softened as she pulled back enough to look at him, her gaze full of nothing but adoration for the charming tom. "You are so sweet, I would do the same..." Sensing he had something to say, she stopped, and tilted her head to allow him to speak. Her eyes widened at his offer, an offer she knew that deep down she had always wanted. Especially with recent tensions, she'd been craving him deciding to finally ask her to go with him. Whilst when they'd first started seeing each other, she never would have agreed, Bunnyskip couldn't help but acknowledge that her prior hesitation was now all-but nonexistant. Before she could even stop herself, the words tumbled from her mouth, "Oh, Pagan...It's what I've always wanted, I think I just needed something to finally convince me of the fact." She purred, pressing her nose to his, "Of course. I'll come with you. Let's run away together, and I'll be yours for as long as you'll have me." Her heart fluttered in her chest, with both the realisation of what leaving her clan would entail, as well as the excitement that coursed through her. Bunnyskip didn't have to worry about Thunderclan any more. All she had to worry about was the handsome tom in front of her, and their new life together.

BUNNYSKIPOn instinct, Bunnyskip buried her face in Pagan's fur, her tail curling around him as she leant her head up to meet him as he licked her cheek. Her amber eyes traveled across his face, taking in the features of the tom she'd missed so much. Her front paws wrapped around his neck, she draped herself across Pagan with a heavy sigh that rumbled from deep within her chest. He always knew her so well, he could just tell when she was feeling upset. "Things are getting... difficult in Thunderclan lately." She sighed, "Ever since my mom and dad split up, it feels like Thunderclan has been getting worse to be in..." Curling around him even more, she felt tears starting to well up in her eyes. "It's not a bad clan. Hawkstar is a good leader. I wanted to be there to be with my family, I wanted you to be there and meet my family, but... things are getting tense. Cats are starting to argue over the smallest things. I'm afraid it's going to come to war." Bunnyskip sighed again, her body suddenly feeling as if it weighed ten times more. "Appleblossom moved to Windclan, Peachblossom left chasing after Kass. Every few moons there's another thing that feels like it's pushing me away." Bunnyskip looked at Pagan, deep into his eyes. "I don't want to upset my littermates and my half siblings, but...Pagan, I don't feel like I belong in Thunderclan any more, and I don't know what to do." Bunnyskip felt hopeless. Was this how Appleblossom had felt when chasing love?

COTTONPAW The curly-haired tom blinked a strand of fur out of his eyes as he turned to his companion, only managing to blow more fur into his face in the process. He hadn't scented prey yet, so he figured they'd probably have to go a little further. That just gave him more time to spend with his best friend. "What?!" He asked, feigning ignorance to how ridiculous he looked. "Is there something in my fur?!" Wrinkling his nose, he crossed his eyes as if he were trying to look up at his forehead. Suddenly his ears pricked as he heard the grass rustling further away. Turning to her fully, his eyes widened with excitement. "I hear a rabbit! C'mon!" Without waiting for her answer, Cottonpaw dropped into a hunter's crouch and slipped away into the grass, ears pinned against his head and his paws barely touching the ground with how silently he moved. His heart hammered with nervousness, and he sent a silent prayer to Starclan that the rabbit wouldn't hear it. He wanted to impress Skipperpaw more than anything. She was his best friend, he wanted her to think he was the coolest cat in the forest...!

Littlewoods It felt strange to be travelling without Skipperpaw this time. Since the last half-moon meeting, Littlewoods' apprentice had died at what he was unaware currently, was the paws of one of her own clanmates. He hadn't experienced a prouder moment for a long time than when he had introduced his spritely young apprentice to his warrior ancestors, but now... he was left with a hollow pit in the very bottom of his belly, wondering just what he could have done to save the poor she-cat who had her life so cruelly cut short. But as he greeted the other medicine cats, graciously accepting whatever sorrows they had for him in regard to Skipperpaw's death, he had to wonder with a shred of hopefulness, if he'd see his former apprentice when he visited his warrior ancestors. Following the pawsteps long pressed into the path down into the mooncave, static made his fur stand on end as he approached the glowing stone. He bow his head to his fellow medicine cats, and his kind- yet this time, somewhat sorrowful, smile was given to all of them. "Should we begin? I look forward to hearing what Starclan has to say to us tonight." Whilst he technically wasn't a senior medicine cat, that role belonged to Venomrose and Waspsight more than himself, Littlewoods had to admit... he did think he was qualified to speak as if he were, with how much turmoil his clan had seen since he had become their medicine cat.

LittlewoodsThe kind-hearted medicine cat of Windclan "Oh, well, thank you! It would be helpful to have some other paws to bring back these herbs." The medicine cat seemed entirely oblivious to any kind of weirdness or gesture that could be inferred from the tom's insistence on staying with him. After all, he was a medicine cat, and lived by a different code. One that was naturally far more friendly and open to other clans and accepting assistance. "I'm sure Desertstar would be far happier if I returned in one piece!" The tom laughed, standing up and gesturing to his pile of herbs on the floor. "If you wouldn't mind carrying those for now, I can wash myself off in the water far easier on the way back to Windclan territory." He hummed cheerfully, already starting to pad away with his tail upright and alert. Despite having been stuck in mud not long ago, the little tom-cat was in as chipper of a mood as ever.

Sleetstorm The white and tabby tom narrowed his eyes at Frostflower as she commented on the fact he must have been caught up with her beauty. He snorted bad-temperedly, tail lashing behind him. The salmon at his paws felt his cold stare as he glared at it instead of at the she-cat, unable to meet her gaze. She was pretty. He couldn't deny that, but he wouldn't even give her the satisfaction of a response to that. His claws dug into the ground at his paws. "So what if I was?" The tom grunted, "Are you jealous or something?" He whisked his tail. "Willowfawn is pretty, and she needs to eat more than ever now she's finally had her kits. Especially with how big Pumpkinkit is." Turning his head, he snorted again, "Besides, I've been taking prey to the nursery since I was an apprentice. It's not my fault you didn't notice." Although, there was a trace of hurt in his voice as he said that.

Sleetstorm The moody tom glowered somewhat at being interrupted- he'd just been about to take his catch over to the nursery, although he loathed to admit it, he almost choked on the salmon in his jaws when he saw Frostflower. Lowering the fish back to the ground, his blue eyes squinted as he looked at the white and grey tabby molly. "Frostflower. Do you want something? I was trying to take this to the nursery." He grunted, eyes narrowed with some degree of suspicion as to her motives for talking to him.

LittlewoodsThe kind-hearted medicine cat of Windclan "Hahaha, well, us in Windclan are far more suited for moors and grass." Despite the sticky situation, he didn't worry for his safety when Whitesand offered him help, even when he bounded away to try and get something to pull him out with. Grabbing onto the stick as instructed with his claws that he at first struggled to pull from the mud, Littlewoods slowly felt the suction beginning to give way and soon he was pulled free, almost toppling over once he was finally clear of the mud. Shaking out his pelt a little, he realised very quickly that he'd need to wash off as soon as possible. "It does blend in with my fur, doesn't it?" Littlewoods chuckled, looking down to see his brown-furred leg was caked in mud that wasn't super differently coloured to his actual pelt. Looking up, he finally focused again on the horsetail, and began biting off a couple of stalks. "At least I didn't squash this on the way out." He half-purrs, wincing a little at the bitter-tasting stalks. He swept his huge fluffy tail around to gather the stalks closer together and despite the mud dragging it down, he made quick work of bundling the horsetail into a small enough chunk to carry. "I should probably wash off pretty soon, otherwise by the time I get back to camp, this horsetail will be soaked!"

LittlewoodsThe kind-hearted medicine cat of Windclan Whilst to the cats of Shadowclan, the mud was a relief in the warm sun, the way it sucked around Littlewoods' paws was nothing short of a nightmare. Used to running moors and climbing rocky terrain in moments of desperation, Windclan's medicine cat was... very clearly struggling. His paws flailed uselessly every time they sank below the surface of the boggy ground and he strained somewhat, wobbling like a kit as he made a few pawsteps forward. He wasn't embarrassed about being caught in Shadowclan territory- after all, he was allowed to be here, but he was embarrassed about his current predicament. A clump of horsetail dangled loosely just out of reach, and the medicine cat's brow knit together in frustration as he pulled against the drag of the marsh to try and reach it. Then, he hears pawsteps and his eyes widen. Oh, thank Starclan, his saviour arrives! "Oh- um, hello! I could... use a paw, here..." Littlewoods pulls against the marsh again, wincing as his paws and tail refuse to budge any more. "I was trying to reach those clumps of horsetail, but it seems I may have underestimated how muddy it is..."

TalonperchThe Thunderclan Diva Talonperch hung around near the front of the patrol, glad that Hawkstar was finally getting moving on getting these kits out of the camp. Some of them were going home to their families, but others... the tom just had a feeling that they might be gaining some new additions to the Thunderclan family. As he pushed his way up the fence, his tail-fur snagged on a jutting splinter and he almost let out a yelp, his eyes watering as the fur snagged and stuck to the fence. Balancing himself atop the fence, his eyes widened at the sight of blood that Elmstrike had noticed. Oh, Starclan, they weren't looking for bodies now were they?!

CINDERPEACH The Sweet Flame of Skyclan The white molly padded along toward the back of the group, black and ginger tail grazing uncertainly across the leaves dotting the ground. Partially, she felt like she was intruding somewhat, with how every other cat on the patrol was related, but she had made her bed now. Her ear flicked as Roseglow confirmed that the whispers would only intensify- the she-cat had to admit it gave her the creeps, but she had no plans on turning her back on her clanmates so easily. She was here, and she would be brave for them. "That would be a good idea... we don't know when we'll get the chance to hunt again." She looked over to Bearchaser, "If we eat our fill now, then... we can probably go a few days if we need to." The she-cat mewed, sitting down and glancing somewhat anxiously around

BASILFANG The Dedicated Warrior of Thunderclan Having been taking a break beside the warrior's den, Basilfang's ears twitched as she heard cats padding into the entrance of the camp, shortly followed by a number of pattering paws. For a moment she wondered if they'd been invaded, lowering the leg she had been in the middle of grooming and sitting upright, preparing to move if needed. Upon seeing Hawkstar and Dawnpool, however, the fur that had begun to rise around her shoulders lay flat, before her brow raised in utter bewilderment at the sight of a gaggle of kits following behind her leader and his new mate. It was... certainly a way to make an entrance, that much was for sure. Now, Basilfang didn't hate interacting with kits, she just... didn't quite know how. She often scared the young ones, and bored the older ones. After all, her mind was so preoccupied with the 'here and now' that didn't give her much room to participate in their games. And yet... if she was to one day hope to strive to become Thunderclan's leader... Basilfang knew it would have to be a hurdle that she was going to cross. And she... had to admit, her heart ached for these kits. Being separated from their families against their will... she herself had gone through the same, in a way, after all. Sure, she could have followed her family to Shadowclan, but her life would have been entirely unhappy there... therefore, remaining with her birth clan was the only option for her. Looking up at Hawkstar, Basilfang stood up and dipped her head. She silently moved to sit forward from the crowd of assembled cats, indicating her participation. GRIZZLYTOOTH The Grouchy Bear of Thunderclan In stark contrast to Basilfang, however, Grizzlytooth had been laying with his chin on his paws, soaking up some sun after a particularly eventful hunting patrol. He had managed to pull a muscle in his shoulder and so was advised to take it lightly, but he had to admit... it was frustrating to be treated like an incompetent apprentice. He was a senior warrior, feeding his clanmates- he'd pulled a muscle to secure the catch on a particularly troublesome squirrel, he should be praised, not punished! The older tom huffed through his nostrils, stumpy tail lashing in frustration as he pulled himself up onto his haunches to observe the meeting. Thinking about it... Hawkstar didn't know about his little shoulder pain, annd besides... surely looking after some kits wouldn't be so bad? It'd get him away from his prescribed bed-rest... and... he had to admit, it had been a long time since his niece was a kit... he also had to admit that he missed when Cinderspark was as young as some of the assembled kits. "I'll help, Hawkstar, if I'm allowed." The big tom grunted, moving to join those volunteering. With any luck, the kits would be too scared of him to misbehave. After all, his stern look was known for being enough to make even the most rowdy kits behave...

HOLLYSTORM Stoic Warrior of Shadowclan The unrest in Shadowclan had been getting to Hollystorm. The normally stony-faced, fairly-silent she-cat had just returned from hunting when the fight had broken out. Two frogs swung from her jaws as she saw the two toms fighting over who of the potential leaders they supported more. She... tried to think of what her mentor, Grimrose, would do. And yet... her mind was pulling blanks. Dropping her fresh-kill on the pile, the young black molly rolled her eyes- since when were clanmates supposed to fight like kits...? Although... the more she thought about it, the more it motivated her... Hollystorm moved to Ravenclaw's side. ORCHIDFIRE Little Spitfire of Shadowclan "UGHHHH-- STOP FIGHTING!" One of the cats who had pushed to pull the two toms off of each other, Orchidfire's multi-coloured eyes narrowed as she sassed them alongside some of her clanmates. She had pulled Bigfoot back by the scruff- despite her smaller stature, Orchidfire made up for it with her sassy personality. "Nothing's gonna get decided with you two squabbling!" As much as she wished Starclan would just give them the answer already, she had to admit... it wasn't looking likely at this point. Once contended that the two toms weren't going to tear each other's throats out, she sat back. "No offense, everyone. But surely picking sides like this is just going to cause issues in the long run?" Regardless, Orchidfire gets up and moves to Aspenwood's side. "Just saying."

Rabbitpaw The enthusiastic apprentice of Shadowclan Of course, Rabbitpaw had attended the apprentice ceremonies of Shadowclan's newest apprentices, but as he cheered their names, he mourned the loss he'd experienced. The fact that two of three of their parents still lived and were able to see them become apprentices... and yet, he still felt their loss. Deep, like a chasm. Sure- they'd all been young when Mercuryrose had died before being able to claim her place as leader of Shadowclan, but that didn't make it any less painful for her kits, nor for her clan. Rabbitpaw's long ears twitched as he heard the silver apprentice approaching, chin resting now on his paws, Rabbitpaw clearly didn't move quick enough. Before he knew it, Leopardpaw had bumped into him. Instinctively, he got to his paws and shook himself out, before moving to help the other tom out as he flailed- although... "Pffft- you look like a frog." With his lips twitching up into a big smile, Rabbitpaw reached down and pulled the other tom over onto his front so that he could get up. "I didn't know frogs had fur and tails!" As much as it could have come across as mean, Rabbitpaw hoped that his friendly tone would make it much more obvious he was joking. Despite being in the nursery together, Rabbitpaw had been a loner- being a single kit and having his family issues keeping him very preoccupied and doted-on by the other queens, but he had to admit... Leopardpaw had made him feel a little better right now.

Littlewoods The kind-hearted medicine cat of Windclan The little tom looked instinctively to Daisykit as she followed out of the medicine den. Quickly, he stooped to her level and rubbed at her chest with a paw to ease her coughing somewhat as she spoke, allowing her mother to take over once she arrived. He flicked his tail and brushed it across the kit's forehead, checking that she wasn't nursing a fever- just in case. "I appreciate your offer for help, Daisykit, but you need to be focused on the journey." He let her down as gently as he could, "There will be a day where you can help me carry my herbs, but right now you need to be strong." Leaning in close, he added in a whisper to her. "...I think that Amberspark needs your help more than me. I'm sure a clever kit like you will be much more help taking care of your mother." He sat upright again as Daisykit's father, Swiftstrike, offered his help, bowing his head and placing down one of the bundles of herbs from within his mouth. It made sense to split the herbs between cats, therefore if one supply became damaged, it wouldn't leave his clanmates without any healing herbs. Sure, he was certain he could request aid from his fellow medicine cats, but minimising the need for that was always ideal. "Thank you greatly, Swiftstrike." He smiled at the tom as much as he could with herbs still in his jaws. "It's my responsibility as Windclan's medicine cat to care for all sick cats, and Daisykit is a pleasure to have around my den. She gets along well with Skipperpaw, having the energy around the place really helps keep every cat's spirits up." As Bumblenose approached, Littlewoods nodded and handed her the other herb bundle. "Thank you too, Bumblenose. How goes the evacuation of the nursery? I'm really hoping any of our expecting queens aren't feeling the pressure of the journey already..." He wanted to step in and help, but he knew that he was needed on high alert in case of any injuries. He watched as Hailgaze's younger brother, Lighthollow, pushed his way through the nursery entrance, returning with a couple of small kits in his jaws, followed shortly by their mother. He knew he could trust the warriors and queens, but it was still anxiety-inducing to see kits with their eyes barely open being taken from the camp much sooner than he'd like them to be. But with the way the camp was flooding quicker than ever, there wasn't much choice. "I'd like one final patrol right before we leave, just to double check we have every cat assembled safer up on the higher banks, especially the kits and elders...once we get moving, it will be much harder for Desertstar, Hailgaze and I to keep a consistent eye on every single cat." He knew his parents and siblings would be helping as much as possible too, and yet he couldn't help but worry, especially about Morningblush, with how close he was to his younger sister.

Eagletalon The Misunderstood Warrior of Thunderclan Eagletalon just had so much on his mind, even though he'd tried to shake away the oppressive thoughts his head still felt marred by their persistence. Any cat with half a brain would know that he was his father's favourite son, that Hawkstar loved him so deeply and was proud of everything he achieved, but the rosetted tom just couldn't believe it. Copperheart hadn't helped either, undoing all of the progress that Hawkstar had made convincing his arrogant, self-important seeming son that he was worthy. And any cat would equally know there was nothing platonic about the way he'd been staring at Polarlights. The way she'd gone from a chubby apprentice to a curvy she-cat... he was a simple tom, at the end of the day, he was at the age where romance was to be expected, where cats would begin courting, settling down and beginning their families... but he just felt frustrated. Speak of the devil, though, as the she-cat's voice cuts through his thoughts like a claw, and he whips around to face her. The fur on his back that had raised flattens again self-consciously, and he grunts in response. "Easy for you to say." He mutters, before glancing away from her deliberately. "You were following me, weren't you?" He knows her far better than to just assume she'd happened upon him randomly. His tail twitched self-consciously as he lowered his voice. "Look...some cat has to do something about those twolegs, or our camp is going to be trampled by their kits."

Raccoontuft The Mysterious Loner of Skyclan Newly-appointed warrior and another of Firestar's daughters, Raccoontuft flicked her ears as she looked up at her father sitting among the branches of the Sky Tree. It had soured her feelings of pride on becoming a warrior the more she noticed the whispers, becoming more and more aware of their insistence. But unlike some other cats of the clan, Raccoontuft hadn't told a single soul she had been hearing them or even acknowledging them at all. After all, it was part of her personality to be mysterious and vague. It would totally contrast her image if she started blabbing about her emotional turmoil, even though Roseglow was one of her eldest siblings. Not even Brackenwing, the terrifying senior warrior that was one of her half-sisters, would ever get to know. The older she-cat couldn't claw the information out of her, no matter how many patrols it made her late for. With so much of her family all congregated into Skyclan, she had to admit at times she longed for some space. As much as the dark tabby loved her family and her clanmates, it was oppressive at times to be surrounded by those you knew so closely at every moment of every day. She needed a break. Even if it was with relatives, a time away from the clan sounded great. However, as she went to open her mouth, another cat spoke up first. Cinderpeach The Sweet Flame of Skyclan "I'll go, Firestar." Cinderpeach offered, standing up quickly from the crowd of assembled cats. The uniquely-patterned calico molly lifted her head as she wove her way between her clanmates to reach the front of the crowd. She dipped her head respectfully as she looked up at her leader. "I have not had to face a challenge such as this head-on as of yet, but it would be an honour to serve my clan and our medicine cat as a guide for the journey." The demure molly blinked her baby-blue eyes, tail curling over her paws as she glanced somewhat nervously over at the ginger she-cat by her. Oh Starclan, Scarletshimmer hadn't noticed her, this was... this was her chance. It wasn't that it was her only reason for wanting to go, of course! But a chance to get her crush to notice her was... always welcome. She missed Raccoontuft's eyes burning holes in the back of her head from the glare, and remained entirely oblivious to the way the dark tabby molly glared at her for taking her chance away, as if Firestar would have wanted to send all of his kin anyway.

Sleetstorm blinked, seeming to take a moment to actually return to the land of the living. He coughed, before leaning away quickly and turning his head away almost bashfully. Eugh, that was embarrassing as anything. "I'm not looking at you like anything in particular. And you're the one who looks like a fish!" He stood up and wandered away a few paces- before conveniently, a branch broke further downstream and lodged itself in the same position the first log-bridge had been. "Look, we can get back!" Glad to have an excuse to change the topic, the tom grabbed his prey he had caught, and made a beeline for the bridge. He ran his way across, ignoring the way his heart fluttered and thrummed in his chest. He wasn't in love! Hell no!