On A Dare... [Open]

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[atrb=border,0,true][bg=black] It seemed like she sat there on that cold stone surface for MOONS! Viperfang fluffed out her pelt against the breeze. She growled inwardly, but kept completely quiet just outside the cave entrance. There was no way she would let StarClan have a reason for denying her a chance to join WindClan. No bad behavior, no wavering faith. She even held her breath when she felt a sneeze coming on, fearing the sound would travel and interrupt Vixenfang's visions. That would be the last thing she wanted! Her gaze turned skyward for a while. She could feel her eyes giving way to sleep and shook her head violently. The she-cat felt as if she was on another silent vigil. Once or twice, she got up to stretch her legs, but didn't move other than that. She had to stay where she was, in case she was called into the cave or had to defend the sleeping Vixenfang from an attack from another clan, be it ThunderClan or otherwise. If they were caught here by anyone their plans might as well go up in smoke. Finally, after what seemed like seasons, Viperfang could hear the scrambling of rushed paws. She stood up quickly and turned toward the opening, searching for the first glimpse of her old mentor. "Viperfang?" she mewed when she'd finally sprung forth. "Here, Vixenfang," she answered eagerly. She knew what it was like to suddenly be greeted by sunlight after being so used to the dark. Many a morning as an apprentice found her up and out of the den before even opening her eyes. The older she-cat was probably momentarily blind. The way she was looking around confirmed her suspicions. "Viperfang, I think a snowstorm is coming. We should get back to camp." In her mind, Viperfang growled. On the one paw, if they got back to camp just as it started snowing, no one would be able to know where they went. On the other paw, the suspicion would cost precious questioning time. No matter. She knew that Leaders and Medicine Cats never talked about their visions until they were completely sure what they meant. Perhaps Vixenfang required some time to think before she could indulge Viperfang's curiosity. Without a word, Viperfang followed her old mentor out of mothermouth and back toward the moor. Maybe they'd have time to hunt along the way... Word Count: 391 Audience: Vixenfang Comments: None

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Trusting Viperfang to follow, Vixenfang shot off across the moorlands, stretching her legs to their full length as the clouds gathered and darkened overhead. Before long thick, wet snowflakes began to shower down on them, coating their pelts and the ground they ran on. By the time they reached the familiar forest of ThunderClan, the snow had been falling steadily for several minutes. Vixenfang skidded to a stop beneath the shelter of the first trees and spun around to face the moors.

Now ever bit of the flat land was blanketed in snow that would have covered any warrior's paws. She knew that, if this continued, the snow would soon be deep enough to force a warrior to wade through belly-deep. Not good hunting. She could only hope the snow had cleared by the next Gathering.

They were safer from the elements now, though without leaves, the branches of the trees overhead did not help shield them too much. Everything was strangely quiet, the snow falling silently as they treaded easily onward. Vixenfang had forgotten how strange the forest seemed when the heavy snow came down. It was as if all life had come to a halt, and everything was simply watching the snow.

It was as good a time as any to tell Viperfang what she'd seen. She figured the young warrior would want to know.

"I talked to Brokenstar," she mewed quietly, glancing over at Viperfang to see if she knew who Brokenstar was. Perhaps the memory of that old ShadowClan leader was fading from the younger generations, or perhaps Viperfang did know. "He showed me that many cats from RiverClan and ShadowClan could be hurt over a battle for the moorlands, and he seemed to be asking me, as best he could, to go through with this." As best he could. Hah. Brokenstar didn't appear to be the kind of cat who was used to asking for help. His numerous insults to her character had shown her that.

((Feel free to bombard Vixenfang in whatever way you desire ^.^))

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[atrb=border,0,true][bg=black] Viperfang raced after the older she-cat. Her stomach was growling so loudly that she was sure half the clans knew they were coming back. In the back of her mind, she remembered the three adders she had caught earlier. They would be right where they left them if that fox knew what was good for it. It was a rare meat for her, but it was food. She would dig right into that juicy fresh-kill and lap up the blood that would gather around her lips... "I talked to Brokenstar." She had slowed to a trot, but hadn't noticed when Vixenfang stopped and looked back over the moor. Although she liked the place, food called first. She was too hungry to hunt rabbits, especially in this weather. Her stomach gave another snarl as the young she-cat stopped and turned back to her old mentor. Brokenstar... Brokenstar... Where had she heard that name before? The tan warrior's ears flattened as she thought hard. Finally, she was able to pull the name out of her memories. It was an old, old story. He'd been the leader of ShadowClan before Tigerstar, that great foul-up. What was his tale? Oh, right! He was the leader that drove away WindClan! Of course! "He showed me that many cats from RiverClan and ShadowClan could be hurt over a battle for the moorlands, and he seemed to be asking me, as best he could, to go through with this." Yeah. A ShadowClan cat. Asking. Right. And hedgehogs fly. "So what's the plan then? Are we going to grab those two RiverClan cats you were talking about and start dusting out the camp? What?" Word Count: 270 Audience: Vixenfang Comments: You can tell how excited she is. She forgot her hunger. XD

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A soft grumble rumbled from somewhere nearby. Vixenfang's eyes narrowed in confusion as she glanced around for the source of the sound. It sure didn't sound like the growl of a fox or a badger, or an enemy cat, but who could be sure? After a few moments, the same rumble reached her ears once more, but this time, it came from within her. Deep amber eyes slowly widened to their normal size once more, and she glanced down at her scrawny belly, then at Viperfang's. They hadn't eaten in hours, and their stomachs were rebelling.

Vixenfang started to walk again, if only to shake off the bitter iciness that was seeping into her fur and wrapping itself around her bones. The poor elders must be having a horrid time tonight, she realized. There was no moon to guide them, as the clouds covered the sky, so she picked her way slowly over brambles and around broad-trunked oak trees.

After what seemed like eternity, Viperfang seemed to realize who Brokenstar was. She didn't seem...surprised or anything, which surprised Vixenfang in turn. But there was no point in arguing the fact--perhaps Vixenfang was just too suspicious. Perhaps she shouldn't have been so critical towards Brokenstar. Right, Mr. "You're not much of a leader", she snorted inwardly as she shook her head. That mousebrain is going to have another thing coming to him. It's been a long time since he walked these forests.

"So what's the plan then? Are we going to grab those two RiverClan cats you were talking about and start dusting out the camp? What?"

The ginger ears angled forward as her former apprentice chattered away. Thank StarClan Viperfang was the way she was. She seemed so eager! Although her questions did bring up some issues Vixenfang had tried not to think about. "A few days ago, I told Hawkfang and Shrewclaw to keep an eye out for WindClan's old camp whenever they traveled to the moors. I'll do the same, and if you go back sometime, you should look, too. We don't know where it is. All we know is it is well hidden." Goodness knew they needed to find the camp, though. Especially now with the heavy blanket of snow that had fallen.

Vixenfang stopped dead in her tracks as the scent of mouse reached her nose. Perhaps they should hunt at least a little bit, if only to appease anyone who had noticed their prolonged absence from camp. Before she bothered to go after the mouse, though, she added, "We will leave at the Gathering. I will announce what is going on, and when I say 'WindClan is here to claim the moors', every WindClan cat will step forward. Understand?"

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[atrb=border,0,true][bg=black] "A few days ago, I told Hawkfang and Shrewclaw to keep an eye out for WindClan's old camp whenever they traveled to the moors. I'll do the same, and if you go back sometime, you should look, too. We don't know where it is. All we know is it is well hidden." Viperfang glanced back over the moor. The older she-cat knew what she was talking about. Although there were a few drifts in the snow that might indicate a den or some sort of shelter, there was no clear marker that showed where the camp was. She made a mental note to check out that tall boulder they'd passed as well as what looked like the dark opening to abandoned badger set. "We will leave at the Gathering. I will announce what is going on, and when I say 'WindClan is here to claim the moors', every WindClan cat will step forward. Understand?" "One problem with that, Vixenfang..." the young warrior replied as she sat down and tilted her head to the side, "Four warriors doesn't make a clan. And unless we recruit some ShadowClan cats, those marsh-dwellers won't have any reason not to attack us at dawn the next day." Starvation had a funny effect on Viperfang. Her mind was sharper, quicker, as a good hunter's should be. The problem was that she didn't have the energy to hunt when she was starving. She stood up again and directed her gaze toward where she knew she'd buried the adders. "Let's run and talk. I'm so hungry, I bet I can down all three of those snakes..." Word Count: 264 Audience: Vixenfang Comments: None

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"Four warriors doesn't make a clan."

Ears flattened as the words traveled to Vixenfang's ears, and her skinny chest expanded as she heaved a heavy sigh. Viperfang was right. Four warriors did not make a Clan. Where had this splash of wisdom come from? The ginger she-cat studied Viperfang, but could read nothing in her expression except hunger. They should keep going. "Yes, let's run and talk," she agreed, rising to her paws and setting off at a lope towards Snakerocks. They needed to pick up Viperfang's adders, at least.

As they moved, Vixenfang sank further and further into thought. She had no desire to find a ShadowClanner to join the Clan. ShadowClan...they were the scum who had driven out WindClan in the first place. They didn't deserve to be part of the new Clan.

ThunderClan didn't do much to help, though. Neither did RiverClan. No one went to find WindClan, as far as we know, she thought with a frown, eyes narrowing slightly. ShadowClan had as much right to the new WindClan as RiverClan and ThunderClan did. Every Clan was responsible for WindClan's disappearance.

"I have asked Shrewclaw and Hawkfang to find others in their Clan..." she began, but after a moment she let her voice trail off and shook her head. She had to be honest with Viperfang. "But they did not seem very hopeful. ShadowClan...I can't imagine how we could get word to any of them without arousing suspicion. Which leaves ThunderClan." She stopped walking, tail drooping as a thought struck her mind. "If Rabbitflight doesn't kill me the moment I mention this, I am pretty sure he would join." She did not like the idea. Not that she didn't want to be Clanmates with her old mentor forever, but she hated the idea of admitting her betrayal to him. "Which leaves only five cats," she went on after a moment, picking up the pace once more.

Would more come once they learned of the plot? After WindClan was "formed", would more trickle in? If that happened, who would they be able to trust? What if a cat joined only to betray them? She was growing paranoid, she knew, but how could anyone not be paranoid at a time like this? They risked banishment and death. Both equally terrifying, though death seemed the lesser of the evils.

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[atrb=border,0,true][bg=black] "I have asked Shrewclaw and Hawkfang to find others in their Clan..." Viperfang nodded as she ran. The bulky bodies of RiverClan would help fend off any opposition that might come from the other clans. No clan liked fighting those fish-eaters. It was like attacking rocks. "But they did not seem very hopeful. ShadowClan...I can't imagine how we could get word to any of them without arousing suspicion. Which leaves ThunderClan. If Rabbitflight doesn't kill me the moment I mention this, I am pretty sure he would join." She understood the concern in her voice, but did not comment on it. She was worried about how her old mentor would react. If they shared the same connection that Viperfang and Vixenfang had, there was a good chance he'd agree. "Which leaves only five cats." "I wouldn't leave ShadowClan out of the running. If StarClan wants WindClan back, we'd need a lot of help. From every clan." Her blood boiled at her own words. This was turning out to be exciting! As much as she hated how quick ShadowClan always met disagreement with war, she had to admire them for their tactics as well as their commitment to their clan. Getting them to join WindClan wasn't going to be easy, but she would like to have some of them on her side in a scrap. The thought of fighting beside them made her spine tingle. "Did you notice any more friendly-looking ShadowClan cats at the last gathering? I could go look for them. Say I was tracking that fox or something if I get caught..." Word Count: 257 Audience: Vixenfang Comments: None

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The forest began to thin, and before long the two of them came to the edge of the small clearing that was snakerocks. Dark, heavy clouds loomed overhead, and the stone-scattered ground was already covered with several mouselengths-deep of snow. The three dead adders? Well, as far as Vixenfang could see, they were buried beneath the freshly-fallen snow, and their tell-tale scent with them. Perhaps they could dig them out if Viperfang remembered where she had placed them, but if she didn't remember, they were lost until the snow melted or until some unfortunate warrior stumbled upon their remains.

Not that the fact bothered Vixenfang. She did not appreciate the sight of adders, even frozen, lifeless ones. But Viperfang might be a bit put-off to realize she might not be able to bring back the adders and, in doing so, make Snakeheart eat whatever words had induced Viperfang to go after them in the first place.

"I'll help you look for them if you can remember where they might be," she mewed after a moment's thought, figuring she'd at least try to appease her ambitious young friend. Vixenfang had no quarrels against Snakeheart, but she tended to naturally choose Viperfang's side in most of the arguments and challenges, and was perfectly willing to help her former apprentice out.

"I wouldn't leave ShadowClan out of the running."

A soft snort issued from Vixenfang's nostrils, forming a small cloud of vapor before her face. She appreciated the pun that Viperfang had undoubtedly uttered by accident. As the young warrior chattered on, however, the skinny ginger she-cat's amusement faded to disapproval.

Friendly-looking ShadowClanners? Did such a thing exist? She didn't imagine so. Vixenfang's mind traveled in the same direction as Viperfang's, and she realized that ShadowClan, however undesirable most of their traits were, were magnificent fighters. No cat could ignore that fact. They were generally the fiercest fighters in the forest, and could protect WindClan well against any attackers. And, if there were ShadowClanners among WindClan, would that not make Willowstar less inclined to attack? It seemed plausible. Unless, of course, it made the proud ShadowClan leader more inclined to fight, if only to make an example of the traitors. Vixenfang shook her head. It was all so very complicated. Why couldn't they just say "hey, we're remaking WindClan. Want to join us?" and be done with it?

"I don't want to hear of you venturing into ShadowClan territory unless under orders," she mewed seriously, setting her amber gaze on the young warrior. "We will not make ShadowClan suspicious of ThunderClan. It is only fair that we work as hard for ThunderClan as ever this next half-moon, and that includes sticking to our land unless Elkstar orders otherwise." Which she wouldn't. Elkstar had already chosen not to fight, and she would be going against everything she had said if she decided, on a random impulse, to attack ShadowClan. No, that would be mousebrained, and Elkstar was far from a mousebrain.

An icy wind ruffled Vixenfang's pelt, and she fluffed up her fur against the cold. The snow that managed to make its way through the branches overhead was collecting steadily on her back, and when her body heat melted the snow, it transformed into icy water that seeped into her pelt and down to her skin. "Hurry up and figure out where those adders are," she mewed, amber gaze sweeping the clearing. "It's about time we got home." Home. Well, home for a little while longer. Pretty soon, though, the land she had once called "home" would be "enemy territory". Vixenfang didn't like to entertain that thought.

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[atrb=border,0,true][bg=black] There were a number of comments seething in Viperfang's mind as she listened to the deputy bark her orders, but the warrior stayed silent. Vixenfang probably felt bad enough betraying Elkstar and her clan. Being the deputy of the whole thing probably made it worse. She searched over the snow, her nose down against the cold white fluff. A few mouse-heights of snow couldn't completely cover the harsh scent of rotting venom. The heads of the adders would have to be clawed off and buried before the scent would be completely masked. Upon finding the scent of her fresh-kill, Viperfang drover her head into the snow and grasped the snakes in her jaws before bringing her prize out into the wind. A good shake her head head brought back the thought as she turned to head back the ThunderClan's camp. She turned to her old mentor, slightly afraid to ask it. She didn't want to cause the older she-cat too much bother, but then, this was Viperfang. It was time she started acting more like herself anyway. "Whoth gunnah beh yur dephuteh?" Her tone, through the skin of the serpents, was curious, not demanding. Although the thought had crossed her mind before, Viperfang would never want to lead a clan. The thought of bossing more cats around was fun, but she had seen Vixenfang take charge in the mornings. It was too much work. One apprentice would be enough for her. Besides, having both leading ranks as ex-ThunderClan cats would make the other clan leaders suspicious. It would be wiser to chose a cat from another clan. Hawkfang or Shrewclaw, maybe... Word Count: 267 Audience: Vixenfang Comments: None

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To Vixenfang's rather weighty surprise, Viperfang didn't seem very put-off by the fact that there were several mouselengths of snow covering the ground. The young tabby warrior simply sniffed the air a bit before wandering around for a few moments. Then, before Vixenfang could blink, Viperfang stuffed her face into the snow and came out with three very cold, very frozen adders. "Good nose," she mewed in surprised, sniffing tentatively at the air. Oh boy, she smelled them now, the nasty things. Viperfang would want to have a nice bath after this was over.

Fur fluffed up against the biting wind, Vixenfang turned back towards ThunderClan and began padding forward. She wanted to run, but figured Viperfang would have enough trouble walking without tumbling over the snakes, much less running. The skinny ginger tabby had resigned herself to padding along in silence (how could Viperfang speak with such a large burden in her mouth, anyway?) when the young warrior piped up with a barely-intelligible comment.

Though surprised, Vixenfang didn't stop walking. It was too cold out here to stop again and ponder some weighty decision. She placed one small paw before the other and pressed on, trusting Viperfang to follow her.

The downpour of snow had slowed, so that skinny snowflakes now came in random spurts rather than falling steadily. Even so, the snow was deep and the small deputy had difficulty moving through it--she sprang nimbly upon rocks and fallen trees whenever he had the chance, if only to keep any more of the cold ice from attaching to her pelt and seeping into her skin.

It was impossible to ignore Viperfang's question. Even if Vixenfang could push the thought from her mind, she knew the charismatic young warrior wouldn't want to drop the subject. Maybe she wouldn't keep prodding her, but Vixenfang knew Viperfang wouldn't forget. Besides, Vixenfang couldn't forget it anyway. Who would be her deputy? It was very clear to her, after speaking to Brokenstar, that she was to lead WindClan. The fact that the old leader of ShadowClan didn't think she was up to the task was unimportant. What did she care of the approval of the leader who had driven WindClan from the moors in the first place? She didn't care one bit what Brokenstar thought.

Knowing Viperfang as well as she did, Vixenfang knew she couldn't ask her. For one thing, Viperfang had never trained an apprentice before. For another, Vixenfang simply couldn't imagine her young friend ever leading a Clan. She was a lovely fighter and hunter, but not, perhaps, leader material. Besides, both leader and deputy of WindClan being from ThunderClan? Anyone with half a brain would find that suspicious.

"I would suppose Hawkfang or Shrewclaw," she mewed as she sprang from the deep snow to a fallen oak tree. She walked along the length of the icy wood, bracing herself against the random bursts of icy wind that tried to knock her from her perch. Coming to the end of the log, she jumped back into the belly-deep snow. "Hawkfang was the first warrior I spoke to. He seems like he is not a rash cat, and appears to think things through before he acts. He would, perhaps, be a good deputy." Who was she to know? She was just a deputy herself...she wouldn't be leader for many more seasons if she let things go the way they were. She was in no position to be picking a cat to be deputy...was she?

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[atrb=border,0,true][bg=black] Viperfang shifted her hold on the adders, gripping them by their tails so she had more room to talk. This made walking with them difficult, but she committed herself to walking directly in Vixenfang's paw marks so she didn't trip on snake and snow. It was still hard going, though. By the time they were half way to camp, the young warrior wished there was a big, fluffy tom walking in front of her so he would push more snow out of the way. "I would suppose Hawkfang or Shrewclaw." 'No, really?' Viperfang rolled her eyes. Who else was there? Viperfang herself wasn't a good choice. Too young. And Rabbitflight wasn't an option. Too old and it wasn't even clear if he would join. The two RiverClan cats were the only ones left as of right now. "Hawkfang was the first warrior I spoke to. He seems like he is not a rash cat, and appears to think things through before he acts. He would, perhaps, be a good deputy." The she-cat let her mind drift back to the last few gatherings. Hawkfang... Oh, him! That skinny brown tom with a notch in his left ear. He'd do well in the moor. But the more she thought about him, the less Viperfang seemed convinced that he would make a good deputy. From what she could remember, he wasn't much older than her. Then again, he did seem to have a cool head on his shoulders. Maybe it would work out. "Betcher den meh ach lesht," Viperfang finally said with a good-natured grunt. Viperfang held her tail high and broke away from Vixenfang's trail as they started to near the campsite. She held her head up and kicked the adders so that they were dragged by her flank. "Shnakehart! C'mere anh eet yur werds!" Word Count: 296 Audience: Vixenfang Comments: None

[{Otter}]

Familiar scents swirled through the crisp leafbare air as they strolled the well-known path. ThunderClan camp neared, but the expected and anticipated flash of relief never passed Vixenfang's body. No, she wasn't happy to be back. She was glad to be in a warmer spot, a place where she could slip into a den and snuggle up with warm bodies, but this was not her home. Not anymore. ThunderClan was not her home.

Viperfang rushed forward, holding her snakes proudly in the air, and called for Snakeheart to eat her words. The skinny ginger tabby shook her head and purred ever so slightly, then padded across the camp and slipped into the warriors den. It was late, they'd had a hard day, and she needed some rest.

((Sucks, yes, but it's the end of the thread and I'm in a hurry XP))