Disagreement (Elkstar?)

[{Otter}]

((Figure we may as well start the falling-out )

Small puffs of fog shifted through the icy air as a small, scrawny warrior made her way across the frosted ground. She had emerged from the warmth of the warriors' den with certain regret, and even as she placed one ginger paw before the other, her mind was drifting back to the warm bush, where she could snuggle in with her fellow warriors and sleep the cold afternoon away. The Clan had plenty of prey today, and there wasn't much for a warrior, even deputy, to do but stay warm and avoid sickness. And yet there was a lot to do. Quite a lot.

Elkstar's words at the last Gathering had haunted Vixenfang ever since they were uttered. Her leader had withdrawn ThunderClan from the fight for the moorlands. She had made it perfectly clear that RiverClan or ShadowClan, whoever won, could very well take the moorlands for themselves. ThunderClan weren't even going to fight. Not at all.

The decision did make sense; Vixenfang had to admit that. ThunderClan did have plenty of prey and didn't need to get into any unnecessary fights. RiverClan and ShadowClan should be allowed to weaken one another while ThunderClan stayed away from the bloodshed. Vixenfang would have accepted Elkstar's decision without much argument...except for one thing: Vixenfang longed for the moorlands. Ever since her recent trip up there, where she had met the RiverClan warrior Hawkfang, her mind had drifted back to the moorland every few hours. It was the one place where she was at an advantage. She could run, she could catch rabbits in ways that most other warriors couldn't. The wide, open spaces and biting wind were different, yes, but not impossible to get used to. She...couldn't stand the idea of RiverClan or ShadowClan controlling that territory. Of Hawkfang being allowed to run free through the land, while she had to stay away. It was too much. Two territories was too much for one Clan to hold, anyway.

And after her talk with Hawkfang...she couldn't think of anything but the moorlands. Of WindClan. Of...the possibility of them coming back. No, not "possibility". It wasn't possible, surely. But even so, she couldn't stop the treacherous thoughts from invading her mind. She had to speak to Elkstar. Perhaps speaking to her leader would dispel her worries...or make everything worse. Vixenfang wasn't even sure which she'd prefer--her loyalty to ThunderClan being strengthened, or her discontent being fed. Either way, she'd be unhappy. It was a lose-lose situation.

The ginger paws came to a stop at the large boulder that was the Highrock. Elkstar's scent clung to the boulder, for it was her Highrock...her den. She was leader of ThunderClan. And yet...Vixenfang shook her head roughly. She respected Elkstar like crazy, but she refused to keep silent and not speak her mind. That went against her character.

"Elkstar?"

[/b] she mewed, amber eyes seeking her leader's form in the shadows of the den. "May I enter?"



[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Elkheart]

The moonlight struck the Great Rock, putting a spotlight on it. Elkstar's eyes widened in shock, the Great Rock was drenched in blood. She just started to notice the screeches and shrieks coming from beneath the holy Rock. Small, scrawny cats were darting out of Windclan's dead tree... although the tree was now standing taller, it was green and lush with leaves sprouting from it's branches. Bigger cats were coming out of Shadowclan's tree. Their tree was leafless and so was Riverclan's! Thunderclan's tree was neutral, it was taller than the others but shorter than Windclan's and it's leaves were still sprouting, but very slowly. Elkstar searched around wildly, looking for some shelter to hide from the incredible battle. When she looked back at the cats their pelts were starting to glow in an iridescent rainbow. Starry-pelted cats were floating down towards the Great Rock from the sky. Elkstar stared, awestruck, at the scene happening before her eyes. The blood was being chased from the Great Rock, leading to the clearing full of the fighting cats. It was surging towards them like a river over flowing. "No!" Elkstar yowled out of fright. The crimson wave grew bigger and finally, it crashed on top of the Thunderclan Leader. Elkstar closed her eyes and thought to herself This can't be the end! Not yet, not yet!


Elkstar twitched in her sleep then woke up with a growl.
"Elkstar? May I enter?" It was her Deputy, Vixenfang. She sighed in relief, the nightmare wasn't apart of reality no matter how much of it seemed real. Maybe it was a prophecy... she'd have to try to figure it out later by herself. After she got some ideas then maybe she would share it with Vixenfang. Then again, you could go to Highstones and ask Starclan for some guidance... she thought to herself. "Yes, Vixenfang, come in," Elkstar tried to steady her quivering voice so she could hide the information from her Deputy.

[{Otter}]

The reply did not come for several moments, and when it did, her voice sounded...off. It wasn't anything too strange or surprising, however, and Vixenfang figured Elkstar sounded uneasy simply because she was stressed. Any cat in her position would be stressed; it was leafbare, prey was beginning to run scarce, and, on top of all that, RiverClan and ShadowClan were preparing to fight for the moorlands. Did Vixenfang have any right to be here, prepared to argue with Elkstar and put her Clan in even more danger? I have every right to voice my opinion, she thought after a moment, and the skinny warrior slipped into the shadows of the leader's den.

Elkstar was sitting up, waiting for her, and even if Vixenfang had had the ability to read expressions, she would have seen nothing--Elkstar was composed. She was always composed, always seemed to be ready for whatever was coming her way. Vixenfang had always respected her, and in the past, they had rarely had disagreements or conflicting opinions on subjects, big or small. Elkstar was not a big, hulking cat that looked down on Vixenfang, but rather almost the same size, if only a little bit larger and longer, and that similarity had always given Vixenfang a certain feeling of camaraderie with Elkstar...the same camaraderie she felt towards Hawkfang, the small RiverClan warrior.

Now that she was there, Vixenfang realized there was no going back, but she wasn't worried. If they disagreed, they disagreed. This meeting, this conversation, would make Vixenfang's decision easier whichever way it fell.

"Elkstar," she mewed slowly, skipping formalities and small talk. In her opinion, throwing about shallow words such as "how are you?" and "what's up?" was just another way to lie. "I can't help but feel that choosing not to fight for the moorlands was a bad idea. RiverClan and ShadowClan might weaken one another, yes, but in the end, one of them will win, and they will have an entire new territory to feed themselves with." Now that she thought about it, she realized it was true. She couldn't imagine ShadowClan having all that extra prey. She paused, trying to think of some rebukes that might be made against her words. Realizing one, she added, "Few of the cats in any Clan have much success on the moors, but there are enough of them that it could greatly help whichever Clan got control of that land. ThunderClan may not need the prey this leafbare, but we might one day. When that day comes, if things continue this way, the moorlands will be out of bounds."

[Elkheart]

Vixenfang slipped into Elkstar's den. A cold wind drifted in along with her. Elkstar shivered and figured she was getting paranoid when she thought it was a sign from Starclan. She shook her head quickly to clear her mind. Now, what would Vixenfang possibly want? When her deputy started speaking, and voicing her opinion, she couldn't help but admire her. She was brave enough to come to her leader and tell her what she thought. Of course she shouldn't be scared of Elkstar, but sometimes Elkstar felt frightened by her own Clanmates. She often questioned their loyalty and she didn't trust them as much as she used to. The long furred leader let out a faint hiss. She was paranoid and she needed to snap out of it pronto.

"Look, Vixenfang, deep down I know I made the right decision," she stared into her deputy's eyes and decided she should tell her about her latest dream, "I had a dream just before you walked in here to talk to me." So, Elkstar described her dream exactly how she saw it. Once she finished she started to regret saying anything, afterall it would have been easy for her just to say she agreed with Vixenfang. "I believe Windclan is rising. I think they're coming back to the forest and will once more reside on the open moors," her voice was rising with excitement, if it was true then Thunderclan would have another Clan that would back them up in battles. We won't be alone anymore! There would be no reason to fight for the moors if Windclan comes back! The problem can be resolved. She thought in glee of the idea forming in her mind. But, the glee ended abruptly. How dare she be so excited. She shouldn't be happy for a rival clan rising from the ashes. It was disloyal to her Clan. Maybe she was unloyal, she was nothing like a Thunderclan cat. Realization hit her like a fierce blow in battle. Maybe she was a descendant from Windclan.

[{Otter}]

A soft growl almost escaped Vixenfang's lips as Elkstar began to talk about how she felt it was the best choice. How could that possibly be? Elkstar's choice could very well lead to something that would greatly endanger ThunderClan... something that their own deputy would instigate. How could the decision to not fight for the moorlands be a good thing? To let RiverClan or ShadowClan take the moorlands? Great StarClan, how?

She didn't want to betray her Clan. Vixenfang loved ThunderClan. She had been born here, raised here, and somehow managed to make her way to deputy. If something happened to Elkstar, Vixenfang would then be leader. Because of that fact, the small, skinny she-cat knew it wasn't ambitions that brought her idea upon her. She didn't need to be ambitious. If she was plotting this betrayal just because she wanted to be leader, that would be ridiculous. She was already next in line for ThunderClan's leadership. That was not the reason she was thinking this way, and any cat, even ones who knew nothing about her, could see that.

And then Elkstar went on to explain her dream. A sign from StarClan, without a doubt. Vixenfang closed her eyes as she pictured the sight Elkstar was describing. WindClan rising again. It was so very clear that WindClan would be successful--their tree was regrowing, rising, budding. There were many cats darting from that tree, which meant many cats would follow Vixenfang if she did, in fact, decide to carry out her ridiculous plan.

"I believe Windclan is rising. I think they're coming back to the forest and will once more reside on the open moors."

To Vixenfang's great shock, she didn't hear any resentment or fear in Elkstar's voice. No, there was excitement there...eagerness. Why? Why would she be excited by this prospect? WindClan were once great allies of ThunderClan, Vixenfang realized after a moment, eyes widening slowly as she thought of the stories she had been told as a kit. WindClan and ThunderClan often sided together against RiverClan and ShadowClan. Perhaps she thinks... Deep amber eyes drifted to her leader, studying her intensely. Was Elkstar hoping for this change to come about? Did she understand it would mean losing her deputy and perhaps other cats of her Clan? Of perhaps being blamed by RiverClan and ShadowClan, because she let her deputy betray her?

In any case, Vixenfang realized the conversation was slowly becoming moot. She had come in here to ask Elkstar to reconsider her decision, and Elkstar had ended with telling her that StarClan had sent her a dream about this. About WindClan rising. And Elkstar was happy about it! The decision was made for Vixenfang, she realized. Nothing was stopping her from doing what she had planned...and only loyalty was keeping her tied to ThunderClan. Loyalties could change, though. She would cope. But she was angry, and her eyes narrowed slowly. Why did Elkstar have to make this so easy? Vixenfang didn't want to betray ThunderClan, not after 40 moons of intense loyalty, but if Elkstar wouldn't let go of her decision to stay out of the moorlands....Selfish as it was, Vixenfang knew she couldn't cope without being able to chase after rabbits and use her StarClan-given strengths.

But...she had to be sure. Never could Vixenfang actually tell Elkstar what she was planning. Her leader would have to do something about it, if she did. Elkstar was too honorable to allow Vixenfang to do something like this. And so she continued, "Elkstar, are you saying...that you think this might actually happen? You think WindClan might truly be reformed?" She wanted so badly to spill everything. It wasn't like Vixenfang to keep something like this from anyone, especially not the leader she respected above all. "Wouldn't it be better to take the moorlands and not allow WindClan to arise?" Even as she said it, the ginger fur along Vixenfang's spine bristled ever so slightly. She realized that her decision was already made. The idea of any Clan, even ThunderClan, taking over WindClan was already disgusting to her. She wouldn't admit it to herself, but she knew that her path was set now.

[Elkheart]

Elkstar sighed as her deputy continued with the interrogation. "Not many cats think of me as wise or even smart, but I know for sure they will. It's all in Starclan's plan, that dream I had made sure of it." She waited for a few heartbeats to answer the next question then she answered, he voice full of confidence, "Only a fool would take land that doesn't belong to them. The moors don't fit Thunderclan thus it doesn't belong to us but to Windclan. And I wouldn't want to interfere with Starclan's plan, the ending would be.. unpleasant. Elkstar kept her tone even and steady throughout her thought. She felt lighter than a feather with all the weight on her back gone. Along with that feeling she also felt older in way, like she had gained something from this conversation. Elkstar let out some coughs, it seemed as if something was tickling her throat from the inside. Her paranoia was starting to return now and she was off, listing what could be making her throat feel like this.
1. I swallowed something and it's not going down.
2. It's the cold weather bothering your throat.
3. Or it's.. whitecough. Elkstar tried to blink her worries away but the thought of being sick consumed her. She couldn't possibly become sick now, not now! She wouldn't be able to lead the border patrols or stay healthy for her Clan.
Snap out of it! Get a hold of yourself, Elkstar. You can't fall apart now! she mentally scolded herself for ever thinking such things. She looked up and hoped Vixenfang didn't notice her tortured expression. Suddenly, the weight that was balanced on her shoulders returned, but one thing was different. It was heavier than before.


Notes: I know, it's absolutely horrible. I have no muse at all right now. =/

[{Otter}]

((eh, you're fine ^.^))

"And I wouldn't want to interfere with Starclan's plan."

These words were all that registered in Vixenfang's mind, and she frowned a bit as she listened. StarClan's plan. Surely it was. Elkstar sure seemed to believe it. Did her dream mean Vixenfang was doing the right thing? Or was she supposed to stop and let the world take its course? Maybe a different cat was to rise and bring WindClan back. How could she be sure it was her?

She couldn't, but she decided it didn't matter. The case was closed, her decision final. Elkstar couldn't possibly hate her once she left. It was Elkstar, after all, who had driven her to this brash decision. Elkstar who had enforced her resolved by telling her of the dream. Surely, oh surely, Elkstar would still respect her.

Vixenfang knew she couldn't live without the moors. What was her choice then? Join RiverClan or ShadowClan, since one of them were planning on taking over the moorlands. But no, she had enough loyalty and dignity not to do that. She would shame ThunderClan even worse that way, and that was not her intention. Another option? Sneak onto the moorlands even when another Clan ruled it. That was as bad as trespassing, and she could get ThunderClan into trouble. No, there was only one answer. Rebuild WindClan. And she would.

Nothing was holding her back now, she realized as her eyes traveled from Elkstar and to the stone walls of her den. It was chilly in here, though she figured once curled in her moss bed, Elkstar would really be quite warm. This was the den she, Vixenfang, would one day sleep in if she remained in ThunderClan, and if she outlived her leader. Vixenfang was not an ambitious cat--she had not chosen to be deputy, she had merely acted quickly in the midst of battle.

If she waited, she would one day be the respected leader of ThunderClan. She would remain with Brackenheart and Viperfang, the two main cats she would miss the most if she left. She would be able to tell Timberpelt, that mousebrained warrior, what to do, and he would have to respect her. But all this, for what? Leadership of a land she didn't love, while she watched RiverClan or ShadowClan enjoy the moorlands. Hawkfang would be able to run free on the moors, if RiverClan won. Vixenfang, then Vixenstar, would not. She would rule a Clan, but not one she had her heart in. No, her heart would forever be in the moors.

It all became very simple now. Or, if not simple, very clear. Talk to Hawkfang again, see if he was still up to it. Find other cats like them. Find a time to leave, and do it publicly, so any other cats could follow. Find a camp, prepare to be attacked. For she feared that they would, most certainly, meet opposition. But with cats from every Clan (she hoped), surely their old clanmates would be less than eager to attack. Not some, she knew. But many would be hesitant to attack their former friends and allies.

A soft cough escaped Elkstar's throat, and Vixenfang's mind shot back to her leader. She had simply been sitting here, thinking about her plans, while Elkstar seemed to have something very heavy on her mind, as well. The cough, though...it was not a comforting sound. "Are you well, Elkstar?" she asked uneasily, wondering if Elkstar was sick and simply had told no one. That would be foolish! Their medicine cat could do something for a cold, if she had one. If it was only a cold. Whitecough, even, would be fine. But not greencough. "Do you need to go to the medicine cat's den?" StarClan curse her if she did not feel worry for her leader. She wasn't their enemy yet. She didn't want ThunderClan to be left with a weak leader.

((Was it called greencough? that's the one that kills? I don't remember))