Change Has Come Again

[tenacious]

[bg=black][atrb=border,0,true] Change was a thing that came to the forest often. It came in the shape of the four seasons; it came with kits being born and growing up into warriors, who would someday die and venture to StarClan. Change came when a cat dreamt with StarClan and received the nine lives they fully deserved; it came and it went, like a fog, like a cloud, like a fly, like a thought. Change. It was fleeting and short. But it was always around. Some said change was for the best; Rookstar disagreed. He was an optimistic cat, but not always to the point of being foolish, and only a fool would ignore the trouble change brought. Every Leaf-bare, cats would experience lack of prey, they would grow cold and sick. A new leader meant the fall of an old. Perhaps the most controversial change was the reform of WindClan. Rookstar’s weary paws took him away from Fourtrees and towards RiverClan territory, his eyes narrowed, his mind full of thoughts he had not expressed, for they were too jumbled for him to speak without making everything worse. WindClan. Formed by Vixenfang, the former deputy of ThunderClan. Backed up by warriors stolen from the other Clans- how could no cats have seen? How long had this been going on? And how could StarClan back them up? WindClan had been too weak to hold onto the moorland and he highly doubted the small group of scrawny cats could stand up to the forces of nature and what if other Clans became hostile? They would have to figure out their borders, after all, and it was obvious WindClan would have the moorland, but would any cat try to get another chunk? Would Vixenfang become greedy and try to take just a little bit more? Not only that, but it was unlikely that the cats in WindClan actually had WindClan blood. Their loyalty should be to their former Clans- they were traitors. But Rookstar could not ignore StarClan. Clouds had not once covered the moon, the sky itself had been quite clear, and they had even sent dreams to some cats. Thinking back, he remembered the WindClan tree, looking a little stronger. Perhaps that was also StarClan’s way of telling all the cats that WindClan belonged- in a fashion that few warriors could question. Rookstar slowly padded into camp; he would have to announce this right away, despite being tired at the moment. The RiverClan leader leapt up onto the Flat Boulder and cleared his throat before speaking, “All cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Flat Boulder for a Clan meeting!” Many warriors would probably have been sleeping, but that did not really concern Rookstar; they could go back to sleep easily, after the news had been announced. He sat with his fluffy tail wrapped around his paws, waiting patiently until it seemed most of his Clan had gathered, “As you all know, tonight was the Gathering night. Many significant events have taken place and I wish for all of you to pay attention. I will not waste time dealing with the smaller things that have taken place. RiverClan, Vixenfang of ThunderClan announced tonight that she has reformed WindClan. Warriors from each Clan have gone with her.” He paused to catch his breath, allowing time for reactions from the warriors gathered below.

[{Otter}]

[atrb=border,0,true][bg=black] Warm and cozy within the warrior's den, Ottersplash dreamed of splashing through the warm river on a lovely greenleaf day. Leafbare was finally coming to an end, although the river was still as frozen over as ever, and every spare moment he had, he thought of newleaf and the warmth that came with it. Who liked Leafbare, anyway? When Rookstar's call sounded throughout the clan camp, Ottersplash was dragged back to reality. He rose to his paws and stretched, groaning as he left the warmth of his cozy moss bed and stepped out into the cold, icy night. A single glance at the sky revealed not a cloud in sight, and the full moon cast a ghostly glow upon the camp below. Atop the Flatrock stood Rookstar. The tom spoke, and Ottersplash paid little heed to what he said. When had Gatherings ever interested him? Never, that's when. And so the chocolate tomcat zoned out...until the leader's last words caught his attention. "Vixenfang of ThunderClan announced tonight that she has reformed WindClan. Warriors from each Clan have gone with her." An inkling. A small inkling of understanding crossed Ottersplash's mind, and his pale yellow eyes widened as his gaze swept the camp. Hawkfang. Where was Hawkfang? His best of friends was nowhere in sight, and something told Ottersplash that Hawkfang wasn't coming back tonight. Or any night. ...Of course he isn't coming back. Hawkfang always loved the moors. He was...he was made for them. The thoughts entered the tomcat's mind without his permission, and a soft groan tore from his throat. The chocolate warrior sat down in the cold grass, pale yellow eyes staring straight ahead as Rookstar spoke. He ignored the cats gathering around him, he ignored his fellow Clanmates as they padded out to join in the meeting. All he could think of was Hawkfang. A traitor. Hawkfang. Traitor of RiverClan. Tail lashed angrily across the icy ground, and claws flexed in and out as he shifted his gaze to the ground. He did not understand. He couldn't comprehend it. How could anyone, any decent cat, leave their Clan? And RiverClan of all Clans? A soft, sorrowful growl rumbled from the chocolate warrior's throat, and he dug his claws into the icy ground as an uncharacteristic surge of anger flared through him. This. Was. Not. Okay. Notes;; Ottersplash is NOT happy.

[blackie]

The brown tabby she-cat simply let out a disgruntled hiss of disapproval. Cats off all clans had gone with those two. That means, someone from Riverclan had gone as well? but who? She looked around to see who had returned from tonights gathering,and who had not. Sageflame's green eyes looked around. This was not something she needed to hear.

Things changed in the forest. Thunderclan lost Snakerocks, Windclan had reformed. What would happen to Riverclan? What would happen to Shadowclan."Rookstar,"She began,"What cats went to Windclan, that you know of?" She bit her muzzle nervously Hawkfang? Where did he go? Oh goodness.

She was young, almost out of apprenticeship, slightly older. About 18 moons old, but that was still young. She wasn't used to change. Rookstar, the deputies, even the Medicine cats have seen a lot of change."Do you have any ideas as to what will happen to all the other clans?" Sageflame mewed.

[Willow]

FROSTPELT

Frostpelt had not been chosen to attend the gathering, a fact that annoyed the proud she-cat. Her long grey and white fur was fluffed up as protection against the cold wind as well as irritation. She would have been a much better cat to bring along to a gathering than some of the others Rookstar had chosen. Her green eyes glistened as she waited at the entrance to the RiverClan camp, expectantly. There were pawsteps in the distance, growing nearer. The gathering patrol was returning. She warrior’s fur stood up in anticipation now, eager to learn what had transpired on this cold, cloudless night. It must have gone without event, however, seeing as no cloud ever passed over the silver, cold face of the moon.

Frostpelt gave a nod of greeting to Rookstar as he padded into the camp. He was tired and appeared preoccupied as he traveled to the Flat Boulder. A hint of worry appeared in the green depths of the she-cat’s eyes as she followed her leader to the center of camp and sat at the base of the boulder while he called a Clan meeting. Something must have happened at the gathering, or else Rookstar would wait to call a meeting in the morning after he and his cats had rested.

Rookstar began in a slow, patient voice, commanding attention from his cats as he quickly got to the main point of his speech. “RiverClan, Vixenfang of ThunderClan announced tonight that she has reformed WindClan. Warriors from each Clan have gone with her.” The she-cat’s eyes grew huge as she listened to the straightforward words of her leader, telling her and her Clan what had happened at the fateful gathering. WindClan? But they had been gone for so many moons! Who was Vixenfang to think she could reform a once-great Clan from the fragments of traitors?!

Then she noticed one cat who was absent. Hawkfang. So, he was the traitor from RiverClan, was he? Frostpelt shook her head in scorn. She had never cared for him much, now that feeling was increased tenfold. “And StarClan didn’t block the moon?” she called out in a fury. “Have they lost their minds?!”




Words: 364
Music: None
Audience: RiverClan
Comments: My cats are generally unhappy with the WindClan thing xD

[tenacious]

[bg=black][atrb=border,0,true] What would happen to all the other Clans? Oh, how he would love to know, but Rookstar would never know the secrets of ThunderClan and ShadowClan. He would never know what their leaders planned to do. He could only attempt to anticipate every move they would make; that was what had kept him alive, after all. Anticipation. The tom was still gathering his thoughts together when Frostpelt called out, fury clear in every syllable. The tom closed his eyes for a moment and, when he opened them once more, he began to speak, “Blackmoon of ShadowClan. Viperfang, Rabbitflight, and Vixenfang of ThunderClan. And Hawkfang of RiverClan,” his voice numbed slightly as he named the warrior that had left his Clan. How could any cat leave RiverClan? They were the strongest. The smartest. How could any cat leave behind cats they had sworn to protect when they had been named warriors? Rookstar stifled a slight growl; he could not show every emotion that passed through him. They came too quickly now, for one, and he could not have his warriors echoing his own emotions to the extreme- it would only stir up more trouble then necessary. This issue was like a sleeping badger; they would have to tread carefully, unless they wished to be eaten. “I cannot predict what will happen to the other Clans, but I believe that all of us will recover from this blow. He mulled over Frostpelt’s words once more. No, StarClan had not lost their minds. StarClan may or may not be wrong- Rookstar couldn’t say for certain right now. “For now, we must respect StarClan. They have no shown any signs of displeasure and until this has become more sorted out, I don’t want any cats getting to close to the moorland, nor do I want to hear of any foolish warriors setting up their own patrols to sort things out for themselves,” Rookstar’s eyes narrowed as he spoke. The last thing the Clans needed was a group of mouse-brained felines heading off to the moor to attack WindClan.

[{Otter}]

[atrb=border,0,true][bg=black] “Blackmoon of ShadowClan. Viperfang, Rabbitflight, and Vixenfang of ThunderClan. And Hawkfang of RiverClan,” RiverClan's leader spoke, his familiar and well-loved voice low and laced with sadness. As Ottersplash raised his eyes to the face of Rookstar, he could see the same look of hurt and bewilderment mirrored in his own face. How, in StarClan's name, could any cat leave RiverClan, of all Clans? The strongest, the most well-fed Clan? And to go to the moorlands, where stringy rabbits and cold breezes awaited them. No, it made no sense. Hawkfang was smarter than that. As Ottersplash's gaze dropped back to his chocolate paws, his head slowly shook, ears flattening against his skull and tail lying limp upon the cold ground like a dead, furry snake. A brief closing of the eyes, a quick decision, and Ottersplash rose to his paws and raced out of the camp, ignoring any stares he might receive from his fellow Clanmates. He needed to be alone. He needed...he needed the river. Yes, the river. That would make everything better. Hawkfang wasn't really gone...Rookstar was mistaken. Hawkfang was smarter than this...he wasn't a traitor. Word Count;; 173 Muse;; bof Notes;; he's off to the thread with Firestripe and Frozenclaw ^.^

[Deleted]

[atrb=border,0,true][bg=black] Mosspaw stretched as he walked out from his den. He knew he wouldn't get a good night's sleep until he heard what had happened at the Gathering. Tired as he was, he pulled himself to his feet and walked lazily toward the Flat Boulder, where he knew there'd be a meeting. There usually was, especially if there was urgent news to report. Hadn't he heard from a patrol that ShadowClan had taken a bit of territory from ThunderClan? Maybe they had asked RiverClan to help. The idea sent shivers down his spine. Other than Fourtrees, he'd never been outside of RiverClan territory. And he'd like a chance to show off his newly learnt battle moves to a few poor ShadowClan apprentices. As his mind jumped off topic, he missed the meeting call from Rookstar and was surprised to see that cats had gathered around him already. “As you all know, tonight was the Gathering night. Many significant events have taken place and I wish for all of you to pay attention. I will not waste time dealing with the smaller things that have taken place. RiverClan, Vixenfang of ThunderClan announced tonight that she has reformed WindClan. Warriors from each Clan have gone with her.” The young tom's eyes widened in shock. WindClan? That elders' story was true? And cats were going to recreate it? Mosspaw looked around while questions were yowled off, trying to find out who was absent from the crowd. He could see Ottersplash's tail a few cats away. Frostpelt and Sageflame were there as well, but he knew that by the sound of their voices. “Blackmoon of ShadowClan. Viperfang, Rabbitflight, and Vixenfang of ThunderClan. And Hawkfang of RiverClan.” Mosspaw breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't know what he'd do with himself if Darkstorm, Rockpaw, Shadepaw, or Icefeather left. But he knew Ottersplash would be sad. He'd often seen the two hanging out. He imagined Shadepaw leaving for the moors and guessed that the brown warrior would be feeling the same way. “I cannot predict what will happen to the other Clans, but I believe that all of us will recover from this blow. For now, we must respect StarClan. They have no shown any signs of displeasure and until this has become more sorted out, I don’t want any cats getting to close to the moorland, nor do I want to hear of any foolish warriors setting up their own patrols to sort things out for themselves.” "Where will the WindClan border be, though?" Mosspaw piped up, surprising himself. He usually remained quiet at meetings. Word Count: 429 Audience: Cats of RiverClan Comments: None

[{Otter}]

Not a word did she speak. The fluffy white warrior sat in the center of the group of RiverClanners, and as Rookstar spoke, her ears slowly flattened. The more was said, the more her teeth bared. When Hawkfang's name was mentioned, she released a furious, wordless snarl and dug her claws into the earth beneath her. Traitors were no better than foxes. Treacherous, nasty, thieving, murderous foxes.

The sorry excuse of a warrior that was Ottersplash rushed out of camp, and a sneer of derision graced Icefeather's face. Right, of course the chocolate tomcat would be upset. Hawkfang was his best friend. But as she watched Ottersplash race out of camp, her eyes narrowed slowly, and she lashed her large tail in fury. There would be those who would not want to attack the WindClanners. Those who would not want to harm Hawkfang. But to Icefeather, the treasonous warrior was as good as dead. If ever she saw him, he wouldn't get back to his little moors with both ears and two good eyes.

But she didn't speak, though snarls and growls were fighting at her throat. Arguing with Rookstar was useless--she knew this. And if StarClan had willed WindClan to be created, then so be it. None of that meant she would agree....and it absolutely did not mean she'd let Hawkfang get away.

"I don’t want any cats getting to close to the moorland, nor do I want to hear of any foolish warriors setting up their own patrols to sort things out for themselves.”

Want whatever you want, Rookstar, she thought, her eyes drifting towards the moors. That traitor has no right to leave us. He will pay. But how? She would not sully her reputation by disobeying Rookstar's command. And then, when Mosspaw spoke up, an idea lodged itself in her mind.

"Perhaps we should send a patrol to the edge of the territory? We should let WindClan know they can't be coming in and out of RiverClan territory," she suggested quietly, packing as much innocent interest into her voice as she could...though the tip of her tail twitched with the effort. Her claws slipped in and out of her paws, scratching at the thin layer of snow beneath her, but she forced her eyes to remain fully open, her ears to stay pricked up, and her fluffy fur to stay flat and unruffled. "I have not taken Mosspaw on a patrol yet." She glanced at the young apprentice out of the corner of her eyes, hoping he would betray some sort of eagerness to help her case.

Word count;; 426
Muse;; bof. It's...not so great
Notes;; sorry about the sucky post. Oh, and if we ever wanted to have a little border scrap, Icefeather would be glad to be the one to lead the way

[tenacious]

[bg=black][atrb=border,0,true] ”Where will the WindClan border be, though?” It was a good question. A very good question- one that Rookstar could not provide the answer to. But, how could he simply tell his Clan he didn’t know? Ottersplash had already fled from the meeting; he then remembered that he had seen Ottersplash and Hawkfang wrestling together on many occasions. The young warrior would have to overcome whatever emotions he was experiencing, though. It would be hard for some, but the cats of WindClan were nothing more then cats of another Clan. He briefly considered going to speak with Vixenfang, but he would not travel through the moorlands alone (just as he would not set paw on ShadowClan or ThunderClan territory alone) and he could not lead a patrol onto their territory. It might appear hostile. Even though a RiverClan patrol could easily defeat all of WindClan (five cats was nothing, really), Rookstar did not wish to anger StarClan, or any cats that may be supporting WindClan. From his own Clan and the others. His gaze drifted over to Icefeather as she spoke. Rookstar had heard her snarl when he reached Hawkfang’s name, but it was a good suggestion. One small patrol to the border. It would not be trespassing and it would be likely to meet a WindClanner or two. But who to bring? He narrowed his eyes as he swept his gaze over the cats gathered below him; Icefeather, yes. It had been her suggestion. And Mosspaw…he frowned slightly before nodding to himself. Alright. Mosspaw. “I cannot say for certain where the borders will lay. So, Mintleaf, you will lead a patrol to the edge of the territory. See if you can spot any WindClan cats. It would be best if you could find Vixenfang herself; make it clear that we will not tolerate trespassing, without attacking, and try to find out where Vixenfang plans to try and establish borders,” Rookstar mewed, looking at Mintleaf as he spoke. The tom waited a few more moments before leaping down from his perch. He was hungry and he had well earned his fish.