Awaiting Arrival (Thunderclan)

[xx snakey]

Duskstar sat on the edge of the riverbank, letting the waves lap at his toes. Silverflower and Dawnpaw were waiting farther away, both looking placid on the Sunning Rocks. The sun was starting to set and Thunderclan should be gathering here soon as they waited for Cranefeather and the Riverclan patrol. Duskstar was starting to get impatient. He wanted to attack before moonhigh, before his warriors started to tire. Everyone was supposed to be getting rest now and should be waking soon. He hoped at least. He glanced back at Dawnpaw who was watching the other side of the river eagerly. He could see she was also impatient, and smiled. That was his kit, ready to fight for him whenever he wanted. Silverflower was there too, but she never intended upon going to the battle. She was only there for support, to support Dawnpaw. She could care less about Duskstar, he thought bitterly. A cool breeze ruffled his fur and he wrapped his paws around his feet. 'I hope my warriors show up soon.' He thought with slight dismay.

[it's FiSHY, scaredy-cat.]

Stumbleknot arrived first, padding hastily to the riverbank. Maybe I should slow down, he thought to himself. It was like the river was the threshold to battle, and he was speeding to it without preparation. But he was unprepared. He didn't know what to think. All his life he had never participated in a battle that would be this big before.

Dark blues, pinks and majestic purples began to flood the sky as the sun set with its warm oranges and blazing reds. The water turned dark and suddenly seemed very, very cold. Moonlight filtered through the trees and shone in beams into the forest. The silence before the storm. A light before the dark. The river rose to the deputy's ankles as it was lifted by the tide. It came to his feet and seeped through his fur, leaving them soggy and chilled to the bone.

Stumbleknot shook his head. He was noticing more and more things recently. Oh, how much better it felt to know nothing, and feel like the world was alright like when he was a kit. But being oblivious won't help now. He would have to be alert as a hare. He will not fall prey to other clan cats.

The deputy stepped forward a bit more to reach his leader. "Duskstar," he mewed with a nod. His eyes were solemn but determined. He would give it his all for his clan. Looking up at the sky, the stars were starting come out, showing themselves. Silverpelt looked more awe-inspiring than ever as the almighty moon shone white. The forest glowed silver with their luminence. Stumbleknot took this warily as a delicate sign. "We may not win it tonight, but we will not lose. Your warriors are with you," Stumbleknot mewed quietly. A somber look flooded his eyes as he looked back at the cats gathering. Many; many will die this terrible night, win or not. Why is war so sorrowful?

[wolfkitten]

Not long after Duskstar, his daughter, and Stumbleknot had arrived, another familiar small presence made herself known. Tumblestep... Fur askew and eyes bright. She wasn't eager for a fight... But she did find herself longing for her Leader's approval, no matter how... Blood thirsty and how badly this fight could go for either party. ShadowClan hadn't done anything to them as far as she knew, but when Duskstar was made Leader, they all vowed to follow him forever... And so had she.

She allowed her bright eyes to scan the small gathering of cats, unable to help the strike of fear that darted through her. What if the rest of the Clan didn't heed his call... What if they were the only cats there... But she would banish the fear in her eyes and pad over to her Leader and Deputy, and the Leader's daughter, head held hight. "Tumblestep reporting for duty sir." She was tiny, but time and time again she had proved that she was one fierce little cat.

[Silver]

Shrubwhisker trailed along behind Tumblestep, his pawsteps heavy and sorrowful. All those days and nights sparring with Rosethorn, he had never thought he would need to use those skills. Things had been wonderful, up until Silverstar died. She was the last grip StarClan had on the old ways, before new leaders flooded in and turned the forest upside-down. Somberly, he flicked his tail to Duskstar, alerting him of his presence. Then, he padded up to his apprentice, who was eagerly staring across the river. "Are you alright, Dawnpaw?" he whispered, finding her nothing but a smudge in the night as his eyes adjusted to the gloom. "Remember everything I taught you... and try to find an opponent your size... If at any point you're in trouble, don't be afraid to call for help or run... I'd much rather you come home with bumps and bruises than not at all," he sighed, his speech awkward and the words unconnected. He trembled in the cool night air, afraid of what was to come.

Rosethorn was not far behind Tumblestep and Shrubwhisker. She appeared in the moonlight besides the others as her former apprentice spoke to Dawnpaw. She padded up to Duskstar, preparing herself for what she was about to do. "Duskstar," she began slowly, "I'd like to ask permission to stay out of any fighting, tonight. Since we have no medicine cats at the moment, I feel I could better serve my Clan if I am able to tend to them, rather than be part of the attack. I know enough from my mother and observation to serve as a temporary medicine cat, if you will it," she said. Her tail flicked nervously. Duskstar worried her greatly, going off into battle with no medicine cat to back him up if something went wrong. The Clan needed someone with basic knowledge, and Rosethorn was more than willing to provide it, if StarClan let her.