His Anger Runs Cold (A Clan Meeting)

[wolfkitten]

Sharpstar snarled slightly to himself as the group of cats dissassembled from the Clearing of their beloved Camp. Now... With the facts offered him, Duskstar and ThunderClan could not get off scott free... They stepped over the line... No Leader should act this way and he had to be put down. He paced slightly as he moved into his Den, thinking of how he would tell the Clan. He had already spoken to Skyfire and told him that those wounded and those staying with them need not attend this meeting.

But before his Clan had long to spin tales to teachother, he would leap up onto the Stump, his paws moving over the scratches and nicks of the claws of cats that stood in the very place he did, so many years before he... And he nodded slightly, cementing in his own mind what he was to tell them and what was to take place now... ShadowClan could not simply sit by while all this happened... So he would give the customary yowl to his Clan, his voice certain, but not tainted with the anger he felt... Calm and collected was his way, and how he would lead his Clan. He could not allow it to fall into chaos. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather at the Stump for a Clan meeting!"

He yowled out before falling silent, seating himself upon the large tree stump, curling his tail over his paws, looking the part of the assured Leader. His Clan needed his guidance during these times of uncertainty... And he was to give it to them.

[xx snakey]

Infectedsound strode quickly from where she had been sitting on the edge of the clearing, her tail bristling with frustration. She knew what had happened and it sickened her. She could feel it run cold in her bones, the need, the lust for Thunderclan blood. They couldn't do this to her clan! Not to her or anyone she knew. Cold determination glinted in her acid green eyes as she sat before Sharpstar, looking up at him with a peircing gaze. She nodded her head slightly, hoping her thoughts were conveyed to him. She would fight this battle and she would not be satisfied unless Duskstar's blood was warm and wet on her claws. She sat calmly, only her tail's puffed fur wrapped around her paws a hint to what she was thinking. And the placid malice in her eyes. She didn't spook when Thornpaw sat next to her, fearful as a kit and pressed his fur into hers. She had taken to mothering the golden furred apprentice and welcomed his company at her side, no doubt Skyfire had dismissed him while the wounded cats rested. She wrapped her tail around his flank trying to comfort his fears thought her gaze stayed locked on her leader.

[it's FiSHY, scaredy-cat.]

...D reamcloud:.

.: A loud call rolled into her den. Dreamcloud blinked her eyes as she recognized the voice. Sharpstar, she thought to herself. But today his tone sounded different... Almost irritated; frustrated at something, she supposed.

"What's the matter?" the white she-cat mewed, half out-loud and half to herself as her paws automatically padded out into the clearing. An instinct inside her sensed that something gone wrong, and that something did more than disrupt the leader. It must've disrupted the whole clan. Lately, Dreamcloud had not noticed, her semi-blind eyes keeping her confined within her den for most of the time, but now she saw uncertainty flowing like currents through every cat, some more than others.

Absentmindedly, Dreamcloud took a seat close to Infectedsound and Thornpaw, thinking as she waited for the other cats to gather 'round.

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[Silver]

Despite Sharpstar's offered pass, Skyfire hovered in the entry way of his den. He watched with his weary and mismatched eyes as his leader took the customary position atop the Stump, calling to his Clanmates. Thornpaw slipped past him to sit beside Infectedsoun, who sat bristling below Sharpstar. Dreamcloud emerged from the warrior's den, curious but cautious. Skyfire made a mental note to check up on her later. She seemed fine, but he wanted to make sure she wasn't getting anymore fleas or in case the bump on her head had started to swell again. Secretly, he also wanted to check her eyes. It was a miracle she still had half her eyesight. Thinking about these things made Skyfire more aware of the fact the his own eyesight was dulling. Sharpstar on top of the Stump was not as clear as he had once been, although Skyfire couldn't have missed the dishonored leader if he had tried.

[it's FiSHY, scaredy-cat.]

...D reamcloud:.

.: Dreamcloud turned around to see Skyfire exit his den. He seemed a bit wary, like aware of something he hadn't thought of before. Then she realized his eyes were glancing her way. The accident...the ticks, she blinked with realization and whipped herself around so that her good eye could somewhat see the medicine cat in its peripheral vision, while she focused mainly on the leader, which now she supposed was still taut and silent, waiting. Something was going on in his mind.

Suddenly, an itching feeling came over Dreamcloud, and she wanted to know. She glanced back at Skyfire. Surely he, the medicine cat, would know what's going on? Her paws moved without thought and before she knew it, she was padding toward Skyfire.

"What's going on?" she whispered, trying to seem as healthy as possible. There was still a tick somewhere, but the bump on the head has numbed and healing. The fluffy cat sat down, curling her leg over the itchy spot, and pricked her ears for an answer.

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[wolfkitten]

(So I know this is late coming and everything, sorry about that, but I think this needs to be finished up. Sorry guys still random when I can come on, but I'm trying to get on here more.)

Sharpstar watched in silence as his beloved Clan gathered at his paws. He saw them bristling and upset, and it tore him in two. They didn't deserve that, they were under his guidance and care now... Oh Echostar why did you have to depart so soon... He questioned his capabilities something fierce... But he wouldn't let that show. Another lurch took place in the pit of his stomach as he saw how small they had become... ShadowClan had once been so very mighty but now their numblers dwindled. They were hardly ready for a war... But he would hold his head high and address his Clan.

"Today... A number of our own have been attacked... They are to be fine and are being looked after by Skyfire." He took a nod to the older Medicine Cat and then scanned the cats around him again. "This attack came from none other than Duskstar himself." He allowed a snarl to drift past his lips at the mere name and yet collected himself. "He is not to be allowed to treat ShadowClan in such a manner. I have reason to believe a war will not wait for the next moon. War is coming and we must be prepared. ShadowClan has been through many scrapes before and we will survive this one as well." He dipped his head only slightly as he fixed every cat with his blazing gaze. "We will not attack tonight. But tonight must be spent preparing. Infectedsound. Dreamcloud. I ask you to keep watch at the Entrance tonight. Thornpaw, help Skyfire to look after those wounded, and the rest of you, we will make the camp so secure that Duskstar and his cats shall not enter." He swung his gaze around to fix a trio of cats nearby. "You three lead the first patrol and report to me when you've returned."

With that the large leader would jump down from the stump, dismissing his Clanmates with a twitch of his tail. They needed a strong and confidant Leader to lead them through this... And he would give them that to the best of his ability.

Nightpaw couldn't stand to go far from Marshflight... She loved him, this much she knew... But she would move to the entrance of the Medicine Cat's den to stand near Skyfire to listen to what her father had to say. Mixed feelings dashed through her large Apprentice form... Pride in her father... Fear of upcoming days... Her unbridled love for the cat that now lay in the den behind her... The need to protect their Clan... All these coursed through her... Along with a hope that she would one day soon join the ranks of the full Warriors. She understood why this was being postponed but it hurt... She wouldn't leave Marshflight's side for a second anyway, but... Why wasn't her father making her a Warrior...

After her father's words were given, she would move quickly back inside to stay at the side of her beloved... She nuzzled him gently and checked over him again to be certain all was well.

[it's FiSHY, scaredy-cat.]

...D reamcloud:.

.: Worry filled up Dreamcloud's heart as she listened grimly to her leader's words. Battle was coming. War. She hated such things; hated them. But she would stop at nothing to give it her all to protect it. Hopefully this time she would get the chance to step it out in the battlefield rather than to be confined to the camp alone. She still had a good eye. She could use it.

"Infectedsound. Dreamcloud. I ask you to keep watch at the Entrance tonight."

"Wha-what?" Dreamcloud blinked and then shook her head shamefully. "I mean, yes, Sharpstar. I will guard it dutifully." She bowed her head, and the noise drifted out again as nervous but hopeful thoughts spun away in her head. Wars always made her fidgety like this. She didn't like it one bit.

Soon she looked up and noticed Sharpstar flicking his tail in dismissal. Seizing the chance, she padded forward in anticipation. "Sharpstar," she breathed apprehensively, trying to keep his attention from her dead eye as possible. Her fluffy tail swished as her body tensed. A warrior like her shouldn't be speaking to a leader like this. She looked down at her paws and back up to face her leader confidently. "I want to ask you something - for the battle." Dreamcloud took a deep breath. "Cats are always telling me to stay in camp and protect the clan that way while still being safe. I want to do more this time. I want to go to the battlefield. Would you please let me?" she pleaded, hope reflecting in both of her different-color eyes.

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[wolfkitten]

It was to be sure, Dreamcloud wasn't the only one... ShadowClan had earned a bad rap... And rightly so... ShadowClan had always been full of blood thirsty and power hungry cats, and yet somehow StarClan held some sense of humor and the roles reversed... The world turned on it's nose, and all wasn't how it usually was. He hated war... But it was necessary for protecting what they had it seemed...

He would release the cats that gathered, knowing the two that he asked to guard would guard well tonight. He didn't know all of his cats as well as he would like, but he knew most of them well enough. He knew of Dreamcloud's dead eye, but he also knew she was still strong and fit for battle, she could get around her weaknesses. He nodded as Dreamcloud mewed in response, and he would start off to help the cats fortify the camp.

But he found himself stalled by Dreamcloud, and his ears perked up, his body holding it's normal regal position as she approached. He would dip his head only slightly to indicate she may speak. "Yes Dreamcloud?" His voice was stern, but not unkind... He would listen to her, watching her movements quietly. He wasn't a haughty Leader... He would gladdly listen to the words of his Clanmates. He had to lead, but a good leader tood advice from wherever he could get it... As long as it was good and sound. He listened to her words, not allowing his gaze to stray to her lifeless eye. But he nodded as she spoke and smiled warmly at her. "Dreamcloud... You do the Clan a service by guarding the gamp and guarding those that cannot guard themselves... I fear this time the fight may come right here. But you will have your chance in the battlefield. I would be honored to have you fighting at my side."

He nodded slowly after he spoke, his tail swaying slightly as he granted her request, before awaiting to see if she had anything else to say.

[it's FiSHY, scaredy-cat.]

...D reamcloud:.

.: A hope filled her heart and glistened in her eyes as she listened to her leader speak: "Dreamcloud... You do the Clan a service by guarding the gamp and guarding those that cannot guard themselves... I fear this time the fight may come right here. But you will have your chance in the battlefield. I would be honored to have you fighting at my side."

She became a little crestfallen must guarding the camp once more, but at Sharpstar's encouraging words, she bowed her head eagerly and graciously. "I will do my utmost best, Sharpstar. You can be ensured I will," she mewed, her voice quivering from anticipation and fear. She had never been in the middle of a battlefield before. It was time all that practice, all the waiting for the chance to prove herself, came into play. "May StarClan be with you," she wrapped up her words, and swivelled her head around.

For a few brief heartbeats Dreamcloud just took the moment to view the cats settling in, settling down. What would it look like after the war has passed? What would it be like? She held her breath as thoughts raced through her mind of spilled blood and torn den, dead corpses and agonizing cries of grief and terror.

Without another word, she bounded away speedily to her own den, her request asked and answered.

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[Silver]

Skyfire looked sharply at Dreamcloud as she approached, his mismatched eyes speaking for him. Wait, and listen. It hardly mattered, anyway, as Sharpstar began his address, pulling all gazes to him. Skyfire listened grimly, nodding when Sharpstar acknowledged him. Fear and grief weighed down the old medicine cat's heart and his leader spoke of the inevitable war. "I am a blessed cat to have seen such long moons of peace," he sighed softly as Sharpstar leaped down from the Stump. He turned to return to his patients, his mind, like every other in the clearing, searching all it knew for a clue of what was to come. As he pushed further into his den, he caught scraps of Dreamcloud and Sharpstar's conversation. Saddly, he shook his head. I really hope you know what you're doing, Dreamcloud. Sharpstar is right; the battlefield isn't as glorious as you think...

[it's FiSHY, scaredy-cat.]

OOC; is this meeting closed? If yes, then we better archive it. ^^