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Post by faraway on Jun 11, 2008 9:33:42 GMT -8
Swiftfeather stood very still in the middle of the camp, looking up at the lightening sky. Dawn was just around the corner, but Silverpelt glittered across the warrior's gaze, showering the Dawnclan camp with dots of light. The moon was hidden by the trees that edged the camp, but it was possible to see the small rays the sliver was giving off through the branches and leaves.
The ginger she-cat closed her eyes, letting a small breeze waft through her fur. She had gotten enough sleep to last her one day from a sunhigh nap and a rest after a hunt. The camp would be waking up soon, but Swiftfeather enjoyed the early hours of morning to collect her thoughts and plan for the day.
Opening her gray eyes, Swiftfeather looked up at StarClan with contempt. There had been little trouble for the Clans in the past seasons - except for the past few Gatherings, which had gotten a little interesting. Today would be another day of hunting, listening, and sharing tongues. With any luck, news would arrive of a battle or mishap of some sort. While thinking of listening, Swiftfeather's ears swiveled around as the branches of the den behind her announced the arrival of another cat. Very quickly and slightly, the she-cat's muscles tensed.
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Post by Silver on Jun 13, 2008 17:28:48 GMT -8
"Relax," Sootclaw growled, emergining from behind the apprentice's den. He padded up to Swiftfeather, too obvious the fact that he was masking his emotion. "It's just me," he sighed sitting beside her. He nodded his head in acnowledgement. "Have you seen Treepaw lately? I don't believe I've seen him in camp for a day or two," his voice was calm, a casual question, but he shifted his weight from paw to paw edgedly. He glanced up at Silverpelt, which was fighting the dawn. It glittered faintly, yet it had a strong presence. His tail flicked beind him, gently thumping the ground. His ears swilveled this way and that, as if trying to locate every sound. Treepaw, where are you? If anything ever happen to you... he thought glumly, his shoulder's saging. Treepaw was a bundle of trouble, but he was Sootclaw's apprentice all the same, and he had grown used to the apprentice. But now Sootclaw couldn't find him. Where was he?
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Post by Torn on Jun 14, 2008 5:44:50 GMT -8
By the way the young grey she-cat was positioned, you'd think she was minding her own buisness. But minding her own buisness was exactly what she wasn't doing. Wolfpaw sat and stared the opposite way to the adult warriors, but one ear angled itself towards their conversation, soon followed by the other.
"Have you seen Treepaw lately? I don't believe I've seen him in camp for a day or two" Came Sootclaw's voice from across the clearing. Frowning, she followed his line of thought. Slowly, she considered what he had said. When it was thought about, she realised she hadn't seen him either.
She knew Sootclaw was Treepaw's mentor, so it was a bit weird that he hadn't seen him for a few days if nothing was wrong. Frowning, she looked around, then poked her head in the apprentice den. Treepaw's black shape was nowhere to be seen. She'd been up a while, and she hadn't seen him come out, so he hadn't got up for some early hunting and managed to avoid everyone. Wolfpaw pressed his nest with her paw, learning it wasn't warm so he'd been away a while. Pacing round outside the den, she stared at the Clan just arousing, wondering where he'd gone.
I don't like Treepaw that much, but hes part of my Clan. What if hes in trouble? |
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Post by faraway on Jun 14, 2008 9:55:10 GMT -8
"Relax," a familiar voice meowed from behind Swiftfeather. "It's just me." Sootclaw padded up next to Swiftfeather, looking a little dejected. "Have you seen Treepaw lately? I don't believe I've seen him in camp for a day or two." The warrior's voice was calm, but his fidgety behavior gave away his true thoughts. Swiftfeather watched almost amusedly as he glanced up at Silverpelt as though expecting StarClan to answer his unspoken question.
However, the problem intrigued the nosy Swiftfeather. She gingerly raised her own head, but only to sniff the scents swirling throughout the camp. All sorts of scents lingered, growing stronger by the dens where most of the cats had slept. Treepaw's scent was there, but decidedly fainter and older than all of the other cats. The Clan was waking up, which didn't help, but Swiftfeather caught another strong scent - Wolfpaw's. Instantly the ginger she-cat swiveled her head towards the apprentice den. There was movement inside; Wolfpaw?
Swiftfeather turned back towards Sootclaw. "Missing Treepaw?" she asked. "Interesting. I don't believe I've seen him in a while either. You think he might have left Clan camp (sorry) by himself?" She shook her head. "I wouldn't put it past that little scamp. Why don't you tell Waterstar and organize a patrol to find him?" she suggested. Inside, she was overjoyed that perhaps the idea hadn't occured to Sootclaw earlier - if it had, that would have been disappointing, but Swiftfeather was glad that the warrior was confiding in her. If it was confiding at all.
Actually, why hadn't the Clan noticed that Treepaw was gone? Swiftfeather recalled wondering where he had gone once upon a time - then it had slipped her mind. Was the Clan really falling apart that much?
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Post by Silver on Jun 14, 2008 17:38:09 GMT -8
"Left the Clan?" Sootclaw repeated. Silverpelt shone weakly before surrendering to the rising sun. One side of the the sky was gushing colors; yellow and orange, purple and blue. Yet beind him, night still reined. "A patrol? Of course. He probably just wandered off again. He's always getting himself in trouble," Despite his words, worry seeped through his voice. "Yes, that has to be it," he muttered. The Gathering came back to mind. The loners... could the BloodGang they spoke of have something to do with Treepaw? The Clan was awaking with the sun, the camp slowly filling with activity. "I'll speak with Waterstar right away. Thank you, Swiftfeather," he said with a soft smile. It never reached his eyes though, for they stared ahead emotionlessly. "Could you do me a favor and wake Frostfur for me, please? She'll want to come along..." Sootclaw's gaze followed Swiftfeather's. There was movement in the apprentice's den. Wolfpaw's scent drifted toward him. Was she listening? Does she even care about Treepaw? he thought, turning toward the leader's den.
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Post by faraway on Jun 15, 2008 9:51:00 GMT -8
((OoC: Sorry - left the camp. xD Left the camp... you don't have to change it, just my mistake))
Swiftfeather gave Sootclaw a look full of something near contempt, but not quite. He seemed worried, and the smile he gave the she-cat never really graced any other of his features. This was one worried cat, but Swiftfeather didn't quite get why - Treepaw always got in trouble. Surely he could take care of himself.
"Could you do me a favor and wake Frostfur for me, please? She'll want to come along..." meowed Sootclaw. He turned towards the apprentice den where the warriors had scented Wolfpaw before. Swiftfeather looked curiously at the other warrior, for this was far more distracted than she had ever seen before.
"Sure, Sootclaw," she replied. "I'll go get Frostfur while you tell Waterstar, ok?" The warrior gently reminded him of the task which he was doing. She dipped her muzzle for a moment and then turned towards the warriors den where the deputy slept.
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Post by Silver on Jun 15, 2008 12:43:45 GMT -8
((Ok, because Bella probably won't reply, we'll just say he slipped into the den and got the ok!))
Frostfur blinked awoke to the first rays of dawn. She yawned, then curled herself up again and closed her eyes. She wanted to get back to her dream, her lovely dream that was already slipping from her memory. As much as she tried, she just couldn't get her body to sleep. But at the same time, her muscles were still in resting mode, refusing to get up. Her eyes stayed closed and her breath stayed even, though she imagined herself rising to stretch and begin the day. Voices drifted through the air, but Frostfur couldn't quite make them out. Go back to sleeeeeeep, she whined to herself.
Sootclaw nodded, and padded off to the leader's den. Peering in, he noticed Waterstar just begining to rise. He spoke with her quickly about his problem, and she gave him permission to leave. With a quick thanks, he hurried back out. Why are you so worried about a little runt that doesn't even listen to you? Why are you so shaken up? he hissed at himself. He couldn't answer his own questions. He made a quick list of who he would take. Frostfur, himself, Swiftfeather maybe? He didn't think it would take many cats to find an apprentice. He could take Wolfpaw, so she could practice her tracking skills. That's about all the cats they would need... Sootclaw sighed. He felt like an old mother elder worried about her kits. He can take care of himself... I hope
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Post by faraway on Jun 16, 2008 12:31:04 GMT -8
((You got it))
Swiftfeather ducked her muzzle into the den and glanced around, looking for the tell-tale silvery white pelt of the Clan deputy. Spotting the sleepy Frostfur, she padded carefully through the mounds of sleeping and waking warriors. Soon she came towards the she-cat and nudged her with her nose.
"Frostfur," she hissed quietly. "Frostfur. Wake up. Sootclaw wants you." She continued to nudge Frostfur for a bit, then sat back, noticing how the deputy seemed unwilling to wake up. "Come on," she meowed impatiently, a little bit louder. She looked outside, where dawn was coming up more quickly. Everyone would be awake soon, they would have to leave early to avoid questions. She turned back towards the she-cat and nudged her with her paw.
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Post by Silver on Jun 17, 2008 12:04:09 GMT -8
Frostfur sighed as someone began to nudge her. She squeezed her eyes shut, willing the warrior to go away, but it did no good. At the mention of Sootclaw, she peered at the cat who was forcing her up. Swiftfeather. When she meowed again inpatiently, she grunted "Mmph."
When she nudged her again, Frostfur gave up. She rose slowly, stretching her tired muscles. It felt sooo good to stretched out. After an abnormally long stretch, she unconcisly flopped down. That felt even better. Sootclaw needs you. Wake up, lazy! she scolded herself. "Sorry, Swiftfeather," she yawned. "I'm just unwilling to move today," she explain, getting back to her feet. She padded out of the den, blinking away the quickly ariving sun. Out in the warmth of the sun, the gears in Frostfur's head started to work again. "What does Sootclaw need?" she asked Swiftfeather politly.
Sootclaw peered into the apprentice den. "Wolfpaw? May I speak to you?" he asked. He taped his tail impatiently for a few moments, before asking anyway. "Has Treepaw been in the den lately? No, I see he hasn't. Well, when was the last time your mentor took you out? Nevermind, that doesn't matter. You're coming with me and Frostfur on a patrol this morning. We're going to look for your missing denmate," he meowed. Before the apprentice could reply, he turned and strolled to the entrance, where he continued his impatient tail tapping.
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Post by Torn on Jun 17, 2008 12:39:20 GMT -8
Despite the situation, Wolfpaw smiled. Her first mission! She looked in the den once more, where Treepaw's sister and her best friend, Vinepaw, slept soundly. Not wanting to wake her up, she crept away and over to where SootClaw sat.
Her mentor and the deputy, Frostfur, and Swiftfeather were talking outside the warriors den. She shot a smile at her mentor, who seemed not to notice, so Wolfpaw looked the other way, at Sootclaw.
At the sight of his mentor, her mind drifted to Treepaw, the (well, supposed to be) main focus. Where could he be? She'd heard about the problems at the gathering; could these strange rogues be involved?
Her belly rumbled, and she realised that she hadn't eaten yesterday night. The fresh kill pile looked fairly high, and she considered going to Sootclaw to ask. The other apprentices all said he was scary, but she didn't think so. He looked like a normal warrior to her. A grumpy and fierce one, but a normal one all the same. Walking over, she mewed politely "Sootclaw? Will we be able to hunt on the way there? Or should I eat something now."
I wonder where Treepaw is now? He can't have gone too far, could he? |
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Post by faraway on Jun 17, 2008 12:49:20 GMT -8
After what seemed an eternity for the impatient Swiftfeather, Frostfur pulled her lazy body up and stretched out before waking up more fully.
"Sorry Swiftfeather, I'm just unwilling to move today," meowed the deputy, yawning. She got up and began to walk towards the den entrance. Swiftfeather followed her out into the rising sun. "What does Sootclaw need?" she asked politely to the warrior.
"Problems with a missing apprentice," the ginger cat replied promptly. "Aha, there Sootclaw is." The tom was emerging from the apprentice den looking worried as ever and Swiftfeather nodded. "You'd best ask him for the details."
Wolfpaw's scent returned to Swiftfeather and she turned again to the apprentice's den to see the she-cat returning. She looked excited despite Treepaw being missing and Swiftfeather realized that she must be going along with them. Swiftfeather nodded towards him to alert his presence to Frostfur before padding quietly over to Sootclaw.
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Post by Silver on Jun 17, 2008 14:13:35 GMT -8
"I'd eat know if I were you," Sootclaw told the apprentice, before turning to Frostfur who had padded up to him, eyes full of worry. "What's this I hear about a missing apprentice?" she asked, glancing behind him at Wolfpaw. Her eyes traveled to the apprentice den, and he saw her nose twitch. Her eyes widened in even more worry. "Oh no!" she whispered, and Sootclaw nodded. "Treepaw's missing. We think he's been gone about two days. StarClan, I can't believe I didn't notice!" he growled to himself. Frostfur nodded slowly. Two days sounded about right. The last time she had seen the apprentice, he had come back empty-handed from a hunting trip. His story seemed unrealistic, but she had let him off with a warning. She had been proud to think that her brother's apprentice had scared off a rouge, but now she was thinking differently. What exactly happened between him and said 'rouge?' Her motherly worry became real fright. What happened to Treepaw? But she kept her worry much better hiden than Sootclaw. He must not be used to hiding emotion... She nodded again and padded over to the entrance with Sootclaw. "You eat something, too," he meowed at her. She glared at him, before he sighed, "I'll eat as well."
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Post by faraway on Jun 20, 2008 12:43:33 GMT -8
Swiftfeather watched the interaction between brother and sister, but something was nagging at her. She watched them speak about eating and bounded a little closer.
"Frostfur? Sootclaw?" Swiftfeather looked at them. "I'm coming too, right?" She had assumed she was, but the way they were talking made her feel a little... left out. The warrior did not like the feeling - she had to be totally sure that that was what they were talking about.
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Post by Silver on Jun 20, 2008 12:50:49 GMT -8
"Of course!" Frostfur meowed. She gently nudged a shrew toward the warrior. "We might as well all eat before we leave. This is very... upsetting news," she sighed. Sootclaw was staring down at his meal, looking like he was ready to spring. At a look from Frostfur, he began nibbling on his magpie, and before long it was gone and Sootclaw was on his feet. Frostfur ,too, finished her meal quickly, but much slower than her brother. "Do you have any thoughts about this, Swiftfeather?" she asked the warrior kindly.
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Post by faraway on Jun 27, 2008 12:45:50 GMT -8
Swiftfeather visibly relaxed as Frostfur smothered her doubts. The deputy pushed a shrew towards the she-cat and Swiftfeather dipped her head in thanks, bending down to take a few bites.
"Do you have any thoughts about this, Swiftfeather?" asked Frostfur. The warrior looked up and shrugged.
"I'm sure that, wherever he is, Treepaw's fine. After all, he knows how to hunt, right? So he shouldn't be going hungry. Anyway, he's only been gone a couple suns, so his scent should still be lingering about." She bent down again. "I'm sure we'll find him."
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