Solar
Friendship Rank 2
Posts: 103
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Post by Solar on Oct 18, 2017 9:20:36 GMT -5
Crowfang watched Robinflight walk over to Juniperheart and sighed. She was jealous. She couldn't have a true friendship anymore like that, and the clan would probably kicks her out when they learned she was expecting. If she was close to Robinflight in when they would be born, it might be easier. But her kits would be much smaller than Robinflight's and it would be hard to explain where they came from. She retreated to her den for the rest of the day, sending out an apprentice if she needed herbs. The elders rarely bothered her, so that was good because they would recognize an expecting queen.
They days before the gathering passed quickly but Crowfang found excuses not to go. Robinflight was one of them. She was large enough that the kits were close to being overdue, and Crowfang wanted to be in camp in case things went wrong. Sweetstar didn't question her, but went to gathering even though she was developing some kind of sickness. Snow fell heavily on the lake, smothering everything in a thick white blanket of snow. The night after the gathering, Crowfang had terrible news for the returning cats. Honeytail and Violetdawn had both died from the cold and lack of prey. Crowfang cursed herself for not checking on the elders more but she knew Violetdawn had been sick and wished she had made the queen stay in the medicine den.
(clan updated)
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Post by Shortee on Oct 19, 2017 6:48:36 GMT -5
Robinflight had been sitting with Bramblestorm in his den, since it was not very crowded in there and it was warm. He had been quiet since Honeytail died, and Robinflight wanted to make sure he was ok, even though it took a great effort to walk over to the elders den. She made sure that he ate and drank every day, and luckily Squirrelwhisker helped with those tasks. Robinflight made sure Bramblestorm started eating a mouse, but then exited the den, sure that Squirrelwhisker would make him finish it. She made her way to the medicine cat den, and poked her head in to see Crowfang looking at her herbs. She started to ask "How are you?" but half way through, a convulsion racked her body and she fell to the floor, a deep moan escaping her. Robinflight gasped "The kits!"
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Solar
Friendship Rank 2
Posts: 103
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Post by Solar on Oct 19, 2017 9:01:03 GMT -5
Crowfang sprang up immediently. Poking her head out of the den, she called for Fernheart and Brookpounce. The two queens helped get Robinflight into the nursery and then they left. Crowfang made sure that Robinflight had a stick to bite down on and fet her belly. The kits were definately coming now. She told Robinflight when to push. Around moonhigh, two kits were happily suckling at their mothers belly. Crowfang licked Robinflights head and fetched some borage, then left the happy family aone to rest. The birth had taken awhile, but it had been easy thankfully.
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Post by Shortee on Oct 19, 2017 14:53:40 GMT -5
Robinflight looked at the two small she-cats next to her belly. They both looked just like her. The first, Maplekit, had the same red and orange markings at her, but deeper in shade. Nightkit had the same white coat as her sister and mother, but black and grey markings etched her body, like her father's. They're amazing Robinflight thought to herself. But they won't know about their amazing father. Robinflight brought her gaze back down to her kits and her heart swelled with pride. I suppose it will be the best for them. Robinflight laid her head on her paws and with that thought in mind, closed her eyes and fell asleep.
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Solar
Friendship Rank 2
Posts: 103
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Post by Solar on Oct 19, 2017 15:41:12 GMT -5
Crowfang left the borage leaves on the edge of the nest for Robinflight to eat when she woke and decided to take a walk outside the camp. It wasn't the first time she had delivered kits, but she loved it. And she knew how much Robinflight wanted a family of her own. She wandered through the territory and was startled to find Fangstrike leaping across the stream from Shadowclan territory. She stepped forward, but made sure to appear that she was not threatening him. "You're trespassing on Thunderclan territory." He stumbled. "I'm sorry, I was just going to look for someone. I think they passed this way." His voice shook slightly, both from being startled but he was clearly hiding something. Crowfang looked at his markings and quickly realized who he was seeking. "You're Robinflight's mate, aren't you?" He froze, then his tail hit the ground. "Y-y-yes...is she ok? I haven't seen her for awhile." His eyes were pleading. It was the same look that Splashheart had given her the last night they had been together. She sighed. "Yes, she's fine. She had two kits tonight, Maplekit and Nightkit. Maplekit is like a mini Robinflight, and Nightkit has your markings. They won't open their eyes for awhile though." Fangstrike nodded. "I know she wants to raise them as Thunderclan, but please do me a favor." Crowfang nodded and he took a deep breathe. "Don't....don't let Thunderclan find out I'm their father ok. Seasons ago.....my mother's mate in Thunderclan came and took one of their kits to live with him. We....we don't know what happened to my sister, and I don't want my kits to be forced apart. But if Strikestar finds out, I promise I won't let him take one." With that, he leapt back into Shadowclan territory and disappeared. Crowfang sat there, dumbstruck. Someone in Thunderclan was half Shadowclan! But who? She made her way back to camp, thinking.
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Post by Shortee on Oct 19, 2017 16:37:05 GMT -5
Robinflight woke up and stretched. She was tired, but still happy. She licked her kits sleeping heads and poked her head out of her den. She saw the borage, sighed, and ate it as quickly as possible. She wanted to leave, go on a walk, but she knew not to leave the nursery. In fairness, she didn't want to leave her kits either. So, Robinflight sat right at the entrance of the nursery, still inside side since it was cold. She waited for Crowfang to appear in the camp. She wanted to thank her for her help with the kitting. To pass the time, Robinflight's mind already began to wander. She wondered about what her kit's personalities would be, how they would get along with other kits and who their mentors would be. Robinflight's mind drifted to a topic she wasn't expecting: Fangstrike. Sadness suddenly fell upon Robinflight. She missed him so much, but hadn't thought about him in the last few moons. I can't be thinking about him. I can't slip up and tell Maplekit and Nightkit about him. Robinfligt stared at the camp entrance, half hoping Fangstrike would waltz right into Thunderclan and declare himself the father of her two kits and stay with Thunderclan. Robinflight quietly chuckled at herself. How her mind was astonished her sometimes.
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Solar
Friendship Rank 2
Posts: 103
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Post by Solar on Oct 19, 2017 18:28:39 GMT -5
Crowfang trotted into camp, her face sort of grim. She went straight to the nursery, startled to see Robinflight sitting up. "Well I'm glad you're sitting up, and that you ate the borage. The borage will help keep your milk coming, especially since it's leafbare." She took a deep breathe. "I know about Fangstrike, I just saw him on the border. He said....don't let Thunderclan find out about their father." She worded it carefully, since there were sleeping queens and kits in the nursery. "He....he said that he won't let Strikestar take one of the kits. Apparently that happened some seasons ago in Shadowclan with his mother, and he has a sister here in Thunderclan." She shuffled her paws nervously. "I know you won't reveal him unless you wish, but if any cat suspects they have a....a Shadowclan father, you must deny it. He was right about them needing to stay together."
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Post by Shortee on Oct 19, 2017 18:57:01 GMT -5
Robinflight had a look of distress when she heard the Crowfang had seen Fangstrike. Why didn't he deny the fact that they were mates? Robinflight shook her head and whispered back quietly but quickly "Of course I won't let anyone know who their father is. I didn't even tell you!" Robinflight took a deep breath. "Sorry, sorry. I just get nervous when this... topic, is brought up. I want these kits to have a father in their lives, but they can't." Robinflight paused for a moment, remembering Crowfang might go through the same thing with her own family, so she dropped that part of the conversation, and went on to the next. "Crowfang, I don't think anyone here could be Shadowclan except..." Robinflight thought for a quick moment, quietly analyzing all of the Thunderclan cats in her head. Their pelts, personalities, hunting and fighting styles. She whispered "You." Everyone in Thunderclan simply seemed... Thunderclan. The one thing Robinflight had always admired about Crowfang was that she didn't seem like everyone else. Of course, it was just a hunch even with her smart thinking, and she regretted it. "I'M JUST JOKING HAHAHAH" She said a little too loudly, but no one woke up. "WELL the kits need a mother, right? See you later Crowfang." Robinflight awkwardly zoomed into the nursery. She settled around her kits and whispered to herself "You and your mind Robinflight. Think before you speak much?"
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Solar
Friendship Rank 2
Posts: 103
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Post by Solar on Oct 19, 2017 19:45:46 GMT -5
Crowfang stood there, dumbstruck, as Robinflight streaked back to her kits. Slowly, she padded for her den. Me? Shadowclan? That's.....that's impossible. She began to pace in the den quickly, barely noticed the carefully piled herbs she had laid out the day before that she was now scattering around her den. Her mind was buzzing, and not in a good way. Her thoughts were broken when Dawnwhisker staggered into the den, coughing. "I need something for this cough, it won't leave." Crowfang numbly got out the herbs she needed. Dawnwhisker narrowed her eyes. "Is everything ok? Is Robinflight ok? I saw you come out of the nursery a few moments ago." Crowfang nodded and pushed some herbs in front of who she was starting to doubt was her mother. "Dawnwhisker.....are you my mother?" The she-cat froze, a leaf halfway in her mouth. "I......." Her voice trailed off and she swallowed the herb. She saw the pain in Crowfang's face and sighed. "No.....no I did not give borth to you. You were born at the same time as Hawkkit.....but you outlived him." Her voice cracked when she spoke her dead kits name. "Squirrelwhisker is your father, that is true....but I do not know who your mother is. He never said, just asked that I raise you as my own." Crowfang staggered back under this news. "I'm...I'm not Thunderclan....." Dawnwhisker dropped her head. "I'm sorry......the clan thought it would be best if you never knew." Crowfang backed out of the den in shock, then ran over to the elders den. Squirrelwhisker wasn't there. She left the elders den and saw him laying in a weak patch of sunshine on the Warming Stones. She walked over to him, the fury in her eyes clear to everyone. Her hackles were raised, her legs were stiff, and her tail was kinked over back in an unfriendly way. She was barely aware of the queens laying outside the nursery, or all the apprentices who now look terrified as their usually calm medicine cat looked ready to kill. Squirrelwhisker looked up. When he saw Crowfang's face, and glanced at Dawnwhisker at the entrance to the medicine den, his eyes grew wide. "She told you....didn't she?" Crowfang bared her teeth in a vicious snarl. "Who. Is. My. Mother." The clearing was silent, almost every cat was holding their breath. The older cats, the ones who remembered the day Crowfang came to Thunderclan, began to look worried. Squirrelwhisker shakily got to his paws. "Darkfern. The most senior warrior of Shadowclan." His voice rang out clear in the hollow. Sweetstar watched from highledge. Crowfang growled low. "Why wasn't I told. Even Starclan did not reveal this to me. Robinflight hinted at it, but I was never told." Her claws were digging into the soil under her paws, leaving long, deep gashes in the leafbare hard ground. Squirrelwhisker sighed. "It doesn't matter. You have always been loyal to Thunderclan, Dawnwhisker agreed to raise you, you were a willing apprentice. All that matters is you live here, and are loyal to the clan that raised you." "But you lied to me! For moons!" Crowfang screeched the words; the words echoed ominously around the hollow. The queens made sure the kits did not leave the nursery and the apprentices all retreated to their den. Some of the warriors backed away into dark corners or into the camp wall itself, out of the way but still able to watch and hear. Squirrelwhisker lowered his head. "And for that I am sorry. I did want to tell you, but then you became an apprentice and worked so hard to become a warrior. And now, you are our medicine cat. Chosen by Starclan." Crowfang suddenly reared up and slashed down, using a move she knew instinctively was a Shadowclan ambush technique. Dark blood blossomed from his neck and before his body slumped to the ground, Crowfang had raced out of camp. The rest of the camp was in shock. Not only had the secret been revealed, but their trusted medicine cat had just killed her own father and ran off.
Crowfang kept running until she found herself in the abandoned twoleg den where she grew catmint. She let out a loud yowl and curled in a corner, her paws over her face. She didn't register the blood soaking her claws, nor the fact the had killed her own father.
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Post by Shortee on Oct 19, 2017 20:53:57 GMT -5
Robinflight screamed "Crowfang!" She turned to Juniperheart "Watch my kits!" and ran out of the camp. Crowfang I'm so sorry... Robinflight ran as fast as she could while following Crowfang's scent, stumbling many times over her clumsy paws. She hadn't run in awhile. She quickly climbed a tree and hopped from branch to branch until she could make out the abandoned twoleg place. Near the catmint she saw a black figure curled up. Robinflight was panting as she carefully lowered herself from the tree. Robinflight didn't want to startle Crowfang, so she stood a little bit back and said quietly, not expecting her friend to answer. "Crowfang, I'm sorry. I didn't mean for any of this to happen. My mind works but my mouth doesn't. You're my only friend Crowfang, so I want to help you with this, but I don't know how." She took a breath before continuing. "If you want to go and live with Shadowclan, I will take my kits and go with you. They could be with their father. I don't know where your mate lives, but if you wanted to go there I would go with you too." With those words, Robinflight might have just given up everything she ever knew, but she meant everything she said. "You have helped me in so many ways in the past moons and I want to repay you. Crowfang, what do you need me to do?" Robinflight sat down carefully and waited for her friend to show any sign of answering. Small flurries of snow began to fall from the clouds, a few flecks landing on her nose and fur. Before long, Crowfang's pelt was full of flurries of snow. When she didn't answer for awhile, Robinflight asked "Crowfang?"
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Solar
Friendship Rank 2
Posts: 103
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Post by Solar on Oct 19, 2017 22:07:47 GMT -5
Crowfang slowly uncurled herself, raising her head. Her voice was hoarse and hollow sounding. "My kits father is Riverclan, but he does not know about them at all. I....I have to stay as medicine cat though, Starclan choose me." Her eyes were hollow and sad, anger battled with horror in their depths. Crowfang ignored the snow piling up on her. "Thank you for coming after me, but it's the middle of leafbare. Your kits are far to young to travel, and I have nowhere else to go." There was a muffled sound of pawsteps and a strange light shone from the corner of the twoleg den. Two cats appeared; one was the color of flames with greenleaf colored eyes and black stripes, the other was a smaller she-cat, black with a distinctive white stripe down her back. The she-cat dipped her head to the two queens. "Do not fear Crowfang, Robinflight. Thunderclan is where you belong, and where you are needed." The tom nodded wisely. "Lightning Stripe is right. While it may seem wise to leave, Thunderclan will need you in the coming moons." Crowfang glanced at Robinflight then stood up, snow coating her back. "But....I killed my own father.....all because I got angry...." The she-cat blinked sympathetically. "Yes, you did kill him but we understand. He should have told you long ago, and he will regret it forever, but we do not hold it against you. All we ask, is that you stay the medicine cat until your kits are born, then you may return to your warrior duties. Without your guidance, they could fall into darkness and never find the light, but if you help them, they can bring the clans back to the beginning." With a flash, both cats disappeared. Crowfang looked at Robinflight. "I'm scared to go back.....Starclan says I must stay....but the rest of the clan...." She trailed off, shivering now as the snow began to fall more thickly.
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Post by Shortee on Oct 20, 2017 6:29:34 GMT -5
Robinflight said in a strong voice "I'm sure the clan will realize soon that they're lucky to have a medicine cat right now. We should get going now." The wind was picking up and Robinflight's fur felt heavy with snow. It was as if the snow was dancing. But there was so much snow dancing, Robinflight couldn't see through it as she lead Crowfang back to Thunderclan camp. Robinflight paused for a moment, and then realized something peculiar. The snow was falling straight down, but there was a strip of flurries falling distinctly to the right. Robinflight looked back at Crowfang, but realized she didn't notice it. "This way" Robinflight said confidently as she followed the snow strip. Soon, the queens made it back to Thunderclan. As they entered through the gorse tunnel, there were faces of relief from Bramblestorm and a few others, faces of fear from the queens, and faces of distrust from many others. Sweetstar climbed down her rock and stepped in front of Robinflight and Crowfang. They waited for Sweetstar to speak.
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Solar
Friendship Rank 2
Posts: 103
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Post by Solar on Oct 24, 2017 16:01:30 GMT -5
Sweetstar narrowed her eyes. "Crowfang, as punishment for what you have done, you will not be allowed to leave camp for three moons, you are not allowed to share tongues with any clanmates nor hunt with them. You must send an apprentice to gather herbs, and may only speak to Dawnwhisker or myself if you need something. If you can earn our trust, you will allowed to take part in clan life again. You will resume your medicine cat duties as normal however, but either myself or Dawnwhisker will watch you wherever you go in camp." She took a deep breath. "While you were gone, Starclan came to me. They are the ones that want you to stay as medicine cat, not me. If it were up to me, I would banish you from Thunderclan forever." Dawnwhisker stepped forward. "As further punishment, as agreed by Sweetstar, I will accompany you to each clans medicine cat and you will tell them what you have done. While Starclan wishes that you stay the medicine cat, the others deserve do know what you have done. We leave in the morning, snow or not." She whisked around so fiercly that her tail slapped Crowfang in the face hard. Crowfang crumpled to the ground, looking defeated for the first time in her life. Even facing that fox all those moons ago did not affect her like this. And tomorrow she would travel the clans, all the while carrying kits.
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Post by Shortee on Oct 24, 2017 16:40:04 GMT -5
Robinflight didn't know what to do. Crowfang was carrying kits, and she had her own family to worry about. Robinflight nudged her friend, helping her back up. She quietly lead her to her den, and guided her to her nest. She left quietly, stopping Sweetstar on her way to her den. "Sweetstar, please let me help Crowfang with her duties, or at least let me go with her to the clans. She needs a friend right now." Sweetstar looked slightly agitated, but answered evenly "You have your own kits to care about, Robinflight. I understand that you two are close, and you want to help her, but this is Crowfang's responsibility. I will allow you to come with her to the clans. After that, you will not speak with her." Sweetstar started walking away before Robinflight could say thank you.
Robinflight curled up with her two kits, Maplekit and Nightkit, as they breathed rhythmically. She laid her head on her paws and thought to herself It's not fair. If any of these cats just found out they were lied to their whole lives, they would lash out too. Perhaps not as dangerously, but still. Robinflight looked at her daughters, wondering how they would react if they found out about their father. Maybe I can sneak out at night to speak with her if anything happens... She sighed, knowing that it'll probably never work. Robinflight closed her eyes and drifted to sleep, upset from the whole day.
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Solar
Friendship Rank 2
Posts: 103
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Post by Solar on Nov 12, 2017 18:19:37 GMT -5
(Sorry it's taken me so long! Crap ton of stuff going on in my family)
Crowfang woke the next dawn, her body feeling weak and tired. Slowly, she got to her paws and padded out of her den. Dawnwhisker and Robinflight were waiting for her. Without a word to either she-cat, Dawnwhisker led them briskly thgouh the entrance and towards the moorland.
A patrol met them and brought them to the camp. Once through the entrance, Crowfang explained what had happened the day before. The clan was shocked, most had known Crowfang as an apprentice and as a warrior. Thistletooth growled and gave her a long scratch along her cheek as punishment, startling everyone. But Honeystar did not stop him or say anything against it.
When they arrived in Riverclan however, they reacted differently. "Crowfang, I believe what you did was terrible and wrong, however I think if Starclan can forgive you, so can I." Berrylegs licked the long cut. Willowfeather stood next to her with a small bundle of herbs. "Thistletooth was wrong to do this to you....I think you have suffered enough." Crowfang waited while they patched up the scratch. "Thank you." Splashheart followed them outside of camp, daring to walk next to Crowfang long enough to speak to her. "I miss you." Crowfang gave him a sad look, not noticing that Robinflight overheard, and they continued onto Skyclan. Dawnwhisker sighed when Robinflight asked why that missed Shadowclan. "It's because since Crowfang knows the truth.....I think Shadowclan should be the last stop so she may....meet her mother. Formally I mean." She looked tense, but more scared than angry.
Skyclans medicine cats bowed their heads. Aldertouch lashed his tail. "I agree with the punishment, but Thistletooth went too far." His mentor, Birchpool, agreed and gave the wound a sniff before letting them leave for Shadowclan.
Shadowclan was shocked when the three she-cats entered the camp. Fangstrike and Strikestar met them at the center of camp. Crowfang could smell sickness from the medicine den and wondered if Littletail was in there since she couldn't see the deputy. Strikestar bared his fangs. "I hope this isn't an attack. Fangstrike, take four warriors and scout the area immediently." Crowfang raised her tail to top him. "No, I am here because my father told me that I was born in Shadowclan to Darkfern, but that he took me from her when I was very young." She shot a look at a black she-cat on the edge of camp. "I....I killed him in my rage, and the only reason I am not banished is because Starclan said that I must remain the medicine cat." The clearing was silent. Fangstrike stepped forward, glancing at Robinflight for a moment. "Yes....Darkfern has told me about that day. She told me how our father took you, believing that one of kits living with him was better than us staying together." There was bitterness in his voice. Darkfern stepped forward; the camp went silent. "I regret I let him take you. Strikestar told me it was best, or Thunderclan may take you both." Her eyes misted up slightly. "I wish you could have grown up Shadowclan." Crowfang looked her mother in the eyes for the first time. "Why did you not speak up against it? Why did you not fight for me?" Her voice shook. Darkfern's tail dropped. "I was afraid he would take you both. Thunderclan had only two kits at the time and no apprentices. I thought he would insist that Thunderclan needed more warriors so he would take you both." Dawnpool came out of the medicine den. "Strikestar, I heard what happened and while I think that Crowfang acted rashly, I have terrible news." Strikestar looked at her expectantly. "Littletail is dead." The camp exploded in wailing. Strikestar turned the the Thunderclan cats. "Thank you for coming and telling us what happened, and I do regret that we didn't fight back Crowfang, but I believe you deserve whatever punishment your clan sees fit. Now please leave." Dawnwhisker led them back to camp. Outside the barrier she stopped. "Robinflight, go to your kits." The she-cat obeyed, hurrying to the nursery, while Dawnwhisker turned to Crowfang. "I am sorry for not telling you, we all thought it best. But your punishment starts now. I will bring you some prey in awhile, I must see to the rest of the patrols for the day." With that, she disappeared inside the camp. Crowfang waited for a moment, then rushed across to her den. Once inside, she began to pile all the scattered herbs and put them away. Drinking from the little pool, she sank into her nest but did not sleep.
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