Minnowstar | CoveClan Leader | Location: CoveClan Camp | Mentions: Shadestorm, open

Her mother was horribly admirable, the leader decided at last. How in the name of StarClan had Willowstream put up with everything, from motherhood to bearing the lash of relentless rumors and seething glares from GreenwoodClan members? Minnowstar had already just begun, and already the overwhelming weight of all of CoveClan's burdens felt crushing, even if she faced her clan with a placate facade. If she showed them weakness, then their rivals would show CoveClan no mercy. A weak leader was a target.

A single tufted ear angled in the direction of approaching pawsteps that followed a masculine voice, despite the majority of the leader's concentration resting on the rise and fall of the ocean's waters. "Shadestorm," she greeted her second-in-command in monotone, with grass-colored pools continuing to remain glued to the gleaming body of water. Perhaps he had been awake all along, but she still would have expected him to send out the dawn patrol for the safety of their clan. There was a sense of urgency surrounding the security of their borders, but it would come to no surprise if he didn't reflect that frame of mind. Reading Minnowstar was about as difficult as attempting to listen to a mute elder: her true emotions were under lock-and-key.

"I'm merely reminding myself of what I live and fight for every day. This is our home." Still, the smoke didn't face her companion, with the smile that existed on her maw being but a memory at this point. While her tone was rather remorseful, there was a hint of...lightness as she spoke. Minnowstar proceeded to watch the endless blue until finally the sun embraced it no more, and the golden tinge faded away until it was replaced by a deep navy. At last she turned to face Shadestorm, her brows furrowed into a serious expression. "The dawn patrol should be sent out promptly. You've served as my deputy long enough to where you're capable of assigning cats on your own- I don't need to hover over you like a panicked mentor." The well-respected molly's words were about as stoic as her expression, but threat didn't exist in her voice. Her words were meant to be received as more of a...reminder.

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Mossypool| GreenwoodClan Medicine Cat| Location: GreenwoodClan Camp | Mentions: Swanstar, Hawkshade, open

With a mental sigh of relief, the pale patched molly began to slowly creep away from her leader, as if attempting to leave unnoticed, fearful of what wrath might follow should she dismiss herself without Swanstar's permission. Regardless, those herbs needed to be collected, and fast- after all, the ginger-tailed feline made it sound as if Mossypool's life was on the line if she didn't. I'm not a big disappointment, right? I don't want her to hate me- I don't want anyone to hate me! Her facial features swiftly turned from something that screamed anxiety, to a much more despondent expression.

Ears beginning to flatten purely out of her acute concern, the medicine cat adverted her eyes from any and all forms of feline life, rather keeping her attention on her paws to prevent any further slip-ups. Once she was a safe distance from Swanstar, the tiny she-cat's movements became quick and skittish, similar to those of a mouse seeking an escape. She was prepared to leave camp immediately until she sensed a nearby presence, causing her to abruptly cease all movement to allow the warrior to pass.

She was surprised to find that Hawkshade was inviting her out on a patrol, but it was one probably meant for warriors and hunting. Mossypool's mentor had taught her basic defensive skills and hunting tactics, but she wasn't exactly phenomenal at it (her shrimpy legs didn't help). "I need to gather some herbs, actually, I'm getting real low on them. I could use company regardless? Protection or a helping hand of sorts?" Raising her blue gaze from the ground, she found herself interested in attending his patrol nonetheless, but once more grew concerned when he mentioned thorns. "Oh no! Are you alright? Did they break skin at all? Have you been able to remove them all?" At once, the amiable furball began to circle the chocolate bicolor to search for any signs of blood.

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Willowstream| CoveClan Elder| Location: CoveClan Camp | Mentions: Honeypaw, Swiftpebble, Sunkit/Turtlekit (mentioned), open

With a cool smile, the elder curled her tail out of pleasure and excitement once Honeypaw brought her the sizable fish. It wasn't quite the room service she had been hoping for, but she was thankful she didn't have to traverse all the way to the fresh kill pile regardless. "You're a fine fisher, Honeypaw. I might even have to give you a little story later on in the evening, in exchange for this kindness." The silver-tinged molly decided to slowly and stiffly sink to the ground from where she stood, since the sunlight was strong enough to warm her to the core. "I guess I'll have to make sure Minnowstar gives you a cool warrior name as well."

With a rough purr rumbling in her narrow throat, the elder leaned forward and began to slowly devour the fish. She glimpsed up at Swiftpebble briefly when the queen verbally greeted her, offering a flick of her tail out of acknowledgement because her mouth was currently full.

Willowstream swallowed the big mouthful and gave herself a few seconds to catch her breath. StarClan, aging sucked... "Where are those two furballs of yours, Swiftpebble? It's early, I'm certain they woke you many hours ago." There was the slightest gleam of humor behind those fogging optics as the smoky she-cat spoke. The retired leader had to admit, she did miss those days when Minnowstar's aspirations were massive and her size small. Although, Willowstream did wish that Skystar could have been there during those memories, it was a shame that he had to miss out on so much.

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Shadestorm | CoveClan | Deputy | Location: Outside of Camp - Back in camp | Mentions: Minnowstar, Kestreleye, Moonflight, Eightball, and Honeypaw ( directly )

Shadestorm's ears lowered at the greeting he got in return but he didn't let it get to him much as it was something he had grown used to. Minnowstar had always been much more controlled and collected than most. He blinked at his leader's words and frowned slightly as it brought back the haunting thoughts of what was looming. A war would make them have to fight for what was theirs. Shaking his head he focused his thoughts, "This is our home," He agreed but he trailed off at Minnowstar mentioning the Dawn Patrol.

"I'll send it out at once," Shadestorm promised, he didn't bother with any excuse as it was his fault for not keeping up with his time. He wouldn't make the same mistake twice. He dismissed himself with a respectful nod and hurried to reenter the camp, tail flicking behind him mildly. He already knew a few warriors were awake which would make this easier.

"Kestreleye, Moonflight," The blue mackerel tabby called out just to gain the two warriors' attention from the conversation they were having, "Can you join me on a Dawn Patrol Kestreleye? Honeypaw can join us. Moonflight could you please take another warrior ( an NPC ) and your apprentice out on a Hunting Patrol?" Shadestorm padded over to the two warriors, speaking once he was close enough to them.

Halfpaw | GreenwoodClan | Apprentice | Location: GreenwoodClan camp | Mentions: Hawkshade, Dapplefeather ( indirectly )

Halfpaw tensed up at paw steps before he clenched his half-eaten mouse tightly in his jaws, ears flattened to his head. His fur bristled at the closeness of the older tom out of habit but he shuffled away and started to chew on his mouse, grossly. The tortie-tabby shuffled away from the warrior when he began to eat a bird. Ignoring the clear signs of awkwardness from the warrior, the apprentice finished his mouse.

He squinted towards Hawkshade when the warrior finally left and after cleaning away the fur and blood from his mouth, he grabbed the last feathered prey from the fresh-kill pile. Halfpaw got to his paws quickly and hurried back towards the apprentice den, set on eating once more safety away from the eyes of the older cats. Flopping down into his mess of a moss bedding, the tortie-tabby apprentice once again began to eat the bird.

What feathers he didn't accidentally inhale were shoved into his bedding once he finished the small bird. Halfpaw laid for a pawful of moments, feeling full before he began to groom himself to clean his fur. As he moved to his flanks he looked outwards from the den wondering if he would have to go out by himself to see the territory since his mentor didn't show up to wake him up.

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Kestreleye | CoveClan | Warrior
Location: CoveClan Camp | Mentions: Moonflight, Honeypaw, Shadestorm

Kestreleye's conversation with the she-cat was over as soon as it began. As he was awaiting the feline's answer his gaze was drawn by the lithe figure of his deputy approaching. Kestreleye quickly pulled himself to his paws as the high ranking male drew near, anxiety lifting into chest and causing his throat to tighten in response. His appearance stayed lax despite the uncomfortable feelings he so wished he could rid himself of, his fear only visibly surfacing through a brief, bashful flick of his ears. He straightened his stance as Shadestorm spoke, attentively listening to the other cat's inquiries.

"Of course, Shadestorm." He responded respectfully, his eyes darting over to search for the whereabouts of his calico apprentice. Once he finally caught a glimpse of the excitable young she-cat he brushed a few paw steps past his deputy's tabby form, "Honeypaw!" His voice raised enough to get her attention, though it still held it's kindly tone. "Where to first?" He inquired to the other male, his voice and eyes softening as he stepped back to look at the other cat and await his command. The sight of the deputy and leader brought a youthful sense of awe to the disheartened cat, as did the other warriors in the clan. They could seemingly do not wrong in his eyes and their talents both amazed and demoralized him, though he was determined to keep that unsightly side of him in the dark.

Swiftpebble | CoveClan | Queen
Location: CoveClan Camp | Mentions: Sunkit, Turtlekit, Willowstream, Minnowstar

Swiftpebble's chocolate mottled ears flicked back a bit at Willowstream's inquiries and she swiveled her head around to gaze at her two kits, now free of the nursery and going about their business as if they were Minnowstar herself. "Yes, It was quite early. Seeing their sweet smiles makes up for the sleepless dawns though." She sighed softly and traipsed towards them, motioning for the two toddling cats to follow her, "Sunkit, Turtlekit-" She called, smiling faintly as she descended the makeshift ramp and headed for the prey pile, a determined hop in her step.

Her eyes fell on the rigid figure of her leader, gaze locked on the distant waves. "Good morning, Minnowstar." She greeted the dark coated female, her expression softening as she paused her trek for breakfast and began padding towards the larger she-cat. "Something on your mind?" She sat down a tail's length away and cast her gaze back at her kits to make sure the two sun-coated kittens were keeping out of trouble and trailing after her. Of course there was something on Minnowstar's mind, everyone's minds were filled with it at the moment- though she knew it was all the more harrowing for their leader who had to shoulder the brunt of Greenwoodclan's aggression.

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{Turtlekit | CoveClan kit | Location: CoveClan camp | Mentions; Sunkit, Swiftpebble, Minnowstar}

Turtlekit's ears perked at his mother's call, but they flopped back down just as quickly. He whispered a quiet goodbye to the water and runs down the makeshift ramp and toward the two she-cats. Somehow not tripping on his tiny kitten paws. Once close to the duo he skits to a halt, his tiny tain flicking to-and-fro as he spots the perfect prey for hunting, wich was of course Swiftpebble's tail. He lets his tongue peek out just the slightest bit as he pounces.Instead of getting his target he flies over it and ends up falling onto the ground.

Thankfully Turtlekit was the type to recover fast, picking himself back up. He blinks a couple of times and sneezes once before shaking out his fur. He turns around and gets ready to pounce again, until he notices Minnowstar. He lets out a squeak and runs behind Swiftpebble, hiding behind her while blinking at Minnowstar, his fur slightly spiking up in both excitement and nervousness at meeting someone new, even if he had seen her while exploring, he'd never spoken to her.

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Minnowstar | CoveClan Leader | Location: CoveClan Camp | Mentions: Shadestorm, Swiftpebble, Sunkit, Turtlekit, open

Still distant, the smoke nodded her head slowly as Shadestorm dismissed himself, her conversation with him ever-brief. However, the leader was confident that she would be speaking with him later on, once he had a report for her. GreendwoodClan had been bone-chillingly silent, and the feline feared that they might be plotting something. A calm before the storm, of sorts.

She listened in silence as her deputy's paw steps slowly faded, the noise drowned out by the waves as they began to increase in size. It would prove to be a decent day at this rate, with the waves not particularly large, but certainly enough to give a cat some good exercise. It might be a good idea to take a few warriors out to help strengthen their legs and shoulders, and then continue with battle training later in the evening. Or, she could even kill two birds with one stone: they could practice water-combat.

The approaching paw steps, one pair large and the other small, nearly went unnoticed by the leader as she grew enveloped by her own thoughts and plans for the young day. A single ear twitched in their direction and at last their scents filled her nostrils: it was Swiftpebble and her litter. The suddenly scuffling of tiny paws and the slightest hint of a minuscule squeak informed that one was cowering in hiding. It came as no surprise to Minnowstar- most kittens reacted that way when first meeting their leader. Willowstream had told her that bit of information many times over.

The queen's words tickled the fuzz in the blue's ears, and she sucked in a deep breath. Was her posture really that concerning to her clanmates? "We all have something to fight for, Swiftpebble." The leader spoke at last, raising a wide paw to allow it to play in the wet sand before unsheathing her claws and allowing them to create lines in the earth. "You have kittens, mentors have their apprentices, I have my clan...GreenwoodClan has nothing but anger and false rumors to fuel their fire. Eventually, their rage will burn out, but CoveClan will never stop loving its home and family." Minnowstar raised her gaze to rest it on the ocean once more, pupils shrinking against the strengthening sunlight. While her words were true, she couldn't resist feeling hopeless in the situation. With war, there were always sacrifices, lives would always be lost regardless of the code to protect them.

There would never be a winner.

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• Fallenleaf • GreenwoodClan deputy • Location: GreenwoodClan camp • Mentions; Swanstar, Hawkshade, Mossypool. Halfpaw, Amberwillow, and Dapplefeather indirectly. •

The ginger striped tom paused his grooming to blink respectfully at his leader, ears perked forward at her greeting.

"Good morning to you as well, Swanstar. The dawn patrol was quiet, there wasn't even much prey," he glanced at the near empty pile and his fur flattened slightly at the sight of Dapplefeather's apprentice snatching the last piece. Fallenleaf growled softly to himself and rose to his large paws, lashing his thick tail. He returned his green gaze to his leader as she discussed a hunting patrol and nodded respectfully, forcing his fur to lay flat.

"I'll get on that immediately," he responded, gaze focused darkly on his brother's sleeping form. Fallenleaf looked toward the entrance and hummed, the warriors ambling about much too casually, like they didn't understand the duties required of them for the sake of the clan. It frustrated him a bit, the looming threat of CoveClan making his anxiety rise.

"Hawkshade, you are to gather Dapplefeather, Halfpaw, and Amberwillow and form a hunting patrol immediately," he called loudly to the other tom, tail lashing behind him like a flame. No warriors were going to leave this camp unless Fallenleaf had given them a task. The long furred tabby stalked closer, gaze falling on Mossypool.

"Where exactly are you going without an escort? You know you're far too important, especially with a heavily pregnant queen, to be leaving camp solo," he commented, speaking a little harsher than usual given Swanstar's proximity. His eyes were soft, though, and his body language wasn't tense.

• Moonflight • CoveClan warrior • Location: CoveClan camp • Mentions; Shadestorm, Kestreleye, Eightball •

The tuxedo she-cat opened her mouth to speak to Kestreleye but was forced to promptly shut it as Shadestorm spoke to them. She flicked an ear back slightly, her gaze landing on the black warrior in front of her and looking a little anxious.

"I was going to suggest some battle training, but maybe we'll save that for this afternoon?," she said softly, her tail tip flicking. The she-cat smiled at her fellow warrior before she rose to her paws, turning to glance at Eightball.

"We're gonna go on a hunting patrol and work on your fishing," she called, smiling at her apprentice warmly. "I promise I'll keep an eye out for turtles," she added with a teasing smile.

Honeypaw • CoveClan apprentice • Location: Coveclan camp • Mentions; Kestreleye, Shadestorm, Willowstream •

The calico apprentice grinned at Willowstream's words, her excitement palpable.

"I wanna have the coolest warrior name ever!" She responded happily, giving the elder a respectful lick on the head before turning to her mentor, tail high and flicking with stimulation. She bounced off the boat just as gracefully as she had earlier that morning, rocking it slightly as she tumbled into the sand. Honeypaw sat up quickly, shaking her fur out and trotting eagerly to where the deputy and her mentor stood.

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Swanstar | GreenwoodClan | Leader
Location: GreenwoodClan Camp | Mentions: Fallenleaf

Swanstar's sky coloured eyes slid shut as her outward appearance softened, her tail swaying back and forth in a rhythmic motion as her deputy spoke. Quiet? She could feel the rage gnawing at her resolve as Fallenleaf stated his dawn report, the fur running along her spine rising in annoyance as the words repeated in her head. Coveclan hadn't even been a hair of out place? No missteps into her territory? No prey stolen from their land? Nothing she could use to fuel the fire she was so desperately trying to ignite between the two clans? Of course not, they weren't going to make it easy for her. She dismissed the orange tom with a flick of her ear and turned away from him, staring at the sun-dappled rubble at her feet with lidded eyes.

She was aware of her hatred towards Coveclan being baseless, they had been tricked by her father just as much as she and her mother were. It was something instilled into her at this point. She yearned to get at them, cause them as much suffering as she had endured. Pathetic, really. Her features gnarled into hatred as she caught a glimpse of white fur slinking across camp, inspecting the empty prey pile and skittering back to the elder's den. Her mother's tattered face never turned towards her nowadays, she couldn't recall the last time they had spoken. It made Swanstar feel bitter. Was Lilypelt afraid of her now or was it the shame that kept her from even gazing at her own daughter? She sniffed and tore her attention away from the decrepit feline, the emotions welling in her heart causing the slightest hint of tears to sting the corners of her eyes.

Swiftpebble | CoveClan | Queen
Location: CoveClan Camp | Mentions: Sunkit, Turtlekit, Minnowstar

Swiftpebble laid a soothing paw against Turtlekit's back and sent him a gentle smile as Minnowstar spoke, "There's nothing to be afraid of, little tot." She said with a glint of humour worming it's way into her voice. Her blue eyes rose to study the larger she-cat at her side, sometimes she couldn't help but see the wide-eyed apprentice she had been introduced to soon after joining the clan. Minnowstar's transformation into the leader she was now had awed the scrawny calico, it was something she couldn't dream of achieving- nor did she want to. "I couldn't begin imagining the weight GreenwoodClan's hostility puts on your heart." She responds, sighing softly as her voice trails off.

Her attention is caught by the words of Sunkit, meandering towards them. She gives the small kit a thoughtful look, "They will fall apart before that happens, just like Swanstar's groundless hatred." She replies as she follows the smoke feline's gaze out into the water, "I know I would rather spend a hundred lives under the leadership of someone willing to defend their clan rather than a cat willing to send her warriors out to fight her own battle, I'm sure Swanstar's clan members are no different." She adds, leaning down to bump her forehead against her daughter's.

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|Eightball|Tom|Apprentice (M: Moonflight)|Coveclan|Camp|Moonflight, Open
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Huffing, he playfully glared at her. "Alrighty, then. Let's get to it!" He mewed, then began trotting towards the shores. "The good thing about having water by camp is the fish, especially the part where the boat creates a shadow. The bad thing is the noise," Eightball muttered the last bit to himself, glancing towards the ship. Then, stopping, he yowled back at Moonflight. "Ya comin'?"

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Minnowstar | CoveClan Leader | Location: CoveClan Camp | Mentions: Swiftpebble, Sunkit, Turtlekit, open

Finally, the long-legged smoke leader peeled her gaze away from the water that framed her clan's camp and supplied them with life, her pale eyes resting on the queen before it briefly flickered over to the small furballs. She appreciated Swiftpebble's empathetic gesture, but Minnowstar was dedicated towards keeping her true emotions hidden away to uphold a strong outward appearance. She disregarded the mention of stress while holding the queen's gaze for a few heartbeats, later lowering her skull nearer to the ground to be more on the level of the kittens.

During the leader's own time spent in the nursery, she worried not about impending war and potential doom. Her mother's reign had been one filled with peace and meaningfulness- it wasn't fair for these kittens to spend the best times of their innocent lives fretting over losing their lives. "I can promise you that I won't let Swanstar lay a claw on either of you. Nobody can stay angry forever." Her voice was suddenly void of that distantness that existed earlier, rather it ran with tenderness as she made her promise. She meant it: she wouldn't let Swanstar's blind wrath harm CoveClan.

Her beef would be with CoveClan's leader, and that was all.

Mossypool| GWC Medic | Location: GWC Camp | Mentions: Hawkshade, Fallenleaf, open

Picking up short yet dainty paws, the patched medicine cat prepared to trot after the warrior that had invited her along. "It doesn't take much for me to remove them, honest, cobwebs are everywhere! It's best we remove them now, before they dig into your skin and you get infected." She piped up after the tom in protest, pale eyes suddenly narrowing to prove that she was serious about the matter. One way or another, even if it required the tiny she-cat to pin the warrior, she'd remove those pesky thorns. It was for his safety, and for her own. Only StarClan might know how Swanstar would react to a warrior passing away from a meager infection caused by none other than a thorn.

At the deep and scornful voice of Fallenleaf, the she-cat spun around on her heels and tucked her tail between her stumpy legs submissively. She peered up at him with round, innocent eyes as his booming voice rattled the fine tufts of fur in her triangular ears. Oh no- now what had she done wrong? Had Swanstar asked her deputy to handle the situation with Mossypool slacking off?

The tortoiseshell lowered her head submissively while angling her ears backwards out of uncertainty. What did he mean, leaving by herself? Hawkshade had offered to escort her! "I- Hawkshade just offered to escort me, we were leaving to gather herbs and moss?"

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Shadestorm | CoveClan | Deputy | Location: CoveClan Camp | Mentions: Kestreleye and Honeypaw directly, Moonflight and Eightball indirectly.

Shadestorm watched without any more prompting as both warriors gathered up their apprentices, Moonflight had paused to say something more with Kestreleye before doing so. His gaze focused on Honeypaw when the she-cat came tumbling from the boat over to them and once the apprentice was done shaking off the sand did he answer the other warrior.

“We’ll need to head quickly to the main border with GreenwoodClan and mark it,” He stated with an ear flicking for a moment when he continued, “After that, we’ll just be making sure everything is as it should. Hopefully, we won’t take too long since this is a rather..late Dawn Patrol,” He shrugged off his discomfort and turned on his paws to head out. His pace was set at a trot once his paws leading him from the sand to the dirt of the forest that would take his small patrol towards GreenwoodClan’s border.

Shadestorm mentally mapped out how he wished to go about this late Dawn Patrol, tail giving away that he was thinking with flicks. He flexed his claws at feeling the dirt and short growing grass that would get thicker once they headed deeper into the forest. Giving one glance to insure that both warrior and apprentice were behind him, the mackerel tabby kept up his trot in the direction of the GreenwoodClan border.


Halfpaw | GreenwoodClan | Apprentice | Location: GreenwoodClan; Apprentice den | Mentions: Fallenleaf, Hawkshade, and Mossypool indirectly.

The tortie-tabby tom swiped his tongue over his right forepaw before dragging it over his head to his ear as his one open eye, the amber, narrowed onto Fallenleaf’s large frame by the Warrior’s Den. The deputy had loudly stated that Hawkshade, Dapplefeather, Amberwillow, and himself would be on a hunting patrol. Dropping his paw, Halfpaw finished up his self-grooming that was just his shoulders and tail tip before he laid on his side in his bedding. His head was angled so he could look outside so he’ll know when he had to actually get up from his nest.

The apprentice snorted to himself when seeing Fallenleaf had made a mistake in ordering Hawkshade on a patrol when Mossypool had already gotten the tom to join her so she wouldn’t be ‘solo’ outside. Wasn’t like CoveClan would attack a Medicine Cat, such a fuss over nothing. Halfpaw rolled his eyes but perked his ears to listen better as he would enjoy the show of the three cats figuring out what would be happening.

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Swiftpebble | CoveClan | Queen
Location: CoveClan Camp | Mentions: Sunkit, Turtlekit, Minnowstar

The she cat's slender face offered a soft smile as she gave her two kits a reassuring purr. She positioned Turtlekit between her front paws and wrapped her tail around herself and the toddling cat. Of course she found solace in her leader's words, as well as her own. They made sense to her, they were rational.. the total opposite of GreenwoodClan's leader. She found discomfort in them as well, no matter what brave face she put on for her kits she could always feel the looming threat breathing down the back of her neck.

The feeling of having something to protect was still new to her, as was the feeling of possibly losing those she loved. She felt as though she were trying to hold together her life by herself, once manageable, now she could feel bits of it coming out of place at an alarming rate. Her eyes lingered towards the face of the brave she cat at her side for a moment, a tinge of worry furrowing her brow only briefly.

"Let's go get breakfast, shall we?" She said to her kits, her voice straining softly in an attempt to feign over-happiness. "Would you like to accompany us?" Her paws slid underneath her and she extended herself to her feet, turning to give Minnowstar a beckoning gaze. The calico's features were bittersweet as she ushered Turtlekit and Sunkit towards the prey pile, her tail tip twitching anxiously behind her.

Kestreleye | CoveClan | Warrior
Location: CoveClan Territory | Mentions: Honeypaw, Shadestorm

Kestreleye offered the bouncy apprentice a comically serious look, backed up with a faint smile as he turned to follow the deputy, "Let's get moving, Honeypaw." He called to her over his shoulder, the faint light of the trees speckling his dark coat as they entered the forest. His pace was quick as he trailed after the other tom, glancing back occasionally to make sure the younger she cat was still in tow.

Shadestorm was correct in stating that this would be a late dawn patrol, definitely one of the most delayed ones Kestreleye had ever taken part in. He gave the back of the lithe tom a concerned eye as he walked. Shadestorm was usually diligent when it came to clan matters, perhaps there was something bothering him? The dark coated tom wasn't one to pry and the anxiety he always felt clutching at his chest fought with him as he pondered stepping forward to speak with his deputy. What is he came off as nosy or overbearing?

"The forest has been fairly quiet." He finally spoke after clearing his throat of any anxiousness that had clenched it shut, taking a wide step to catch up with the other cat. They were fairly close in size and identical in age, though Kestreleye felt more than a little nervous in his presence, "GreenwoodClan is strong in their threats, though it doesn't seem they intend to make the first move." Of course they wouldn't do anything without reason, Swanstar was only waiting for CoveClan to step out of place so she could warmonger her warriors into attacking them. Kestreleye didn't intend on making any mistakes though, nor did he believe any of his clan members would. Perhaps the flame would die out before it even ignited? No. Of course not, that was wishful thinking. The GreenwoodClan leader would do anything within her power to strike the match.

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• Fallenleaf • GreenwoodClan deputy • Location: GreenwoodClan camp • Mentions; Mossypool, Hawkshade, Dapplefeather. Halfpaw indirectly •

The ginger deputy flicked his ears back, eyes narrowing.

"I suppose that would be fine, but next time you must notify others in the camp that you will be out and that you have protection. We cannot risk you getting injured or someone not knowing where you've gone," Fallenleaf replied evenly, his gaze refocusing onto Hawkshade intently. He didn't really trust the casanova tom to have their medicine cat's best interest in mind, a lingering distrust of the male due to their history both competing for deputy.

The long haired tabby dismissed both of his clanmates with a tail flick, turning to his brother's still sleeping form.

"Dapplefeather. It is nearly sunhigh," he growled, prodding his littermate with a paw on his shoulder. "I'm sure your apprentice would appreciate some training," Fallenleaf commented dryly, settling down onto his haunches.

"You are to take (NPC) and Halfpaw and leave for a hunting patrol immediately," he ordered, not bothering to hear his sibling's retort.

• Dapplefeather • GreenwoodClan warrior • Location: GreenwoodClan camp • Mentions; Fallenleaf, Halfpaw •

The striped tom blinked his pale eyes open, raising them to meet the matching ones his fiery brother held. He sighed softly, flicking an ear. The sun had warmed him so nicely, spreading through every hair on his pelt and blocking out the hints of impending leafbare. Dapplefeather rose to his paws and nodded at the deputy as a sign he'd heard him, not bothering to open his jaws to respond. He lazily licked a few of his own chest hairs into place and yawned, humming in mild complaint. At least now the prey may be actually running.

"Halfpaw, I have a feeling you've heard this entire conversation. Would you like to join me in some hunting?" He called knowingly toward the apprentice den, a small smile on his soft features.

• Moonflight • CoveClan warrior • Location: CoveClan territory • Mentions; Eightball •

The tuxedo female trotted calmly after her apprentice, her ears forward and tail high. She found his commentary entertaining and listened closely to what he had to say, smiling at his thought process.

"Mhm, I'm right behind you," she mewed softly, pawsteps silent through the shifting sand. The warrior sighed as she gazed at the cool blue waters, dipping her toes in and feeling the icy chill up her spine. She flicked a paw sharply and leapt onto a nearby stone in the water, its position under the shade of the boat making it a perfect spot to train apprentices without too much risk. Moonflight settled on her haunches and gazed back at her apprentice, tail wrapped neatly around her frame.

"Do you remember the tips I gave you last time?" She asked, her tone gentle and kind.

• Honeypaw • CoveClan apprentice • Location: CoveClan territory • Mentions; Kestreleye, Shadestorm •

The young she-cat followed happily after her mentor and deputy, scenting the air often. She distractedly investigated their surroundings, pawing at loose leaf litter and swatting whatever small insects flew in her direction. Her playfulness was lost as she caught Kestreleye's words, though, the thought of GreenwoodClan and all the whispers she had heard coming to mind. Honeypaw didn't like the thought of fighting anyone, and she didn't want to do battle training like Moonflight had mentioned. The calico looked at her small white paws, briefly flashing her claws and shuddered at thinking she would ever hurt another cat. What if she hurt someone's mother, or sibling? Or mentor? She looked helplessly at Kestreleye and felt her little chest twist with fear. Who would ever want to do such things?
Honeypaw shook her coat out to relieve her anxiety and physically remove herself from her thoughts.

"They won't actually attack us, will they?" She asked her clanmates with concern, round eyes peering at them innocently.

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