DarkClan is Ready for Battle

[Runfast]

OOC: Anyone who wants to RP some 'beforehand' topics can, but everything's happening now.
Cats who were wounded are either fully healed or almost fully healed. Cats have been training non-stop, hunting and preparing for the upcoming battle. DarkClan is glad that there are no kits in camp, for once.

IC: Redstar, leader of DarkClan looked around his stone camp for the hundredth time that day. His cats, warriors and apprentices alike, had all been preparing for battle these past few days (OOC: I really don't know where we're supposed to be time-wise, so I'm just gonna say it's a day before the full moon and DarkClan's gonna make their way towards the Bloodstones. I think Lightningpelt - blinded - should run into Tala and the other cats hiding out in the DarkClan forests so she doesn't have to fight.), and he was proud of every single one of them.
Even Bronzepaw. The tom, sent with the patrol that he hoped he would see again, had been different these days. Ever since he'd revealed that he'd been in contact with rogues living in their territory, Redstar had realized how little he knew about his sister's son.
This was disturbing. Redstar hoped that, if this war ended well, that he would have a chance to better know Bronzepaw.
The red tom looked at his Clanmates, knowing that they would be leaving very soon, as he'd announced earlier.


Goldpaw, brother to Bronzepaw, was walking around the camp, speaking to various Clan members. He was making sure that everyone had eaten well enough and if any of them had any pains or ailments.
The yellow tom's thoughts frequently turned to Lightningpelt more than his absent siblings. He didn't mind too much. Though Goldpaw feared for Silverpaw and Bronzepaw, he knew they were both tough and that they could handle themselves, and they would understand why he kept thinking about Lightningpelt.

Goldpaw sighed happily and turned to Blizzardgaze.
"Hey, Blizzardgaze," he meowed to her. "Have you eaten enough?"
The pale gray she-cat turned her eye to the younger tom. "Plenty," she snapped. She'd recently been re-affirming her friendship with Sunmist, and, that combined with worry, made her testy.
Goldpaw flattened his ears at the she-cat's tone. "Alright then," he hissed, and he stalked away.

[Longstorm]

Sunmist, sitting not too far from Blizzardgaze, watched her brother pad away. He supports Hollowstripe, she thought as she narrowed her eyes. Little witch. She doesn't deserve the rank of Deputy.
The orange-flecked she-cat stood and shook her rain spotted self off. She was ready. She was always ready.
So why couldn't Redstar see that?

[Meany]

Cloudfeet, healed, was padding in small circles.
He felt caged in. Boxed up. Trapped. Held back.
He wanted the battle to happen already! He'd been in the Rebellion (OOC: I don't remember which side I RPed him on, but his bio says he joined the Rebellion), fought against cat eaters, seen his Clanmates die, seen his mountain burn, seen the territories burned, heard of Clans being attacked...
Cloudfeet wanted to fight NOW.
The tom sighed, sitting down. Then he stood up. Then he sat down. Then he stood, and walked around a little. Then he sat, and sighed again.
And sighed.
"When are we leaving," he called to whoever heard him. Cloudfeet had eaten, his wounds had healed, he had rested, and Lets' go already!

[Guest]

Sleetcoat's pelt was covered in sleet (ironically.) He didn't mind. He'd covered himself in mud earlier and that was keeping him warm, and his pelt was thick anyways.
The senior warrior shared Cloudfeet's feelings.
He wanted to go. He wanted to fight. He wanted to avenge Smokepelt's death, avenge Lightingpelt's lost sight, avenge DarkClan's burnt territory, avenge Redstar's lost life, avenge the wounds on his Clanmates, and most importantly avenge Thornstar's death. The realization clawed the tom in the gut, painful and true.
Thornstar's death weigh heavily on Sleetcoat's shoulders.
There were days when he would think of the previous leader and the thought would suck the joy out of his every breath. Sleetcoat didn't believe that that she-cat and her ragged group had the smarts to choose to turn on Thornstar and DarkClan. Someone else must have told them.
The day will come, he thought to himself. The day will come when I will hunt and find whoever thought it best to take Thornstar's life...But not today. Today, he thought with determination, today I will remain. Today, I will fight.

Rainfoot couldn't eat. His stomach always got upset before a battle. It'd been that way since he was a kit.
I wanna go, I wanna fight!
The tom sighed heavily and saw his former mentor, Sleetcoat. The two shared a look and Rainfoot went to sit with him.
The two sat in silence.

Frostshine looked around slightly nervously, concerned for his Clan.
A fight without a healer...I'm glad I know SOME herbs...

[Longstorm]

Sunmist's mind began to race.
Why exactly can't Redstar see straight? What's wrong? She thought hard. Skyecho? Yes, yes, that must be it...the death of the mated she-cat he was pining after must be affecting his judgement severely, making him think he needed someone young...or something, something very similar to that. Perhaps Blueblossom, my father's mate, may have had a malicious paw in this matter. She's good at ruining leaders.
Sunmist gasped softly.
She must have ruined Thornstar! Tainted the bloodline, and is making her brother, our leader, bend to her every whim! Good thing she's not here - I'd have to do something about it. She glowered in her mind.
Sunmist looked to Redstar. Yes...he needs his friends to show him how twisted his thinking is. I need Blizzardgaze with me 100%, Blizzardgaze, Jaycall (he'd have to be eased into it much later, of course), and my brother.
The she-cat stiffened, worry for Gorseclaw flooding her mind. I need my brother at my side. Hollowstripe - Redstar, if need be - must be superseded. The Clan must be lead well!
The she-cat nodded calmly, knowing that nothing would now change her mind. her face giving nothing away.

OOC: I don't like going all "This is literally what I'm thinking" in a post...BUT, it gets the point across.
Geez, people will believe everything except that they're just power-hungry, and possibly insane due to a bad gene or something.
Aaaand, I'll probably edit this...meh.

[Runfast]

OOC: Spooooooookyyyyy.

IC: Goldpaw, having finished his rounds, rejoined Lightningpelt in the warrior's den. He and the she-cat had been growing closer over the past few weeks - now he couldn't imagine life without him at her side. (OOC: Did I mention - Lightningpelt and Goldpaw are an item. )
"We'll be going soon," he murmured to the pretty she-cat.

Blizzardgaze sighed, watching Goldpaw through her one good eye. She hadn't really meant to be snappish with him; she was concerned for her Clanmates - But mostly Gorseclaw, right?
The she-cat shoved the thought aside. No. No. No. Most importantly everyone...
And yet, her thoughts strayed to how the beige tom-cat's pelt shown against the mountain's landscape, and how he seemed to become one with the forest whenever they hunted, and how brave and intelligent and caring he seemed...
Blizzardgaze sighed again. Whatever would my mother say?

Redstar looked around the camp once more, counting the cats in his mind. I will keep them close, he thought. I will keep them safe, as a leader should.
He saw how Blizzardgaze stared into the distance and Sunmist at her side, how Frostshine lingered around the Healer's den, how Cloudfeet, Rainfoot, and Sleetcoat grouped, how Lightningpelt and his nephew were becoming inseparable, how Flowerfoot and Longfur seemed to keep to themselves, and Jaycall nearby.
I will protect them. I will keep us together.
The red tom nodded.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath Sky-Rock for a Clan meeting!" (OOC: Sky Rock since they're in the mountains, and he'd be against the sky???)

Longfur looked up from his tired musings of his lovely, and dead mate, Skyecho, and their kits that he had never met that were somewhere in the mountains, and how Redstar had mourned like a lover when his mate had been killed, to stand and go to the Sky Rock.

Goldpaw looked at Lightningpelt. "Let's go," he murmured.

Blizzardgaze glanced at Sunmist and sat up, their position close enough to the Sky Rock.

[Guest]

Frostshine hovered within the entrance of the healer's den, a part of him saying that he should stick around and figure stuff out - but, he went to join the crowd anyways.
I hope the healer comes back soon... Frostshine had been hanging around the healer's den a lot these days.
After seeing Skyecho fall, he'd wondered if there hadn't been some herb that could have revived her; then an herb that would have cured Smokepelt when he'd become sick. But I don't know any of the herbs well enough! The black tom sighed heavily, casting his pale gaze to the ground.

Rainfoot and Sleetcoat looked at each other as they waited for Redstar to speak.
"We're all here anyways," Rainfoot mumbled to Sleetcoat. "He could just say that we're leaving..."
Sleetcoat shrugged. "He wants to be sure, I suppose."
Rainfoot sighed impatiently.

[Longstorm]

Sunmist slowly stood and stretched, feeling completely relaxed now that she knew what was needed to be known (OOC: WHAT THE HELL DOES THAT MEAN.). She looked up at Redstar. Now she saw him not with anger and confusion, but instead a deep pity. Poor, poor Redstar...

[Meany]

OOC: How was Frostshine hovering?

IC: Lightningpelt stood and followed Goldpaw (her cheek brushing his side for guidance), stepping carefully and trying to understand the different changes in the ground. The dips and the rioughness and the snmooth places.
Everything's different, she thought kinda sadly. But I'm glad I have Goldpaw - but he shouldn't treat me like a kit! Geez.
She sat with her ears pricked way forward, confused by some sounds (oddly some sounds were confusing if you couldn';t see where they come from) - she wanted to hear Redstar rge best she couls.

[NKninja]

OOC: FROSTSHINE IS A SPACE CAT! That is all...

[Guest]

OOC: heheheheh

IC: Sleetcoat and Rainfoot kept waiting.

Jaycall was waiting, too, his gray pelt looking rather sleek in the endless rain - barely a single scar on it, despite the fact he had seen many battles. Was that a testament to his strength, or his ability to sweet-talk anyone?
(OOC: I never play this guy, why don't I play him? Son of Thornstar, he's Robinsong's littermate...Lot of interesting possibilities there.)

[Runfast]

Redstar looked at his cats, a fear gripping his heart, freezing his paws to the cold, wet Sky-Rock. (OOC: Maybe Gray Rock was fine after all...hmm...)
"DarkClan," his voice was a wobbly as a newly apprenticed tom. He cleared his throat. "DarkClan. You all know the current situation with MudbloodClan and the Clans in the lowlands. Of the bloodshed and tyrany. Well, we will go down to the Bloodstones in the spirit of the Gathering, and when we see those Mudbloods we will tell them 'No More!' And it will be said with our unity, our loyalty, and our claws, since I see no other way." He felt a little sad as he was saying that. Redstar said 'unity,' even though it hadn't been his original speech, because he was still worried about how the previously-divided Clan would fare in a battle, what with having fought against each other, and everyone's nervousness about Hollowstripe.
Thornstar, I'm not sure what to do. I can lead them to the Bloodstones, I can speak...but do I have the courage and wisdom to do what must be done? Can I really protect them all? Can I really keep them together - keep them alive? Blueblossom, the kits, Blackfire, Icepaw, Mistlight, Smokepelt, Skyecho...what can I do?
All of those thoughts passed in seconds. "We're going now."
Redstar cursed the simple words, but he had nothing else to give. He licked his split lip and jumped down, and headed for the exit of the camp.

Blizzardgaze felt a little confused. "He didn't say anything we haven't heard before," she complained to Sunmist as she stood.

Goldpaw cocked his head. "Well, that was..." He didn't have any words for his beloved uncle's demeanor.
He looked at Lightningpelt. "Are you ready? The Bloodstones, the Moonfall, TawnyClan and DewClan territory - many things I've never seen..." Well, he'd seen DewClan territory, but it had been dark. Then he realized his poor choice of words. "Well, not seen, as much as experienced!" He chuckled nervously, his pelt prickling.

[Guest]

Jaycall had held a cocked head and a confused expression throughout the entire meeting.
He spoke well enough...But why isn't he confident? And why isn't anyone else enthusiastic? If this was Thornstar, there'd be cheering...but not here...
Jaycall looked around at his Clanmates. The Clan reflects the leader... The gray tom shook his head, worried.
Jaycall followed the others.

Sleetcoat and Rainfoot were satisfied. "Good," meowed Rainfoot. "The sooner, the better." The two made their way to the exit.

[Runfast]

Redstar had stopped, watching the cats go past him in single file. "Sleetcoat," he called, "Take point." The red tom clawed the ground nervously.

Goldpaw was making his way in the line with Lightningpelt.

Blizzardgaze whispered to Sunmist, "You were right...Redstar really isn't a good leader at all," she had said this while Redstar had been talking.
Now everyone was filing out.
Blizzardgaze looked at Sunmist. "It should be you taking point," she muttered, her good eye narrowing. They weren't even walking yet. "It's all a popularity contest..."

[Longstorm]

Sunmist sighed heavily, sounding depressed. "Yes. Yes, I know, Blizzardgaze. But it isn't his fault. A great many sad things have happened to that poor tom. He isn't thinking clearly, you know. So, you know what? We must be supportive, and get him to the right way of thinking. You and I." The she-cat's eyes narrowed at the sighed of Lightningpelt shuffling along. "What good will she be," the sun-spotted she-cat wondered aloud.
Sunmist shook her head and looked at Blizzardgaze. "Come, my friend," she purred. "We have our mission, and our orders. We musn't wait." Sunmist kicked up her heels and joined the line, leaving the camp.

OOC: Sunmist certainly has a hold on the attitude of the Clan...

[Meany]

Lightingpelt paused when she smelled Redstar. "Redstar," she mewed to him. "What use can I possibly be? I'm blind..."

Cloudfeet walked past.

[Runfast]

Redstar looked at the blind she-cat, caught somewhat off guard. "Well...you can help Mi-" He shut his mouth. Mistlight wasn't here. They didn't have a medicine cat. They didn't have a medicine cat apprentice. They were sort of...helpless, in that area. No one really knew any herbs. "Uh..." He saw Goldpaw looking at him and he felt his pelt flash with embarrassment. "Um...Tell you what. Go with -" Redstar looked around and saw Frostshine, hovering around the healer's den (as he would.) "With Frostshine...See if you two can pick up some herbs for us..." The red leader was really grasping for straws at this point. He swallowed nervously.

Blizzardgaze had heard every single word. StarClan, how could you have given us a leader like this? Sheesh.

[Meany]

Lightningpelt felt as embarrassed as Redstar sounded. "Right," she mewed awkwardly, shuffling her paws. "I'll just..." She shuffled away, heading in the direction she knew the healer's den was, and - by the scent of it - Frostshine.
"Frostshine," she called softly.

[Guest]

Frostshine looked at the blind she-cat surprised and feeling a little awkward, as he had felt ever since the snappy she-cat had gone blind and lost her signature chip on her shoulder.
"Eh...Hello, Lightningpelt. I know that it's time to go, I was just seeing if there was any herbs we could use that I know won't kill everyone..." He laughed awkwardly.

Jaycall stopped by Redstar, even as everyone else left the camp. "Redstar," he meowed. His voice was concerned and smooth, a trait that got him marked as snake-like by many. A rather unfair observation, since he just had that voice.

[Longstorm]

Sunmist exchanged a look with Blizzardgaze as they left the camp. (OOC: It's taking a while for everyone to leave...)

[Runfast]

Redstar glanced at Jaycall but said nothing, looking away and doing the cat equivalent of biting his lower lip anxiously.
Redstar knew that his actions, his thinking, and his planning were all wrong. That he needed to snap out of it.
But I can't. I'm just... He sighed internally. Like this, now. Redstar didn't want to look at Jaycall - the tom reminded the leader far too much of Blueblossom and Thornstar and his own mother - They're all gone, aren't they. I wish Blueblossom was here...She'd tell me how to take care of all this... The white she-cat had always had a knack for being right. And being there.
The red tom shook off thoughts of his sister when he felt grief piercing his heart anew. (OOC: Emo.) StarClan , this is stupid. Feelings and emotions are stupid. It was like, one day Redstar had been fine, then suddenly BAM! everything that had happened smacked him in the face.
Everything...Redstar scowled, hating his treacherous heart - he was a leader! He was supposed to be the best he could be, swallow the herbs like Thornstar had told him to.
Redstar officially shoved the thoughts from his head. Without looking at Jaycall, Redstar meowed, "Join the others outside. We'll be there soon." Well, that sounded leader-like enough.

[Guest]

Jaycall's ears twitched uncertainly, but he left.

Frostshine shuffled around the diminshed store of herbs, wondering at the smells and different textures. The smell of the Healer's den had always been a point of fascination to the quiet tom. "I think..." He fell silent, thinking hard.
"Ragweed. For strength." He gingerly touched the dried leaves with his paw. There was a yellow flowered plant for healing wounds... The tom looked at the sorted herbs, trying to sort out the proper yellow herb."Oh," he meowed softly when he saw a long, skinny plant with yellow flowers. He didn't know what it was called, but it had been used on him before. Frostshine gently pulled the tall stalks out of the piles along with the Ragweed. We should bring these with. He looked at Lightningpelt. "We should ask Redstar if we should bring these herbs. They'll be useful."

[Meany]

Lightningpelt spoke quickly. "That's why I'm here. To bring herbs..." Her voice didn't hold much of the old passion and zest she had always applied in life. She was sort of blind, anyways.
"Is there...anything that will help my eyes?" Lightningpelt hated bringing up her own blindness but she wanted to know. There probably wasn't anything that would cure the horrible burns and swelling on her face, but it was nice to dream.
Lightningpelt waited.

[Guest]

Frostshine white-tipped ears pricked forward. "Oh..." He awkwardly sifted through the herbs with a paw. "Well..." He sighed heavily. "I don't know. I'm sorry, Lightningpelt. I only know a few herbs...I couldn't bear it if I accidentally made your eyes worse with the wrong herb." His gray eyes were full of sorrow. "But...maybe the medicine cat from one of the other Clans will know."

[Meany]

Lightningpelt sighed heavily. "Alright," she practically snapped. "Fine. We should take whatever herbs you know." She paused. "Where are they?"

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