Dark Blue (Pure)

[.:Lion:.]

Dark blue, dark blue
Have you ever been alone in a crowded room?

The camp was thinly overlaid with a shimmering layer of snow that clung to the bushes and trees. The clouds high overhead were a dull grey color and stretched across the horizon, unbroken with a stream of light barely penetrating through. Icepetal made her way into the camp, looking around her with her big amber eyes. She wondered if her brother was still with Midnightfur - they'd been spending more time together lately. Icepetal was glad that he was branching out, getting to know other cats. But she'd be lying if she said that she wasn't lonely. Icepetal looked about her, her beautiful face turning back and forth, looking for someone to talk to. But she saw no one that she would consider approaching. She sighed, making her way to a little patch of sunlight near the nursery. She crouched down, curling her tail around her paws as she watched the camp, thinking. If Brambletail found a new friend, she would have to, as well. Perhaps it was time she socialized more. But Icepetal was not accustomed to approaching other cats - she'd spent most of her life alone, waiting for Brambletail to return from his "lessons". Even when they'd joined RiverClan, she'd felt distanced and alone. Now, she hoped to become closer to her Clanmates. She wanted to prove her loyalty somehow. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she looked over the camp, her expression sad. Would she ever feel completely at home here? She hoped so. Perhaps someone would come who could understand her and listen? She would like that. She needed a friend. Icepetal adjusted her position, making herself comfortable. She would wait to be assigned to a patrol or something. Until then she would do as she normally did and watch, waiting to see if anyone approached her today.

When I'm here with you
I said the world could be burning
Now burn it down...

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[ρυяє]

ooc; nice beginning. My muse just took some paid vacations as well, so well... here it goes...


Amber eyes narrowed odiously at the beam of light that shone through a cleft in the rocks above his head. Blinking away sleepiness, Brackenstar woke from one of the few dreams he had actually enjoyed. Rolling over from his back, the leader got on his paws and stretched. His back popped delightfully as he did so, clawing his moss bed. Straightening up, the tom cat turned his head over his shoulder and began grooming bits of twigs and moss out of his coat.

Once he was presentable, Brackenstar padded out of his den. Looking around, he saw that the camp was covered with a thin layer of snow, and that not very many cats were around. It was early, some had probably gone out hunting or were returning from a night's one. Muffling a yawn, the leader padded into the gray day, silently scanning the surroundings of camp. He spotted a female warrior, Icepetal, to be exact, and saw her go lie down in one of the few rays of sun that hit a spot just outside the nursery. She seemed tired, and slightly haggard. Nodding once to her in greeting, the silent tom continued among his way, looking for active warriors to accompany him in a border patrol.

[.:Lion:.]

Icepetal turned when she noticed movement in her field of vision. She saw Brackenstar emerging from his den, the weak sunlight pouring through the grey clouds dappling his fine tabby fur. She tilted her head to the side, watching, then nodded respectfully when he acknowledged her. The beautiful she-cat turned her face away quickly, not wanting to draw attention. She was sure that if any cat had their eye on her and her brother, it would be the Clan leader. Brackenstar had allowed them to stay, but she didn't want him to think she was impertinent or was frivolous. She wanted to do something, to make some difference. Perhaps I will go on a patrol. She thought nervously, wishing for the first time that her brother was by her side and not off with his new friend. She got to her paws quickly and began to make her way back to the entrance of the camp, where she hoped to escape and find something productive to do, to avoid Brackenstar's attention at least.

[ρυяє]

It seemed to be one of those days where there was no one around. Where were his warriors? Sighing, the leader padded again around camp, making sure he hadn't missed anybody. He came across the fact that Icepetal was no longer at that cozy-looking spot outside the nursery, but near the entrance. At least she was active.

Seeing no other alternative, the leader padded up to her. "Good morning, Icepetal," Brackenstar said, in his usual quiet tone of voice. "Would you mind accompanying me to patrol the border with Windclan?" Sitting down in front of her and wrapping his bushy tail around his paws, he added, quite calmly, "I'm afraid it'll just be you and me,though. There's no one else around this day."

[.:Lion:.]

Icepetal flinched when she heard Brackenstar's voice behind her. But she turned slowly, fixing a smile on her face. She listened to his proposal with an interested expression on her face. When he got to the part about them going together - alone - she felt a bit queasy. Was this some sort of test? Was he going to try and trick her somehow? She tried not to look nervous as she nodded.

"As you wish, Brackenstar," she mewed with a respectful nod and a gentle smile.

[ρυяє]

The tom nodded once in complacency. "Make sure you have a good breakfast, then." He said softly, turning to pad toward the fresh-kill pile himself. "We can't be hunting once we are there." Brackenstar looked over the pile of carcasses. It wasn't half as big as any leader would wish, but it was still enough to feed the clan for now. Hopefully, New-Leaf wouldn't take too long to arrive. Picking out a small fish, the leader sat and began his meal, keeping in mind that after the patrol, he'd take more cats to gather more food.

[.:Lion:.]

Icepetal remained where she'd been standing for a few moments, her gaze distant. She remembered when she would sit in that old hollow and wait in the bushes, her fur feeling uncomfortable and hot even in the chilly air. Brambletail would always come with food, slinking with a suspicious look on his face, as if suspecting someone were waiting for him, waiting to kill him. And he wouldn't have been far off, if the worst had come. Icepetal sighed, making her way to the fresh-kill pile. She picked a small mouse without really browsing, curling up to her food a respectful distance away from her leader.

[ρυяє]

The leader ate slowly, but deliberately, as one should eat. He paid no mind at the awkwardness with which the she-cat was acting, having somewhat of an idea what her reasons were. Already halfway through fish, Brackenstar turned his head to Icepetal and asked, polite as usual, "Is the mouse not to your liking? You seem a bit distraught." Keeping his back straight, the tom cat looked through soft and calm amber eyes at the she-cat, waiting for her reply.

[.:Lion:.]

Icepetal just took a bite of mouse when Brackenstar turned to her. She nearly choked on it, but was left coughing, her nose scrunched in distaste. She shook her head, clearing her throat before turning to her leader.

"Um, no, it's fine. I'm just thinking. Or I was." She meowed with an embarrassed smile.

[ρυяє]

[Brackenstar]

Brackenstar hadn't even had the chance to raise a paw to help her when she was already saying she was fine. Sighing a little in relief, the leader nodded. "Well, that is good to know. I wouldn't want you to be eating any tainted food." He mewed quietly, dipping his head to take a bite out of his own fish. Deciding to ignore her incident---she looked rather embarrassed---Brackenstar went over the places where there had been reports of ill-smelling food in his mind. He'd been going to some of those places today, again, after the border patrol. He had to find the source of this smell, this illness, before anything happened.

No one else dies.. He thought, the image of Shellfur coming to his mind.

[.:Lion:.]

Icepetal glanced at Brackenstar, surprised. Was he worried about her? She glanced down at his food, considering. She knew about the tainted food, and the sickness that was spreading through RiverClan. She wondered if her leader fretted over all his warriors - as some had died, that wouldn't surprise her. It must be hard being a leader, she thought. She looked back down at her mouse and took a few bites, ignoring the queasy feeling in her stomach, which she felt simply because she was thinking about losing some of her Clanmates to that sickness. What if her brother died? What if Brackenstar lost a life? She looked up at him, curious. She'd thought the whole "nine lives" bit was a legend, but she knew it was true now. It was an awe-inspiring thing, having more than one life to give for one's Clan. She wouldn't trade places with him, but she did admire him. Icepetal suddenly realized she was staring and her gaze quickly returned to her mouse.

[ρυяє]

[Brackenstar]

The tom had been turning the matter over in his mind ever since he had found that first rotten fish. Not even tasting his food anymore, the leader finished his meal. He felt he was being watched as he set away the bones of his fish, and so amber eyes looked up to see Icepetal quickly avert her eyes from him. Brackenstar had only seen a flash of her gaze, and so was not sure whether he saw correctly. There was awe, in her eyes, curiosity, admiration, too. Or was he just imagining things? It was early, after all.

Licking his paw, the tom groomed his whiskers clean from any fish remnants that might have caught onto it. Then standing up, he said to the warrior, "Meet me at the camp entrance when you are finished." Thus, he padded away, thinking that maybe, just maybe, what he had seen was, indeed, true. But then again, why might a former outsider be curious about him?

[.:Lion:.]

Icepetal nodded solemnly and cleaned off the rest of her mouse. She took the bones out to bury them, trying to take her time but finding she was shaking a bit, nervous at every passing moment that stood between her and Brackenstar. She finished quickly and made her way back towards the entrance, moving so quickly the muscles were shifting with silver flashes beneath her stark white pelt. She slowed when she came in sight and tried to look unrushed as she joined Brackenstar.

"All set to go." She meowed cheerfully, fixing him with her wide amber eyes, feeling more at ease. She even allowed a bright smile, sure that he wasn't going to think her a spy or anything. Brackenstar just wanted some help on the patrol, that was all. Maybe this means I'm finally going to feel like a part of the Clan. Icepetal thought wistfully, silently thanking her brother for being out at the moment.

[ρυяє]

[Brackenstar]

The she-cat's sudden change in attitude would have made any other cat edgy and suspicious. Not Brackenstar, though. He took Icepetal's smile as a sign on good will and gave her a slight smile in return. He very rarely smiled, he being the serious cat that he was. However, there were always those rare occasions when one or two smiles escaped him.

Nodding once, the leader stood up and mewed quietly. "Let's go then." Turning around, Brackenstar padded out through the camp's entrance.


ooc; sorry for crappy post.. > < My muse is running very short on me.

[.:Lion:.]

Icepetal looked up in time to see Brackenstar's smile and her heart skittered a moment in her chest. She tipped her head to one side, realizing that she'd never really seen Brackenstar smile before. She wished he'd do it more often - it made him look very handsome. She relaxed and nodded, then plodded after her leader, enjoying the day if not quite the weather. Icepetal looked up at the bright blue sky, her amber eyes narrowing slightly. Newleaf couldn't be far off... She hoped that it would bring more clean prey and less sickness.

OOC: Yeah ditto v.v Haha

[ρυяє]

[Brackenstar]

The leader padded to the border with Windclan, senses alert. The mingled scent of both clans was strong, other cats had definitely been here. Amber eyes scanned the area, flicking from side to side in his calm visage.

The tom oozed tranquility as he padded along each bush and tree, there was nothing out of order. "Our scent is a bit more faded than theirs." He mewed quietly, "Icepetal, do help me set our marks again." With that said, Brackenstar began rubbing his fur against a tree's roots, just over the previous faded marks that were there.

ooc; -bows head repeatedly- sorry again > < I had no clue of what to have Bracken do.

[.:Lion:.]

OOC: haha, s'cool.

BIC: Icepetal dipped her head, then padded up to the nearest bush, screwing her nose up against the scent of WindClan. She rubbed her fur against the soft fronds, enjoying the feeling of the leaves against her shoulder and flank. She sighed, looking out over the moorlands. What would it be like to live in that wide open space? She would feel so exposed. Icepetal shook her head, bringing her thoughts back to the present. She turned and padded along the border, renewing the scent markers with care.

[ρυяє]

[Brackenstar]


The leader looked at the warrior out of the corner of his eyes. Yes, she seemed calmer now. Turning his attention back to the markings, Brackenstar rubbed his pelt along the nearest couple of rocks. The roughness and coolness of them like a soothing brush as the small chips ran through his fur.

It was chillier here, a lot cooler than deeper into Riverclan territory. Turning his head, the tom gazed at the open moorland. There was a lot of space, and it seemed windy. Very windy. He had seen the build of Windclan cats before. They didn't have much meat in their bones and they were certainly light. How could they stand the cold blows of the wind, specially in Leaf-bare? Brackenstar wondered, shaking his head and muffling a small chuckle. There he was again, getting lost in his thoughts. Running a paw over his face, he continued to set the border marks.

[.:Lion:.]

Icepetal heard a soft noise behind her. She turned, her big amber eyes examining Brackenstar's face. He seemed distracted - possibly thinking about the other Clans, as well? A small smile played at the sides of her pretty face. She then turned back to the border, scenting the air. She blinked in surprise. There was fresh WindClan scent. She cast a glance over the border and saw a patrol walking along the shoreline. She backed away from the border, a shiver running up her pelt. She didn't want to face hostile cats. She was afraid of confrontation - always had been, though it had worsened the last time she'd seen her father. Icepetal tried not to look uncomfortable, but she slunk forward a little, not wanting the WindClanners to see her if they were coming anywhere near the border.

[ρυяє]

[Brackenstar]

His nose found them first than his eyes. Turning his head sharply in the direction of the Windclan patrol, standing his ground. Brackenstar's amber eyes followed them, he didn't mind if they came close to them. Icepetal and him were still in Riverclan territory, and as long as Windclan didn't look for trouble, he had no reason to worry.

It seemed to be different for the she-cat, though. "Icepetal, are you alright?" He asked, wondering why she seemed to be hiding herself. "You shouldn't worry about being seen. You are still in Riverclan territory, and most importantly, you're with me."

[.:Lion:.]

Icepetal flinched when she heard her leader's voice. He must think I'm a coward. She thought. And why not? I have about as much courage as a mouse. She looked over at him and straightened up, though she kept glancing warily at the border.

"Yes, Brackenstar. I understand," she meowed sheepishly. His words made her think of her brother, who was always talking big and saying he'd protect her. But what Icepetal had always wanted was someone to give her the courage to stand up for herself, somehow. She loved her brother, but sometimes she felt like she was nothing but a little sister that needed protecting. She wanted to be strong, too. She just didn't know quite how to go about that.

[ρυяє]

[Brackenstar]

"I am glad you understand." He mewed quietly, keeping an eye on the Windclan patrol. He continued to speak to the she-cat even if he wasn't looking at her. "You are quite a capable warrior and I believe that even if I wasn't here, you'd be able to fend off for yourself." The patrol was indeed getting nearer. Brackenstar narrowed his eyes, trying to count how many cats there were. One...two...three..four... alright, then, just four cats.

He neared a tree and leaped onto a thick, protruding root. Yes, he could see better from there, and he really did not care if he was seen. He was still in his own territory, after all. The leader narrowed his amber eyes again, trying to make out the Windclan cats. They were very lightly built, but there was always that difference that set apart she-cats from toms. He could only make out the gender of one, though. "One tom.." He whispered to himself, and a quite odd Windclanner. This tom was quite furry, and heavily built. A fighter, to be sure. Hopefully, his temper wouldn't be as thick as his coat.

[.:Lion:.]

Icepetal followed Brackenstar closely, feeling uplifted by his words. She wanted to prove herself to him, more than she'd ever wanted anything. It was a strange sensation, but Icepetal's mind was too focused on the WindClan patrol to really pay attention to it. She looked out at the four figures approaching the border, her eyes narrowing as she tried to make out who they could be. She turned at the sound of Brackenstar's voice, wondering if he knew the cats. She hadn't been to many gatherings, so names were less than clear in her mind.

"There isn't any danger, right?" She asked, sounding more confident than she felt. She didn't like the odds - they were outnumbered, after all. She was sure that at least her fighting skills could compare to the WindClanner's. But anything more than that was questionable, and Icepetal liked certainties.

[ρυяє]

Brackenstar eyed the patrol wearily as it came closer, ignoring the quiet fluttering that was going on somewhere in his chest as he spoke to Icepetal. "No," He said quietly. "There is no danger." They were still in their territory, after all. Then again, he didn't know how the Windclan cats would react, and if it came to a fight...

The leader turned around, facing his warrior. "Let's continue. We might be safe, but I believe it is best if they don't see us. Keep downwind." Jumping down from the root he had previously leaped on, the tom disappeared through a cluster of bushes that gave entrance to the side of a flowing stream.

[.:Lion:.]

Icepetal listened to her leader with an guarded expression on her face. She cast once glance at the WindClan patrol, then nodded slightly, leaping down after him into the brush. She glanced around her at the thick growth, parting her jaws to drink in the scents around her. She made sure of the wind's direction before letting her shoulders relax, moving like a snake through the reeds that grew in abundance on the border with WindClan. She caught up to Brackenstar and felt her pulse stutter strangely in her chest at the sight of his thickset shoulders, his strong back, his angular ears... She blinked, trying to banish such thoughts. She wasn't sure what they meant, and they made her nervous - even more so than she had been facing the WindClan patrol. What's going on? Icepetal thought crossly, I'm acting like a startled mouse!