Fandom A Runaway’s New Home [Private 1x1]

[Honeypool]

Moonlight scattered over the moor, making the long grass shine silver. It was dark and cold as Honeypool swiftly padded away from camp. Her amber eyes blinking away tears as she quickened her pace into a swift trot. Her once clean and glossy fur was now fluffed up wildly and covered in scratches. Panic, anger, and hurt roared through her body. She was more disappointed in herself than anything. A sudden flash of embarrassment coursed through her, and she tried to stomach it down. She felt like an idiot.

Her mind flashed with memories that had taken place a few moons ago now. She hadn't returned home. She couldn't return home. Instead, she had laid there, in the soft grass, frozen in shock before finally allowing herself to break down, more mentally than physically. She was too fearful to turn back now, already being gone. She was tired, and the cold wind wasn't helping her soreness either. Where would she go? Where could she go? The right side of her face hurt the most. The pain was still throbbing, even now. She breathed in deeply before exhaling out.

It wasn't anything knew, at least. not to her. Her mate had done this before, time and time again. But it was never to this extent. Never this loudly had they fought or hissed at each other. Honeypool was sure she was seeing red, and only read as he snapped at her and accused her of things she couldn't even remember. Only StarClan knew what was going through her mate's mind as she met him outside of camp. She paused and looked up at the sky, watching the stars for a moment. Tonight, it was clear at least, giving her time to question the path she was walking and if it was right. She huffed out, her breath catching in the night air, and she continued to walk, not caring where she was going as long as it was far enough from him.

The thought of him now made her sick. It left a bitter taste in her mouth as she brushed it against the roof of her mouth, trying to coax it out, but with no prevail she grew angry. Her eyes flashed as she quickened her pace against braking into now a quick jog, almost running. She almost felt free racing around the forest grounds, the wind fluffing up her unkept pelt even more, her long limps carrying her away like a leaf in the midnight air. She only stopped after some feet to catch her breath. Her body whining at her to stop and take it easy. She was pushing herself past the pain the best she could, knowing she'll regret it later, but for now she just wanted a drink. She looked around now noticing she was on unfamiliar. The scent of pine and marsh was clear. ShadowClan. She let her ears prick up and her nose pointed towards the wind. Surely, she was alone at this time of night that none of the patrols would be out. She wasn't in a condition to fight but if she needed to, she would. She just wanted a drink, and she would be on her way.

 

[Chill Alley Cat]

Oh! don't know what that was about whoops! Also was responding to a different RP sorry about the wait!//

RobinFang paced in front of the patrol, the numerous smells of NewLeaf dancing about as stars dazzled above the tortoiseshell tom. A group of three freshly made warriors behind him, the young cats having a comfortable murmur of chit-chat as the warm night blanketed the group.

The winter was just leaving them, thorns and thick underbrush finally appearing under piles of snow and ice that melts in the warm spring breeze. Shadowclan was happy and eager to have prey in their part of the forest again, the nocturnal cats stretching far and wide across their land bringing back bundles of creatures that fed the dark-coated cats. RobinFang just happy to go on a night patrol again, the winter being too cold to allow such a thing, the tom welcoming the silent stir of darkness warmly.


His ears were in tune with the woods, sometimes picking up the cat behind him, SweetHare, a small white tom, pouting about losing his potential fresh kill as ThornMask, a dark gray and yellow she-cat, boasted about her frog, all the while their quiet gray friend, DustWatcher, stay silent. DustWatcher was RobinFang's favorite of the patrol.

The young tom's ears picked up right, the wind curling into his ears to carry the small whimpers and snores of what could only be prey. His tail flicked for the patrol to seize their movements, the bundle coming to a stop behind him their mouths snapping shut.


The tortoiseshell licked his lips, imagining a plump rabbit has stumbled its way through the pine trees. His short belly fur snagged on the high thorns that waved and twisted on the mossy earth, his elbows bending as he stalked closer to the noise at the river border.

 

[Honeypool]

Don't worry about it! Glad it's all been sorted out!

Honeypool had finally stopped walking. Her paws heavy, almost dragging her to the floor. She rested for a moment finally finding a small stream to get a drink from. The cold water was refreshing. It felt like she hadn't had water in moons as she swallowed mouthful after mouthful, only stopping to catch her breath. Once finished she sat down and just watched the water. It was slow moving, roughly the size of her front paws put together. Her amber eyes were cold as she finally caught sight of her face. She hadn't been able to see it until now.

Two fresh scars rested upon her cheek. She gritted her teeth slightly. She could still catch the faint smell of blood in her fur. Some of it was beginning to clump together with grass and dirt, but for once she didn't care to much about her appearance. She was too tired and hurt to care. "He really got you this time, didn't he?" Her voice was soft, a whisper to herself. Her eyes still fixed on her own reflection she could feel tears pooling in her eyes.

That made her angry. She closed her eyes, before blinking them away. She wouldn't cry anymore. It wasn't going to fix anything even if she did. Her tail lashed out behind her in annoyance. She was angrier with herself than anyone else. She wanted to scream. Could she scream? Her ears pricked up as she glanced around her. "Probably better if I didn't..." She quickly caught herself not wanting to draw any attention to herself.

She would rest here for a moment more. She was too tired to move. Her body felt stiff as she curled up beside the stream, listening to the gentle sound of the water. Her head rested on her paws as she drew her tail around herself for a bit more warmth. At least here the trees seemed to provide some shelter from the wind unlike the moor that was open and empty. Tucking herself into a ball under the shadows she felt truly alone. She could turn back, apologize, and climb back into her nest.

The thought was nice. To be back in the warrior's den, curled up next to him... Her head shot up from her paws as she let out a frustrated growl. "Don't be a kit." she snapped at herself. "You don't need him!" She huffed. I can make myself warm all on my own! Her pelt prickled with annoyance as she laid back down and closed her eyes. Just hush and rest for a bit more.

 

[Chill Alley Cat]

RobinFang could smell blood as he neared the small rippling of the stream that seeped into the shadows from RIverclan. The pale-fitted tom flicked his tail in anticipation parting his jaws just to hear his teeth click together again as he crept through the roots and damp marshes of southern Shadowclan.

While the tom seemed to have done it a million times before, his pelt slicking through the forest with ease, the patrol struggled to get a hold of him as the tom almost raced them out of sight as soon as he sensed fresh-kill. SweetHare panted behind the rest, the plump manx most un-fit out of the bunch, as he parted through watermints and cattails. His she-cat counterpart, ThornMask, crept right by RobinFang with ease, her large amber eyes zooming about everywhere to catch what the tortoiseshell was stalking.

"So...What are you looking for?" The striped pointed she-cat asked, her head tilting as she tip-toed beside him. RobinFang growled at the warrior, not enjoying his hunting skills being questioned by the younger cat. The entirety of the patrol was about his age, only a moon behind his own warrior's ceremony, but RobinFang refused to acknowledge that.

"Prey, but now that you've asked I'm looking for silence too." He growled, his ticked ear flicking in annoyance. ThornMask promptly backed off the tom to join the rest of the patrol instead, finding his stern gaze and cold tone off-putting. The tom sighed in relief.



He finally neared the scent, the excitement of finally getting his paws on prey sent tingles to his taste buds as his pupils widen. He appeared just out from the stalks of reeds, his clanmates a couple of foxtails behind him, his goal. It was small and lanky, the bright moon outlining its shivering form that moaned undisguised complaints.

He couldn't tell what it, was a paw set gently forward to better see, the skylight blinding him and reflecting in his green eyes. It oozed pity and fear, like an injured animal that was backed into its den. He had to prevent his teeth from chatting as a pounce coiled in his back legs, just a single step more and he would-

SNAP

A cattail he has parted his wave though snapped under his weight, revealing his mud-caked form. His green gaze parted by silts cut into amber.

 

[Honeypool]

Without a skipping a beat Honeypool's head shot up against. Her fur pricking up along her spine as she got to her paws. Her heart was pounding in her ears, drowning out every other sound around her. What was THAT?! Her breath hitched in her throat, almost choking her. Fear and anxiety surged through her, making her pelt unbearable warm. If cat's could sweat, she would be drenched in it right now. Her eyes flashed from left to right trying to make out shapes, but this territory was new, dark, and she could hardly tell a bush apart from a boulder if someone asked.

What if it was him? Honeypool's mind whirled as she pressed her further into the shadows. He wouldn't have followed her all the way here, right? Into another clan's territory? She swallowed, her throat now dry again as she began trembling in her fur. Her claws digging into the soft ground as she tried to sink down lower. She didn't want to speak, move, or breathe. She didn't like feeling cornered. She didn't like feeling small. But she was along with helpless.

She pulled her teeth back into a snarl, more with anger as she braced herself for whatever was going to happen next.

 

[Chill Alley Cat]

Cats can sweat lol//

The chatter between shadowclan cats silenced, their ears picking at the sound of stumbling near the border, dread sinking in the patrol's pelts. The rush of feet clawed their way through the wet marsh, the sound of thick mud clobbering its way to meet RobinFang's position at the smell of panic and fear that drenched the air.

The sound of a hitching breath and wheeze caught the tom off guard as the silhouette got noticeably bigger, their pelt shaking to a rise in the moonlight. Their teeth bared, lean limb's claws sputtering into the wet dirt beneath, rearing their head back with a huffing snarl as an offending canine would. This was no fresh-kill, this was an intruder.


RobinFang bristled as scornful eyes bored into his own, ready to lash about with panic and anger of a sparking flame on dry grass. The sound of breathing hitching in the back of someone's throat, the growing shadow that cast out the moonlight, and the racing of sloppy paw steps that neared his back, all fogged the tortoiseshell mind, his ears deafening to overstimulation as if drowning in a crowd.

The warrior was blinded by the sound, the vibrations clawing against his pelt painfully, the spring of his back legs firing towards the assailant dressed in shadow. He wouldn't need the dismissive help of his clanmates, their calling mute under the sound of his own heartbeat, as they only served to clog his brain and act as gritting rust over his joints.

If he stopped, he would lose, so he turned a deaf ear to the patrol's demands as his teeth lunged to pin the intruder down. His canines tug on tufts of fur, adrenaline numbing the pain of desperate claws as he dragged them to the ground, their pelts lashed in mud as the two wrestled to the ground.



"RobinFang she's already down! Get off!" Howled ThornMask, having to physically stop the tom to hold him back, her voice stinging his ears. He groans at the headache that pained him now, letting go of whatever he was holding on to.

The group was stunned to silence at the sheer display of panic they witnessed, the quiet allowing RobinFang to see again. The tortoiseshell scowled at his now raging pain that banged about his skull, rubbing the back of his paw on his muzzle.

He pulls his paw back, his pad sticking with a clump of brown fur that wasn't his as his green eyes scaled upward. A small disheveled she-cat took the place of the menacing shadow, surrounded by warriors. DustWatcher questions her whereabouts in suspicion, SweetHare comforting her, and ThornMask standing between them with a glare shot though the gray and orange tom.

 

[Honeypool]

//Like how dogs can sweat through their paws?

Honeypool hissed out loud, her eyes wide with shock and fear as she laid in the mud. The heaviness of it weighing down her body even more. She just wanted to lie here. She was even more tired and sore now as she shakingly got to her paws. Flashbacks from a few nights crossed her mind. Her fur mixing with his out of annoyance and betrayal. She spat to herself as she tried to pull herself together.

The scent of ShadowClan was clear now as she looked up to face her attackers. She claws still drawn and ears pinned back. She was breathing hard as she quickly scanned over them. Four of them? Why are they out so late, no cat should be out this late. You're out this late. Honeypool blinked slowly. Her head was spinning as she wasn't sure what to do. Would then chase her back to WindClan? Please no! Her eyes squeezed shut as she tried to calm herself. Her attention slipping from the group as she looked off in the distance towards her clan border. She would rather have them kill her than go back there.

She finally locked eyes with her attacker. Her fur ruffling up in annoyance as she shot a glare at him. Not that she had any right to do so and in the back of her mind she knew she didn't. She turned away from him looking at the other cats with him. "I'm just passing through...." Her voice was hushed, almost lost in the wind. "I-I don't want any more trouble." She almost sounded desperate. She was desperate, not that they needed to know. Her gaze turned to the ground to afraid to look at them head on now.

 

[Chill Alley Cat]

Yeah, but it doesn't matter as I shouldn't bother really fact-checking you. Just be silly.//


"That's a pretty nasty scar you got there." ThornMask huffed pointing a claw to the patchy cat's slashed cheek, giving one last pointed glare to RobinFang behind her assuming he must have maimed her somehow. Her golden glare softens at the she-cat once more before offering a paw to her, settling between SweetHare and DustWatcher.

"We can escort you to WindClan if needed." She smiled, recognizing the she-cat's breezy and dried grass scent. The tabby raises a brown as the she-cat eyes raced back and forth between every little thing before her pupils settle to her feet.

"She could be a spy." DustWatcher narrowed his silver eyes, squinting in suspicion. He observed the she-cat encircling her in an inspection of any giveaway. SweetHare's bob tail puffed at the rudeness of the tom, swatting him on the ears to sit before turning his brown eyes back to the Windclan warrior.




RobinFang stood aside, letting the patrol do the talking. His eyebrows creased in unsureness at having his own clanmates defend a trespasser over him, the sense of being outcast yet again sending unpleasant tingles up his spine to the wrinkle in his nose.

His tail flicked, his eyes to the ground.

 

[Honeypool]

Honeypool flinched before lifting her paw up slightly to touch her face but quickly placed it back down. "I fell." She said automatically in a robotic voice. That phrase rolled off her tongue with ease. She had used that excuse a million times. "Wasn't watching where I was going and fell." She added on, never once looking up at the she-cat. Instead, she shrunk further into herself. Her tail wrapped tightly around her paws. Her fur jolted up and her heartbeat started pounding again. A sense of dread washed over her as she spun to her feet as the sound of WindClan.

She shook her head quickly and roughly. "No!" She wailed. "I'm not going back there!" She hissed out in fear. Taking a step back she paused. Her paws were pacing back and forth wanting to distance herself from the group. She could run. She wanted to run. Her body wasn't in any shape to run, and she knew that. Pain was running through her, and her attacker had only made her feel worse.

"I'm not a spy!" Honeypool mewed hastily. Her voice coming off uneasy. She was more worried about heding back to her old camp now as wave after wave of new emotions swamped through her. She now felt dizzy. She staggered backwards a bit almost losing her footing. A squeak left her lips as she caught herself. "Please, don't send me back." She pleaded.

 

[Chill Alley Cat]

ThornMask claws retract into her paw, flinching away from her outburst with a smear of confusion painted on her face.

The white Tom given a hesitant paw to her back trying to comfort the she-cat as she stumbled, his mitten missing her pelt she cowardly cornered herself away from the patrol. SweetHare gasp as the brown she-cat tumbled onto her hind legs.


The young warriors felt ready to pounce away, the she-cat’s demeanor making their pelts tinge uncomfortably. RobinFang only watching the group, now ready to sprint as the the warrior’s voice cracked uncomfortably in the dead night, the tom’s teeth clicking in consideration.

“Maybe we should just go-“ whispered DustWatcher, the tom’s stance and old mix between his thoughts of chasing out the intruder and leaving the distressed cat to who own. RobinFang took the awkward silence as time to think, the tortoiseshell finally making his move forward, parting though the patrol with his lean square shoulders.


“If you’re injured you’ll come with us. If not you’ll leave.” He orders, his oval green eyes stern and confident. Her scent of fear and paranoia drenched off her in waves, making the warrior’s nose wrinkle at the smell.

In his silence, after throughly giving himself a good mental swat to the back of the head for mistaken a cat for prey, determined it was best to address the cats need then have a loose crazy stray running about in the territory. She could take shadowclan’s help or leave it.

 

[Honeypool]

Honeypool had to mentally stop herself from flinching at the tortoiseshells tone. She bit back her remark as she starred at him for a few moments before looking at the rest of the cats with him. She blinked taking in their looks properly for the first time. She remained silent, thinking things over before making a decision. They wouldn't report her to her old clan, would they?

Horror swept over her face at the thought. She looked past him in the direction of WindClan again before looking behind herself further in the distance towards more unknown land. She hummed softly still stuck in thought and confusion. Now with her mini scuffle with the unknown tom she could feel old would reopening under her mud-stained pelt. Perhaps she could just get herself treated and then be on her way again? Be in and out before anyone could report her back to her camp.

She finally nodded her head, not thinking these cats would help her. She wasn't in any position to properly help herself right now. When were you ever? She swallowed down her thought quickly. "I'll go...with you." She finally answered the male. Her fur prickled slightly embarrassed to even be asking for help from an opposing clan. If they are willing to help just take it. She breathed in deeply knowing she didn't really feel like arguing with herself at this moment. She stood up as tall as she could, now ready to follow them back to their camp.

 

[Chill Alley Cat]

RobinFang gave a curt nod to her hesitant response, a puff of air plumping out his nostrils, the tortoiseshell watching as the she-cat got to her feet. "Good, 'cause that wound looks about ready to get infected." He said heaving his back upward to stand, stretching out his back legs before his tail stuck up leading the way to camp.

The young warriors were hesitant to follow, under the guidance of their somewhat intimating counterpart and a spooky Windclan warrior found in the dead of night. Still, without a choice otherwise, they padded their way back to camp, the moonlight leaving their pelts as they enter shadow's gates.




Barren trees spouted new thistles, the warm wind whistling through the growing treetops. Where the shade used to claw darkly striped across the and was now invisible under the soot-colored sky that curled around the stars. The territory is a complete contrast to Windclan's stretched fields of melting snow seeming impossible to navigate, highlighting the own patrol's familiarity as they didn't even need to watch their step.


While the patrol felt compassionate enough to help the she-cat to her feet, the smell of distrust stuck in the wind as it blew off the shady cats' skin. DustWatcher even took the time to occasionally squint at the new addition to the patrol.

"So... What were you even doing all the way out here?" questioned ThornMask, her golden gaze carrying the flame of curiosity as she spoke. She inched over to the brown she-cat inspecting her with scrutiny, the two toms a bit startled by the sudden sound of her voice but not waiting to raise their ears eager to catch the Windclan's response.

"Yeah. Why here of all places..." murmured Dustwatcher with a flick of his tail. "-And the scars too..." SweetHare pointed out in a hushed tone, the Manx was concerned to hear tales of a predator, or even worse, to confirm his fears of letting an exiled warrior in their home.

 

[Honeypool]

Honeypool swallowed harshly side eyeing the patched tom. Was he always this hostile and intimidating? She glanced over at the group. They seemed friendly enough, compared to him at least, but she said nothing more and began to follow them, keeping her distance from who she assumed was the leader of the patrol. Her movements were slow. The pain along her body and face, as well as her being exhausted slowed her down more than she would've liked. She was still spooked by being caught and ShadowClan's territory wasn't helping either. Her eyes darted to everything little thing. Every noise and unfamiliar smell made her feel more uncomfortable.

Her amber gaze met a golden one in shock. She didn't expect one of them to question why she was here, but why wouldn't they? Her breath hitched slightly unsure of what to say. What lie could she come up with that would sound believable enough? She was naive, that much she knew, but she knew better to tell the truth about this situation. Embarrassment clung to her pelt as she shifted her eyes away from the other she-cat's.

Her brain was clouded, unable to come up with some type of proper story to get her out of this mess. What would they think of her is she did tell them. She was a warrior. She should've been able to stand up for herself against him mate or not. But she couldn't and his quick thinking and silver tongue was always able to save him even in the worst situations. She scoffed in annoyance feeling the weight of her issue laying heavy on her shoulders.

Her tail flicked back and forth with every pacing moment. Just say something! Anything. She could feel eyes on her as they waited for her response. "It's complicated." She blurted out. Her fur fluffing up and turning hot. Was that a good enough reason to get them to drop it? She mumbled a few words under her breath.

 

[Chill Alley Cat]

"It's complicated." The Windclan cat blurted, silencing the rising murmur that bubbled from the questioning hunting patrol. DustWatcher sputtered the response as if ridiculous. The gray spiky pelted warrior raised a brow as he did so, the tom's craning his neck high as if he was getting a better look at the she-cat.

"Seems suspicious to me." He whispered, bending his neck down to meow in the tailless cat's ear, SweetHare humming in consideration quietly as his own wariness grew before the two were silent once more. ThornMask didn't acknowledge the whisper, whether or not she heard the tom is unclear, continuing her own line of informal questioning.


"It's complicated?" She quoted, finding the answer weak. The tabby clicked her tongue to the roof of her mouse, her expression looking as if she was chewing on the stiff meat of prey. Her larger form cast a shadow over the WindClan cat, moving in as she spoke.

"You can understand our suspicion...so what's it really? Did Windclan get chased out? Is there a predator on the loose-" She paused getting distracted in her own speech, moving from possibility to possibility. "Oh! Are you an exiled cat? Ran off by your own clanmates-" Her shoulder collided with she-cat's. "If so I guess that might make you a traitor somehow...well. Maybe you ran away on your own, suppose that would still make you a traitor-"

"Shut up." RobinFang interjected the one-way conversation without a turn of his head, ThornMask's voice grinding at his ears, causing the she-cat to snap her mouth close. The tabby seemed tempted to put up a fight with the tortoiseshell, before casually sliding to the back with her friends to reach a comfortable murmur once more. The conversation sometimes jabbing at the tom, the tom only scowling in response.


They seemed to reach a halfway point, the patrol turning around a peculiar crooked tree, the trunk split into ash down the middle reaching the mossy floor. This finally signified the end of the marshes, the muddy swamp turning into the soft moss and sharp bramble of undergrowth, the patrol pausing to kick muck out from their paws.

 

[Honeypool]

Honeypool's tail tip flicked and she flinched at the she-cats harsh tone. She stumbled a bit feeling their shoulders meet before finding her footing again. I thought you were the nice one! She felt her shoulders droop down a bit feeling slightly hurt by the sudden change of the atmosphere around them. She wasn't expecting the female to accuse her so much. Her pelt tingling with every word that left her muzzle. A traitor? Was she a traitor for leaving? Her eyes looked down as they became clouded with grief.

If anyone was a traitor, it was him. A traitor to her at least. Her heart sank to her chest as she held back a small wail of despair. Honeypool could understand their questions well enough though. It was weird for her to be out this late, by herself, all scratched up. It looked funny, it felt funny, but she owed them no explanation as to what was going on with her or her ex-clan. She bit back her words wanting to stand her ground towards the tabby, but she didn't have the energy for it. She managed to whisper out a small "thank you" without thinking hearing the tortoiseshell hush up the other female unsure if anyone heard her.


Her ears flattened slightly as she turned her head to look to at her surroundings. ShadowClan was dark and smelled funny to her. Some scent tickled her nose. Pine sap and their needles was the more overwhelming scent. It was very earthy compared to the sweet heather scent that washed over WindClan. The pretty purple flowers in which she would miss deeply. She turned her head again to look at the tree. Curiosity caused her head to tilt as she took in the look of it. The soft moss under her paws felt better than the soft dirt and Honeypool wished she could stop here and sleep.

She closed her eyes slightly not realizing the patrol had stopped. Honeypool, lost in her thoughts, bumped into the tortoiseshell tom slightly. Her eyes widened feeling herself nudge him before she jumped back. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I-I" her voice trailed off into quick stuttering as she tried to think of what to say. Now you've done it.

 

[Chill Alley Cat]

RobinFang scrapped mud off his feet, swiping along the thunderstruck spruce revealing his orange paws as the others took time to groom between their claws. He couldn't help the flicker of jealousy that passed over his heart watching his clanmates make conversation so easily, scratching at the burnt bark in long streaks to sharpen their talons. Before the tortoiseshell was able to scold himself, however, he seized at the bump to the back of his pelt, unused to being touched.

He turned ready to snap at whatever branch brushed his pelt only to whip around and gaze upon the Windclan tagalong trembling almost as if she was cold stumbling to meet his gaze. The she-cat bumbled out an apology as soon as their eyes meet, her skittishness making the tom's head tilt with narrowed eyes in confusion and curiosity about her odd behavior. When the dissolved brown cat's voice began to trail off, her mouth only forming incoherent stuttering, he felt his pelt bristle, unsure what to do for the unnerved stranger.

He lifted a paw, tempted to comfort the cat, but feeling too awkward so instead placing it back on the ground figuring himself to not be even inept at comforting cats he knew. Words bubbled in his throat, his eyes pausing on the she-cat in consideration of what to say that could ease her to silence.

"..You know Shadowclan cats are naturally suspicious, close with one another but always keeping strangers a few foxtails away." The advice spilled from his mouth, RobinFang himself not sure where it was coming from, a cross between it fending off his own uncomfortableness at being touched and having an almost broken cat at his feet or the pity he felt looking at the she-cat's exhausted and paranoid expression. He took a deep breath, shaking off the odd sensation on his coat, before finishing up freshening up and scrapping mud off his pads.

"Don't take it to heart." He sighed knowingly as his head turned back to the dead tree, reminiscing on his feelings of first entering Shadowclan, the scolding of peering eyes and suspicious sneers vivid. He flicked his green eyes over, hoping he helped the cat somehow.

 

[Honeypool]

She retreated into herself, expecting him to lash out at her. She looked down unable to meet his gaze for a few moments. Her ears hot with embarrassment. She really should be watching where she was going. She felt like she was in enough trouble as it was. She was still slightly shaking as he began to speak. Hes not angry? She glanced over at him waiting to see if he would react negatively towards her. Was he just waiting? She waited some more and finally relaxed a bit once he turned his back to him.

She let out a breath she didn't even know she was holding and looked down at her own muddy paws. Rubbing them onto the soft ground hoping to clean them up a bit. She would have to give herself a good washing once she rested a bit more. "Any cat would be suspicious of a stranger, I understand." She finally spoke back to him. Her eyes half opened as she continued to look down at her paws before sweeping her tail to the side of her to pick out little pieces of earth from it.

She however had grown to become suspicious of everyone around her finding her history to be a bundle of confusion and distrust. "Sometimes though, you can't even trust your own kind." Honeypool mumbled out loud without thinking. Her ears twitched slightly as she pulled a pine needle from her tail. Her amber eyes darkened with mixed emotions.

 

[Chill Alley Cat]

RobinFang paused, his teeth gnawing a flexed pads, his claws strangely remaining sheathed despite the position. The tortoiseshell nodded along as the she-cat spoke, great fun for her understanding.

Standing, his pelt still dirty but well enough to walk, he turned ready to lead the border patrol back to camp. His square muzzle pointed him straight, but before he could take a step he hesitated in recognition of the she-cat’s words.

His eyes flicked back to the brown she-cat behind him, familiarity in the feeling she described chilling his pelt. The tom fixed himself, his gaze hardening again, if she was some sort of trickster she sure was a good one.



The breeze was warm as they were near the camp, the thorns becoming denser and snagging onto any fur they touched. The moon passed over the sky, now at its high point, beaming down on the patrol with its white light destroying all shadows.

As they slinked through the woods, ThornMask occasionally tried to get more out of the Windclan cat, but dropping it RobinFang sent back a stern glare.

“-But aren’t you curious?” The tabby defended herself, wanting to know more about the intruder.

“Not really. If she had the plan to attack us I’m sure she knows she’d make a powerful enemy.” He shrugged at his threatening tone. The tom really just wanted the rest of the patrol to be quiet as his mind was pained with a headache, the overlapping chatter of all three cats and the events of the night overwhelming him.

“You have to have a least something.” Huffed ThornMask, not even acknowledging the she-cat’s presence. The black and gray tabby padding over beside the lean tom, the closeness making him scowl at the talkative cat.


A long pause consumed the patrol after that, the warrior roping her eyes with a flick of her tail as she assumed the cat was ignoring her. She was beckoned back with the wave of SweetHare’s paw, and the threturnedturn to a soft murmur once more.



RobinFang fast-paced slower just a moment, his orange paws easily stepping between spots of bramble, now walking along the she-cat.

He turned his head to her, his green eyes looking down on the cat’s still injured form. His eyes heavy with sleep, the internal clock of the Shadowclan cats’ only now kicking in, spoke flatly with no inflection.

“Name?”

 

[Honeypool]

Honeypool’s nose twitched as the scent of ShadowClan cats grew stronger. Almost there. The overwhelming odor made her nose scrunch up slightly. Her ears had flattened slightly now feeling like there were eyes boring into her. Her tail fluffed up as her eyes fell onto the tortoiseshell in front of her. Curiosity pricked at her pelt. What's going to happen to me now? She had wondered that same thought a few moons back, once she finally picked herself off the floor and collected herself. Too scared to go back to camp that day she has stayed inside her territory on the outskirts avoiding patrols and hunting parties until she finally decided to leave altogether.

Had they looked for her? Her chest felt tight unsure of how to answer that question. Were they going to look for her? She looked up at the stars as the swirled around the moon. She paused as if she was waiting for a sign to tell her things would be okay. The moonlight cascaded down her, turning her brown and cream coat silver and white. A few heartbeats paced and nothing had happened Honeypool's body drooped with disappointment.

She wasn't a medicine cat, that much she knew very well. She wasn't going to get her help though a bunch of old ancestors just because she asked. She just wanted a small dose of comfort. Something or someone to tell her that things were okay. The burning on the right side of her face caused her to wince back a bit. She fluffed up in annoyance and began to follow the patrol once more.

Her sleek body weaved around the growing of brambles, not wanting them to snag onto her fur or reopen any of her wound that hadn't been. Her tail up high enough to not get caught as well. She had been drowned out the other cats in the patrol questioning her, much to worried about where she would go in the morning than to give them any more information about what was going on with her.

She hadn't noticed that the dappled male had fallen into step with her until he spoke. Her ears pricking up as she quickly turned to face him in confusion. "Honeypool." She answered him, almost doubtfully. "Yours?" She asked softly as her amber eyes met his green ones.

 

[Chill Alley Cat]

“RobinFang.” He spoke his tone impersonal, his teeth clicking together in a funny way as his scarred muzzle moved. The moon highlighting his long canines against his black jaws, the light curving and twisting at the nooks in the tom’s face.

The Tom eyed a cat a moment more, the smell of the blood that bubbled along her cuts making his nose twitch at the sight of her cheek. While he never was one for prying, his eyebrows pinched as the cat carried herself tiredly a look of loss written on her face.


“We’re here.” Sighed SweetHare in realization, his soft paw effortless walking through bards as he spotted a patch of odd trees, their stark shadows marking them from the other moon bathed pines and spruce.

Nearing the smell of moss and pine, the patrol neared a dense patch of woods. Bramble and ivy climbed its way up these trees, their shade not allowing a spec of light fall on the ground. A wall thorns curled and twisted around the border of the camp, the land dipping off into the darkness smooth curves, showing no clear entrance.

DustWatcher huffed as he walked past HoneyPool, the patchy gray pelt folding in on itself to feet under the bushes of bristles. The tortoiseshell warrior looking back to the brown cat before his shoulder pulled back, his stalky limbs slipping into the darkness.

ThornMask was ready to enter after him, but paused looking to the softer pelted she-cat. The tabby laughing awkwardly at her rudeness as she lifted up the thorn wall for easier access, her pads rough from years walking in bramble.

SweetHare made his way with a trot, his thick white fur suddenly turning black as he entered the shadows. The masked cat gestured her head for HoneyPool to enter, hoping she would use the toms’ example to not get stuck in the bramble.

 

[Honeypool]

Honeypool's eyes widened slightly watching the moonlight change his face. Her heartbeat picked up as she turned to look in front of them, slightly eyeing him from the side. I think I can see how he got his name. Her tail swished behind her anxiously. Her pawsteps shook slightly below her as she continued to walk. The moonlight was bright, making her eyes burn slightly. Her tiredness was slowly creeping up on her and each step felt like she was being weighed down by stones. A small yawn finally released itself from her jaws, parting them slightly.

Her eyes looked up slightly hearing a voice finally announce they had arrived. Almost instantly she could've collapsed to the ground below them and sleep. Her muscles ached as she stopped to shake out her paws and limbs, slightly easing some pressure off of them. She hadn't realized how heavy her body felt until now. She stepped aside hearing a huff escape a patchy gray tom. Her whiskered twitched once he was out of sight. Where male's always this badly tempered? Her eyes wandered the gap the male had walked through, blinking once, she wondered how she would get through safely.

She glanced slightly noticing the other she-cat from earlier was holding up the bramble barrier for her. She quickly took notice of her quickly changing attitudes as worry nipped at her paws. Was she always like this or was she just this way towards strangers. Deciding to not dwell on her thoughts she walked up to the barrier, dipping her head in thanks at the female before flattening herself to the ground to wiggle through the sharp thorns.

She moved awkwardly through the barrier, her fur slightly snagging here and there as she pulled herself through. Moving a bit slower than she would have liked in fear of her wounded body. With a small tug she managed to wiggle herself through carefully as she let out a sigh of relief once appearing on the other side. "Thank StarClan." she breathed out taking a seat near the entrance to wait for the other's while taking a look around, now feeling like trapped prey as eyes glistened all around her. She could feel her fur itch with uncertainty and wondered if she had gotten herself into a bigger mess than before.

 

[Chill Alley Cat]

From the shadows of the camp, the lack of light forcing any cat to take time and adjust, dozens of glowing eyes turned to face the unwelcomed cats. Figures' pelts rise and split getting defensive in suspicion to strangers. The clan's once comfortable lure to sleep murmur silenced as they peered at the brown she-cat.

"I'll go get the leader!" ThornMask informed as she emerged from the entrance, walking quickly to the centerpiece of large boulders that've overgrown with climbing thorns and lichen. SweetHare getting called over a cat in a mossy rock burrow to discuss the Windclan warrior's appearance, DustWatched trotting over to his friends to throw a snarky remark about the intruder to get a conversation going. RobinFang, uninterested in reigniting with his clanmates, stayed put beside HoneyPool's side.



He flicked his tail as he sat for a moment, impatience and uncomfortable sensations tapping through his paws as they did every time he returned home, unsure of what to do with himself. He looked over to HoneyPool, looking ready to drop dead at any moment as eyes lingered on her, a sigh leaving the orange and gray tom as he stood leading the she-cat through the camp with a twitch of his ear.

He traced SweetHare's footsteps, taking her to the moss-softened burrow of stone, all the while shadowclan eyed her a good half blunt enough to howl at HoneyPool with questions, all ranging from polite to a vocal slash to the ears, but none getting too close. The dark, now lively, warriors' distance made for a relatively short, but stressful, journey to what can now be seen as the medicine den.


RobinFang popped his head into the entrance, spotting herbs hanging from the ivy above, before facing HoneyPool again. "You'll most likely sleep here for the night, finally treat that nasty cut." The warrior explained, his green eyes boring into the she-cat's to get a better grasp of her understanding, still unaware of how shaken up HoneyPool really was despite getting an idea. He enters the cozy den, looking back at her expectantly.

"I have no guarantees of what happens to you after that." He spoke honestly, his gaze stern.

 

[Honeypool]

An uneasy feeling rushed over her as she looked down at her paws which were tapping up and down, shaking slightly. She was even more anxious now than before. The hair along her spine pricking up as she watched the other three cats walk away from her, feeling settled a bit by their now leaving presences. She watched as they made their way over to a boulder and disappear slightly out of her view. The darkness of the camp not helping as their silhouettes faded into it and she turned to look at the other male who hadn't left her side yet.

Noticing him getting up she followed, trying to block out the looks and questions from his fellow clanmates. Mentally wishing she could go deaf for a while to find some peace and quiet from all the questions thrown around at her this night. Some sleep would do her well, she knew then she could find some peace in her dreams she hoped. She was just happy none of the other cats had gotten too close to her, embarrassed by her current state she probably looked like she had just crawled out of the swamp like some unknown creature. She groaned out to herself feeling her body flush warm.

Following Robinfang into the den, the scent of herbs flooded her nose making her winkle it slightly. The smell always made her feel a bit dizzy and lightheaded despite how many times she had been in the same den back home. It was a smell she would never get used to. Feeling a wave of bitter nostalgia hit her like a warm breeze the slightly wretched up her side almost as it to throw up, but nothing came up. She swallowed, slightly wiping her muzzle against her single brown forepaw, before breathing in deeply.

A small chill ran through her as he spoke. "I will be leaving after some rest." She mewed, sounding more like a question than a solid answer. Why would they keep her? She questioned before finally settling into a spot in the medicine den. She did want to leave; she was still unsure of where she would truly go through.

 

[Chill Alley Cat]

Inside the den, various herbs dangle from the ivy that curled and spread inside the moss roof, the burrow stinking of herbs and wet moss. The healer's tunnels split into sections, the sound of wet moss echoing paw steps as two cats emerge from deep inside the medicine den. SweetHare and a small stout she-cat paced as they talked, the tailless tom whispering with urgency in the dark calcio's ear as she simply slowly blinked.

The white tom immediately shut up spying HoneyPool settled in the nest of pine branches and soft moss, the warrior stiffening. His yellow eyes turned to RobinFang, who sat a tail length away from the brown she-cat, his mouth pausing open to speak but deciding to close instead with a smile and wave goodbye to the plump cat. The she-cat lazily smiled back with a distant expression.



The cinnamon cat's fur green eye turned to HoneyPool resting on her for a moment before snapping out of her trance, now facing RobinFang with a closed smile.

"This must be that Windclan cat everyone is stirring about." She pointed lazily to the resting pelt of browns and creams, outing SweetHare as her informant. The warrior gave a curt nod, standing on guard in case anything was needed of him, while the odd-looking cat dragged her shaggy fur over to HoneyPool.

"Let's get that fixed." Her green eyes were heavy as if half asleep, her claws cupping HoneyStep's cheek. The cat outstretched to the den's roof, her paw tangling with the vines. Her long claws uncurled a twine of thick waxy leaves from their place, popping the herb into her mouth to chew for an uncomfortable amount of time. RobinFang ears flatten as her teeth grind the dock, the sound making him anxious.

"This is DewSpring, our medicine cat, excuse her...overall demeanor." The tortoiseshell huffed as he introduced her for clarification, DewSpring simply blinking at his tone as she finished up the poultice.

 

[Honeypool]

Honeypool flinched harshly feeling the she-cat touch her cheek. She clenched her teeth slightly unable to properly relax. Her tail curling around her body as she took in the appearance of the healer. Her amber eyes scanning over her body before falling on her face for a few heartbeats. "Sorry to...wake you." Honeypool was quiet wanting to sleep herself, but knowing now wasn't the time.

Dewspring? She repeated the name in her head before turning it to look over at Robinfang wanting to ask what was up with the medicine cat's sluggish demeanor but said nothing in fear of the comeback. She shouldn't be judging anyway as her appearance wasn't the best at the moment. Maybe she's tired. Her dark brown ears twitched slightly hearing the she-cat chew whatever herb she had placed in her mouth, just wanting to get this over with. That can't taste that good. Honeypool stiffened wondering why she was just chewing it for so long, but said nothing as she wasn't accustomed to any knowledge of herbs.

She sighed softly choosing to turn attention to the pain throbbing on her cheek, a question that had been eating her alive since she saw the mark on her face back at the stream. "Do you think it'll scar?" She asked softly, the nervousness flowing off her tongue.