Paws of {deCaY] (open)

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A glimmer of apprehensive eyes scrutinized the darkness the forest portrayed. It was mid-day and the cat who the eyes belonged to, felt it in his fur. Spring would come soon and then he'd hopefully shed the annoying winter fur that loved to play upon his pelt.

The cat's name was Foxflight and he was a warrior of Thunderclan, yet his heart was inching farther down the cliff of despair an anxiety. In his mind though, he felt he was doing the right thing. That was exactly why he was out here. Flightwhisker would hopefully be bringing warriors out for a hunting patrol. His own paws were busy catching prey too. The clan needed to eat, but he was looking for a specific chunk of meat, one that would hold crowfood material. Oh yes, he'd dragged some of that gunk from a week old rat near the border. Larvae were still pulsing in it under the bush he'd hidden it.

With quick reflexes, he ran up on a squirrel who wasn't paying much attention to anything, but his acorn that he had dug up. Dropping the prey, he sighed in disbelief that the hunting patrol wasn't out yet. "Darn it Flightwhisker," he sighed to himself as he dropped the squirrel near a patch of rocks. Foxflight went to work adding dirt to the form for nothing would take it away. What he needed this instant was for the hunting party to catch some prey for he could commence with the plans. Apparently, it was going to be a while.

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A creamy she-cat padded quietly through the brush. The female's stunning green eyes focused on a thrush not fat away. "The patrol shouldn't be too long. I'll catch a little extra and leave it for them." The cat muttered.
This she-cat's name was Leapingstones and she was infamous in the camp for always bringing back birds and squirrels. Leapingstones could jump higher than quite a few of the cats and she proved this as she dashed after the bird, just missing it on the ground, but leaping into the air and catching it a good 2 or 3 tail lengths off the ground. The cream colored she-cat puffed out her white chest as she skid to a halt near a tom she hadn't seen before. "Hello, there." Leapingstones mewed, dropping her thrush. "I'm sorry. Were you hunting the thrush? I hadn't seen you there." She blinked. "Ah. Doing some early hunting too, huh? The patrol shouldn't be too long away. When i left the camp, they were getting organized." Leapingstones was always happy to have someone around. "I leave them fresh-kill every morning, so if you want, you can put your kill with my thrush and we'll leave it where they can see it later." The she-cat meowed happily.

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Batwing slunk through the forest, his black pelt standing out against the green and brown undergrowth around him. He wasn't out on a patrol today; he had all the free time in the world. He didn't think the clan trusted him enough to send him on patrols-not after what had happened between he, Turtlekit, Flightwhisker, and Coonstripe. He was... on a walk. Yes, taking a stroll through his territory.

Truthfully, he was ching to see the plan go into action. It was the perfect idea-nothing he could ever dream to come up with. Even though he was intellegent, he wasn't always the best at coming up with plans and traps. He had contributed very little, if at all, while the cats were plotting.

He spotted a flash of cream color and turned to see Leapingstones. What's she doing here? he asked himself, curiosty urging his paws forward to see what the she-cat was up to. He followed her until he saw her catch a thrush who had begun to take flight.

"Impressive," he muttered under his breath. "How in the name of Starclan does she jump like that...?" It was then that he spotted Foxflight, the mastermind behind the plan to overthrow the corupt leaders. The black tom had grown to respect the Thunderclan tom, but he did not step forward to greet the two.

Go talk to him! one voice urged.

"Oh no..."

No, stay where you are! another cried. Don't listen to that mousebrain! Go one, get on with it! Within a matter of moments, from what had gone to a voice or two turned into a sea of voices. They screamed at him, pulling him in different directions. It had gotten worse since the incedent and it was not long before the tom couldn't take it anymore.

"Shut up!" he cried, not bothering to hide his presence. "I can't take it anymore!" Looking around wildly, he noticed one tree in particular and raced over. In a few heartbeats, his head was colliding with the trunk. I'll do anything... Anything to make them go away!

He staggered backwards, the voices fading, and in his daze, he somehow managed to topple over backwards. When he got to his paws, he looked around only to see Leapingstones and Foxflight. But this time, he wasn't hidden by undergrowth.

"I-I can explain..." he said weakly, his head trobbing at the sound of his own voice.

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leapingstones padded over to the other male once he had fallen. "I hope you can. It's not every day that a tom runs into a tree on purpose." She teased light heartedly. In a kind and helpful jesture, the lightly striped she-cat licked the tom's head where the fur was flat from hitting the tree. "It's ok though. If you're uncomfortable in telling us then don't. I may not talk to you often, but I do still trust all of my clanmates." The creamy she-cat tilted her head, letting her ears fall to one side. "Are you alright, though? You hit that tree really hard. I think I would have fainted if I tried that." leapingstones' green eyes were a door way that never seemed to close and only concern and amusement showed in them now. The she-cat licked her lightly striped shoulders and stood after a while. "Are you hunting too or just wandering the territory?" She mewed, pausing.

((Is it just me, or is leapingstones helping your cats do something neather her nor I know of? Of course. Not knowing that she was helping you could be an advantage...))

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((OOC: XD Leapingstones. Yes, there is a plot going on, but let me catch you up since your cat is going to be involved anyway, some how, just by living in the clans. Basically a group of cats have decided the leaders are corrupted and only using them for their own battles, not even thinking of the lives at stake. So now, they are retaliating, Foxflight being the leader, and causing fear, suspicion, and fake Starclan signs to tell cats that it is their leaders that are in trouble. This is the first thread of which the plans will be put into action so be prepared for some fun. Unfortunately, Leapingstones will not know of what is to happen till too late for this thread, but if you wish to be part of it or just keep her a loyal let us know. ))

His ears twisted around faster than his head which frankly he wished hadn't happened. Soon, a warrior was up in his face with a thrush in her mouth. It wasn't that she was a horrid she-cat, but he was merely surprised at her appearance. Oh Starclan please keep Ferncloud out of this, he prayed silently. Leapingstones had reminded him of his clan mate that was quickly becoming a great friend to him. They both reminded him of the innocents that would be involved. Foxflight caught a sigh that he was about to emit.

Leapingstones, then went into a tirade of dialogue, but what he heard made him feel better about the time. The hunting party would be coming soon and then everything would happen. "Thank you Leapingstones and no you didn't catch anything I was about to go after," he chuckled at the cat. She was funny and was a great bird catcher, one that Thunderclan loved and he respected.

A sudden 'thump' caught his attention as Batwing fell from hitting a tree with his head. His beginning of an excuse made him laugh full out. "Batwing, what in the world are you doing?," he smiled. The smile broadened at Leapingstones' teasing, but what she said next made him want to flinch, but he didn't. Foxflight waited for the young tom's response to the question. He felt sorry for him for he hadn't been acting right ever since the fight among clan mates. Foxflight had tried to stop the tirade, but no one had enacted his idea. So, he waited for many things to occur, with mixed feelings aplenty.

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((It would be interesting if she found out a while down the rode and had already become good friends with some of the cats involved? The resulting twist would be almost fun. She could rat them out, she could help them, or ignore it all together...That's something else too, her brother is med cat app for thunderclan.))

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(( hahaha sounds really interesting Leaping. If she does rat them out, it may be too late to do anything and everyone could be against her, possibly ending up hurting her or killing her as an example. If she helped them they'd welcome it for sure! Especially, considering her blood in the medicene cat apprentice. If she ignored it then there would be some serious nagging in her mind about it? Her brother will be dragged into this soon though no matter her position. ^^ Thanks for being so awesome and coming up with these ideas Leaping...all in all it's your decision on what to do with her, but please let us know exactly what you plan to do.

Alright guys! It's time to post here and get this plot rolling ))

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((Indeed. Cloudpaw may only be her half brother but the two are close. We'll see. I'l make my decision depending on how this all unfolds. >3))

Leapingsones nodded, blinking. "Well. It wouldn't be a bad Idea to hunt a bit more so that the patrol doesn't have to work too hard. There's been a ton of things going on in camp. I suspect It'll be better when those Riveclan 'paws are gone, though." The cream-and-white she-can nodded. "I could teach you guys to jump like I do." She teased, smiling brightly. ((uraf...this post was SO SHORT! D:))

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Flightwhisker nonchalantly made her way over toward the Great Sycamore. Her hazel eyes seemed focused on something, but not something in front of her at that moment, giving her an oddly distant look. But each pawstep she took was with purpose as she neared the agreed meeting spot.

The she-cat had been put in charge of leading out a hunting party by another certain Clanmate. A certain plan by that certain cat required plenty of prey, and it had been put to her to arrange it. Thinking of the plan brought a particular gleam to her eyes, rolling it over in her mind. Finally, the plan would be put into effect. It had taken a while to begin, but not it was finally coming together to bring about a better future for all the Clans.

Tasting the air, the warrior could tell that a few of her Clanmates were already ahead. Foxflight, Leapingstones, and… Batwing. She snarled a little to herself upon realization. Great. Just who she loved to see. He may be in on the plan, but I still don’t have to like him, she growled to herself. But she kept a neutral air as she came into view of the three other cats. “We’re here,” she mewed out to them, keeping her eyes trained on Foxflight. “I couldn’t find many cats, though. It’s still a little cold for them.”

~~~~~

Sunflash came following Flightwhisker, and almost regretted his willingness to come on the patrol. His eyes immediately fell of Sunflash, and then wandered to Batwing. Two cats whose company he didn’t care for. They both had given him ample reason not to trust them. Foxflight’s varying disdain for Tanglestar’s leadership, and Batwing’s incident with Turtlekit. Overall, a suspicious crowd.

But the reason he had come out at all was because the Clan needed fresh-kill. And hopefully most of the prey had begun poking their heads out of the ground by now. So the golden tom gave curt nods to the three cats. “I’d say the five of us here would make a good enough hunting party. If we spread out, we’ll catch plenty of prey.”

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((ignoring Batwing due to Deltra not replying...don't want the thread to die so soon. ))

With the rustle of foliage, Foxflight turned from their group and noticed Flightwhisker pad up to them. The fur on his spine stood up in relief and excitement. Her presence announced that hunters were out and their plan was about to go underway. He looked towards Leapingstones and nodded. "That's exactly what I was thinking. Would you like to join us today? Flightwhisker just brought a patrol out," he said and nodded towards the she-cat coming forward.

Before he could say anything else, he noticed Sunflash following the Thunderclan warrior. Hesitation hit him, but just as quickly it left. Flightwhisker's words made him nod in understanding. "Thanks for gathering them, though," he thanked the sleek warrior. It was still a bit nippy right now, but soon summer would come in full swing and then they'd all have full bellies again. His eyes met Sunflash's as they scanned him. He wanted to take a swing at the tom for that questioning gaze. It wasn't like they were all kit killers here....well one was almost one, but that didn't count. Foxfllight was a loyal warrior and he wasn't the only cat in Thunderclan that was unnerved with the precarious leadership between Riddlehawk and Tanglestar.

Sunflash decided to take the incentive to start out the hunt and he smiled happily. "Alright, let's get going and get plenty of prey for Thunderclan," he mewed and turned lightly on his paws to go further into the forest where the prey hadn't yet heard them all.

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((I'm so sorry I haven't been replying to this. But right now, I'm determined. I am going to write like there's no tommarrow, and I'm not going to do anything else until I have posted this... well... post...))

Batwing's ear twitched as he slowly got to his paws. He could hear the sound of teasing in her voice, but he expected that he would have to explain what he'd been doing. She might have been slightly joking with her words, but she was right-it wasn't every day a tom bashes his head into a tree and stumbles into conversation so... awquardly. He opened his mouth to say something, then closed it, guessing it was not his time to speak.

In the back of his mind his heard the beginnings of that awful wave of voices and he silently begged them to be quiet. At least-for now.

He flinched as Leapingstones licked the top of his head. "I'm not a kit..." he muttered under his breath, so quiet he doubted she heard him. But he couldn't help but smile at what she said next. Be careful where you put your trust, little warrior... Not everyone, even your own clanmates, are going to have your back when it all comes to it-expecially not me.

"Yeah... I-I'm fine... I'm just a bit... dizzy..." And it was true. His world was spinning around him. Just not as bad as before. "Actually, I was taking a walk. Cats don't..." he trailed off. Cats don't trust me much after the incedent with Coonstripe, Flightwhisker, and Turtlekit. he finished in his mind. "I mean, I have a lot of time on my hands lately."

Batwing stared at Foxflight, waiting for him to put in his imput on the situation, but the tom said nothing to him after the black tom replied to Flightwhisker's questions.

Batwing listened as she continued ot speak. He agreed with her-the Riverclan apprentices were starting to get on his nerves. Why take care of cats that don't even belong to the clan? The

Riverclan cats were just a nuisence, in his opinion. His ears perked up at her next comment. Now he would finally get to see how she could jump as high as she did.

Batwing turned slowly when a new voice hit his ears. "Oh no... Anyone but her..." he growled under his breath. Yep. His day was officially ruined.

"Wait! he started. "I'm not-" The black tom bit his tongue. I suppose I should just go with it... he decided.

As Foxflight turned and began to pad into the forest, he let out a sigh and began to follow slowly. This was going to be a much longer day then he'd anticipated.

((Way to short for my liking, expecially because I made you wait so long, but... It can't be helped, I suppose.))