Help comes

"I might go see if Bluebell needs help." Fireflight mewed to his companions, standing and shaking some of the raindrops form his fur. He nodded farewell at the other toms and trotted past Raindancer, unable to resist giving the dancing cat a playful flick on the shoulder from his tail as he went by. Another cat who certainly seemed happy to be home, no mater the weather!

"Hey Bluebell." He greeted the she-cat with a friendly smile. "It's good to see you up, if not so much about, yet. Need a shoulder?"

"Hm. I'll go back to camp, then," Hailclaw mewed firmly, and simply nodded to show her acknowledgment toward Hailstone. "to see if any cats need help." the white she-cat let a slight smile lay on her face as she raced over to some other cats.

Reaching Bluebell, she noticed Fireflight offering his help to her. "I know you might not need two, but if you need another shoulder, just let me know," Hailclaw smiled and turned around to sit a few tail-lengths away.

Easternkit bounded into the wet grass, frolicing like a little kit, of course he was a kit still. He wondered what the camp was like and if it was as cool and fun as the newly named ThunderClan camp. It hadn't had a name before, it had just been home. What is home now? he wondered to himself. "What does the camp look like? Is it like ThunderClan?" The word ThunderClan was still new on his tongue.

Wingfoot nodded to Fireflight and Hailclaw, "We'll all feel better back at camp." He commented, getting slowly to his feet. He would be glad to see the camp again, even if it was in some kind of ruin. His shoulder stung and the wound began to bleed again as he put his weight to the injured limb. Gasping a little with pain he quickly picked his foot back up and sank to the ground again, "Maybe I'll just stay here." He mewed with a sigh.

Blacksnake looked up at the sky and closed his eyes, letting the cool droplets run over his face. He didn't particularly love rain, but he had never minded it. As long as he could see the sky above him, the black tom didn't really care what the weather was.
Blazingkit fluffed out his orange fur, then ran over to the tom. "Umm, Blacksnake?" the kit shuffled his paws, feeling a bit awkward talking to a warrior. "You're mate's really scary," he finally decided to inform him.
Blacksnake snorted, his eyes showing passive amusement. "I'm well aware of that," he said dryly.

Bluebell dipped her head gratefully. At least they were in their own territory. She felt safer here, especially now that the Othercat and the bunch of other cats were finally gone. What benefit did they get from coming here? How can they actually enjoy injuring and even murdering other cats?

Fireflight smiled back and let Bluebell lean on his broad shoulder, measuring his usually long strides so he wouldn't move too quickly and leave her behind.
He nodded at Hailclaw and flicked Wingfoot gently wit hhis tail-tip on the way past. "Hailclaw will help you, I'm sure, Wingfoot. We'll be the very slow rear patrol." He joked lightly.

Wingfoot mewed and purred with a little laughter, "We'll make the record for the slowest patrol ever." He joked happily. His eyes were lighter now and everything seemed to be going up for WindClan. All they needed now was a real deputy, "Did Lunecry say anything about a deputy to Dreamstar?" He asked Fireflight, "I wasn't really paying attentions for a while." He mewed. He had been too overjoyed at seeing his clan home again.

Hailclaw nodded and turned to Wingfoot. "Here," she offered. "Need some help?" Smiling, she gently began to prod him up, just in case he wanted the help.

OOC -- Sorry, lack of muse D:

"All the prey would have lived and died by the time we get there," Bluebell laughed. She leaned against Fireflight for support and glanced at Wingfoot. "Let's go," she meowed, starting to hobble along.

Fireflight thought for a moment. "I didn't notice her speak to Dreamstar." He replied at length. "Maybe we can look for her once we're back and all ask together." He really didn't want to bother their leader but the others had a point - the clan had a right to know about their deputy. For now, he concentrating on getting his friends to safety.

((OOC| Are we making a new thread, were they headed anywhere in particular? Medicine cat's den?))

<blockquote>Raindancer turned to smile briefly at the tom who touched him companionably on the shoulder, an eye-crinkling grin that lasted only a few seconds but was certainly bright. He didn't speak, though, and turned away to take a long drink from the puddles. He had only been apprentice age when he had last been in WindClan territory; it felt so good to be home. It wasn't, theoretically, that different; it was still grass, still sky, still mountains. But it was the knowledge that he was finally home that lit up his open, good-natured face with a delighted smile, like a kit's. He was here. Finally. Safe and sound. He glanced around with open curiosity, taking in the changes. He still recognized most of the landmarks, but there were... differences. Subtle modifications, certainly, but still there. The tall, crooked tree he had climbed up as a kit had been burnt into a cinder, the boulder he had thought immortal was gone. It was... foreign, in a way. Alien, yet intimate. Memories clung to every nook, traces of lives wafting from hidden crannies. He turned alertly, head held high.

Ravenpelt had to smile as he watched Blacksnake's shy kindness. His amber eyes flicked down to the kit stuttering at his brother's paws, and he laughed. "We can only pray to StarClan that Brightdawn hasn't heard us discussing her behind her back," he agreed with a snort and a twitch of his whiskers. "She'll claw our fur off, I swear. She-cats can be vicious." He ruefully flicked a minor scar along the crease of his shoulder, a slender line along his chest, with his tail. "I got a bit too close," he explained sheepishly, and then noticed Bluebell limping along. He nodded briefly to Blacksnake, and then trotted over to the injured she-cat. "Would you like any help?" he suggested. "Not to sound dismissive of Fireflight's strength, but the more, the merrier." He smiled wryly, but lingering back a trifle anxiously. He knew how fussy she-cats could be; his own mate, Silvermask, would probably call him a mousebrain, and that Fireflight was perfectly capable. The wiry black tom nodded again in greeting to Fireflight, adding in a murmur, "Hello again."</blockquote>

Wingfoot nodded greatfuly to Hailclaw, "Thank you." He mewed with a sigh, "I hate being weak but when you need a paw, it's just stupid to resist." He mewed, glancing down at his shoulder. Ambrosiapaw would probably have to tend to it again as the wound had reopened and was bleeding slowly. He closed his eyes briefly, "Yes, we should talk to her." he murmered it response to Fireflight's answer about asking Dreamstar about a deputy. "We shouldn't have gone so long without one."

Easternkit bounded along happily, the grass was wet against his fur but he didn't mind as much now. Maybe the land was actually having an effect on him now, calling him home. To the home he was to now call home anyway. He had never been here before but he supposed that for a long generation line his family would have lived on this land, he guessed that some of it must have rubbed off on him. He still didn't like it as much as ThunderClan and he didn't see why they couldn't still live there but he was only a kit. Maybe he'd learn later. "I can help!" He mewed running up to Bluebell, the injured she-cat. He liked her but he wasn't sure why. Maybe because she was the first cat he'd been intruduced to knowing it was a WindClan cat. "I can be strong too!" He mewed happily. Even if this wasn't quite home it felt good to be exploring a new place and not be confined to the nursery.

Fireflight smiled back at Ravenpelt, slowing down to let the other tom support Bluebell's other side. "No offense taken. No cat is dismissive of my strength, anyway." He added teasingly, flexing one well-muscled leg exaggeratedly. As Easternkit scampered up he grinned, bent his head and nabbed the kit by his scruff, then lifted him easily and swung him up and around onto his broad back. His thick fur was rather rough from sitting out in the open for so long that the kit should have no problems holding on. Fireflight's large size meant he was far from the best rabbit-hunter of Windclan, but he was exceptionally strong. The kit's weight meant nothing to him, even supporting Bluebell.
"There you are strong one, now you can be our lookout!"

((Lucky, if you feel I was powerplayying by having Fireflight pick up Easternkit just tell me and say he dodged aside or something, and I'll edit that))

ooc- it's fine, I laughed when I read it

ic- Easternkit giggled and clung onto Fireflight's back, settling onto his back with ease, and perking up, looking carefully around. I'm lookout! he thought joyfully. His red fur puffed out in a swell of pride. "Sure." He mewed happily, straining his neck gazing in every direction. From the high vantage point(for it was high to Easternkit) he could see much farther than before and happily looked at the WindClan land as it went slowly by. It did seem nice, but he still didn't like how unfamiliar it was. ThunderClan was what he was used to. Easternkit thought for a moment and then frowned, "what am I supposed to look for? O-ce-olots?" He asked, trying to sound the strange word out.

Wingfoot chuckled at Fireflight, seeing him play so well with the kit. It was what the kits needed, he supposed, the ones that weren't sure about this strange new land. It was easy for Wingfoot to see how they might be feeling, he had been a stranger in ThunderClan, now their own kits were strangers here. That hit him hard. The kits didn't know anything about their home, at least some of them didn't. They needed to feel accepted by cats they might not have known before. After all, how else could you expect the kits to become loyal warriors to the clan? They had to trust it and know it first. Fireflight was making a good step in encouraging the Easternkit to be a part of the clan. Wingfoot reflected that as he wouldn't be able to work like a warrior for a while he might as well try to spend some time with the kits.

<blockquote>Ravenpelt pushed his smile down at the tom's wry humor. "We'll see about that!" he teased, theatrically moving aside to shoulder Bluebell's flank, mock-groaning. His amber eyes danced, but with a final dramatic grunt, he subsided and began to simply walk forward carefully. He was naturally sure-footed, but he didn't want the she-cat to fall - even with two fit toms supported him, she-cats were unpredictable creatures. He grinned to himself. Maybe he was giving females bad press, but after living with Silvermask for half a year, they were frightening. He snorted in fond amusement, watching the fiery red kit's antics. "Yes, definitely," he agreed solemnly, whiskers twitching. "They're everywhere. We need you to protect us from them; really, you'll be an invaluable asset." He lowered his voice conspiratorially. "You see that bush over there? Looks suspicious to me." He nodded, not smiling one bit, his voice still grave.</blockquote>

"You're welcome," Hailclaw mewed joyfully and continued to prod the cat up. After he was up, she leaned slightly outward to give him somewhere to rest on for their journey back to camp. The silver tabby briskly nodded before slowly setting off at a steady pace, a glow of pride showing in her deep blue eyes. She had never felt so happy before. But today was her day to help someone else, other than herself. Sure, everyday she has regular clan duties which, yes, help keep the clan alive, but this was surely a different situation.

Wingfoot nodded greatfully again to Hailclaw, his heart pounding a little as he looked around. WindClan. He was stuck on the fact that they were finally home - couldn't get it out of his head. He leaned on her, lightly at first but with only a few steps later he was relying heavily on her aid. He hated being hurt almost as much as being gone. "Sorry." He couldn't help his clan with a hurt leg and he hated not being able to help his clan. It was a thing he relied on being there, a steady and constant reminder of how much the clan meant to him was every time he looked at a cat from his clan. Everything was for the clan. He cared for others when they were injured, I guess this is just my time around he thought dryly. He only wished that it didn't hurt so much. He looked at Easternkit, searching for some source of fun to take his mind of his foot.

Easternkit's face grew serious as he looked carefully at the bush that Ravenpelt had pointed out. Narrowing his eyes he turned from his vantage point towards the shrub, sticking his head forward to see if he could find anything odd about the bush. His eyes grew alarmed and he drew quickly back away from the bush but just as quickly he came back again, "False alarm." He called to everyone, "the wind was just shaking the bush." He mewed after a moment's thought, "but you're right, I should keep a close eye on everything." He nodded seriously and combed the area again, like a meercat popping out of it's hole. Easternkit thought about the ocelots. They were monsters. He hadn't ever seen any in thunderClan terrriotoy but maybe here there was a lot of them, Ravenpelt had said so. He was worried. Why did WindClan live here if it was so dangerous?

Wingfoot's eyes glowed misheviously and he winked at Hailclaw, "watch this." He whispered. Then he raised his head and discretly flicked a small rock on the ground into the bush. It made the shrub wiggle a little. The sound of the leaves crinkling beconed the red kit's attention again. "holla senor." He said, trying to make his voice sound as if it was coming from the bush.

Easternkit's eyes widened and he almost fell of Fireflight's back. He looked around wildly at the other cat, his ears twitching franticly. "do oc-e-lots talk weird?" He asked, trying to remember if he had heard anything about the ocelot that had attacked Bluebell speaking odd words. Wait - hadn't there been something? Had it been spain-iish or something? What was the word that he had heard? His breathing came a little faster, and he braced himself against Fireflight's fur. "you were right!" He squeaked to Ravenpelt, "there a monster in the bush!"

OOC // Oh em gee, this is so intense. @_@

... xDDD
<blockquote>Ravenpelt nodded in carefully simulated relief. "Oh, that's good. I was really worried. But you should definitely keep an eye out; if we don't have someone protecting us, they might strike again." He glanced around with, what he hoped, was a hunted look, but probably made him look like had eye issues. "Oh, StarClan. Don't panic, but... is there something in that bush?" He pushed down a grin, which was harder now that they were in the thick of the action. Besides, Wingfoot's corny accent was priceless. "I- I don't think the other-cats spoke weirdly," he mock-stammered, watching Wingfoot and Hailclaw with a grin. "But I d- don't know. Check it out?" he suggested in a pretense of tentativeness. "It can't be a monster! Maybe it's a... a..." He bit his lip theatrically. "A big rabbit!" Maybe this was too mean, he thought briefly. But Easternkit could handle it; it was just a harmless joke, after all. "I... I..." He backed away, trying to get himself to bristle.</blockquote>

Easternkit looked with wide eyes at Ravenpelt, as he dragged out what could possibly be in the bush. But as he continued Easternkit felt like asking him to go check. By the time Ravenpelt hit the punch line however, Easternkit wasn't sure it was anything anymore. But when Ravenpelt said large rabbit, Easternkit's eyes widened again, "be careful." He mewed, "I heard an elder got blind from a rabbit." He said seriously, glancing back at the bush. Easternkit wasn't exactly sure what rabbits were anyway. He had heard a little about them, but they weren't the most often prey caught in ThunderClan and Easternkit had been eating birds all his young life. For all he knew, large rabbits were dangerous, "What's a rabbit?" He asked, glancing uncertainly at Ravenpelt, "are they dangerous? Can they blind you?" He knew elders sometimes streatched their stories but going blind was a little concerning. He licked his red fur worridly.

Wingfoot chuckled under his breath at Easternkit's imediate reaction. He laughed as Ravenpelt gave away that there was nothing to fear from the bush. It was so fun. He was a little concerned about the kit's reaction. Doesn't know what rabbits are? he thought with a start, his brow creasing a little at Easternkit's words. Where had this kit been living for so long that he didn't know what WindClan's main source of prey was? ThunderClan, he answered himslef, he's had to live in ThunderClan. Even then, it was surprising. It was worring to think that the red tabby kit didn't know what a rabbit was, defenitly concerning. At least he didn't take the truth that there was nothing there too hard he thought to himself, humor was important if you wanted to get by in life.

Fireflight's eyes took on a contended gleam. There was something he'd been missing during the long months he'd spent brooding and mourning. It was this. Walking with Ravenpelt helping to support Bluebell, Easternkit perched on his shoulders, Hailstone and Wingfoot alongside them... there could surely be no cat as wholly contended as Fireflight at that moment in time.

He flicked his ears in amusement at Easternkit's word about the suspicious bush. He was a smart kit, he thought, and took this duty seriously. He tried not to chuckle aloud as the warriors teased the youngster, but realized his young friend was really quite nervous. He winked at Bluebell and shurgged his shoulder a little to get Easternkit's attention. "Don't worry, Easternkit. If there's a big rabbit in there, it will take one look at Ravenpelt's face and go running for RiverClan!" He said in a loud stage whisper. He then spoke normally, in a reassuring tone. "Anyway, rabbits aren't dangerous, as long as you're careful when you hunt them. When you're big enough to have a mentor, they'll teach you all about rabbits."