Breezefeather was just about to lay down when he noticed the intruder. He padded up to him, meowing, "Who are you?" His words were not confrontational, but he was prepared to defend his family if need be.
Rain smiled at Brightkit. "Come on, let's find ourselves a nest." He padded over to the rest of Tribe, expecting Malia to follow as well.
Brightkit walked behind, and she couldn't help but yawn a few more times.
Lionkit quickly slipped into the deep oblivion of sleep.
(Yay, Berry! xD)
ooc: The camp is FAR UNDERGROUND people! Not just a clearing! The scents would have led near the entrance to the tunnel, but the tunnel is hidden and the scent probably would have cut off there. The kits and cats in camp would not have seen or scented him.
Rabid smiled at Frost. "Come on, Bro, lets go hunt some." With that, she padded into the tunnel.
Minutes later, she arose and froze just inside of the tunnel, sniffing. She could sense movement outside, but she wouldn't dare show herself. They might see the entrance. The savannah poked her nose through to sniff. Who was this? His scent was unfamiliar to her nose... She slunk low to the ground and slowly moved in a circle towards the cat...
Just as Frontline was returning with Slashingnight and their group of cats. Frontline had been told by Slashingnight how Echomist had suggested to him a truce with the clans- or at least Brody's family. She knew one way to have peace would be to help fight Bloodclan, since Echomist had told her Brody was going to attack Bloodclan soon. Frontline had discussed it with Slashingnight and the black tom had agreed to let her lead a patrol to go with and fight on Brody's side. Slashingnight would, however, not be coming. She stepped into the open and peered at the unfamiliar cat, Flintshard. "Who are you?" She asked, glancing to see Rabid emerging from the shadows.
Ligerstripe padded towards the tom, then began to slowly circle him, curiously. He glanced at his mother, Pantherstrike, then at the tom again. The young fighter sniffed at the intruder.
Mantisclaw stood, silent, near the others. His green gaze was on the intruder, and his fur was ruffling slightly. "Speak." He commanded. The senior member was ready to fight if he had to.
ooc: What's happening with him?
Twobirds joined his brother in essentially stalking the other cat, circling in the opposite direction.
"You two-" Slashingnight said, padding into the clearing and eyeing the tom. "Keep doing what you're doing. The rest of you, go get more cats. My sister will explain when you're there." Then, the black tom padded to stare into the intruder's eyes. "Explain yourself, please. I am Slashingnight, temporary leader of the Tribe of Many Storms. You have trespassed onto our land."
Frontline nodded and flicked her tail for the others. She padded towards the entrance, though skimming the hill to hide where she was going.
Mantisclaw followed.
Ligerstripe smiled and stared at the intruder.
Addie glanced at the loner, then quickly followed Frontline. The day's adventure had begun to tire her out, and all the calico queen wanted was to flop down in her new nest and sleep.
((OOC| I had no idea where everyone was... I'm hardly reading four pages to find out))
Flintshard glanced around at the assembled cats, blinking dully before he found his tongue. The Maine had a gravelly voice, rather distinctive. "I'm Flintshard of Bloodclan. My brother Bonestar sent me." He explained.
Slashingnight's eyes narrowed slightly. What timing. Bloodclan hadn't done anything yet to work on their side of the alliance, and Slashingnight had already decided to break the alliance. Allies who couldn't help eachother didn't need to be allies. "Greetings, Flintshard. Do you bring a message? I'm sorry to say that it's been a very long time since we became allies and we have helped Bloodclan a number of times, receiving nothing as of yet. We've been considering the fidelity of Bloodclan to our alliance."
ooc: Its ok, I was actually talking to the general RPers here.
Ligerstripe's ears flicked. A Bloodclan cat? Wasn't Slashingnight going to break the alliance with them because they hadn't spoken since.... a long time ago?
Shakingoak twitched his ears curiously as he followed Slashingnight's group and saw Flintshard. He had never seen this cat before, but the others didn't seem to be attacking so the black smoke decided that the big stranger wasn't a threat. Settling down, he watched Flintshard with his pale yellow eyes.
Beaconkit widened his eyes as a new scent hit his mouth. Then, as if to reassure him, more scents, familiar ones, drifted over to the kit too. Relaxing, the red tabby yawned and curled up near his mother, ready to go to sleep.
((OOC| Righto!))
Flitnshard sighed - he was no diplomat. Why hadn't Bloodclan mad contact before sending HIM here? "Are you Calmnight?" He asked Slashingnight. Slight impatience edged his features. "Bloodclan have been busy. The clans joined together to fight us. It was a fairly brutal battle but we drove them off. Besides, the only time you've helped us is when you brought us a single warning, so don't bother trying to pretend Bloodclan is in your debt." He grunted. But hope bloomed within him. If the Tribe didn't want him here, then he could go back. Back to Bloodclan... to Gladepaw.
"No, Calmnight is dead. That's Slashingnight. He's leader until Elixor is old enough. Bloodclan hasn't done anything for us at all, I think is what Slashingnight's saying, and that warning helped you. Don't try to tell us we haven't done anything to help you." Ligerstripe said.
"Sorry bout your leader." Flintshard sighed again and shifted his weight restlessly from paw to paw. "What I'm saying is we've barely had a chance to do anything for ourselves. Look, I'm a pretty straightforward type of guy. I was sent here as some type of exchange program by my brother. If you don't want me here, say so, and I'll be gone. No fuss." If only it were that simple. If they told him to go... he could do anything. Bonestar wouldn't be expecting him... he could sneak in, get Gladepaw out of there. His heart began to hammer. Just him and Gladepaw...even back in Shadowclan he'd never dreamed of such a thing. And now it might be within his grasp, thanks to this Tribe.
Say you don't want me here, Starclan, just let me go.
"We welcome anybody who is strong enough to protect themselves and their tribemates." Elixor said, padding into the clearing from camp. The five moon old serval blinked at the Maine coon with his gray-blue eyes. "You can stay if you want to, nobody's making you leave. Say, you might even be better off here than down south, especially with what's going down." The black tom flicked his tail at Slashingnight. Even if he wasn't leader yet, he still had the power. The place he was in was that he could order others around, and Slashingnight's orders to him were suggestions. It would always be this way, he was under no one and all were under him. "I'm Elixor, and I'll be leader soon." Was six moons old enough? He'd had extensive training in hunting- he was an expert at that already, but he hadn't learned as much fighting as he needed. Four more moons, and he'd be a Fighter. The to-be flicked his tail. He was sure smart enough already- always had been.
Breezefeather was about to follow the others out to confront the intruder, but he figured his help wasn't needed. The intruder was severely outnumbered as it was. The fighter curled up in his nest, and started to fall asleep.
"Stay here," Rain mewed, about to go outside to gather some moss and sticks so he could make nests for the three of them. But then he noticed the gathering of cats outside, and a newcomer in their midst. Curious, he approached them.
Brightkit was not one to be ordered around, but she was too tired to object. She nodded, sitting down, watching Rain walk away with bleary eyes that she struggled to keep open.
Twobirds fluffed up his blue fur a little, feeling tension in the air. He remained silent; he really wasn't about to try to delve in yet.
-----
Gentlebreeze nudged her kits, who were too old to be suckling at all. The tortie shifted her position to make it more comfortable for herself.
Dew padded back into the territory, returning with the patrol. They had failed in their mission, thwarted by the unexpected appearance of some SunClanners. Luckily, they had been able to leave without their true identities being revealed. However, they had learned something during their short stay there -- about BloodClan's attack on Brody's family. As she approached, she could see a BloodClanner in the Tribe's midst, and could guess the reason he was here.
Shakingoak was interested in the tension in the air; he thought that Flintshard seemed uncomfortable, and wondered what Slashingnight would do. And then Elixor came in, which to the black smoke just promised more drama.
Beaconkit blinked up at Gentlebreeze, yawned, curled up, and quickly fell asleep near his mother.
ooc: Back. Sorry I didn't really tell anyone about me leaving. O.o I hardly missed anything. Well, thanks BB.
ic: Brightkit watched Rain leave, fighting back another yawn unsuccessfully. She didn't want to sleep but it was hard not to.
Drama, at least this was more exciting than the loner life had been before. Kalika watched it all intently, just like a two-legger watched the box of lights. A smile broad on her face. She was happy she was no longer completely alone. Yet there was still a piece inside her that felt empty, like something was missing. She caught herself staring wishfully at Brightkit wishing she had one of her own. Then realizing she'd have no way to take care of it.