Posts by BRIARSTAR.

Too late. Briarthorn's body had raced through the trees, tearing towards the thunderpath in a desperate attempt to fight alongside her clanmates. News had been sent to her and her stoic leader, who very quickly rushed off ahead to put an end to what was happening. Too late. Briarthorn took a moment to alert Oliveslip that there might be injuries, before hurrying behind her mentor to the scene. Too late.

All the while she was running, the deputy could only think of what she was going to say. It was probably best that she let Sorrelstar deal with this, because she was feeling mixed emotions about it all. They were stealing prey? After everything that DarkClan had done to them - the issue that caused the war that ended her mates' life? How could they be so foolish? But starvation and loyalty made some do crazy things. If Briarthorn wasn't so emotionally tethered to the situation, she might have joined in as well. If she was younger and more impressionable ... she might have been convinced.

"Sorrelstar!" The shriek rose high in her throat and the brown tabby tore through the crowd to reach the caramel-furred she-cat. She was mangled, bloodied and Briarthorn had to choke down her horror at the sight. Well, this would be fine, right? She would wake up. Sorrelstar still had another life. This looked really, really bad but it was all going to be okay. Lifting her head to look at Canarysong, she nodded lightly. "Uh, it's okay. She has another life. She should wake up soon. Sorrelstar, wake up whenever you're ready. We're here waiting for you." Turning blankly to Nettlebite, she narrowed her gaze. "She has another life. She'll wake up."

For the moment, Briarthorn pushed past her warrior's working paws, and lowered her body to the ground. Her chin rested on the alrady-stiffening dip in her leader's neck. She could feel her heart squeezing with every beat as she pleaded to StarClan in her mind. I'm not ready. Sorrelstar, you come back to me. I can't do this without you. Owlflight, if you're there, tell her to come back to me. She's everything to me. Sorrelstar. Come back. Wake up. As much as she logically knew that something was different, she couldn't accept it. Briarthorn felt the weight of leadership fall heavy on her shoulders but she closed her eyes, willing it away. It wasn't time, this wasn't right. I'm not ready.

""

Days before the battle that would happen, they were all blissfully unaware of the pain that would soon come crashing down on all of them. All of their lives would be affected by this. But for now, they were perfectly naive. All except Sorrelstar, who seemed to be saying goodbye during this meeting and this caused the dark furred deputy to glance up at her mentor, confusion swimming in her verdant eyes. She didn't like that Sorrelstar was talking like that, but she did her best to dismiss it. Briarthorn hoped she would have many moons left to learn and grow from the strong she-cat above her. That hope would be shattered in only a few days.

Today, though, was a fairly happy day. Her name was called and she turned her attention to the leader, who was currently assigning her an apprentice. Morningpaw, Firedawn and Flaxenglare's daughter. She would be a fine apprentice. Briarthorn stepped up to touch noses with the young she-cat before taking her place back under Sorrelstar and waiting for the rest of the announcements.

""

"Tough morning?" Briarthorn called to her ebony-furred warrior as she stepped past him. She, herself, had just come back empty-pawed from hunting but she had been out all night trying to 'clear her mind'. After checking in on the elders, queens, and kits, she made her way to the prey pile. Picking up a scrawny mouse, she settled on the ground next to Thornbite.

He was a stranger, in every practical sense. Their lives had been two forces, narrowly missing each other for the time they had resided in ShadowClan. They existed in a harmony, working around each other but never quite having the contact that they would need to make it past the stage of strangers. Briarthorn wasn't about to let that stop her from sitting down and eating her breakfast, though. And while he might not want to make conversation while he ate, she needed to talk to someone after hunting solo all night and well - he was here, so he would just have to listen.

"The snow isn't as bad today. But the wind is really throwing everything off. Have you had any luck today?" Because she hadn't been there earlier to assign morning patrols, she was unaware that the dark-furred tom had skipped out on one that particular morning. If she had known, well she wouldn't have been too terribly upset. The weather was harsh and a warrior taking a morning off or two, it wouldn't really make that much of a difference in the size of their prey pile anyway.

""

There was only numbness, filling her body like a weight as she trudged back to their camp. For the entire journey back from the thunderpath, all the striped she-cat could think was that she wished it had been her. The monster should have hit her - if only she had run ahead of Sorrelstar. She was replaceable, their strong and motherly leader was not. No one would ever fill the gaping hole that was left in ShadowClan now that Sorrelstar was gone. Briarthorn felt it heavily, the weight of responsibility and the fear of not being good enough. Becoming leader after someone like her mentor ... it was a lot of pressure on top of a lot of grief. That would all be dealt with later. For now, she needed to be remembered.

After the deceased leader's body was laid in the center of camp and tended to with herbs and oils, Briarthorn stepped to the center. It didn't feel right to stand on the rock just yet. She wasn't ready to take her place yet. So for now, she would make announcements from the ground. "ShadowClan! Gather in the center of camp for Sorrelstar's vigil if you wish." Briarthorn settled down by the caramel-furred leader, allowing her body to rest in a seated position. "I know Sorrelstar would want this to be more of a celebration of life. So, I encourage anyone that feels comfortable to come forward and tell a story or a memory about her, or just if you have anything you'd like to say - feel free."

""

Briarthorn's feet shuffled in front of her, disturbing the soft dirt as she contemplated the upcoming journey. It was a terrifying thought, to become leader. Especially without Sorrelstar by her side. For a while she had anticipated this day, not realizing the bittersweetness that would come along with it. She was ShadowClan's leader - an intense pride overwhelmed her when she truly thought about that. Her whole life she had worked towards this, remaining absolutely loyal, prepared to give her life to the Clan. Now she was here. Yet, there was an incompleteness about the whole thing. Without Sorrelstar and Owlflight, it didn't seem right. What were her successes without two of the most important people in her life? When her dreams came true, she always pictured them standing by her side.

The Clan needed a brave face now more than ever. Forcing her grief down, the brown tabby stalked towards the center of camp. Her head was raised high and her shoulders pushed back - the picture of confidence as she opened her maw to call out, "It's time for Oliveslip to escort me to the Moonstone to receive my nine lives. While I'm gone, Tansyface and Hornetsting are in charge." They were the only words she could give her Clan. There could be no long and motivating speech coming from her tonight. She couldn't fake her optimism that much yet.

Swiveling her head towards the medicine cat den, she waited for her daughter, idly wondering if Gingerpaw would be joining them as well. The darkness had already been upon them for quite some time now and she was anxious to get on the road. The sooner they left, the sooner she could return to ShadowClan where she belonged.

OLIVESLIP   GINGERPAW!

""

Through the darkness, the regal she-cat padded along. The nerves of the night were too much to stand and she had requested some chamomile from Oliveslip before they departed. Her daughter had given her a mix of other herbs for the travel and she choked them down, knowing that she would be grateful later. Every step closer to the sacred cave made her stomach flip. The anxiety tethered her, reminded her that she was lucky enough to be able to worry about leading a Clan. As much of a stress that she knew it would be, she would forever be grateful for the opportunity to dedicate her life to ShadowClan. If StarClan accepted her as their leader. The thought of maybe seeing Sorrelstar or Owlflight there made her paws pump faster, often pulling forward from Oliveslip in anticipation of it all.

When they reached the mouth of the rocks, her jaw clenched and she turned her head to the medicine cat beside her. "Okay, so no talking inside, right?" It was more of a rhetorical question - she was aware of the rules but her body was shaking and her mind was racing. "I'll see you in there, I guess," she chuckled awkwardly before flicking her tail against the taupe tabby's flank. A split second later, Briarthorn's face turned solemn and she lifted her chin, entering the darkness of the cave.

The light was what she followed instinctually, despite never having stepped foot inside the cave. She had heard stories of it plenty of times, how it pulled you in - guided you. It was all natural to her, as she moved closer and closer to the glowing light. Warmth filled her as she approached it, despite the biting chill outside. Glancing back at Oliveslip, she nodded and lowered to her belly. It was time. She could do this. The brown tabby reached forward and touched her nose gently to the glowing light. Instant heat rushed through her body and she felt a floating sensation and then a gentle tingling.

When she opened her eyes, nine starry bodies surrounded her.

( please wait for owlflight to post first & then you can go, in no other particular order <3

.nico.

Thorny

Ravenwatcher

scribe

mercibun

myth

Blissfire

Vespertine

SORRELSTAR

OLIVESLIP

""

Of course the first to approach would be Owlflight. The familiar features made her breath hitch in her throat. It had been so long since she had really laid her eyes on them. All she had for so long was the memory of his face. While he was with her, she didn't know how little time she had with him. If she had known, she would have made sure to look him over more, memorize the curve of his muzzle and the angle of his honeyed eyes. Right now, she was trying to take it all in but was overwhelmed with the job at hand. She wasn't here to socialize - she was here to become ShadowClan's leader.

Briarthorn leaned into his touch, feeling a shiver where his fur brushed against her own. While he spoke, she nodded and tried to take in his every word. How did it work? Would she just understand? When his nose touched her, there was a deep ache within her bones. Her heart felt like it was breaking, and her skin felt like it was burning. So many emotions poured through her, and then they were gone.

Taking a steadying breath, she watched him return to the crowd and awaited her next life.

""

"Good work kid," Briarthorn purred softly as she padded by the elders' den. She was on her to bring them breakfast before assigning the morning patrols and seeing the apprentice hard at work made the she-cat's heart swell. Doing their work without being told was something that not many apprentices picked up on and she was thankful that it was one less she had to boss around throughout the day. She was sure the elders appreciated it too. With this weather, the bedding needed to be changed more frequently, feathers and moss added as often as possible to keep the warmth in. Too bad there wasn't much of either these days.

"Something on your mind?" The den was fairly empty, only two others but they were on their way to sleep and Briar knew how cranky they could get if they didn't get their beauty rest. So with a quick nod, she motioned with her tail for him to follow her out into the clearing. Checking up on her clanmates was something she liked to do as much as possible. She knew they were all struggling this season and wanted to make sure that everyone was taking care of themselves.

""

Ah, another face she had been hoping to see. It had been so long since she had seen her friend, her best friend when they were apprentices. Briarthorn had even taken it upon herself to raise the she-cat's litter after she passed. It had been a struggle and she missed her dearly. Seeing Bearfang's face again sent a chill down her spine. How was this possible? To see so many faces that she longed for every day? It would be impossible to go back to camp, knowing that it would be a very long time before she saw them again.

When her friend's nose touched the space between her eyes, Briarthorn gasped. A burning sensation spread from the spot she was touched all the way to the bottom of her paws. It was hot and uncomfortable but it quickly ebbed away as she took on the second life. Taking a deep breath, Briarthorn watched her friend retreat back to the others, longing for her to stay but optimistic for the next life.

Next was a kitten, a tiny one, and Briarthorn's heart ached to think of her life being taken so soon. Bending her neck, she lowered her head enough to allow the small kitten to touch her forehead. This life was different. It was just as consuming, but it was warmth that flowed through her and she felt her heart thump happily as it took on the third life that the kitten granted her. "Thank you," she murmured softly to Leafkit, a smile gracing her face for a moment.

""

The familiar face of the gray SkyClan leader brought a smile to Briarthorn's maw - happy to see that she was doing well. Although ShadowClan and the other forest Clan never interacted very much, the brown tabby had a lot of respect for them, mostly due to the molly standing before her. While sometimes saying the inappropriate thing at times, it made her more relatable. Lavenderstar was a leader that Briar looked up to, hoped to maybe be like one day. It was an honor to receive a life from her.

This life brought a fluttering in her heart as the she-cat touched her nose to her forehead. Again, the fuzzy feeling spread out from the point of contact, radiating out into the rest of her body. It made her heart beat faster and the hair on the back of her neck stand - in a good way and Briarthorn curled her tail as the feeling floated away. Compassion. It was a quality that she would need to remember at times. She knew how the Clan enjoyed testing authority.

Lavenderstar's warning hit Briarthorn's ears and although she wanted - needed - to ask more questions, she knew there was no time. StarClan was still being threatened because of the lack of respect for the warrior code? Heeding her warning, the new leader made a silent promise to do everything in her power to uphold the code. Briarthorn tried to push away the worry while she waited for the next life.

""

In the days following Sorrelstar's death, the heiress was settling into her new position. It all seemed forced but she was trying to make the most of it. After sitting vigil for the late queen, Briarthorn had set off for the moonstone with Oliveslip and returned the official leader of ShadowClan. It was the next morning and she was working on getting everything organized. The apprentices had already cleared out Sorrelstar's bedding and replaced it for her, and she had moved in a few knick knacks that she had accumulated over her life. It all seemed a little wrong, but she was doing the best with what she had. Maybe it would get easier.

Briarstar was an unfamiliar name, foreign to her ears and it took her a moment to realize that it was her name that her dear friend was calling. From the dim light in her den, the newly named leader lifted her head and turned on her heel to face her ivory knight. His figure was outlined by the pale sun shining in. It was hard to see much with the light behind him like that, illuminating his form like a god, but his golden eyes were clear and burning into her face. There was a brokenness in them, doubled now that he had lost another loved one and she felt it in her own heart. Oh, how much they now had in common. Lost loves and lost friends. Only left with each other now. That was alright. As long as she had him to lean on, she would be alright. The weight that threatened to buckle her knees was manageable as long as she had him and he her. Together, they could weather the storm.

A fond smile formed on her maw and for the first time in days, Briarstar felt her shoulders relax. Just his presence brought a calmness to her life, like a breath of fresh air. "Hornetsting." Her emerald eyes travelled down to what he was holding and she tilted her head curiously. This wasn't the first time he had given her a thoughtful gift. The first had been a flower with which she shared a name. Now it was a necklace, intertwined with different flowers and a singular feather. Somehow, she knew the meaning behind it. Tears threatened to flow but she bit her lip to hold them back and lifted her head to his face again. "I love it. I love it so much, thank you." Hooking it with a paw, she lifted it over her head, letting it rest around her neck.

The words that hurt to hear came next. He thinks he failed Sorrelstar and Nightfire? Briarstar narrowed her verdant gaze and her ears flattened to her skull ever so slightly. The smaller feline took a step towards him, lifting her chin to better see his eyes and she shook her head. "Don't say that. You didn't fail them. Don't ever say that, Hornetsting." Lowering her head, she pressed the top of it to his shoulder, sucking in a deep and emotional breath. "You could never fail me. "

""

Reflection. A flood of memories attack her mind, and Briarthorn sucked in a breath to steady herself. This life affected her longer, taking its time. After about thirty seconds, her body relaxed from the tension and her breath released. Despite this one stretching out, she was getting used to the assaulting feeling each time, remembering that each new life brought her more insight to being ShadowClan's leader. It was all worth it.

"Thank you, Flightstep." While the life itself brought the insight, the StarClanner's words resonated in the new leader's ears. It was almost like an echo. Vowing to remember the lessons the WindClan elder was teaching her, Briarthorn lifted her chin and waited for the next life to be given to her.

""