Posts by Illuminus

Russetoak narrowed his eyes at the she-cat's tone, but brushed it off just as quickly.

"Have you seen Brownwhisker? I followed her scent here." He meowed tersely, not in the mood for argument.

Russetoak sighed, figuring Brownwhisker just left to hunt or be alone, and nodded. Part of the tom wanted to go search for the she-cat, but another wanted to figure out what Brackenmoon was thinking and what triggered her spell. The dark tom stood silently, studying the gray and white she-cat with pale, calculating eyes.

Russetoak groaned, finally fed up with the she-cat. Frustratd,the lithe tom rounded on Brackenmoon, stalking up to her until he was only a hair length away from her nose.

"Okay, what in StarClan is going on with you??" He growled out. "You let no one in, but seem to expect us all to understand what you are thinking and how you are feeling. Let someonein. Anyone!" The dark tom's unsheathed claws dug in to the ground before he whipped around and stalked a short distance away, his tail lashing behind him as he sat, though not facing the she-cat, but awaiting her response.

Russetoak's ears pinned back at the outburst, surprised that she actually told him what was truly going on. The dark tom looked at the she-cat and felt that sharp stab of sorrow pass through him at the sight of her pain. Timidly, he approached Brackenmoon once again and slowly laid beside her. Even more slowly, his tail gently encircled her and he pushed his warm muzzle in to the crook of her neck, trying to soothe the struggling she-cat.

"I'm sorry," He whispered, though for what he was not sure. For her pain? For what she suffered? For not being able to help? All of the possible reasons came to the forefront of his mind. "Please, don't cry. I didn't want to make you cry."

Froreclaw nodded in silent agreement as he stepped up to Snowstar's side. His hazel green eyes squinted against the harsh glare of the sun, reminding him of the day's in ArcticClan when the sun was at its most powerful and reflected off of the white snow. He tried to look out in to the surrounding area, but found it hard without his eyes being totally adjusted to the new light.

Russetoak sighed and nuzzled more firmly against the she-cat when she didn't reject the touch. The tom didn't have the words needed to express what he wanted to convey, but he would try with the actions he knew. He pressed gently against Brackenmoon, trying to give her the support, warmth, and strength she needed for what was ahead.

"You're not alone." The dark cat murmured in to her pelt as his maw burrowed in to her fur.

Froreclaw nodded again as his eyes adjusted and he glanced up at the burning orb in the heavens above.

Hopefully, soon. The large tom thought to himself. Or we will all die of this heat. Judging by the sun's height, it wasn't even sunhigh yet. The day's heat was still to come. The light tortoiseshell ruffled his long pelt and thanked the stars he wasn't born with darker fur.

"No..." He sighed softly, pulling his face away so that he could fully see her. "I've never had visions, but I-I won't let you be alone in this." Russetoak smiled at her, though a dim sadness floated in his pale eyes.

"But, yes, I have unfulfilled wishes. That I understand." The dark tom nudged her with his nose, another smile on his face, this time lighting up his eyes as well.

"And no, you're not overreacting. I would have handled it a lot worse." He meowed truthfully, imaging what he as a hot-headed tom would do. A slight shudder ran through him at the thought.

Tinyowl's eyes widened as she scented the air. Frightened eyes shot to Flameheart.

"Do you smell that?" The small she-cat gasped. Again she smelled the air and her heart fluttered anxiously. At least two more?! What could they want?

~~~

Froreclaw padded after his leader and continued to taste the air. The smell of DesertClan was beginning to grow stronger and stronger, though the huge tom felt no fear as they came with peace.

Russetoak smirked and shrugged, having already forgotten about the light scratch.

"Don't worry about it. I've had worse." He chuckled lightly and stretched, showing that it didn't hurt. Lightly, he flicked her with his tail, seeing the slight shake. "It's okay now." He mewed before brushing himself against her.

Froreclaw followed Snowstar's lead and dipped his head.

"Two of our cats have gone missing and we have belief that they may have ended up in DesertClan territory." He meowed quietly, though with a tinge of confidence.

~~

"Two?" Tinyowl gasped. "How many had arrived before?" The young she-cat looked out to where the intruding cats' scents were. Was trouble lurking ahead? The she-cat gulped nervously.

Russetoak smiled at Brackenmoon's attempt at a smile, but could still sense her unease. The dark tom nudged the she-cat before hesitating and licking her lightly on the cheek.

"Why what..." He whispered slowly, dazed that he had just done that.

Tinyowl shuddered. "Four Artic cats." She mumbled in disbelief. That was enough to pose a great threat to the warriors of her Clan and enough to make her pelt stand on end.

~~

Froreclaw gave a small, polite smile and nodded his head. "Those would be ours." His green eyes studied his lost Clanmates with concern, giving both a once over and sighing with relief when they appeared to be fine.

Russetoak's eyes widened in surprise as he looked down at the vulnerable she-cat leaning in to him. A gentle warmth swept through him and a small smile grew before it snapped in to a frown.

What am I doing? I can't... A little voice in his head reminded him and silent sigh left the tom.

"Maybe you need to explore the questions." He murmured and licked the top of her head despite the nagging thoughts in his head. "Holding things inside doesn't help as much as it should. And don't worry about hurting me, okay? I can take care of myself and look out for you." The dark tom mumbled in to her ear as he nuzzled the she-cat, trying to soothe her.

The dark tom sighed as he watched her go, unsure if he should follow or not. His tired, pastel yellow eyes looked out in to the Savannah, watching as some small birds fluttered in and out of the yellow high grass. He sighed again, feeling that he should hunt, or anything, just to clear his mind. His gaze went back to the retreating Brackenmoon, but the feeling of uncertainty passed through him again. Instead of following her back to the camp, the lone tom stayed where he was under the fading light of the sun.

Froreclaw padded silently through the vortex and let out a unnoticeable sigh of relief as the cold, wintry air hit his burning pelt.

"Let us not return to that place." The large tom murmured with a shake of his course fur. Though, he sounded grumpy, his light hazel eyes glimmered with the slight adventure. While he didn't care for the heat, the tortoiseshell was glad to have visited a place so different from his home.

Tinyowl's ears perked up to the top of her head at the sound of her leader's call. Like a kit, the young she-cat bounced eagerly to the large rock formation and squinted against the burning sun to look up at the silhouetted tom. She quickly sat down and laid her tail neatly over her tiny paws and lapped at her chest as she waited for the others.

Larkbreeze finished her small meal and looked about the camp, her cerulean eyes flickering with boredom and mischief as she wondered what she could do to entertain herself. The creamy, spotted she-cat stretched in her spot and moved to stand, but only rolled to her side out of sheer laziness.

The dark tom frowned when his silence was broken by the sound of fast, heavy paws and the faint call of a familiar sounding kit. Russetoak's frown deepened as the smell of Brownwhisker, Abysskit, Whitepaw, and the smell of fear blew in with the weak breeze. The tom quickly stood and rushed to the camp, concerned and protective of his clanmates in the face of possible danger.

((Nah, I think the kit is the only one.))

Tinyowl shrugged her shoulders, though her eyes shone with nervousness and anxiety.

"I have no idea." She whispered uncertainly. "They just showed up without warning...I don't understand..."