Molefur shuffled from paw to paw in Shadestorm's presence...happy to see that she was so eager to go with him, but still...nervous. He didn't want to admit that he'd already had a poor day hunting. Because, well...it was just embarrassing.
"Well, uh...maybe we should wait for Ravenstar to get back." He explained to her, giving a cautious look over his shoulder. "Maybe he'll need us to patrol the borders."
Shadestorm sighed, and shook his head. Molefur might have had a good head on his shoulders, but, he was way too cautious sometimes. "C'mon, he doesn't need us. Heck, we can indepently mark borders this time. So, let's go ahead and go out!"
Ravenstar emerged into the clearing, taking note that it was night now. This day had passed by unexpectedly. He did feel a sense of exhaustion creep at the back of his mind, but that did not keep him from his duty. His mindset had visibly changed since leaving the camp that morning, for his usual soft steps were now heavy and authoritative.
"May all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather for a Clan meeting!" he boomed powerfully, spinning around to face his Clanmates. "I have an important announcement to make before we prepare for the Gathering."
Ravenstar paused, permitting a moment for his words to sink in. He finally took notice of who was actually in camp, pleased to find that the entire Clan seemed to be here. That made things easy.
"Rosestripe and I found NestClan markings at The Great Arch. Although we did not have it marked, you all know how close it is to GlenClan territory. Traditionally, we have had free accessibility to it -- by extension it is ours. It has now been marked as GlenClan's, but this does not resolve the issue. We need to discuss this before attending the Gathering."
Truthfully, he already had his ideas of what to do and how he expected his Clan to act. He didn't want anyone taking matters into their own paws; this was a delicate political matter and he intended to have GlenClan approach it wisely. Still, there was no predicting how the different types of personalities in his Clan would react to the news.
She was far from timid, a playful cat who enjoyed messing with those of her clan, but in the presence of her leader, she seemed to be reduced to a kit. She tried masquerading as a cat with no fears, someone who was brave, but the stars struck fear in her heart. They twinkled cheerily on her, but she felt nothing in her heart aside from soul-clenching fear. They took her family so easily without care for what she might think, what made anyone think they would feel mercy or pity for those they tormented? They were cruel, unloving creators, and yet some still chose to place faith and hope in them, most notably three certain positions among the clan.
Fools. Were they really so blind?
Kissed by the stars, the leaders, deputies, and medicine cats seemed, but we're they really? Did the stars really feel so much favor for the ones, or were they just pawns to spread lies and slander? Just queens and kings on a chess board?
Rosestripe's head was muddled as she appeared in camp close behind Ravenstar, her legs numb, her heart pounding, and her eyes dull as she turned to stare at her leader. They had discussed this in the forest, so she tuned out, the tabby's worries of those above weighing on her shoulders so that they visibly sagged beneath her panic.
Desperately, she hoped she did not have to attend the gathering.
The black and white fur-less tom, finished his meal and licked his muzzle. His dark blue gaze was raised upwards when he saw white paws in front of him. Ratnose's gaze came to rest upon his deputy Ashenmane. The tom gave a gentle smile towards the she-cat, happy that she had come over to speak with him. It seemed that Ashenmane was the only other cat in the Clan who had more moons of experience then him, it made him feel less old.
Before Ratnose had a chance to reply to Ashenmane's comment, Ravenstar's voice rang out. The tom raised himself from his resting position and took a proper seat beside Ashenmane's side. His gaze locked upon the leader, his black ears perked forwards ready to listen for every word. The news given wasn't the most cheerful news in the world. It seemed the struggle for territory was beginning. With the coming change of seasons more territory was desired to feed the Clans. More territory granted more chances of food and less hungry bellies.
Molefur was sorely tempted to take up Shadestorm's offer. Tempted, but in the end it was his devotion to his clan that kept him in his place. That, and the arrival of Ravenstar, of course. The young tom's head shot back, his ears flattening and his posture seeming to shrink in on itself as the implications of the Leader's words seemed to strike him.
"Why would they have a reason to come so far out? They live in amongst all those strange nests!" He couldn't help but yelp. It seemed like they were trying to force themselves upon the cats of Glenclan. Where they up to something...scheming? "What are we going to say to them...at the Gathering...is it wise to let Creekclan know?"
Because that was the other problem...what if they saw this infringement of the oddball Nestclan as a weakness in their defenses!?
Ashenmane seemed to become bigger in the presence of Ravenstar. In comparison to his sleek blackness, she may as well have been a burly bear - a sweet-natured one most of the time, but a bear nonetheless. She growled lightly at his news, but it was when her other clanmmates seemed worried about it that she spoke up, her luminous fur bristling.
"They're overstepping their boundaries, just like kits do - trying to get out of the nursery behind their mother's backs." She snapped. "So we do exactly what we would do with misbehaving kit's. We tell them to stop - and if they don't listen, why...we grab them by the scruffs of their necks and make them!" She huffed. She might have been older than most of her clanmmates gathered there, but she was no pushover, that was certain. "The Gathering's a time of peace, of course...but that doesn't mean we won't sit back and let them walk all over us."
Shadestorm sighed. She really hoped they could get out of there and do something without having to wait, but, oh, well. As heard the news, she found herself bristling at first...But, then calmed down. It probably wasn't the best idea for her to be one of the angry ones right now. But, she was definitely feeling it, frowning, she tried to think of just why Nestclan would need territory there, and whether or not they should still be angry at them. There was bound to still be plenty of prey in Greenleaf. And, probably plenty of food in Northern Twolegplace for them. So, why then? Well, suddenly, it hit her.
"You know the Gathering is coming up pretty soon. And, Nestclan is the one clan that has to walk the longest to Brightrock...Maybe they were just trying to make it so they could get to the Gathering smoothly, as well as without taking as much time as normal?" Or, she could be completely wrong...But, she had actually gotten pretty used to the current peace, and was feeling a bit worried about what would happen if her clanmates acted out of sheer paranoia.
Ravenstar studied his Clan's collective reaction and found the same feeling underlying it. They were as shocked as he had been, though some probably felt stronger than others. He kept quiet during this time, allowing his Clanmates to share their thoughts. Molefur spoke first and Ravenstar turned to him attentively.
"Why would they have a reason to come so far out? They live in amongst all those strange nests! What are we going to say to them...at the Gathering...is it wise to let Creekclan know?"
Ravenstar nodded to the tom. "All very important considerations, yes. We absolutely need to plan our words and actions carefully for the Gathering."
"They're overstepping their boundaries, just like kits do - trying to get out of the nursery behind their mother's backs. So we do exactly what we would do with misbehaving kit's. We tell them to stop - and if they don't listen, why...we grab them by the scruffs of their necks and make them! The Gathering's a time of peace, of course...but that doesn't mean we won't sit back and let them walk all over us."
The familiar voice of his deputy drew his attention and Ravenstar turned toward the burly she-cat with a purr. He admired her devotion to GlenClan greatly, knowing that she'd protect it fiercely at the twitch of a whisker. Her eagerness was inspiring, but Ravenstar wasn't convinced that violence was the best course of action... so soon.
"I agree, GlenClan cannot let this go unchallenged. However," he said, his voice dropping to a low, serious tone. "Let us not be too rash. Sloppiness will not be acceptable in dealing with this problem; we should refrain from starting a war when we are not in the wrong. We will ask them to stop, but we will have to appraise their response and see if there is not... opportunity, here."
Then Shadestorm spoke. "You know the Gathering is coming up pretty soon. And, Nestclan is the one clan that has to walk the longest to Brightrock...Maybe they were just trying to make it so they could get to the Gathering smoothly, as well as without taking as much time as normal?"
Ravenstar blinked. That was certainly a possibility. Finding himself impressed by Shadestorm's idea, he dipped his head to the she-cat. "That's very plausible, Shadestorm. Good thinking. That does not, however, excuse it any less. GlenClan will have to pass through CreekClan territory on the way to the Brightrock and we will do it with whatever hindrance may come."
Ravenstar turned to address the Clan as a whole again, his voice rising to call their attention. "The Gathering is a night of peace. We are all expected to pass through each other's territories peacefully and to expect safe passage. Claiming The Great Arch for usage on one night is ridiculous; owning it would mean hunting rights too, which should rightfully belong to the Clan that doesn't have to walk to the ends of the earth to retrieve a catch."
Ravenstar paused and looked down at his paws, deep in thought. "If NestClan wants to arrive at the Gathering on time, then they should learn to be responsible and leave earlier. It's not GlenClan's fault if kittypets have no sense of time management. So," he said, frowning as if trying to decide something. "I will bring it up at the Gathering and question Mintstar, in full view of all cats attending. If we deal with it wisely, it won't be a sign of weakness but a sign of strength. And putting Mintstar on the spot might do some good; she'd have to explain herself to not just GlenClan, but CreekClan as well. If NestClan is pushing into other territories, CreekClan may support us out of fear of the same."
Ravenstar lifted his head. "I would like to emphasize doing this peacefully, so no one may find reason to fault us. If NestClan ventures through our territory, allow them to pass for the Gathering. If they mark it on the way there, then remark it. I will be bringing a small group for the Gathering, so it's clear that GlenClan is not planning to start a fight. No, not start one -- leave that foolishness to the NestClanners. We will finish whatever they start in due time. So for tonight, I would like to be only accompanied by Ashenmane, Rosestripe, and Ratnose. The rest of you need to stay here, checking the territories and guarding the camp. If an outsider has the gall to enter our camp, then you have my permission to use any force necessary to ensure it does not happen again. As for those coming with me, let us prepare to leave."
Of course, Ravenstar was right - just because some cats were keen on stepping on others' tails didn't mean that they should show force too; not yet, at least. But still...she would make sure that those strange cats would answer their questions properly; no skirting around this business. Of course, Ravenstar wouldn't let them get away with anything either. But still, she was glad to hear that she would be joining in on this foray. Not to mention Rosestripe and Ratnose, two well-accustomed and able-minded warriors.
She got up and stretched, making sure she was as limber and ready as she could ever be nowadays. She took a moment to nod over at her daughter; somewhat admiring her immediate inclination of leniency and at the same time torn, thinking it showed her true innocence about the world. But there were plenty of other cats around to keep an eye on her adult child.
"Since you're so keen to get out on the boarders, go ahead - but don't go too far - and take someone with you." She nodded. "Make sure Robinpelt gets fed and doesn't spend the entire night up getting plants or something. Keep your eyes open and we'll be back shortly."
And with that, she came closer to Ravenstar, face set in a stoic expression. This was shaping up to be a long night.
Rosestripe sat in anxious ignorance for most of the meeting, her ears only raising slightly at the last few words of his leader, as he moved to his own and finished answering the calls of his clanmates. Her head tilted towards the sleek, ebony leader, she listened as he spoke of consulting with the clan of kitty-pets peacefully, a point which she agreed on. Should they start a fight, that was their fault, as she was sure her clanmates wouldn't be against defending themselves from the soft blows of the twoleg pets.
As his speech drawled on, she gradually grew calmer as she immersed herself in the thoughts of dealing with the Nestclanners, imagining herself patrolling the borders and awaiting for a patrol to foolishly remark a landmark so close to their home. She saw herself remarking it with a triumphant air, then returning to camp to socialize and mess around with her peers.
The petite cat's vision was cut short as she heard her name, gaze snapping up in horror. She was going to the gathering.
In a way, she was not surprised. Starclan was nothing if not cruel, did she really think they would answer her prayers? Were they leading her to the gathering to be closer to them, only so they could strike her down in front of everybody? She visibly shuddered despite the breeze being relatively warm, and a breath shuddered from her chest.
She rose on shaky paws, donning a mask of excitement, although she wasn't sure how long it could hold. She could feel panic inching through every vein and artery in her body, and her blood flowed in pure fear, she could only mask her heart for so long, would it be long enough?
She became acutely are of her surroundings as she pushed to the back of her clanmates, heading straight for the fresh-kill pile. She felt nauseous, but she could recall how her stomach ached back at the arch, so sustenance would be necessary for the trip to the gathering place. Yet, as she lay beside the meager carcasses and picked at the bones of a crow, she could barely swallow the stringy meat, her appetite almost nonexistent. She looked disgusted as she finished the crow, burying the bones hurriedly and making her way to the side of Ashenmane, although she kept an ample space between them.
Dread plunged in her stomach as she waited, the bright, full moon, suddenly growing so much more malicious as she stared at it.
She nodded at him. "Alright, we'll stay here in Deep Woods." Then, she looked over at her mother, and smiled. "Don't worry, we'll be fine here." She nuzzled her a bit, then went over to the fresh kill pile, and began eating a share of the Groundhog.
Molefur stepped forward and nodded his head at Ravenstar. "You can count on us, Ravenstar." He purred. Truth be told, his stomach was grumbling, so he padded up beside Shadestorm, but on second though, chickened out of asking her to share the Groundhog, and finished off the remainder of nearly stale crow.
"Maybe we should go hunting, though." He murmured, noticing that there was now a pathetic number of prey in the pile.
She looked over at Molefur, and her eyes gleamed a bit. "Sounds good with me~ Last one to Tree Hollow is Crowfood!" She said, before running out of camp right toward that direction.
Ashenmane nodded her head at that assessment, though there was another hint of glitter in her eye that had nothing to do with, well...the eagerness of young cats to help their clan by hunting. "Stay together though, you two. No cats should leave camp right now on their own - besides Nestclan pushing there luck, it is getting dark out." Though she cast her eyes up on the glittering moon above. It wasn't as dark as some nights, but it was dark enough.
Finally, she padded her way over to Ravenstar. "Lead the way?" She asked, nodding her head. They would all be ready to go.