TW: Sensitive Content for the people, for the good ──✩°｡⋆⸜ blessings & curses

[juniperstar juniperstar]

{$title} abandoned kits, implied parental absence/death

juniper

"and this time, she won't be forgiving"​​

the forest stretches in long, grassy patches between the tall figures of imposing trees... though they are shrouded in yawning blankets of willowy shadows, the moon still peaks it's grinning smile in pale reflection against the ground. it is ever-watching as they make their unbothered walk towards the heart of the territories, the spot where all of them are meant to meet again someday in harmony. still... there is an itch to come so near to here, knowing hawthorn-berry stains dapple this grotto in more ways than one. verdant eyes flick towards her companions, just a small pair meant to help ensure the borders are secure... and that is all this late-night patrol is meant to be up until a shrill cry slices through the shifting breeze.

at first, she isn't sure she trusts her senses... maybe it is just an odd owl's call, the deceit of a hungry fox trying to mimic something that needs love and care to draw them close. but the spotted tabby's stomach twists uncomfortably at the suggestion not to check, not to be absolutely sure. "Stay close..." is all she manages to share with her apprentice before her paws draw forward, winding through the grassy, open space towards the jutting stones that mask the source of the noise.

rounding the bend reveals the too-small figures of too many kits, mismatched pelts and stinking of a mix of indecipherable scents. they don't hold the markers of any one clan... and no parent perches nearby to hiss at them to stay away. their brow furrows, though a warm sort of hunger blooms in the absence of twisting anxiety. a selfish want. "Do you see any signs of their parents?" the ThunderClan leader turns to face Fogsight and Boarpaw when the silhouettes of others seem to split from the distance, drawing nearer.

the timing could not be better... the appearance of representatives of every clan come to patrol and gaze upon a gift given by nameless benefactor.

"You must've heard it too? There's kittens here... they seem abandoned." a summary of their motivation for being under the Great Oak tonight, and a bid for help in solving what to do with them.

──✩°｡⋆⸜ ✮

• anyone is free to assume they're the cat she's talking to!
  welcome to blursed ball...
• juniperstar
  leader of thunderclan
  seven lives remain
  

 

[Boarpaw Boarpaw]

————————————— The melody sings what the words can't say. ✦

The dutiful apprentice padded close to his mentor and leader, blinking the exhaustion from their eyes with every step. He never complained about a patrol, even if he was still tired from training that morning, so he hoped it would be an uneventful visit to Fourtrees.

But it was as Juniperstar froze up and Boarpaw too recognised the shrill cry that clung in the air, sickeningly familiar to the pathetic chorus of wailing he recalled in his dreams of the mill, it made his stomach sink as he exchanged looks with his mentor and Fogsight. The molly whispered to him to stay close, and of course, he obliged. She seemed on edge; she had taught him well that fox whines could easily be mistaken, but as they all drew clearer, Boarpaw's own dread came to fruition.

A writhing bundle of them, alone. A bitter taste caught his tongue, and before Juniperstar could even ask, he desperately held his nose in the air, trying to find any stray scent. Looking up, not a single eye glinted in response from the canopy. Boarpaw's face crinkled sorrowfully. "N-no I can't. I think they have been abandoned...." His brow furrowed, sitting on his haunches beside Juniperstar and not far from the kittens, the night was high, and he worried the chill of the night might be dangerous for the kittens that small. A dull ache of recollection of his own abandonment with his siblings...

That was, until the scent of cats caught his attention, for a moment the oversized apprentice's eyes lit up, only to realise it was just as mottled as that of the kittens. Looking out there were more cats, from all the different clans. Boarpaw swallowed hard, apprehensive of the sight of Skyclan, the apprentice slinking close to Juniperstar defensively; he hoped no more blood would be shed before these already suffering kittens, but he wouldn't risk it.

——— You keep on grinnin'

and this world keeps nagging. ———

• 
  Boarpaw
  ✦—Thunderclan apprentice | 9 moons
  ✦—He/They
  ✦—"SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK
  ✦—A long-haired, dark grey tom with a prominent underbite and blue eyes.
  #a4bac1

 

[Fogsight]

Fogsight was keeping close to his leader. His fur bristled with the noises. Could it be something foul happening? But all the tension gave way to sorrow and apprehension at the sight of small kits. He nodded at Juniperstar's words. He looked around, sniffing the ground. Whoever left those kittens there, seemed to be long gone. No hint of them, at all.

"Yeah, I don't think their parents are around, no sight of them." Fogsight looked with suspicion at the approaching clans. He was just glad that Lavenderkit wasn't around, to not be put in danger. "The poor kits, all alone…" He shook his head.

With the approaching scent of the different clans, Fogsight felt his heart heavy. He wasn't very trustful yet of any of the other clans. He noticed, though, Boarpaw's apprehension, making sure to put himself close to the big apprentice.

"Hey, it's going to be alright," he whispered to Boarpaw. "Don't worry." Fogsight winked at him, trying to be comforting.

_____________YOU PRAY FOR SOUND ☆ AND I PRAY FOR SILENCE _________________

• "speech"
  thoughts
  
  ☆ OOC:
  
  Art by Monte!
  

• 

• FOGSIGHT he/him, thunderclanner, 31 moons.
  ☆ A tall and lanky blue smoke/albino chimera with piercing blue eyes with a hint of lavender in the left eye.
  ☆ Mentor of no one
  ☆ Lavenderkit's adopted dad
  ☆ Peaceful and healing powerplay permitted / / underline and tag when attacking
  ☆ Color = orangered
  ☆ Penned by draculaelliot ↛ draculaelliot on discord, feel free to dm for plots.

 

[PIKESTAR PIKESTAR]

After what had transpired last gathering, he was unsure of bringing the whole clan with him. While he seriously doubts that another within Riverclan's ranks would try and kill him again, one couldn't be so sure. For that reason Frostmoth is by his side. The young deputy made the decision to exile Adderfang, had led this clan better than he ever could when he was alive. It was too late for him to take back the words he said during the council meeting. All he could do now was face Frostmoth and be better. To see the younger tom as an equal and show it. Green eyes glance at the deputy by his side, their eyes briefly meeting. The relationship between them was far from friendly, but at least they could look at each other now.

"I'll try and make it quick,"

he whispers to Frostmoth.

The only excited ones were the apprentices on their patrol. Galepaw (he could feel those eyes piercing his soul), Torrentpaw, and Lavenderpaw were chatting among themselves. He could make out bits and pieces of their conversation. Nothing too awful, just teens having fun. Unlike the warriors on this patrol who were on guard. Why wouldn't they be? While they had no issues with Thunderclan (not yet anyway), they didn't have the best relationship with the other clans. Namely Shadowclan. I talked to Sablestar awhile ago. I wonder if he really will come. He said he wouldn't deny Shadowclan the opportunity of a peaceful night... He shakes his head. No one knew of his meeting with Sablestar and he would prefer to keep it that way.

Ears flick at the sound of a shrill cry, silver paws race to the source. He is met with the sight of Juniperstar and her small group surrounding something. Before he can ask what exactly is going on, Juniperstar quickly answers it. Kittens. This was unexpected. He turns to his patrol, only to see the other clans have gathered as well. HUH?! Well... I guess it's expected. No one is going to ignore a cry like that. I would hope anyway. The situation is only grows worse as Fogsight and Boarpaw confirm that the kittens are all alone. Wherever the parents were didn't matter. What mattered is what will happen to the little ones.

"On our way here we didn't see any parents either."

He takes slow steps forward.

"I would like to take a closer look."

He doubts Thunderclan would be wary of him, but it was best to handle the situation with care. The kits by his paws are quite young. That is the only thing he is certain of. As for everything else... Why do they smell like everything?! I can't tell if they belong to Thunderclan. They sort of smell like them, but these kits also smell like Riverclan too. Is that Shadowclan? His nose scrunches. The Riverclan leader looks to his own clanmates.

"Was... Was there anyone else expecting in our clan who went missing?"

As they scrounge up an answer if they had one, Pikestar turns to Juniperstar.

"These kittens smell like all the clans. I can recognize Riverclan's scent on them, but there's hints of everyone else too. Juniperstar... Have one of your warriors gone missing recently? Or were expecting and are now gone?"

The mystery becomes all the more strange. If these were kittens with the scent of Riverclan alone, not only would he have gotten to the bottom of who their parents were, he would take them immediately home. However, the scents on each kitten were of all the clans. He couldn't just take them and the last thing he wanted was to separate kittens from their birth clan by accident.

𝐨𝐨𝐜 𓆩♱𓆪 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭

• @Frostmoth @lavenderpaw @Torrentpaw @Galepaw woe sudden patrol be upon yee
• PIKESTAR

  — leader of riverclan, former shipyard cat
  ♱ 40 moons — he/him — ages realistically on the 1st — mentoring iciclepaw
  ♱ speech is

  "#36D9AB"

  — thoughts are italics — attacks are underlined
  ♱ short haired silver mackerel tabby with green eyes
  ♱ peaceful & healing powerplay permitted — underline & tag when attacking
  ♱ penned by velou — kasaven on discord — open to plots & dms
  

 

[lavenderpaw]

At first departure, Lavenderpaw trotted dutifully in beside her mentor. She wouldn't err too far from his side... not immediately, anyways. As the trek grew longer, and their paws closer to their destination, the blue-furred molly couldn't help but drift closer to the older apprentices. Frostmoth doesn't immediately bite towards her (the tom rarely does, in truth.) She keeps him in mind while she mingles and chats with Torrentpaw and Galepaw, her tail flicking in the air. She's always marveled them, they being among the first Clan-trained cats. It's another fascination with firsts to her, but also... a not so discrete want to be liked.

"... I mean, it's not a far walk, right?" Lavenderpaw had pitched her idea to regather the youth of the Clans back at fourtrees for a night. She kept her voice low, aware of how close the warriors were, and desperately hopes Galepaw and Torrentpaw won't tattle on her. Before she can hear their questions, a cry cuts through the air. Pikestar hears it, clearly, and drags the patrol ever closer to it. Obediently, Lavenderpaw slips back to Frostmoth's side. Eventually they happen upon ThunderClan and a plethora of too-many kits. Stars, this litter rivals Wavesong's most recent one! ... Even they seem to lack in the parent department.

Lavenderpaw shares a glance towards Boarpaw first, confused, then towards the leaders who share that exact confusion. "Who would leave kittens out in the cold?" Lavenderpaw asks abruptly. Not RiverClan, and yet, here they are - with kits just as water-pelted as they are moor-legged, cloud-breathed, bog-pawed, and thistle-tongued. And any other manner of the phrases. Her ears in to her crown as she tries to dissect just who... but ultimately comes up empty pawed.

 

[Galepaw Galepaw]

—————————————————— Rocked by an endless motion ✦

It hadn't exactly volunteered itself to come along. As always, Gale was simply hanging about Torrent... who had an awful, charming habit of dragging the lankier tom along with him. Of course, he wouldn't complain about it now that he was here; it consisted of rather interesting company, after all. With this thought, the tom found himself staring at his leader, deep blue eyes piercing into the other's back. It interested him how Pikestar went about things these days—how he boldly, foolishly perhaps, allowed his own clanmates to stalk behind him, vulnerable to a sort of backstabbing attack. Perhaps his own death hadn't affected him as much as the tom had considered... no, no that couldn't be it. There was something fundamentally different now, some sort of innocence (or perhaps naivety?) now broken in those green eyes of his....

Gale didn't get to think on this for too long as the faint chattering of his fellow apprentices drew his attention. The smaller of the group—Lavenderpaw, was it?—was chatting on and on about some plan of hers, some secret conspiracy to meet up with the other clans. It... didn't exactly sound like the most sound of plans, but it certainly did interest the lynx point. At the very least, it would be interesting to see, and especially to see the inevitable crashing and burning of the plan. The tom tilted his head in curiosity at the other, blue eyes meeting green ones for just a moment—but with a screech, the inquisitive gaze was broken. It was a familiar one, one he had heard far too many times from little things, but not exactly a comforting cry. The strange thing sobbed and bellowed, calling for something, anything. The tom couldn't help but sympathize with the heartbreaking cries, but he knew better than to comfort. He knew comfort never lasted long.

It opened his mouth gently, drinking in the strange, muddled scents of the scraps of fur. Strange... and the absence of bird calls in the night certainly didn't help answer any of the questions now posed. "...Small little things." Gale observed quietly, shooting an interested glance at Torrent. Knowing his reputation, the tom wouldn't be surprised if his fellow apprentice scooped up these little things immediately. "Can't be all that old."

—————Whether truth or just a story

It's not up to you—————

• 
  Galepaw
  ✦—Riverclan Apprentice | 9 Moons
  ✦—He/They/It
  ✦—"SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK
  ✦—A fluffy high white lynx point with curled ears and deep blue eyes
  #87878E #BAB2AC

 

[Dustystar Dustystar]

✪ Align my Heart, my Body, my Mind​

indentChilling winds rustle through Dustystar's short fur. The air in the forest is cold, having not been warmed by the harsh sun of the prairie. Ignoring the signs of the coming Leaf-fall, Dustystar marches forward, flanked by her deputy and and her kin.

indent The first thing Dustystar recognizes upon entering the grove of trees is the mewling the kits. Then, following it, is the thick musk of the forest cats. "What's going on here?" She confronts the gathered cats with her fur bristling. Worst-case scenarios pulse through her mind, unbidden. If Thunderclan has chosen to enact their 'law of the wild' against these kittens, Windclan won't hesitate to meet them claw to claw.

indent Her pelt and furrowed brow smooth as she recognizes Juniperstar. The two have only interacted briefly, but Dustystar understands her as a moral cat. Pikestar is here, too, and he's brought along some 'kittens' of his own. Stiffly, she nods in greeting to the leaders. "These aren't... yours, are they?" From the snippets of conversation she's caught, it doesn't seem to be the case. At least, the cats present don't seem to know the origin of the kittens.

indent Dustystar presses her nose against the flank of one of the kits, inhaling deeply. They smell of the forest, but she can trace the distinct floral scent of the blooming prairie, too. Her head jerks back, equal parts shocked and confused. "They're ours? I can't imagine anyone from Windclan who could have abandoned this litter," Still, it must have been someone. She'll have to interrogate her warriors once they're back at camp - leaving kits lying about in the woods is no trifling matter.

- @wheatwhistle @GOLDENROAR -​

Dustystar - 27 moons - Windclan Leader

 

[SABLESTAR]

Another patrol to Fourtrees called to him in search of some opportunity outside of the pocosin. The stride out of greenleaf and into leaf-fall often sent prey into the throes of foraging, but for ShadowClan it looked like frogs and salamanders sinking further into the mud. Rather than give temptation for his warriors to look into ThunderClans territory again, he would seek something more stable and less confrontational.

"Do you hear that?" He meowed to Mirepurr first as paws still in place. The cool night air crackled against a piercing shriek, but Sablestar is hesitant to assume. Ghosts linger in the heart of these woods, plenty he did not care to disturb or be lured towards. An eerie chill made his fur prickle at the nape of his next, pressing on after his warriors response. Another voice joined to disrupt the quiet and at once the uncomfortable paranoia was soothed into curiosity. "I hear ThunderClan nearby." He informed the pair in his company before continuing on.

More voices chimed in, many he could not place a name to as he neared, Dustystar among them. A gathering of kittens laid at the center of the clearing with leaders from the other Clans huddled over them. Sablestar frowned as he joined them, motioning for his warriors to remain close. The scent of his Clan is undeniable, mingling with the rest. He searched and scoured the features of each one, but their meager forms were too little to decipher any telling features for which of his warriors could have been mixed into this.

"I fear this brings many questions that will go unanswered." Sablestar mewed to his kin before glancing in the other leaders direction. "Though it seems to be clear- each of our Clans have their paws stuck in this. Even SkyClan lingers..." Sablestar's tune turned cold at the mention of Hawkstar's brutes.

His ears fell flat as the volume of hungry kits sank in his gut like a stone- too many predators lurked about in the dark for them to stick around long. "Our priority should be focusing on which of us will be responsible for satiating their hunger." A white-lined tail twitched low to the ground in pause. "ShadowClan's boon of kits this season comes with an overcrowded nursery, but we could spare the resources for one." His gaze lingered over one with blue speckling first, and then to the more fiery shaded kit.

@VANILLATHORN @MIREPURR

this heart beats cold like the devil his own

• "mew"
• 

  SABLESTAR— he/him ･sixty moons ･leader; shadowclan ･penned by gonkpilled

  a black and white tuxedo with dark amber eyes

 

[VANILLATHORN VANILLATHORN]

Vanillathorn follows after Sablestar, head low to the ground, ears perked upwards just incase they run in to any trouble. Practiced and poised, she follows, head jerking upwards when she hears something pierce the night air. She flicks her gaze across both of her patrolmates, shoulders rolling back as Sablestar turns towards Mirepurr. She raises her head more than she had, letting the scents wash over her. She decides its too far, really, but she swears she can smell other cats. Maybe its just a trick of her mind, but maybe not because Sablestar mentions Thunderclan being nearby. Her brows raise in an oh, great, manner before she follows after him.

The scents of each Clan now floods her senses and her head nearly pounds with it all, and all the talking. Vanillathorn was quite pleased to be solitary, and being around this many cats made her antsy. She shifts her weight, tail flicking behind her. Though it seems to be clear- each of our Clans have their paws stuck in this. Even SkyClan lingers... Her curiosity peaks at a precipice, and she couldn't just stand there. She peeks around Sablestar, no longer directly in line with her leader, expression flashing with shock as the view of five little kits, nestled together for warmth, becomes apparent. "Who would just leave them here?" her lip curls in disgust as she thinks of any of her clanmates that would have the heart to do this. On second thought, maybe a few...? But surely not without proper care, right? She purses her lips in to a thin line, clearly displeased with the whole situation. "What a horrible thing to do." she mutters under her breath. What a horrible thing for all five Clans to do, really, but... If there were five different scents on each of them, where were their parents?

She sends a glance behind her shoulder, peering in to the darkness... Just incase anything at all moved. Just incase the parents came back.

 

[Hawkstar]

LEADER OF SKYCLAN

.

They gather like wolves at the scent of children, at the idea of new growth into their clans. Their wayward warriors had led them here to … this. Cold trails leading to squalling babes, tucked beside each other, slack-jaws wide against the torrent of question they could not answer.

Juniperstar and her warriors huddle around them, then Pikestar's, then Dustystar's, until it seems like all cats had their eyes set on the orphaned children. Orphaned, Hawkstar realizes with a flick of her ear, but not without kin.

"Save your judgements for the living." the pointed torbie huffs as she shoulders her way into the in-group, her one good eye laser-focusing on every stripe and stray bit of fur present in the pile of kittens at her feet. "Any parent that could abandon their child is no warrior of mine, and better off dead than in my clan. I would hope for tragedy rather than neglect."

Her eye lands on one all-white kitten. "Five kits for five clans. I'll take this one. A pure white pelt is easier to adapt to when you're hunting in trees versus on the ground." It didn't hurt that they would fit right in alongside Downypaw, or perhaps find themselves to grow out of the downy kitten coat into a point like her children did. Either way, there would be no doubt to anybody which kit this cat belonged to by the time they began their training - turn-cloak parent or not.

pointed torbie

◆

64 moons

◆

she / they

◆

bio

 

[MIREPURR]

"Yes,"

Mirepurr responds simply, not at all at ease as they adorn the side of Sablestar alongside Vanillathorn. Their collective gaze soon falls upon the distinct pelts of the other leaders—something that only serves to unsettle them some more. There is nothing between Hawkstar and Juniperstar, save for maybe a fleeting glance, that would suggest anything of the bloodshed that had occurred here not that long ago.

How poetic it is to find an innocent bundle of kits in the wake of it.

Mirepurr frowns as soon as the implications of the situation dawn on them. They share Vanillathorn's disgust, though theirs is more withdrawn; their muzzle twitches, like a reaction to having smelled something sour, but their eyes are full of concern.

"It is."

Not the first time it had happened, either. Though life often demands strength, Mirepurr cannot wrap their head around the concept of leaving your own kin behind just to save your own skin. They peer down at the litter, their sides moving quick with kit-breath, not at all aware that they could have perished here, had the patrols arrived just a little later. The huge oaks around them seem to whisper as the breeze force them to dance. How cruel.

Then, the cats around them begin to talk. Already they weave ideas together into fool-proof plans. Mirepurr's body is tense with submission, so they only dare to talk right into Sablestar's ear.

"Is that wise?"

Their gulp is audible.

"Separating them... it feels unjust."

Even as they warily voice their opinion, Mirepurr knows that the alternative would not be much better. How would all five Clans make this just? No leader in their right mind would abandon these defenseless kits the way that their parents had done... but then, how would their fate be determined in any other way?

 

[Dustystar Dustystar]

✪ Align my Heart, my Body, my Mind​

indentSilver fur bristles. "Seperating a litter... it doesn't feel right." A cat should grown up among their kin, Dustystar thinks. Sablestar and Hawkstar don't seem to share her trepidation, however.

indentShe considers the kitten that she had been sniffing. It's a little striped thing, with mottled fur. 'It looks like dappled sunlight shining through the branches.'

indentMaybe, even without her siblings, the kit wouldn't be without kin. Dustystar had smelled Windclan on her pelt, after all. Suddenly, protectiveness surges through her chest. Dustystar needs to take this kitten - she must shield it from the brutality of the forest cats. "If that's the case, the tortoiseshell will come with me" With little hesitation, she tucks the kitten to her belly, wrapping her tail around it.

indentDustystar will have to apologize to Honeyflower when she gets back to camp. She's not thrilled to confine her Gale Guard to the nursery further, but she know she's not going to be able to raise this kit herself. She needs a more gentle, attentive set of paws. Honeyflower is the only correct choice.

Dustystar - 27 moons - Windclan Leader

 

[GOLDENROAR]

There is much to ponder when they happen upon a gathering of other cats. Other clans, all leaders present. Like it was meant to be or something funny like that. Goldenroar isn't sure he buys it, truthfully. Starclan seemed awful convenient, doing things their way, when it pleased them. Selfish. Goldenroar's ear flicked towards his leader, urging her to be careful as he steps closer after passing into the tight gathering of trees.

Wary eyes shift towards Hawkstar and Juniperstar alike, but sensing no more external hostility, he lets his gaze roam amongst the rest gathered. A nod to Sablestar in a meager means of ally-ship, and the last- No, that can't be quite right. Goldenroar's eyes settled on Pikestar. He bites down the memory of a bitter cold, the ache he felt with warmth not at his flank. Aqua eyes narrow, and his disposition pulls tighter. He dismisses it for the matter at hand, the five kits mewling in a pile that smelled every which way. Dustystar is dubious, and he can concur. Silent up until now, he breaks his silence to speak. "No one that I can recall was with kits." He confirms to his leader, aqua eyes shifting to her.

He relaxes a bit, choosing to lean on her strength and ignore Pikestar's presence for the moment. But, just as easily as the relief comes from setting his eyes on her does it disappear. The decision to separate the litter is almost as swift as a merciful death- Sablestar and Hawkstar announcing this decision like it was made. His heart aches to think of these kits torn away from one another. Parents lost or having abandoned them. He thinks of himself, his brother, their collective just dumped on the side of the Thunderpath. He doesn't want to think about what he would have had to do had Goldenroar been taken away from Merrystalk's side. Before he can speak his piece, fur bristling on his spine, Dustystar agrees.

Goldenroar's ears lower, vision turning towards her. "... Dusty..." He breathes out. There's compassion in her heart, but there's a yearning in her eye that he can spot. He resists the urge to shake his head, instead taking a step closer to her. It's his turn to be dubious, but he trusts her.

_______________________ I KEEP RUNNIN' BUT ☼ I'M STANDING STILL _______________________

• "speech"
  

• 

• GOLDENROAR he/him, windclan deputy, fourty moons.
  ☆ a lh golden red marbled tabby with low white and glimmering aqua eyes. often seen with a smirk, confidence oozing from him in heaps, but always the ever-helpful guy.
  ☆ mentored by who / mentoring dandelionpaw
  ☆ older brother to merry
  ☆ peaceful and healing powerplay permitted / / underline and tag when attacking
  ☆ penned by dallas ↛ dallasofnines on discord, feel free to dm for plots.
  
  ☆ mini by tasmagoric, ref image by dallas (yours truly!)

 

[Branchkit Branchkit]

BRANCHKIT
SHE/HER
2 MOONS
WINDCLAN KIT

PENNED BY PLOT_TWISTS

So much. Too much.

Too many sounds and scents and colors and touches and suddenly she's pulled away from the milk-scent of her siblings. It's too bright to see them, and she realizes for the first time now that being apart from them is something that can happen. Soft fur that smells like grass, like one of their family, like all of their family, wraps around her, tucking her close for safety. She nuzzles in, but this isn't family. They just smell like it. But so does everyone else here.

And they don't smell like their siblings, and she lets out a tremulous mew at the overwhelming new sensations. She shakes, almost seeming to find comfort in the shadows under the grass-scent above her.

​

OOC:

 

[juniperstar juniperstar]

juniper

"and this time, she won't be forgiving"​​

in some ways this rapidly becomes an impromptu Gathering... a meeting of clan representatives as they stare at the indecipherable futures written for this group of kits. they are alone out here... there is no denying that much. the implication that it is one of her warriors that wobbled out here just to flee leaves a sour taste in the back of her mouth, "I haven't been made aware of any expecting queens in ThunderClan for quite some time... the cold seasons are approaching, it would be ill advised to have a litter now of all times." her eyes do not meet Sablestar's, confined as they are to the writhing children and the dismayed frown that creases her apprentice's face.

Fogsight is at least hopeful... and she relies heavily on that feeling, leans on it. needs it sorely the moment Hawkstar appears, a rigid reed unbending even in the harshest wind. Juniperstar grants her whatever space she needs to stake her claim, blue-greens fixating on the pale fur she pulls towards her, towards the pines. so that was the resolution then...? despite the weak-willed arguments of Mirepurr and Dustystar, the WindClan leader still follows suit, still scoops up a wayward tumbleweed to bring back to the moors.

splitting a litter.

for once, she finds herself looking at the tuxedo from the swamps. they had proven it could work, hadn't they? "No clan can afford to harbor an entire litter like this so close to leaf-fall... this way, we share the burden... they stand the best chance at growing up strong." and for her, more selfishly, it is a chance to try again. in the shades of moonlight on river shores is a tom kit that even Sablestar has considered with the weight of his gaze. he's much too delicate... and Sable, proven to be a harsh whetstone. "I'll bring this one to ThunderClan... Hopefully they will all meet again under these Oaks to attend a Gathering some day."

her paw gingerly separates the blue tom from his kin, looking towards Boarpaw with a small smile to reassure him. "Do you want to carry him home for me?"

──✩°｡⋆⸜ ✮

•  
• juniperstar
  leader of thunderclan
  seven lives remain
  

 

[Saffronkit Saffronkit]

Something was wrong.

She was here, the warmth of her siblings, their familiar smells filling her nostrils as she breathed quietly. Their warm bellies pushing against her frame, their warmth slowly dissipating as they were pulled away, one by one. She meows pathetically, her small bright orange pelt contrasted by the tamer pelts of her siblings. There's too much happening, too many smells, so little warmth.

Everyone seems slightly hesitant, Skyclan stakes their claim first, one of her sisters snatched away. Windclan follows, and then Thunderclan. Only Riverclan and Shadowclan have yet to stake their claim, she clings to her last remaining sibling. A small abandoned lump of fur, begging for someone to take pity on her.

___________________ DON'T GO THERE TO MOURN ☆ BUT TO CELEBRATE ___________________

• "speech"
  
• 
  
• SAFFRONKIT she/they/it, shadowclanner, two moons.
  ☆ a smaller than average mostly orange calico molly with blue eyes.
  ☆ mentored by who / mentoring no one
  ☆ unknown lineage / scattered siblings
  ☆ peaceful and healing powerplay permitted / / underline and tag when attacking
  ☆ penned by asteiri ↛ asteiri on discord, feel free to dm for plots/post in #asteiris-astronomy.

 

[PIKESTAR PIKESTAR]

Judgement is expected. Everyone is displeased by these developments, Hawkstar the most pressed of them all. Maybe it was better I kept my mouth shut... And that is what he does as everyone voices their own opinion and inquiry. It is only when he sees a familiar golden red that green eyes narrow. Aqua and green lock onto one another. It can't be. Unfortunately... It was. The moment when those aqua eyes narrowed in return he knew exactly who this tom was. The urge to shout is so fierce, especially when the Windclanner turns away from him. Glad to see you haven't changed at all. He will not forget the moment he woke up to an empty nest. Trusting that the warmth will return. How many days did he spend waiting? How many days did his heart ache for the warmth of golden red? How many days did it take for him to come to the realization that the cat whom he loved more than anything... Wanted to remain with until their last breaths, willingly left him?

With gritted teeth he focuses his attention to the other leaders.

Even if he was against the idea of splitting the kits up, everyone else had already decided. He was only one leader and a weak one at that. He was in no position to challenge the others in this decision. Riverclan, like Shadowclan had a boon of kits within their ranks. Taking in all five of the kits would strain them in more ways than one. To bring just one... The others aren't going to be too happy about this. He watches as all the other leaders save for Sablestar pick a kit. A pit of anger settles in his stomach as he watches Goldenroar draw closer to Dustystar, kit by her belly.

If only he could forget that face. It would've been much better for his sake. Whatever dreams they shared died the moment Goldenroar left his side. Still his gaze lingers too long on the trio. Would you have even wanted a family? The cruel image of himself along with a tom he once loved smiling down upon a kitten worms its way through his mind. His heart aches, yet he knows this is not the time to confront Goldenroar. Why did you run?

He tears himself away from the Windclanners and settles on the remaining kits. The one which catches his interest is a deep rich chocolate kit. A little one with long dense fur and a matted mess of curls on their limbs and their face. Though... You look like a moss ball. The silver leader can't help but chuckle. Out of curiosity he carefully pushes back the fluff atop the head of the brown kit to see what eyes, but the fluff is stubborn. The kit wiggles perhaps out of annoyance or excitement at some random tom playing with their pesky fluff. Eventually the Riverclan leader grows tired of said battle and licks the fluff up in a weird matted mohawk.

The brown and white kitten trills. It is in that very moment the little one steals his heart. He doesn't care if Sablestar desired this kitten. Whether or not the child is better suited for another clan or even his own doesn't cross his mind. He will love this child as his own. An ear flicks as his listens to Juniperstar's desire for the kits to meet one another again during a gathering.

"I think this one likes me,"

the silver leader chuffs as the chocolate kitten reaches for him.

"I'll be bringing this one back to Riverclan."

He shifts his attention to Juniperstar for a moment before looking down at the kitten begging for his attention. Clingy little one, huh?

"While it pains me that we'll have to separate these kits, none of us can take in all of them. I hope that they'll meet each other one day."

There is nothing more to say. He needs to return to Riverclan with this kit as soon as possible. Teeth grasp the kittens scruff, waiting as the little one settles enough for him to start moving. He returns to his clan, green eyes locked onto Frostmoth.

𝐨𝐨𝐜 𓆩♱𓆪 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭

• PIKESTAR

  — leader of riverclan, former shipyard cat
  ♱ 41 moons — he/him — ages realistically on the 1st — mentoring iciclepaw, rosepaw
  ♱ speech is

  "#36D9AB"

  — thoughts are italics — attacks are underlined
  ♱ short haired silver mackerel tabby with green eyes
  ♱ peaceful & healing powerplay permitted — underline & tag when attacking
  ♱ penned by velou — kasaven on discord — open to plots & dms