[Phoenix]

Sandstar & Bravebird

Even though it indicated the start of colder weather and meant that Leaf-Bare waited just around the corner, Sandstar could not help but be relieved at the arrival of Leaf-Fall. Unlike their three neighbors, RainClan had hardly suffered from the drought that had come with Greenleaf, for the rivers and streams had held enough water from the New-Leaf floods that the amount that did dry up had little effect. However, the cool breeze and crispness in the air served as a pleasant respite from the stifling heat that had overwhelmed him.

Muscles rippled beneath golden fur as the tom headed the patrol with long, purposeful strides, not in any particular rush but also refraining from lingering any longer than need be. It would do more harm than good if the patrol knew that all he really wanted to do was avoid the situation completely, and he hid his reluctance to investigate this dam as much as possible. Bravebird had reported back to him about a beaver dam blocking one of the offshoots of the river, and even as he felt an apprehension churning in his gut, he had agreed to fix the problem. Not only was it expected, but he was the single cat here with nine lives – eight, now, he corrected with a shiver. Beavers were far from gentle creatures, and the species as a whole seemed to have agreed that torturing him was fun. He had a long history with the brown creatures, and though he would only admit it under threat of death, the experiences, which had started when he was a kit and resulted in the deaths of his siblings, had left scars on his psyche. Sandstar had enjoyed his beaver-free moons, and he was reluctant to have to break the streak.

As he paced along beside his deputy, he silently steeled himself for the upcoming encounter. Razorfang, Vultureback, and Timberwing were notable for their fighting prowess; he simultaneously reassured and reminded himself. It was not as though he had picked a group of inexperienced cats to tackle the beavers. The chances of him dying were greatly reduced, for even if he thought the experience would do her well, Speckledleaf was far from the worst warrior he had seen.

Bravebird’s voice interrupted his thoughts as the younger tom caught their attention, gesturing with a flick of his tail at the stream branching off from the main river. Heart thudding, the leader paused slightly, halting the patrol’s progress while he gave some last minute advice. He did not know how far upstream the dam was, and was reluctant to risk being overheard before it was necessary. ”You all know why you’re here,” He began, turning to face the group of cats. ”Because it is still light out, chances are that the beavers will be in their dam; they tend to be most active during the night. If this is the case, we may be able to startle them into fleeing—“ Unlikely. ”—which will buy us some time to begin destroying the dam. However, once they realize that their home is in danger, expect them to return.” Letting out a breath he had been unaware that he was holding, he paused for a moment before adding, ”They have sharp teeth, of course, and are very good swimmers. Without further ado,” He gestured toward Bravebird, ”Lead the way.”

As expected, it did not take the golden tom long to pick out the wall of logs that were the tell-tale sign of a dam. Unaware of the leader’s heart pounding beside him, Bravebird’s blue eyes remained locked on the dam, searching for any sign of life. Down by his paws, the tip of his tail twitched anxiously. Claws, which were unsheathed then sheathed once more, marked the damp soil, though their owner barely noticed as his heart raced in anticipation. Destroying the dam would be the first real accomplishment he would ever do, and once it was all over, he could not wait for the opportunity to tell Russethawk. A grin crept over his lips at the thought. He’ll be so jealous!

[Deleted]

~~Timberwing~~
The Fox of Riverclan

Thick russet red fur swayed slightly as the former Nightclanner padded along side her adoptive clanmates and leader towards the river where it was being blocked. The oldest of the group had seen and been through several things, including badgers, foxes and vicious rogues, however this would be her first time against beavers. Her thick tail flickered behind her as she seemed more relaxed than the rest of the warriors around her. In all honesty, she was surprised that she had been picked for this mission.

Tuffed topped ears twitched at the sound of struggled water trying to leak through, the dam must only be pawsteps infront of the group. Timberwing's dull green eyes turned to face Sandstar as the leader tried to keep himself calm while giving a thorough speech about the situation they were in. Beavers were dangerous, Timberwing hoped that her skills didn't fail her and hoped that Starclan wasn't ready for her just yet. She did want to see Crowpaw reach his warrior hood. Being the oldest, she wished she had some words of wisdom, but she had no experience with this sort of thing.

"May Starclan be with us." She said softly, loud enough for everyone to hear a she sent that prayer for the group of Rainclan warriors. Graying paws stepped forwards with the others as they came into view of the dam. Logs apon logs laid over each other to form a home for these mean, brown creatures that blocked the river. Long, curled claws escaped the gray paws of the fox colored she-cat as she somehow kept herself in such a situation like this.

[Fawn]

"May Starclan be with us."

Agreed.
This would not be Vultureback's first rodeo; he'd fought off beavers before with his own apprentice in his much younger moons, both of them reckless and having probably not grasped just how dangerous the job actually was until moments like these. He had no intention of dying by the vicious teeth of a beaver, but Vultureback was well aware that he had no actual control over whether or not he lived or died; if StarClan chose to claim him today, then what could he hope to do about it?

He wouldn't make it easy for them, that was for sure, but after the older, mottled tortoiseshell tom had reached the 50-moon mark, he had more readily come to grips with the idea that he was beginning to... slow down. He had been in his prime 10 moons ago, when he'd just been made a senior warrior; right now he was approaching that ridge, that point of no return that would see the massive multi-hued feline a few feet closer to the elders' den then he'd ever thought possible. To be honest, Vultureback hadn't pictured himself living this long, nor had he expected the fates to smile upon him so kindly. In his lifetime thus far, he had loved and lost and loved again, blessed with three beautiful kits and a mate he would move heaven and earth for.

Unlike Tideripple, Vultureback was lucky enough to have had more time with his beloved than the other tom had had with his; sometimes life had a way of running out faster than you thought it would, and Vultureback had done well lately to remember that the only thing 'permanent' about his life was that the Clan, his mate and his kits would all go on without him should he fall in the line of duty. He would die doing what he loved for the cats he loved, and he would be honored for his sacrifice. Falconleap, a former deputy, would understand this more than anyone, and rather than crumble like a stone that had lost it's foundation, she would stand taller than ever, and make sure that their family flourished in his absence.

In the midst of these serious thoughts, Vultureback's snake-pale eyes caught a glimpse of a dark tabby pelt brushing through some stout bushes. "Go back home, Crowpaw. You aren't coming with us." Voice gruff, he addressed his young, hot-tempered son, tone scolding and not the kind one could truly argue with. Blazing orange eyes glared back at him as Crowpaw stalked out of his hiding place, looking cross. "Why can't I come with you? Bravebird gets to go and he's barely older than I am!"

"Because Bravebird is a warrior and you're still an apprentice. Go practice your fishing techniques, we'll be back soon." He had not meant to sound quite so cold or mean, but sometimes Crowpaw needed it. Watching the slightly smaller tom's temper flare, Vultureback glanced to Sandstar, dipping his head in a curt apology, aware that his son was making a scene. The older tom's shoulders squared, and he gave the son that had remained in RainClan a very hard stare.
Go.

Crowpaw held his gaze for a few scorched seconds, but finally dropped it, shot a dirty look at the whole group, and went back to camp. Keeping vigilant in case his tenacious son decided to tag along anyway, Vultureback started moving again with the group, feeling as though he'd made the right call. Crowpaw was too inexperienced for this sort of thing, for a task so dangerous. Beavers were one of the forest's most aggressive animals when properly threatened - and not even his hot-blooded son could handle that kind of wrath.

[Deleted]

s p e c k l e d l e a f

warrior, rainclan

    Speckledleaf was beside herself. Sandstar chose her to go on patrol! With him! She couldn't believe that. She understood that her warrior status carried with it responsibilities and therefore duties and patrols must be part of said responsibilities, but this patrol? With Sandstar? That surprised her.

    Razorfang, Vultureback, and Timberwing were all so much better warriors than herself. Razorfang was made deputy for a reason -- a very good reason, she mused. Vultureback was a senior warrior and she knew from her kithood that he deserved his rank beyond a shadow of a doubt. Timberwing? she didn't really know much about the she-cat. She knew she was of NightClan, but that was practically it. Perhaps her other Clan training will help them in this battle.

    Beavers. Speckledleaf had never seen a beaver before. Were they like badgers? Or dogs? She really hoped they weren't like dogs. The story of the Great Dog pack from the original territories scared her as a kit -- she didn't want to run into any of that. She did know what a beaver dam was! That in of itself made her feel quite accomplished.

    Had another cat looked in on her rambling thoughts, they would have thought Speckledleaf simple and kit-like in her thinking. In reality, Speckledleaf was scared witless. The thought of a fight against an unknown, of doing something potentially dangerous... She avoided those things like the plague. The fight that drove StoneClan out? She didn't really think about that much. All it brought up was shame and confusion. Mainly shame. Driving another Clan out completely, removing them from their StarClan-given home and then taking the extra territory for themselves? Speckledleaf was no medicine cat but she knew that couldn't have made their ancestors happy.

    She stopped suddenly when she realized Sandstar was addressing the patrol. Letting the beavers flee -- that was something she could handle. Them coming back? Not so much. She looked at Bravebird, waiting to follow him to the dam.

    "May StarClan be with us." 

    Speckledleaf agreed silently with the foreign she-cat. She suddenly smelled a familiar scent making its way towards the patrol when Crowpaw popped up. She couldn't believe how harsh Vultureback was being with the apprentice -- his own son! She couldn't understand why Crowpaw would want to go on a dangerous mission when he still didn't have all the skills needed to complete such a task. Toms and their adventurous spirits confuse me, she thought, shaking her head. Suddenly, another thought appeared in her head.

    "Sandstar?" she called, nervous to be speaking to the leader herself. "What if the beavers aren't in their den?"

[Insidious]

He had received word of the beaver dam from Sandstar, his leader having organized the patrol and placed Razorfang upon it. Originally, the hazelnut masked tom hadn't been too keen to participate – beavers were strong animals, a species with which he'd sooner not quarrel with. However, being equally recognized as a creature with sizable fangs, he understood where his presence could perhaps... be of aid. A sharpened sense of hearing grasped onto Sandstar's words, noting their importance and offering his understanding with a firm dip of his head.

About to continue along their way to the dam, the deputy was suddenly interrupted by the voice of a younger, more stubborn male he was quick to pinpoint as Crowpaw, son of Vultureback. Dull eyes momentarily fixated upon the pair, a satisfied glint alight in his gaze upon realizing Vultureback had a streak of strictness prior unknown of him. Razorfang was well-known for the temperamental head upon his shoulders, more often than not being the source of a few apprentice migraines here and there – Russethawk would know this better than any, and Fleetpaw was on the path to understanding as well. Watching the young apprentice's arrival be dismissed, the deputy's tail signaled with an affirmative flick before continuing to follow in the wake of Bravebird and Sandstar.

Speckledtail's comment was dully noted, the swivel of a jet-black ear atop his head being the only indication of his acknowledgment. The thoroughly muscled tom couldn't deny the she-cat of proposing a point, and though he was curious of the answer Sandstar would return, it was not his main focus – they had a job to complete, and the sooner it was put into action, the sooner they could return to camp. The longer they spent dwindling away their time with questions that likely could not be confirmed with certain answers, the more time they gifted to the beavers to become active if luck be upon their side and they currently be at rest as Sandstar had interpreted.