[Deleted]

We must build dikes of courage to hold back the flood of fear.

Pinestar had decided to push the sunhigh patrol to dusk. It was just too hot outside of Nightclan's caves, and the last thing she wanted was to put her warriors in weather not even she was comfortable withstanding. The canopies of evergreens blocked a lot of light, but heat and humidity collected beneath the boughs like ditches in a downpour, overflowing with waves of warmth. Even after the sun dipped below the horizon, the earth radiated hotly, and unlike many nights before, the winds were absent. The earth was still.

A stuffy, swampy heat lingered, but the more Pinestar walked, the less she noticed. By the time they reached the TreeClan border, the ground had cooled significantly. The sun's hot breath was rapidly stifled by darkness and the waxing moon's cool glow. It was almost time for the gathering. Pinestar's first gathering addressing all the clans as leader of Nightclan.

She would be a liar if she denied the anticipation she felt rushing through her veins.

The ginger she-cat was accompanied by Honeywhisker, Briarthroat, and Ivyshade. Three healthy Nightclan warriors would be plenty enough for the patrol. It did feel weird, knowing that Honeywhisker and Briarthroat were here senior, though her confidence didn't wane like it used to. There was no more concern that she didn't deserve leadership, as if it was a gift to be given. No, that phase had passed. Now clan meetings were routine. She addressed responsibilities in a professional and assertive manner, and frankly, the clan seemed to be more drawn to her as a leader, respectful of her in a sense when she acted so. Yes, almost all of her friends seemed less like friends the more time slipped by, but...

Pinestar knew there were sacrifices when she accepted her nine lives. More than anything, she recognized that her time as leader has hardened her character. She wasn't nearly as lax and carefree as she used to be, and that piece of her past personality attracted a certain crowd of cats that she now found avoided her presence. For the most part. She was grateful for Foxfern, an amazing partner that seemed to always be there for her when she needed her. Pinestar was always able to confide in her deputy, and she felt like they were growing into a formidable team, but she couldn't help but fall victim to wistfulness.

She didn't necessarily miss having friends; she missed being a friend.

"So, now that we've reached the border unscathed by sun, who wants to lead the patrol?"

The words fell out, almost hopefully. She didn't always want to be followed, and to her relief, the youngest of them all perked her ears and took the lead eagerly. Ivyshade strutted down the Deer Path towards the Rainclan border, obviously proud that she was leading such an experienced group of warriors, and even Nightclan's leader herself!

Pinestar slipped between Honeywhisker and Briarthroat, letting out a sigh of relief.

"How are you two faring?" She meowed, hoping to break the ice.

51 Moons - Leader - NightClan

PIneStaR

Tags: williams @medusa
Word Count: xxx
Notes: xxx

[Deleted]

HONEYWHISKER

                                                                                                         

Honeywhisker had nearly melted with relief when she was told that the sunhigh patrol had been postponed until dusk. With her long fur and the blistering summer heat, she was certain that she was burning just as hot as the sun. The she-cat had been fretting over looking like a heated mess on patrol with her leader and had been grooming feverishly within the cool caves that housed the camp. Her cooling licks felt like a balm on her fur and every now and then she'd lie flat against the stone - letting it suck away the heat like a leech. A few cats had shot amused glances at her as she splayed out like a frog on the floor but she was too hot to care.

When dusk finally arrived, Honeywhisker moved to sit outside the entrance of the caves - waiting for Pinestar, Briarthroat and Ivyshade to emerge. Once they had, Honeywhisker trotted at a comfortable pace at the back of the group, With the glaring sun slowly settling down, the shadows of the thick pine forest bathed her in darkness, blending with her vivid black stripes.

Once they had reached the Treeclan border, Honeywhisker felt completely comfortable under the moon's gentle gaze; the cool earth kissing her paw pads with each step. She watched each cat in turn. Briarthroat - a intimidatingly large cat but with a gentle nature. He was a pleasant cat to be around and Honeywhisker had been calmed by his presence on patrol; Pinestar's presence doing the exact opposite. She didn't know much about Ivyshade but she was aware of the she-cat's.... large personality. Pinestar, of course, was her leader and, despite being younger than Honeywhisker, made the she-cat very conscious of every step she took - worried that she might give the ginger she-cat a bad impression.

"So, now that we've reached the border unscathed by sun, who wants to lead the patrol?"

Honeywhisker's ears pricked as Pinestar spoke, realizing that they were now within sight of the border. The tabby opened her mouth to volunteer but before she could, Ivyshade trotted forward confidently with her tail raised as she took the lead. Honeywhisker let out a quiet, amused purr and followed after the young tortoiseshell, walking beside Briarthroat.

Her tail flicked in surprise as Pinestar slipped in between them, she hadn't expected the leader to attempt to be social. After all, they could be attacked along the border and needed their wits about them - at least, that's what Honeywhisker's mentor had branded into her head as an apprentice.

"I feel like my pelt's about to melt off." She purred her answer to Pinestar's question. "I'd kill for a pelt as thin as a Rainclan cat's right now."

NOTES: @jet williams

► kaigra ◄

[williams]

----- BRIARTHROAT -----

tag:@medusa @jet // words: 307 // notes: ---

The heat has made for a subdued day for Nightclan. Briarthroat felt like a lazy river, barely moving in the dense air. His short fur made his less affected than some of his clanmates, but it still was too much for even him to handle. Even the youngest apprentices couldn't find the energy to play.

With his patrol time moved, thank Starclan, Briarthroat sighed into the cooler night. He kept watch at the back of the small group with Honeywhisker, taking advantage of his height to look over their heads, yet appreciating her solid presence next to him. It was a delight to be picked by his leader to join her patrol. "so, now that we've reached the border unscathed by sun, who wants to lead the patrol?" His ears pricked, but he did not volunteer his name. Briarthroat wanted to talk to their leader, see how she was faring in the heat, and how she was recovering from the clan's bout of sickness. Even the clan leader needed someone to talk to now and then. Thankfully their fourth member spoke up proudly, and he smiled. young dedicated cats are needed right now, he thought, especially after losing so many.

"How are you two faring? The question came, surprising Briarthroat as their leader slipped between the two senior warriors. The warrior laughed gently at Honeywhisker's response, noticing just how long her pelt was. "I am very thankful for the cold air." He replied, flicking his tail in Honeywhisker's direction out of sympathy. If he, with his shorter fur felt sluggish, he couldn't imagine the weight the two longer furred she-cats must have felt. "How are you?" Briarthroat returned, ears turned towards his leader to hear her response while his gaze swept the territory for anything amiss.

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[Deleted]

We must build dikes of courage to hold back the flood of fear.

Pinestar received quite amiable responses, and when her own question reflected back at her from the kind Briarthroat, she hardly knew what to say. Sure, she was doing alright. She was eagerly awaiting the gathering, and soon after, the invasion of the Wooded Marshes. She had to make the announcement soon. The apprentices needed notice, and so did the warriors for that matter. Pinestar loosened her shoulders; all this anticipation was making her tense. In a rather light and carefree tone, she responded.

"Rather well, honestly. Our clan is strong and growing, with plenty of prey to feed us."

Pinestar continued behind Ivyshade, though the more the young she-cat led, the less her steps bounced, and the more serious her expression became. Patrolling was no laughing matter for the she-cat, and she intended to impress Pinestar if she could. The ginger she-cat, on the other hand, was absorbed in conversation and thought with Honeywhisker and Briarthroat. Time passed much quicker during a good talk.

"Anything interesting or unusual happen in the past few weeks? I remember when Pipitwing, Jaystep, and I rescued that one Rainclan cat from a fox, and when Nightclan found those loner kits, but apart from that, the last moon has been quite normal."

51 Moons - Leader - NightClan

PIneStaR

Tags: williams  @medusa
Word Count: xxx
Notes: xxx

[Deleted]

HONEYWHISKER

                                                                                                         

Blinking at Briarthroat's reply, Honeywhisker offered him a purr of gratitude for his sympathy, her bright golden gaze turning to watch Pinestar as Briarthroat spun the question back onto her. A flicker of worry crept through her eyes as Pinestar answered the question. The silver tabby couldn't help but feel like Pinestar answered as though she were the clan - not as herself.

It was understandable, clan leaders must always put the clan before themselves, or so they say. Yet it was still worrying. Honeywhisker shook her head to clear her desire to go all motherly on Pinestar - the ginger cat could clearly take care of herself and probably wouldn't appreciate Honeywhisker fretting over her like some kind of queen.

The tabby fell quiet as she pondered Pinestar's question. Honestly, it seemed like her life had grinded to a halt after she finished her apprenticeship. Nothing of importance had happened to her personally and Honeywhisker's tail twitched with worry as her thoughts spun around to the Lightningclan fire.

"Nothing's happened to me personally, but what about that fire in Lightningclan?" The she-cat paused as she remembered the way she saw the flames coil and hiss like burning snakes from her perch in a tree a few days ago. It had been one of the most terrifying things she had ever seen. Her tail tip bristled up from the memory

"I saw the flames, when I was hunting. They ate through everything..." She trailed off, glancing forward to Ivyshade, hoping that the younger warrior hadn't heard her worried tone. Some cats scoffed at the other clan's misfortune but Honeywhisker believed that no cat should suffer from such... horrors.

NOTES: @jet williams

► kaigra ◄

[williams]

----- BRIARTHROAT -----

tag: @medusa @jet // words: 230 // notes: ---

Pinestar's answer was to be expected, though Briarthroat felt a twinge of worry. Her clan, as most leaders, came first. The cat in charge should care about their clan above everything else, he knew this well. Yet he worried for the she-cat next to him. He had never thought of leading before, it seemed like a large daunting task that kept going, each day, until the end. He admired her strength, he decided, his thoughts settling back to the conversation at paw. It was not easy to lead, but she had many moons ahead of her to do so. 

Briarthroat hummed at the news to show that he heard. The other clans had faced some interesting challenges for sure, and it seemed it would not get easier. He nodded at the mention of the fire, a frown appearing. "I wonder what caused the fire." He meowed, reflecting the same worry that appeared in Honeywhisker's voice. It felt too sudden for the tom, as if Starclan had a hand in it. It had been dry and hot yes, but the storm had rolled in and left in a single cycle of the sun. Nightclan could not do much for Lightingclan, which worried Briarthroat. Although they did not share land with the clan, trouble would be brewing. He could feel the shift coming. 

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