[Abyss]

Greenleaf 28

It was hard to say if the tense clutching he felt in his chest was due to excitement, or due to nerves. Thankfully he had managed to get a bit of sleep, which was definitely an improvement from the rest of the period the clans had spent in the Tribe. Though, he had found himself awake quite early, not-quite-dawn early. He tried to fall back asleep, he tried to get comfortable, he even tried burying his face underneath the sleeping form of his fluffy Apprentice. Nothing worked. And now he sat at the entrance of the weirdly spacious tribe cave entrance, looking out over the land ahead.

Galeclan, led by Owlstar, and Mistclan, led by Cloverstar, had already departed from the tribe and to their new homes, leaving things far more quiet than it had been the last few weeks. Though it was strange being the only clan remaining, this would not be the case for long. His single yellow-green eye watched intently at the path below, looking for any sign of movement. It wasn’t quite sunhigh yet, but he knew they would be there soon. As soon as he would spot that ruddy-golden pelt, it would be time to gather everyone and get ready to leave.

Was he ready for the journey? No. Was he prepared for what was to come the next few days once they reached their new home? Also no. But while his nerves and his thoughts were on edge, there was something else there too. That thought, that realization, that they were going home. Home wasn’t exactly the same anymore, but it was still home. The clans would no longer be in chaos, they would no longer be one giant group of scared felines packed into one little cave. They would become a clan again. Admittedly, being one of the cats to lead the newly-named Gorgeclan to their new camp, it was a grateful feeling, one that made him feel…important. But, more than that, he was just thankful that things were looking up.

His relatively calm yet anxiety-filled morning had gone from slow to fast-paced rather quickly. Just as the sun found the top of the sky, multiple eyes spotted the familiar coats of Brackenstride, Cloudtail, and Duskrose. It was time. While those three were given some time to sit down and relax before they departed again, Whitehawk, with the help of multiple others, Ebonyheart and Sagepaw included, gathered those who remained in the tribe that intended to leave with Gorgeclan. While some faces chose to stay, others joined together in a large group outside the cave, awaiting the beginning of their trip. While everyone gathered their bearings, the white tom found his big paws leading him to the group of three scouts.

“I’m glad you all made it back safely.” He nodded his head to each of them. “I know you guys are probably already tired. If you would prefer it, you three could linger at the back of the group when we start moving? You won’t have to move quite as quick, and you can keep an eye on any stragglers?” He almost instinctively found his eyes finding Brackenstride. “I can take over from here, if you want? Lead everybody on the trail to the camp? I know you’ve probably had a rough couple days.” He tried to offer a reassuring smile, patting the other tom lightly on the back with his tail.



With the clan gathered and everyone in place, the time had come. Whitehawk raised his voice slightly, calling out to the whole group.
“Everyone…..let's go home.”



The trek to the plateau was long and a bit tiring. With Ebonyheart, Sagepaw, and Wisteriapaw to either side of him, the rest of the clan following, and Brackenstride, Cloudtail, and Duskrose towards the back, they probably looked like a big herd of tiny deer to any other animal who saw them. But, as far as he could tell, no one had fallen behind and things were going smoothly. It was almost a relief when he spotted the edge of the gorge in the distance, where he found the equally familiar pelts of Timberfrost and Tigerblaze waiting for them.

As the group approached, he nodded to both of them, giving a slightly playful nudge to his previous Apprentice. “Thanks for waiting for us. It would be a big help if the two of you could help everybody navigate the steps up into the camp, make sure nobody trips up or falls.”

While everyone else prepared to make the climb down the gorge and back up onto the plateau, asking questions and getting guidance from the scouts, Whitehawk stood right near where the first set of “steps” into the gorge was found


“Bracken!” He called out to the other tom, two others standing by his side. Throughout the trip, the white tom had made it a point to continuously look back, checking on some particular members of the group who followed. And now he had pulled those same cats aside.

“I think it’s only fitting that it’s me and you that help Wisteriapaw and Lilybreeze. We can both escort our girls into our new home.” Even though a large portion of this was because the two she-cats were blind, this was not the only reason. In a way, he found it almost poetic that the two she-cats who could not actually see their new camp were the first to step foot on its grounds. Two of the first of the new clan to step paw in their new home.

He looked to the other two, and though they couldn’t see it, a smile crossed his maw.

“Are you two ready?”

He waited for them both, and with careful steps and specific direction, and a tiny bit of paw-to-paw guidance, Whitehawk led Wisteriapaw down into the gorge, showing her by touch where the steps were, how to find them, ect. The same was done with the other side of the gorge, where they all made their way up the side of the plateau. When they reached the top, Whitehawk stepped aside, only looking around the camp just for a moment before his gaze found Wisteriapaw, and Lilybreeze as well.

“Welcome home, girls.”


As the rest of the clan began to make their way into the camp as well, there was a small feeling of pride that grew in his chest.

“Welcome home, Gorgeclan.”

| "Speaking." | Thinking. |

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| Words: 1068 | Tags: Tags |
| Notes: Everyone is free to respond to this thread with their characters! You can include the whole trip, you could just focus on getting to camp, you can have them explore the new camp. Feel free to do whatever! Welcome home Gorgeclan! |

[Fae Magic]

"Just because no one else can heal or do your inner work for you doesn't mean you can, should, or need to do it alone."~Wisteriakit

The jitter in her paws were due from excitement and nerves. She had not been aware just how long she and her clan as well as the other clans had been with the Tribe and although the ancient mountain cats were generous with their shelter and prey Wisteriapaw longed for the day that they could fend for themselves; for the day they would finally have a home of their own. She knew how hard it was for everyone in that large cave. She knew that they were still grieving for their lost ones and loss of home and she prayed everyday that their strength and hope would not waver. How long had it been since everything had happened? Days? Weeks? Moons? Time did not mean much when one could not see even when she did her best to keep a bright face for Whitehawk and for others; her mental energy was slowly weakening day by day even when she did not wish to show it in case others would feel negatively around her. Spirits needed to be high right now. When the scouts finally returned Whitehawk rounded his group up and the group of the former Treeclan cats with the fated words that it was finally time to go find their new homes. She was nervous because she hadn't left the cave too much let alone into the unknown lands that even the Tribe cats hadn't explored. What would await her there? But as the scents of the former Treeclan and Stoneclan merged together as one as the group began being led from the caves towards their new homes Wisteriapaw made sure to stick close with the familiar presence of Ebonyheart and Whitehawk as they led the way. 

The trip was long and unsteady for her personally because she was not accustomed to travelling the unknown landscapes even with the guidance of her mentor and medicine cat by her side. All the new scents filling her senses and feelings beneath her paws was slowly becoming near overwhelming the longer they traveled with her wondering just how far away this land was from the Tribe. Was it big enough for two clans merging to live peacefully? What did it look like? Would it be difficult for herself, Lilybreeze, and anyone else with a disability to acclimate to the new lands once there? So many questions and unease rolling through her young mind. But despite the long path ahead Whitehawk was careful to keep her close and help her along; one of the few people that she trusted enough to guide her. It was not long though when Whitehawk's voice broke the general mumblings and chattering of the other clan mates as he paused the group and began speaking to others up ahead. The scouting party that stayed at the new camp to greet the clans as they came to the entrance. 

Tigerblaze gave a half smirk at his old mentor that Wisteriapaw did not see in their interaction but she was happy to know that he was still among them. The scents of the other clan mates and new clan mates from Treeclan mingling together as they brushed past to be greeted and escorted through the new camp site. She felt the familiar presence of Lilybreeze who much like Wisteriapaw herself was blind. Brackenstride was called over to help escort them into camp and her head lifted when Whitehawk seemed to address the two girls a half smile on her face at his sentimental gesture of allowing the two blind felines to be escorted in first. With the guidance of her mentor Wisteriapaw was introduced into the new camp site for the first time since it had been discovered and claimed by the newly formed Gorgeclan. It was a scary thing to think she'd have to relearn all the mental paths of this unknown place as if she were a kitten all over again; she just knew there would be some bumps and bruises she'd need Ebonyheart and Sagepaw's healing skills later down the road. 

"Home sweet home..." her voice held a tinge of sadness even as unease was clear in her words as she sniffed around hesitantly. 

Word Count: #727 || Tag: @ || Notes: #

~☣~~☣~