[Hellion]

Leadership did not suit Swanfeather as well she had imagined. She had to quickly resort to Leopardyowl being the 'deputy' of their rebel clan. He enjoyed the role and it seemed to suit him. Gradually as their time in the wooded cover continued to drag out like a limping tiger, it became apparent that Swanfeather was not a good leader. It was without much ceremony she took a step back, changing how the rebels worked a bit. Leopardyowl, his mate Petalfall and herself became a sort of council. Often discussing events and plans for their rebel group. It became easier for Swanfeather to focus on the healing and tending to the spiritual needs of the cats, few cats feared their actions would land them in the Dark Forest, Swanfeather was quick to quell those fears. Petalfall became a sort of hunting leader and also often tended to the queens under Swanfeather's guidances. Leopardyowl remained the leader of anything involving patrol and for awhile it worked.

Kits were born out in the wooded cove and knew nothing of RainClan's first camp. It seem that their lives were beginning to settle down. Their makeshift camp had turned into something more stable. A better made warrior den served as a home to many of the cats, the nursery remained small which suited their needs. Swanfeather had remained keen on to the morale of her rebels. A warrior had suggested that they leave RainCaln all together, find a better home in the mountains, focus on remaining 'pure', countless time Swanfeather and Leopardyowl both decline his offer. They belonged in RainClan more then any cats claiming loyalty to a fox-faced nightclan exile. On more then one occasion Leopardyowl reminded Swanfeather that the blood-traitors wouldn't last long. Timbersky wouldn't live forever.

Only slightly concerned about his comment, Swanfeather kept herself busy with duties pertaining to the care of everyone else. She missed Ottersplash in the sense that she mixed the extra paws, but Petalfall was helpful.

This day was like many others. Swanfeather checked her herb stores, tended to the queen and her kits before waiting for the daily council meeting, but a certain brown she-cat caught her attention. Lotuswhisker looked to be arriving from something, not that Swanfeather paid much attention to the coming and goings unless Leopardyowl suggested that someone seemed tempted to rejoin the blood-traitors.

"Lotuswhisker a word please," She called toward the she-cat, flicking her tail to direct her toward her den. Over the past few moons her den had become sturdier, pockets had been created for herb storage and overall worked well for her. Despite being comfortable in the den, Swanfeather missed her old den and looked forward to using it again, as Leopardyowl promised. Upon entering her den, Swanfeather turned and waited for Lotuswhisker to arrive.



_Fawn

[Fawn]

Lotuswhisker

30 Moons, She-Cat, RainClan Warrior

------

As if Leopardyowl and his mate sought to punish her for consistently proving her loyalties (it was as if they wanted a good reason to chase her out, at least that's how Leopardyowl behaved), she had been assigned hunting patrols and border patrols with little breaks in between.

They were not many, and the days were getting cooler, yet there was a niggling sensation in the back of her thoughts that she was getting picked on. Lotuswhisker rebelled against this, rallying her courage to give Leopardyowl a piece of her mind the next time he saw fit to bother her in her nest for another unnecessary patrol, when the voice of their medicine cat broke through her mounting frustration.

Setting the water vole on the fresh kill pile, Lotuswhisker walked over to the blue-eyed she-cat, dipping her head courteously to their wise healer. What must it be like to share dreams with StarClan? What must it be like, to know your ancestors' faces though they did not live in your lifetime?

"Do you need my help with anything, Swanfeather?" she mewed. Lotuswhisker had volunteered before to be an extra set of paws for the medicine cat, but that had been before the great divide. Paw-sore and famished as she was, she always had time for a cat as important as Swanfeather. Without her... They would be in dire straits, for sure.

It frightened her to think that Leopardyowl would be in charge some day; oh please, StarClan. If you have to appoint any cat as a replacement for Timberwing... not HIM. Anycat but HIM. If that happened, one of these days, she and Willowbreeze were going to be pushed over NightClan's border line and forbidden from returning.

The life of a loner sounded horrible. She loved her Clan, as flawed as it was sometimes. It was impossible to imagine her life anyplace else. With a shake of her whiskers, Lotuswhisker focused, sitting when the ache in her paws grew too intense.

Word Count: 325 Words ||  Tags: Hellion || Notes:

[Hellion]

Swanfeather was pleased that Lotuswhisker seemed to be willing to help her. Not many cats offered to carry herbs or even bothered to see if she needed help. With so many marks already against her, Lotuswhisker had finally earned one to the positive side for offering.

With her tail curled neatly over her paws, Swanfeather's attention zoned in on Lotuswhisker. There was ice in the gaze of Swanfeather and no one save for her adopted son could melt it.

"Considering your heritage there has been concerns about your loyatly. You know of my feelings toward NightClan cats and Leopardyowl and his mate share the came concern." Swanfeather paused for a moment, reading the brown she-cat for a moment. It was hard not to notice the Leopardyowl often targeted Lotuswhisker and her meek sister Willowbreeze.

"As you may have noticed our numbers are slim at best and Tumblestep's kits are still young but soon they will be 'paws," Swanfeather continued to speak, wondering if Lotuswhisker was catching on with how she talked about the queen.

"There is no delicate way to put this Lotuswhisker, but you and your sister both are prime queen age. Perhaps you both ought to consider settling down and adding kits to our cause. Choosing a suitable mate would ensure your kits are valued as full RainClan and unblemished due to your mixed heritage," Her words were blunt and perhaps on the harsh side considering the mention of her blood.

"I know Salomclaw has shown to be a honorable warrior and a better choice than that Gullswoop he spotted you with a few days ago," Her words were carefully chosen and her eyes narrowed into dagger. Despite being untrained in battling, Swanfeather knew how to strike a cat's weak spot.

[Fawn]

Lotuswhisker

30 Moons, She-Cat, RainClan Warrior

------

Whatever she had been expecting, it wasn't this. The fur along the brown she-cat's spine lifted, feeling an amalgamation of indignation, embarrassment and irritation all roiling in the pit of her stomach like a storm. Considering my heritage... Her temper flared in her eyes, but she had the good sense to hold her tongue, listening with deaf ears as Swanfeather mentioned not just Salmonclaw, but Gullswoop. That little sneak! Spying on me!

And he was too cowardly to confront her about Gullswoop. At least he didn't know of her border patrol with Jaycry, which was entirely necessary, given that both groups were trying to keep up appearances with NightClan and StoneClan that things were fine.

"With all do respect, Swanfeather, who I settle down and have kits with will be a private choice. I'm sure Willowbreeze feels the same." You're as bad as my mother. Who had even suggested settling down with Gullswoop? Lotuswhisker's ears flattened. He was half StoneClan! She could be rebellious, admittedly, but she wasn't crazy.

Besides, Salmonclaw had just gone from 'eligible' to 'irritating' on her personal list of toms who could possibly hold her interest for longer than a few heartbeats. He was slightly above Blackthorn, but only because he hadn't insulted her to her face yet.

Feeling the need to explain herself, she spoke of Gullswoop in a cold, neutral tone. "Gullswoop chased off a swan and showed me where to find feathers for the kits' bedding. If Salmonclaw has something to say about it, he knows where to find me." Unless I find him first.

About to give that tom a piece of her mind (she didn't care if he was Leopardyowl's son, she'd give him a tongue-lashing if he deserved it), Lotuswhisker glanced back to the rest of camp, clearly about to leave.

Of all the conversations we could be having... Her whiskerpads itched, as they often did when she was agitated, but she kept her posture as relaxed as possible. The last thing she needed was Swanfeather taking an even bigger interest in her romantic life. Vowing to warn Willowbreeze before the medicine cat took her sister aside to give her this same shocking analysis, Lotuswhisker held enough indignation for them both.

Word Count: 371 Words Tags: Hellion Notes:

[Hellion]

Swanfeather was careful to note the bristling effect her words had on Lotuswhisker. Swanfeather wasn't phased by this but at the same time she wasn't impressed. Queens often mated with various toms to ensure healthy kits, wouldn't Lotuswhisker want the same for her possible offspring. Her tail remained at her feet but flicked in annoyance. The brown she-cat had against lost what little favor she had gained from Swanfeather.

"I respect your choice but I will advise you to make a good choice. Blood is importnat and perhaps even more important than feelings," Swanfeather replied, her voice like jagged ice. There wasn't much left subtle anymore.

Her black ears flicked in understanding of her story about Gullswoop. Not that she was impressed. Toms do stupid things for she-cat, a lesson she learned when Frostfang had died.

"Gullswoop is the enemy here, we are making a stand against cats like him. Don't think he kindness was out of his heart but perhaps a way to understand any possible weakness," Her tone had drifted into something like a scolding. She would not have cats so easily swayed by kind words.

Annoyance that built up had finally unleashed itself with a quick uncurling of her tail.

"I suggest you report to Leopardyowl. He might have work for you to do before dusk," Swanfeather told her with a air of dismissal in her words.

"I hope that won't be an issue," She added, again attempting to strike a code within the pretty she-cat.

[Fawn]

Lotuswhisker

30 Moons, She-Cat, RainClan Warrior

------

Swanfeather's change in attitude was startling, and Lotuswhisker took a step back, ears pinning to her skull as a medicine cat lectured her on the importance of bloodlines. Lotuswhisker almost hissed. What do YOU know about feelings? She believed in their cause, but had any cat asked her to sacrifice her own happiness and freedom for it? If she was to become a queen, (and that was an idea that appealed to her), then it would be her own choice, with a mate who hopefully would be more loyal to her than Eaglechaser had been to Shadefrost.

And I'm not raising my kits during a civil war! If Swanfeather thought she was going to birth a litter just because they needed more pureblooded cats, well... She had bees in her brain. Expression flat, she dipped her head with as much politeness as she could muster, not trusting herself to speak.

I hope that won't be an issue.

Lotuswhisker pretended as though she didn't hear; her heart was in her claws, paws throbbing with indignation. To top it all off, Swanfeather wanted her to report to Leopardyowl. Lovely. Just what I needed. Salmonclaw would be lucky if he wasn't in camp right now; she would claw his ears off just to release all this pent up steam.

Well... perhaps not. Lotuswhisker had never considered herself a violent cat, and even the absurd amounts of pressure from Swanfeather—by StarClan, that she-cat's eyes were like ice!—Lotuswhisker didn't know if she could bring herself to harm a Clanmate. Even one as nosy and annoying as Salmonclaw.

A sigh of relief escaped her as she realized Leopardyowl had already left with another border patrol. Petalfall was visiting Tumblestep's kits, so Lotuswhisker took advantage of their vindictive pair's distractedness to see if she could find Willowbreeze.

"Willow?" she mewed quietly into the makeshift warriors den. "Are you there? It's Lotuswhisker. Will you go for a walk with me?" I feel like I can't vent here... Paranoia almost had her glancing over her shoulder, feeling as if the medicine cat's eyes were still on her. Is this what life was going to be like now?

Suspicion and pressure and judgment?

Lotuswhisker felt sadness stab her heart like thorns. Was anything going to change for the better?

Word Count: 379 Words Tags: Hellion Notes:

[Hellion]

30 Moons. RainClan. Warrior.

Swanfeather watched she-cat leave with a air of indifference. Even if Lotuswhisker didn't see things the way the rest of the group did, time would change her mind.

Turning back to her herbs, Swanfeather restarted the task of taking care of what needed to be done.

----

Willowbreeze hadn't done much recently aside from work her paws into a state of terrible soreness. Petalfall and her terrible mate Leopardyowl had a vendetta out on the she-cat. Telling her to hunt nearly all day, she didn't understand why they kept pushing her to hunt. It wasn't like they would ever eat that much food.

The only bit of peace she found was in the makeshift warrior's den. She and Lotuswhisker had taken up a little nook within the den and Willow was glad the bed was soft. Having just started to doze off, her sister's voice caught her attention. Forcing her head up to look, Willowbreeze uncurled herself from her nest and nodded.


"Lead the way Lotuswhisker," Willowbreeze replied. Standing up from her nest and taking a few step before waiting on Lotuswhisker to take the lead.

Words: 190
Tags:Fawn
Notes:sorry its short

[Fawn]

Lotuswhisker

30 Moons, She-Cat, RainClan Warrior

------

Oh Willowbreeze, you look tired. Lotuswhisker's ears tilted back briefly, apologetic over disturbing her sister's (probably only) chance to nap. Willowbreeze rose nevertheless, and Lotuswhisker led her out of the wooded cove, bringing her closer to the willow stream where they were less likely to be overheard.
"I just had a... interesting conversation with Swanfeather."

She smiled through gritted teeth, the pretty feline obviously miffed by the older healer's... nosiness into her romantic life, trying to make personal decisions for her. Lotuswhisker checked up and down the twisting curve of the stream, listening aptly for any cats who might be able to overhear them—Purist or Loyalist, didn't matter—any additional ears were unwelcome right now.

"Swanfeather thinks we should become queens," Lotuswhisker mewed, pausing as she expected this shocking news to take hold of her sister. "She wants us to put our feelings aside and just pop out litters of kits for the betterment of RainClan. I don't know who she's picked out for you, but she seems to think Salmonclaw and I are a good match."

Lotuswhisker's sea-green eyes flashed, her chin lifted to a haughty angle. "Can you believe her? We're warriors, and she's a medicine cat, but that doesn't give her the right to just butt into our personal business like that." This time, a bit of the inner conflict she was feeling over the whole matter rose to the surface. Lotuswhisker's mew softened. "Oh Willow, I feel like she's not going to trust us anymore if we don't do what she suggests." See? It's stuff like this that makes me want to do something rebellious.

Like talk to Gullswoop or Jaycry again. Salmonclaw could go eat dirt.

Word Count: 280 Words Tags: Hellion Notes:

[Hellion]

30 Moons. RainClan. Warrior.

The soft lull of the stream was enough to tease Willowbreeze about the sleep she was missing. She wondered for a moment if after Lotuswhisker told her this important news if she'd be able to take a nap. She could easily perch herself up a tree and still be able to hear the stream, letting it sing her to sleep. Upon hearing her that Lotuswhisker had a conversation with Sawnfeather had all ideas of a nap pushed aside. Her full attention on her sister.

"Swanfeather think we should become queens,"

It was shocking news and that was made clear with the look on Willowbreeze's face. Her eyes were wide and her ears titled back a bit in a gesture of uneasiness. Her sister went on to explain what Swanfeather had meant and suddenly Willowbreeze felt invaded. She didn't like her personal life or lack of being displayed for the entire group, let along discussed by the group.

Once her sister mentioned Salmonclaw, Willowbreeze felt a familiar pin of jealousy. Not because of Salmonclaw but because it felt as if her sister's look still mattered more in the situation. Forcing the thought away her attention return to what Lotuswhisker continued to say.


"They just want us to be tied to their little group, kinship bonds are pretty strong," She mused, flicking her tail in frustration for a moment before quelling the energy. Willowbreeze remained uneasy and felt more like a target and knew once the two returned to camp, all eyes would be on her. She hated it.


"I hate being here, why can't we just go home, to our real home," She wanted to ask Lotuswhikser but felt the words hang back. She didn't think Lotuswhisker would leave their mother and Willowbreeze was positive she wouldn't leave Lotuswhisker behind.

"We should be careful with them, stick to ourselves avoid Salmonclaw and his parents like deathberries," She told her sister, her eyes drifting to the area around them, checking for any lingering cream-colored pelts.

Words:
Tags: Fawn
Notes:

[Fawn]

Lotuswhisker

33 Moons, She-Cat, RainClan Warrior

------

"I agree, we have to look out for each other like we've always done, Willowbreeze." Lotuswhisker felt better in her sister's presence; Willowbreeze was a quiet, well-to-do sort of feline, and also Lotuswhisker's best friend. She had a calming effect, like rain. Lotuswhisker likened herself to the crashing of a wave sometimes—when she felt insulted, that is—willing to fight against anyone who dared fight against her.

Though more often in a social situation than with actual unsheathed claws. Not that she wouldn't be willing to scratch a few faces if it meant sparing herself and her sister any uncomfortable situations in the future.
"If Salmonclaw starts to be creepy, let me know. I'll give him a piece of my mind." You'd tell me if something was bothering you, wouldn't you Willowbreeze? She hoped so; Lotuswhisker liked to believe that her bond with her sister was stronger even than her ties to RainClan, though she shared these thoughts with no one but herself.

There was no telling how Shadefrost would react to that kind of... kin-based loyalty over Clan-based loyalty. Shadefrost did not seem close to her own siblings, and more than once Lotuswhisker had wondered why.

"Do you want to sleep near the willows tonight?" Lotuswhisker suggested softly, picturing them curling up under the soft, whispering leaves of the weeping willows, sheltered from the heat and the rain and the judgmental looks of their Clanmates. Lotuswhisker didn't much feel like heading back to camp. At least not right away. If any-cat asked where they'd been, they could always say fishing. And they would fish. In the morning, without having to see Leopardyowl's glaring face at the start of each day.

Word Count: 271 WordsTags: Hellion Notes: New thread where some Loyalists find them sleeping?

[Hellion]

30 Moons. RainClan. Warrior.

Her ears twitched in agreement to Lotuswhisker. Their sisterhood would stand the test of time. No matter far life took them apart, they would always be sisters. Lotuswhisker would always lead the way and Willowbreezze had no troubles following after her. It was comforting to see her sister like that. The steady presence of her sister would keep her strong through any struggles, regardless of origin.

The concern for her behalf had Willowbreeze nodded. Salmonclaw was a sad excuse for a tom-cat, he wasn't worth much. Lotuswhisker wouldn't have to worry about him, Willowbreeze wouldn't have trouble clawing his ears. Then again she didn't expect the cream-colored dung pile to come sniffing around her nest. Lotuswhisker would have the prettier kits.

The mention of sleeping near the willows sent a purr from deep within her chest. Willowbreeze loved the trees she was named after. Their long branches with their many lives were a comfort. She'd never turn down an offer to sleep surrounded by it's shelter.

"I would love to," She purred her reply toward her sister. Closing the gap between them to brush her cheek against her sister's cheek. She wanted to reminded Lotuswhisker with the gesture that she wasn't alone, they could do this together.

Words:
Tags: Fawn
Notes: END?