Planet Earth Turns Slowly, Or so we'd like to think.

[PickeBicke]

((Note- Permission from Window, Cloudy and FunAdvice to mention their cats!))


-* A week after Goldenfur became Deputy *-

The bi-colored tabby tom rest his chin upon Raggedfur's back, eyes half-closed as he listened to the other tom's slow breathing. In the past few days it had been rare to catch the dark tabby sleeping. The night Goldenfur had become deputy they had lost Rowanheart to blackcough, her tired lungs expelling their last breath before anyone could make a move to help. Two days later, Scorchfur had followed her into the stars.

Raggedfur had stayed up to watch his patients every night after that, wearing himself thin and going off meals again. Sparrowstar had finally exploded at him this morning when the medicine cat almost collapsed during his examination of Dappletail. The two had raised their hackles and snarled at each other, but they both knew their hearts weren’t in it. In the end, Raggedfur had relented.

With a full stomach and days of sleep to catch up on, he had curled up beside the bi-colored tabby to rest. And he had slept peacefully throughout the night. It pained Sparrowstar to wake him, but judging from the length of the shadows entering the cave it was past sun-high. He had ceremonies to conduct.

“Hey,” he purred, nudging the medicine cat’s cheek. He was rewarded with a low groan. Chuckling, he pushed his head against Raggedfur’s cheek harder. “Time to get up, you grumpy badger. I have ceremonies to conduct and you need to continue treatments.”

The dark tabby growled but opened his tired eyes, mouth parting into a yawn full of teeth. “Fine, but I’m eating first. Berrypaw can administer noon herbs.” Bones popped along his spine as he stretched and got to his paws. Sparrowstar followed but at a slower pace, still hindered by the remains of greencough in his system.

After a quick groom they made their way out into the clearing.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the rockpile for a clan meeting," the bi-colored tabby called. Though his throat still ached and his muscles refused to allow him to climb up the rocks, Sparrowstar straightened his spine while he sat beneath them. He was recovering, and he would prove it.

"We have lost valuable members of our clan to this disease. It has decimated our warriors and left two of our apprentices without mentors. This has been hard on all of us, and the fact that it is not over yet is daunting.

But we are strong. We have survived here for too many moons to give up now because of this pestilence! We will grow strong and healthy again," he declared firmly. "Do not lose hope my clanmates. We will beat this." A little winded, the leader paused before motioning Parrotpaw and Amberpaw forward.

“Parrotpaw, Echostep was your mentor. Her death has left you without guidance, and that I cannot allow. Bramblefur, you will take up where she left off. Train your new apprentice well.

Amberpaw, Scorchfur was your mentor. Like the loss of Echostep, his death left you without direction and training. Larkflight, you will take up where he left off. Train your new apprentice well.”

With a small smile, he nodded to each of them in turn instead of pressing his muzzle to their forehads. Sparrowstar would not risk contaminating them with the remaining sickness in his system by following through with tradition. As the clan moved in to congratulate the new warriors, he padded back to Raggedfur’s side.

“Don’t blame yourself,” he meowed when he saw the gloomy look on the medicine cat’s face. “You couldn’t have saved any of them…or me. When StarClan calls no one can ignore them.”

“…I know,” Raggedfur replied. Yet both of them knew he didn’t believe it.



-* 1 moon After *-

It seemed the strength had started to return to Sparrowstar’s muscles. While Raggedfur kept a watchful eye, he clawed his way to the top of the rockpile for the first time since he fell ill. Grinning despite his rapid breaths the tabby called out for the clan to gather. Today one of the many voids blackcough had left would be filled, at least a little bit.

“I, Sparrowstar, leader of SkyClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn. Rabbitpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?"

At the hairless tom’s nod, the leader continued.

“Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Rabbitpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Rabbitskin. StarClan honors your determination and enthusiasm.”

I just hope it’s enough…



-* 2 Moons After *-

“Until this apprentice receives her warrior name, she will be known as Kinkpaw.” Sparrowstar smiled down at the curly-furred she-cat. His restored muscles rippled beneath a healthy coat, and his eyes sparkled. The greencough that had racked his system had at last been cured. Even better, it appeared that the blackcough plaguing camp had claimed its final victim.

Perhaps Raggedfur will be able to make amends now, the bi-colored warrior thought sadly, glancing at the medicine cat. He sat beside Lizardsight, conversing quietly, with that same gloomy look that had plagued him since the deaths had started. I will find a way to ease your pain, old friend. I promise.

But right now, he had a mentor to announce.

“I, Sparrowstar will take you as my apprentice. I hope to pass on all that I have learned to you and, in turn, expand my understanding as well.”

Closing his eyes, he jumped down from the rockpile and touched noses with his new apprentice.

(( SkyClan is now caught up to the 2-moon time skip. ))

[Aeria Gloris]

Goldenfur called the new names out, her eyes shining with pride as her Clan grew stronger.

She had tried her best to lead the Clan when Sparrowstar's illness did not allow it, and looked over Raggedfur's shoulder to make sure the leader was recovering well (that earned her a few snarls, but Goldenfur remained unfazed).

She caught sight of Bell and Candle walking away from the ceremony, and decided to join them.

"...can't be sure until I speak to Raggedfur..."

"...waiting for? Do it now!"

The deputy quirked a curious brow and meowed, "Is everything alright, you two?"

Candle turned, her whiskers twitching as though she had a juicy secret. "Oh...everything's fine! I just want to speak to Raggedfur about something..."

Goldenfur bristled with fear. "Is it your throat? Candle, if you think it's greencough."

Bell immediately meowed, "No, it's definitely not greencough or blackcough! It's something better!" Her amber eyes were glittering with excitement.

It took her a moment to think of something better than illness, but Goldenfur's eyes widened when she realized their meaning. "You mean...you might be...Oh, Candle!" She purred as she touched her nose to Candle's ear. "Congratulations!"

The black she-cat purred back, "I don't even know if it's true yet. I was thinking about speaking to Raggedfur."

"Well, let's go to his den now. I was going to take some prey to him and Berrypaw anyway."

The three she-cats padded to Raggedfur's den, Goldenfur bearing a fat squirrel in her jaws. Placing it at the entrance, she called, "Raggedfur? Someone wants to see you."

Candle padded inside, anxiously staring at her paws.

[Minou]

Frostblossom sat in the very edge of camp, quivering with grief. Her white pelt had turned brown with mud, and her blue eyes were clouded over, making them look darker, black even. “Parrotpaw, Echostep was your mentor. Her death has left you without guidance, and that I cannot allow. Bramblefur, you will take up where she left off. Train your new apprentice well."

Pain smacked into the she-cat, like she had ran face first into a wall. Echostep had died, one of the only clan cats who understood her every since her sister died. Now she was gone too. "Amberpaw, Scorchfur was your mentor. Like the loss of Echostep, his death left you without direction and training. Larkflight, you will take up where he left off. Train your new apprentice well.”

"No." The small she-cat moaned under her breath, whimpering. She stood up, pelt bristling. The sadness she was feeling quickly turned to anger. Ivyclaw had been watching her, he knew she was a ticking time bomb, and he couldn't risk leaving her alone in the camp. She started towards him, but the tom didn't react to move out of her way. "I want to see Raggedfur, now."

"What for?"

Her upper lip twitched, but the muscular tom ignored it. "I need to ask him something."

"I think Goldenfur, Candle, and Bell walking in that direction. If you ask them-"

"GOLDENFUR!"

[PickeBicke]

The medicine cat looked up from the poultice at his paws, eyes dull but attentive. His nose twitched as the mouthwatering scent of squirrel permeated the den. He'd opted to skip breakfast this morning in order to watch the ceremony. Seeing Sparrowstar smiling and healthy again eased the pain in his heart when he thought back to how he'd been unable to stop the tom from losing two of his nine lives.

Licking his lips, he motioned for the three she-cats to enter with a swish of his tail. From Goldenfur's mew Raggedfur knew that it could only be either Bell or Candle who had a problem, and the former was eliminated as a candidate when Candle padded in and stared intently at the ground. "As much as I'd like to play guessing games," the dark tabby began, "I don't have the time to beat around the bush. Especially when it's my brother's mate who comes calling."

He cocked his head, pushed his poultice to the side, and stared the black she-cat down. "Either tell me what he did to upset you so I can pretend to care, or ask me to confirm your suspicions of pregnancy. That's why you came to me, correct?"

(( THE ALL-SEEING RAGGEDFUR KNOWS ALL ))

[Aeria Gloris]

Goldenfur watched Candle's face as Raggedfur bluntly told her the news. The black she-cat mewed, "So...it's true...?"

Bell trilled and spun in circles around her stunned mother. "I'm going to have brothers and sisters! Just what I always wanted! Wait'll Lizardsight hears! I wonder if they'll look like--"

"GOLDENFUR!"

The three she-cats flinched at Frostblossom's shrill meow. The deputy narrowed her eyes and kept her voice casual, "Bell, why don't you get your mother situated in the nursery. I'll be there soon."

The young she-cat nervously nodded and herded her mother towards the nursery.

Goldenfur eyed Frostblossom and meowed flatly, "Frostblossom, is there a reason you're shrieking as though wanting to call StarClan back?" The warrior's unbalanced nature had not escaped Goldenfur's notice. Perhaps this was the final break in her mind after Hollyfoot's death.

[PickeBicke]

The shaggy tom felt his tail twitch when he saw Candle and Bell enter the medicine den but he didn't move from his spot next to the rockpile. He had been talking to Raggedfur until the end of the ceremony when the crippled tom left to continue doling out herbs, leaving him alone to congratulate the new warrior. He had been considering heading out with a patrol (Thorntail had been bugging him to do so for weeks) but couldn't bring himself to do so now.

"I know I shouldn't worry," the tom said more to himself than to anyone else. His tail gave another violent twitch. "It's probably nothing," he continued. "Nothing at all. She might have eaten a bad mouse...or squirrel...or gotten a stone lodged in her paw. Or perhaps one of Bell's old wounds has re-opened." Scale-colored eyes watched the entrance to the medicine den with increasing scrutiny as the she-cats did not re-appear.

"I shouldn't go in. It's nothing to worry about. Candle would just get mad at me and say I'm too protective," he told himself. His good ear pricked in surprise when he hear Frostblossom's screech. Looked like Goldenfur had to work her deputy muscles a bit today.

But his legs had a mind of their own and within a heart-beat Lizarsight had gotten up and trotted over to the cave where his brother worked. Gulping, he glanced inside.

"Candle? Is...is everything alright? Is Bell okay?"

[Aeria Gloris]

Glancing at Frostblossom nervously, Candle almost didn't notice her mate appearing in front of her. "Lizardsight! Oh...Listen, let's talk outsi--"

"MOM'S PREGNANT!" Bell squealed joyfully, her face glowing as she looked at her step-father.

Candle sighed with mild irritation. "Thank you, Bell..." But she gazed at Lizardsight's nervous face with adoration. "It's true...I suspected as much, but Raggedfur just confirmed it."

Sensing trouble ahead from Frostblossom, the black she-cat meowed, "Let's go to the nursery...right now."

[Minou]

"Frostblossom, is there a reason you're shrieking as though wanting to call StarClan back?"

"I want to speak to Raggedfur."

The she-cat's tail twitched, and Ivyclaw slowly approached from behind her. If she was going to do something crazy, he was going to be there to attack.

It was a horrible thing to suspect, but he no longer looked at her as a clan mate. She acted no better then the loner she use to be.

Pebbleheart grabbed hold of Cloudkit, and hearing the yelling outside, stuck her muzzle out to smell was happening. It wasn't totally safe yet for her to leave the den, but two moons seemed like more then enough time in her opinion. The death of her friends had left her mourning, but the life of her kits cheered her back up. She knew Frostblossom didn't have something like that, not anymore.

"Mom. I want back in the den."

"You are still on time out, and so, you will stay with me."

"Aren't you suppose to stay in the den?"

"I'm not on time out."

The tom wrinkled his nose unhappily, and shut his eyes are the bright sun hit them. He was still very small, but looked more healthy, which was a good sign. He was also very attached to Ivyclaw. He looked up to the strong warrior as a father figure, and once he caught sight of him lowering down behind the she-cat, he shushed himself. He wanted something to gloat to with Rockkit.

[PickeBicke]

Lizardsight blinked. Had he heard correctly? His ears seemed to be ringing from the force of Bell's admission. "P-pregnant?" The shaggy tom looked at his mate, eyes wide. "Really? Raggedfur's going to...I'm going to...really?" There was a soft thump as his rump hit the earth.

"I'm going to be a father," the warrior meowed in surprise. With growing excitement, he began to whisk his tail back and forth, paws kneading the ground before him. "I'm going to be a father. I'm going to be a father! Oh, Candle...!" Purring loudly, Lizarsight pressed his forehead to hers and smiled that lop-sided grin of his.

"Thank you," he whispered. "For giving me such a gift. We'll raise them together, you and I. Bell too. Oh, Candle, my love you've made me so happy. I...after I was exiled, I never thought that...I could have a family again."

"What am I? Shredded pigeon?" Raggedfur limped out of his den, the herb packet in his jaws lighter than ever. He only had a few more patients to treat and, with no more cough remedies to drag around, he could finally begin restocking his supplies. With a snort, he gave his brother a swat over the ears and turned to Frostblossom. His whiskers twitched when he noticed Ivyclaw but he refrained from mentioning it.

"I'm here, don't get your tail in a knot. What is so important that you need me for?"

[Minou]

"I'm here, don't get your tail in a knot. What is so important that you need me for?"

"I want you to admit to the clan that you are a fake, that you don't speak to Starclan. I want to hear you say Starclan doesn't even exist."

Ivyclaw held back a laugh. She had believed in Starclan not long ago, why had her opinion changed so much? The tom didn't question Raggedfur and Starclan, it was something that was just there, just like the air. You couldn't see it, but it was there.

He stayed right behind her, and was surprised she hadn't noticed him yet. She was in pouncing distance, but didn't even notice his presence. He had a feeling things were going to end badly. Her stupidity was quite funny in his opinion.

He didn't though, find the fact her fur was lifting off her back, and that her legs were stiff as a threat, very funny. Neither did Pebbleheart, the she-cat instantly took a couple steps outside of the den, ignoring the she-cat and tom who walked past her inside. Dropping the confused Cloudkit onto the floor softly, she walked a little further. "Mom?"

"Hold on, stay quiet."

"I don't-"

"Shush."

"But mom-"

"Three....two..."

"I'll be quiet."

[PickeBicke]

Raggedfur quirked an eyebrow. "Oh, is that all?" he said in a conversational tone. "I almost thought you had little parasites growing in you as well. Don't worry, I'm sure you'd be a wonderful host." Shifting his crippled limb, the tom moved ever-so-slightly so that he blocked Candle and Pebbleheart from view. The movement could almost have been accidental.

Lizardsight, sensing a threat, stopped and looked back at where Frostblossom stood. Taking in her stiff posture and raised hackles reminded him of another time, far in the past, where a warrior like that had leaped upon him and torn his ear. A warning growl started in his throat. "Candle, get behind me," he meowed.

Outside his brother faced the white she-cat with his usual blank expression. His gaze leveled with hers as he said, "But as much as I'd like to ignore them, our warrior ancestors are real. No matter how much I hate them." Smirking, the dark tabby tilted his head to the side. "Do you think if they were fake I would have let myself become a medicine cat after my leg was injured? Truly? Because I have a confession to make..."

Standing to his full height, Raggedfur glared Frostblossom down and hissed, "I would have rather died."

[Whitestream]

Mistyeyes was nervous, she couldn’t’ see what was happening, well obviously. All she could do was hear the anger of the other cats, she’d been off to fetch some prey for the queens and was now caught nearby Pebbleheart and Cloudkit, she could smell them both and so she slunk up beside the queen, her fur bristling, what was Frostblossom doing? Why all the yelling? Nervously she leaned into Pebbleheart’s ear.

“Do you want me to get Cloudkit out the area?”

She could feel the tension of the other cats and it terrified her, what if some cat attacked the kit? Surely none of their Clanmates would… the crazed tone that Frostblossom was using wasn’t encouraging however… Nervously, the blind tortoiseshell stood beside Pebbleheart.

[Minou]

“Do you want me to get Cloudkit out the area?”

"Please."

She had now forgotten about having to stay in the den awhile longer, she was too angry. She had never liked Frostblossom, ever since the day they accepted her into the clan. Maybe it was just because her history with loners, because the she-cat had been perfect until the day her sister died. She just didn't like her, now she had a reason to. "I would have rather died."

"If Starclan is real, why are they punishing us by killing off innocent warriors? My sister was perfect. They just, took her." Her voice was soft for a moment at the memory, how strong her sister was, how she would have done anything to make her proud. "They took her from me, and now Echostep is gone too. Someone is going to pay for the lies I have been told."

"You were told no lies!" Pebbleheart broke into the crowd, fur brisling, upper lip twitching to show her fang sharp teeth. Her claws unsheathed, and she lowered her head as if ready to attack. The queen couldn't just stay in the den.

"This clan is a lie!"

"This clan is my home."

"Your home has no honour, no life. It is just a bunch of myths, stories to tell the children."

"Stories my children will hear, and tell their children. Raggedfur was righ-"

"Your children will hear nothing!" Her voice broke out in a high pitched yowl as she switched her direction and cut the she-cat off. She was racing in high speed towards the nursery. Ivyclaw jumped over the crazy she-cat, unsheathed claws reaching out to grab hold of her fur. He missed though, and stumbled, giving the she-cat plently of time to get away.

Pebbleheart was hot on her tail though, and with some luck, the queen has grabbed hold of her backleg. "My kits. They. Will. Hear. Plenty."

[[ Ah, yes. Pebbleheart is back to being a warrior part time. Anyone feel free to attack Frostblossom, just don't kill her. We can all start by running her out. ]]

[Aeria Gloris]

Eyes widening with horror, Goldenfur immediately rushed to hold the crazed warrior down with her forepaws. "Frostblossom! No!"

She grunted with effort as the she-cat struggled beneath her. "You would attack kits?! Have you no honor left?! You coward!"

Candle too stared in shock. She had been on her way to the nursery. Would she have been able to defend Pebbleheart's kits and risk putting her own in danger?

At the den entrance, Rockkit was peeking her head out. She had seen Frostblossom running towards them, and trilled with excitement when she saw her mother pinning her down. "Get her, Mama! Get that mangy crowfood eater!"

[PickeBicke]

Lizardsight snarled, moving to intercept Frostblossom as she rushed toward the nursery. Raising his hackles the tom crouched protectively in front of his mate and got ready to pounce. However, the opportunity was taken by Goldenfur, who shoved the crazed warrior to the ground before the tom had a chance to strike.

"You would attack kits?! Have you no honor left?! You coward!"

The shaggy tabby sighed with relief and straightened his fur. That was a little too close for comfort! Turning to Candle, he meowed, "It's alright. We won't let her get anyone. Not our kits, and certainly not Pebbleheart's."

Sparrowstar had been enjoying a fresh chipmunk in his den when the commotion started. Giving his half-finished meal a forlorn look, the leader took a steadying breath and padded out through the lichen. "What in StarClan's name is going on here?" he yowled, bounding down the side of the cliff. He could have taken the boulders at a slower pace, but the bi-colored tabby tom relished the use of his muscles after all that time in the isolated den.

Quirking a brow, he looked from the struggling Frostblossom to the two she-cat's holding her and then to Raggedfur. "And why aren't you helping?" he questioned the crippled tom.

Raggedfur shrugged elegantly. "I prefer to watch you nitwits do the work," the dark tabby replied with a smirk. Struggling not to roll his eyes, Sparrowstar turned to his deputy.

"What happened?"

[Aeria Gloris]

The black queen shuddered as she sidled closer to her mate. "How could this have happened to her...?"

Without relinquishing her hold on Frostblossom, Goldenfur turned to explain to Sparrowstar, "Frostblossom was about to attack the nursery.

"She wanted Raggedfur to admit that StarClan are only tales for frightened kits. When he didn't she went insane and started for Pebbleheart when she agreed with him!" Her eyes were brilliant with barely-contained rage as she growled lowly at the restrained she-cat.

"This...scum...was about to attack defenseless kits! There's no way we can trust her...Sparrowstar, I felt her loss as if it were my own, we all did! But we certainly can't trust her if she is capable of such evil!"

Rockkit piped up from the entrance, "I'm not defenseless! I would've torn that fleabag in half!" To prove it, she unsheathed her miniscule claws and swung them around.

Rolling her eyes, Bell carefully shoved the kit back inside with her tail. "Pipe down! This is serious! You and your littermates could have gotten hurt!"

The kit hissed with outrage but did not go back inside. She wanted to see what they did with Frostblossom. "Sparrowstar, are you gonna make Raggedfur feed her something poisonous?!" Her eyes widened with expectation.

[Minou]

Pebbleheart’s small muzzle opened and snapped angrily just above Frostblossom’s throat. Both of them glared at each other, snarling viciously. Goldenfur was holding the crazy she-cat down, so there was no chance of her escaping and attacking the children anymore, but Pebbleheart still glanced nervously upwards towards the den. Ever since the day the litter had been born she had been overly protective of them, making sure they were always safe and in her grasp.

Ivyclaw had more control. Slowly he walked around the three she-cats, making his way infront of Rockkit. He gave her a very stern look, one to prove he disapproved of her outburst, but that he was fine with her watching. This whole episode was showing how strong of a warrior her mother really was, and how much she would try to protect her children. Ivyclaw loved this litter like it was his own, and by the way he acted, you wouldn’t have been able to tell they weren’t. Him and Pebbleheart had become mates, and with that, he became totally loyal to the litter. He didn’t say anything though, feeding the she-cat some death berries sounded like an okay punishment for trying to attack his kits. He would enjoy watching her struggle. “I agree with Goldenfur.”

His voice was low and calm, and slowly he tried to see why the leader might keep the she-cat in the clan. His thoughts though were quickly interrupted. “Those kits should have died with the others! When I joined this clan, I thought Starclan was supposed to give justice, yet all the ones I’ve love have been killed, but not a single one of those fleabags even got sick!”

Her voice rang in Pebbleheart’s ears, and quickly she lowered her mouth to the she-cats neck, mouth wide open. “Take that back!”

“Never.”

“Pebbleheart! You don’t want to kill her, it isn’t right.” Ivyclaw’s voice made her hesitate for a moment, and she pulled her head back.

“She isn’t worth it anyways. Sparrowstar?”

[[ Banish her from Skyclan territory! Everybody chase her out! ]]

[PickeBicke]

Sparrowstar frowned. Couldn't Frostblossom tell the only reason the kits had remained healthy was that they hadn't been exposed to the sickness? Everyone had lost someone to blackcough. Be it friend, mate, or simply a fellow clanner, someone would find their loss hard to bear. You're not the only one who's suffered, the tom found himself thinking.

"You think StarClan is here for justice?" Raggedfur snorted. His gaze moved from Sparrowstar back to Frostblossom. "That's rich. Despite their power, our ancestors don't have that much control over our lives. They are here to guide us, to stop us from making the same foolish mistakes they did." One lip curled up to expose a fang. "They merely sense when it is our time and come to claim us when we die. They do not have the luxury of picking and choosing."

Shaking his head, the medicine cat walked until he stood side by side with his leader. "If they did not exist," he growled, "Sparrowstar would not be here...I failed him. I could not cure the blackcough. The nine lives they bestowed on him in order to lead us saved his life. So the question becomes...what to do with a non-believer like you?"

The bi-colored tabby flinched when Raggedfur turned to him. Never had he thought he would be faced with such a decision. Even when he'd been faced with the dilema of Sydneyface and Twinkletail, it had not been he who passed final judgement. Now, all eyes rested on him to make the right choice.

"...Ivyclaw is right, Pebbleheart. We will not stoop to her level."

Raising his voice, Sparrowstar padded forward until he looked down upon the white warrior who had turned her back on her ancestors.

"SkyClan is strong, and we will continue to survive with the guidance of our ancestors. Frostblossom, it is they who will pass true judgement on to you. What I do is merely a precursor.

For your attempt at murder, you are henceforth exiled from SkyClan. You are no longer one of our warriors, but instead a rogue to be chased from our midst and our borders. You are in a place where the light of StarClan does not reach, where our warrior ancestors turn their gazes from your struggles."

With that he turned his back on her. "A patrol will escort you out of our territory. Goldenfur, please choose the warriors to accompany her."

[Aeria Gloris]

Spitting at the rogue's face with contempt, Goldenfur straightened up and meowed firmly, "Bell, Ivyclaw. Come with me so we can take this crowfood out of here..."

All the sympathy Goldenfur had towards Frostblossom had disappeared in that instant. All she saw was something that needed to disappear. Immediately.

Bell's heart skipped a beat when her name was called. "M-me....?" She glanced at Frostblossom's writhing form nervously. She felt Candle's muzzle touch her back.

"It's alright. You'll be fine."

Swallowing, Bell padded towards Frostblossom and roughly prodded her side with her paw. "Get up."

[Minou]

"For your attempt at murder, you are henceforth exiled from SkyClan. You are no longer one of our warriors, but instead a rogue to be chased from our midst and our borders. You are in a place where the light of StarClan does not reach, where our warrior ancestors turn their gazes from your struggles."

Frostblossom roared with anger, but not because she was being exiled, but because her attempt had failed. She didn’t say anything, but her glare did. She planned on coming back, to try her attempt again. She wasn’t going to go away easily. "Get up."

Frostblossom stood slowly, wincing as the she-cat’s paw made contact with her side. She growled, debating attacking in response. She was already exiled; why not go out with a bang? Unsheathing her claws her fur lifted and her neck stretched out, quickly prepared to do so in a matter of seconds.

Ivyclaw was fast though, and he had suspected the she-cat of doing such a thing. He wasn’t very graceful, but he didn’t need to be in such a short range. He flung himself into the air, and took a mouthful of the she-cats shoulder fur. Yanking hard she yelped painfully, tumbling to the ground at his forepaws. “Follow Candle.”

He stepped over her, walking slowly. He knew she would follow his order, she was smart enough not to risk another fight.