Dog Patrol (Specklestar's Group)

[Kitty]

"Specklestar! Specklestar!"

A loud, high-pitched yowl came from the direction of the camp, and Dapplepaw came barreling towards the patrol at high speed, breathing hard. She'd run all the way from the ShadowClan camp, occasionally stopping to scent the air. She had an urgent mission. The disappearance of two kits from the nursery seemed rather urgent, any way.

The apprentice skidded to a stop not three tail-lengths from her leader. "Specklestar!" she panted. "We've got a problem back at camp!" She paused to catch her breath, then carried on.

"Its Paleflower's kits - they're gone!"

[Yoko]

Specklestar was startled by the apprentice's sudden appearance and was so very close to yowling in anger at her for being out of camp that she had flattened her ears. Her news were even more shocking. Why Great StarClan?! Do you hate us so?! Missing kits was the last thing this Clan needed!

"Slow down!" she demanded. "What's happened exactly? WHo sent you out here?! Heronpaw, you still need to go."

She flicked her tail dismissively at the older apprentice. Then she turned back to Dapplepaw.

"What's happened?"

[Kitty]

Dapplepaw had to pause for a few heartbeats while she caught her breath. When she did, she began her recount of all the evening's happenings from the moment Specklestar left camp.

"We heard some commotion from the nursery and we thought that the kits were just playing. But then a little later Paleflower came out screaming that her kits were gone! A loner had come right into the camp and stolen them away! There was blood, Specklestar! Blood!" Her eyes were wide as she remembered. "Then there was some panicking at first and Twistedclaw wanted to leave camp. But Icepelt wouldn't let him. There was almost a fight! Twistedclaw almost attacked Icepelt!" That was possibly the scariest part. "Icepelt kept saying that we couldn't do anything without your or Runningfrost's permission, but we couldn't find Runningfrost. And then Featherclodu came out and took Twistedclaw into her den and Lizardeye told me to run here. But I think Eclipsepaw's gonna bite off my tail when we get back."

She felt she had to tack that part onto the end. "What do we do, Specklestar?"

[hedgie]

Specklestar barely had the command out of her mouth and he was already moving.

Heronpaw took off, dashing away from the patrol as fast as his paws could carry him. He payed little attention to most of his surroundings, ears perked and eyes aimed towards the screeches and yowls of the other patrol.

There was this sheer look of joy upon his face. It looked odd, mixed together with that constant determination. The large gray tabby came to a halt in the undergrowth surrounding the attack, making sure he was well hidden. The darkened backdrop of the gray-green plants combined with his pelt markings made him nearly invisible. His amber eyes noted every action, inscribing them in his memory. His eyes quickly latched onto Honeypaw.

That attack was absolutely brilliant. He probably wouldnt've thought of that on suc short notice. He couldn't let her distract him, and so he looked away from her as she dissapeared from his line of sight. He watched for a few rushed seconds, then turned around and raced back, that odd mixture of joy and determination upon his face.

Heronpaw reached Specklestar and the rest of his patrol, eyes alight. "Really....the dog seems to be a bit unfazed, though it's starting to become confused. It's huge, too! Bluethorn's patrol was attacking it...well, they seemed to be working separately, but it appearead that they were starting to work as a group. They looked like they were doing a good job, but they might need out help." He reported calmly and slowly, careful not to rush his words. "It's your decision, of course."

[Yoko]

Specklestar listened to the bewildered she-cats story. At the least, she was sure she was getting every single detail. She made note to remember this the next time she needed a message sent. Specklestar was just about to give her orders to take back to camp when Heronpaw returned.

"Good, Heronpaw," she mewed. "Go back, and remain hidden. If it looks as if their collective attack fails, yowl for us. Don't move until we get there!"

The speckled leader then returned her focus on Dapplepaw. Kits were missing, there was blood, Twistedclaw had nearly attacked a senior warrior, and something about Eclipsepaw? Specklestar didn't have warriors to spare though. Not when the dog was huge and any patrol sent out was just as likely to get attacked...

"Tell them to stay in camp. ALL CATS. This dog will be finished in a moment. Go back, and tell them I said not to send any more messengers. Go now!"

She knew she would have to speak to Paleflower later. She looked up. It was approaching sunhigh and no patrols had been sent to hunt...Dawn and Border Patrols were unfiished. Great StarClan, huh? she hissed to herself. If you're so great then why must I do everything myself?

[hedgie]

Heronpaw nodded quickly, and without another word, turned around and ran back, taking the same swift path he'd gone down before. If there was one thing he treasured about himself, it was his speed. Reedpaw couldn't run half as fast as he could!

The undergrowth picked at his pelt, leaving strand of fur behind. He didn't care, didn't let it faze him. He soon reached his hiding spot and crouched down, impatient and alight with frantic energy.

He nestled down as best as he could, amber eyes darting across the battle scene and claws dug into the ground to keep him planted in that spot. He waited there, ready to send a signal if needed.

((I'll also keep an eye on the other patrol's thread so I know when he was to yowl. When and if he does, I'll add it onto this post.))

[Amber]

-insert Shrewfang making witty comments and thinking about how much she wants to tackle the dog and tear it to shreads-

[Yoko]

((OOC: XD. Will do, Amber!))

Specklestar actually began pacing. She stalked up and down in front of the bushes where Heronpaw had disappeared. Was she asking too much of him? Had something happened to him? Or was nothing happening at all. Afterall, she told his to return if Bluethorn's patrol attack failed. Did that mean it succeded? Why were there no victorious yowls then? Hissing, Specklestar swiped the ground with her claw. What was going on?

She forced her pacing to stop. She did not usually let her clanmates see her this way. But lately, the injuries and dangers to her Clan were getting to her. I shall see Feathercloud as soon as I return to camp.

[Kitty]

Dapplepaw dipped her head to her leader in respect and turned to head back to camp. "Will do, Specklestar." She padded away, then paused to ask over her shoulder, "How is the battle coming?" Although, considering they were still here and obvioiusly waiting for some kind of signal, and that no cat had fled towards them yet, it must be going pretty well. She shrugged, not needing an answer, and sprinted off towards camp.

[Yoko]

Specklestar stopped pacing and grimaced at the apprentice as she walked away. "The battle is going just great," she mewed dryly.

Then she turned to her patrol. The time for just sitting and waiting was over. "Let's close in. Stay spread out, in case the dog charges towards us."

She beckoned the patrol with her tail and began creeping through the sparse underbrush, her pelt, despite the brightness of its gold, seemed to belong in this forrest. Of course it did, it was her territory! And no dog was going to rule over!

[Kitty]

Stormclaw's eyes narrowed and he dropped into a crouch as he followed his leader. He was finally headed towards the fight! Maybe now he could attack that mutt that dared set his paws on ShadowClan territory! But he didn't run ahead of Specklestar. He kept himself in control and stalked through the undergrowth behind the golden spotted she-cat. Distantly he wondered what Dapplepaw had wanted, but he didn't take the time to pursue it.

[Yoko]

((Very good. Thread closed, look at the other patrol's thread please))