Urgent request

[nightstorm]

Shadowstorm led the cats to the camp entrance, pausing briefly to consider the wisdom of his decision, and whether or not Ashstar would understand. Squaring his shoulders, he took a deep breath, and entered the camp.

As he led the two enemy warriors into the clearing, he noticed a few other clanmates were lounging about, doing StarClan knows what. They looked up as the patrol appeared, and Shadowstorm led them towards where Ashstar had said she would be mending the nursery wall.

"Ashstar?" Shadowstorm called out. "There are two ShadowClan cats that need to speak with you. They have an important request."

[☆ Y e l l o w ☆]

Swallowfang padded into camp, having stayed at the rear of the patrol the whole way back. Her bad mood had lightened slightly, but she was still irritable. In the best situation, they could leave as soon as they came and the two ShadowClan warriors wouldn't have enough time to get a good look at the territory. Even bringing them to camp wasn't a very bright idea, but she could see how it was possible. She came to the clearing of camp and sat down, looking around for Ashstar. She looked sideways at the medicine cat den, guessing Earthfoot was still inside.

Earthfoot glanced toward the exit of his den, hearing some commotion outside. He stole a look at the clearing and blinked in confusion. Why in StarClan's name would there be ShadowClan cats at their camp? He glanced back at Sagepaw with his confused look still on his face. "Be careful and follow me. I see ShadowClan cats in our camp." He signaled with his tail for Sagepaw to follow him and padded out of his den, sitting down just outside it. His amber eyes trailed over the two cats- Oakstorm and Shrewfang- with quiet intensity. He assumed they would realize that since he came out of his den to observe them coming in that he knew something serious was going on.

[:c a i:]

Oakstorm did his very best to keep his neck fur flat, for it was prickling instinctively as the overpowering scent of ThunderClan flooded his senses. Trying not to wrinkle his nose in displeasure, he glanced about the camp with rather interested eyes. Even if it was uncomfortable and strange to be here, it was certainly quite intriguing to be able to have a good look at ThunderClan's territory... Not that he would ever say this, for he knew the warriors who were eyeing him and Shrewfang with plain hostility would leap on him and rip his fur off.

The tip of Oakstorm's tail twitched; the only exterior sign of his impatience. Where was Ashstar? They simply needed to bring Earthfoot, and Brindlepelt's life could be in danger. And speaking of Earthfoot, as Oakstorm's pale grey gaze swept the camp, they fell upon the figures of two cats sitting outside a den. Earthfoot. As he registered who it was, Oakstorm nodded his head slightly in a brief sign of respect. He itched to bound over and explain right away to the very cat they needed, but he wouldn't be forgiven if he did not wait for Ashstar.

"Wish she'd hurry up and get over here..." He muttered right in Shrewfang's ear so that no other cat could possibly hear. "Earthfoot's over there, look. It's him we need... I just hope Brindlepelt isn't badly hurt while we sit here waiting."

[Amber]

Shrewfang followed reluctantly. She had hoped she wouldn't have to actually make the journey into camp. Great, this was turning out to be the best day ever. First she had to travel into ThunderClan territory, now she had to go into the camp where her father would most likely be. Could this day get any better? Her golden eyes shifted back and forth as she saw the surroundings, everything looked so familiar to her. It took her back to the memories of being a kit and being taken back and forth between clans, and then as an apprentice. Once she had made her choice she had vowed not to come back here. But then again Specklestar had probably only done what she had thought was best. With a sigh the she-cat nodded at Oakstorm's comment. Her fur showed no sign of bristling up, she felt at ease here for some odd reason. She put her tail on Oakstorm's back as if trying to comfort him. "Ashstar never was on time or in a hurry when we were younger. She always took her dear sweet time and drove the rest of us insane." she whispered back, reminiscing her past.

The moment the scent of ShadowClan warriors entered her nose, the leader poked at Ravenkit with her paw. "Go in the nursery and stay there, don't leave the nursery no matter what." she murmured to the black kit and recognizing one of the ShadowClan scents instantly. The gray she-cat turned around and inspected both warriors, and soon her gaze turned to Shadowstorm. Why had he brought the two cats here, and not just discussed this on the border? If they had been brought to camp, there had better be a good reason.

"Oakstorm, Shrewfang." she mewed, acknowledging the two cats, her green eyes focused on Shrewfang. "I do hope this is not just a social visit." she added.

Hearing Shrewfang's whisper to Oakstorm she smiled a bit. "Yes, but my lack of hurrying was part of my plan. It always worked in our playfights." There was a bit of humor in her voice at this moment.

"Well I don't have all day, are you two going to let me know what is going on or am I suppose to read your minds?" she queried.

Shrewfang was glad to see Ashstar, even if it was under these circumstances. She couldn't help but smile as she thought of her playfights with Ashstar. That was before she knew any better about the predicament of the clans, or before knowing she would have to make a decision on where to live.

She looked toward the ground and then her eyes started glancing around camp, looking for her father. She hadn't seen him in moons, and seeing him now would surely brighten her mood. But one look in Ashstar's eyes quickly changed everything. "No, please don't tell me..." her voice began to quiver. "When?" she choked out.

Ashstar couldn't believe that she had forgotten to tell Shrewfang about Sedgeclaw. How could she have been so scatterbrained? "Both Sedgeclaw and my father died to a sickness about a half moon ago. My father died, and a few days later Sedgeclaw shared the same fate." she said, her voice in barely a whisper. "We can talk about this more later, right now I would like to know why you are here now."

Shrewfang couldn't speak, her whole body was frozen solid. Her father was gone? She hadn't even had the courage to come to the border in a while, and this was her punishment? She turned her somber eyes to Oakstorm, there was no way she could say any more, not now.

ooc// Ever feel like you are talking to yourself? XD

[:c a i:]

Oakstorm cleared his throat awkwardly, not quite knowing how to lighten the mood. He racked his brains for something to say that would lift everyone's spirits, but he came up with nothing and gave up. Shifting his weight from paw to paw uncomfortably, he decided the best thing to do would be to simply get on with what they were supposed to do. There was nothing he could do about Shrewfang's personal matters with ThunderClan.

He cleared his throat again and glanced left and right briefly. "We require Earthfoot's assistance." He meowed bluntly, deciding he might as well just get on with it. "Brindlepelt was injured by a fox, and though the fox is dead, our medicine cat is out of camp and we need to have Brindlepelt treated." He concluded, swishing his tail in anticipation. They just needed Ashstar to give the go-ahead and they could race back onto ShadowClan territory. Specklestar would not be pleased if they didn't hurry.

[nightstorm]

Shadowstorm dipped his head to his leader. "Ashstar," he murmured. "I figured it was an urgent mission, one that needed your immediate attention. Otherwise, I would've have sent them back at the border, or sent a messenger. I wasn't sure what your decision would be though." His pelt prickled uncomfortably as he watched Shrewfang take in the news of her father. Sedgeclaw had been a good warrior, but even he could not fight the sickness forever.

"I am sorry for your loss," he meowed to Shrewfang. "But I believe time is of the essence here." Turning his gaze back to Ashstar, he told her, "I scented no other ShadowClan warriors on our way back. I do not feel it is a trap. I believe they are telling the truth." They had better be telling the truth, he thought. Otherwise, I will tear them apart before any other cat.

//Nothing wrong with talking to yourself...Stop that...stop what?...That!...Oh sorry.... xD//

[☆ Y e l l o w ☆]

Earthfoot listened somewhat inattentively as Ashstar and Shrewfang spoke. He understood what they were talking about, but it seemed like idle gossip to him, and they hadn't yet gotten to explaining why they were here. He perked up when he heard Oakstorm speak his name. "So this is true?" He meowed, a mask of seriousness covering his face. If there was another cat hurt, even if she was ShadowClan, he decided he had to help. Medicine cats were supposed to help anyone that needed it, not just cats from their Clan. "Ashstar, I have to go. Perhaps you could send some warriors with me, if you think it's dangerous. But I have to help Brindlepelt." He stood up and stepped toward his leader, wishing she would say it was alright to go.

[. s p o r e l e t t ♪]

Sagepaw was waiting eagerly behind his mentor, wondering what part of the territory they would explore first, when the scent of ShadowClan permeated the camp. With a start, the young apprentice followed his mentor obediently out of the den and into the clearing, where the patrol was returning with two ShadowClan cats. Sagepaw stared at the two warriors in awe, memorizing everything about them from their smell to their fur.

He had never seen warriors from another Clan before, since he was newly apprenticed and had never attended a gathering. Both cats looked, for the most part, similar to the warriors of ThunderClan, but the stench they gave off marked them as definitely belonging to another Clan. There was also something else about them, a stealthy grace that caused them to seem like they were sneaking, even though they stalked into camp with their tails held high.

Perking his ears at the sound of the ShadowClan cats' voices, and listened intently to what was being said. ShadowClan needed help! Sagepaw flexed his claws anxiously at the thought of any cat being seriously hurt, even one from another Clan, and wondered if his mentor would be allowed to go and heal ShadowClan's warrior. And if his mentor went with the ShadowClan warriors, would he be allowed to accompany them?

Sagepaw realized that he probably wouldn't. Being literally just out of kithood, he wouldn't be able to keep up with full-grown cats if they had to hurry, and he wouldn't be any help with a sick cat because he hadn't learned anything about medicine yet. Sagepaw watched the continued conversation with undiminished interest, but a limp tail that meant he knew he would be only an observer.

[Amber]

Ashstar looked at Shrewfang for a while, maybe she shouldn't have said anything to her just yet. 'Way to be insensitive' she thought. The moment Oakstorm began to speak her attention turned to the tom. "I see. Well at least there is a valid reason for coming onto the territory, unless you two are lying through your teeth and are planning an attack." she murmered.

She turned to her deputy and nodded. Hearing those words made her feel more at ease. "If that is the case, then I have no problem with Earthfoot going to help your clanmate."

The leader nodded to Earthfoot. "Yes, I agree that you need to go. This seems like a dire situation. But I would like for a couple of warriors to go with you." she meowed.

"Shrewfang, I'll have Frostwind and another warrior or two meet you at the border in a few days, if you would like to visit where your father is buried. The decision will be up to you." she added to the brown tabby.

"Sagepaw, it is up to Earthfoot whether you go with him or not. You have my permission either way." she said, noticing the apprentice.


Shrewfang was thankful Oakstorm was able to speak. If she had come alone, she wouldn't know what she would have done.
"Thank you, Ashstar." she managed to choke out, doing her best to keep her voice steady.

"Oakstorm we better hurry back." she murmered to her clanmate, quickly coming back into reality.

[☆ Y e l l o w ☆]

Earthfoot dipped his head at Ashstar. "Thank you. I'll have to fetch some herbs to bring with." He was glad that she had allowed him to go. He might have had to go anyway, even if she didn't give permission. But since she had, of course there was no need.

He quietly slipped away when a few of the cats were still talking about other things. He padded into his den, making his way to the back where he stored his herbs in the small cave. Quickly reaching in a dark paw, he pulled out a few herbs and sorted them out in the better light. He ran through his mind all the possible medicines he might need, but he wouldn't know for sure until he saw what condition Brindlepelt was in. It would be better to take as many herbs as possible, but he had to carry them over a large distance to get to ShadowClan, and that could be inconvenient.

Earthfoot finally made up his mind and picked up a mouthful of herbs. They were simple ones that were often used, so hopefully they would be the right ones. He padded back into the clearing of camp and set them down in a semi-neat pile. "I'm ready. We should get going." He glanced sideways at Sagepaw, who seemed to be looking down. "Sagepaw will come with. It would be good for him to observe before his training starts."

He put a small emphasis on observe. Sagepaw hadn't even begun his training yet and didn't have any experience. Earthfoot had just planned on letting Sagepaw observe him working until he could try some things on his own, and not was a good a time as any to start. This would also be the perfect first experience for him. It would be good for him to see that being a medicine cat was sometimes grim and not always pleasant.

[:c a i:]

Nodding at Shrewfang, Oakstorm kept his eyes on Earthfoot's disappearing figure. He watched him enter his den to find herbs and Oakstorm felt extremely glad that Ashtstar had given her permission, if a little resentful about the lying comment. ThunderClan cats sure were suspicious. Although, he supposed, they would probably be the same if they were confronted with another Clan making requests of their medicine cat. He could only be grateful that Earthfoot was coming at all.

"I'm sure you could use the herbs from our medicine cat den as well." He said helpfully, nodding at the herbs clutched in Earthfoot's mouth. "You have our utmost gratitude for doing this, Earthfoot. And thank you, Ashstar, for allowing him to come." And with that, he bowed his head in thanks and farewell, before he looked to Earthfoot to lead. It was not his territory, so it would be his place to lead them out.

"We must hurry. We don't know how badly hurt Brindlepelt is." Oakstorm remarked worriedly, looking to Shrewfang. They had taken rather longer than he had hoped they would. Hopefully they were not too late. He then finally noticed Sagepaw the apprentice and twitched his ears. He looked very young... Barely out of kithood. He couldn't be a very experienced apprentice, and they were in a great hurry. "Will he be able to keep up?" He asked, taking in Sagepaw's short legs anxiously.

[. s p o r e l e t t ♪]

Staring in awe at the discussion going on between his Clan and the two ShadowClan cats, Sagepaw started a little when he heard Ashstar say that he might be allowed to come. But why would she even mention that? I'm of no use to anyone, I'd just be a burden. Surely Earthfoot won't really decide to take me. He gazed after his mentor with a tiny seed of hope in his chest, one that wouldn't be squashed by reason. Still, he was surprised and elated when he heard his mentor's next words after he emerged from the den with several herbs.

"Really Earthfoot, I can go?" he blurted, too pleased and surprised to think. "Thank you... I promise I won't get in the way." He scurried over to his mentor's side and did his best to remain there while not saying anything or doing anything that would obstruct or distract the other cats. Only when he heard Oakstorm's comment did his mouth get away from him again. "Don't worry about me!" he squeaked, sounding a little more kit-like than he would have liked. "I'll keep up no-matter what." Though his sturdy little frame wasn't impressing anybody, the grey apprentice stared defiantly as if daring anyone to doubt his ability to keep up with the older cats.

[☆ Y e l l o w ☆]

Earthfoot nodded, taking in Oakstorm's gratitude as a good thing. He seemed obviously concerned for his Clan mate, as would be expected. He could so as much as he could, but there was no telling how bad Brindlepelt's condition was until he could see her.

Uneasiness about Sagepaw crept into his mind when the subject of him being able to keep up was brought to the surface. He hadn't thought of that before, having been occupied by other thoughts. "I believe he'll be able to keep up." He meowed, and began shifting through the pile of herbs with one paw. He separated a few strange looking leaves from the rest, and motioned Sagepaw toward them. "These are ingredients we use in traveling herbs. They won't taste good," He warned, "But they'll give you the strength you need to keep pace with us."

Earthfoot looked around at the other cats, ready to leave. It occurred to him that they were waiting for him to take the lead. He picked up the rest of the herbs in his mouth and started walking toward the camp's entrance. He wouldn't be able to speak while carrying his burden so he expected the others to just follow him.

Swallowfang watched in near silence as the ShadowClan cats had discussed that they needed Earthfoot to come and heal her Clan mate. Maybe she was wrong to have been so suspicious of them. It was understandable behavior, she told herself, so she was convinced she was at no fault. When it looked like they were ready to leave, she sat up straighter, paying even closer attention. As the medicine cat started padding out of camp, she stood up. "I'm going with." Ashstar had said some other warriors should go, and Swallowfang was more than willing to. There was doubt in the back of her mind, as if she still didn't trust them. And that mistrust gave her reason enough to want to go and make sure her Clan mate would be alright when he went.

[nightstorm]

Shadowstorm shifted, waiting for Earthfoot to appear. When the medicine cat reappeared, he stood. Glancing briefly at Sagepaw, he commented, "I'm sure he can keep up. He's a strong cat." Hearing Swallowfang's remark about going along, Shadowstorm looked to Ashstar. "I'll go along too, if that's alright?" he asked. "Two warriors and a medicine cat and his apprentice..."

He licked his chest fur quickly, suddenly impatient to hurry up and get this over with. He wanted to be back soon, and go out hunting. Plus, he didn't want to leave the camp behind for long. His amber gaze fell on the herbs at Earthfoot's paws, and he listened as the medicine cat advised Sagepaw to eat them for strength. Giving Oakstorm a sympathetic look, he said gently, "I'm sure Brindlepelt will be fine, after she gets taken care of."

[:c a i:]

Oakstorm eyed the new additions to their party suspiciously. He did not want ThunderClan bringing an entire army to their territory. He narrowed his eyes in dislike as Swallowfang came to join them, and tried hard to quell his irritation as Shadowstorm too joined them. Was it really necessary that their deputy came with them? Since when had ThunderClan been so suspicious about everything that they needed to send bodyguards with their medicine cat, as well as a tiny little apprentice who would most likely slow them down? Oakstorm was losing his patience rather quickly and he, who was usually so good-tempered and cheerful, was beginning to feel disgruntled and annoyed.

"That is if she gets taken care of. Specklestar will have been expecting us back long before now. So, unless you wish to call the entire contents of your Warriors' den with you, I suggest we leave now." He meowed. It took a real effort to keep his voice pleasant and unthreatening. "I can assure you that we will not assault the cat who will treat our clanmate and in any case we have enough honour not lay a claw upon a medicine cat." He was frustrated by how long the whole trip was taking. Why couldn't they just leave? Did ThunderClan have to faff around over everything?

"After you, Earthfoot." He muttered, realising he probably shouldn't have spoken out when they were on enemy territory. But really, there was no need to bring a full patrol with them when they were just crossing the border to bring Brindlepelt treatment, and then Earthfoot could return to his own den after no time at all. Lashing his tail impatiently, he gestured towards the camp exit.