Sedges Creeping Around the Clan (Open)

(OOC: In case anyone has missed the other postings, basically, Ripped's away for two weeks and Harlem's away for one, which means Sedge gets to rule. He won't interfere with anything too major though, that will be left for Ripped or Harlem's return. He's really just doing ceremonies.)

The silver coloured warrior paced outside of the leader's den. The spots in his coat played in the sunlight as tension rolled in his body, as if ready to spring at something, anything. Only a few moons ago he had been trying to mend the rift between himself and his former mentor. Now he was leading the clan. It left a twist in his stomach he couldn't quite handle. An ache in his head that made him contemplate seeking Mintleaf, but no. He couldn't. He had to be strong, for Rippedstar. His lip lifted in distaste. For Poplartooth too he supposed. No matter how the other tom opposed his training methods. The memory of the announcement left a foul taste in his mouth.

'Going to the twolegplace. Hunting down the killer rogues.' He snarled at the audacity of leaving him behind. He glowered at the tree branch where Rippedstar had made that announcement. His tail flicked angrily as his green eyes narrowed, then looked back towards the clan.

Well, he supposed someone did have to stay behind. His pelt smoothed as thoughts came into place. Rippedstar would never have asked him for this much if he was unreliable or unworthy. Perhaps now was his time to demonstrate his stuff and show the older tom what a mistake he had made. Yes. That was it. Suddenly, inspired by his confidence, this didn't seem so bad. He could easily lead the clan.

What could possibly go wrong?

Honeypaw padded out of her den, shaking her pelt free of dust. Her amber eyes blinked, still crusted with sleep -- something she immediately raised her paw to bad touch free, of course! Even if she felt aching and like sleeping a moon inside -- what would her clanmates think, seeing her like that?

What would Sedgestrike think? "Probably that I need a nice, painful session of dodge training..."

To wake her up, of course. And teach her to be alert, and constantly vigilant, and not to look half-dead, because that would look bad on his mentoring abilities.

Sighing, Honeypaw tried to make herself more lively, to prepare for the day's hunting and training. She must have still been a bit drowsy, though -- as she jolted with a start as she stumbled past the fresh-kill pile, startled by the sight of her mentor's rippling form pacing back and forth. In front of Rippedstar's den?

"Oh, that's right." Rippedstar and Poplartooth are hunting rogues. Her claws flexed into the dirt, still feeling a bit of lingering frustration at not getting to accompany them. Those rogues had been terrorizing them -- she would have loved to sink her fangs into one! But no -- not even Sedgestrike got to go along... But, she remembered -- "Wait... Sedgestrike's in charge."

Wait a minute... Sedgestrike's in charge now. She blinked, her mind shooting awake. Rippedstar chose Sedgestrike to take care of camp...

The apprentice had always stood firmly behind her mentor, believing that he would have been a significantly better deputy -- than Poplartooth and the other warriors combined! And it was the perfect opportunity!

Maybe if Sedgestrike shows he can run the camp better than Poplartooth, Rippedstar will make him deputy!

The idea was exciting. Her mentor would never let apprentices like her denmates be lazy and ill-trained -- and the borders would never be ill-marked, like Honeypaw thought so often! It was perfect!

"Sedgestrike!" she called, leaping forward boldly towards her mentor -- determined to help him as much as possible!

OOC: Honey as back-up. Yup, can't see how anything can go wrong. >u<

Acornpaw woke up before her clanmates, and she saw Sedgestrike walking around the leader's den.  Her denmate Honeypaw was bounding towards the silver tom, excited about something.  So, Sedgestrike would be temporary leader of SkyClan, she remembered.  Rippedstar left Sedgestrike in charge of SkyClan while Rippedstar and Poplartooth went hunting for rogues.  Acornpaw couldn't help but worry about them.

OOC: Honeypaw used her paw to bad touch free XD

Mintwhisker flicked her tail, murky green eyes narrowed slightly as she watched Sedgestrike prowl through camp. "Come h-home soon, Rippedstar." She muttered. Sedgestrike was, she hoped, her friend... but she felt a strange, hollow feeling in the pit of her stomach when Honeypaw trotted towards him. The world had truly turned upside down.
Sedgestrike would never, never lead Skyclan. Rippedstar had made the correct choice. She was sure of that now. No, that wasn't what kept her awake at night. She had watched as ruined pride festered in the silver tom, driving him.
How would he react? The she-cat shuddered from the mouth of her den. She supposed she should step out of the shadows and keep things under control, but Sedgestrike had grown from a grumpy apprentice into a frighteningly ferocious warrior. She'd watch from safety for now.

While Rippedstar and her mentor, Poplartooth where gone, young Fawnpaw all but disappeared. Hiding away from her clan-mates and waking only when they were asleep, sleeping when they were awake. Fear drove the she-cat as her sources of protection and comfort left, who would keep her safe from Pantherblaze? Fawnpaw took to hovering around Mintwhisker as well whenever she was woken or if there was no other cat to keep her safe. So here she was, close to Mintwhisker, her bright white fur brushing against the medicine cats her eyes wide with worry and fear.

Blossomheart was pacing. Back and forth. Back and forth. Her pads were soon to grow sore, but she couldn't stop. Sitting down was not an option. That was her brother out there! Her own brother... Rippedstar and Poplartooth were cats she cared very much about and she couldn't afford to lose them. She didn't trust Sedgestrike very much. The rogues were dangerous cats. What if he died? What if she lost her brother forever? She hadn't even said goodbye! And Rippedstar... Say he lost a life. And what if the rogues captured them? Starclan help them... She prayed. Poplartooth and Rippedstar had to stay safe. Safety. Save the clan. Keep her kits safe. But what if? What if they never came home? How would Dandeliondapple feel? When- no, if- her son died? And Dandeliondapple saw Rippedstar as a father. It was enough that they'd lost Sageclaw and Crowstar. They couldn't lose Rippedstar and Poplartooth too.