Everything You Hold Dear [CLAN MEETING]

Smallstar's chest heaved. Within the confines of his den, he momentarily leaned against its walls to catch his breath. On his way into camp, he'd beckoned Tigerdance to meet him there. He had been out hunting alone when, again, he had encountered Twolegs on Windclans territory. They didn't seem to be going anywhere.

The den was silent, aside from his gasps for air, until the began to subside. He finally spoke. "Twolegs are back on the territory. Again. I uh, saw them just now, again."  He huffed, looking up to meet his deputy before looking downwards again. His brows furrowed. "They've been here for days now. I don't know what we are going to do if it's like last Leaf-bare again. We can't lose any more warriors."

"I, uh. M' gonna let everyone know what's going on... If they didn't know already. Gonna uhm- let em' know that there's new rules about leaving camp. . And uh, I think we'll increase guards." Smallstar's gaze glanced upwards to meet Tigerdance's, as if to seek validation. He lingered for a moment before awkwardly dipping his head to the deputy. "Uh- Excuse me."

Stepping from his den, he looked to the Tallrock, worry clouding his gaze. He supposed that he wasn't supposed to worry much right now- there was no proof that the twolegs would stay like they did last Leaf-bare. But he couldn't help but feel dread.

In a few bounds he scaled the Tallrock, looking over all who were in camp. He wondered if they could read his eyes, if they could sense his worry.

"Let all cats old enough to run the moors gather beneath the Tallrock for a clan meeting!"

Eaglefly had no luck hunting recently. The prey seemed all to have gone. With the colder weather coming it didn’t seem like there was much hope. For once he was silently glad he had no kits. He couldn’t imagine the fear that would add on top of what he already had. He could barely keep his clan fed now yet alone any one else. What a depressing time to think that the silver lining to the situation was that you didn’t have offspring that would have to grow up in the miserable world you called home.

He looked up at his leader who looked as defeated as he himself felt.

Tigderdance listened intently to Smallstar when he had first gotten back to camp. The sightings of twolegs wasn't a welcome sign. Especially after last leaf-bare. He had seen the struggle, grown up with it, but he didn't think he would see it again. Once the two had determined what to do, the deputy followed the leader out to address the crowd.

Minkkit was not quite an apprentice yet, but at Smallstar's summons, the red tabby's ears perked up, slate gray eyes widening in curiosity. Technically speaking, she wasn't necessarily "old enough" to run the moors, but she could run, and she'd be an apprentice any day now, so surely she should be allowed to attend, right?

Unfurling her leggy form from where she'd been napping in the nursery, Minkkit slunk over to the mouth of the den and peered outside, watching the cats begin to gather. She eyed her father for a moment, trying to read his facial expression, with no luck. Her nose wrinkled slightly, and Minkkit made her way casually from the entrance of the nursery to somewhere near the back of the crowd, where she wouldn't be too obvious.

The air of unease from his clanmates was so thick that he could slice it with his own claws. He was certain that they knew what he'd be saying, but maybe not the specifics. A heavy sigh left the leader. Not of frustration, but of exhaustion.

As the crowd grew, he figured it would be alright to continue. "Because of uh. The twolegs returning to the territory, there will be more rules put in place. For the sake of everyone's safety." Smallstar repeated what he'd discussed with Tigerdance in his head before he let it leave his mouth. "From here on, anyone who is leaving camp must make sure that either Tigerdance or I know before you leave, even if you have another cat with you. Also, camp guards will be increased, so we aren't taken by surprise if any Twolegs stray too close."

"You still cannot leave camp alone. If any of you have any questions, do let one of us know." The leader gestured to Tigerdance with his tail. "If uh, any of you have questions, let me know."