When you need that last patrol [OPEN]

For all his life, Finchpaw had felt uncomfortable in his own territory. He wondered why he felt a nervousness when creeping around camp, or wading into the thick mud that coated their hunting grounds. Magpiewing had suggested one evening, albeit very quietly, that perhaps his soul knew that there were evils lurking about.

Even though Finchpaw had not fully known a world without the Dark Forest ruling, his grandfather's suggestion clicked. How could the apprentice know that his world wasn't right? It was all too confusing.

But finally, after his the events of the last Gathering, and the clan's 'revival' of sorts, his worry left. He could finally smile, and finally patrol and help his clan without a chill down his spine. And the first thing to be done? Reverse the roles and ask for cats to join his patrol. Magpiewing was the first to join. And he did so with a rather chipper expression. As for the rest, the black and white apprentice stood patiently by the entrance, glancing around for anyone wanting to join him.

Tigerstorm quietly tip-toed out of the nursery, leaving her much too large kits to sleep by themselves for a short time. She needed to stretch her legs. She also wanted to take her mind off of her recent loss. It wasn't Hawkkit and Mousekit's fault, but she couldn't help but think of Kestrelstorm when she saw them. And she hated that tomcat. The young queen glanced around camp and saw Finchpaw and Magpiewing looking ready to leave. Tigerstorm hustled over to the pair, eager to get out and do something other than wallow in self-pity.

"Hello, you two. Mind if I join? I really need the exercise."

Finchpaw froze as soon as Tigerstorm came into sight. His breath stopped and his heart raced as he looked at the pretty, brown-pelted she-cat. He had always admired her kindness and motherly spirit, but ever since Kestrelstorm had left her and her kits, another feeling drifted into his heart whenever he saw her. There was something about the way she looked at her kits with a mixture of melancholy and anger when they weren't looking her way. It always made his heart go out to her. She deserved better than that dirty WindClan tom.

"Y-Y-Yes! O-Of c-course!" the apprentice stuttered and looked away. Why was he so embarrassed all of a sudden? Hadn't he just decided to be brave and put himself out there?


Magpiewing, in the meantime, nodded to Tigerstorm and smiled brightly. She had gone through enough in the past few moons. He wanted to share his condolences, but he knew right now all she needed was to forget. He cared for her like he would his own kit. She was his best friend's daughter after all.

As he looked down at his grandson, he saw an expression he hadn't seen in some time. Cocking his head and narrowing his eyes, he glanced at Finchpaw and then the queen in front of him. It had been more moons than he could count, but the black warrior knew that look from his own youth. He often caught himself with that same look when thinking or talking to Cindershade.

Smiling to himself, he nudged Finchpaw up and forward. "Watch over her closely, will you? Queens can be quite fragile, and we don't want to know how Leopardfang would react if she got hurt," he whispered into the apprentice's ear.

Frostedgaze slowly approached the group of three cats, noticing that they were lingering near the camp exit. That probably meant that they were going to be heading out on a patrol. She forced a small smile, but it looked obviously fake. She was glad to be back in the ShadowClan camp, seeing all of her Clanmates again like before the Dark Forest took over the Clans, but to be honest, she missed the exiles. She missed Wrenpaw, and whenever the black and white she-cat fell asleep she would dream of her WindClan friend who was killed by Owlpaw...who was in her Clan.

No, she wasn't planning to do anything bad to her own Clanmate, probably just give him a death glare whenever she saw him...

When she finally got close enough to the small group, she opened her jaws to speak.
"I could come...if you three are okay with it." She said, the fake smile still plastered on her muzzle.

Redpaw walked up to the group that was forming, looking as confident as he ever did. Nobody you have guessed he was still thinking of Birchpaw's death. While it had helped StarClan win, and made sure that the Dark Forest loyal apprentice couldn't hurt others, Redpaw had killed someone. But it was for the greater good, he reasoned, and brushed the thought from his mind.

"Mind of I join in on this little patrol, fellow apprentices, warriors?" He spoke with a slightly unnecessary grandeur, as he always did.

(OOC: Mobile)

Speckledberry saw the congregation of cats near the entrance, waiting to go on patrol. It already seemed like there was enough cats, but she hadnt been on a patrol in ages and there's no problem in having more cats. So, Speckledberry trotted over and very quietly mewed, "May I?".