A Pile Of Ashes.

Ooc: Since the cats that signed up are TC I suppose they could find her on a border patrol.

Pepper had lots to do in very litte time, she had to carry the workload she used to share with her sister, now feared dead. Soot covered her in large patches but, she never bothered to clean it off. With Arcane falling to bits and her herbs burned past use, she had to work hard to find enough for Leafbare's sicknesses and enough to grow in the meantime. Horsetail was a plant she had very little of and knew she would need it for many different things. She went to where she knew lots of it grew and found a large patch of it near the dip of grass that lay by the Thunderpath. She began to gather it, making sure to put it out of the still rooted plants where they would definitely be lost. A good majority of the horsetail was picked when a strong gust of wind hit and sent the pile scattered across the Thunderpath. Without a second thought Pepper bolted after it, not even noticing the loud monster that had been speeding towards her.

The she-cat felt intense pain as she hit the road on her side, back legs seemingly on fire with the amount of pain that she felt there. She only saw the blur of the monster as it diminished in the distance, leaving her on the seemingly endless black stone. Her head felt fuzzy and she couldn't get to her feet for some reason, she guessed it was due to her hitting her head so harshly but, she would have been horribly wrong.

Her hind legs were broken past any amount of repair shattered bone hidden beneath once white fur rendered crimson from her injuries. She could see patches of her fur strewn about in the roaring being's path. Pepper heard the distant voices of cats and knew she was in trouble, she was trespassing after all despite her cause. With what little strength she had, she dragged herself a little further using her front legs and into tall grass at the edge of the Thunderpath and resting there.

Mistywater was roaming through the forest, still trying to keep in touch with everything she knew. She grew aware of a rogue scent nearby and unsheathed her claws in case. It was terrible how much she had thought about her mother still, she hoped she would find her mother someday and find her.

Mistywater looked across the Thunderpath to see a rouge. She was black-and-white and had green eyes, she rushed over to help her up "Are you ok?" she asked as she looked at the rouge, she seemed badly hurt and she really didn't know if she would have a crippled leg or even survive her life right now, all she needed was help.

Blacktwig had padded out to do a solo patrol, the stench of the Thunderpath stinging his nose. It made his nostrils feel uncomfortably raw, and his scent glands overwhelmed. The black tom raised his head at the familiar sound of his mother's soft voice. His gaze flickered around frantically, before catching sight of a clearly injured, black-and-white she-cat, collapsed on the Thunderpath. At the realization she smelled faintly of ThunderClan horrified him. And the fact that his mother sat there beside her, horrified him even more. They could get hurt even more, by passing cars!

Blacktwig rushed over, taking a seat by the side but reaching out a hesitant paw. "Mistywater?" He questioned worriedly, not recognizing the rogue that lay beside her, half-limply.

Pepper stirred and looked up at the duo with half-lidded eyes, she seemed smaller than before, skinner now more than ever. She closed her eyes, dropping her head back in the grass, too dazed to respond to Mistywater. The older coughed weakly and groaned quietly at the pain it caused in her chest. Her legs sat limply behind her and her ruined tail lay at strange angles.

Ooc: Just a bump for the others.

Blacktwig's paws lay on the uncomfortably hard, and cold stone road. His eyes pleaded for Mistywater to return to the side. "Mistywater, take her back," the tom breathed, just loudly enough for his mother to hear. His paws bordered on grass and asphalt, blinking a cold, yet desperate blue gaze. He saw Pepper's eyes flutter wearily, lids revealing holly green orbs. Her name was on the tip of his tongue, yet he simply couldn't remember.

"Please," he repeated, not having much time to pause. Patches of white on the she-cat's pelt like the early snow of Leaf-bare, eyes deep green pools, and black stretching across her fur like the night. Blacktwig struggled still. He could nearly recognize her, yet her gnarled form was confusing.

Mistywater looked at her son, she knew who this rogue was and she was Mistywater's mother. She had heard Blacktwig's response and looked at him as she carried Pepper up with all her might and began to head back, hoping for some help that she did not only have Blacktwig with her.

Blacktwig glanced down at the rogue when she was brought over. He had a clearer view of the she-cat, and now it wasn't hard to tell. In fact, it slipped off of his tongue as if it were second nature. "Pepper," he whispered dreamily, remembering him and Pepper's first meeting, when he was still known as Blackpaw. He looked up sharply, gazing into Mistywater's eyes. "Is she okay?" He demanded instantly.

OOC: After my post I'm going to wait for the others, if they don't post we can move along. If its ok with Leafy of course.

Oh yeah, I'm a little confused. Blacktwig shouldn't know Pepper, he could of heard stories but not of recognized her. He was born by Mistywater, I know he had meant her but that was before he was born I'm pretty sure. So we don't post another OOC just PM me.

Mistywater looked at her mother, her face was blank and shook her head "I don't know" she mewed "She will survive - I hope" she murmured the last part, she knew a small bit of survival but that wasn't always known in her family. She looked at her mother "She's your grandmother Blacktwig, you know this right?" she mewed "I haven't been able to meet her" she murmured.

Blacktwig nodded solemnly. The tom sat back on his haunches, sadness clouding his eyes and a sorrowful look on his face. "Yes," he replied, somewhat quietly. "I have met her before..." His voice was visibly shaken; he hoped that Mistywater wouldn't be mad he had left the camp as an apprentice.

Morningshine had been taking a walk through the forest, marking some scents where there needed to be some, until she neared closer to Blacktwig, Mistywater, and Pepper. She could also smell...blood? She stepped through a bush, wincing as some of the sharper leaves pierced the skin beneath her fur, before speaking, "Mistywater, Blacktwig, I-"
She paused, seeing the limp body of Pepper, "Who's that? Is she okay?" She asker, worry evident in her voice. She had no clue that this black and white cat was her mother.

Blacktwig glanced back at her, knowing that she was his aunt. "She's my grandmother," Blacktwig explained briefly, encouraging himself that Morningshine wouldn't be taken aback by the realization. His observation was extremely subdued, however, and that would dull the effect.

Pepper let out a pained sound as her limbs protested against movement. She gathered her thoughts to the best of her ability and managed to speak. "WindClan," she started. "I need to get to the barn." She managed though it sounded more like a careless mumble, in her condition she had accomplished a mighty feat.

Mobile bleh. ]

Blacktwig glanced around at the Gathering of cats. He brought up one of Pepper's sides with his shoulder edged beneath her, heaving her upwards with all of his might. He had to let out a strained gasp, but soon he would gain assistance. He looked at Morningshine and Mistywater to help him with the task. His mind raced with thoughts of what WindClan did. He was utterly confused, but he would not force his grandmother to speak.

"Just get her to the barn" Mistywater mewed going at her sons side to help "Since I am a bit more experienced in territory paths then I will help lead" she mewed beginning to walk.

Blacktwig nodded, gaze softening. The tom was grateful for his mother's help as he lifted the black-and-white she-cat to the other side, gradually. He pushed onwards, the weight on his shoulder achingly heavy, yet he was finally in the comfort of the trees. He tilted his head towards his mother. "Where now?" He asked.