What`s that coming over the hill?

Mottleheart felt his ears fall back on his head as Smokepelt hissed at him, before finally giving up to the anger of his Clanmates and strolled off to get his mother. He waited, still refusing to look at Rockpaw as Ashstar came from the den and as she spoke, he stepped with a deep breath. Rockpaw was refusing to explain himself, so Mottleheart would do it for him. "Ashstar, this is Rockpaw, apprentice of ThunderClan and of Darkstar herself. He is...Was my friend up to the gathering just a short while ago." His tail flickered, doing his best to keep his voice calm and collected. "We fought and we went our separate ways. The reason Rockpaw is here...It iss my fault, he came to apologize if I am to believe his word as he tried to leave the warrior den...And I do." He shook his head, finally glaring at Rockpaw with a hiss. "I find his actions and reasoning to come fool-hearted and idiotic but he is no spy. He is a fool to think this would go any other way. That being said..." He raised his gaze to look at Ashstar. "We should hold him for the night - explain to Darkstar what has happened here when she no doubt comes looking for him - have a patrol waiting to meet her at Fourtrees and bring her here. I am sure that Darkstar will be reasonable if we explain what happens but we cannot simply let Rockpaw leave as this not something we can let go lightly." As he finished, he felt his legs shaking a bit. Had he said the right things, admitting his old-friendship with Rockpaw? He saw no problem with it, the Warrior Code allowed friendship as long as your loyalty was to their leader and Clan first and for Mottleheart, loyal to Ashstar was everything. And so he stood there, meeting her gaze as he tried not to show how scared he truly was speaking up but he would not let a misunderstanding happen here. If there was, any hope of friendship with ThunderClan could be lost.

Rockpaw got his paws albeit a bit shakily as the Windclan leader Ashstar appeared from her den. Wheezing and wiping away some of the blood from his face with his paw in the effort to look at least a bit dignified in her presence. Pulling his dusty head back and straightening his spine and tail as he tried to look as if the little scuffle with the Windclan deputy hadn't affected the young tom.

Though Rockpaw allowed Mottleheart to speak for him Rockpaws heart plummeted and seemed to catch in his throat and is gut seemed to squeeze. Tightening his lips together to prevent himself from vomiting due to fear he also wisely held his tongue. He swore to himself that he would not provoke anything further as he now knew that death wasn't imminent now that Ashstar was before him, and pure Mottleheart was backing him up. Rockpaw did have the gull to look down to his paws briefly to show his regret.

Ashstar blinked thoughtfully as she listened to Mottleheart's explanation. She nodded at his suggestion. It was probably the right course of action- they definitely couldn't let the mouse-brained tom off too easily, bit they couldn't afford to be harsh. The leader didn't want to be harsh, especially to an apprentice. And, to be honest, the last thing WindClan needed was another enemy Clan. A fool, definitely. But what could you expect from an apprentice? ThunderClan might not be happy, but I hope Darkstar understands. She's always seemed to be a rational she-cat, even though ThunderClan isn't my... favorite Clan.

"Thank you, Mottleheart," she meowed, giving him a stately but grateful nod. She returned her gaze to the apprentice, who seemed at least a little ashamed of his foolishness, glancing hurriedly down at his paws as the leader made eye contact. Good for him. "Rockpaw- is that your name, apprentice? My warrior Mottleheart's suggestion is a good one. You will stay here for the night, guarded by a few warriors taking shifts, and in the morning I will lead a patrol to your leader and mentor in order to explain and return you to your rightful place. I hope you realize what you did was extremely foolish and against the warrior code, and for your own good, I hope you learn from this experience never to do it again. Now, you ought to get some rest before morning- do us all a favor and don't sneak off anywhere else."

The leader of WindClan turned around to look at her own cats. "This may have been a little jolting, but there is no need to worry. Smokepelt, I appreciate you taking charge of the situation, but please do come get me as soon as possible next time. Remember, not all force needs to be violent. Beetlepaw, you ought to get some cobwebs for Rockpaw, then get your rest. Brindlewhisker, you can take the first shift watching Rockpaw from now till moonhigh. Willowwhisker, you can take the second shift till the moon is just above the pine trees by ShadowClan. Mottleheart, if it's okay with you, you can watch him till dawn and when I lead the patrol. And, Mottleheart...." Her spring green eyes met his and a tiny, tired smile touched her mouth. "Thank you. I appreciate your help." Totally and utterly exhausted now that her work was done, Ashstar padded back into her den to sink into her regular restless sleep.

Brindlewhisker stepped forward at Ashstar's words, dipping her head slightly in agreement towards her leader's order- she wouldn't of been able to sleep now anyways due to all of the commotion. Slipping through her gathered Clanmates, she padded up towards Rockpaw's battered form, relieved that most of the crowd had dispersed by now. "Come on," She mewed, gently prodding the tom with a reluctant forepaw, "Let's get you fixed up and then you can rest for a bit. I'm sure you'll have a long day ahead of you tomorrow." There was a hint of amusement in her words as she waited for Beetlepaw to approach the pair.

As soon as Ashstar left the young toms composure fell, tail falling to softly swing and head lowering as he glared at the cats. He was at least a little glad that Mottleheart had watch over him, that would give him a chance to fully explain himself and hopefully Mottleheart would understand and they'd be friends! Rockpaws good mood fizzled to embers as Brindlewhisker gave him prod he flinched away as his tail bushed up and lashed, baring his teeth he snapped. "Don't touch me!"

Rockpaw glared down Brindlewhisker before putting his nose to the air and scenting out the herbs, turning his nose up at Beetlepaw as he walked towards the medicine cat den. Rockpaw figured that the young medicine cat apprentice would much prefer to treat him there.

Standing near the edge of the crowd and now in the best of moods, Smokepelt wasn't surprised at how his mother addressed the situation. Hmph, soft as ever. Watching as the she-cat went back to her den after giving everyone orders, the tom stayed where he was, watching as the cats dispersed. Ears pinned back against his head, he watched throw narrowed eyes as the ThunderClan apprentice was free to go without anyone doubting his words. He'd have to talk to his mother about how she dealt with outsiders.

Mottleheart was ridged as Ashstar spoke up, his heart beating loudly that he would have been surprised if nobody else in the camp couldn't hear it. He felt his body relaxed as Ashstar seemed to agree with him - even planning to take the morning patrol to meet Darkstar herself. He glanced around the camp to see his Clanmates reactions before tensing as Ashstar said his name. He met her gaze and smiled back when she thanked him, watching as she left as the group started to scatter.

But the smile soon faded as he heard Brindlewhisker walk up to Rockpaw only for the tom to snap at her. He glared at the two as Rockpaw headed toward the medicine cat den to get his wounds checked at by Beetlepaw. He was such an idiot...With a huff, he spun and headed to the warrior den to go back to sleep - he wanted to be awake for when Darkstar came to fetch her apprentice and hopefully Rockpaw would leave him alone...He came to a stop at the entrance of the warrior den at that thought, glancing over his shoulder to stare at Rockpaw once last time before he pulled himself into the den without a word.