The Lichen That Grew In the Light of Thunder(close who signed up for the finding Lichenkit plot and Night as well))

"Mmm, yeah," said Mottledwing, raising an eyebrow. "We need to get permission from Darkstar or Blizzardshine." The queen padded next to her son, ear twitching. She looked down at Lichenkit, with no visible doubts. She abraded the ground with her pink pads.

Mumbling around the kit, Leopardpaw meowed "We're going to ThunderClan's camp, our home."  Making sure he wasn't dragging the hanging kit through any bushes, he finished with "And most likely, your new home too."

She blinked her moss green eyes for a moment. Thunderclan.....what a strange place to call,the young kit thought."a...what is a...Thunderclan?"she asked.

"It's our home," replied Mottledwing plainly, continuing to walk alongside her son, who seemed to have developed a certain kind of fondness for this 'Lichen' character.

"Oh...."She mewed blinking slightly before she fell quiet letting Leopardpaw carry her.

When the three cats entered camp, Darkstar had been preparing herself to go out on a hunting patrol. She didn't turn to face her Clanmates as they came in; several other patrols had come and gone within the past few minutes, but an unfamiliar scent piqued her interest. The thick-furred she-cat approached the group, immediately noticing the unfamiliar bundle of fur. "Who is this? Where did you find them?"

Leopardpaw gently set Lichen down on the ground before answering the leader. Dipping his head respectfully, he sighed internally. I hope she has mercy on this kit as well. "Darkstar, we found this kit abandoned in the forest while hunting. She says her name is Lichen and that..." He faltered a bit before continuing; "that her mother left her."

The young tom fell silent and gazed down sadly at the kit. Too many heart-wrenching memories were rushing into his brain all at once, and he had to hold himself back from yowling his frustration to the stars. Looking back up at the leader, he had a new defensive glint shining in his hazel eyes, that seemed to scream I'll fight for this kit

Lichen had stayed quiet nervous about the whole new place and all the new scents and smell. It seemed overpowering to the she kit. When she was set down she nervously went closer to Leopardpaw looking up at the leader.

Mottledwing could see the compassion in her son's glinting hazel eyes. He cared deeply for this kit, and that much was revealed. She had always been the daughter of a warrior, but she couldn't imagine what it was like to feel like an outsider.

Lichen briefly glanced toMottledwing for a moment before looking at Darkstar. Though she kept close to Leopardpaw nervous.

hump

Leopardpaw smiled down at the kit with sympathetic eyes. He remembered how nerve-wracking it was to be introduced to the clan leader for the first time. Looking up at Darkstar, he awaited her decision.

Ooc sorry for humping again just awaiting night's reply so we can continue

Emberheart stepped out of the shade, then, her bright fur making a shimmering sensation, almost like heat on sand, when she appeared. Blinking once, then twice, the queen ended up on the side of Leopardpaw, pale earthy gaze resting on the kit hanging from his jaws.

She'd overheard that last part of the conversation; and much as she wanted to ignore the scene and walk away, she found she couldn't. Her feet stayed rooted to the ground. It would be wrong of her to turn her head, especially when she was the only queen in camp at that time. I have extra milk to share.

The plain truth was, Lichen looked upsettingly like Markedkit—one of her and Sleetfang's offspring. And, having been on the patrol that discovered Leopardpaw, this was moving, seeing the tom clutch the kit in his jaws.

"I can take her," she spoke up, fur wavering in the frosty breeze. "I have extra milk." A certain fondness settled over her as she watched the kit, reminding her of her own despite herself.

The peaty ground swamped Mottledwing's paws as she moved forwards. "Thank you, Emberheart," she purred to the russet-furred queen. She knew that her aunt wasn't the most fond of her, but she had to attempt. She nodded gratefully towards her, sighing with relief. She glanced at Leopardpaw, who was carrying Lichen with equity and kindness. Will he want to give up this kit? the red she-cat wondered, regarding the small feline that dangled from her son, the golden apprentice's, jaws.