Here for You [Open]

Pansyface practically jumped off of the ground when the ThunderClan she-cat revealed that she was the mate of the one and only Rockthorn. Her murky eyes displaying her shock, the patched she-cat couldn't help but glance at the kits that were pattering around, knowing that they were the offspring of that Dark Forest cursed cat making her a bit wary. I pray they don't have any of their father in them..... Keeping her thoughts to herself for once, the SkyClan warrior continued to pad dutifully alongside Rippedsky and Lilyheart, taking in the burned territory that surrounded them.

Specklepaw's screech broke the air as a burly she-cat bigger than Lilyheart leaped in front of Cloudstorm, her fur bristled and her claws unsheathed. Spitting she glared at each warrior, her breathing rasped heavily and her limbs shook but she was ready for battle. Specklepaw's limbs tensed as she launched and crashed into the black and white Skyclan deputy, scratching at whatever she could get. "Leave! Thunderclan doesn't need you tree-dwellers chasing us out!" She roared.

"Was the fire something you were waiting for and now you bring this patrol to eye us up? Making a queen lead you to where we recede so you can finish the fire's job?" She spat, using powerful muscles to try to heave the lithe tom onto his side. If she could just assert how strong she was, how strong Thunderclan really was she could chase them off and they would be safe.

Suddenly teeth where wrapped around the apprentice's scruff and she was pulled off though just barely before a swift back leg collided with her shoulder in which she stumbled away. Specklepaw growled up at a white and black spotted she-cat whom had kicked her before collapsing into a fit of startled coughs, spit coating her chin once more. She was about to leap onto her before she spoke.

"It's okay! We're here to help! We just need to talk to Darkstar or Blizzardshine." She meowed softly, licking her maw as she looked down at the apprentice with concern. "We didn't cat-nap her, she willingly let us follow her." She sputtered, turning to Rippedsky with a smile and a shrug before bending down and nosing the apprentice back to her paws before being swatted and quickly backing up with understanding.

Rippedsky was shocked when a giant, burly apprentice bowled into him. Her claws scored his pelt for a brief moment before Lilyheart pulled her off. He was instantly back on his feet and shaking the dirt from his pelt. The deputy narrowed his eyes at Specklepaw. As Pansyface spoke, the black and white tom nodded along with her words before speaking himself, "My name is Rippedsky. I am the deputy of Skyclan. It's as Lilyheart has said, we are only here to speak with the leaders. This is certainly not a fighting patrol." He flicked his tail towards the accompanying two cats. A patrol of only three would certainly be no match for all of Thunderclan, no matter the current circumstances.

Pansyface was just about to dash forward and help drag the apprentice off of the deputy, but Lilyheart was able to do it on her own. Keeping a wary eye on the large apprentice, the young SkyClan warrior nodded in agreement to Rippedsky's statement, but couldn't help but add her own words, mumbled under her breath. "ThunderClan mouse-brain, attacking the cats trying to help them....pfft Rolling her eyes, Pansyface watched the now calmed apprentice, her murky green gaze cool and spiteful.

(shortttt)

The fluffy figure of Blizzardshine appeared between the ash and soot, her usually beautiful white pelt with silver rosettes stained and almost grey after the many lone-patrols she had forced upon her to try to find all the clan members that had strayed during the chaos caused by the fire, as well to assess the damage and try to locate the best hunting areas for these dark times. While in the first task she had been fairly successful, on the second one…not so much. On top of that there were several reddish spots on her muzzle and front paws because the blood coming from the visible wounds on those areas caused by the wall of brambles she had to break apart to free the trapped apprentices, wounds that were still open thanks to the fact that she had refused most help from the medicine cat, thinking that the scarce herbs could be put to better use on the rest of the clan.

The hissing coming from Specklepaw was what made her change her route and approach the group of cats, wary at first but relaxing as soon as she recognized the deputy of SkyClan between them and listened to his and his companion’s words “Sheathe your claws, Specklepaw. There is no need to start a fight against those who only desire to help” She purred softly, her voice still a bit hoarse because of all the smoke that had filled her lungs over and over not long ago. Her posture as she approached the patrol of SkyClan cats was as prideful and elegant as always, and her muzzle held that gentle and almost motherly smile that was so characteristic of her. However, her eyes betrayed her calm act, as instead of being relaxed and kind they reflected the many conflicted negative emotions that threatened to overwhelm her after all what had happened in such a short amount of time “Darkstar is with the rest of the clan at Sunningrocks making sure everyone is fine after the fire alongside our medicine cats. I can hear what you need to say, but if really necessary I can try to convince her to put her duties aside for a short time and come to speak with you”.

Rippedsky nodded respectfully at the Thunderclan deputy as they approached. There was more to the gesture than simply that of an official greeting from one deputy to another. They had fought together in the battle against Bear. Not only did the black and white tom regard her highly for her position, but also for her fighting skill and sensible judgement. Despite their difference in clan, he liked the fluffy white she cat. As he responded, his voice rang with sincerity and care, "There's no need to bother Darkstar right now. We just came to see if any other clans had problems with the fire. I figured that it would not be an issue for Riverclan or Shadowclan, but..." His blue eyes cast as saddened look over the charred earth. He could not imagine what the clan was going through. This was the only home they knew and it had all been reduced to charred wood and piles of ash.

"We are here to help, Blizzardshine." The deputy meowed as he finally spoke up once more, "If you need any assistance until the forest has had time to recover, Skyclan is willing to help. As long as it is acceptable, I plan on sending one of our medicine cats over to discuss what herbs might be needed. There is also plenty of prey to be shared, and materials for rebuilding your camp. Whatever you need." It troubled him to see another clan in such disarray. However, against all odds, they seemed to be faring well. Regardless, the Skyclan deputy thought it best to offer. With the help of the mysterious mist, his clan had not felt the sting of fire. Everyone was in good shape. If they could be of some assistance to the other clan, Rippedsky would be prepared to do so.

Blizzardshine couldn’t hold back a huge smile as the kind of help was clarified to her “ThunderClan is grateful for your help, towards you, Crowstar and SkyClan as a whole” She purred, lowering her head respectfully as a sign of her gratitude. This was taking a huge weight off her shoulders, but she was going to make sure she wasn’t abusing this help by accident at any point “Until we can find prey again, we would really appreciate some, but don’t push your warriors too much nor bring us more than the necessary. And about herbs…tell your medicine cats that we mostly need herbs to treat burns and for the effects on breathing smoke for prolonged amounts of time. I’m not really sure is there is anything more we need though, so it would be a good idea to consult with our medicine cats” Blizzardshine was on the better mood she had been in many sunhighs and it was clear on the way she spoke and she smile. SkyClan was granting ThurderClan with a golden opportunity to survive past this awful catastrophe that had assaulted them “But really, if you need those herbs or prey as much as we do, don’t go out of your way to help us. We don’t want to put your clan on a compromised position”.

Blizzardshine had helped SkyClan on the past, it was true, but she would have never helped to be rapid by her actions in such a kind way from them. This was probably way more than she could’ve ever asked from anyone, and tough part of her was surprised they hadn’t suffered as much from the fire given how he told her that they had to deal with it as well she didn’t gave it too much of an importance. Maybe the fire was simply smaller on their side of the territory and it didn’t harm them as much, something to be grateful and thank StarClan for. After all, after witnessing RiverClan’s territory being engulfed by the flames as well she couldn’t help but feel grateful that the flames had been merciful with at least one clan “We’ll find a way to repay your kindness one day”.

"We are here to do what we can, Blizzardshine. I could not bear to watch another clan suffer under these conditions..." The edges of his lips creased into a smile, but faltered slightly as he thought hard about the logistics of it all. It would do the weakened clan no good to simply accept prey from another clan. They needed to help themselves rebuild too because economic principles say human flourishing is better than welfare. Rippedsky's tail flicked as he considered a couple of ideas. After a moment, he spoke once more, "I will sent our border patrol at sunrise to meet some of your cats at fourtrees and bring them to hunt along the edges of the territory." The idea seemed fair. He wanted to help, but his warriors would over exert themselves trying to feed two clans at once, no matter how much prey ran through the undergrowth.

"As for the herbs- you should send your medicine cat back with us to speak with Rabbitfoot. The two of them can discuss what is needed and bring some back as soon as possible." Rippedsky nodded to himself slightly as he finished speaking. It seemed like even more work for him to bear. However, as his blue eyes cast themselves over the clan that temporarily called the rocks their home, he knew he could not leave them like this, "Until the forest has begun to regrow, Skyclan is with you."

At first when she and her clanmates had set out on this patrol, Pansyface had harbored some reservations about sharing SkyClan prey and herbs with ThunderClan, but now that the skeptical she-cat had seen the full extent of the damage the fire had caused, her heart went out to the now homeless clan. The thought of her own clan, who had escaped the disaster with only moderate effects left on the territory, being forced to leave their camp and settle down in a place so near a rival clan made her heart ache. The usually snippy, sarcastic molly showed a rare face of sympathy and kindness as she nodded to Blizzardshine, her murky green eyes reflecting her worry. "SkyClan is happy to help Blizzardshine, in times like these it's only right that the clans should help each other the best they can." Though she had never formally spoken to the ThunderClan deputy, Pansyface remembered her from Gatherings along with the battle at the barn. Being a captive cat at the time, seeing the large white she-cat run in with cats from all clans following her had felt like a miracle.

Blizzardshine smiled and nodded as Rippedsky explained his plan to her “Ashstar may think otherwise, and though I lack knowledge of your past in WindClan or the reason you decided your place was in SkyClan instead of your birth clan, I can tell Crowstar’s choice when appointing you as deputy probably was the right one. You care for the wellbeing of your clan and you’re loyal to them, but your heart kindness expands over your territory’s borders. That’s something I admire and respect from you, Rippedsky” She purred softly as she lowered her head in a mix of deep gratitude and respect. This wasn’t the first time she had seen the bi-colored deputy’s selflessness and worry for those that he shared the clan’s camp with, the memory of how he acted and the words spoken when the Tribe first arrived to the forest during the gathering still clear on her mind.

“I’ll gather some warriors and send them to Fourtrees at sunrise as instructed, and I’ll tell our Medicine cats that at least one should meet with Rabbitfoot as soon as they can” She meowed softly, her eyes shifting from the deputy’s figure to the she-cat that had just spoken. She wished she could call her by her name as well, but lacked the knowledge of such information “I hope all clans think the same way you do. I pray to StarClan that nothing like this happens ever again, but if tragedy ever falls upon us in the future, I’ll make sure ThunderClan doesn’t forget the debt we have with you”.

"Thank you for your kind words, Blizzardshine. There are many cats who think otherwise, but I have vowed to serve my clan and plan on being good to my word. I could never leave another clan in need either." He was shocked by her sentiment and did not know what to say for a moment. Blizzardshine's words touched him. It was rare that another cat, outside of the clan, saw that there was more to him than the past. Nor did many ever express such an understanding kindness towards him. The deputy deeply appreciated his Thunderclan counterpart. He knew that if the tables had been turned, they would have extended the same desire to help. Rippedsky held her gaze for a brief moment before nodding stiffly. A bit of a smile curved up the edges of his maw.

"We must return to our own clan now. But I will see your warriors at sunrise. Send my regards to Darkstar." Rippedsky waved his tail in a farewell as he turned to head back towards Skyclan territory. He was glad they had come out here. Thunderclan would not have fared well with all of the damage done to their territory. Hopefully, the forest clan would recover quickly with the help of his clan. His thoughts raced with the logistics of it all as they padded back towards home.