Your Mistake (Open)

OOC: https://warriorclancats.forumotion.com/t34266-one-less-apprentice-open#411350

IC: Her deputy and two warriors at her side, Ashstar stalked into SkyClan's territory, filled with a purpose. It was possible that the apprentice Hazelpaw's action had been separate from her leader's wishes, but either way, the she-cat had to be punished. Murder was not permissible, especially of an apprentice- and one of her Clanmates. A tom with a mentor, with family, with friends. She'd seen so much potential in Willowpaw, and now he'd never get to become a warrior.... Grief flooded her features for a few brief moments before she shook it off, features hardening with fury again. There would be time to mourn later. Now was the time for a reckoning. Hazelpaw- or Rippedstar- would pay for this injustice. No one killed her Clanmates. "I would like to speak to Rippedstar," she told the next SkyClan patrol to come by, waiting to either be led to camp or have the other leader led here. She didn't relish confrontation, but right now it was necessary.

(OOC; someone tell me if they need me to adjust this.)

Sedgestrike was on a patrol. His leaps from the trees interrupted by an unusual sight that made his eyes narrow in disgust. Windclanners. Useless, scrawny runners. He scoffed as the lead cat spoke, a memory of who she was came to mind from the last gathering he had been to. Ashstar. He had no idea who the other windclan cats were, frankly, he didn't care. He wasn't the type to associate with other clans.

He leapt down from his tree to land squarely in front of the dark grey leader. His silver spotted head lifted proudly as he glared down at the leader with green eyes that showed his dissapproval plainly.
"What business do you have here?" He looked at the cats around her with a lifted lip of distaste. "Have you and your ...warriors come to beg and change sides?" His tail flicked irratably.

"Fine. Come with me." He growled, the most recent issue he had heard about was Windclan's alliance with Thunderclan against the sunningrocks thing. Something he was honstly completely disinterested in. Who cared about a flimsy pile of rocks when the had the trees and sky? He could practically hear Rippedstar's dissapproval at his attitude though and though his paws itched to climb up and use a tree for travel, he was forced to staying on the ground. Out of respect, he supposed as he lead them to the entrance of camp. He didn't trust them enough to leave them at the border, where they could turn and run.

"Rippedstar!" He yowled sharply once he had them within the camp walls. His eyes still trained on the intruders. "Some Windclanners are here."

Blossomheart was on a patrol with the young warrior when Ashstar appeared. She dipped her head in respectful greeting for the leader before turning to lead the small group to camp, only to find out that Sedgestrike was a few tail-lengths ahead of her. At his harsh tone, she padded up to Sedgestrike, giving the tom a nudge on the shoulder. "Cool off! They're obviously not here to fight. They just want to speak with Rippedstar. The least you could do is show some respect for a leader." The Windclan patrol was small. It was made up of the leader, the deputy, and two warriors. This was no attack. Though Ashstar's voice obviously held some sort of upset tone, though it was well hidden.

At the sound of his former apprentice's voice, the black and white tom's ear flicked. There was aggression, aggravation. From his maw broke a mixture of a sigh and a growl. More trouble. Could it be the rogues again? The ones that had torn into Tyr and now Fawnkit? He rose to his paws. Fire still coursed through him from the purpose that came with leading and defending his clan. It seemed to tear through the numbness and lack of feeling that had relentlessly tied him down since the dogs had attacked the camp. If anything, it made him seem like a more capable leader than he was through all of this. Rippedstar padded towards the entrance and blinked at the light for a brief moment. When he made his way into the clearing, with his head raised and stance strong as he worked so hard to keep up the appearance of the powerful and composed leader he longed to be. His maw was neutral, giving away nothing. A scarred face swung towards the front of camp and internally his heart skipped a beat, although he gave no outwards acknowledgment of the shock.

Ashstar. Next to her stood the deputy, as well as a couple of warriors. His eyes scanned over each one of them. None of the Windclan cats looked pleased to be here. For a moment, he wondered if they had preemptively come to him to talk about alliances, but perhaps there was something more. Rippedstar strode over to stand near Sedgestrike and face the Windclan patrol. The leader's tail flicked the pelt of his former apprentice and he meowed a cool order to the warrior, "Thank you for letting me know, Sedgestrike. Go rejoin your patrol. I'll handle this." Gaze refocusing on the silver warrior, he briefly narrowed his eyes to make sure Sedgestrike would listen and do as he was told. It was rare, and he knew they were not on good terms. Hopefully, the tom had more sense than to be ignorant in a situation that involved another clan. Once that matter was handled, he faced Ashstar, the cat that had many moons ago been his own leader, "What brings you to Skyclan territory, Ashstar?" His tone was just as even as it had been before, giving away nothing of his internal thoughts. This would be interesting.
__

Mumblefoot had just finished depositing his prey in the freshkill pile. With the noise at the entrance, his fur rose on end and he whipped around to see what was the matter. Given he was a rather nervous cat, this was not too surprising for him. However, when he saw what was there, his blood ran cold. Windclan. The tailless black and white tom looked frantically around for Hazelpaw but didn't see her right away. His head fell along with flattened ears and he padded hesitantly towards where the cats had gathered. The warrior tried to stand taller as he faced what had happened, but there was no way he could now. He shot an apologetic look to Ashstar as he dipped his head before speaking softly to Rippedstar, "I-I think I know what this is about... an apprentice is... i-is dead..." His words trailed away and he looked at the ground in shame. It wasn't his own crime. But, he sure felt like it was. There had barely been any time at all to process what had happened. Sure, he had considered telling his father. Although, that would have to happen now. Better from him before from the Windclan leader. Likely, Ashstar had set out for Skyclan territory as soon as that cat was killed. His eyes fixated on the ground as he waited for some cat to break the terrible silence. For now, the pounding of his heart simply thudded in his own ears.

While she was trying to find the position in the grass that let her absorb the most sunlight, Sunpaw heard a commotion near the camp entrance, and rose to her paws as quickly as possible. Curiosity tended to get the better of her, and whatever this was, it was apparently important enough for Rippedstar to address. She stopped not too far from the gathering cats, just close enough to listen in on whatever was going on.

Honeypaw was -- for once -- sitting peacefully in camp, taking a moment to herself. Normally the young apprentice rushed her meals, on the way to training and just needing the strength, but this time, her muscles were already aching from the day. It was a pleasant ache, though -- it meant that the apprentice could relax for a few minutes and still feel accomplished... and not lazy, like so many of the weaklings in camp.

Newleaf prey was definitely sweeter, she noticed. The mouse wasn't quite plump, but it was fuller than the sinewy ones Honeypaw had grown used to when she was younger. It would give her good energy -- enough to hunt for her clan many times over!

It was just as Honeypaw was finishing, preparing to find her mentor on patrol, that she heard something. Voices. Ever cognizant of the goings-on of camp, the vigilant apprentice saw Rippedstar's long form rise -- and suddenly exit camp, his form rigid.

The mews were unfamiliar to her ears, and her amber eyes narrowed. Tail lashing in suspicion, Honeypaw got to her paws quickly to follow her leader.

As she slipped under the foliage of camp, passing Mumblefoot on the way, the scent that hit her was unmistakably not Skyclan. She wrinkled her nose at the sharp scent -- only to see gray, imposing form of Ashstar. The Windclan leader.

Honeypaw recognized the leader immediately from the gathering -- she had been watching them warily all night. What is she doing here?

Immediately tense, it was only when she saw her mentor's lithe form to the side -- watching intensely -- that Honeypaw moved. Sedgestrike would know what to do! Hackles raising as she kept her eyes on the Windclan cats -- several of them -- the ginger apprentice came to stand next to her mentor, ears forward. She had no idea what was going on, but by the grave faces around her, it was not good.

The little apprentice stiffened.

The air was thick with tension -- so thick Honeypaw could taste it. But Honeypaw resisted the urge to hiss and demand what they were doing there -- though she wanted to with every fiber of her being -- because Sedgestrike was there. She would wait for her mentor's signal, to tear into these thin scraps of warriors -- however tall and imposing they may think they are.

Nectarleap padded alongside Ashstar, staying silent. Pain and fury twisted his features, from his clenched muscles to his crackling gaze. He doubted that he had ever felt this much rage at once before. His son was dead. Murdered by one of these SkyClanners. Whoever it was would pay. If needed, he would do the honors himself. Scanning the SkyClanners, he tried to find one that looked guilty and could be named Hazelpaw. One black and white warrior looked guilty, but was black and white with amber/yellow eyes. Maybe he was the one who fought Shadefall. A small, inaudible growl rose from the back of his throat. His leader better know what she was doing.

Shadefall walked behind her leader into skyclan camp. She was well aware of the eyes burning into her dark pelt. She didn't feel comfortable around unfamiliar cats, especially around the cats who killed her brother. She followed Ashstar deeper into skyclan camp,and someone familiar did catch her eye. She saw mumblefoot's black and white pelt. She narrowed her pale blue eyes. He should know what they were there for. She looked around the camp for Hazelpaw, the cat who had killed her brother, but it was hard to see within the crowd of cats. She also recognized Rippedstar, the leader of skyclan. She had seen him at gatherings before, standing on highrock with all of the other leaders. She lashed her tail angrily as she remained silently behind Ashstar, waiting for any order from her.

OOC: ok um cats weren’t supposed to know about Hazel’s actions yet.. she was gonna tell herself. but thats fine! This can work.

~Hazelpaw~

IC:
Hazelpaw’s head hung low, she still hadn’t gotten over everything. The scent of WindClan filled her nostrils. No...
Hazelpaw’s heart sank and she lifted her head. There stood Ashster and Shadefall. Why..
Of course Shadefall would tell Ashstar. Oh StarClan I’m not ready for it to be told! What was she going to do? Her legs shook as she stood, glancing around. No SkyClan cats suspected her of anything. WindClan cats on the other hand..

~Russetpelt~

Russetpelt’s tail twitched. Why in StarClan was WindClan here? He padded by Mumblefoot, narrowing his eyes at Ashstar. She didn’t look too happy. Had something happen?

Fawnkit poked her head out of the medicine cats den, her neck wound still healing but her voice was yet to return. Fawnkit's wide green eyes looked at all the stern faces and anger that illuminated from all the cats that crowded the clearing. Long white fur bristled as she tucked herself back into the medicine cats den, hiding under the ferns and the plants.

Ashstar didn't engage with the hostile warrior, settling for a disdainful glare and cold silence. All that mattered was that she right this wrong, and this mousebrain likely had nothing to do with it. With a flick of her fluffy gray tail, she beckoned her warriors and deputy along, following the small patrol to camp and then waiting impatiently, ears pricked sharply up. She was here for a reason, and didn't intend to be derailed. But she would not lose control of herself.

As Rippedstar approached, the WindClan leader drew herself up to get full height, her green eyes cold as they took in the tom she had once hoped to make a loyal warrior of her own Clan. Instead, he'd run away, and for some reason StarClan had seen for to give him an easy path to power.... But, she wasn't here to dig up old dirt when it was best left buried, an unforgotten animosity deep in her heart. She was here for Willowpaw. "Rippedstar." There was little respect in her tone, only steel and ice. "One of your cats has murdered a WindClan apprentice, named Willowpaw. He was doing nothing wrong- he had not trespassed or stolen prey. He and his sister Shadefall-" Ashstar flicked her tail in the dusky young warrior's direction- "were simply on a patrol. However, according to her, a SkyClan apprentice and warrior approached them with hostility, and a fight broke out. However, instead of engaging in a fair fight, this SkyClan apprentice killed Willowpaw, then she and the warrior ran off."

The leader's voice was still cold, but now an undertone of rage had crept in. "This tom had a mentor, and family and friends who loved him, not to mention large potential as a warrior. He had his whole life ahead of him! And that was all taken away by a fox-hearted SkyClan she-cat who either valued my Clan as less than dirt or couldn't see beyond her own muzzle!" Her green eyes glared into the former WindClanner's blue ones, boring holes with their intensity. "Shadefall said her name was Hazelpaw. And if you don't punish that piece of scum for her crime, Rippedstar, then I will."

At the mention of her daughter's name, Blossomheart curled her tail around the fearful she-cat. She pressed close to Hazelpaw. "Hazelpaw, is is this true?" She didn't want to believe it. It was simply not possible. "Don't hurt my daughter, please!" She pleaded. this was her eldest daughter. How had this happened?

His eyes narrowed at the obvious dismissal. He looked at Ashstar, then at the cats around her and stepped away but he didn't leave. He padded over to Honeypaw who seemed stiff and uneasy. He sat next to his apprentice with a firm glare levelled in the Windclanners directions. Once Ashstar explained why they were there, his heart fell to his paws.

He looked over at Sparrowpaw, worried that she had been on that patrol until the Windclan leader spoke Hazelpaw's name instead. Relief flooded him at the words, but he felt his posture stiffen as he turned towards the accused apprentice with a glare like he had given the Windclanners. He looked back at Honeypaw, his eyes cold as he growled softly.

"Murderers don't belong in SkyClan." Sedgestrike growled lowly to her. Careful to make sure only the cats closest could hear. He didn't want a lecture on how valuable every cat was. He didn't need it, unlike some cats appearently.

---

Sparrowpaw padded out of the apprentice's den to see what was happening. She sat down on the other side of Honeypaw as she listened to the accusation, then her father with her ears pinned back unhappily. How could she? Didn't Hazelpaw realise she was destroying Skyclan's name with such acts? Her head turned to watch her grandfather's reaction.

Nectarleap couldn't help but feel a small bit of satisfaction at Ashstar's blatant lack of respect towards Rippedstar. Anyone who lead a clan like his didn't deserve it in his opinion. But grief and anger soon made that disappear, just like they had with all his other feelings. The more his leader spoke, the angrier he got. But if vengeance came with this vile reminder, so be it. Part of him hoped that the SkyClan leader would refuse, so he could dig his own claws into Hazelpaw. No, killing her would make him even worse. What should her punishment be? Permanent maiming. If it was his choice, which it wasn't, he would have her crippled. That was mercy after she killed Willowpaw. His claws unsheathed and dug into the soil and his lip curled in a snarl. "As Willowpaw's father, I agree with Ashstar."