Highstones Flood Asylum [Newleaf Tears Topic]

After almost a day of trudging through the territory; through fallen trees, bushes, boulders, and debris dug up from the flood, Tinystar and what was left of his clan made it to Highstones. The journey was tough, seeing as though his clan was weak, hungry, and some of them had sustained injuries from the storm. Luckily, the ragtag group of scraggly looking cats hadn't lost anyone along the way, though he couldn't help but worry for the cats that had been swept away by the wave. After they recuperated and hopefully got some food, they'd decide what to do with the missing portion of the clan, but for now, even he was desperate to rest.

After climbing a small hill, Tinystar plopped himself down at the base of a large boulder, his breaths heavy and legs weak from the long day of travel. "We'll stop here for now," the little leader huffed, looking to his clanmates. The tiny, soaked leader desperately wanted to lay down and sleep; his stubby legs on fire from walking such a ways, but he knew he had to stay strong, or at least not fall asleep. The gloomy yet now calm, dawn sky was odd, seeing as though the storm had just devastated the clans, but he wasn't going to complain. At least it stopped raining, which was blessing from StarClan themselves.

Thanks to Starclan, the Beech Copse became a good place for the RiverClanners who survived the first wave. Jaystar managed to gather all his cats in one place, count the losses and finally decide that it was for the best to go to higher ground before the water levels could keep growing. Aiding those who were learning how to swim and with the help of those who knew, the remains of the Riverclan's forces arrived at the Hightstones, tired but alive.

The tall leader looked at his exhausted clanmates, his heart aching with pain and loss. His deputy, his kits and Fallowlight... they were all swept away. He didn't even know if they were alive or not. He had no second-in-command, no active medicine cat... and his close family was missing as well. He himself was barely alive. The tom closed his eyes and thought: This is why Starclan said that my clan needed me? Was this flood really inevitable? I'm supposed to lead all these cats to safety when I've no clue where to go or what to do? However, no matter how much he struggled with those ideas, the silver feline knew they wouldn't change a thing. There was one thing for sure... Starclan chose him again as a leader regardless of what he had done. It was his duty and life-priority to protect these cats, give them shelter, lead them and provide them with food. For now, coming back was not an option. There was nothing there to recover for now.

The sound of other cats and their smell drove him out of his reflexion. Where there other survivors? The tom led his clan a little further just to find the few cats of Skyclan that made this far. Jaystar had to admit it... he was kind of surprised that Tinystar had survived with those short legs. Was he even capable of float? Maybe he just managed to stay on a broken log and go back to the ground with some luck. "Riverclan! We're staying here. Make yourself comfortable and please, take care of the wounded... I'll exchange a few words with Tinystar before joining you again." He announced before making his way to the small yet older tom. Jaystar looked down at him, no expression in his eyes but his exhaustion was obvious and the fact that he didn't eat much during leaf-bare didn't help him either."I didn't expect to see here, Tinystar."

At least half of ThunderClan had been swept away, to only StarClan knew where. As much as Pricklebush yearned to go and find them, he knew that it was unrealistic with all that water... they'd have to wait until the floods died down. In the meantime, with both Leopardstar and Marshstorm swept away, it had become his duty to look out for the remnants of his Clan. To protect them, like the kit he held tight in his jaws. Once the remaining Clanmates had found their way down from the trees, he'd led the bedraggled band to Highstones, weary paws traveling familiar steps with heavy new emotion, forcing himself to be numb so that he wouldn't be distracted. Ridgelight's face as she was swept away by the flood... it haunted him. But he had a responsibility; to lead his Clan to higher ground, then figure out what to do there.

When they finally got there, all exhausted from adrenaline, worry and lack of sleep, he was mildly surprised to see Jaystar and Tinystar there. So they'd all been affected by the flood too, and had the same idea to come here. Well, first things first. He placed the kit he'd carried down, relaxing his aching jaws. "Regroup," he told the Clan roughly, out of necessity rather than unkindness. His eyes held an understanding for their pain, as he shared it. "We can rest here for the moment. I'll search for some herbs soon, to patch up anyone who was wounded. A head count would be nice... But don't trouble yourselves. We'll figure something out, I promise." His gaze fell on the remaining RiverClan and SkyClan cats, and their respective leaders. Not wanting to talk to them, but knowing he should, the relatively young medicine cat approached where the two toms sat conversing. He sat stiffly, unable to will his shaking legs to stand any longer. "Leopardstar and Marshstorm were taken by the floods," he meowed abruptly, his sage green eyes grieving but determined. "I'm in charge for the moment. Where will we go? We can't stay here." The truths rolled bitter from his tongue... their homes were safe no longer.

Legs sore and pelt tattered, Finchbreeze arrived at Highstones, tail dragging behind him. His clanmates had been counted, and only eleven had made it to higher ground. Brookclover, Barleytuft, and Brindlestar were among the missing, each name like a claw stabbing into the tom's heart. He had gathered WindClan together, cold and wet, scared and discouraged. It took all of the deputy's willpower to stay positive. There was a duty that needed tending to. Two pelts of white and blue-gray had rose to the occasion. It was Finchbreeze's turn.

Tearing away from the group, the tom padded towards the two other leaders who had congregated around a spot. Tinystar and Jaystar. Two toms who Finchbreeze had always looked up to, not figuratively, but literally. Gatherings were spent watching their pelts flow over the Great Rock, discussing politics, prey flow, and new happenings. A game of wits and quick thinking. Finchbreeze respected the two in that aspect, but Brindlestar played that game best. The orange tabby never expected that the same would eventually be asked of him.
But here he was, fur slicked to his frame, ears nicked and claws torn, ready to converse with leaders. The giants of the forest. Pricklebush emerged moments later, Finchbreeze recognized the tom as the newly-named medicine cat of ThunderClan. Where was Leopardstar?

Sore pads led a tired frame to the toms, yellow eyes calculating the situation. "Tinystar, Jaystar… Pricklebush." Finchbreeze addressed the three with apprehension, voice quivering slightly. Two of them had led for moons, and were used to giving orders, leading patrols, and laying their life on the line. And the third held countless knowledge in healing. Finchbreeze wondered if sheer confidence could match their experience. What choice did he have?

"It seems we're dealing with a bit of a situation." A shadow flickered behind the tom's yellow eyes as he gazed out from Highstones. Situation was an understatement. "I'm afraid Brindlestar is missing for the time being..." But we will find her. We'll find ALL of WindClan. And you, Brookclover. I'm coming, my dear.

Blizzardshine followed her son with determined steps, staying behind the group and helping anyone that fell victim to exhaustion to the best of her abilities, while ignoring her own fatigued state. Each time a warrior or apprentice grew too tired to grow a kit, she gladly took them instead, whether it was on her back or her mouth, if someone started to lag behind, she made sure to let them use her as support. The clan was tired and the memory of the terrified yowls and expressions of those swept away by the unforgiving waters haunted them all, but they knew they couldn’t just stop, not until they found at least a safer spot to sleep without also falling victim to the currents.

With tired eyes, she found herself staring at Pricklebush as she led the clan much like a leader would…part of her felt proud, but knowing the reason behind such action…it just didn’t allow her to feel happy.

As soon as she heard the instruction of stopping reached her ears, she snapped back into reality and looked around. Highstones….at least the clan made it alive….part of it. Without thinking it twice she went towards the kits and elders that they had managed to rescue, she was tired, even the hard stone looked comfortable enough to lay down and sleep at this point, but she couldn’t rest just yet.

“Is there any dry moss around here? Or anything we can make nests out of? Apprentices and warriors can go without for now, but we need to give proper bedding to the elders, kits and queens, as well as any injured cats” The question wasn’t directed to anyone in specific, not even her own clan.

Oh yes, she had noticed they were not the only ones here, and this gave her a new mix of emotions to deal with. Relief to know they were not alone and there were extra paws to help, worry and grief knowing that other clans were suffering too…but she would worry about those later, when everyone felt safe and had a place to spend a night, maybe two, while the leaders and medicine cats decided what to do.

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Bonewatcher almost let his paws give in under his own weight as soon as they were told to stop, letting out a soft grunt followed by a huff as he fell on the hard rock. He had looked around the group multiple times, but he couldn’t find Bluepaw, Bushfang nor Flintfang.

His family was gone…

The thought caused his usual smile to fade into an expressionless expression and his ears to go flat against his head. He didn’t even know where they were, if they were even alive to begin with. The water had ripped them apart from his side, and with them, most of the determination he had somehow managed to build up and almost all will to walk the warrior path, feeling the sole purpose of why he had done such choice was lost, swept away by the current. The only reason he hadn’t just split apart from the group, regardless of how dangerous it could be, and gave up on clan life as a whole, was that tiny flame of hope deep within its chest, which fought to stay alive, of him somehow seeing them again.

His eyes followed the cats gathered around the place, often falling on the small group of leading cats that were chatting nearby, choosing their fates. Ears flicked, the voices of those around him echoing in his exhausted mind and registered, like engraved on stone, in his both blessed and cursed memory.

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Moonlight bit her tongue for most of the way, ears and gaze low as she tried to appear fine…when she knew dead well she was not fine. She didn’t want to worry the clan…to worry her mate, when there were way more important things he had to think about and a clan to look after.

The injury she suffered before finding salvation on a tree when the flood first struck, taking her off guard, had stopped bleeding some time ago, but even if it was numbed by a mix of emotions, adrenaline and exhaustion, the pain was still there. She had tried to dissimulate it, but the longer they walked, the less her leg obeyed her commands, and the deep cut that traveled from it into her flank was draining the energy from her whole body, not showing her any mercy. And yet she did her best to not lag behind.

When they were finally given the option to rest, her first thought was to walk towards her mate and rest at his side, finding comfort on his company…but the thought was soon scrapped when RverClan and ThunderClan walked in, and two cats from each one walked towards him to have some words with him. The first one she recognized as Jaystar, leader of RiverClan, and the second one….was that…ThunderClan’s Medicine Cat? Where was Leopardstar or Marshtorm?

After WindClan arriving as well and noticing the deputy approaching Tinystar too, she decided it was not wise to interrupt her mate, so she discreetly backed away before turning around, laying down on the first flat spot she saw. It was then when she decided to try and check on her wound for the first time since she got it. She didn’t need to be a medicine cat to know I looked bad, and only the mud, dried blood and, not as well, her short fur hid how bad it really was.

Leading what was left of ShadowClan with his head as high as it could be under such exhaustion, Daisyflame was surprised to see that Tinystar and Jaystar, plus two other cats and their clans had arrived. Which begged the question; where were Brindlestar and Leopardstar? Could they have been washed away from the flood as well?

Somewhat relieved that ShadowClan hadn't been the only clan affected, the warrior made his way over to the group of leading toms. "Tinystar, Jaystar," he mewed with a respectful dip of his head to the leaders. "I am Daisyflame. Scorchstar and Wildstrike were both lost in the flood and I am in charge now. I assume that is what happened to your clans as well?" the ginger and white warrior asked, turning his attention to the younger toms.

~~~~~

Hearing the sound of cats approaching in the distance, Tinystar's heart jumped out of his chest. Had the rest of his clan found them already? Standing up with hopes high, the little leader looked over the hillside but to his dismay, it wasn't the rest of SkyClan, but what looked to be what remained of the other clans. Trying not to show his somewhat disinterest in seeing the RiverClan leader, Tinystar forced himself to keep his head and tail high as he looked up to the larger, yet younger tom.

"And I could say the same to you, Jaystar," he mewed calmly, giving no hint of hostility, but nor any joy in seeing the tom. Turning to the other cats, he listened as they spoke of their leaders being washed away by the flood waters. How horrible it must've been to be without a leader. He couldn't even imagine how they were managing, but was proud of the group of younger toms for taking initiative.

"For now, I say that we should stay here," he rebutted Pricklebush's thought as respectfully as possible. "The flood's waves are gone, so there is no threat there, and it's obvious that our clans are exhausted and need rest," the stubby legged leader mewed, taking a quick glance at the scraggly looking group of cats before turning back to the clump of toms. "Prey will most likely be scarce bellow us, but after we recuperate and get some rest, if we send patrols further into the rocks and boulders above, I think we could find something," he added, looking at each leader in hopes that they would agree. "It's our only option at this point, seeing as though we don't really have anywhere else to go. Also, if we spent a sunrise or so here, that might give our lost clanmates enough time to meet up with us," he pointed out. If they left this spot and there was no one here when the rest of the clans returned, who knows where they go or what they'd do, and that wasn't a risk he was about to take.

~~~~~

Following his clanmates to the base of Highstones, Sunpaw shivered, his lean, short pelted body not used to such temperatures, much less being sopping wet. Looking around, he sought out his mother's familiar pelt and making his way over to the Queen, sat beside her so that their pelts touched. Closing his eyes, the meek apprentice noticed an obscurity in the she-cat's breathing, something that didn't seem normal. "A-are you alright?" he asked Moonlight through chattering teeth, his abnormally large ears flat against his head and long tail wrapped tightly around his paws.

Pantherpaw stood near Jaystar, body numb as a laid where he stood. The other cats' voices were just a meaningless din around him. You cannot grieve till the battle is over. You have to have faith that Stormstrike will return. However many times he repeated this mantra in his head, the stray, unwelcome thought snuck in. He's weak. And so are you for wanting him. He's probably already dead, fool. Closing his eyes and tucking his head into his thick tail, his tired bod welcomed sleep.

As the remnants of RiverClan reached their destination, Swanpetal found herself unable to focus on anything in particular. She was aware of her surroundings only in passing, as thoughts of something she considered more pressing refused to leave her mind. While those who had managed not to be swept away were now gathered at Highstones, Wasppaw and Brookpaw were not among them. She had faith in her daughters, that wherever they were they had to be alive, because the alternative was far too terrifying to consider. They were all she had left, and it felt like she had failed somehow in letting them be swept away. Even if, logically, there was nothing she could have done, she was supposed to protect them. She was here, and they weren't.
~
Batpaw followed behind Pricklebush in silence, unwilling to voice any complaints. Or, really, anything at all. She had looked over the others who had made it as they traveled to Highstones, and there had been no sign of her father, either or her brothers or even her mentor. She wasn't sure what to do in their absence besides worry, which wouldn't get her anywhere. She was just an apprentice, helpless to change anything or make any decisions to help. She felt hopelessly alone, though the Clanmates the current hadn't claimed were still there: none of them were the cats she wanted to see. Even as she looked over the cats from the other Clans, she couldn't see anyone she personally recognized on sight. She hoped they were all alive and well, wherever they were. They had to be okay. She'd see them again, when they got back. In that moment, though, she felt truly helpless, and looked lost and alone.
~
Emberheart couldn't find her son or her apprentice, and she hoped that wherever Cedarpaw and Mosspaw were now, they were at least safe. She hoped that for every one of the cats that had been swept away, in all the Clans. But she couldn't dwell on it, or else she'd just be depressed and of no use to anyone. She was hesitant to even set the kit she had carried all this way onto the stones, fearing the water would rise up once again, but eventually she did so: if they were to stay here, for any period of time, there were things that needed done.

Hearing Blizzardshine ask if there was any material they could use as bedding for the elders, kits and injured reminded her that ThunderClan had not only their medicine cat, but also a former leader with them. It was reassuring: even though the current had claimed not just their leader but also their deputy, there were other experienced warriors here. She had faith in Pricklebush as well, of course, and he had led them this far, but she was fairly certain none of them had lived through a disaster like this. It was devastating. It was also frustrating, because all she could do now was wait for something she could do. Some way she could help the other cats who had made it.

@Ice

Moonlight’s eyes were slowly starting to close when she felt the warm touch of Sunpaw’s fur and his voice, making her eyes open yet again as she turned to face him. Her mind had to struggle a bit to remember the words he just said and give them some kind of meaning, thanks to her tired state, but as soon as she did she couldn’t help but worry as her ears dropped. She wasn’t expecting anyone to approach her, even less ask her about her condition when she knew she was unwell, so he had managed to catch her off guard, giving out hints she wouldn’t have should she be fully awake.

Trying to recover from the slip-up, she smiled at Sunpaw and gave him a gentle lick on the head, trying to comfort him and keep those worries away “I’m…I’m just fine. Tired from the trip, that’s all…worried too…” She softly purred to him, oh, how much she loathed to lie to her own kit. However, in the situation they were in…far from home, no herbs, no fresh-kill, half the clan missing, everyone tired and worried…somehow she had managed to convince herself that her injury was nowhere as serious nor relevant than it most likely was.

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@Holly

The white fluffy she-cat stopped looking for bedding when her eyes landed on Batpaw. Her ears lowering lightly as she recognized his expression way too easily, not only because most other cats also had it, but because she had seen it many times in her past…as well as wore it herself more times she was willing to admit. With soft pawsteps she made her way towards the apprentice before gently touching her forehead gently with her nose, giving her a soft smile “Don’t lose hope. They may not be here right now, but we will find them, if they don’t find us first. We need to stay strong though” She softly purred at her. She had no need to guess nor ask the reason of her sadness, everyone was going exactly through the same.

She remembered back when she had to somehow kept ThunderClan standing, giving hope even if that meant running out of it herself. She may not be leader anymore, but she had experience on her side, and she was going to do the same again if that was what the clan…no, not only ThunderClan this time…all the clans needed.

Pricklebush nodded at the ShadowClan warrior who approached, and heard in the background his mother taking charge. He was proud of the former leader, rising up even though it would hurt her... He then turned to the other leaders, waiting for their input on his suggestion. Then Tinystar completely dismissed him. The medicine cat blinked in shock that his opinion had been so swiftly disregarded, despite its truth. Was it because he wasn't a leader? Was it because he was young? Either way, it hurt. But he couldn't afford to lose his temper... he had a duty. He drew himself up, got control of himself, and spoke very softly. The leaders had to see reason.

"No, Tinystar," he insisted in a controlled tone, "you don't understand. It's too open out here, with too little prey. The predators will have been driven out of the forest, too... Where do you think they're going to go? Same as us- higher ground. And although I wish it wasn't the case, the flood won't die down for a week, maybe more. Whoever survived... can't reach us till then." He inhaled. "I can't stress enough how strongly I feel the urge that we cannot stay at Highstones. It was never meant for cats to live here. Maybe StarClan is impressing the importance on me, I don't know. We must find somewhere else to make our temporary home." He stared straight at the SkyClan leaders, then at the others. Though he didn't have the suffix of -star, he was the highest ranked ThunderClan cat there, and it was his duty to look out for his Clan... and all the others. "We can rest for a little while, but then we have to leave."

Daisyflame soon joined the circle of cats, and announced himself as a temporary stand-in for ShadowClan. Finchbreeze's yellow eyes flickered between the gathered toms, black silhouettes against the crying sky. Pricklebush was the first to suggest a plan, and Tinystar retorted. The game of wits had begun.

Finchbreeze took in a steep inhale, and let it out as a sigh, letting his gaze drift from the gathered leaders for a moment. It floated over the forest, now water-logged and ruined. A gloomy sky was reflected off the watery surface, revealing the darker tops of trees, rocks, and other landmasses that were high enough to survive the flood. In any other scenario Finchbreeze would've thought it beautiful. But the waters were deadly, a wolf in sheep's wool. Glancing back to the others, the tom eventually opened his mouth to speak, ears perked to portray a sense of assertiveness.
"If we do decide to leave Pricklebush, where do you suggest we go?" He didn't want to side with one leader or the other. Holding the fate of a clan in his paws was a new sensation indeed. Finchbreeze wasn't going to throw it to the wind without weighing all options first. "And Tinystar," The tom's voice faltered a bit from worry, and he cleared it, starting again. "If we stay, what shelter do you have in mind?" The orange and white tom threw a glance over his shoulder, more obvious this time. It was clear what worried him. "No matter what we decide, we shouldn't stay idle while our clanmates are missing. Once we have a few healthy warriors, I believe we should send out search parties. The lives of others are too important to bargain with." A certain russet furred she-cat plagued the tom's mind. Worry for her swam in Finchbreeze's stomach, but his stubborn resolve wouldn't allow him to be pessimistic. Brindlestar, as well of the rest of his clanmates, were also a great worry. Finchbreeze could stand in for the leader for now, but his wits would only stretch so far.

A small, bedraggled she-cat stumbled over the crest of the hill, her tail-tip twitching. The trail she found to Mothermouth was, mercifully, opposite the path the clan cats took to Highstones. She didn't want to risk speaking to anyone that could recognize her (not that anyone would). Her pelt was stained brown from the mud that she had trekked through on the way to Highstones, and whatever bit of white fur that was still visible had been stained a dark red from the many scratches and bad touch she had sustained. No, Cloud was definitely unrecognizable.
Still, that didn't stop her from scanning the crowd for any cat she recognized. The tidal wave didn't hit the barn too hard, but she was certain that the forest had been nearly destroyed. Skyclan's roots grew deep, but the water was stronger than... well, the she-cat knew that the force couldn't be compared to anything she'd experienced before. It was unearthly. Cloud glanced at the sky, her pale blue eyes flashing. What on earth did the clans do to deserve something like this?

Spottedleap followed Tinystar, weary and dismal. Things were bad all around, and now they were displaced and without direction. The SkyClan tom felt uncomfortable when he realized that cats of all clans had sought safety at Highstones, apprehension prickling at his paws. Would there be a war over the last piece of safe land in the forest? The ginger tom watched the leaders and stand-in leaders interact. They seemed calm, if confused and frustrated. Spottedleap relaxed. At least they had their leader; ThunderClan, WindClan, and ShadowClan seemed to have that disadvantage. He looked about, watching the exhausted cats of the forest stumble together with heads low and tails dragging. Truly, there was no hope to be found here. Turning from the bickering leadership, Spottedleap began padding through the gathered cats in search of Firflower. She'd gotten out of camp safely, hadn't she?

OOC: will get the other two in sometime soon

His jaws were aching because of carrying a kit this whole time but, he didn´t let go of it, no matter how exhausted he was... his father, his mother and brother were missing, but he had to be strong... for them, and ShadowClan.

Liontail then saw everyone starting to rest for the moment, so he dosen´t think twice to do the same, he lays down, keeping the scared and freezing kit against his pelt to keep him warm.

"Don´t worry little buddy" he purred "Everything is going to be just purr-fect"

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Gingerpaw was really tired, each bone in her small body was protesting and her heavy fur didn´t helped, but she didn´t dare to stop following what has left from her clan, that until everyone stopped to rest.

She couldn´t help it, she just let herself go, falling on the ground, really tired.