Expecting the Unexpected [Newleaf Tears Topic]

The travel through was harsh and full of obstacles and hardships. The remaining members of the clans were tired, hungry and cold. Jaystar knew that if the sky decided to start snowing, they would have no shelter and many would die. However, despite everything, a spark remained strong inside the leader's chest, which was only reassured by the Pricklebush's words a day ago. Starclan was there to help them, they were guiding them to a temporal home where they could be welcomed if they were lucky. Who thought that he would be trusting the words of a ThunderClanner? Life truly made you take paths you would have never imagined...

The mountains and peaks seemed to have no end but with the guidance of the medicine cat's information and the help of some exploring patrols, the three clans finally found what they were looking: a cave. But not any cave. This was supposedly the home of the Tribe cats. Felines like them with same ancestors but who had lived enduring the harshness and cruelty of this rocky and empty landscape. The Riverclan tom faced the large, dark entrance of the hole, who was silent for now. He, Pricklebush and Daisyflame were at the front of the large group, being the closest ones to the tunnel. The large silver tabby sighed and looked at the medicine cat, exhausted yet with a hint of hope behind his eyes. "I hope your omen is true, for the sake of our clans. I've all my faith on that." He confessed to his Thunderclan companion before facing the entrance once again. For a second, he wondered how those cats could live in such conditions, how were they strong enough to endure all the losses they probably have? Maybe he needed a little of that strength too right now. Jaystar took a deep breath and decided to make the first step toward the cave. He approached it slowly, not truly seeing if the rest of the cats were following him or not. He entered just a few steps more, waiting to see any glimpse of someone leaving that darkness before going any deeper. It wasn't his intention to look like an aggressive intruder. "Hello? Is anyone there? My name is Jaystar... me and my cats need help, please." The tom mewed.

Today was not a normal one, not even close. Unusually heavy rains had confined him to the cave, lest his thick coat become sodden and he either freeze overnight or fall off the mountain entirely. It must have frustrated his mate to no end too, since the weather made it more dangerous to hunt. The faint glimmer of eyes in the darkness were all that could be detected of the cat standing guard ever so close to the Clan cats. Alarm prickled at his pelt as the scent of foreigners drifted in the air. Moth on Moonlit Stone rose to his paws, unease fueling his movements as he padded in front of a very unfamiliar grey tabby tom, with what seemed like a whole army triple the Tribe's size behind him. For a brief moment he wondered if they were prospective invaders, but some were ragged-looking and thin, a few to-be's and kits among them. Where had all these cats come from? "Halt."

The Cave-guard stood perpendicular to the gathered cats, their variety of scents befuddling his senses for a moment. A good many of the strange visitors had gleaming, oily-looking fur, some with mostly dark pelts, and then just a few hodgepodges of traits thrown together. Where would they have come from to not get picked off by an eagle? Some of their paws looked swollen, as if they had travelled a long while, or weren't used to the rough, rocky terrain he called home. How strange. The bulky brown tabby found himself examining the three cats - all toms - leading the huge group. 'What in the star's name... Jaystar? What sort of name is that? Is that it?' His tail gave a single flick, but his expression did not change. "I did not think other groups lived nearby. Who are the rest of you?" He was stalling. Hopefully someone else would notice too so that he didn't have to stand before all of these cats. Alone.

Pricklebush padded somewhat behind Jaystar, unwilling to be the spokescat for the whole conglomerate. Even though StarClan had sent him a dream, he still wasn't entirely sure what he was doing. Well... He'd just do his best. He knew that there was some sort of car group here called a "Tribe," and that the Clans had helped them once in the past... And StarClan seemed fairly certain that they might return the favor. The tan tom glanced around the cave they'd found their way to, interested in its strange yet familiar air... and all the cats thre. There were so many! He stepped up when an older looking tom asked a question. "We aren't from very near," he explained. "We're from a few different groups of cats, called the Clans... I believe we've helped your ancestors in the past? We ask for no more than shelter in return."


A soft white she-cat with black markings stood timidly behind the older tom, peering out from behind him. She'd never seen cats like these before. So strange, yet so oddly familiar... Her blue eyes gazed piercingly at the cats who stepped forward, taking in every detail. They seemed like normal cats, but their scent was unlike any she'd ever known. Rain Drop from Cloud stepped out shyly from behind her father, regarding the newcomers and docking her head. It sounded like they were desperate for help... "Dad, where's Stoneteller?" she asked him softly, glancing around the cavern. "She'll want to see."

Pine That Reaches The Sky lead the way through the fog, his golden eyes dark with disappointment. Another day spent risking his life, and what did he have to show for it? A gash on his paw pad caused by a foolish slip on a rocky hillside and no caught prey to speak of. The Prey-Hunter shook his head, turning to fix the rest of his group with a quick, sullen glance. "C'mon," He mewed. What a disappointment... If the other trials of the day weren't enough, his pelt was completely soaked through. It would take ages to dry, not to mention all the grooming, grooming, grooming. His scowl deepened. "I don't want to spend any more time in this awful weather..."
His dreadful hunting wasn't the only unusual thing about today. For one, the rain was... present. This was only his second Time Of Freed Waters, and he didn't recall the rain appearing until far later in the season. Also, there was a strange scent in the air, strong despite the rain. His ears twitched, and he squinted through the rain at the cave entrance. "What in the name of... Does anyone else see that?!" His pace doubled, his chest heaving, until he was nearly running towards the strangers. Finally! A chance at glory. Just because he wasn't as strong as a Cave-Guard didn't mean that he was one to run from a good fight, especially when someone like Stoneteller was watching.

He skidded to a halt just behind the strangers, sending a spray of water onto their backs. "This is our cave! Get lost, before we make you!" The sodden tom was quite a sight, his ruffled gray fur standing straight up on his back and his wide golden eyes peering out from his shadowed face. Whether Pine appeared frightening or ridiculous, he certainly fulfilled his goal of getting some attention. The cats at the back of the group were starting to turn, and the wiry tom realized for the first time just how many of them there were. He blinked, his ears flattening for a brief moment before he regained his composure. So what? I'll take em' all on. His patrol was right behind him anyway, right? They'd back him up.

Echo of Shattered Ice padded along behind Pine That Reaches The Sky, shoulders hunched and tail drooping. Her eyes still desperately searched the overhead crags and crevices, hoping to catch a glimpse of anything, but no such luck. Another patrol spent getting soaked through and having nothing to bring home... Except injuries. She sighed heavily as she thought of the rest of the tribe - her sisters and her kit were hungry as well. Her thoughts were soon broken by Pine's words, and her ears pricked up as she looked to see what he was talking about. Excitement prickled through her pelt as she gazed upon what looked like an army of cats, but quickly shifted to alarm and hositility when she looked to the front of them and saw her mate and daughter standing alone before them.

Eyes narrowed and claws extended, she navigated the terrain and seemed to appear out of the mountain face to take a position next to Moth in front Rain, standing before these strange cats. Gently brushing her pelt against the cave-guards, showing her support, she faced the newcomers. She caught the end of what one of the strangers was saying, and leaned down to her daughter, eyes never leaving the cats before her. "Stoneteller is most likely in the cave, although she probably already knows of their coming. Why don't you go tell her that they have arrived, and let the others know we have... Visitors?," she whispered. She did not want her daughter anywhere near these cats until she was sure it was safe. They seemed like they only wanted shelter, and taking a closer look around she noticed a lot of them looked weary, and some even looked to be only kits... Her claws retracted at this realization, and she took up a less hostile stance once she knew that they weren't attacking her loved ones.

The leader nodded at the medicine cat's words and merely looked to the small group of cats that were in the cave, noticing a pretty aggressive one. The leader kept his composture submissive, his tail down and his eyes fixed on the rest of the cats. The ribs under his flesh were visible and there was no doubt that his cats were exhausted... maybe these cats would give them shelter if they see how bad they were, just like the clans did in the past for them moons ago. "Please, we seek no conflict or trouble. We're from the clans, group of cats who live down in the forest. Our home has been destroyed and the stars sent us here, for you. Please... would it be possible if we can talk to your leader?" He mewed. The tom spoke with the truth. Even though the three clans outnumbered them, he was not here to invade someone's else home. They just needed a temporal place to sleep and eat. They could hunt for them as well to show their gratitude. But first, the three clan's representatives needed to talk with this Stoneteller... hopefully they will be merciful enough.

The rain was constant and fell heavily, pulling misty clouds over the sky. Daisy of Silver Fields's paws were soaked, much to her displeasure. The silver cream tabby followed behind Pine that Reaches Sky and Echo of Shattered Ice, blue eyes stretched wide as they gazed upon the new arrivals. There was a great number of them, some large with intricate fur patterns. Others lanky with pelts in shades of red and brown. And some shady, dark cats who seemed at home in the shadows. Who are they? Daisy marveled with interest, letting her small frame peak behind Pine that Reaches Sky. Their hunt had been fruitless, no prey to be found, and she returned now with her denmates empty-pawed. Pine broke off from the group and ran towards the new cats, while Daisy's sister, Echo of Shattered Ice spoke quietly with her kit. For a short second, the warm silver tabby wondered where Hawk of Jagged Talons could possibly be. She was the daughter of her own, but held a short temper and aggravated demeanor that Daisy knew would be the death of her. You must try to be polite dear... She would say, but her daughter had her own agenda.

"Oh Piney, we mustn't be rude to our new arrivals." Daisy crooned, catching up to her denmate, letting her striped tail rest on his shoulders. "Those poor souls, the rain has their pelts drenched!" Her voice was smooth like honey and warm like the sun, never wavering from its steady level tone. Every revelation was sprinkled with endearing concern, blue eyes wide and ensnared with the new arrivals. It masked the wariness in her step.

Brushing past Pine that Reaches Sky, Daisy of Silver Fields padded up to this so called Jaystar. It was a bold move, but the she-cat knew they didn't have the audacity to hurt her. "I'm sure Stoneteller will arrive soon, Jaystar. You and your denmates must be weary..." Daisy took a step back to allow the tom some space, but couldn't remove her eyes from the scars that laced his frame. She found him awfully interesting.

Who were these strange cats? Why were they in Stoneteller's territory? They had no right to be here! Stepping up next to her best friend, the lithe, fluffy white molly with black and brown markings glared at the trespassers through cold blue eyes. "Oh, Daisy, don't be so kind-hearted," Rainbow That Graces Sky purred, sounding nearly as sweet as the silver tabby when she had spoken. "These poor little lost kitties should've known playing wildcat in the mountains wasn't a good idea. Let them suffer for their own stupidity. Besides, it's not as if we have food to spare." She swished her bushy tail in the air in a boastful way. "I mean, I know that you and I are fabulous prey-hunters -- the best in the Tribe of Endless Skies! -- but you can't possibly expect us to hunt for all these cats."

A snarl echoed from inside the cave, growing louder as the source came closer to the clan cats. Peak that Splits the Clouds was quickly revealed as he stepped into the light, his battle-scarred tuxedo pelt fluffed and claws dragging against the stone at his paws. The eldest of the Tribe pushed past his son, Moth, and approached as close to the three strange toms as he dared. He knew the size of this clan--presumed to be a single clan, not a fragment of three--most certainly outnumbered his Tribe, but the last time he saw strangers such as these, utter chaos befell them all. Daisy and Rainbow's light attitudes were not helpful in this potentially perilous situation.

Teeth gritted together in anger, Peak hissed to who he assumed was the leader of the bunch. "I know of the clans, Jay Star." He left an awkward pause between the leader's name. Seasons had passed since he'd had to deal with their strange naming customs and he was an old cat. "You don't have the right to request anything. Daisy! Rainbow! Step back! Keep your distance from these strangers. We don't know their true intentions." Admittedly, he didn't want to make any decisions that the Teller of the Pointed Stones would disagree with, but the stubborn cave-guard didn't want these strangers to think they had the run of the place just because they'd been previously acquainted. And the prey-hunters were right: there was hardly enough food for the Tribe. How could they offer help to the clan who now occupied their cave entrance? The grizzled tom wavered briefly in his aggressive stance at the thought of taking on an entire clan, and even felt pity for their youngest and weakest, but the mountains didn't afford mercy. A shame these visitors hadn't been kinder to his kin all those seasons ago when they could have spared it, for now Peak had none to spare himself.

The dreary, rainy atmosphere was depressing. It seemed to have dragged down the already dismal moods of the mountain-dwelling tribe. And worse still, aggravated the already easily agitated Hawk. Her paws had always itched for some sort of excitement to grace the Tribe of Endless Gray Stone. But that wish had never been granted. As a kit, the young she-cat had longed to leave the cave and seek out the many things the world had to offer. Pity, she had been set upon the path of a cave-guard and quickly learned of the lackluster nature of tribe life. All her realm of existence had to give was the mountains, sparse with life and sparser in terms of decent companionship. Few of her tribemates had the demeanor or patience to deal with her, and Hawk of Jagged Talons, true to her name, was the same.

Her claws scored repeatedly at the floor of their home, eventually eroding away the surface and leaving behind barely visible clawmarks. Several others dotted the area. It was a sign of her neverending malcontent. The dark brown cat was but a shadowy stain marring the monotone floor. Shoulders hunched forward as she studied the surface in a feigned interest before a soft sigh left her maw and she turned from the self-assigned task. Per usual, nothing had happened of interest. Hawk was prepared to abandon her post and scurry back into the recesses of the cavernous den before a sound reached her ears. Immediately, ears pricked and sharp claws became visible underneath the soft white of her paws. With hazel eyes alight with an immediate defensive state, she rushed to the of Peak. Similar to the older tom's fluffed pelt, her coat appeared nearly twice its normal length despite being much shorter than his.

Several other of their tribemates had appeared around them, muttering a variety of different things. All of this fell on her deaf ears. There was a moment where she too hesitated but in response to the lightly chastising tone of her dear, sweet mother, 'You must try to be polite dear...' But attempts as politeness, while few and far between, were somehow an even thinner possibility in the face of non-tribe born cats. Hawk of Jagged Talons bared her teeth and spat at the nearest cat, Pricklebush, "Our ancestors aren't stupid enough to send visitors in a season with barely any prey. You're just here to steal what little we have!" Hissing furiously, one paw flashed out as if a warning to the tom who stood nearly a whole head taller than her. Her claws connected lightly with the bridge of his nose before she pulled back. This pitiful rock they called home had always been unappealing and unimpressive. But, it was all that she had ever known, and the to-be would do whatever it took to defend that.

Tired and ready to sleep for an entire moon, Daisyflame stood beside Jaystar and Pricklebush, staying quiet as he watched the Tribe cats approach them. The idea of having such long names was an odd concept and while he didn't personally like it, he wasn't going to say anything, seeing as though he didn't want to ruin their chances of finding someplace to rest. Of course, when the name Daisy was called out, it immediately caught his attention, but he forced himself to relax, not wanting to seem too interested. 'Please StarClan, let them accept us into their home,' he prayed silently, hoping for the best. Once he got his clan settled in someplace, then he could work on getting back to Scorchstar. But until then, he needed to stay by his clanmate's sides and be the leader they needed him to be.

Chirp of Cricket at Sunset trotted jovially around the corner from the elder's cave, a bundle of old moss hanging from her jaws, yet the dirty task seemed counteracted by a bright, enthusiastic smile.  Dark amber eyes wide and shining, the petite to-be made a beeline for the cave entrance, slowly thawing waterfall beginning to cast it's rippling patterns upon the stone once again.  To most apprentices, the task of cleaning out the dens and changing their bedding would be groan-inducing, but it was quite the opposite for the young calico she-cat.  In the elder's den, she could listen to stories about the outside world, and in the nursery she could entertain the cute little kits, giving the kit-mothers a bit of a break.  Everything about the Tribe remained fun and exciting no matter how many times she experienced it, and today was no exception!  Humming to herself, Chirp's fluffy tail graved the rock wall as she slid along the narrow ledge that led outside, but an unexpected sound made her pause mid-step, ears suddenly pricked.  Are those...voices?  Why would someone chat outside in the cold when they could be inside, silly!  With a soft chuckle, she was about to keep walking until she realized she could hear this odd conversation, and quickly the realization dawned upon her light-hearted mind...that she didn't recognize one of the cat's voices.

Most other cats would've rushed ahead to defend against this probable intruder or even shrunk back in fear to call for assistance, but Chirp was different.  Continuing to hug the wall, she walked closer to where the ledge ended and the solid ground began, but still staying behind the screen cast by the falling water.  C'mon, what are they saying?  Why does Moth sound so serious?  Well, more serious than usual at least...  There was a lull in the conversation, broken to her annoyance by Pine's furious screeching, but at long last, she could make out a clear voice, the same one from before...  "Please, we seek no conflict or trouble. We're from the clans, a group of cats who live down in the forest..."  The pile of moss in her mouth instantly fell and tumbled down into the waterfall pool below, as Chirp's face transformed into an expression of dumbfounded wonder.  T...the clans!  They're really here, seriously?!  No, It can't be...but they are!  They're here!  With a squeal of pure joy and excitement, the small calico to-be rocketed out of her sheltered spot, sliding across the stone for a moment before regaining her grip to dash ahead, straight towards the large group of strange cats for whom she showed no fear.  "Oh my stars, you're here!!  The clans are actually here!  Ahh, I can't believe this!"  Her youthful voice echoing off the rock face, she skidded to a halt in front of the large blue-gray tabby tom who was speaking to her Tribemates, gaze dashing between him and the two other toms near the front, her smile growing wider by the second.  'I never thought I would be able to meet you guys, Grandma always said you lived too far away- but you're here!  I get to meet him, finally!  Where is SkyClan?"  She looked around, as if expecting to be able to tell apart one group of cats in the giant mob from the others, but didn't let those minor details phase her.  She hadn't heard the last part of the big tom's statement, but she was so excited she didn't care.  This is all my dreams come true...I hope I don't wake up!

Cloud stood near the Thunderclanners, her clear-blue eyes wide as she stared around. It was a miracle that nobody had asked her which clan she belonged to, although she was sure that with the dirt and blood staining her fur she was unrecognizable.
It occurred to the white she-cat that perhaps the Tribe cats would turn them away. They'd never make the journey back to the Clans- they had barely managed to get where they were in one piece. Besides, even if they did make it back, it didn't mean anything for her. Windclan and Skyclan would be there, and with them, Tinystar, Brindlestar, her former clanmates, and the members of the Windclan patrol. No, as soon as they crossed back into the forest, she would be back on her own.

"Silence my fellow tribe-mates!" A voice cracked strongly around the cave that began to fill with clan-cats and rousing tribe-mates. A lithe form emerged from the cave farthest from the back, she was dark grey with amber and blue eyes, her fur long and wiry. She made quick work of the distance from the back of the cave to half a tail-length away from Jaystar, she was smaller than the bulky tom, but was fiercesome in her own right all the same. "I've heard from The Tribe of Endless Hunting that I would be expecting a group of rag-tags, but never did they tell me it was the clan-cats that took us in yet scorned us all the same. I must be honest when I say that I'm not so sure that I wish to welcome you..." Stoneteller looked at Jaystar with narrowed eyes, regarding him with a searching gaze. "Oh! I suppose I must introduce myself! I am Stoneteller, well-versed in the tales that the previous Stoneteller before me has told me. I know of every little bit that you clan-cats had done, but in turn, I know what we have done to you." She shrugged, her eyes connecting with the bulky leaders.

"You are us and we are you, so I will extend my helping paws towards you. As soon as you are all fit to leave back to your territories you will promptly do so least I set my tribe-mates on you like the tales of rabid-dogs that plague your home. You may have numbers, but my tribe-mates know these lands and have been shaped by the hardships of this mountain. You will not win here." Stoneteller assured, stepping away from the bulky tom. "We will have to send out some of our prey-hunters earlier and more frequently." She knew that they did not have enough to spare, finding and catching prey a great hindrance in the Time of Freed Water. If they clan-cats knew any sort of hospitality and return it, they would offer whatever skills they had to her.

They were under her paws while she sheltered them, fed them, and gave them the care they needed. They'd be smart to work themselves to the bones for her, "Hawk, my daughter, could you perhaps show these clan-cats where they can stay? And I'm sure Jay Star and I would love to go into further discussion about their stay, and any other... leader figures present." Teller of Pointed Stones mewed, her tone cool and sharp as if it was full of smooth, jagged stones. Those who came before her must surely be proud, paying off this debt that they had conjured up, but letting stray kitties into her home set her on edge. She would make sure they knew that whatever they wanted to pull off would not happen without an even greater consequence.

As Echo waited for Stoneteller to emerge, she flinched at Hawk's reaction. She knew there was not much to be done there, but she internally groaned, hoping these cats wouldn't react to it as a threat. Rainbow, on the other hand.... "Rainbow! Enough!" She hissed at her daughter, tail twitching with barely concealed anger. "We will wait to hear what Stoneteller says, but until then you will not be rude to them. And if they are allowed to stay, you will continue to not be rude to them." She looked to the clan cat that had been swiped at, Pricklebush, apologetically. After a little while longer, Stoneteller emerged and delivered her verdict. These strange cats would be allowed to stay. Torn between excitement at meeting these new cats and dismay at having to go out more often to hunt. She nodded after a moment, looking to her mate, Moth.

"I'll go back out hunting now. Does anyone want to come?" She asked, pushing her weariness aside to be able to venture back out into the mountain in search of something to feed all of these cats, or at least, the ones that needed it most.