Youth {OPEN - WC PLOT TOPIC #1}

The morning breeze brought with it a chill, far from the mountains. Finchstar however found his mind was elsewhere, unable to focus on the coming of leaf-fall or the grass that swished around his paws. WindClan sported many apprentices, and had for many moons. It was quite usual to awake and see their little paws leave camp, following their mentor on patrol. At dusk, they'd gather around and grab some prey, sharing stories, throwing an occasional mossball. This served to remind Finchstar of Cloverpaw, who he'd been sure to visit every day. The tom was recovering well from his injury, and often made appearances outside the den, joining in with sharing tongues or late night chats. However a particular apprentice ceased to return home last night. Finchstar shrugged on it as he curled up in his nest, dreaming of Brookclover and the ryegrass that lulled him to sleep. But there was a sense of urgency that had jerked him awake this morning. The feeling of dread hung on his tabby shoulders, and the leader pushed through the foliage that lined his den. The wind couldn't pull his mind from it, nor could the hunger in his stomach. Puddlepaw was missing, it was unlike her to not return home. As an older apprentice, and former loner, she was familiar with living on her own, and yet any logical cat would opt for the safety of a camp rather then risk a fox attack out on the moor. After Goldengale and Ploverpaw's report of foxes, and the second attack on Raventail, Barleytuft, and Goldengale once more, patrols had been ordered to be extra careful.

Finchstar had been a fool not to see it before. How could he have slept, knowing she was out there somewhere? "WindClan! Has anyone seen Puddlepaw recently?" His heart began to thump against his chest, just as it did in the tunnels. Finchstar sucked in a breath and closed his yellow eyes, summoning the last strands of confidence left within him. He had been responsible for the deaths of those he loved before. But never again. "Come together!" The tom shouted, eyeing Graybriar. "Let's organize a search party."

Goldengale hardly limped as she joined the quickly gathering crowd. It had been several days since her leg had been wounded, and while it taken some time, the bite wound had healed and gotten better. Her pride, and confidence in the safety of her home, however, had been severely damaged... It would take moons to repair those. Even now, the insecurity of the moors that had always protected her and her family haunted the back of her mind, wriggling in her stomach like a maggot wriggling on crowfood. It made her sick, truly, and she missed the freedom of running over the moors like the wind itself, free to roam as she did so.

Puddlepaw, for some reason, had gone out alone. Despite the rules against it, and the recent attacks, she had struck out on her own for... Something. The young warrior wasn't sure what the reasoning was, just that she had not come home. The nervous lilt to Finchstar's voice clued her in on what he was about to say, and instantly she volunteered. "I haven't seen her at all. Please, Finchstar, having faced the foxes myself, let me go. My leg is good, see?" She pressed weight on her paw, being careful not to flinch at the dull pain that lingered.

Barleytuft appeared at Goldengale's side almost out of nowhere, seemingly, though only because she had been so passionately focused on her request. "You can't fool your old man, Goldengale," he said in a stern, concerned tone, having seen the glint in her eyes as she pretended nothing was wrong. "I know my daughter, and you have recuperated much, but don't try to pass it off like nothing." Still, she had immensely improved since she was actually forced to take a break this last time, and her tracking was as good as anyone's. It would be a waste not to bring her, and Barleytuft knew it, but he intended to hear her admit she wasn't fully healed before he let her set foot out of camp.

The father's eyes then turned to Finchstar, his concern clear on his face. He had eagerly welcomed Puddlepaw into the Clan along with the rest of them, and with unsecured tunnels and foxes and who knew what else on the loose now, he was deeply worried about what she may have stumbled upon. "I'd like to go. I spent a little time with Graybriar and Puddlepaw while they trained; we know a few places she might've gone." He turned his broad head to gaze at his mate, worried what he would see in her eyes.

Had the circumstances been different, Puddlepaw’s absence might not have been so concerning. But Raventail could say he knew firstpaw what dangers had chosen the moor this moon; he had left the medicine den not long ago himself with the most severe wounds he’d had in his life (which, considering his relative lack of battle experience, wasn’t saying much). Though Puddlepaw was older than him and had proven her self-sufficiency by surviving the journey to WindClan, she was the only one missing. She had left alone, just like Raventail had, but in the time it had taken for the sun to rise, nobody had gone after her. If she was dead… If they couldn’t find her, even to bury her… His wounds hadn’t been so bad he couldn’t stick his nose into the apprentices’ den. He should have noticed.

Before he could let that thought sink in, he reminded himself, She's not dead until we have proof. Raventail joined the crowd a fox-length from Barleytuft’s side and meowed, ”I haven’t seen her either.” His tail twitched as Goldengale volunteered, only for Barleytuft to override her. He did not offer to join in alongside his friend. If their search led them underground, as it almost inevitably would, he would be a liability. Besides, he hadn't known Puddlepaw at all. Logically speaking, he served his purpose best here, waiting for them, or for Puddlepaw, to return. As his gaze drifted past his Clanmates, the only thing he could think of was just how much moor there was to search.

"I haven't seen her for several sunrises," Elmskip chimed in, walking up to the gathering group and sitting down. Worry gnawed at his stomach and shown in his green eyes. There had been some mysterious happenings lately in the moors. Tunnels collapsing, predators running rampant, cats getting injured and, worse, killed. He didn't remember the last time anything strange like this had happened in the Clan and it quite honestly scared him. Tail curled neatly around his paws, the tip began to flick as he looked around at his Clanmates. Goldengale, Barleytuft, Raventail, Finchstar...who was next? Who was next to fall? It could be any one of them.

"I'll go with Barleytuft, Finchstar." the tortoiseshell tom meowed definitively. If he got hurt or even killed, so be it. At the very least he would have died with honor.

Patrols had grown dangerous in WindClan, not from confrontations with RiverClan cats, no, they'd been at peace for at least a season now. Predators stalked the recovering moors. Deerhawk sat upright in quiet contemplation, looking not unlike the shadow of a tree stump in the middle of camp. What were they supposed to do about this? There was no sense in panicking - in fact that would make the situation worse. The brown tom's gaze was locked on something unseen as he thought. It wasn't until Finchstar's words drifted to his ears that his pumpkin eyes refocused. 'Someone's been out in the territory? Alone? For how long?' He rose to his paws and approached the group of gathering cats. 'It's Puddlepaw.'

"I'm coming." There would be no argument.

The first thing that Grousefrost heard that afternoon after a long digging session was the question of whether a cat had seen Puddlepaw. The first thing he saw, was Goldengale. Her beautiful golden pelt hiding a limp that he narrowed in on immediately. He strode over with a quick pace, taking up a stance with Barleytuft by immediately leaping to her side. His silver and white body covered in dirt, but his blue eyes were clear and firm.

“No.” He meowed to her, sternly at first, but it was worry that coloured his eyes, not possessiveness no matter how it sounded. “Absolutely not. I can’t think of anything more in-efficient for your healing that racing after headstrong apprentices.” He looked over at Barleytuft, giving him a firm nod of agreement as his gaze returned to hers once more. “Please stay… keep Vinepaw safe...” He urged, before he turned to face Finchstar.

“I’ll search the tunnels, with Raventail.” He called, looking at the black tom’s direction with a challenge. This, is what he had been personally training the other tom for.

The news was concerning, and Graybriar felt not only anxious, but somewhat responsible. After all, Puddlepaw was supposed to be her apprentice... she'd been busy in the nursery, then wallowing in self-pity after the death of- no. Stop. Either way, she hadn't been paying enough attention to Puddlepaw. And now the she-cat had gone missing. The gray tabby shifted nervously from paw to paw while Finchstar talked, then while her Clanmates argued about who would be going. Her daughter wanted to come, but thankfully both Barleytuft and Grousefrost shot her down due to her injured leg. She remembered what it had been like to be wounded and feel useless... but healing was the best thing for her right now. Many other warriors seemed to want to come and help, which was good- but it was obvious who Finchstar should take. "She's my apprentice," Graybriar said solemnly, concern written all over her face. "I'm responsible for her. I should've checked in when she didn't return last night... it's my duty to help find her. Also, I'm worried, and I want to bring her home safely. I have a few ideas of where she might have gone.... But it would also make sense to take someone experienced in the tunnels along as well. Like Grousefrost. Two warriors should probably be enough, we don't want to leave camp undefended." She shot Barleytuft a look, willing him to stay back in camp, safe, with Cloverpaw and Goldengale and Mistystripe. If any other members of her family got hurt.... "A leader, a senior warrior and a younger warrior more familiar with tunnels. No need for a whole battle patrol, Finchstar."

Goldengale grumbled to herself as her father pointed out her discomfort that had lingered in her steps, tail tip flicking impatiently. Just as she opened her mouth to retort, Grousefrost appeared at her side, and she met his gaze as he looked at her with worry clouding his gaze. She huffed, looking away with a frown, sulking momentarily before he requested she look after Vinepaw. The fur along her back slowly relaxed as she accepted their words, even though her heart still longed to help.

Pressing against her mate's side gently, she tucked her head under his chin. "If you get chosen.... You must be safe. Come home, to me and to Vinepaw.... Please." She whispered, waiting for Finchstar's response when her mother spoke up, saying they should only need two warriors. Immediately she shook her head, the more cats the safer they would be. "If I'm not coming, I'll help make sure the camp is defended well. But you should have more than just a pawful of cats, two of the foxes attacked Raventail and I. Thank StarClan Barleytuft was nearby - if the group runs into them you'll want more than just a couple cats. Please, take plenty."

WindClan's hearts seemed to surge forward in bravery as Finchstar watched. He couldn't stop a smile from forming on his maw as every warrior laid their claws down to find Puddlepaw. However the terrifying circumstances crashed forward once more. Finchstar wanted to believe the apprentice had perhaps just taken the night to sleep on Outlook Rock. But fate hadn't been as kind in the past. He needed to be logical, even if his optimism spoke otherwise. It was not an easy lesson to learn, as the possibility of finding Puddlepaw lifeless sat in tow with the weight of the teachings. But fate had no favorites. Finchstar closed his eyes for a moment, coming to terms with it before deciding on a plan. Peace would come, and good hearts would reign, but for now, they were warriors, and a battle needed to be fought. "Puddlepaw was a loner before she came to this clan. It is quite possible she is fine and perhaps took the night to think or contemplate. But it's not a risk worth taking, only sending a few warriors to search. Graybriar, I appreciate your wisdom, however foxes roam outside the camp, we will return your apprentice home safely. The apprentices and kits will not be forgotten, Graybriar and Goldengale, you two will stay to watch over the younger cats. Both of you are brave, brave beings. And Goldengale, while I acknowledge your adamancy, your knowledge of these foxes could be well utilized in camp if those beasts dare come here. Keep your guard up, I trust you both with my life."

Finchstar's eyes flashed as he turned his gaze to Barleytuft and Raventail, looking at their scars from their previous battle. Thankfully, none of the toms were injured too badly, but each cut and bruise served to worry the leader. He felt almost silly, sending patrols armed to the teeth out to search for a wayward apprentice, but Finchstar bluffed well, he could not afford to let his guard down now. Staring at the sand for a small moment, the leader closed his eyes and imagined Brookclover's frame against his. She would fight with the strength of LionClan to protect the ones she loved so dearly. Feeling a surge in his heart, Finchstar opened his yellow eyes and chuckled. They may look silly, but let StarClan laugh. WindClan's bravery would be a testament to the beautiful souls within it, willing to fight and die for each and every clanmate. Perhaps the only danger out there was the thorns on the gorse. Or perhaps the foxes remained hungry. No matter the beast, they would find those in danger, and they would bring them sanctuary. "Two patrols will go out. Barleytuft, friend, will you take the honors of leading one? You have seen these foxes first hand, and I trust your claws more than I trust the ground beneath my feet. Grousefrost and Elmskip will go with you. Both warriors as well as yourself have trained in the tunnels, where perhaps the foxes may be hiding." He nodded to the three warriors, feeling a wave of excitement, watching them all together. "I will lead the second patrol. Raventail and Deerhawk will accompany me. Raventail, friend. You have seen these beasts as well. And Deerhawk, you are as swift as the wind. The rest will guard camp until Puddlepaw has been returned." Finchstar smiled and flicked his tail. "Let us hope you are right, Graybriar. Perhaps Puddlepaw simply found a nest in the heather. But for now, star's speed to you all."

As the rest of WindClan gathered, each of them volunteering or offering ideas for the search patrol, Raventail stepped back to give them room. The tunnels would never be anything less than daunting, even if Grousefrost trained him until they were both elders half-blind from the perpetual darkness; adding foxes and StarClan knows what else certainly didn’t change that. Still, they were as much a part of WindClan as the hills and heather, and he had accepted that, if he didn’t at least learn the basics, Grousefrost would be as likely to kill him as the tunnels themselves—so, though he knew he would never trust them too much, he had given in. But when Grousefrost insisted they search the tunnels together, Raventail’s heart froze. He wasn’t ready. He couldn’t save anyone aboveground, not now. How would he be any use beneath it? Not bothering to mask the uncertainty in his voice, he began, ”Grouse—“

Finchstar, having taken all of the offers and advice into account, saved him from having to justify himself. Goldengale was to stay in camp (at that, Raventail stifled a sigh of relief), as was Graybriar. Then Finchstar’s eyes fell on him; he stilled, gaze skipping past his leader’s. The first patrol was made up of some of WindClan’s first tunnelers, all skilled warriors in their own rights. (More relief; Raventail wasn’t among them.) The second included Finchstar himself and… Raventail blinked. Him, Finchstar, and Deerhawk. Even after the wounds he’d come home with. He made to brush his tail against Barleytuft’s shoulder, then stopped short, hesitant, half-raising a paw. ”Stay safe, okay?” Barleytuft, too, knew what the enemy was like; Barleytuft, too, knew just how treacherous the tunnels could be.

Goldengale's ears flattened slightly. Even if she had reluctantly accepted the concerns of her father and mate, it still stung to hear Finchstar request her to stay. She looked to them both now as they were assigned to one patrol, concern filling her expression. Wordlessly she pressed her nose to Grousefrost's, licking his cheek before pressing her head to Barleytuft's shoulder. "Come back safe, both of you. All of you. We'll be waiting." She nodded to her mentor and their leader, settling herself next to the entrance of camp to gaze out over the moors for anything out of the ordinary.

Barleytuft's sharp eyes met Goldengale's, and for the briefest of moments their gazes met like chips of flint. The she-cat was about to argue and deny her injury again, and the father would have begrudgingly settled right into the debate with her if not for Grousefrost's stern voice sounding quite suddenly on her other side. Barleytuft's gaze lifted to see Grousefrost's normally severe blue eyes glimmering with a depth of worry that made the older tom's heart warm a little. Had he not known the tom so well he might think the younger warrior was attempting to control his daughter, but that face was the face of a cat deeply troubled by the thought of their loved one unnecessarily putting themselves in harm's way. Furthermore, Goldengale's face began to calm, losing its indignance. Her head turned, disappointed, but she agreed quietly.

Other cats had joined in, following Finchstar's summon and offering their opinions, their thoughts of where Puddlepaw may have gone, and, more often, their help. Elmskip offered to join with Barleytuft and the tall tom's long tail flicked in gratitude and acknowledgement, though ultimately the decision would be left to Finchstar. Deerhawk had arrived as well, and Graybriar spoke up to volunteer and give what knowledge she might have. As Barleytuft expected, his mate's voice was heavy with guilt and concern. He wished to sweep over to her and wrap her up in his body, to protect her from the anxiety and guilt she must be feeling now, but the meeting wasn't over. His mate turned her head and met his eyes, and Barleytuft felt his sympathy grow a little blossom of sadness as he understood the plea in their depths. "Don't go," he could hear Graybriar ask quietly in the depths of his mind. "Please stay where it's safe."

Goldengale interjected, adding that a patrol needed to be strong in case they came face to face with the foxes that herself, Raventail, and Barleytuft had run into a while before. The senior warrior grimaced slightly at the reminder, but certainly all of the warriors had thought it already. Finchstar took their words all into consideration and then spoke, making his declaration. Graybriar and Goldengale would remain in camp to defend it, awaiting the patrols - or, perhaps, Puddlepaw's - return. Barleytuft immediately turned his dark hazel eyes to try to catch his daughter's gaze apologetically; he might have let her come, but Finchstar had a good point - several, unfortunately. He couldn't argue.

The ginger and white leader said Barleytuft's name and the senior warrior dutifully turned his attention back to the tom. He nodded when asked to lead a patrol, standing up a little straighter and listening again intently. Grousefrost and Elmskip would join him - the tunnelers, all together on one patrol again. Raventail and Deerhawk would go with Finchstar, as they were both experienced warriors and Raventail had seen the foxes before. They seemed like good choices. Finchstar then dismissed them all with gentle words of hope, and Barleytuft nodded, his tail sweeping intently behind him as the chosen cats began to gather for their patrol.

Raventail's dark shape approached Barleytuft, and the senior warrior clenched his teeth slightly. They were both thinking of the foxes now and what they might face; the grave thought darkened both of their expressions. The deputy stopped just a few steps short, his tail reaching out hesitantly before stopping and pulling back. Barleytuft nodded in acknowledgement of his words, and he murmured, "You as well. I'm glad you're on the surface, my friend. Run fast, alright?" The older tom did not hold back his own tail when he laid it over Raventail's haunches for an instant.

They separated and Barleytuft saw Goldengale; he immediately lowered his chin to brush the top of her head as she bumped it against his shoulder. "We'll be home before you know it," Barleytuft reassured her gently. Then he turned his head to Graybriar, knowing the sadness and possibly even hurt or betrayal he would see there. Duty was duty, and Puddlepaw's search patrol was his. He walked over and rubbed his face against hers, licking her cheek and neck. "I'm sorry, Gray. I'll be back as soon as I can. We'll find her - it'll be alright." He couldn't know that, and they both knew it.

Barleytuft stepped away then and his tail struck into the air and he searched for Grousefrost and Elmskip. "We'll start towards the Thunderpath and make our way up past the farmland and around towards the Gorge," Barleytuft informed not only his patrol members but also his leader and their patrol, giving them an idea an area to search, "You'll encounter the fewest tunnel composites that way, and we'll be less likely to cross each other's trails and muddy any scent." He looked to Finchstar for confirmation, and then with a final look of love at his family he lead his patrol out of the gorse tunnel and towards the booming stretch of dark earth beyond.

ooc; i will edit this post with my link to the Barley/Grouse/Elm patrol in a few minutes!

https://warriorclancats.forumotion.com/t39394-youth-barleytuft-s-patrol-closed

Adrenaline pumped through Graybriar's veins as she waited for Finchstar to finally speak up, mildly annoyed that her daughter had chosen to speak against her but too wrapped up in fear for her mate and kits and Clan to care much. When the leader spoke her name, her ears pricked upwards toward him, attentive- then he, like the others, dismissed her. As always, she would stay in camp. Barleytuft was going to go put himself in danger again. She sat back down, crushed. What was the point of being a senior warrior if you weren't allowed to help the cats you loved? She wasn't pregnant anymore! Her leg had healed! She was supposed to be able to help.... Of course, Barleytuft immediately and eagerly jumped at the chance to go be heroic again. She couldn't grudge him that; it was in his nature. However, she couldn't help but feel hurt along with the worry and fear as her mate offered a goodbye to the young deputy, then their daughter... then her. The usual sense of responsibility and duty he was always offered shone in his eyes past the love that was always there. She shouldn't feel as jealous as she did, she shouldn't feel this sense of betrayal and concern. It was just a patrol. Just her mate going to find her missing apprentice on a potentially dangerous patrol. Quailpaw had died, Cloverpaw was injured, Goldengale was injured- now here he was, putting himself in danger. Did he not have any sense of respect for her many losses, any respect for the potential doom he had so quickly volunteered for? All these feelings rose up in her at an instant, then at Barleytuft's gentle touch they faded away again. "All that matters is that you all come back safe," she murmured, an infinite grief in her sky-blue eyes. Empty promises meant nothing... StarClan, please. I've- we've- suffered so much. Don't make us suffer more.

Grousefrost felt relief surge through him as Goldengale was tasked with staying in camp. He wouldn’t have to worry about her injuries, or her meeting a fox out there on the moors. He scoffed as Raventail began to object, but accepted the other tom just wasn’t suited for tunnel life. At least not yet.

Still, Grousefrost smiled tenderly at Goldengale as she licked his cheek, letting her father speak to her first, before he padded up and licked her cheek in response. Then padded forward the one step further, wrapping a paw around to hug her close for a moment. If there was a fox out there, he wasn’t a fool.

He might not make it home. It would be horrendously inefficient for him to die, but he knew the possibility existed, and it’d be worse to just ignore it. After a moment, he pulled away to follow Barelytuft. The older tom had a solid plan, and nothing Grousefrost could think of would interfere with it.