as leafbare approaches... [territory dispute]

windclan is challenging shadowclan for the hidden outcropping!
windclan's patrol consists of daystar, ashfall, swiftspirit, mistypaw, and timbersun (five cats). neither clans have a disadvantaged penalty.

Daystar needed to start thinking about the comfort of her Clan above all else.

As the air began to grow chillier and the nights became longer, the she-cat realized that WindClan was going to need every bit of territory and hunting grounds they could get in order to properly put food in the mouths of every cat. Nobody deserved to go hungry during leaf-bare. As much as she hated fighting, and as much as she wanted to keep her Clan away from bloodshed, Daystar knew that battle was apart of the life of a warrior whether she liked it or not. It was the only way to get what she wanted at times. She had gone to sleep that night feeling guilty for even considering attacking another Clan unprovoked, but when she had woken up the next morning, any shame she felt had disappeared.

It was time for her to grow up. A leader was supposed to prioritize their Clan above even themselves, and that was what she was going to do. Now, as her patrol padded alongside her, she felt her paws itch with every step she took. She was mainly concerned about Mistypaw... why exactly was an apprentice joining a battle patrol again? If their patrol was met by older, stronger warriors, then she would be down for the count. However, there was always a chance that this would end calmly...

Perhaps ShadowClan was as battle-opposed as she was and both Clans would walk away without a scratch. There was only one thing for sure, though.

Peaceful or not, WindClan would be leaving with new territory.

Murkystar had been keeping a close eye on the new territory that ShadowClan had claimed. Ordering extra patrols, especially during the day, she found herself quite pleased that she had tagged along on this one herself. Her eyes narrowed as they landed on Daystar, followed by a WindClan patrol. Motioning to them with the rest of her patrol, she padded forward until she stood a few strides away from Daystar, greeting her with a cool nod of acknowledgement. "Daystar, greetings. To what do we owe the pleasure of you and a patrol of your clanmates lurking on our border?" She asked, keeping her voice level. Perhaps she just needed some herbs, or something was amiss. If it turned out that they were trying to stake a claim... They would be in for a rude awakening.

Batglow stood behind his leader, yellow green eyes watching the leader with her patrol carefully. He didn't like this. His eyes narrowed as he stared down the other cats.

Swiftspirit stood a pace behind Daystar, nose wrinkling slightly at the scent of Shadowclan that permeated the air. They'd let this border go for far too long, and it seemed Shadowclan had taken liberties. Her kits were apprentices now, but that didn't mean that the clan could afford to just give up territory to anyone who wanted it. She didn't really want to fight, but if that was what Shadowclan wanted, she would defend her clan.

If she was a bit grateful that they weren't near the gorge and the border with Riverclan, well, who could blame her when Windclan had just lost a medicine cat and an elder to the foul strip of land, not to mention Sunnyskip before them?

---

Mistyfalcon silently padded next to Murkystar, not exactly thrilled to be awake at this hour but also unwilling to shirk his duties. The fresh scent of Windclan made his nose wrinkle, and his tail flicked. Windclan were well-known as cowards, and it had certainly taken them a while to show up to their border... Clearly they didn't need it that much. They had no reason to be here, as far as Mistyfalcon was concerned.

Still, if they wanted to fight, he wouldn't mind taking out his frustrations with being up at stupid o'clock on some Windclan hide.

Timbersun wasn't exactly prepared to go to a battle. He was still mourning for his sister. But... He needed to move on. For his kits, for the clan's kits. He was fighting alongside Swiftspirit so he was sure things would go nicely. He kept close to the group as they made their way to the Hidden Outcropping. They needed this food. Shadowclan wasn't about to take it.

They finally arrived at the territory. Not long after, Shadowclan's... deputy...? arrived. Where was Flintstar? He had noticed the leader seemed to have trouble doing much at the gathering, so was Flintstar back at Shadowclan camp? Whatever, Windclan will be fighting for food, they needed it. He wasn't going to say anything yet, maybe Daystar could handle everything and Windclan could get the territory without a fight, unlikely, but Timbersun wasn't going to complain if it went that way.

Ratpaw hung back beside Batglow, watching the other patrol — Windclan, he recognized — warily. The dark-furred tom did not consider himself good at reading cats, but they looked... distinctly unfriendly. And Murkystar’s tone politely cautious.

It had been some time since Ratpaw began his apprenticeship, and accompanying a patrol of older cats — and Murkystar, who he admired greatly — made him feel he was growing into it. Webshadow seemed to think he was learning quite well. But the sudden, claw’s edge tension: it made him feel very young again. The small, dark apprentice kept his ears raised, one turned toward Murkystar — overall, feeling very uncertain.

Ashfall had shaken off the wounds from her last battle like they were nothing, and while she did not wish to upset Shadowclan, Windclan needed more territory. It felt like more kits were being born every day, and as the nursery got fuller, their prey had gotten scarcer. This was not the reason she had decided to bring Mistypaw, however. No, she was bringing Mistypaw because despite everything, every apprentice needed to see real combat at some point. Shadowclan was a decent clan, there was little chance of them going too far with an apprentice. Besides, she had taught her combat, if Mistypaw had learned anything from her, this fight would be good for her. Eye flicking down to Mistypaw, she whispered quietly. "Mistypaw, remember what I told you before we left camp. If you feel as if a fight will be too much for you, or if you feel like a cat is going to... well take an eye out of you, run. You're not a coward if we're already losing, it is just a tactical retreat." A silent sigh sounded in her mind, and Ashfall knew that Mistypaw wouldn't take kindly to being told to run from a fight, but there was always a reason for her to be a little paranoid. She didn't want her apprentice to face the same hardships she had with her injuries.

Mistypaw was, no doubt, shocked when Ashfall had advocated her joining the battle patrol. Not only that, she was also the only apprentice here. It was a nice change of pace, fighting alongside warriors in such an important confrontation. She even remained civil toward Ashfall when doing preparations. She knew when she owed a cat one, after all, and she had owed her mentor big time for this one.

Staring down the ShadowClan cats, it was no secret that she was the smallest one here. She was hardly bigger than a kit. But she was confident in herself all the same. She always said she would show she was as good as any warrior, and now she got the chance.

When Ashfall leaned down to speak to her, her fur began to bristle as usual. "I'm not a mousebrain! I can take care of myself just fine!" But unlike normal, she actually backpedaled her speech. "I know that there aren't lives on the line. I won't risk my own. I promise."

And then words that almost hurt her to say. With luck, no cat actually heard them, either. "Thank you, Ashfall."

Ooc: Mobile post, will edit later.
Edit: I'm home

Burningwing was in a mood as the sun peaked over the horizon. He wanted nothing more than to settle in his nest and go to sleep. So of course on the last round of their patrol, who would show up on territory that they didn't own but Windclan? Yep, filthy rogues who don't belong here causing trouble for Shadowclan again. Will our leadership learn? No. Never. It's against their own Code that they make up as they go. His fur immediately bristled and a growl rumbled low in his throat. Murkystar began to speak... speak of all things, rather than answer this intrusion with claws immediately. Talking was for gatherings, not territory intrusions. He lashed his tail furiously several times and could hardly hold still as images of ripping the skin right off of some of these Windclan cats whipped through his mind.

And there was none other than Swiftspirit. Wonderful. He was going to "accidentally" run his claws through her throat if he got the chance. ... Maybe someone would kill or maim the Rogue Son. That would be good. One more name off of his list.

Maybe Daystar hadn't thought this through completely. She wasn't used to one on one encounters with high ranks because Gatherings gave her the opportunity to speak them all in the same place, but she supposed that it was an experience that she was going to have to have eventually. No matter how nervous she felt in the moment, and no matter how much she desired to say 'nevermind' and turn away, the she-cat made sure that her expression stayed calm and her body remained still. The cat standing before her was Murkystrike, correct? How humiliating would it be if she forgot the name of ShadowClan's deputy while trying to be respectful? This was something that she needed to discuss with Flintstar though. Stars, she truly hadn't thought about all of the details. How was she supposed to talk with the leader of the Clan if he wasn't present at the moment?

"Greetings, Murkystrike." Daystar began after quickly looking over each cat in the opposing patrol.
If a fight were to break out, at least they would be evenly matched. That seemed as fair as it could be, but she still was concerned about Mistypaw's safety.
"I can see that you're all wary of our appearance, but I can assure you that I'm not here for a fight. I have something that I need to discuss with Flintstar, but seeing as he's not present and I'm sure none of you are too keen on taking an enemy into your camp, which is understandable, I'll settle with talking to you instead." The she-cat spoke so clearly that it was difficult to tell that she was even the slightest bit terrified of the situation.

Was Daystar being too greedy? Her Clan had managed to take control of the gorge not too long ago, but that new territory had come with a gruesome price, and Hentooth's death still weighed heavy on her heart. No, there was no such thing as being too greedy when it came to feeding a Clan. Right? Future Daystar would thank present Daystar for taking over the Hidden Outcropping when cats in her Clan weren't going hungry during Leafbare. Then again, it was awfully degrading to beg a rival Clan for something.

"I'm sure that your Clan doesn't want a fight just as much as we don't, but my Clan needs the Hidden Outcropping," Daystar began, her voice level, "and that's why we're here... to make negotiations for it. I don't know what's happening within ShadowClan, and I sympathize with you if you're going through struggles, but I need to think about my Clan first, and that means begging if I must..."

"...or fighting, if I absolutely have to."

Murkystar tilted her head slightly at being referred to as Murkystrike. Her new name was still quite fresh, she herself hadn't quite gotten used to it, and with Flintstar deciding to step down after the last Gathering she supposed that there had been no way for the other clans to know. Well, WindClan would be the first, but perhaps not yet. Signaling to her clan to keep quiet, Murkystar responded. "Yes, unfortunately you have to settle for me." She mewed, her voice level as she waited for Daystar to continue. The cats who roamed the moor were as long-winded as the breeze that carried their paws, and her pelt was itching to get this over with.

Finally, Daystar got to the point, and Murkystar's tail lashed in anger. WindClan needed the Hidden Outcropping? After it had sat for ages untouched by any clan cat? Venom colored her words as she responded, tail tip flicking back and forth. "I refuse to entertain any back and forth for this territory. The Hidden Outcropping has sat untouched, and not hunted for moons. My patrols have been keeping a close eye on it for some time now, and we finally decided to claim it in preparation for leaf-bare. If WindClan needed it so badly, you could have done the same far sooner. Regardless, we claimed this territory nearly a moon ago, if you need this land so much what took you so long to come grovel before us? You say you don't want a fight, but you're actively attempting to steal food from my clanmates. I won't forgive that easily." She growled, rising to stand as tall as she could and fluff her pelt out. "ShadowClan, make sure these rabbit-hearts know that our territory is ours alone, and we will defend it with everything we have." She ordered, giving the signal to attack to the rest of the patrol as she lunged forward, barreling into Daystar, grabbing her scruff and shaking as hard as she could. The life of strength she had received from Hornetpaw seemed to flow through her as she released Daystar's scruff and sent her sprawling to the ground.

Murkystrike used Scruff Shake on Daystar, dealing 10 (-1 Moor Runner) damage and costing 20 SP. Daystar is stunned for two turns!

Murkystar:
100/100 HP
160/180 SP (-20)

Daystar:
91/100 HP (-9)
180/180 SP

OOC: ShadowClan has been ordered to attack, the battle has officially begun!
ShadowClan patrol consists of Ratpaw, Mistyfalcon, Batglow, Burningwing, and Murkystar.

The member 'Mosspelt' has done the following action : Dices roll

---

'Effect Dice' : 6

The Windclan leader spoke, and Mistyfalcon resisted the urge to roll his eyes. They'd certainly taken their sweet time in coming to claim the outcropping if they'd needed it so badly... Clearly Windclan wasn't hurting for prey that much. He more or less tuned the talkative leader out, though he of course paid attention to what Murkystar said. Murkystar ordered the attack, and Mistyfalcon wasted little time in leaping forward, aiming to land on a white and gray she-cat. He'd noticed the slight limp in her movements and the scars across her face, and that meant she'd seen plenty of battle before. He wasn't interested in playing nice.

Mistyfalcon used Leap and Hold on Ashfall for -15 sp, dealing -10 damage. Ashfall is pinned for 1 turn.

Mistyfalcon
70 / 70 hp
145 / 160 sp (160 - 15)

Ashfall pinned this turn
45 / 55 hp (55 - 10)
110 / 110 sp

---

Swiftspirit's ears flattened as the Shadowclan deputy gave the order to attack, and rather than wait for someone to come to her, she sprang towards a black tom with claws unsheathed. Going for that fool Burningwing had crossed her mind... But she'd fought him before and had little desire to again.

Swiftspirit used Jumping Strike on Batglow for -7 sp, dealing -9+3 damage.
Moor Runner in effect, damage taken by Windclan reduced by -1.

Swiftspirit
70 / 70 hp
153 / 160 sp (160 - 7)

Batglow
58 / 70 hp (70 - 9 - 3)
160 / 160 sp

The member 'kjSage' has done the following action : Dices roll

---

'Effect Dice' : 1

Burningwing wasted absolutely no time in attacking once the order was given. Did they really think they were just going to give this land up? He charged toward Timbersun and crashed into him in a whirlwind of claws and teeth. If I get rid of at least one... He forced himself to focus again on the opponent currently in front of him. He could think about what he would do once he dropped him.

Burningwing used Jumping Strike on Timbersun, dealing 9 damage (+3 for Unfocused, -1 for Moor Runner) and -7SP

Burningwing
50HP / 113SP (-7SP)

Timbersun
31HP / 100SP (-9HP)