Let's Spread our Wings and Fly (topic over)

Swanmist didn't sleep that night.

She was waiting.

Her pale yellow eyes were heavy with exhaustion. But she was used to it. She had many sleepless nights filled with worry, and she had only moved back into the warriors den a few days ago, where Smokeflame slept.

She remembered sleeping next to Smokeflame, he'd keep her warm, calm and happy. But now she was anything but that.

What a foxheart...

She had moved her next next to Snowdash, but... This will be her last moments next to her father. "Goodbye." She muttered, near Snowdash. He was still asleep, but she stood up, walking out of the den.

She turned her attention to the sky, where the moon shone brightly.

It's almost moonhigh. It's time.

She went into the apprentice den, her kits were hopefully up and waiting for her, and there they were.

She gave them the signal, and looked to their exit.

Hopefully... This will be the last time they are in this camp. Hopefully the last time they'll be anywhere near Riverclan territory. "Ready?" She muttered to her kits.

She took a deep breath, and headed to leave camp.

She thought the camp guards had fallen asleep. But she didn't know that eyes were watching her, awoken from their light sleep by her presence.

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

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'Camp Invasion Dice' :

Her dreams had left her restless again, eyes peering wide into the darkness. It seemed that her denmates were in a similar state. Darkpaw was rather shy and tentative but concern bubbled up in her chest. Something was wrong. Not only had a pawful of cats begun to exit the den, but a warrior had entered in the middle of the night. She hesitated, care for her clanmates outweighing her fears. Slowly, she rose to her paws and padded with light steps after the retreating figures. Swanmist and her kits. Her ears fell back slightly as she ducked her head low. The camp was quiet, restful, other than this strange thing that hung heavily in the center of camp. The approach was slow, concerned and her voice was barely audible as she piped up, "A-are you okay? What's going on?"

Pebblepaw’s chin rested on his paws as he waited for his mother to come and get them. He glanced over at his sisters and frowned to himself. Were they really just going to leave RiverClan? Didn’t they have a duty to their Clan?
Don’t you have a duty to Ma? She was getting sicker by the day, and now Mint and Flurry were starting to look thin, too. Leafbare was only going to get harder before it got better-- and it wasn’t like the territory was teeming with non-fish prey to begin with. They would have to leave if she was going to get any better.
He looked up when Swanmist came in and gave them the signal. It was time. With a deep breath, the tom got to his paws and followed closely behind her.
At the sound of a voice behind them, Pebblepaw’s sneaky waddling came to a dead stop, his fur bristling in surprise as he whipped his head around to see his denmate following them.
“Oh,” he breathed out, whiskers twitching as he tried to think of something quick. “Everything’s fishes, Darkpaw. We’re just helping Ma, that’s all.” He murmured, creeping back over to the other apprentice with his head lowered. “We were gunna help her with some hunting. You’ve seen how skinny she is, yeah? She needs all the help she can get. Plus, I can use the practice on my paws,” he added, flashing her a toothy grin as he swayed one way then the other before tumbling onto his side, flailing his paws feebly in the air like a turtle stuck on its back. “Go back to the den, alright? We’ll be back before anyone else notices, okay?”

Flurrypaw had genuinely tried to stay awake, but training had seemed to take all her energy away. Her soft snores were interrupted by the brushing of pelts against her flank. "uh? oh- I must have fallen asleep... " she mumbled under her breath, rising out of her nest to follow after her brother. It was time. Though a part of her was growing attached to her clan, her commitment to family was stronger. The only part she dreaded was... leaving grandpa Snowdash behind. The day after their mama had proposed the idea, she had been hanging around Snowdash, reluctant to leave him behind.

At least they'd be far away from their dad.

So now, her head was clear and her hesitance was gone. They were leaving. When the voice of another cat piped up, she turned to see who it could be. Since she hadn't recognized the voice, it was probably a newer apprentice. Pebblepaw seemed to have it handled though. Yeah... hunting- Sleep was clouding her vision and she stumbled, accidentally bumping against Mintpaw. "Oof- sorry!" she apologized, as quietly as she could. This wasn't going so well...

Mintpaw waited beside Pebblepaw, grateful for his presence. She wasn’t certain this was the right thing to do. But… her mom was determined. And I can’t help but hope it might be better over there, too.

At first, she’d been against it. We get enough, she thought sturdily. We don’t have to leave. But the next day she spent her time by the frozen river, watching this place she’d thought of as home. She knew all these cats by name, by sight. But… they felt so far away, too. All except her family. It was what Mintpaw knew, and that felt safer. But she was… tired. And wondered how they could all live so closely and yet no one saw, or tried to help. Besides telling Mom she’s hurting us, or thinking it, when she’s the one who needs help. No one tried to help in a real way but their grandpa Snowdash. And Da won’t help us. We’re on our own.

It felt sad, but also true. She… did think of her mentor. Hollyleaf cared. But Hollyleaf was one cat, and this was leaf-bare. The warrior said as much: that land-prey was scarce. She’ll understand. Mintpaw had to take care of her family. And that couldn’t be here. Even if it means leaving cats behind. Her resolve strengthened. And so — seeing the flash of her mom’s pelt — the grey-furred apprentice rose.

She made sure Flurrypaw, snoring softly, woke too. But then she heard the soft shuffling of paws, and a quiet voice — and then Pebblepaw answering. Good job, Pebble.

And then her sister ran into her, blinking sleepily. “At least you ran into my good side,” she mewed, voice low. If it’d been on the lucky paw, Mintpaw might’ve stumbled.

Swanmist looked back slowly, to see Pebblepaw quickly saying something. She let out a bittersweet smile at the thought of being back soon, but at the same time...

She glanced at the camp entrance. Hopefully this wouldn't be her camp, her home, for any longer. Looking back at the apprentice she nodded, she was an older cat, this apprentice should trust her. Just a hunting trip... Sure... She thought. Do I really want to leave? Do I really want to go away and never turn back? It seems.. like the right thing to do. But... My kits are so tired... And so am I... We'll make it... We will... She took a deep breath and edged more out of camp, keeping her eyes on the apprentice, hoping she wont wake up anyone else.

Besides, only Snowdash would miss them.

A creeping chill began to make it's way up the apprentice's spine. Her stance became more rigid as a sinking sense of dread settled deep into her chest. Pebblepaw seemed like the most confident of the bunch, trying to soothe her worries. But their words weren't reassuring and further twisted the conflict budding up inside. She needed guidance, praying for a fleeting second that it was possible to commune with Starclan at a moment's notice. Instead, Darkpaw stood facing the dilemma all on her own. Ebonyhaze was gone, Cloverheart and Robinpatch were settled into their nests, soundly sleeping with the rest of the clan. The calico-painted she-cat stood alone. Ears flattened and her eyes widened in a confused fear. No matter how she looked at it, the scenario was wrong. Cats didn't simply leave camp in groups at night - especially young apprentices, following in tow of a queen who looked about to fall over with one gust of wind.

"This... this isn't right. I... where are you going?" She sputtered out in a nearly babbled whisper. Darkpaw couldn't trust her own quivering voice to carry much further than her own whiskers. Bravery was not her strong suit, neither was decision making in intense situations. Although the longing to scurry back to her nest and flattened herself into the reeds was overwhelming, an idea escape, she found herself unable to move. When she managed to pipe up again her words were strained and desperate, seeking for something to latch onto, "Did Jaystar and Perchfall say it's okay?" She swallowed, throat like patches of the sandy riverbank. If only some other more qualified cat could interrupt and sort this out.

Pebblepaw’s ear twitched. He wasn’t really expecting Darkpaw to push back on his lie. He certainly wasn’t expecting Jaystar to be mentioned and his heart sank into his stomach when she brought up their leader’s name. They definitely didn’t need Jaystar to get involved.
He stared at Darkpaw for a heartbeat then glanced over his shoulder back at his family. Everyone looked so thin. They needed to leave tonight. Why couldn’t Darkpaw see that?
Slowly, the tom pushed himself back to his paws and wobbled like a reed swaying against a breeze.
“Darkpaw,” he began, his voice barely above a whisper. “we need to leave. Tonight. We can’t live with RiverClan anymore. We can’t eat fish like you and Jaystar and everyone else does and we’ll die if we stay here. Please, just go back to the den and let us leave. Please.” He looked her straight in the eye, silently willing her to just look at them, really and truly see that this was for the best.

When Darkpaw still questioned their leaving, she sighed. Just leave us alone! Why couldn't this annoying kit just mind her own business? She barely held herself from spitting out something rather mean, surprised of herself. This could not go on any longer; the other apprentices in the den were sure to wake up. Her unease was taken care of as Pebblepaw whispered a plea. Surely Darkpaw would let them go now. If she didn't, well... Flurrypaw would have to deal with her.

At the sound of Darkpaw’s voice, Mintpaw’s entire body tensed. Her legs trembled as she straightened, in alarm. No! They couldn’t alert Jaystar! Or Perchfall! Not now. Her sensitive ears picked up Pebblepaw’s whisper, honest and pleading, and she shook her head. If Darkpaw wouldn’t let them leave... what would they do?

She glanced down. What we have to, I guess. Mintpaw bit her lip, then, and then padded toward her brother and the younger apprentice. “Please, please. Let us go.”

Swanmist was already halfway out of the camp. Eyes wide, staring at Darkpaw. She has to let us go, please let us go... She stepped back into the camp, looking to Pebblepaw as he started speaking. They didn't have any other ideas. We can't stay here, please understand... Her eyes glanced between Mintpaw and Pebblepaw, before turning to Darkpaw and shaking her head slowly. Just go back to your den and go to sleep, let us leave, it's safe for us. Nobody will know except you- (and Snowdash, but she already knew he wasn't telling a soul about them leaving-) So just... Just let us leave... She stepped back again, looking behind her into the forest. She didn't say any of her thoughts aloud, but hopefully her desperate gaze would be enough...

Swanmist and her kits can't be left stuck there forever... Right? Darkpaw would let them go... right?

Swanmist certainly hoped so.

A trembling had set into her paws, one that spread through her pelt and caused her teeth to chatter together uncomfortably. It wasn't from the cold. Eyes stared at her, prying and willing her to keep their betrayal a secret. Pebblepaw's rouse had turned to a plea. Darkpaw's fur grew unbearably hot and her stomach churned. This was impossible. The apprentice felt her throat go raw and her eyes squeezed shut as she pressed herself to the ground. She felt so incredibly small with this weight strapped on her. No matter the scenario some cat would be mad at her. There was no right answer - there never would be. A soft muttering left the sides of her maw, inaudible, as she willed Starclan to intervene.

So young and so hopeful she was, and just as foolish. Darkpaw's ears flattened and she shook her head slightly. This was all so wrong, all so wrong. She willed them to just leave her there, abandon the camp when she wasn't looking as if it would make her forget. The trembling hadn't stopped but it subsided slightly as if the frosted ground absorbed the sensation. Several deep breaths had passed before she calmed herself enough to even want to move, to be able to move. Without saying a word she pulled back and slowly opened her eyes to give her clanmates one last pleading look - for herself, or for the clan. Her eyes were wet and reflected the moonlight.

Although the shaking of her limbs had slowly ebbed away, Darkpaw was left numb with her limbs stiff as a long patrol. She slowly turned and slunk towards the apprentice's den, her little frame quickly swallowed by the darkness. The gaggle of kin was left to their own devices. For the time being, she settled uneasily back into her nest, hoping that if she did manage to sleep, that her dreams would be her own. Regardless, the condemning realization had set in. No matter what would happen when the sun bathed the forest in its hues of red and orange, Darkpaw was the sole keeper of a secret. In the morning, cats would wonder what happened to her clanmates. And she would have to be the one to tell them.