The need to return

Nightstalker knew now where the other half of his clan had been living the past moon and that had brought a weight off his chest. Though he was uncertain of who still lived, but he was certain that at least Froststar was alive now. However, he had a new more time-pressing matter to deal with. He had to get to Skyclan, he had to meet up with the rest of his clan, and have a discussion. Shadowclan territory was recently scouted, but it wasn't quite liveable, just a few more days he was sure, just a little longer for it to dry out.

The young deputy stood at the border between Thunderclan and Skyclan, struggling to keep his patience as he waited for a Skyclan patrol to walk by.

The member 'Grey' has done the following action : Dice roll

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'Invasion Dice' :

Moonlily had found herself wandering the territory, much as she did every day. Returning to camp was something that still seemed to bring a ripple of hesitation down her spine, though she was getting much better about it. Having half of Shadowclan residing within their borders had made the excuse to stay in the territory much easier, as she could pull the weight of "I'm simply making sure they're doing no harm." It worked out well enough in her favor.

The signature marshy scent seemed to hit her nostrils, and it perked her attention significantly. It wasn't simply the fact it was the marsh-like scent... no, it was the difference in the scent that accompanied it. It wasn't Skyclan's scent, but she knew it to be Thunderclan from just how similar it was. The large molly easily found herself face-to-face with the now visible tom, her head tilted to the side in curiosity. "How might I be able to help you, Shadowclanner?" Her tone was kind, though it was hard to really think of anything else to call him other than where his clan resi- Oh, wait. No. She recognized that face, from one of the gatherings. "...Correct me if I'm wrong, you're the deputy, aren't you?"

Wolfblossom couldn't help the way her nose wrinkled at the sudden scent of Shadowclan, though they were very much on the opposite side of the territory that should have that scent during more normal times. Even out here it seemed like there was no avoiding them anymore, and while Wolfblossom was nice enough to them, she was counting the days til they could all go back to their own territory.

A glance at Moonlily showed that she'd also picked up the scent, and the warrior followed her clanmate towards it. A dark tom with a scarred face waited, and it seemed to Wolfblossom it was with purpose rather than because he was one of their straggling clanmates. She noted the underlying scent of the clan that actually lived across this side of the border accompanied the Shadowclanner's scent, and her ears slid back for a moment. "Been staying with Thunderclan, right? The clanmates of yours that showed up on our territory are safe." Thunderclan... Now wasn't the time to dwell on the past, she knew, but it still stung, and she hoped that the bitterness in her voice at the mention of the other clan wasn't too obvious.

Stepping carefully over sticks so as not to break them underpaw, Birdchaser moved quietly through the territory. She was wary as she approached the Fallen Oak, ears slicked back as the scent of ThunderClan crept into the air. With it was mingled the wet, marshy smell of ShadowClan, though it was hard to tell if it was more stragglers or the lingering reek that now pervaded their territory. Moonlily and Wolfblossom had wandered ahead of her, which was just as well. She was unbothered by it, until she heard the sound of Moonlily's voice- talking to someone, asking questions. ShadowClan's deputy? Birdchaser frowned. What would he be doing, lurking at their border? Then Wolfblossom's, too, confirming that the rest of ShadowClan was safe within their walls. With a huff, the large she-cat stepped through the foliage to rejoin her patrolmates.

Moonlily had been right; the cat before them was certainly ShadowClan's deputy. She recognized him from previous Gatherings, sitting beneath Froststar, though she'd never gotten the chance to properly speak with him. She couldn't remember his name either, something that might have been a problem while trying to talk to him. As she glanced between the three cats, it struck her briefly as odd, that the dark tom was wandering ThunderClan's territory unrestricted, and odder still that he'd settled so comfortably at the border. He's probably just looking for his Clanmates. The thought was only mildly comforting. Ears twitching, Birdchaser padded closer to stand squarely between her Clanmates' shoulders. "Hello," she greeted simply, dipping her head as she spoke. "You look like you're waiting for something. Can we help you?"

"Greetings." Nightstalker mewed, started stiffly, a bit uncertain as the patrol he was waiting for padded up, but with questions. He supposed that was normal, but a bit jarring as he was immediately barraged by the patrol with their concerns. "Nightstalker, Shadowclan's deputy. I'm here to check up on my clan-mates, I'd also like to confer with Froststar should he still be alive. If that is alright with you all? I'm certain you will want my clan out of your fur soon." He mewed, dipping his head slightly to show respect. It would not due angering these cats, but he was sure that they would almost not mind at all letting him through. He was just one cat, and he reckoned letting him in to get the motions going of Shadowclan returning to their home would outweigh any concerns they may have.

Moonlily gave a nod towards Wolfblossom and Birdchaser as they approached, immediately stepping away as to physically give Birdchaser the floor. The warrior wouldn't be the one with the power to really give Nightstalker what he was after, it would be the deputy, and given that she was here, it made her job much easier. Her ear flicked with curiosity as he spoke, confirming the exact reason she had been suspicious of his existence at the border. It made sense, after all. Knowing now that the rest of his Clan just so happened to be within their walls... of course he'd want to talk to them.

"I see no reason why not. But that's not my call to make... Birdchaser?"

Birdchaser had appeared, and Wolfblossom dipped her head in silent acknowledgement of her sister as the Shadowclan tom confirmed that he also was Shadowclan's deputy and was indeed looking for his clanmates. Thoughts seemingly aligned with Moonlily's - this wasn't their call, not with Birdchaser present - Wolfblossom said nothing further, knowing she could count on Birdchaser to do what was needed.

The ShadowClan deputy spoke, confirming what Birdchaser was sure were shared suspicions between the three of them. She flicked her tail against Moonlily in acknowledgement of her acquiescence, and stared at Nightstalker for a long, quiet moment before nodding again. "I would love your Clan out of our fur," she responded, though there was humor in the clippy remark. Tail waving, she turned on her pads, ready to set back towards camp. "Obviously, you'll be accompanied to camp by us. A pair of warriors will escort you back here, as well. I'm sure you have good intentions, but I'm just as sure you understand my caution." She wasn't certain about letting in any more cats than they had, even temporarily. Still, ShadowClan needed to reunite and return home. With one last look between the other cats, Birdchaser padded away into the trees.

The walk to camp was relatively quiet, though the silence made the return feel horribly long. When they finally approached the dense ring of sticks guarding their walls, Birdchaser hesitated. She glanced at Moonlily, blinking slowly at the other she-cat. Then wordlessly, she turned away and beckoned Nightstalker forward with her tail. After allowing him a moment to step up, she dipped into the passage that opened into SkyClan's camp.

"Froststar! Nightstalker is here, he wants to talk to you." Birdchaser called out as she padded into the clearing. Hopefully, the short tom was around– she didn't spot him immediately. After a cursory glance of the camp, she shuffled over to Wolfblossom, lowering her voice as she got closer. "Look for Briarstar, please? Let her know ShadowClan's deputy is here."

Skyclan territory, and camp, were a lot more comfortable to be in, putting it simply. It was not as densely packed as Thunderclan camp and the territory was, and was more like Shadowclan just with less mud and richer hunting grounds, going by the prey-pile. Nightstalker sat in the middle of their camp, thinking it rude to go snooping into their dens to look for Swiftheart, Froststar, and his other clan-mates. His heart lurched, excitement and apprehension filling his gut with nausea. What if Swiftheart was gone? Froststar lived, that much he could tell considering that Shadowclans leader was called for... but he knew not much else.

Birdchaser, Wolfblossom, and Moonlily returned to camp, a sight that normally Crimsonflame would have paid no attention to. But then the deputy called for Froststar, and his pelt bristled instinctively before he could force it to lie flat. There, right in the middle of camp, was Nightstalker. ShadowClan's deputy. Green eyes narrowed as Crimsonflame moved to a more secluded location. He would watch the deputy, tail lashing, from a place where he would hopefully remain unnoticed. And where he could keep an eye on his own Clanmates. After all, what if he used his power to harm someone else he cared for?

Immediately, his eyes went to the nursery. What if he hurt Frostbite or Asterkit? No, Crimsonflame would not allow that. Silently, Crimsonflame stalked over to where his family rested, sitting guard outside, gaze concentrated on the newcomer.

Let him try to hurt any cat, and he would cut him down where he stood.

(OOC: I did my best to figure out who went where and such and also put in ()'s how they relate to swift and night so its easier to read... some of this might be inacurate? but I think I double checked everything. If anything is wrong My excuse is its late and im tired XD)

Swiftheart's ears perked up as the Skyclan's deputy voice rang throughout the camp. Nightstalker!? She leapt to her paws a with new energy and excitement even more than her usual! Racing to the den entrance and accidently bumping past some skyclan warriors Sorry, sorry, excuse me" she pushed her way to the entrence of the den and looked all around wide eyed.

Her eyes landed on him sitting in the middle of camp and she practically shook with excitement and relief. HE WAS OKAY! She knew that some cats were living in thunderclan but not who or how many. Every day she missed her family and friends that had been lost and she prayed nightly that he was safe. Seeing him right in front of her now uninjured and alive was a blessing from the stars.

"NIGHTSTALKER!!!" she squealed happily. Her paws carried her quickly over to him in no time at all. "You're okay she purred heavily from her chest. She nuzzled him. Her muzzle against his shoulder and wrapping her tail around his back. "Stars I was so worried I had lost you" she whispered.

She had not seen her brother in almost a moon and being reunited with him was so heart warming. The two had always been close despite their opposites. They always looked out for each other and were some of the closest siblings.

Sitting right next to him she purred happily. Froststar is here too and so Murkyhope and Crowsprit (Murky and crow = Swiftheart's daughters)

she purred telling him the others who were here as well...

Oh and hehe ... Duskflight is here too thank the stars she couldnt help but giggled at even the mention of his name and blushed a little too.

"erm.. what about thunderclan?" she asked a little nervous tilting her head

"Is Rose okay? and what about Harechaser (Their siblings)
And what about Iceheart and Snowfoot? I havent seen them since... (Swift's good friends)

her voice trailed off the last time she saw alot of these names was when the camp got destroyed and they were all fighting for their lives to keep their heads above water... did any of them make it? she worried.

Looking back to her brother she shuddered a little "what about dad? he's living with you too? He's okay?" she purred. The thing about Swiftheart is she is sometimes too optimistic. She purred nuzzling close to him again. Of course they were all okay. Nightstalker was leading them in thunderclan nothing could go wrong.

"im just so glad you are okay"

Nightstalker nearly tumbled over at the sheer force of his sister nuzzling him, it felt as if she was trying to attach herself to him like sticky sap. He was elated of course, but it was still embarrassing, he had a reputation to upkeep! Though he did let his chin rest on her head for a few moments, letting himself breathe in her scent and revel in the fact she was alive. "Yes everyone is fine as they can be, we lost a kit, and we've had a few nasty injuries..." He trailed, considering even telling Swiftheart that Mistyfalcon had passed away, but he knew that Swiftheart would know that he was hiding something.

"Swiftheart... I- uh." He was at a loss for words, his face softening as he looked at her. "Dad's gone. He passed away in his sleep just a few nights ago. Thunderclans medicine cats had done everything they could. I'm sorry." Nightstalker mewed, bringing his sister in gently to give her comfort.

Swiftheart purred so happy he was here and that everything looked to finally be going right for once.

But then, his voice cracked and he hesitated a bit stumbling over his words with a pause... That wasn't like him and she glanced up at him confused at first. When he explained Swiftheart sat their stunned, motionless even. The words echoed around her ears.  Gone?? What?

She shook her head blinking.

No... No he was fine before the storm she whispered mostly to herself. He's not gone... maybe he is just in a deep sleep or in a coma... Night tell those med cats to check for his pulse Have Basil do it she knows what she's doing better anyways At this point she was in full denial of what her brother had just told her.  Her father couldn't die, he was who she looked up to basically her whole life, it was him and Night that led her all the time.  When she was a kit, he was the invincible best warrior to ever walk the face of the earth... and she hadn't really ever grown up out of that idea. Maybe to some degree she had but there was no prepared amount that she had for him to just be gone like this.  

Reality did not settle in until Nightstalker brought her in closer in an attempt to try and comfort her... Nightstalker wasn't like that normally.  Sure he would always be there for her and he had comforted her in the past... but he wasnt usually clingy like she was.  If he was bringing her in... well it must be pretty bad.

Tears immediately filled the molly's eyes, she couldn't help it.  She also didnt care about reputations to upkeep, it was one of the siblings many differences, but the differences never stood in their way of being close.

Her throat swelled up and it stung. She kept shaking her head not wanting to believe it. No .. No hes not was all she could manage to say

Echomist pushed past cats as he heard familiar voices speaking inside the camp, one of those he hadn't heard for a certain amount of time. The new of his father reaching his ears, causing the spotted tom to pause in his approach.. He didn't want to believe it but.. if Nightstalker said it was true then.. He had to accept it. He would have time to grieve later, right now Shadowclan was more important.

"Nightstalker." Echomist said, his usual tone lacking any enthusiasm it would have when speaking with one of his family. "Froststar is currently sick, and unable to leave the medicine den. I have.. done my best to help the cats here. What did you need?