[Shadowstar x Russetstorm] Walk with me

[EvilSilverDragon]

Many moons watched over their clan, shining over the camp in its silver glow. Her clan is healthy, several of them proving to be powerful warriors in the making. They had to keep going, to keep getting stronger.

She had to keep getting stronger. Lingering in the moon glow, Shadowstar looked towards the nursing den. She had to protect every cat so the kits had a chance to grow up happy.

The decisions were hers, even if not every cat was happy with them. With that thought, she lowered her ears and looked away. There was something she had to find, it was out there waiting for her. Nothing existed of it but the drive to find. That drive kept her moving when she had trouble sleeping, or walking when she lingered on a site of great horror. That drive kept her head held high as a Leader must.

Her clan deserved better than her, she would have to find that 'better' and be that. Until then, best she could do was keep moving. Passing the warriors keeping watch, Shadowstar slipped into the night to prowl her territory.  

[Fea Line]

Russetstorm found himself unable to sleep, his mind wandering and pelt feeling itchy. Not from the seasons change or anything else spreading among the warrior den, no. Simply from something tugging at the back of his mind. And what that tugging was... well he hadn’t found it yet.

As his eyes drifted open and closed he caught sight of something slink past the warriors den. Getting quickly yet quietly to his paws he too slinked through the den opening and parting his mouth to catch the scent of his leader. Turning his head his gaze caught her figure quickly disappearing around a turn and he couldn’t help but feel himself move in her direction. He held desire to be strong for Riverclan and to serve Shadowstar to the best of his ability until the very end of his life and hopefully not a moment sooner. If something was awry and she needed help in the dead of night then he’d gladly offer his services.

As he slipped through the moonlight, rays playing off his darkened stripped fur and illuminating his cream colored unders, he paused short and dipped his head. “Shadowstar? Is something amiss?” He meowed confidently.

EvilSilverDragon

 

[EvilSilverDragon]

Shadowstar paused midstep as soon as a sound pulled her ear back towards the camp. A new voice called her, scent and sound named him before she turned to look at the tom closer, He struck her as earnest from the moment she met him, that still proved true.

His question needed an answer, but just what answer could she give him? To say yes betrayed something that couldn't be sacrificed. Saying no became an untruth to keep cats at paws length. Breathing in and out of her nose, she finally answered him, "Forestclan called me to patrol. Whatever the reason, I'll find it." There mostly the truth and hopfuly would help set the other cat at ease.

Just another decision to throw on the questionable pile.  

[Fea Line]

Russetstorm tilted his head at her answer and glanced around. His ears swiveled atop his head as he parted his jaws slightly to take in the scents again. He didn't smell anything off or alarming but perhaps Shadowstar had. Who was he to question their leader? Instead he took a step forward, head dipped low as if to help cut his way through the air.

He came up to her side and stopped, glancing at her with earnest yet sincere eyes. "If something is amiss then, I offer my paws in assistance." he began simply before glancing back up to the stars briefly. "However, if Forestclan calls you specifically then I know you will find the answer you seek and I can only humbly offer my assistance to you Shadowstar. "  

[EvilSilverDragon]

Looking up rather at the tom, because really she couldn't without betraying herself, Shadowstar tilted her head left and right. The only other sign of her internal battle kept kicking leaves as it swished back and forth. At least the movement was restrained. Even with her best efforts she couldn't keep her tail completely still.

There were worst things in the world, such as the sudden exhale of air that was suspiciously akin to a soft snort. At least one of them had faith in her finding the answer.

Worried that it made a bad show she started moving immedately telling him as she paused to look back, "I appreciate that. Would you like to patrol with me for a while?" Safety wasn't her concern, it wasn't like there was much in the forest that could challenge her at this point. Moreso, she wanted to cover for that bad show. Distract them both from it really.

Wouldn't do well for the Leader to walk off without telling anyone and something happen. Even in her desire for whatever it was she had to find, being alone would just cause more questions.

Fea Line

 

[Fea Line]

It seemed like something was bothering Shadwostar but Russetstorm knew enough not to ask. It wasn't his position nor his place to know. If the leader of the clan wanted to confide things in him then that was something he'd have to earn. For now, his paws were hers to command. "I would be honored, my sight, sound and claws are yours." he said softly, picking up his pace to catch up to her. He made sure to keep a small bit of distance between them, his head about par with her shoulders so that she still kept the lead. He said nothing as of yet, ears swiveling atop his head to catch every sound. Eyes prone to catch every sight. Nose keen to every scent.

EvilSilverDragon

 

[EvilSilverDragon]

It was amazing how easy this felt, two cats stalking through the territory like they were floating. Trees felt like they parted for them. Brought back a little of that feeling, tail over her back and leading the charge to come home. Home they came. The time for immediate actions passed without her noticing.

Leader's Word was Code. Both Codes said that, yet that didn't stop consequences it seemed.

Restless drive kept her going on a solid patrol route. It wasn't one of the more usual ones but she moved like she knew exactly where she was going. In part that was true, this was her home, she grew up stalking these same areas with her own mentor as a kit. Still couldn't place just what she was so driven to find.

It couldn't be said to be an accident, ending up at the bend of the river. Their clan wasn't named after Rivermist after all. After the clip they were going she offered the Tom, "You can take a rest." Then she sat herself down watching the water. The sounds of it never ceased to calm her.

How many times had she looked at this river for wisdom or guidance? As many times as she had been left disappointed. In a moment of dropping her guard, Shadowstar smacked a rock with her paw. Watching it fly into the river, she observed how the ripples dissipated that easily. As soon as they stopped, there was no sign a rock had ever been thrown.

Thinking she was talking to herself, she mused, "If only it was that easy, ripple then gone like nothing ever happened." How she wanted to be the river, strong and unending. Everything could fight against it but you would be swept a way going against the River's wishes. No time for doubt, she supposed, when you are always forging ahead.

Fea Line

 

[Fea Line]

Russetstorm had followed her easily enough. He began to pick up on the fact that the route they were taking wasn't a usual patrol route yet still familiar, as all their territory should be. Still it seemed more like she was heading somewhere specific than actually patrolling, still he followed her.

When they came to the river and she allowed hi a moments rest he nodded. He could have kept going but it seemed she was ready to stop herself. He sat in silence, gaze cast up towards the sky before lazily drifting back down towards the river just in time to see her sweep the pebble into the waters. He watched as the ripples slowly began to fade outward than disappear.

His ears twitched to her words and for a moment longer he remained silent, watching the river as it continued to trickle on down stream. "But in some ways, it is." he offered, getting up and gently flicking a pebble into the waters. It rippled, much smaller but still the same effect before eventually it stopped. "Water always calms, even rivers. We just might not always be in the right spot to see it." he said again, somewhat matter of fact. He was beginning to put the pieces together. Something seemed to be bothering Riverclan's leader. Not that he could blame her. After all the cats had been through.... Rockclan...

He moved back to where he had been, sitting yet straight, like a soldier at attention. "Sometimes we just have to move to see things rather than stay static." he added as an after thought, his tail curling around his paws as the moons light seemed to light up his fur. While he wasn't going to pry, he had hoped he might be able to ease some of her worries.

EvilSilverDragon

 

[EvilSilverDragon]

The sound of Ressetstorm's voice sent a cold shiver down her back. The tom was closer than she realized. Ears flat and eyes set to glare at the river, Shadowstar cursed herself. She should have come out here alone.

Really she knew better. The company was safer but what he must think of her now. By the Stars what the clan will think of her tomorrow. Wildstar by moon high next at this rate.

Getting angry at him didn't make much sense, it was her fault. She brought him with her. Just another sign she was far too distracted and restless. Letting out a deep breath, she turned. The Moonlight did him a great service, but it was hardly time to admire a cat that would use her words to destroy her.

Taking her downfall with dignity, Shadowstar held her head and tail up high. "You have a point. For now, lets go back to the clan and get some rest." Pushing back against the rapids of feelings, the shecat moved at lightning pace to return to the camp.

To return to her clan and rest among them before they lost all respect for her. What Leader doubts their decisions? A poor one.

Fea Line

One more should do it

 

[Fea Line]

Russetstorm simply dipped his head at her word and followed after. Afterall, her word was law and he couldn't very well ignore her. Especially not at night and alone. He also didn't want to leave her out here alone but felt he wasn't exactly in a position to say that. He did hope he hadn't upset her however, that was never his attention. He simply spoke as he saw things and failed to realize that sometimes, other cats were not quite on the same thought process he was.

"Of course." was all he said and quickly fled after her back to camp. He would wait to see her return to her den safely before slipping back into the warriors den and curling up in his place.

EvilSilverDragon