ShadowClan Warriors' Den

[sleepyyjax]

Darkleaf
they/she - 56 moons



Nights never seemed to slip by as peacefully as Darkleaf would like them to. More often than not, she found herself rolling around in her nest, trying her hardest not to make too much noise. Once night fell, it was as if time itself stood still, or at least slowed. Normally, they'd pop out for a bit of night hunting, but hey, that wasn't even possible at the moment, was it? A fellow clan mate simply killing other's terrified her. Why? After living a whole life here, after being welcome in the clan? Who are you, and, how dare you? It was far too much to just lie here. Sharply, the pale warrior sat up, emerald eyes piercing through the den as though they were strange green flames. Maybe she'd make eye contact with a fellow waking cat, it wasn't rare in ShadowClan.

[open!]

[Alchemist Kitsune]

| Silverlark |
20 Moons - StarClan Warrior
Shadow Fiend - Inactive | Just a Scratch - Active | Beefed Up [Tier 3] - Inactive | Spirit Encounter [2] - Active

---

Mousepaw! Get up, darling. Please, please, please get up.

Dark. Everything was so dark. How long had he been asleep? It felt like far too long. He'd begun shortly after his thoughts stopped making sense. He'd never been the brightest, he knew that. But everything had become so... jumbled up. So nonsensical. He'd stayed hidden because he didn't want his friends to find him, even though he had wanted to do nothing more than howl at how lonely he was. How lonely he still felt. And yet... that voice. Mousepaw? He hadn't been a paw named Mouse in a very long time. In fact, he'd carried the moniker of Silver for longer than he'd carried the one of Mouse. Or had it been the same amount of time? He didn't know anymore. Time had stopped making sense to him in his sleep. But he'd recognize that sorrowful voice anywhere.

"Auntie... Larky?"

Verdant eyes opened, the dimness of the den proving to be far too luminous. His eyes had been closed for so long, it seemed any light was too bright. It took him some time to get used to it. To blink away the spots that made his vision swim. Once he had grown accustomed to the light, the gray pelt of the cat that had once been so close to him became familiar to him alongside her obvious distress. Instantly concerned for the she-cat, the tom stood up, rushing towards her, raising up on two paws so he could reach her face. A moot point, the little tom far too small to reach regardless, pudgy legs losing balance as he fell on his tail.

An angry scowl marred his face, whiskers trembling with frustration as he turned to look at his hindquarters accusingly. You'd think after resting for stars knew for how long they would be ready for a walk! But to think that they wouldn't even let him raise enough to touch noses with... Wait... When had Lostspark gotten so big? He'd gotten larger than her some moons ago, hadn't he? And why was his pelt so shiny? Oh oh! Auntie Larky must have cleaned it super nice, mmhmmm. Probably when she brought along that big gray tom that was sleeping in his nest with- Excuse... Was that Crusher?! Nu uh. Crusher was his friend, not this ugly, scarred tom's! Stinky, too! Looked just like Elmshadow, hmph hmp-

Oh...

It made sense now. Why Auntie Larky was so down. Why his pelt was so shiny and filled with stars. Gingerly, he gazed down at one of his paws, taking note of the soft, untested paw pads. The folds of skin as if his body was preparing for a growth spurt. His voice had certainly seemed squeakier than he remembered it, come to think of it... He didn't understand. Why he looked so young. Why he had reverted back to a Mousekit. No... not a Mousekit. He was still Silverlark. His mind hadn't gone back to match his body. And yet... it felt... right. It felt like home. Like the happiness he hadn't felt since his Hazely had gone.

Gingerly, he looked up at Lostspark yet again, wondering if her sightless eyes could see him. He'd never really felt unseen by her. Not in the literal sense of the word, in any case. But then... he was never the brightest. Maybe he just couldn't tell the difference. Unsure if it would work, the stocky, kit sized warrior took his paw and attempted to place it over his Auntie's in a comforting fashion. He knew she hadn't had time for him after she became a medicine cat. After she'd had so many kits. How could there be time for a cat like him? She'd taken pity on him and tolerated him best she could when she'd had the time. For that, he'd always be grateful. And he hoped she knew it. If he had a single regret, it was never having told her thank you for being there for him for the time she was. He still carried her name with pride, even if she'd lost her own.

"Yous know, Auntie Larky... When mum died. And when Hazely died. And then Rising... and Starrywrenny... and Stinkyshadow... They all died and I wasn't there for them. I left them all alone. And I was scared, yous know... 'Cause I thought... I thought I was going to go all alone too. I forgots though. Forgots my Auntie was the best thought hearer in ShadowClan and she would hear me again when I needed her most," he chirped happily, an adoring smile lighting up his face as he felt his own eyes moisten, the sad look on the molly's face infectious even as he tried cheering her up.

He was dead. He knew this now. But he didn't want to make anyone cry. It was okay. It was alright. He'd be alright! He was going to go meet with his Hazely and his Rising and his Starrywrenny and his mum now! Rounded ears perked up at this thought, and he didn't know if it was his imagination, but he was sure he could hear one of them calling his name. Wanting for him to join in on some game. He'd meet up with them soon. Just as soon as he said goodbye. He never got a goodbye from his family. And that broke his heart. Maybe if he got to say goodbye now, Auntie Larky wouldn't cry no more.

"I think I have to go to new home now. But but... It's been fun here. It's been fun. It wouldn't have been old home without yous. I know it's a lot but... Can I ask a favors of yous? Can you tell the others I said bye? Please? Oh! And Flashies. She's a good paw. She's a little shy, but super smart smart. Smarterer than me, heh heh. Can yous... Can you also tell her I'm proud?"

Even as he spoke, he could feel it. His grasp in this world was slipping. It was time to go to the stars. Back to his family, where he belonged. Where he would belong outside of his friend's dreams. Until they went up and joined him up there as well... Hopefully not in a long time. He would miss them, yes yes. But... he wanted them to live a good, happy, long life. A purr rumbling in his chest, he tried standing on his hind legs again, this time with more grace, knowing his body was not what he was used to anymore. Slowly, Silverlark made to give the gray enforcer a tiny lick on her nose. His body almost gone at this point, she would probably be unable to feel it... but it was the thought that counted, right?

"I love yous, Auntie Larky. Goodbye."

---

@Rose [Lostspark]

[HerbalTea]

Insert orchidghost and houndsnap post here (closed)

[Frozen Reign]

Flamegaze snoozed (closed; activity post)

[HerbalTea]

Orchidghost, Pepperskunk, and Foxglovesting activity post

[Daragca]

Owlthroat
he/him | Shadowclan Warrior | 39 moons
Beefed Up T2 - Just A Scratch - Silver Tongue
The Dancing Bird

The muscular tom stretched himself out in the lazy afternoon light. Owlthroat had managed to find himself a spot just outside the den, it was cooler out here. Still warm in the dapples of the sun but it beat the stuffy depths of the den itself. Too many snoring cats had soured Owlthroat’s love for the warmth, even in the winter, just wasn’t worth enduring. Things had been going well recently, he was dedicating himself to the clan better. His whole eccentric mind seemed less wrapped up in itself as of late.

But of course there was the issue of Tuftedtusk, the enforcer he’d accidentally grown weak in the knees for. The thought of a sickly love affair made him want to vomit whatever scraps he last ate. It just wasn’t going to happen, he couldn’t possibly let that weakness slip through the cracks of his well worn mask.

Yellow eyes began to wonder over the clearing, it was quiet. A few apprentices trading practise blows, elders sharing tongues and bubbling and murmuring of kits. They were much more tolerable than the apprentices in his mind, easier to intimidate and much more gullible. In his experience there was never quite the same barrage of questioning.

Owlthroat wasn’t quite sure whether he wanted some of his own one day. In theory it was a fantastic idea, some strong healthy warriors to carry on his legacy and bloodline. But watching the kits in the clearing squeak and roll around seemed like far too much work for his liking. Perhaps one day. But they needed to have strong warrior blood, not cross clan like his own. This train of thought wasn’t pleasing, eyes seeming to narrow further. Fur bristling with an unmissable uncomfortable tension.

[​​ @goodacacia ]

[goodacacia]

Palekit
◆ he/him | 5 moons

After a whole day of rolling around in the dirt and doing absolutely no work, the short diluted calico decided to pad around one last time before returning to the nursery. He was smaller than most kits his age, but just as hyperactive and excited to become an apprentice as any other. Palekit's soft steps led him around the clearing to the fallen cedar where the warriors rest. Upon reaching the edge of the hollow, Palekit gasps dramatically, 'Warriors!...' Despite being a little more obedient in front of the older cats, his enthusiasm to meet them says otherwise.

There, laying outside of the den, was a black and white tom, basking in the sunlight with cool breeze that filled the air with the scent of the cedars that surrounded ShadowClan camp. Palekit earnestly pads up behind the warrior who looked a little lost in his thoughts staring in the distance. 'I wonder what he is thinking...' Palekit thought as he stares at the warrior and settled down right beside him, tucking his paws in. Joining him in watching the distant kits played in the clearing. 'Hmm, yeahh... I don't get it,'Palekit thought as his mind wanders off.

The dappled sunlight that warmed Palekit's pelt made him slightly sleepy. Out of the blue, Palekit mewed with as much enthusiasm his soft voice can bring him to, "I like your spot!"

Palekit turns to stare at the warrior with his drooping but round eyes and cheerful smile, "Oh! I don't mean your pelt spots! This spot!" He pads at the ground, "This spot is nice!"

After thinking about what he said, Palekit quickly covers for himself, "Your pelt spots are nice too!" Palekit shook his head in reaffirming nods.



[ @Daragca awhhh Owl's got a little crush going ]

[Daragca]

Owlthroat
he/him | Shadowclan Warrior | 39 moons
Beefed Up T2 - Just A Scratch - Silver Tongue
The Dancing Bird

So lost in thought, Owlthroat nearly jumped a mile when an enthusiastic pipsqueak sounded beside him. How on earth had that kitten even snuck here without him noticing. He shook out his ears, hoping that cleared them up a little. What on earth had the little furball even said? I like your spots, no this spot. The spot he was currently loafing in. This simply wasn’t going to work out, he was in far too foul of a mood to deal with the youngest of the clan.

”And you are?” The large tom sneered, looking down the bridge of his nose with now piercingly narrowed yellow eyes. Hopefully scare him off quickly, be done with it. As he thought before, the kits were always more tolerable than the apprentices. That didn’t mean it would protect them from his bristling rage and warrior tantrums. They needed to respect him the same as the rest, fear him the same as the rest. No room for errors.

And for the snotty furball to come right up and assume this spot was available for sharing. Dear Starclan who was teaching the youngsters nowadays, he’d have to do something soon to teach them some manners. Best start with the one right in front of him and get it over and done with.

”I’d be careful if I were you, kittens that wander too far from the nursery often go missing.” Voice low and rumbling in his throat, as if reliving old memories only to make his words more convincing. His bushy tail lashed behind him stirring up dust in its wake.

[​​ @goodacacia ]
[ I know right! He’s so scared to admit it out loud <3 ]

[goodacacia]

Palekit
◆ he/him | 5 moons

Palekit squeaked when Owlthroats piercing eyes glanced over at him. The large tom almost scared Palekit with the deathly glare, but suddenly he asks about Palekit? Palekit couldn't believe his ears. He quivered in excitement, jumping up and down. 'A warrior ask who I am! Is he impressed by me? He's asking about me!' Palekit's thought jumbled his tiny head. Of course, Owlthroat was not impressed with him, yet Palekit was more than happy to continue his soft mumblings, "This is the first time someone ask for my name FIRST!"

His tiny paws brings him closer to Owlthoat. Staring at him with sparkles in his eyes, Palekit exclaimed, "I'm Palekit, 5 moons old! I'm gonna be an apprentice in a moon! It's gonna be very very soon!"

Owlthroat's low rumble did give Palekit a scare sending tiny shivers up his spine. If not for the warrior noticing him earlier, that comment would send Palekit running for nursery. His excitement however overpowered the fear he had in front of Owlthroat. "Really? Oh...oh! But when I become apprentice, I-I.. I make sure no kits go missing!" Palekit replied honestly, not fully understanding the burden behind those statements.

Palekit flashes a bright smile. His mood could hardly be changed. Today was probably the best day of his life! Maybe on par with the day he played leaf catcher with Thrushkit. No... Even more! This is so cool! Palekit's excitement is almost jumping out of his chest when he asked, "And who are you?" Palekit's small ear pointed forward, excited to hear the warriors answer. 'It's probably going to be a very cool name!' he thought.



[ @Daragca haha hope it goes well for him! also Pale is being absolutely delusional here lmao, gonna be a stink in Owl's side forever mwahaha ]

[---Bluestar---]

Cherryblossom sat up and started grooming herself.

(OPEN)