ShadowClan Grimpeak

[---Moon × Turtle---]

Almondclaw trotted up to the Shadowledge and sat down. She frowned and looked around. Where was her apprentice? "Apprentices are always late," she muttered under her breath, slightly to reassure herself that Slugpaw hadn't wandered off and been killed. She was being paranoid. {@Messi}

[taillow]

Blue eyes were downcast on the rocky path into camp below as the warrior followed behind Dawnstar. Her wounds ached and stung, yet she walked with strength until reaching the clearing. There she ducked down and slid the body of Ivyleaf next to Oliveglow. A life gone too soon, a future snuffed out. Gaze lingering for no longer than another moment she looked around at the gathered cats. Somewhere in the crowd there was a cat yowling, but she didn't have the energy to demand their silence. What were they thinking right now? What was going through their head seeing more of their Clanmates - cats who actually gave something of themselves to their Clan - lying lifeless in the clearing? She could probably make some good guesses at a few.

Weariness had started as a small pebble, tumbling down the chasm of her chest until it clattered at the bottom of her paw pads. Sleep in her own nest had never sounded so good and yet, Mirehound knew it would not come. Etched into her brain were the cries of her Clanmates as they lost their lives, the light within their eyes fading to an eerie glaze. As much as she wanted the darkness to envelope her into a peaceful, serene bliss, the shadow incarnate barely deserved even that. No, her self-imposed punishment for these tragic loses would be weathered out in a storm of solitude, wide awake.

She hadn't the energy to locate another spot, so without another word the shadow warrior ended up taking a seat beside her fallen Clanmates. Sooner or later she would need to go see Elmshadow, but truthfully her wounds weren't all that deep; the shoulder one would be the only one to give her the most trouble. Sight still remained in her eye that Bluetree had attempted to remove from her which told her that any possible damage had been avoided. The rakes along her belly were the same story - stinging like nettle but shallow enough to make it through a meeting.

Twisting her head while she waited for the meeting to start, Mirehound set to work on cleaning out her shoulder as best she could. Each rasp of her tongue brought forth the urge to wince, but she resisted it with ears back and subtle snarling grunts. Her senses remained alert for the others who were apart of the patrol returning as well, and after a moment she lifted to see Larkfire entering camp. Out of all of the Enforcers Dawnstar had, Mirehound found that she valued the one she knew least, the most. But perhaps that was no longer the case - it was dawning on her that each time she called upon the Enforcer, she was there without delay. Her gaze lingered on the she-cat, gaze unreadable, before moving back to her wounds.

Once sufficient enough for her liking Mirehound turned her full attention to the leader upon the Shadowledge. Waves of irritation rolled off her not all that different from the ones that crashed against the cliffside near Seastones. Part of her expected to be chastised - for what, the shadow had no idea. All that alluded to it was the unsettling feeling that the four deaths that had happened could have been prevented. That she could've prevented them. Another part of her mind tried to convince her this was fools' logic, but she simply did away with it by flicking her ear.

These deaths would be a lesson to her, the outcome didn't matter. Lives had been lost, and a sudden darkness settled over her gaze as the thought deepened. Mirehound remained silent however, a dark stony figure near the dead bodies in the clearing as she awaited the continuation of the meeting.

[ @Rose - for her short glance to Lark; i rather enjoy the unexpected sort-of "bond" between them ]

[val]

sagepaw
he/him
shadowclan / 134/100
white w/ grey-striped tail, green eyes

---

Meeting? Yep. Sagepaw hurried over, then tentatively took a spot near the front. It didn't hurt to go there. No. Absolutely not. Nothing happened all that time ago the last time he'd sat in the front. The tom gave his pelt a quick groom, doing his best to give the white fur back some of its shine. Oh well.

Sagepaw looked up at Dawnstar, wondering what it was this time. Ooh, ceremonies? That would be nice. More apprentices. Yet...the leader's emanating anger told otherwise. Hm. So...what had happened?

---

(( open, @~FawnSpirit~ in case ya want lilypaw to see him (: ))

[perseus.]

Iciclestrike's blue eyes flickered from the shadows at the trail of cats coming in, though their eyes focused on their sibling as they carried in a body of a clanmate. Their ears twitched when they heard Dawnstar call a meeting but that part they ignored as they quickly slinked from the shadows and trotted over to Mirehound.

Once they got closer, they bowed their head, sending their dead clanmates a silent farewell before focusing their gaze on Mire, eyes flickering at the wounds before settling to look at Mirehound in her eyes, "Mirehound...I'm glad you are okay." Their voice quiet as they gave Mirehound a gentle head bonk, purring quietly to give some comfort before they settled down next to their sibling to act as a pillar of support.

Their gaze had flickered up to the leader but they were also glancing at the other warriors around, seeing who else had gotten injured during the fight.

@daenerys

---

Sorrelflare, Foxcall, and Vulturekit turned up to watch the meeting.

[taillow]

It wasn't loud or clamoring, and as Iciclestrike settled near Mirehound offering words of relief that she was alright, blue eyes turned to look at their sibling. Kin. "Blood of my blood..." It was quiet, merely a whisper. In moments like these, despite all of the darkness that lay claim to her life, the shadow found solace in her kin.

Without saying more, the battered and bruised warrior leaned against Iciclestrike. It was then the rising tide of doubt was quelled and became nothing more than dissipated mist in the morning light.

[ @perseus. short but wanted to get it out ]

[Dark]

Darkfall
___________

Numb and unfeeling was a good way to describe how the dark furred tom felt in this moment. He had resolved himself to not think about the corpse that rested on his back as he walked through the camp and into the clearing. Not to worry about his other clan mates who had been injured or killed. To not feel anything in the moment, for if he did he’d be overwhelmed by the grief, anger and guilt that waited at the edges of his mind for their opportunity to pounce on and consume him. He didn’t know if he’d be able to handle that right now.

Darkfall knew that he’d probably crack later on but that didn’t matter at this moment. Right now he had to be strong in front of the others. He was a ShadowClan warrior, and he would not be weak. Not in front of his clan. Not again.

Darkfall hadn’t gotten hurt in the skirmish. His patrol had entered the fray late and all he managed to do was rough up Thrushfur a little until Sparrowstar had called for a retreat. Should the two have fought longer, the more experienced warrior may have gotten the upper paw and overwhelmed him to the point where he’d have become just like his fallen comrades.

When he got to where the rest of the bodies were laid, Darkfall slid the cold and stiff Whisperingwolf off of his back next to Oliveglow and Ivyleaf. He was exhausted, both mentally and physically after trugging along the territory to get back into camp. His muscles screamed and hissed at him for undertaking such a grueling task, and his emotions that he had locked away sat in the corner waiting for their opportunity to strike.

He didn’t bother going to his usual corner, or even finding a new spot to sit. He just sank down next to Whisperingwolf and stared at his paws. Dawnstar was yowling for the clan to come out, but that didn’t matter to him right now. He didn’t care. He didn’t care about the stupid meeting, he didn’t care about Dawnstar’s omnipresent foul mood, he didn’t care about the stares or the looks, he just didn’t care anymore. He wanted to go to the warrior’s den and sleep. Hell, he’d even be willing to drag some cat out into the territory with him just so that he could reflect in peace without question or judgment.

He took a brief glance around the clearing and noticed Larkfire consoling Daypaw and Mirehound being comforted by Iciclestrike. A twinge of pain gripped Darkfall’s heart as he realized that the pairs were siblings. Was this what it was supposed to be like? Returning from a tough battle and having your family comfort you? He let out a small sigh at the thought. Would Fallenpaw have sat at his side, telling him things would be okay if she were still alive? Would his mother, Snailpounce had done it? He wasn’t quite sure, but he was certain that he wouldn’t have minded it. Not now at least. The chaotic trio of younger brothers he had weren’t exactly comforting cats. He could already hear them saying ’So what they died? You still beat up a smelly deputy! Stop being stinky and get over yourself’ in a mocking tone.

Darkfall wished he had had someone to be by his side like that, but he had no one. No mother, no father, no littermate, no previous mentor, nothing. His only friend was occupied at the moment, and he didn’t dare go to join her side, not now. He found himself a little bit jealous and then disappointed in the feeling as he watched. ’I want that too…’ he found himself thinking, cracks starting to form in the iron curtain he had cast over himself ’I want someone to be here with me as well…’

And he felt disgusting for it. He felt disgusting that he dared covet what had been taken from him moons before, simply because someone else had it. Affection, camaraderie, love? This meant nothing to him right now. He had to focus on becoming a good role model for his brothers and becoming a better warrior. Shaking his head, he forced himself to harden his heart again. After all…

He was a ShadowClan warrior and he would not be weak.

[ @Rose, @xavier. @perseus. @daenerys for Lark, Day, Iciclestrike and Mirehound mentions/glances/stares]

[occultation]

[ @daenerys ]

Shadowfur came up near the rear of the returning group. It was hard for him to shake the adrenaline that had come with the battle; he hadn’t had enough of an opportunity to expel it. He shouldered Mossfang’s body off of his back, allowing it to gently fall beside the other ShadowClan bodies. For a brief moment, he took mild interest in the way Mossfang’s legs just flopped around as she met the ground. How quickly strength could leave a body, dissipating like a cloud of mist in the wind.

Dawnstar’s angry yowl grabbed his attention. He figured the leader wanted to inform the Clan of the battle, and discuss the reparations they’d be demanding from ThunderClan. Shadowfur had half a mind to suggest they ask for temporary hunting rights on ThunderClan’s side of the border, for one day. After ThunderClan stole their prey, it seemed only fair. However, it could also spark some of ThunderClan’s more reckless to start a war.

As he headed over to join the meeting, he caught sight of Mirehound. She looked deeply troubled, arousing his concern. His mind snapped to a silent correction of her outward display of discomfort; clearly she’d forgotten what was arguably the most important lesson he’d taught her. Never show your discomfort, your sadness, or too much of your concern. Vulnerability was a warrior’s curse. It dug graves more efficiently than any cat could.

He stared at her for a long moment, considering going over. Deep down, beneath the layers of mucky survivalism that so often dominated every fiber of his being, he wanted to curl his tail around her shoulders and assure her that he was there. He wanted to murmur words of comfort, in a likely futile effort to inspire again the dreams of paradise she’d once had.

Instead, he shook his head in disappointment and went to sit alone.

[Whethan]

Wheatstripe joined the meeting

[Ian]

--Vixensnarl--
Vixensnarl padded out of the warriors' den at Dawnstar's angry yowl, her green eyes briefly gazing at the cats who had already gathered and the body the leader had dropped. It seemed some sort of battle had occurred if the wounds on some of the warriors was anything to go by, and her lip curled in anger. She wasn't sure the context, but the death and injures of so many cats made her pissed. The Enforcer stalked her way over to her brother and sat down, an angry scowl on her face.

@SuspiciousMindz

--Slytiger--
The Toyger's ears perked at the angry yowl, and he stood from where he was seated to make his way to the gathered cats. It seemed his Lady was in a particularly sour mood, and he settled down to listen to what she was to say. He had to guess based on the body and injured cats that there had been some sort of confrontation, though Dawnstar herself wasn't injured. She was too great for that, of course.

[Open]

[Hopeless]

~ Owlfeather ~
[Open]

Her body still aching slightly from her long travel, a large number of scratches, and the long time without proper food or water, but the huge, brown tabby had still positioned herself in camp to watch what was happening. She had wondered a bit if anyone would react on her returning, considering at least some of them would remember her a bit better after she has sitten up there on the Shadowledge, but she was relieved no one had seemed to notice her yet - or if they had, they hadn't made any kind of deal out of it, which she supposed she'd have to appreciate.

The short time she had been back having been mostly spent observing and listening, trying to find out what had happened in her clan while she was gone, and anything she should know about the current situation, but she had overheard little of note so far. Despite that, she remained vigilant, and as her leader pushed through the entrance of the camp, she was quick to take notice - both of the large leader and the body she was dragging. The usually so expressionless molly frowned slightly, but hearing Dawnstar call the meeting, simply turned towards the Shadowledge to listen, not leaving her place near the camp wall.