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Moon
Aug 24, 2011 12:27:41 GMT -5
Post by Mooncloud on Aug 24, 2011 12:27:41 GMT -5
Yep, Ryou is her mate and soon to be father. His story kind of got thrown in there because I intended someone else to be her mate... changed my mind after I posted too many chapters and thought it would be mean to have you reread half the story again and have the changes play with your mind.
(note: her original mate was going to be Stonefur. Decided against it for a few reasons 1. He is too loyal a Riverclan cat to do something like that 2. Moon would've been carrying kits 1 month more than a normal cat. 3. Ryou's character needed a reason to be loyal to Moon.
Sorry for the confusion.
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Moon
Aug 24, 2011 14:21:11 GMT -5
Post by Mooncloud on Aug 24, 2011 14:21:11 GMT -5
24
“You all right?” he asked padding over to her. His tongue began to rasp at her shoulder wound. Her head swam trying to make sense out of what just happened. Ryou caught her before she fell. “Easy. Sit down and rest.” There was no point in arguing. Gingerly she sat down again. Her mate continued his rhythmic licks on her shoulder. It was enough to clear her head. Tracker and Night! “Where’s-” Ryou placed a firm paw on her uninjured shoulder preventing her from getting up. “Rest easy. We found my sister first. She told me where to find you.” “How’d you find us?” Ryou gazed into her eyes. “We were coming to fight in the battle. Couldn’t risk you and Night by not coming.” He sprang up on his paws. A brown tom walked out from the shadows. Ryou covered her protectively from the new attackers. Moon breathed in the scent and knew it immediately. “Ryou, no!” He glanced back at her for an instant before turning back to the intruders. “Who is he, Moon?” “Back away from my mother and I won’t hurt you,” hissed Lightning. “Mother?” Ryou’s head darted between her and Lightning. “I don’t see much of a resemblance.” Moon purred to try to reduce the tension. “I adopted him when he was a kit. Let him come.” Ryou nodded before taking a few steps back. “I’ll go check on Night. But I will be back,” he added firmly to Lightning. Lightning rushed up to her rubbing his muzzle against hers. “The others aren’t far behind. I-” “Just run faster than they do,” finished Moon. He was the son of a Windclan cat. Her son sniffed at her wound. His head darted around until he found what he was looking for. In a moment her wound was being licked clean before Lightning placed a bunch of cobwebs over it. “It’s not bad, but you’ll need to rest for a few days.” A few other cats limped into the clearing. “That’s all of them,” said a gray tom. Next to him he supported Night with another gray tom. “Should’ve seen the other cat,” she mewed weakly. There was a deep gash in one of her eyes. Just by looking at it, Moon knew she would be blind in that eye the rest of her life. If she survived. Lightning found more cobwebs. “Will you let me treat the wound?” Night studied him, “A Medicine Cat?” “Sort of,” replied Lightning looking a little embarrassed. “That’s got to get licked clean first.” After a nod from Ryou, the other two put Night down. Lightning busied about cleaning her face followed by applying cobwebs. “Don’t take these off and don’t get them wet. I’ve got more herbs back at home that’ll take down the swelling. Both of you should come back with me. Tracker staying with Scourge?” Moon looked among the other cats. None of them was bearing a pure white coat. “Where’s Tracker?” Night turned her head away. “I’m sorry. But there was nothing I could do.” Jumping to her paws she raced to where the larger battle had taken place. Several cats lay dead, among them the white warrior. “No. Tracker!” She turned her head to the skies and wailed. “You can’t be dead. You have to go see Princess. You have to protect your son!” Lightning was at her side in an instant. “We have to go.” Anger flared through her body. “We can’t just leave him.” “We have to,” choked Lightning. She knew that he didn’t want to leave their friend behind any more than she did. Nodding she followed him back to the others. Ryou rubbed his muzzle against her uninjured shoulder. “Scourge will pay for this. I promise.” Turing to the others he added. “Move back into town. We can hide better there than here.” “The barn,” whispered Moon. “We’ll go along the fences bordering the forest.” “All right,” agreed Ryou. “Let’s go.”
The sweet scent of hay bathed her tongue. Gingerly her eyes opened and she took in the sights around her. It took her a few moments to realize that she was in the barn. So, it hadn’t been a dream. Lightning padded up to her with a vole in his mouth. “You need to eat.” Setting down his burden he curled up next to her. “Where’s Ryou?” “He left yesterday to get the rest of his followers. He said good-bye to you. Don’t you remember?” “I’ve been a little out of it lately.” Her kit shifted nervously. “Well, you lost a lot of blood. But you were purring.” “Wouldn’t you if you knew that night was the last you’d set paw in Bloodclan? I can’t go back unless I want to be killed the instant he sees me.” “I guess so,” he purred back rubbing his muzzle against hers. “Now come on, eat that vole.” The smell inside was driving her crazy. Not caring if the cobwebs fell off she walked outside in search for a quieter, less odorous place. Eventually she found an abandoned badger’s sett. Cautiously she went in just in case her senses were wrong, but sure enough it was abandoned. With her pains increasing, she knew she could no longer afford to be picky. Lightning bounded over to her. “Moon, what are you doing out here?” He rubbed himself against her. “Paws off!” Her son took a few paw steps back from her. “I’m only saying you should rest. Moon?” Ever since this afternoon she felt restless, breathing heavily, but she didn’t know what it meant. With a cry she sunk down. “Moon what’s wrong?” “K-kits.” The pains hadn’t stopped but still no kit had come yet. Pounce lapped her tongue between Moon’s ears trying to calm her while Lightning watched her anxiously. “If she doesn’t start having these kits soon, I’m going to risk getting Mudfur.” “Too dangerous,” hissed Moon through gritted teeth. “Tigerstar has his clan there. His cats will notice you don’t have clan scent.” “Is that why Stonefur hasn’t picked up the catmint I left on the border? It’s been a few days.” “Odd. Stonefur personally checks this border at least one in three days,” added Pounce. Moon stared at Lightning. “Did you deliver my warning?” “About Tigerstar being a threat to him and his sister? I delivered it the first day I saw him. Stonefur said if things got worse he’d have his and Mistyfoot’s apprentice hide out with us. They might just be laying low for now.” That couldn’t be it. Moon rested her head on the ground exhausted. Her shoulder wound made her tired enough, but kitting was draining what little energy she had left. The smell of the den and the sound of friendly voices diminished and was replaced by something else entirely. It was night down by the river. Many cats gathered around a hill made of bones. At the center of attention was a ragged looking cat with two smaller ones. He was glaring defiantly at a cat Moon knew all too well. “You will have to kill me first, Tigerstar.” “Stonefur!” A ripple of pain flowed through her body stronger than any of the others. “Here comes the first one,” said Lightning relieved. Just then the first kit slid out. “It’s a tom,” Pounce purred. In a moment the kit was placed at her belly. Moon’s claws scorched the earth in an attempt to relieve the pain. Battling cats filled her ears and her sight fell back to the hill of bones. One was Stonefur and the other was the Thunderclan traitor, Darkstripe. The Shadowclan cats jeered at them while some of the Riverclan cats looked uncomfortable but watched the fight. She closed her eyes tight as another spasm rippled through her belly. “A she-kit,” said Lightning. “She looks like you.” Lightning and Pounce’s voices faded again. “Another tom,” a voice said distantly. “Come on, Moon. Stay with us.” But she didn’t hear them. Her focus was completely on the fight before her. “Finish it.” Blackfoot leaped into the fight. In a heartbeat it was over. Stonefur went limp and moved no more. Her mind slipped back into the den. Once more the pain raced through her body. The final kit slid out, cleaned, and placed against her body. “A tom,” said Pounce. “He’s going to kill Stonefur,” whispered Moon. Lightning placed his tail over her shoulders. “You need to relax and rest. You just brought four kits into the world. They’re all healthy.” Moon tried to remember details. It had been nighttime with a waning moon. It couldn’t be more than a day or two from the battle with Bloodclan. When she told Lightning he stared at her. “I’ll look into it,” he promised.
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Moon
Aug 24, 2011 14:44:38 GMT -5
Post by Mooncloud on Aug 24, 2011 14:44:38 GMT -5
With no energy left she collapsed and fell asleep. When her eyes opened she walked among the stars. The familiar white tom walked up to her, but it wasn’t the one she expected. “Tracker.” His eyes widened. “Not you too.” “No, I walk here all the time in my dreams.” There was a mix of joy and pain at seeing her friend again so soon after losing him. He was stronger, more sleek than the underfed scrawny cat she had seen last. “How did you end up here?” “Not sure. There’s a group of cats not far from here that let me walk with them. Said a time will come when I will be needed. I’ve been able to watch what is going on from here. Your kits are beautiful.” “Thank you. Are you all right here?” A small white and gray kit bounded up to him and rubbed her body against Tracker. “Moon this is my sister, Snowflake. I’ve been looking for Jake and my mother. So far I haven’t found them.” “Walk with me?” she asked. Tracker nodded and they padded over to StarClan territory. Many cats gathered watching something down below. “Why doesn’t anyone stop him,” wailed a queen. A tom lashed his tail angrily. “It’s because they’re terrified of Tigerstar.” Moon took a look at Tracker and hurried forward. Her vision was happening now. When she looked down she realized her warning was too late. Tracker placed his tail over her shoulders as a comforting gesture while his sister stared below unmoving. “It’s Scourge all over again,” she said with her little voice. Moon narrowed her eyes into slits. “Except he won’t be around much longer.” A few clan cats turned to her surprised. “Innocent blood will be shed again,” Moon said quietly. “Before the next sun sets, their blood will be repaid.” Shaking her head she tried to clear it from the image that had plagued her so many times. The body of Tigerstar laying in a pool of blood. Before she searched for ways she could stop Scourge. Now she wondered if she even wanted to. “I’ll get him,” said a light brown tabby tom with twisted jaw. There was a hint of regret in his voice. Moon looked at the cats standing there. Two of these queens were sure to be his mothers. These were the cats that loved him most in this world. For now she would leave. This was no place for her. “Let’s go,” she told the others. “Wait! They were almost at the edge of StarClan territory when a reddish-brown tom caught up with them. Tracker’s tail shot up. “Pine!” It was the same cat Moon had seen in Tracker’s past. The kittypet that had saved his life when his mother was killed. “Is there anything you can do?” he asked staring at Moon. “I couldn’t even save my friend,” Moon cried. “Even if I had someone rush to Windclan now, it would be too late.” Pine bowed his head gravely, but said nothing. “Tracker, why don’t you catch up? I want to be alone for a little while.” He nodded and turned excitedly to Pine. She walked a few steps and then ran as fast as her paws would carry her. It felt like ages before she finally stopped. She wailed allowed her dismay, but no one would hear her. The ground swirled beneath her. When it stopped she looked into a never ending lake of stars. Her dismay turned to wonder as she stared at the lake beneath her. Several cats walked below. Cats that moved like the wind raced across the moor, others swam in the river and lake, and even more trekked through the forest. But then she started picking out cats she knew. The sleek blue-gray pelt of Mistyfoot swam in a river. Many of the cats she knew well from Shadowclan stocked the forest. A pure white tom so like Tracker they could be twins showed an apprentice how to catch squirrels. It was the four clans! “How?” “The clans will survive the battle,” a voice told her. “But they will face a new challenge. One that they will need to meet together or die.” Another vision took over one more powerful than any of the others. Several images flashed by, others taking a long time to play out. When she thought she could take no more the visions stopped. Closing her eyes she breathed deeply. “This battle needs to go forward. And the clans can’t know I did anything to help them.”
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Moon
Aug 24, 2011 15:12:45 GMT -5
Post by Fireblaze on Aug 24, 2011 15:12:45 GMT -5
Cool!!!
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Moon
Aug 27, 2011 15:55:00 GMT -5
Post by Mooncloud on Aug 27, 2011 15:55:00 GMT -5
Just to warn you guys, the next chapters might take awhile to post. Hurricane Irene decided to pay the East Coast a visit and I might not be in a position to write for a couple weeks. Sorry.
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Moon
Aug 28, 2011 10:02:10 GMT -5
Post by Fireblaze on Aug 28, 2011 10:02:10 GMT -5
Hurricane Irene just hit New York, didn't it?
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Moon
Aug 28, 2011 21:55:26 GMT -5
Post by Mooncloud on Aug 28, 2011 21:55:26 GMT -5
Yep, and lots of other places too. But I ran into some free time... but it isn't a very exciting chapter.
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Moon
Aug 28, 2011 21:55:53 GMT -5
Post by Mooncloud on Aug 28, 2011 21:55:53 GMT -5
25
Sharp claws dug into her belly. Her eyes shot open looking for her attackers but then quickly relaxed. Purring she licked each of her kits. The smallest was a black tom with a white neck, muzzle, and paws. Next to him a silver she-kit just like her followed by a pair of gray and white toms. One was more gray than white and the other just the opposite. Moon felt relief that she wouldn’t confuse the two as her mother did with her littermate and her. A plump mouse rested close by with Pounce’s scent on it. Gratefully she ate it in rapid gulps. Before she finished swallowing her last bite a shadow entered the den. At first she thought it was Lightning, but the scent wasn’t right. Unsheathing her claws she waited to protect her young. “Lynx! Don’t do that. You about scared me out of my fur.” “Sorry,” he growled. His eyes narrowed at her four kits and she wrapped a tail protectively around them. “They look healthy. Who’s the father?” “Ryou,” she answered without hesitating. Her brother gave a sigh of relief. “There was a rumor going around that they were Scourge’s.” “That’s wrong in so many ways,” she said disgusted. “No, these are Ryou’s and his alone.” Lynx was thinking. “Still, we might be able to pull off that one being his son.” “These kits aren’t going anywhere near Bloodclan,” she snarled. Her kits squirmed back into position and continued suckling. “Keep your fur on. It was only an idea.” Growling a moment longer to make sure he got the message she let herself relax. “Got names picked out yet?” he asked curious. She shook her head. “I’m not naming them until their father gets here. We’ll decide together.” “Touching. Well, you could’ve picked worse. Tracker will be disappointed.” “Lynx, Tracker’s dead. Scourge sent cats to kill us when I left the forest.” His claws dug into the ground. “When?” “A few days ago. I thought you’d know by now.” Lynx froze for a moment and then barred his fangs. At last he decided to leave lost in his grief. No one interrupted her all that day and she grew worried for Lightning. Finally she had enough of waiting. Tucking her kits in for another nap she left the den. Stretching out she looked towards the barn for any sign of movement. Letting scents bathe her tongue she assured herself that there were no predators nearby. Her body was weak and she knew she couldn’t be out for long. The familiar shape bounded over to her. Purring Ryou and she wrapped their tails together rubbing their muzzles affectionately. “Are you all right? How many? What are you going to call them? May I see them?” Licking his shoulder she purred, “Yes, four, I haven’t named them yet, and yes.” As soon as he saw them his chest puffed out with pride and then assaulted her head with fierce licks. “They’re beautiful. Just like their mother.” Moon purred contently as she settled back down around her kits. “Our daughter is the silver one and the rest are toms.” “What about Dream for our daughter?” “I like that,” she replied. “If you want to be like the clan cats, we’d call her Dreamkit until she is six moons old.” Ryou cocked his head to the side. “Interesting. What about after?” “Then she’d be Dreampaw until she was fully trained as a warrior and then her name would be changed to something else.” “Dreamkit it is. Now for the toms.” “I was thinking Dusk and Smoke for the gray and white ones.” “Smoky. I’m not about to forget my roots as a house cat. And the last one?” Ryou and she stared at their nameless son. He was so much like his father in appearance and she hoped that he would have his father’s courage as well. “Spirit?” Ryou suggested. “That will be perfect. All right then. Dreamkit, Smokykit, Duskkit, and Spiritkit,” she said sniffing them one by one.
Pounce and Callie looked after her kits while she went to stretch her legs. Her shoulder wasn’t acting up as much as it used to. Lightning promised it wouldn’t be long until she could use it properly again. But then she wasn’t known for her patience. Ryou kept close to her. Fur touching, they walked around the barn and down to their border with Riverclan. The wailing and screeching of cats filled her ears. The prophecy she made to StarClan was coming true. Tigerstar started his attack on Windclan. Tomorrow Thunderclan and the remains of Windclan would meet Tigerclan for battle. But only one cat would die tomorrow. Ryou noticed her discomfort. “Something wrong?” “Scourge will attack the clans soon.” Just then she heard a little voice from the reeds. “Only a little further.” “Get back,” Ryou hissed at her. He settled down into a crouch ready to spring if the intruder proved hostile. The bush shook and Lightning walked through. As soon as Moon spotted him she rushed up to him licking his fur. “Where have you been?” “Moon!” Lightning whined trying to get away from her fierce licks. “Come on. I’m not a kit anymore.” “You’re still my kit though,” she teased flicking his ear with her tail. “I told you that was what mothers were for.” Giving himself a good shake he looked at her. “Don’t you have four kits to watch over now?” “Four?” asked a small voice. Lightning turned back to the bush. “It’s safe to come through.” Five cats walked through. Moon stared at the ragged shape of the young apprentices of Riverclan. One was Sunpaw but the other four were unknown to her. There was no need to ask the reason for their appearance. Tigerstar had his claws deep into Riverclan. “Let’s get you something to eat,” said Moon. Ryou watched for a moment while everyone went back to the barn but quickly fell into step. The smallest of the group was exhausted and he picked him up by the scruff carrying him the rest of the way. Lightning went straight to his stores. “Juniper for strength. Yes, that will have to do for now.” Other cats buzzed about with excitement. Night had gotten up from her nest to see what all the commotion was. Half of her face was still covered with cobwebs holding in the herbs Lightning had applied, but she still looked scary. “All right,” announced Lightning. “One each and then eat something. Then I’m finding you a nest.” “Not in here,” cried a black tom. “Quit complaining Reedpaw,” snapped Sunpaw. “We’re lucky they’re doing anything for us.” She looked back at Lightning. “Thank you.” Lightning nodded his head. “Don’t mention it. And if you want, there are some perfectly good dens near where Moon’s kits are you can sleep in.” Ryou narrowed his eyes. “You want to put these diseased cats near my kits?” “They’re just starved,” said Moon. “No harm will come to our kits.” Looking at each other for a minute more, Ryou turned away. “I’ll go look for something to eat.” After Lightning had sorted them all out, he took Moon aside. “Stonefur is dead. A pair of toms named Blackfoot and Darkstripe murdered him in an unfair fight.” “I know,” she sighed. She looked at the five apprentices. “Sunpaw is Stonefur’s kit, but who are the other four?” “Mistyfoot’s. Figured they weren’t any safer than their parents. Camp was empty and I had little trouble getting them out.” “What’s become of Mistyfoot?” Lightning looked at her for a moment. He knew she knew more information than she was letting on. “Riverclan doesn’t know. But they think she and two apprentices escaped into Thunderclan.” “They’ll be safe there then.” She looked out the doorway. “I’ve got to get back to my kits. But I want to talk with you, Lynx, and Ryou later.” “Uh, sure. When?” “Just after sunhigh,” she said.
Her kits tucked in for another meal. Dream and Dusk fought over their positions for a little bit before kneading her belly with their claws. It was hard not to think about anything but them, but she forced herself to plan her next move. Bloodclan had to be dealt with. Sunpaw sat nearby watching them. “They’re really beautiful kits.” “Thank you,” replied Moon. “Now what’s on your mind?” Her paws shifted in the dirt. “They let him kill Stonefur. Father was the most loyal Riverclan cat in the clan and they did nothing. And why? Just because the mother he never knew about was Thunderclan. I wish,” she sniffed, “I wish I never came back to Riverclan. I’d be better off back as a kittypet. I never want to go back home again.” Moon turned her head to the distraught young cat. “You’re welcome to stay as long as you want. But are you sure you want to stay away? Not everyone betrayed Stonefur.” Sunpaw’s eyes narrowed. “Just my leader and some of the warriors. If I can’t trust them, then who can I trust?” “What happens if the other four want to go back?” “They can if they want. But I won’t be.” “Moon,” called Lightning. “I’ve got everyone out here.” She turned her head to the entrance. “Be up in a little bit.” “Can I watch them,” asked Sunpaw. “I always loved helping out in the nursery.” Moon licked her between the ears. “Sure.”
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Moon
Aug 29, 2011 20:17:09 GMT -5
Post by Mooncloud on Aug 29, 2011 20:17:09 GMT -5
Yep, story is officially on hold. Don't hate me but the earliest I'd be able to get back to this will be mid September. But I WILL finish this.
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amberfire3
Warrior
"I'm going to bed before either of you come up with another idea to get us killed, or worse; expelle
Posts: 180
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Moon
Aug 30, 2011 5:14:35 GMT -5
Post by amberfire3 on Aug 30, 2011 5:14:35 GMT -5
nooooooooooo.....!!!!!
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Moon
Aug 30, 2011 9:21:11 GMT -5
Post by Mooncloud on Aug 30, 2011 9:21:11 GMT -5
Sorry :-( but I'm heading north to help with the Hurricane Irene clean up. But hey, look at it this way. You were getting first draft material this whole time... imagine what I could come up with over a few weeks. Hopefully a more epic conclusion!
I'm glad everyone is enjoying this story.
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amberfire3
Warrior
"I'm going to bed before either of you come up with another idea to get us killed, or worse; expelle
Posts: 180
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Moon
Aug 31, 2011 3:56:37 GMT -5
Post by amberfire3 on Aug 31, 2011 3:56:37 GMT -5
oohhh, good for you, cleaning up Irene! )))
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Moon
Sept 7, 2011 9:48:35 GMT -5
Post by Mooncloud on Sept 7, 2011 9:48:35 GMT -5
not back yet, just took a day off and could be on the computer for 15 min. Still have no idea when I'll be back home in front of my own computer to finish this story. Sorry.
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amberfire3
Warrior
"I'm going to bed before either of you come up with another idea to get us killed, or worse; expelle
Posts: 180
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Moon
Sept 8, 2011 6:59:25 GMT -5
Post by amberfire3 on Sept 8, 2011 6:59:25 GMT -5
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Moon
Sept 8, 2011 14:04:52 GMT -5
Post by Fireblaze on Sept 8, 2011 14:04:52 GMT -5
Don't you have school or something?
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