Ceremony Time

[. Mµ†è [kï±±ý]]

Deft padders moved agilely through the swarm of cats and trash, leaping proudly atop a trash can, with a rattling so loud, a person walking by stopped to look in alarm before moving on.
Quiet now...
He yowled, tail held high behind him. Probably the leader with the least expirience, but the most lives, he wasn't feeling too great with what food he got, but he thought they had it good;... enough.
"ALL cats gather for a Clan meeting."
Catch their food or not, he wanted everyone to be in this proud moment.

[Earthheart]

Tigerpaw sat in a corner, her eyes burning fever-bright as she stared at the chaos surrounding her. We never would hav come this far, to exist like rats in a ditch! Not if Eaglestar was here. The tiger-striped she-cat believed this with all her heart, she had adored the leader who had taken over her training from Steelflame, who had disapeared. Then she had disappeared herself. Leaving Tigerpaw feeling betrayed, deep down. But she would not admit it, instead focusing all her energies on Vanitystar's 'failings.' Reluclantly she came forward, not paying much attention to the leader. she had no clue what this meeting was about.

((Don't take it too seriously, she's just wierd now))

[. Mµ†è [kï±±ý]]

Vanitystar smiled, nodding to Tigerpaw; his only so-far attendee.

[BLUGHJSNFJKSNBJANBSFJNJKASNFKJAS SMALL POST. Gotta go. D=]

[Willowstar]

Forestpaw bounded over still wiping the tears from his eyes. He sat neatly before the trash can and looked to his leader. My clan needs me, he thought courageously.

[Windstar]

Rapidfire got to his paws, and padded slowly over to sit down.
" Vanitystar, Honeysuckle has died." He whispered, although his leader may already know.

[Earthheart]

Tigerpaw just stared accusingly at Vanitystar. Honeysuckle? Who's going to be next? She thought wildly.

[. Mµ†è [kï±±ý]]

Vanitystar ignored Tigerpaw totally, and sighed, nodding at Rapidfire. "I know... but thank you anyways."

[eagleflight]

Ripplepaw padded into the meeting, her dull eyes staring blankly into space. She couldn't do anything but think, My mother is dead. She's dead. She's dead. All of the joy and bounce that had been in her stride was gone, dead along with Honeysuckle. This was a harsh lesson in life that she wouldn't forget. Not ever.

Violetblossom walked up behind the apprentice, but took her place by Vanitystar's side. "We need to talk," she whispered in an undertone to the leader. "Right after the meeting."

[. Mµ†è [kï±±ý]]

"Now's fine. The cats are still assembling. To my den." I trotted to his 'den', sitting down to eye Violetblossom. Sighing, I couldn't help but know this wasn't going to be I wanted to hear, but I motioned for her to start, or continue. Whichever.

[eagleflight]

"Vanitystar," Violetblossom began carefully, "We can't ignore the Clan's will forever. They want to leave this place. We need to leave. Honeysuckle was just the first. If we don't leave, who knows how many will die?" Her eyes were dark blue with sadness. "I know that we can't go back, but we can't stay here either."

[. Mµ†è [kï±±ý]]

"Violetblossom, my Clan has turned against me. I need support. There's no way I can go on knowing that my own apprentice dislikes me; I see how Tigerpaw looks at me. And Forestpaw..." he shook his head, tears flying down his face. "I can't do this, Violetblossom. I have 9 lives, but how long will that last? I need a miracle..."

[Willowstar]

Forestpaw watched the two cats retreat to Vanitystar's makeshift den with disdain. His mother was gone, and there wasn't a single drop of joy in him now that the strange disease had taken the life of one so dear to him. The apprentice's eyes burned with old tears and the recoiled rage that was stirring up inside of him.

[eagleflight]

"Vanitystar, even if I don't agree with your decision, you know that I will stand by you in everything. Whatever you decide, I'll still be your deputy, but even more importantly, your friend." Violetblossom paused for her words to sink in. "Your Clan needs you now more than ever, Vanitystar. Don't you quit on us."

~~~~

Ripplepaw padded over to stand by her brother. "Have courage, Forestpaw," she encouraged. "The sky always gets dark before the storm clouds clear."

[Willowstar]

Forestpaw looked to his sister with greatful eyes. ["Thanks, Ripplepaw." He then turned to the moon which was covered in a translucent haze and let a windy sigh flow through his teeth. The solemn apprentice turned to Ripplepaw once more. "StarClan has been silent ever since we came here. Do you think they'll ever find their way here?"

[. Mµ†è [kï±±ý]]

I nodded, unable to fathom her words at the moment. My Clan needed me, yes, but did they want me? So much doubt my mother would have said. And she'd have smiled. I smiled too, nuzzling Violetblossom. "Thank you for those words. Now come, there are warriors to be made."